The impact of Canadian Wildfires. Huge Air Quality Issues, especially moving north from Central Illinois.

Air Quality Alert Message

Relayed by National Weather Service St Louis MO

1247 PM CDT Tue Jun 27 2023

Greene IL-Macoupin IL-Montgomery IL-Bond IL-Fayette IL-Clinton IL- Marion IL-Washington IL-Randolph IL-Adams IL-Brown IL-Pike IL- Calhoun IL-Jersey IL- Including the cities of Litchfield, Vandalia, Centralia, Salem, Chester, Sparta, Quincy, Mount Sterling, and Pittsfield 1247 PM CDT Tue Jun 27 2023

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT WEDNESDAY...

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in Springfield Illinois is forecasting unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups (USG) for ozone and fine particulates until 10 PM CDT Wednesday.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada is moving into the region, pushing air quality into the unhealthy or worse categories. Air Quality Index (AQI) forecasts and levels can normally be found at AirNow.gov, but the unique widespread nature of this episode prompted this extra NWS alert.

An Air Quality Action Day means that smoke concentrations within the region will approach or exceed unhealthy standards. Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity. Air quality forecasts and tips on how you can reduce your emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov.

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation is accepting applications for the position of Executive Director. This is a fully remote, part-time position with a salary range of $30,000 - $35,000. Applicants must reside in Montgomery County, IL.
The MCEDC Executive Director will be responsible for the following duties/operations:
1. Work with the Executive Committee and other staff to manage operations.
2. Cultivate relationships with all MCEDC members and elected and agency officials at the local, state, and national level.
3. Develop and implement a business retention and expansion (BRE) program to further the mission of the MCEDC.
4. Assist the MCEDC Chairman in preparing for MCEDC Board Meetings and possess a working knowledge of the corporate operation and budget.
5. Communicate regularly with all MCEDC members via quarterly email newsletters, monthly articles in The Journal News, and regularly scheduled interviews with WSMI Radio.
6. Perform frequent and timely updates to the MCEDC Website and Facebook page.
7. Communicate with members to help promote their fairs, festivals, and special events.
8. Promote tourism in the County by publishing updated activities and events to the website, Facebook page, and newsletter
9. Serve as an advocate for local businesses. Keep a current listing of Montgomery County businesses on the MCEDC website.
10. Grant Writing
11. Other duties and special projects as assigned by the MCEDC Board of Directors. Interested parties should email a cover letter, resume, and references by July 26th to: mcedctreasurer@gmail.com

Montgomery County is ramping up preparations for next months’ tax sale of delinuent properties. County officials have completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2019 and prior real estate taxes. Approximately 117 items will be put up for sale through a bid auction sale. All sealed written bids must be submitted to the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office, located in the Montgomery County Courthouse at #1 Courthouse Square, Room #101, Hillsboro, IL 62049, no later than the close of business on Monday, July 14. Online bids can be submitted at www.iltaxsalebids.com.  You don't have to have a six figure bank account to get involved.  The required minimum bid is $838 per item. All items will be sold to the highest sealed bid received on or before July 14. You can preview the properties up for auction at I-L-Tax-sale.com. The bidders packets and sale catalogs can also be found at the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office. 

It’s not just about revenue. Montgomery County officials hope the properties will wind up in the hands of new owners who will maintain the properties. The sale is also estimated to eliminate abandoned properties, improving the appearance of the neighborhood and value of adjourning properties. 

For further sale information, contact the Auction Sale Department of the Montgomery County Tax Agent’s Office at 1-800-248-2850 or 618-656-5744 or online at www.iltaxsale.com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.