By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
news@capitolnewsillinois.com 

The Amateur Trapshooting Association has signed a multi-year contract with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, keeping its Grand American competition in Sparta until at least 2036.

The Grand American brings thousands of competitors to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Randolph County and pumps tens of millions of dollars into the local economy, according to a news release from IDNR.

The complex, which occupies 1,600 acres in southern Illinois, offers trap and skeet shooting, sporting clays, and other activities. It has more than 1,000 campsites and opportunities for fishing.

This year the ATA Grand American is scheduled for July 31 through Aug. 10. Organizers expect millions of targets to be thrown during the event.

February marks Heart Month

The Illinois Department of Public Health is raising awareness for healthy eating and exercise habits a part of National Heart Month.

IDPH said its particularly important among populations with higher risk factors for heart disease and more negative outcomes than the overall population.

“The first step in prevention is identifying what can make your heart unhealthy, such as untreated high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high levels of stress. Next, create a heart-healthy action plan. Schedule a check-up with your medical provider and take control of your heart health today,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a news release.

Experts say small changes can go a long way in preventing heart disease, suggesting Illinoisans should: 

Eat heart-healthy – more fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, poultry and fish; minimize sweets, processed foods and red meat.
Move more and sit less – 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week – including muscle strengthening twice per week.
Monitor diet and exercise –  keep a food journal, monitor calorie intake and use an activity tracker.
Get healthy sleep – seven to nine hours each night. People who do not get enough sleep are at higher risk of heart disease, obesity, dementia and depression.
Quit tobacco.
Ensure blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are all within normal ranges.

IDPH operates a program called WISEWOMAN, which provides screening and evaluations for women who may be at risk for heart disease or other health issues. It is geared toward uninsured and underinsured women and covers more than half of Illinois’ 102 counties.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.