BLOOMINGTON — State Farm will pay $250 million to settle a federal lawsuit that accused the insurance giant of breaking federal racketeering laws by funneling money into the election campaign of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

A throng of protesters gathered outside Cook County’s criminal courthouse Wednesday to mark the start of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke’s murder trial, waving signs and chanting the now-familiar slogan: “16 shots and a cover-up!”

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who sued the city for a court agreement to govern reforms of the Police Department, said in a statement Wednesday that she won’t run for Chicago mayor.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

INA, Ill. – Four culinary-themed classes offered through Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education Division will prepare attendees for a healthy diet this fall. Interested participants can enroll today for these classes, scheduled in September and October.

First up this month is Ready, Set, Sushi – a class designed to introduce sushi lovers to the basics of making their own healthy dinner in the comfort of their home. RLC Chef Jeff Fairbanks will cover terminology, equipment needed, basic techniques, sanitation, and safety concerns. Participants are recommended to wear comfortable clothing and no special equipment is needed. The class costs $20, plus a $15 supply fee to the instructor, and meets from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 in the Student Center, Room 120, on the Ina campus

Next in September is Healthy Eating for All Ages, which will help participants discern what is in a healthy diet. Instructor Marty Wells will review some ways to eat a balanced diet while maintaining or losing weight. The class costs $10 and will meet from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.

In October, participants can join a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener and Fairbanks to learn How to Grow and Prepare Fall Vegetables. Topics of discussion will include how to harvest, identify, and prepare fall vegetables; how to grow vegetables in gardens or raised beds; and how to prepare herbs on fall vegetables. The class will end with an interactive demonstration on how to prepare dishes using fresh vegetables. The class costs $15 and will meet from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1 in the Student Center, Room 103, on the Ina campus.

Later in the month, Instructor Marty Wells is back to help participants Make Sense of Nutritional Labels. This informational class will help attendees find out how the nutrition label can help them make healthier food choices. The class costs $10 and will meet from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.

To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College is teaming up with the American Heart Association (AHA) this fall to offer a number of emergency services courses at the AHA Training Center at the MarketPlace, Room 221, in Mt. Vernon.

Among these courses are CPR/AED and First Aid, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC). To learn more or to reserve a seat today, contact the AHA Training Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 2032.

CPR/AED and First Aid

There are several one-day courses scheduled for First Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) / AED (automated external defibrillator) training at the RLC AHA Training Center this semester. By definition, First Aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, to prevent the condition from worsening, and to promote recovery.

The First Aid and CPR/AED courses will meet from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, Sept. 10; Tuesday, Oct. 2; Thursday, Nov. 15; and Wednesday, Dec. 5.

ACLS, PALS Prep and Renewal

The AHA also offers both ACLS provider and ACLS renewal courses this semester to ready students for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other life-threatening medical emergencies. The provider class meets from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, Sept. 19 and Tuesday, Sept. 20 and Tuesday, Nov. 6 and Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The renewal courses require one day of study, also from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 20; Friday, Oct. 12; Wednesday, Nov. 7; and Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Another two-day provider class, PALS aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for students to efficiently and effectively manage critically ill infants and children. The class meets from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 14. For those needing renewal, the one-day course will meet from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 and Friday, Oct. 19.