CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The daughter of Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons and State Representative Carol Ammons was the subject of a mailed death threat, according to a joint statement from the two Thursday afternoon.

According to the Ammons’ statement, a Champaign County Clerk employee gathered the department’s mail around 9:30 a.m. Monday morning, finding a “hand-written letter that contained a death threat directed to their daughter, Titianna Ammons.”

Included in the Ammons’ joint statement was the following message, which they said left grammatical and spelling errors intact in order to “reflect the actual content of the letter”:

“WE ARE TRIED OF THE AMMONS FAMILY CONTROLLING ATTITUDE. YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO CHAMPAIGN COUNTY IF YOU ARE CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. YOU WILL HAVE LESS MEMBERS IN YOUR FAMILY. WE ARE WATCHING TITIANNA DAILY SCHEDULE. IF YOU ARE ELECTED TITIANNA WILL DIE SOON.” 

Police were notified shortly after the letter was found Monday morning.

“In the past Carol and I have dealt with threats directed towards us, but it is reprehensible that an individual would threaten the life of our daughter,” Aaron Ammons said in Thursday’s release. “The author of the letter has caused undue stress and anxiety to our family as well as the dedicated employees that work in our offices.  While we are taking this threat very seriously, we will not be bullied or intimidated by whomever is behind this. Titianna is strong, focused, and resilient in the face of all of the challenges she’s facing and she/we will NOT be moved!”  

An investigation by the Champaign County Sheriff’s office remains ongoing.

Those with tips are asked to call the office at 217-384-1204.

“We will not speculate on the individual’s motives or plans, but we are taking this threat seriously and we’re asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the author,” the statement Thursday read. “We know some people don’t particularly like us and are not happy about the positions we hold in this community, but this should cross the line in everyone’s book.”

Continuing to be accessible to residents during the COVID-19 crisis, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, an Oswego Democrat, announced she will move her "Coffee with Kifowit" events to Facebook Live.

Until recently, Kifowit held weekly constituent meetings at local coffee shops to discuss issues dealing with the state, give up-to-date information to constituents and answer residents’ questions. She will continue her virtual "Coffee with Kifowit" on her new state Facebook page "Illinois House District 84" or you can find the page @ILDistrict84 on Facebook. The virtual events will begin at 9 a.m. and go until 10:30 a.m. every Monday.

For details, contact Kifowit by email at stephanie.kifowit@att.net, visit her website at ILDistict84.com or connect through her new Facebook page at "Illinois House District 84."

QUINCY — A Quincy native and Navy veteran has launched her campaign for the Illinois House in the 94th District.

Democrat Angel Smith is challenging state Rep. Randy Frese, R-Paloma, in the Nov. 3 general election. Both ran unopposed in the March 17 primary election.

A Navy veteran, Smith is a secretary at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy and a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1787.

"I am running to give a greater voice to workers, veterans, and union members in the 94th District and across Illinois," Smith said in a release. "The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on our economy has shown that many of our most essential workers are also the most vulnerable. A crisis response that sees the rich getting richer and workers left behind is neither a humane nor a just response that serves the greater good. We must join together to provide a strong safety net for everyone."

Smith served in the Navy for more than 12 years and achieved the rank of petty officer first class.

She worked as a Russian linguist and held a top secret security clearance while being stationed at intelligence collections facilities in Hawaii and England.

Upon her honorable discharge, she returned to Quincy, where she earned a master’s degree in counseling at Quincy University.

"Having worked in a variety of minimum-wage jobs in hospitality, retail and printing, I understand the day-to-day economic struggles working people face," Smith said. "I’m campaigning to increase the political and economic power of workers, and to create and maintain a robust culture of transparency and accountability in all government functions."

A two-term Adams County circuit clerk, Frese was first elected to the 94th District seat in 2014. He was re-elected in 2016, and in 2018, he defeated Democratic candidate Rich Cramsey, receiving nearly 72% of the vote.