Has Stephenson County’s heart grown smaller over the years?

In 1837, Stephenson County was formed. Less than 20 years later, in 1854, the citizens of Stephenson County showed compassion for the citizens of their county that were unable to care for themselves, or whose families could no longer care for their needs, and started a county nursing home.

It has gone by several names over the years, but that is beside the point. How the home was funded for the next 110 years, before Medicare and Medicaid, I do not know. I have a feeling that there were some citizens with very large hearts.

In 1970, there was a referendum placed on the ballot to fund a new home. Once again, the citizens of Stephenson County showed the size of their hearts by approving the measure and a new home was built.

In 1998, a referendum was placed on the ballot to support the home with a tax levy. Again, the citizens of Stephenson County showed that they understood the importance and need for a county nursing home and approved the funding. Stephenson County showed the size of its heart.

In 2023, there is a desire by some elected board members to sell Walnut Acres without letting the people vote on a referendum to that effect.

Were the citizens of Stephenson County aware that the person they voted for to be their representative on the board may have had that intention?

There has been no denial that the home has had its issues over the last number of years but is now seems to be on a better course.

Has the size of Stephenson County's heart grown smaller to the point of giving up on an institution that has been an important part of the county and a symbol of its compassion for almost 170 years?

Stephen Judd, Ridott