Daily Digest for Jan. 12

Duckworth to speak at Democratic dinner

NORMAL - Tammy Duckworth, an Iraqi war veteran and Illinois Veterans Affairs director, will speak at the McLean County Democratic Party's annual Honoring the Roosevelts Dinner.

The event will be at 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Old Main Room in Illinois State University's Bone Student Center. Tickets cost $40.

To reserve tickets, call (309) 827-3934 or email matejka53@aol.com.

Democrats gather to watch inauguration

BLOOMINGTON - McLean County Democrats will gather to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama at 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at the United Auto Workers Hall, Illinois 9 west.

The event is free. The UAW is opening the hall at 10 a.m. Food and drink will be available with donations requested. A big-screen TV will be available for viewing the inaugural festivities.

Then-state Sen. Barack Obama visited the UAW Hall twice in 2004 while campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois.

Hines tapped to lead regional YWCA group

BLOOMINGTON - Becky Hines of Bloomington, president/CEO of the YWCA McLean County, has been named executive director of the YWCA Great Lakes Region effective Feb. 16.

She will work with all YWCAs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

She began at the YWCA McLean County as a child care teacher at the Hershey Road site in 1981. She has been child care director and associate executive director prior to being appointed to president and CEO in January of 1995.