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Thursday, March 11, 2021 JournalStandard.com @journalstandard Facebook.com/journalstandard $1.50

Congress OKs $1.9T virus relief bill

Alan Fram ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — A Congress riven
along party lines approved a land-
mark $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill
Wednesday, as President Joe Biden and
Democrats claimed a triumph on a bill
that marshals the government’s spend-
ing might against twin pandemic and
economic crises that have upended a
nation.
The House gave final congressional
approval to the sweeping package by a
near party line 220-211 vote precisely
seven weeks after Biden entered the
White House and four days after the
Senate passed the bill. Republicans in
both chambers opposed the bill unani-
mously, characterizing it as bloated,
crammed with liberal policies and
heedless of signs the crises are easing.
“Help is here,” Biden tweeted mo-
ments after the roll call, which ended
with applause from Democratic law-
makers. Biden said he’d sign the mea-
sure Friday.
Most noticeable to many Americans
are provisions providing up to $1,400
direct payments this year to most adults
and extending $300 weekly emergency
unemployment benefits into early Sep-
tember. But the legislation goes far be-
yond that.
The measure addresses Demo-
crats’ campaign promises and Biden’s
top initial priority of easing a one-two
punch that first hit the country a year
ago. Since then, many Americans have
been relegated to hermit-like lifestyles
in their homes to avoid a disease that’s
killed over 525,000 people — about the
population of Wichita, Kansas — and
plunged the economy to its deepest
depths since the Great Depression. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leads the vote to approve
a landmark $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill Wednesday at the Capitol in
See RELIEF, A3 Washington. [J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Vaccination
numbers up
19% in county
Chastity Laskey USA TODAY NETWORK

Stephenson County has adminis-

tered more than 11,560 doses of the
COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday, ac-
cording to data from the Illinois De-
partment of Public Health.
That's up 18.98% from the previous
week's tally of 9,716 COVID-19 doses
administered.
As of Monday, 9.8% of people living
in Stephenson County are fully vacci-
nated. The Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention considers some-
one fully vaccinated two weeks after
they've been given a single-dose shot
(Johnson & Johnson) or a second shot
(either Pfizer or Moderna).
On Friday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker
announced a new $10 million public
awareness campaign aimed at en-
couraging residents to get vaccinated.
While the governor expressed
optimism amid the improving vac-
cination picture and declining rate
of transmission in the state, he said
misinformation and hesitancy to
receive the vaccine pose potential
Fehr Graham has moved to its new location in downtown Freeport. [PHOTO PROVIDED] problems as availability continues to
increase.
“Even if we had enough doses

Fehr Graham relocates office

Jane Lethlean Special to The Journal-Standard
USA TODAY NETWORK
FREEPORT — Fehr Graham, a Mid-
west engineering and environmental
firm founded nearly 48 years ago, has
relocated to downtown.
Previously, the company was located
in the historic Rawleigh Building before
moving to the newly renovated former
Fifth Third Bank building across from
the Stephenson County Courthouse.
Adam Holder, a principal leader and
co-owner of the firm, said the decision
to move was difficult but allows the
firm to be closer to City Hall, which is
two blocks away. Fehr Graham does
contract work for the city of Freeport
with infrastructure, engineering con-
sultation, streets, water and storm
sewer work. The firm also does work
for the Freeport Park District.
“While it was very difficult to leave
the Rawleigh Building, we wanted to be
in a more central downtown location
and this seemed like a great fit,” Holder
said. “The new space gives us a com-
fortable, modern working environment
and sets us up for many years to come.”
Fehr Gram Principal Ken Thompson,
branch manager of the Freeport office,
said the move also reflects the history
of the company’s evolution. The di-
verse Freeport office is the firm’s larg-
est with nearly 40 employees, many
of whom live in Freeport and its sur-
rounding communities.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to
watch this team grow from humble
roots,” Thompson said. “We have a
strong pool of talents leading the way.”
Freeport Mayor Jodi Miller said,
“Fehr Graham is the type of company
we welcome and appreciate. They pay
their employees a livable wage and give
back to their community. This invest-
ment is appreciated and the city will
help assist to expand their presence if
asked and where needed.”
Holder said the firm occupies the
first and second floors of the building.
He said he likes being able to offer the
staff a more modern feel to a work en-
vironment. The move took place near
the end of January with the complete
transition to take place by the end of
April.
Lori Willging, who has been with the
company for 32 years, said she loves
the downtown view from her second-
floor office. Willging, accounts man-
ager, was on the planning committee
for the move. She said she saw the old
bank building before renovations were
made for Fehr Graham.
“This is such a rewardable place to
work, and when I look at our new sur-
roundings of how things look now, this
is a building that has come to life, and I
love my new view,” she said.
See OFFICE, A2
today for everyone, we know that
many people would still choose not
to get vaccinated,” Pritzker said in
a news conference. “While it’s ev-
eryone’s choice whether to get vac-
cinated, we need to be certain that
those who are uncertain have all the
facts because these vaccines save
lives.”
Pritzker said the new multiplat-
form public awareness campaign will
take a “proactive” approach aimed at
fighting misinformation and vaccine
hesitancy.
As of March 8, Illinois reported
1,199,441 total cases of coronavirus,
an increase of 0.98% from the week
before.
The five counties with the highest
percentage of their population fully
vaccinated in Illinois as of Monday
are Peoria, Jersey, Cass, Champaign
and Adams.
Here are the latest numbers on CO-
VID-19 vaccinations in Stephenson
County as of Monday:
See VACCINE, A2

Ann Young Brad Biggs Weather Volume 179 | Issue 61

Delivery: 815-232-0102
It’s starting to look a lot like Wilson clear choice for Bears’ QB, High 50 | Low 27 News tips: 815-232-0140
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A2 | THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021 | THE JOURNAL-STANDARD

YOUR NEWS Contact us

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TODAY’S FORECAST FAITH

St. Johns to hold The Rev. Gary Brown March 26 at Faith United Lenten devotion. Each
community grace will deliver the message Methodist Church, 1440 week there is a theme to
meal "When Self Is King." S. Walnut Ave., Freeport. think about; this week’s
Forecast for Freeport
Adult Bible Class The purpose of the theme is “longing.” A
TODAY LOCAL ALMANAC
Cooler with clouds HIGH: Statistics through 5 p.m. Wednesday PEARL CITY — St. meets at 8:45 a.m. The meeting is to celebrate booklet and videos are
giving way to some
50° High / Low temperatures 67° / 51° John's Lutheran Church, topic will be "Adding to and share in the World available.
sun Precip. through 5 p.m. Wed. Trace
TONIGHT
229 S. First St., will hold Your Faith." Day of Prayer program. The church is collect-
SUN & MOON its March community Children in kindergar- Social fellowship will ing soaps, tooth brushes,
Clear to partly LOW: Today Friday
cloudy and colder 27° Sunrise 6:17 a.m. 6:15 a.m.
grace meal from 11 a.m. ten through fifth grade be held after at the at combs, and nail clippers
FRIDAY Sunset 6:00 p.m. 6:02 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. March 21. can attend Good News the shelter house on the for Lutheran World Re-
Moonrise 5:54 a.m. 6:21 a.m. The menu will be spa- Kids at 6 p.m. Wednes- grounds of the church. lief personal care kits
Times of clouds HIGH: 50° Moonset 4:16 p.m. 5:21 p.m.
and sun LOW: 23° ghetti, green beans, ap- days. Bible lessons, music For information: during Lent. Donations
New First Full Last
SATURDAY plesauce, Italian bread and games are included. 815-233-5276. can be dropped off at the
Sun and some HIGH: 48° and dessert. The meal will For information: 815- church.
clouds LOW: 35° Mar 13 Mar 21 Mar 28 Apr 4 be prepared and served by 440-6589; graham.boll@ Good Shepherd For information: 815-
the Pearl City High School parkhillsefc.org. Lutheran Church to 369-5552; goodshep-
Shown is today's weather.
Temperatures are today's Servant Leadership. It will hold worship service herdlena.org; facebook.
Janesville
highs and tonight's lows.
54/30 be curbside pick-up only. Salem UCC to welcome com/GSLCLenaIL.
Dubuque Meals must be ordered by guest minister LENA — Good Shep-
51/29 Galena 5 p.m. March 19. herd Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of
52/29
Freeport
St. John's worship ser- LENA — Salem Unit- 118 E Mason St., will hold Our Redeemer installs
Rockford vices are held in person ed Church of Christ, 8491 a worship service in per- reverend
50/27 55/29
Cedar Rapids Sterling and are available online W. Salem Road, Lena, son and virtually at 9:30
DeKalb will welcome guest min- a.m. Sunday. FREEPORT — The Lu-
53/29 55/29 54/30 at 9 a.m. Sunday morn-
Iowa City Rock Falls ings. Bulletins are avail- ister the Rev. Lauri Allen The reading will be theran Church of Our Re-
Davenport 54/29 able on Fridays and Sat- to the worship service at from John 3:14-21. deemer installed the Rev.
56/31 54/32
La Salle urdays at the church or 10 a.m. Sunday. Sunday is Good Shep- Willis Schwichtenberg
58/32
Moline on the website under the Allen previously herd’s 164th anniversary. on Jan. 20.
56/31 “Bulletins-Sermons” tab. served as the Peace Phase 4 mitigation The installation was
Forecasts and graphics provided Kewanee To order a meal: 815- United Church of Christ measures allow up to 50 attended by the Revs.
by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021 56/32
443-2215; prshadmin@ in Genoa. She currently people in the sanctuary David Anderman, Rick L.
gmail.com. does pulpit supply, leads and 50 people in the Fel- Bader, Dan Behmlander,
• For a full forecast, visit journalstandard.com/ For worship service on- Vacation Bible School lowship Hall. Those who Michael Nesbit, Wil-
weather line: StJohnsPearlCity.org. programs and serves wish to attend in-person lis Schwichtenberg and
where she is needed. worship are asked to wear Mark Winkelman; lector
Park Hills Winnebago For information: masks, practice social Carl Sanford; children's

Office Church to hold

worship service
815-369-4511.

Church Women
distancing and wash their
hands or use hand sani-
tizer. Temperatures will
sermon and prayer lead-
er Dave Barton; acolyte
Liam Schmelzer; pianist
From Page A1 WINNEBAGO — Park United to meet be checked upon entry. Elaine Hayunga; Mark
Hills Winnebago Church, Good Shepherd Lu- Wakeley; and the Re-
Freeport-area engineers Allen Fehr and Joseph 500 W. Winnebago St., FREEPORT — Church theran and Lena United deemer's mini-choir.
Graham founded Fehr Graham in 1973 and opened will hold a worship ser- Women United of Free- Methodist Church are For information:
the firm's first office at 660 W. Stephenson St., five vice at 10 a.m. Sunday. port will meet at 9 a.m. offering Do-It-At-Home buss760@comcast.net.
blocks from the new office, with five employees. In
2002, the Freeport office moved into the former ad-
ministrative quarters of the historic Rawleigh build- IN BRIEF
ing complex, at 221 E. Main St. Today, Fehr Graham
has 10 offices in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin and SRC releases vaccine nior Resource Center is Older adults have pay for early access and
employs more than 170 people. scam warning warning individuals not been asked to pay for go through unverified
An open house will be held at a later date. to fall victim to COVID-19 vaccines, pay for posi- platforms in an attempt
Jane Lethlean: jlethlean1210@gmail.com; @ FREEPORT — The Se- vaccine scams. tions on a waiting list, to gain payment and per-
DOGWMN2 sonal information.
The Senior Resource
Center offers programs,

Vaccine 3527(&7 <285 +20(  '$<6 $ <($5 education and activi-
ties for older individuals,
their families and care-
From Page A1 givers in Stephenson and
%$&.(' %< $ Jo Daviess counties.
How many people in Stephenson County have For information:
received a COVID-19 vaccine? <($55281' 815-235-9777; seniorre-
&/2*)5(( sourcecenter.net.
16.03% of people in Stephenson County have received
at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 7,176 people. *8$5$17(( Alpha Mu educators
10% of people in Stephenson County are fully gift newborns
vaccinated, for a total of 4,462 people. with books

How many people in Illinois have been FREEPORT — Alpha

vaccinated so far? Mu Chapter of Delta
Kappa Gamma women
18.2% of people in Illinois have received at least one NATIO educators have been giv-
:( Ζ167$// E
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dose of the vaccine, for a total of 2,320,146 people. ing books to newborns at
TH

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9.8% of people in Illinois are fully vaccinated, for <($55281' FHN Memorial Hospital.
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a total of 1,247,781 people. TT The book gifting is

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:$55$17< part of the Catch ‘Em in
the Cradle program.
For information: ei-
ldersp@gmail.com.

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