Clinton Journal

08/27/2025

08/27/2025

Sneak peek 👀 at Friday's Journal! Pick up your copy and help support Clinton's local newspaper.

08/22/2025

Employees address board after strike vote

By Gordon Woods

[email protected]

CLINTON — Members of the highway department union addressed the county board Thursday following a statement from their representatives they had authorized a strike.

Items that are at the heart of the dispute include what union members say are substandard wages that are far below other departments in the area. Also of concern are what members say is a lack of respect on the part of the county’s labor relations attorney and threats of dismissal for exercising their rights under the union contract.

Local highway department employee and member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1296 Rob Wickenhauser told the county board Thursday he enjoyed his job. But, he added, he wished contract negotiations had “been met with open minds” on the part of the county’s labor attorney.

Wickenhauser said he felt he had been blindsided by the county when its representatives offered its “first and final offer.”

“From that time on, there has been no negotiation from your side,” Wickenhauser told county board members. “Not only that, we feel we have been talked down to and totally disrespected by the attorney who speaks and acts on your behalf.”

Wickhauser repeated a claim union representatives told board members when they addressed the board several months ago, that there appeared to be no communications between the county’s labor attorney and board members. Wickenhauser felt county board members might be unaware of what was taking place.

“I could not see this board being happy with the way he is treating your employees,” Wickenhauser said.

Staff representative for the highway and maintenance workers and AFSCME Council 31 Christina D’Angelo also addressed board members.

D’Angelo said she had seen many positive changes with stability within the county highway department.

“These people want to be here to serve your community,” D’Angelo said. “They want to continue at the highway department, and I’ve seen, even as a visitor to your county, the value they bring.”

D’Angelo read a prepared statement and said she was speaking on behalf of the highway department workers.

“I will let you know, based on threats of termination for exercising their right to vote on a strike, have scared them,” D’Angelo said. “Your employees are scared to come to you and speak because they’re worried about retaliation.”

She said that should not be something the board wants and might not be aware of.

In a statement released this week before the board meeting, AFSCME said the employees had filed their notice of intent to strike as early as August 28. Negotiations have been ongoing for about nine months.

“The county has repeatedly violated state labor law in the process, first by refusing to bargain in good faith (claiming that its very first proposal was its ‘final offer’) and then by openly threatening to fire any employee who exercises their right to strike,” according to the AFSCME release. “County management is now facing unfair labor practice charges before the Illinois Labor Relations Board.”

“AFSCME members in the highway department provide valuable public service to the people of DeWitt County,” AFSCME Council 31 regional director Dave Beck said. “In return, they deserve a fair contract with fair pay, but instead county managers are refusing to bargain and are making illegal threats. That’s wrong.”

Board members offered no response following union comments at the Thursday meeting.

08/21/2025

BOIL ORDER LIFTED: The boil order for the area of Main Street south to Van Buren from George Street east to Taylor Street has been lifted.

If you have any questions, please call the water department at 217-935-3432 during business hours.

08/19/2025

There is a boil order for area of Main Street south to Van Buren from George Street east to Taylor Street.

If you have any questions, please call the water department at 217-935-3432 during business hours.

08/19/2025

ROSEMARY LOUISE MURPHY

DOWNS, Ill. — Rosemary Louise Murphy, of Downs, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025, at the age of 93, surrounded by the family she loved.

Born on October 11, 1931, in Wilson Township, DeWitt County, Rosemary was the daughter of Dorothy and Homer Scogin. She graduated from Wapella High School in 1949 and married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Frederick “Fred” Murphy, on September 10, 1950. Together, they built a loving home and raised three children in the McLean area before eventually retiring to Downs.

Rosemary grew up in a time and place when life was simpler. She was born at home on the family farm and rode a horse to a one-room schoolhouse, where she developed a lifelong love of learning.

An avid reader across a wide range of historical and current topics, Rosemary was knowledgeable about, and loved to discuss, almost any subject. Other simple pleasures she enjoyed included crosswording, butterflies, and nurturing her favorite yellow chrysanthemums.

Rosemary was, above all else, devoted to her family. Her warmth and quiet strength created a home where everyone felt welcome, cared for and truly valued. A gracious hostess, she opened her home, and her heart, for countless holiday gatherings, reunions, neighborhood get-togethers, and even a wedding. Some celebrations lasted throughout the weekend and brought together hundreds of people and generations of family and friends.

Although she always saw her most important role as that of a homemaker and mother, Rosemary also played an essential part in running the family’s farming operations and her husband’s auctioneering business. Before she had children, she was employed as an administrative assistant at Revere Copper and Brass, in Clinton, and she worked for 10 years in Human Resources for Illinois Power at the Clinton Power Station after her children were adults.

Self-reliant and determined, Rosemary lived life on her own terms. Until the last month of her life, she independently managed her household, shopping and finances, cooked her own meals and drove her own car.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Fred, her brother, Alan, and her sister, Judy Arvin (Owen).

She leaves behind a loving legacy in her children, Tom (Sharon), Scott (Jan), and Marcheta “Marty,” as well as her grandchildren, Colleen Murphy Laszlo (Jack), Kara Murphy Cook (Liam), Myles Shane (Angela), and Maggie Nevins (Jake) and her great-grandsons, Carter and Maverick Nevins. She will also be missed by many dear nieces, nephews and their children.

In keeping with Rosemary’s wishes, a private memorial and interment will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Brightpoint, formerly Children’s Home & Aid Society of Illinois, an organization whose mission reflected her lifelong values of care and community: https://www.brightpoint.org/donate or 403 South State Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 Attn: Laura Cordero.

Online condolences and memories of Rosemary may be left for her family at kiblerbradyruestman.com.

08/19/2025

BRUCE MANDRELL

CLINTON — Bruce A. Mandrell, 63, of Clinton, passed away at 8:37 p.m. on August 16, 2025, at his family residence, in Clinton.

No services are planned at this time. The family has entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with cremation rites.

Memorials may be directed to Second Chance for Pets pet adoption.

Bruce was born on February 24, 1962, in Clinton, the son of Charlie and Rose (Bradley) Mandrell.

Survivors include his father, Charlie Mandrell, Clinton; sister, Lora (Kelly) Kinder, Clinton; and brother, Greg (Erin) Mandrell, Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his mother, brother, Chuck Mandrell, along with his faithful dog, Titus

Bruce worked at Wallace Press for 37 years. He enjoyed camping, the outdoors, animals and traveling out west.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com

08/19/2025

While the Clinton Journal e-edition is still accessible, our website is having technical issues. Until it's repaired, we will post any obituaries on our page.

08/14/2025

Read more about our BIG news in this week's Journal! Pick up your copy at any of these businesses: Clinton Pantry, Big D, Discount To***co, Walgreens, Kirby Foods, Circle K, both Clinton Casey's or the Wapella Casey's.

08/12/2025

Big news for Clinton and DeWitt County!

Billy McMacken is proud to be the new owner of the Clinton Journal — and in many ways, we’ve saved your hometown paper. 📰

When the Journal’s future was uncertain, we knew Clinton and all of DeWitt County couldn’t lose this important community voice. Thanks to the passion and dedication of longtime team members Katy Pyne and Gordon Woods, the Journal’s heart never stopped beating — and now we can keep it going strong for years to come. ❤️

Be sure to grab this week’s edition for the full story!