The WMOK News Check
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Winter Wellness: Supporting Older Adults During the Seasonal Blues – WMOK talks with Director Kim Abell of Massac Memorial Hospital New Beginnings Department
WMOK (Metropolis, IL) – Winter blues can significantly impact older adults, often leading to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and decreased energy. The shorter days and colder weather may limit outdoor activities, contributing to isolation. Many older individuals might struggle with the holiday season, as memories of lost loved ones can resurface.
It’s essential to encourage social connections, promote light exposure, and engage in physical activity to combat these feelings.
Support from family and friends plays a crucial role in enhancing emotional well-being during this time.
The New Beginnings department at Massac Memorial Hospital offers solace to folks in just this situation.
The New Beginnings department at Massac Memorial Hospital is a dedicated geriatric behavioral health program designed to support older adults facing emotional challenges. With a focus on fostering social connections and promoting overall well-being, the program provides essential resources and a safe environment for individuals to regain their vitality and connection.
You can contact Massac Memorial New Beginnings Department at 618-524-7370
Hear our conversation with Kim Abell of Massac Memorial’s New Beginnings Department below:
WMOK News: The New Illinois Laws – Part 21 – Safe Schools for All: Education Access Secured Regardless of Immigration Status
We continue our focus on educational policy with a critical piece of legislation known as the Safe Schools for All Act (HB 3247). Effective January 1, 2026, this law firmly codifies and expands protections to ensure that every child in Illinois has the right to a free public education and a secure learning environment, regardless of their own or their family’s immigration status.
This law aims to eliminate the “environment of fear” that can discourage children from attending school, directly linking access to education with the security and trust families have in their local school systems.
Key Protections of the Safe Schools for All Act
The law creates several new mandates and strict prohibitions for all public schools, school districts, and charter schools:
1. No Denial of Access or Programs
The law states unequivocally that no child may be denied a free public education through high school based on the child’s or their parent’s actual or perceived immigration status.
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Full Participation: Schools cannot exclude a student or their parents from participating in or receiving the benefits of any program or activity (extracurriculars, field trips, parental engagement activities, etc.) due to immigration status.
2. Privacy Protection and Information Collection
To prevent the use of immigration status as a barrier to enrollment, schools are now prohibited from:
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Requesting or collecting information about citizenship or immigration status unless explicitly required by State or Federal law.
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Threatening to disclose a student’s or family member’s immigration status, or actually disclosing unverified information, to any immigration agent or law enforcement agency.
3. Restrictions on Immigration Enforcement at School Sites
The law creates clear procedures designed to protect the integrity of the learning environment from unexpected enforcement actions:
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Entry Requirements: A school must not allow an immigration agent to enter a school site or facility for any non-emergency purpose without providing valid identification, a written statement of purpose, and a valid judicial warrant.
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No Detention: Schools cannot detain any individual (student, staff, or visitor) solely on the basis of a civil immigration warrant or detainer request from an immigration agent.
4. Compliance and Legal Recourse (July 1, 2026 Deadline)
While the law takes effect in January, schools have a deadline of July 1, 2026, to develop and adopt formal policies and procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests from law enforcement, ensuring all staff are trained on the new rules.
Any individual harmed by a violation of this act may bring a civil lawsuit within two years of the violation.
Illinois winter disconnection rule in effect through March
Chicago, Il – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding customers that the state’s winter weather rule is in effect from December 1 – March 31. The winter weather rule limits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating.
“Illinois winters are known for frigid temperatures and frequent snowfall. The winter weather rule protects customers who might otherwise struggle to stay warm during the coldest months of the year,” said ICC Chairman Doug Scott.
The winter weather rule protects residential customers from disconnections when temperatures are forecasted to be at or below 32 F, and on days preceding holidays and weekends when the forecast is expected to drop to freezing.
Residential customers or master-metered apartment buildings who used gas or electricity as the primary source of space heating equipment during the previous winter cannot be disconnected for non-payment unless: the utility has offered the customer a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) with a maximum down payment of 10 percent; provided the customer with contact information for public and private aid agencies; the customer refused to enter a DPA; and all disconnection notices provisions have been met.
To protect Illinoisans during dangerous cold, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) participants; electric space heating customers; and military personnel and veterans cannot be disconnected if they fall behind on their utility bills. The rule excludes disconnections related to theft, tampering, or safety.
Households struggling to pay their utility bills are encouraged to apply for LIHEAP annually.
Customers with past due balances should contact their utility to enroll in a DPA. Customers whose electric or gas service has already been disconnected should contact their utility directly to see if they qualify for reconnection at less than the full amount owed.
Ameren, Nicor, North Shore, and Peoples Gas natural gas customers and ComEd electric customers who qualify for LIHEAP or whose incomes are at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for a monthly discount on their bills through the state’s low-income discount rates.
Enrollment in the above programs is free of charge, and customers can access LIHEAP benefits regardless of immigration status.
Contact the ICC’s Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795 for further guidance or to file a complaint against a utility.
WMOK's Coffee Break Program:
We invite you to text
questions and topics for our guests to
618-524-9209
WMOK School and Sports News
WMOK Broadcast Schedule:
1/6 Boys vs. Herrin – 7:15 Acee’s Neighborhood Market Pre-Game Show
1/9 Boys vs. Carterville – 7:15 Acee’s Neighborhood Market Pre-Game Show
1/10 girls vs Goreville – 10:45 Acee’s Neighborhood Market Pre-Game Show
1/10 boys vs Hardin – 7:15 Acee’s Neighborhood Market Pre-Game Show
WMOK School and Sports News
Countdown to the Harry Statham Youth Basketball League: Tip-Off on January 10th, 2026!
Job and Career Listings
Send your Job and Career Listings to WMOK Text the information to 618-524-9209
Links to Local Employers:
Massac Memorial Hospital
MMH is hiring! Join a team that puts patients first and supports the health of our community every day. Compassion. Excellence. Local Care. Apply today at www.massachealth.org/careers or by scanning the QR code.
Rural Health, Inc.
Metropolis Big John
Shawnee Community College
City of Metropolis
Southern Seven Health Department
Job and Career Listings
Happy Hearts Senior Center Seeks Home Delivery Driver
Metropolis, IL – Happy Hearts Senior Center is excited to announce an opening for a Home Delivery Driver, aiming to enhance service to seniors in the community. The position operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, and is a vital role within the organization.
Candidates for this position must possess a valid Driver’s License and demonstrate excellent skills in interacting with seniors, ensuring a compassionate and friendly delivery experience.
Those interested in applying or seeking more information about the position are encouraged to reach out directly to Site Director, Bettie Stoner, at 618-524-9755.
This opportunity is not just a job, but a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the elderly population in Metropolis. Happy Hearts Senior Center looks forward to welcoming a dedicated individual to their team.
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