INSIDE THIS EDITION WILDCAT SPORTS $1.00 Showtime in Lady‘Cats want to Vol. 47, Issue 5 1 section • 12 pages Wilmington,1921 improve in 2021 Not over 75% advertising www.freepressadvocate.com WILMINGTON, IL | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | A FREE PRESS NEWSPAPER Return of school sports will benefit more than just the athletes BY MARNEY SIMON soon as possible, with the season run- dent-athletes due to the unknowns — “There was a noticeable spark in “It will have a positive effect for EDITOR ning through March 13. Boys soccer when can we play, when will we leave their step... the day following the sure,” he said. “Collectively as a can begin practices on March 1 with this tier in our region, scheduling IHSA announcement,” he said. “It school, it's a sure sign that things are Student athletes are ready to the season running until April 17. timelines, etc. Our coaches have done seems like we’ve strung our kids along getting closer to normal. We will still head back to their respective sporting Football can start on March 3 for a great job communicating with their for such a long time, and now we have continue to follow all mitigations and events, now that the Illinois High practices, with the first games set for athletes to remain positive and stay finally reached the point where we rules set forth with COVID.” School Association (IHSA) has cleared March 19. The season is set to con- active in hopes that we would finally can truly practice and compete. Maupin also urged parents and the way to bring sports back, even in a clude on April 24 with no state series. get clearance to play and compete,” “First and foremost, I'm really community members to be patient as limited capacity. Baseball, softball, and girls soc- Maupin said. happy for our senior student-ath- schedules are finalized. The IHSA Board of Directors met cer can start practices on April 5, with “Simply keeping the spirits up letes,” he continued. “Since last “There are limitations on the for a special board meeting on Jan. 27, the season set to run until June 19. has been a big challenge, but our kids March, they haven't had athletics as number of spectators at events so we where the Board provided an updated Wrestling practices can start on have done a great job. Fortunately, part of their life in terms of competi- are preparing for live-stream game sports schedule and other guidance April 19, with the season expiring on we've been able to compete and per- tion. Now, they can rest assured that action for audiences to capture,” he for the remainder of the 2020-21 June 12. form virtually in other activities such they will be able to compete and play said. “Right now, the limitation is 50 school year. The COVID-19 pandemic Wilmington High School princi- as Speech Team, Scholastic Bowl, Fall to close out their high school career.” spectators at an event. This will be a and subsequent restrictions in the pal Scott Maupin said the school dis- Play, Music Concerts.” But the overall excitement isn’t fluid situation so this could change state have kept school sports side- trict is eager to get started with athlet- Maupin said the announcement just about the student athletes. from week-to-week or month-to- lined for most of the year. ics, and coaches and students alike that sports can soon resume has Maupin noted that the return of month.” The schedule includes boys and are ready to move forward. uplifted the student body at sports will affect the entire student SEE IHSA, PAGE 2 girls basketball to start practices as “It's been difficult for our stu- Wilmington High School. body. Park district discusses policy as search for director continues BY MARNEY SIMON that takes on more impor- EDITOR tance during the COVID-19 pandemic was the district’s The Wilmington Park remote working policy. District has been conducting A proposed new policy for interviews over the past sever- telecommuting would allow al weeks, searching for a new employees to work from home executive director. or off-site with approval of the The district’s former executive director, and assign- director, Renee Chavez, ments would be approved on a resigned her position as of Jan. case by case basis. Only those 8, taking a new position with employees in positions that the Crete Park District. can reasonably be performed Superintendent Andrew off site would be eligible, and, Liaromatis has been fulfilling per the proposal, the policy most of the duties of the direc- would only apply to those tor in the interim. employees who have worked On Jan. 28, the board met for the district for at least 12 for their regular monthly months. meeting, holding a lengthy The board did not take discussion on several policy any action on any of the issues issues with regard to the posi- discussed. tion. However, at least one con- Policy items discussed stituent spoke up at the meet- include status of staff mem- ing with an idea for saving bers, hiring procedures, holi- costs in the district. days, vacation leave, use of Wilmington resident Ryan park district equipment, and the interest use policy. SEE PARKS, PAGE 2 One policy item discussed Courtesy photos HORSING AROUND - WHS senior Payton Koopman and her horse, Prez, jump during a show. WHS senior taking four-legged friend to college BY BRIDGET KNOWLES City plans TIF amendment WHS STUDENT REPORTER for logistics park boundaries WHS senior Payton Koopman loves her horse so much she intends to take it to college. BY MARNEY SIMON change to the name of the Since getting her first pony at the age of two, EDITOR logistics park, the name of the and her first horse when she turned 11, Koopman TIF project area approved by has dedicated a lot of her time to being an equestri- An amendment to the City the original ordinances and an. of Wilmington’s Tax Increment subsequent amendments has Koopman travels to Morris almost every day to Financing (TIF) redevelop- not changed. visit and take care of her horse Presidential Chex, or ment plan and project has The city is now looking for Prez, at the barn where he is boarded. She is been posted online for the another amendment to the responsible for brushing, riding and taking care of public to view. original plan, in order to again him. The city created the TIF changed the boundaries and Koopman gets her love of horses from her district in 2010. Originally include additional properties, mom, who rode when she was younger. named Ridgeport, the district in order to better suit the “I’ve tried a lot of different sports, but that’s the encapsulates the area of the development of Elion. one I really liked the most,” she said. Elion Logistics Park at I-55 and The redevelopment proj- Koopman and Prez plan to go to college Lorenzo Road. ect at Elion may include con- together. Koopman’s top choice is Truman State The project site was struction of new private build- University in Missouri. She would keep her horse amended in 2014, 2016, 2017, ings and associated site on the university farm, about a mile from the main and 2019. Amendments to the improvements, public campus. district has provided for fur- improvements and support “I’ve talked to their equestrian coach, and she ther modifications to the proj- activities to induce and com- said they have a really good program there, so I ect area, by adding certain SEE TIF, PAGE 2 would definitely take my horse with me there, and properties and removing cer- that would be a really cool experience,” comment- tain properties. ed Koopman. Since then, Ridgeport Many colleges in the area have an equestrian Logistics Park has been WHS SENIOR Payton Koopman and her horse Presidential Chex or “Prez” will renamed Elion Logistics Park SEE HORSE, PAGE 2 be going off to college together in the fall. 55. While there has been a The Free Press Advocate, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, page 2 WWW.FREEPRESSNEWSPAPERS.COM the Restore Illinois plan, and not under after the decision was issued. “Our Board IHSA any additional resurgence mitigation faced an impossible task with a litany of horse and I are both guidelines. factors. They were conscientious in con- judged on our form and The state board is considering State sidering every possibility and I believe Horse how well we transition Series competition for traditional IHSA from one jump to the The guidelines provide that sporting their decisions today are a positive step spring sports only. Dance and cheerlead- next,” said Koopman. events in a region that is not facing any for the mental, emotional, and physical ing will be allowed to conduct virtual The goal is to follow specific mitigation efforts can allow up to well-being of our students. We are excited team, such as Illinois State Sectional and State Final meets, where to channel our energy into creating as and the University of the course perfectly, and 50 spectators, indoors or outdoors. they will record their performances and many positive experiences for Illinois Illinois. not lose any points. Points As of Tuesday, Wilmington had yet to submit them to be judged. high school students as we can between “A lot of people don’t can be taken off if a jump finalize its plans for allowing spectators, “Ultimately, the Board adhered to its is knocked down, if her while Reed-Custer Athletic Director now and the end of this extraordinary know that most colleges stated goals throughout the pandemic: have an equestrian team horse refuses a jump, or if Chuck Anderson said the Comets were Providing an opportunity for every IHSA school year.” because it’s not talked Koopman falls off.