Thumbs Down: To motorists who don't respect the 'Move Over Law'
The editorial board of The State Journal-Register offers this week's Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down:
Thumbs Down: To those who do not change lanes when they see a law enforcement vehicle stopped on the roadway.
So far this year, at least a dozen Illinois State Police parked squad cars have been hit by a passing vehicle. That is more than all of last year, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. One of those crashes killed Trooper Christopher Lambert, 34, in January, and there have been injuries reported in nine cases as well.
This is not hard. If you see a police vehicle on the side of the road, slow down and change lanes. Do it because it's the right thing to do, but also because it's the law in Illinois. Scott's Law, also called the Move Over Law, requires motorists to slow down and move over when there's a stopped vehicle with flashing or hazard lights. Frankly, you should move over for any stopped vehicle.
Law enforcement or emergency vehicles on the side of the road are there because they are trying to assist motorists or keep everyone on the roadways safe. Support them by not driving distracted,
Thumbs Up: To the work the Springfield Housing Authority is doing in Peoria.
Last year, The Peoria Housing Authority Board contracted with the SHA for part-time managerial services in order to help its struggling local agency. The SHA managers have helped the Peoria agency increase its occupancy rate, reduce waiting lists and better serve low-income residents who need affordable housing.
The PHA asked the Springfield agency to help improve its performance and provide time to hire a new director after the board did not renew the contract of its previous leader in January 2017. Since 2011, the PHA has been classified as a "substandard" or "troubled" agency by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, while Springfield's agency has been listed as either a "standard" or "high" performer.
The one-year, $200,000 contract expires April 2. PHA board members said they are satisfied with the services from Springfield and that it has gotten the Peoria agency headed in the right direction. The PHA may propose extending the contract by another six months (if both governing boards approve). A formal search for a new executive director of the PHA has not yet begun.
SHA executive director Jackie Newman said the Springfield agency has not suffered while she and her colleges help their Peoria counterpart. Knowing their expertise is not just helping local residents, but being used as a model to help others in Illinois, is something all Springfield residents should be proud of.
Thumbs Up: To the Cass County Health Department for joining in on the Blessing Box project.
A blessing box contains free items that people can anonymously take. They typically include nonperishable food and other items, such as toiletries, that someone in need may not have the resources to buy . There is no requirement for a person using a Blessing Box to exchange or replace the items they take.
The boxes are starting to pop up throughout the country and are following the Little Free Library movement, which allows people to share books .
The Cass County Health Department got the idea for the Blessing Box from Facebook, clinic director Tiffany Angelo told the SJ-R last week. It has created a Blessing Box in Virginia, and health department staff keep it stocked, with help from local businesses and community members.
The Blessing Box was built by Darin Waters, shop teacher at Virginia High School, and his sons, Mason and Henry. His students helped research the box's design, and one, Johnathon Shaner, also helped to construct and install it.
Food insecurity is a huge problem for many in our communities. A Blessing Box provides a discreet way for those in need to get the food or personal items they otherwise might not be able to afford. It's a small, thoughtful way to help those in our community who need a hand.