An 11th hour reprieve has been achieved for Aetna customers who use HSHS hospitals, medical group facilities or prairie cardiovascular. — After much negotiation, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) has reached a a tentative agreement with Illinois Aetna and will not terminate service on July 1, 2024. HSHS will remain an in-network provider and and any appointments that had been paused can be scheduled at all HSHS facilities in Illinois. This agreement includes nine HSHS Illinois hospitals, Prairie Cardiovascular and HSHS Medical Group clinics. If patients have further questions regarding upcoming appointments, they can contact their provider’s office. Any additional insurance questions can be directed to HSHS Patient Financial Services at 1-833-464-1778 or via email at PFS@hshs.org. In a statement HSHS officails say they are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care that is easy to access and affordable. We work with many insurance and managed care companies and continue to align the payments we receive with the quality of care we provide for our patients. 

  

These types of negotiations can be complex and often create uncertainty for patients and providers. HSHS is committed to providing high-quality care for the residents of Illinois, and we appreciate our patients, colleagues and provider partners’ support and patience during this process. We are committed to providing high-quality care for residents in Illinois and are grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve Aetna members

Bolstering electric grid in Morrisonville ahead of summer storm season

 

Ameren Illinois crews were busy upgrading a transformer and three power poles in the town of Morrisonville to guard against the upcoming summer storm season, to bolster the grid for local residents and improve reliability of the local church.

 

The poles that were removed will be recycled as part of Ameren Illinois' wood waste recycling program.

 

Ameren works with Blackwood Solutions, a recycling company that specializes in repurposing or recycling old or broken power poles for fencing, landscaping or building materials. Customers and nonprofits can still request decommissioned poles from Ameren Illinois to use for parking lot borders and fences.

 

Ameren recycling numbers for 2023:

• Pounds of material recycled:                    3.6 million
• Trees saved:                                                      4,600
• Cubic yards diverted from landfill:         5,400
• Pounds of CO₂ sequestered:                     230,000

 Governor JB Pritzker announced today that the U.S. Small Business  Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for the severe flooding that  impacted the City of Litchfield in Montgomery County on May 24th. This disaster  declaration will allow residents, condo homeowners, and businesses to apply for low interest loans for damages not covered by insurance. 

SBA staff will be at Fire Station 2, 1 Skyview Drive, Litchfield, starting at 9 a.m. on  Monday, June 24 to help residents with their applications. The Disaster Loan Outreach  Center (DLOC) will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.  to 2 p.m. 

The deadline for applying for a loan for physical damage is August 16, 2024. The  deadline for economic injury loan applications is March 17, 2025, but the in-person  centers close permanently at 6 p.m. on Monday July 8.  

"Our hearts are with all the flood survivors from the City of Litchfield and Montgomery  County," said Governor JB Pritzker. "My administration, in partnership with  federal and local partners, has mobilized numerous resources to help survivors heal and  rebuild their community. Thanks to these efforts, affected families and businesses will  now have access to low-interest loans for damages not covered by insurance.” 

“When a disaster strikes, it takes local, county, state, and Federal resources to help  survivors start the recovery process. We thank the City of Litchfield and Montgomery  County EMA for the strong partnerships in the aftermath of this devastating event,” said  Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security  (IEMA-OHS) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau.  

"We are grateful for the assistance our citizens have received from federal, state, county,  and local agencies in the aftermath of the flooding the City of Litchfield experienced.  Our community has rallied together to support one another," said Mayor Steve  Dougherty. 

“I was proud of the way that all levels of government came together for the residents of  the City of Litchfield,” said Montgomery County Board Chairperson Doug Donaldson,  "This is a great example of how governmental agencies can work together to assist  citizens affected by devastating events such as this. I would also like to commend the  City of Litchfield emergency responders for their quick action to assist stricken  homeowners and St Francis Hospital. Our county agencies such as Montgomery County  EMA stand ready to assist local governments during time of need." 

Homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 in low-interest loans to repair or replace  damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners or renters can apply for up to $100,000  to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and not-for profits can borrow up to $2 million for physical damages. Details on loans are available  at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. 

This declaration covers Montgomery County and the contiguous counties of Bond,  Christian, Fayette, Macoupin, Madison, Sangamon, and Shelby. 

Hillsboro Police make an arrest as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation. 45-year-old Zachary Umek of Hillsboro was arrested Wednesday after police chief Randy Leetham says his department learned of suspected sales and distribution from a residence in the 200 block of Bowels Street. The department obtained a search warrant from Montgomery County States Attorney Andrew Affrunti and joined Montgomery County Sheriff’s personnel ar the residence to serve it around 11:40 pm. Inside the residence several grams of suspected methamphetamine along with suspected fentanyl was seized, other items collected indicate the sale and distribution of drugs. Umek was taken into custody and bookedinto the Montgomery County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, delivery of methamphetamine, and manufacturing methamphetamine. Members of the public are reminded that an arrest is a mere accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.