Jacksonville IL

The property has stayed vacant since the state shut down the center in 2012.

The incidents this summer resulted in suspects taken into custody without harm.

Business owners Colleen Flinn and Bryn Wilson spoke to Community Voices about how Jacksonville businesses have come together to form Pretty City Jacksonville, an effort to attract visitors to the downtown Jacksonville area. They also shared the many offerings in Jacksonville including pizza making, shopping, and axe throwing.

The task force will identify where historical sites are located, connections they may have to one another, and will paint a picture of the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Becky Williams is the pastor of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and Mel Neilson is the pastor of Centenary United Methodist church. They are a part of a new initiative called The Morgan County Partnership for Unmet Needs which brings together churches in the Jacksonville community to meet the gap for those in need. The group was modeled after the Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs. They spoke to Community Voices about what brought them to ministry and the process of how this new initiative will work. They also spoke about coming together with different churches and the importance of service.

The BSN program at Illinois College currently graduates approximately 20 nurses each year. The partnership with Memorial Health is expected to increase that number to 100 within the next five years by expanding facilities and adding new nursing faculty.

Tim Flinn is the owner of "The Haberdash" men's clothing store and "bro-tique," as he likes to put it. He seeks to create a relaxing environment for men to come in and find help curating their new, dashing look. From clothes, tailors and accessories to hair care, beard styling products and the rare whiskey tasting, the Haberdash has it all to make you the best man you can be.

Members of the Jacksonvill, Ill. community are working to bring a center for the arts to the downtown Jacksonville area. Drew Snodgrass and Mary Fergurson spoke to Community Voices about the need for a state-of-the-art facility that fits the needs of artists and audiences. They also shared how a center for the arts would help attract new members of the community and develop the labor force.

Judy Williams is the owner of Dog Training 101. She spoke with Community Voices about her career and tips for training pets.

Sean Crawford talks with the State Journal-Register Business Editor Tim Landis:* Jacksonville business park: Morgan County has lower unemployment than…