- Montgomery County, as Trustee, has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2021 and prior real estate taxes. The County, as Trustee, will now offer for sale the real estate obtained to the public. They will offer approximately 158 items through a sealed bid auction sale. All sealed written bids must be in the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office located in the Montgomery County Courthouse, #1 Courthouse Square, Room 101, Hillsboro, Illinois 62049 no later than the close of business on August 15, 2025. All online bids must be submitted via www.iltaxsalebids.com no later than the close of business on August 15, 2025. 

The sale of these lots should be a major benefit to both the Taxing Districts and the neighboring property owners. This sale will place the properties into the hands of individuals who have an interest in owning them. The County, as Trustee, hopes that these new owners will both maintain the property and keep the real estate taxes paid. By eliminating abandoned properties, the appearance of the neighborhood should improve and the value of adjoining properties should increase. 

The required minimum bid is just $838.00 per item. All items will be sold to the highest sealed bid received on or before August 15, 2025. Complete bidder's packets and sale catalogs are now available at the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office or online at www.iltaxsale.com. 

For further sale information, contact the Auction Sale Department of the Montgomery County Tax Agent's Office. The telephone number is 1-800-248-2850 or 618-656-5744 or visit us at www.iltaxsale.com. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Tons of falling brick and glass showered the hilltop at the Hillsboro High School campus Wednesday with the kickoff of demolition of the 104-year-old main building.  Demolition work will likely continue through Friday and potentially into Saturday.  Once again, spectators looking to catch a last glance can do so from the student parking lot.     

The Witt Volunteer Fire Department has landed a major grant from the state.  Witt received a grant of $331,000 for firehouse improvements from the State Fire Marshall's Office. 

Governor JB Pritzker joined the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to announce the inaugural Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program awards totaling $5 million to 16 grantees across the state. This funding will allow fire departments or fire protection districts to repair, upgrade, or construct new fire stations. 

“I am proud to be celebrating inaugural Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program awards, a crucial lifeline for fire departments across the state – particularly those in rural areas – to upgrade their facilities and equipment,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our firefighters put their lives on the line every single day, and these investments can make all the difference in keeping our communities safe and protected.” 

“This was the inaugural year of the grant program, established as part of the OSFM’s ongoing commitment to assist the Illinois Fire Service in identifying and securing funding for critical resources that might otherwise be out of reach,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele L. Pankow. “I want to thank my predecessors for their hard work and dedication in securing this funding, which now allows departments like those receiving these grants the opportunity to construct or rebuild stations—ultimately helping to keep their communities and firefighters safer.” 

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There have been claims that the Big Beautiful Bill could lead to some ugly news for rural hospitals in Illinois with medicaid cuts.  A new report from the University of North Carolina’s Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research has released a list of Rural Hospitals in Illinois that are at risk of closing.  Nine hospitals are on the list and no Mid Illinois hospitals are on the list.  The center produced the report at the request of the US Senate.  Most of the hospitals are in Deep Southern or Eastern Illinois.   Hospitals are considered at risk when they are in the top ten percent of Medicaid payer mix and the hospital has seen three straight years of negative total margin.