City fosters support for adoption

Mayor Dale Fowler, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, signed an official proclamation declaring the month of November to be National Adoption and Foster Care Awareness Month in the city of Harrisburg during Thursday's City Council meeting.

"National Adoption and Foster Care Awareness Month focuses on the needs of children waiting in foster care who are in need of permanent homes," Fowler said.

"Families and individuals are called upon, and generously choose to share their homes and love with children in need."

According to DCFS, close to 15,451 children have found "forever families" over the past decade, with 1,838 children being placed in the last year.

During the meeting, the council also heard from Kevin Pyle, of Futiva Hosted Communications. Pyle announced to the council that Futiva, which operates out of Dahlgren, IL, is seeking to expand their business to towns in Saline County.

"We're used to doing rural fiber projects, and serving rural customers," Pyle said. "What we're seeing here is a need."

Pyle came to the council, after numerous residents in Harrisburg reached out to their company, to seek the council's permission in working with and providing services to the Harrisburg residents that had contacted them.

Futiva, Pyle said, can offer homeowners a lower-cost alternative for a fiber optic network, as well as high-speed internet, other communications services, and hosted communication services.

Futiva has been operating out of Hamilton County since 1952, and expanded their business to Marion over the summer.

"We understand what the rural needs are," Pyle said. Futiva is currently expanding their business into Saline County, and working towards providing services in Harrisburg.

Pyle left information about the company's services and rates with the City Council for their review.