PEKIN — Tazewell County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds John C. Ackerman delivered a blistering rebuke Wednesday of a front-page article published in the Peoria Journal Star, accusing the newspaper of promoting fear and uncertainty about mail-in voting without seeking input from local election officials.

Speaking at a press conference just weeks before mail ballots are scheduled to be distributed, Ackerman insisted that election preparations in Tazewell County are proceeding normally and that voters should have confidence in the integrity and reliability of the mail-in voting process.

“We plan to send out mail-in ballots on September 24, just as scheduled,” Ackerman said. “There is no interruption to the normal balloting process.”

At issue is a nationally produced USA Today article that appeared on the front page of Wednesday’s Journal Star under the headline, “Whistleblower warns of ‘chaotic’ mail ballot plan.” The report centered on allegations from a federal whistleblower who claims a new U.S. Postal Service mail-ballot verification system, developed in response to a March executive order issued by President Donald Trump, could experience widespread failures and disrupt the delivery of ballots before the November midterm elections.

The USA Today article cited a complaint delivered to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., alleging that the implementation process was “secretive, rushed, chaotic, and fundamentally flawed” and warning of what the whistleblower described as a potential “catastrophic failure.”

While Ackerman acknowledged the ongoing legal and political debate surrounding the federal policy, he said his primary concern was the decision by a regional newspaper serving Central Illinois readers to prominently feature the national story without providing local election context.

“And this column by a regional local newspaper did not seek local input, local information whatsoever,” Ackerman said. “I see no need to worry residents, to scare them, attempt to cause chaos by innuendo, by guesstimation that there is chaos in our system when there is not.”

Ackerman characterized the article as misinformation for local voters and said the headline created a misleading impression that election officials in Illinois were facing disruptions in preparing for the November election.

According to Ackerman, election administrators across Illinois, including in Tazewell County, already have safeguards and procedures in place that meet or exceed the standards being discussed at the federal level. He noted that Illinois voters can track their ballots throughout the mailing process and said his office continues to operate under established state election laws.

He also criticized the article’s reliance on statements from a whistleblower and Blumenthal, arguing that such reports can unnecessarily undermine public confidence in elections.

DELAVAN — The Delavan Varsity Panthers were unable to snap their recent skid Thursday night, falling to the ROWVA/Williamsfield Cougars in straight sets, 25-23, 25-17. Despite a strong effort and several standout individual performances, the Panthers came up just short in key moments and suffered their third consecutive defeat.

The opening set proved to be a tightly contested battle from the start. Delavan matched the Cougars point for point through much of the frame, showing energy on both sides of the net and keeping the home crowd engaged. The Panthers put themselves in position to take control on multiple occasions, but ROWVA/Williamsfield managed to capitalize on crucial late points to edge out a 25-23 victory.

Although Delavan did not come away with the set, the narrow margin demonstrated the team’s determination and ability to compete against one of its conference opponents. The Panthers displayed improved communication and effort throughout the first set, but a few untimely errors and strong Cougar attacks made the difference.

In the second set, ROWVA/Williamsfield seized momentum early and gradually extended its advantage. The Cougars built a comfortable lead behind consistent serving and efficient offensive play, forcing Delavan to play from behind for most of the set.

The Panthers refused to go quietly.

Trailing 20-11 late in the contest, Delavan mounted one final push. With Jaylyn Diekhoff on the service line, the Panthers strung together a rally that brought renewed energy to the floor. Diekhoff helped spark a five-point run, applying pressure on the Cougars and briefly shifting momentum. The surge cut into the deficit and gave Delavan hope of extending the match, but ROWVA/Williamsfield weathered the rally and closed out the set 25-17 to secure the match victory.

Offensively, Delavan was led by Kara Lowry and Addison Fisher. The duo paced the Panthers with five kills each, providing much of the team’s firepower throughout the evening. Both players found success at the net and helped keep Delavan within striking distance during several key stretches.

Fisher also served as the team’s primary facilitator, finishing with a team-high nine assists. Her ability to distribute the ball and create scoring opportunities was instrumental in the Panthers’ offensive attack.

Meanwhile, Tenley Burrell made her presence felt from the service line. Burrell recorded two aces, helping Delavan generate momentum and challenge the Cougar defense during critical points of the match.

While the result was not what the Panthers had hoped for, there were positive signs to build upon. Delavan competed well in the opening set, received strong contributions from several players, and showed resilience when facing a large deficit in the second.

The Panthers will now look to regroup and halt their three-match losing streak as they continue the season and search for a return to the win column.