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By Sally Lael
Cass County Star-Gazette
Happy Birthday to Beardstown's one and only newspaper! This week's edition is number 180! That's 180 years. However, after doing a Google search, it said the newspaper was established as the Beardstown Gazette and the first issue appeared on August 15, 1845. That comes out to 179 years. I'm not going to argue over one year, but the conclusion is this newspaper is old. And it's still going strong.
There have been many owners and several name changes. When I first started in 1987, it was a daily and called The Illinoian Star. We didn't have computers then but had a slant board and the paper was put together by hand, with exactos, scissors and a special gluelike substance to paste news articles, ads and pictures on pages. Plus every article was typewritten by two extremely good typists. One of them could type 120 words per minute (wpm)!
How well I remember the long days and late nights to put the paper together. And we did it every day, plus interviews, writing stories and taking pictures.
But that was nothing compared to the way they put the paper together before I came on board.
Newspapers thrived for many years until television entered many homes. That changed how people got their news outside of their own community, but over the years as technology improved, newspapers took a serious hit. One of the biggest hits was social media. People no longer depended on newspapers to get their information. They now have Facebook, Tik Tok and several others to keep them connected to what was going on in their communities, nation and around the world.
When I started working for the newspaper in 1987, my mom told me I finally found my niche in life. She always said I had a serious "nose" problem and just had to know what was going on in everyone's life. I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not.
I have so many wonderful, funny memories of my years as a reporter and eventually an editor. But there were many days when it was not fun, but extremely painful. Because I was always at many scenes where police, ire/ambulance were, the local police department encouraged me to take police photography at the Illinois State Police Academy. Many times they needed photos of crime scenes or accident scenes, so I took several courses. I learned a lot and certainly used it a lot too.
Here's one of my funny experiences. The press is always allowed on the scene unless there was any danger. The press is protected by several Constitutional Amendments.
There was an accident across the river on the stretch of road going into Frederick. Of course, I picked it up on the police scanner and went to the scene. Illinois State Police were investigating. In the middle of the road was an old truck, but no other vehicle. When I got out of the car, the trooper asked me if I was the press and I told him yes. He had a very strong southern accent and asked me to take pictures of the vehicle and the "back." I took several pictures but wondered whose "back" I was supposed to take. Schuyler County Sheriff was on the scene and I wondered if it was one of their backs.
The trooper, who was watching me closely, kept asking me to get a picture of the "back." Feeling totally lost, I finally asked him whose back was I supposed to take. He pointed to a ditch and said, "back, back," and pointed to a bicycle laying in the ditch. BIKE!
I still chuckle when I think about it.
But as much as I chuckle at some of the crazy things over the years, I have many memories of scenes where there was a fatality, or suicide, or many others that I will not disclose in this column. Those were the heartwrenching ones. Those were the ones where I went home and cried.
But all in all, my years with this newspaper have been very memorable, years of reporting on the good things of living in a small community. It all balances out.
And here I am again. I was called in to assist the bookkeeper who was overloaded with work. Although I knew nothing about that side of the newspaper business, I said I would learn. Besides, it was only going to be for two or three months. That was five years ago.
And the beat goes on.........
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2025 Contact Information: Media Contact: Garth Reynolds, executive director Illinois Pharmacists Association Phone: (217) 522-7300 Email: greynolds@ipha.org Website: ipha.org | @ILPharmacists
IPhA applauds historic passage of HB1697: The Prescription Drug Affordability Act
IPhA applauds historic passage of HB1697: The Prescription Drug Affordability Act comprehensive PBM reform law strengthens patient protections and supports community pharmacies statewide
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) celebrates the General Assembly’s passage of HB1697, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, a landmark achievement in the fight to protect patients, enhance transparency, and preserve access to pharmacy care across Illinois. This legislation was a central focus of Governor JB Pritzker’s 2025 State of the State address, where he emphasized the need to confront harmful pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that have driven up drug costs, jeopardized local pharmacies, and strained patient access to care. HB1697 now delivers on that call to action with sweeping, enforceable reforms. “I am thrilled that this legislation will finally reverse the alarming trend of pharmacy closures across our great state,” IPhA President Dave Bagot said. “HB1697 represents not just a policy victory, but a commitment to preserving access to essential health care services in communities throughout Illinois.” IPhA extends its sincere gratitude to Senator David Koehler and Representative Natalie Manley for championing this legislation. Their leadership has resulted in one of the most significant PBM reform packages in the country, built on transparency, accountability, and patient-centered care. HB1697 directly targets systemic failures in the prescription drug marketplace. The law eliminates spread pricing that has diverted millions away from patient care, ends PBM steering practices that restrict pharmacy choice, and mandates 100 percent rebate passthrough to ensure savings are returned to patients and health plans. It also institutes robust regulatory oversight through required annual transparency reports, plan audits, and market conduct examinations. The bill also provides vital financial relief to the state’s most vulnerable pharmacies. HB1697 allocates $45 million annually to sustain critical access pharmacies and invests an additional $25 million to enhance pharmacy access. These provisions are designed to stop the ongoing wave of pharmacy closures and restore access in both rural and urban areas. “This bill is a turning point. Illinois is making it clear that we will no longer allow corporate middlemen to undermine patient care and community health,” said Garth Reynolds, executive director of IPhA. “HB1697 restores transparency, puts patients first, and gives independent and community pharmacies a fair chance to survive and serve.” HB1697 would not have been possible without the relentless advocacy of pharmacists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and patients across the state. As the legislation now heads to Governor Pritzker for signature, IPhA remains focused on supporting its full implementation and defending its critical protections. “We reached this moment because our profession stood united and refused to accept the status quo,” Reynolds added. “This law is a meaningful step forward in building a health care system that works for Illinois patients.” About the Illinois Pharmacists Association The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) is dedicated to enhancing the professional competency of pharmacists, advancing the standards of pharmacy practice, improving pharmacists’ effectiveness in assuring rational drug use in society, and leading in the resolution of public policy issues affecting pharmacists.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2025 Contact Information: Contact: Campaign Team Campaign Office - Long for Senate 2026 Phone: (618) 209-2261 Email: vote@longforsenate2026.com Website: www.LongForSenate2026.com
Dr. Pamela Denise Long announces bold 2026 U.S. Senate bid to reclaim Illinois' voice in Washington Madison County resident, conservative educator, and national policy advocate enters race to challenge political dysfunction and defend working families
EDWARDSVILLE, Illinois — [May 21, 2025] — Dr. Pamela Denise Long, a nationally recognized educator and principled conservative voice, today announced her candidacy for the United States Senate in Illinois. Running as a Republican, Dr. Long is positioning her campaign as a direct challenge to the entrenched political class and a call to restore integrity, public safety, and economic security for the people of Illinois. As Republicans pursue a permanent “big tent” majority in federal and state government, Long brings a rare crossover appeal to the Black American community. “I’m not a career politician, and I’m not for sale,” said Dr. Long. “I’m running because Illinois deserves more than finger pointing and lip service in Washington. We deserve a senator who will fight for families, pursue consistent criminal justice, and say what needs to be said — even when it’s not politically convenient.” Denise, who holds a Doctorate in Education and has served as a public health leader, trauma-informed consultant, and university instructor, brings a record of real-world problem solving to the race. A proud seventh-generation American and dedicated Illinoisan, she has spent her life helping working-class families, supporting parental rights, and framing common-sense reform at every level of government. Her campaign platform includes:
Born in Mississippi, Dr. Long is a first-generation college graduate, member of a 150-plus-years farming family in Illinois, and former homeschooling parent of a recent college graduate. She is known for her national commentary on outlets like Newsweek, The Hill, and Fox News, for her grassroots leadership about curbing mass immigration, her courageous debates on reining in divisive ideologies in education, and her push for accountability in use of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). “Illinois is a diverse state with shared values: faith, family, work, and a fighter’s spirit,” said Long. “Illinois Republicans are not looking for permission to be heard — we’re taking a seat at the table to deliver real results. It’s time to send someone to D.C. who owes nothing to the establishment and everything to the people.” Pamela Denise Long will begin her campaign with a statewide listening tour and weekly virtual town halls. The campaign is actively organizing in all 102 counties and plans to engage voters across every region — from Chicago to Cairo. For more information or to get involved, visit www.LongForSenate2026.com or follow the campaign @Long4Illinois on X. Paid for by Long for Senate 2026 – PO BOX 573 Edwardsville, IL 62025
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