PEKIN — A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision involving President Donald Trump’s executive order on vote-by-mail elections is not expected to affect how Tazewell County conducts the 2026 Illinois gubernatorial election, according to County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds John Ackerman.

The Supreme Court on Aug. 24 temporarily paused a lower federal court order that had blocked portions of Trump’s March 2026 executive order related to election administration and mail-in voting. The justices did not rule on whether the order itself is legal or constitutional, but instead determined that states challenging the order had not yet shown sufficient injury to justify the injunction at this stage of the case.

The case, Trump v. California, was brought by a coalition of 23 states and the District of Columbia, which argued that the executive order improperly interferes with states’ authority to run elections. The order directs federal agencies to take several actions, including creating voter citizenship lists from federal databases, increasing enforcement against individuals who issue ballots to ineligible voters, and pursuing changes to some vote-by-mail procedures through the U.S. Postal Service.

While the ruling has fueled debate nationwide, Ackerman said local voters should see no immediate impact.

According to Ackerman, the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office will continue to follow all state and federal election laws and does not see any changes resulting from the Supreme Court’s action that would affect Illinois’ 2026 gubernatorial election. He said county election officials are continuing preparations under existing law and expect to mail requested vote-by-mail ballots beginning Sept. 24, the first day of early voting.

Ackerman also sought to reassure residents who have already requested mail ballots, saying voters should expect their ballots to be mailed on schedule and counted according to current Illinois election procedures. Although future court rulings or federal actions could potentially affect vote-by-mail rules, he said his office sees no realistic scenario in which changes would occur before the Nov. 3, 2026 election and pledged to keep voters informed if circumstances change.

The Supreme Court’s ruling does not immediately require states or local election authorities to alter their election procedures. In fact, other legal challenges involving implementation of the executive order remain pending, and courts have yet to decide the ultimate legality of the administration’s proposals.

For now, election officials are proceeding as planned. Residents who intend to vote by mail can continue making arrangements for the 2026 gubernatorial election knowing that current Illinois voting procedures remain in place and that county officials expect ballots to be distributed and processed on their normal schedule.

DELAVAN — The Delavan Community Unit School District 703 has joined other school districts across Tazewell County in supporting a proposed county-wide sales tax referendum aimed at providing a new source of funding for school facility improvements and safety upgrades.

Voters will be asked to decide on Tuesday, Nov. 3, whether to approve a 1% Illinois County Schools Facility Tax, commonly referred to as a one-cent sales tax. School leaders say the measure would help districts address building needs while reducing reliance on local property taxes.

According to information released by Tazewell County school districts, the proposed tax would generate funding specifically for school-related facility projects. Revenue could be used for repairs and renovations, energy-efficiency improvements, durable equipment purchases and the construction of new school buildings. The funds could also support safety and security initiatives, including fire prevention measures, life-safety improvements, school resource officers and mental health services.

District officials note that the tax would not apply to several commonly purchased items. Groceries, medications, vehicles, farm equipment, and services would remain exempt under the proposal. Supporters emphasize that these exemptions help limit the impact on residents while still creating a significant funding stream for local schools.

One of the campaign’s key arguments is that a substantial portion of the revenue would come from outside Tazewell County. Estimates indicate that nearly 60% of the tax revenue would be generated by visitors, commuters, and other non-residents who make purchases within the county.

If voters approve the referendum, the funds would remain under local control. Revenue would be distributed to each school district based on student enrollment, allowing districts such as Delavan CUSD 703 to determine how best to address their specific facility and safety needs.

In addition to funding improvements, districts could use the revenue to pay off facility bonds or help prevent future property tax increases tied to school construction and maintenance costs.

School leaders throughout Tazewell County say the proposal offers a long-term approach to modernizing educational facilities while creating safer learning environments for students and staff. The measure will appear before county voters in the November 2026 election, where residents will determine whether the one-cent sales tax becomes a new investment in local schools.

Rev. Harold “Dean” Blackburn, 84, passed away Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital.

Dean was born Aug. 9, 1942, in Fairfield, Ill, the son of William Cyrus and Opal Viola (Finley) Blackburn. On Sept. 1, 1963, in Fairfield, he married Nancey Carla Francis. She preceded him in death on May 25, 2019.

Dean faithfully served as a minister in the Ill Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church for 65 years. Throughout his ministry, he served numerous congregations across Ill, including as pastor of Delavan United Methodist Church from 1998 until his retirement in 2007. Following retirement, he continued his calling by serving several small churches in southern Ill. During the past two years, he resided at Asbury Village in Godfrey, Ill.

Surviving are his son, John M. Blackburn of Glen Carbon; his daughter, Angela (David) Sarandis of Alton; two grandchildren, Connor McLaughlin (Ali Kossman) and Nolan McLaughlin; two step-grandchildren, Chris (Sarah) Sarandis and John (Kaitlyn) Sarandis; and step-great-grandchildren Derek Sarandis, Elijah Wallace, Evangeline Wallace, Elliot Wallace, Penny Sarandis, Rebecca Sarandis, Jonah Sarandis and Cinder Kossman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancey; a brother, Charles Ray Blackburn; and a sister, Norma Tucker.

A memorial service was held on Aug. 22, at East Alton First United Methodist Church. Pastor Edward Granadosin officiated.

Interment was held at Shrewsbury Cemetery in Fairfield, Ill.

David Jameson Blease, 87, of Delavan, passed away at 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

David was born on Jan. 19, 1939 in Liverpool, England. His first nine years were spent in an orphanage prior to entering the home of his foster parents.

David married Carol Jean Winship on March 25, 1983 in Pekin. She died July 31, 2007. He also was preceded in death by his birth mother who died during childbirth; his foster parents, Eileen and Jamie Jameson and a cousin who was like a brother to him, Peter Combi.

Surviving are one son, Stephen (Amy) Blease of Stoughton, Wis.; two daughters, Nicola (Paul) Caswell and Amy (Chris Robinson) Blease, both of England; one stepdaughter, Tracy (Derek) Anderson of Greenville, SC; ten grandchildren; one great-grandson; one brother, Richard Jameson of England; and Colleen Deckard, for whom David served as legal guardian.

He was a Queen Scout in England, which was a formative part of his youth and provided him an opportunity to meet the queen.

David was a member of the Pattern Makers Guild in England and moved to the United States to work at Caterpillar, Inc. During his 31 years of service he saw changes in this highly specialized trade from wood pattern making to using metal patterns and finally computerized AutoCAD. The skills he acquired also led him to create art through drawing, painting and sculpting. He retired from Caterpillar in 1998.

Because David began his life as an orphan, the idea of being adopted as a child of God through salvation in Jesus Christ had a large impact on him during his adult years. He had a heart for people and was passionate about sharing Jesus. He was known as a handyman and was proud to have built his home in Pekin prior to moving to Delavan. In his free time, David enjoyed golfing, bowling and was gifted as an artist. He also was a tenor and enjoyed singing in the choir.

He attended River of Life Church in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Michael Forbis will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Private burial will be in Prairie Rest Cemetery in Delavan.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help purchase a permanent headstone.