CIty Hall Administrative Office Closed on Tuesday
Public Notice
City Hall's administrative offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 3rd. The building will be open for voting.
Lisa Blanchard
Residential Leaf Pickup
The City of Minonk will be initiating the residential leaf pick up process starting October 26th. The tentative plan is to continue for about a month, weather and time permitting. There are still a number of leaves that need to fall, so your patience will be greatly appreciated as we work through this process. The following rules must be adhered to in order for leaves to be picked up:
1) Leaves only - keep piles of brush separate from the leaves.
2) Leaves must be placed at the edge of your property within 3 feet of the street or pushed into the street for easier pick up.
3) DO NOT place leaves on gravel drives or parking areas. If placed on gravel they will not be picked up.
4) DO NOT mow grass clippings/leaves into the street for pick up.
Lisa Blanchard
More on FOID delay
After months of trying to resolve this matter, the Illinois State Rifle Assn. has filed a lawsuit against the State Police. The concealed carry permits are also badly delayed. You can read it and other info on their website www.isra.org under the NEWS heading. Lets hope this situation is improved.
Jim Flynn
FOID Card Wait Times Complaints
Dear Editor,
As we have dealt with the coronavirus pandemic this year, we have seen many state government operations struggle. One of these has been the processing of applications for Firearm Owner Identification or FOID cards.
Wait times which were already too long before the pandemic have expanded to unacceptable lengths. Figures shared by the State Police indicate that while the average processing time for a new FOID card application in 2018 was 20 days, this year it is 70. Renewals which took 20 days just two years ago now take on average 136. While the number of applications increased from 256,353 in 2018 to 379,873 this year, the state of Illinois has not adapted its system to meet the increased demand.
I recently sent a letter to Governor Pritzker calling for action to reduce wait times for FOID cards. My office has received many emails and phone calls from concerned constituents who have been waiting for their applications to be approved. Some have waited for 6 months or more. We have been working with the State Police to move the process along but much more needs to be done.
I have spoken with State Police Director Brendan Kelly and shared with him our concerns about the wait times. These delays have made it harder for Illinoisans to purchase firearms or ammunition or to make plans for fall hunting trips as shotgun deer season approaches.
This is not due to any mistake or wrongdoing on the part of the applicant. It is also not due to a lack of hard work on the part of the State Police personnel who are processing the applications. It is due to an inadequate and inefficient system for processing the paperwork. Director Kelly and I have had productive conversations and he told me about the steps he is taking to improve the process. I applaud the work he and his staff are doing to straighten this out but there is much to do. Government needs to do better! Much better.
I look forward to seeing an improved system that better protects the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Illinoisans.
Sincerely,
Tom Bennett
State Representative - 106th District
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Haunted House Cancelled This Year
We are sorry to inform everyone that due to COVID-19, our Haunted House is cancelled for this year. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of our community and surrounding areas. Plans are in process already to make next years Haunted House bigger and better.
However, this is the only fundraiser that we due for the year to raise money for equipment. If you would still like to donate to us please send donations to the following address with checks payable to Minonk EDSA Association:
City of Minonk
C/0 Minonk ESDA Association
670 Chestnut St.
Minonk, IL 61760
We thank you for your continuous support and look forward to seeing everyone next year.
RespectfuIly,
Tonya Minz - Director
Minonk Emergency Management
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To Residents of Minonk;
It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve on the Minonk City Council since May of 2001. I have been mayor for the past 16 years.
In May of 2021 my current term will end. It will also be my last. I truly have had a most rewarding experience.
I will continue as mayor and execute my duties to the best of my ability until I leave office next year. Thank you, for allowing me to serve Minonk.
Respectfully,
Bill Koos
Mayor of Minonk
Food Pantry Donations
At the Minonk Food Pantry we serve anywhere between 30-45 families. We are now planning for our November and December distribution days which fall on the first Thursday of each month. We know several like to help out with donations in this season that will make the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners a little special for our clients. Some examples are cans of pumpkin, stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, or anything else you want to provide is appreciated.
You will need to have your donation at the Pantry by November 3 and/or December 1 so that the shelves are stocked for the days that we are open. Your donations may be dropped off at the City Hall front desk. You may also phone the Food Pantry at 432-2962 and leave a message, and someone will arrange to meet you at the Pantry. Thanks for your help!
Lila McCulley
Open House 1006 Johnson St. Minonk
Open House on Saturday, October 10th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at 1006 Johnson St. Minonk, IL
Two car garage home and large shed sit on two lots. Main floor of home includes three bedrooms, two full baths, large living room, eat-in kitchen, and laundry room with half bath. Basement is partially finished with large family room, two additional bedrooms/office spaces, half bath, and large storage room. Large shed has water and heat with one regular garage door and one extra large garage door. See Minonktalk classified ads for photo.
Marla Weber
Writing Contest through November 3, 2020
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is having a writing contest. We were notified of this by it's student editor, the Library's own: Shane Peek. Please check-out the details on the Filger Library website or our Facebook page. There are monetary awards available.
Susan Ryan
Town WIde Garage Sale Reminder
Everyone:
Just a reminder that the Town Wide Garage Sale is Saturday, October 24 from 8 am to 2 pm. If you want to participate please print out this
attachment or pick up a form from The Sweet Shop or Minonk Community Bank. Please return the form to me at 411 E. 2nd Street, Minonk or in the boxes at the locations listed. The deadline for filling out the form is Monday, October 19th. After that time I will be emailing everyone a copy of the map of the sales and posting a copy of www.minonktalk.com
Thanks so much.
Cathy McKay
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Thank you from Filger Library
We would like to thank Dave Uphoff for his work on the beginning stages of cleaning the portrait of our founder, David Filger. The painting is approximately 90-100 years old. We are continuing to work on this project. When the work is complete, we will invite the community to stop by to see it and learn some history of the library.
Susan Ryan
Rosary Beads Found
FOUND:
Rosary beads....on sidewalk in front of 619 Locust St.
Contact 309-434-5709 if they are yours
Rhonda White
Contacting Minonk Township Supervisor
The Minonk Township Supervisor can be contacted at (309) 660-0106
Mark G. Spencer
Minonk Township Supervisor
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