The AARP is teaming up with NPR Illinois and WSIU to host an open forum about issues facing the state, including continued effects of the more than 2-year-long budget impasse.

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

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner said today that he sides with consumers on the issue of car sharing in Illinois. The innovative new service, where people rent cars from peers for short periods of time, often by the hour, gives consumers added mobility choices and is likely to result in lower prices.

With his amendatory veto of Senate Bill 2641, Rauner rejected the idea of regulating and taxing car sharing out of business. At the same time, however, he suggested that the new service be subject to certain taxes and insurance on par with existing rental car competitors. 

The governor believes the service has economic potential for the state. It could ultimately lessen pressure on public transit, ease parking inventory concerns, and help consumers more readily afford vehicle ownership.

INA, Ill.  – It doesn’t matter if you like fast cars, holiday decorations or just looking up at the night sky, Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education has a hobby class to get you going.

Principles of Street Rodding will provide students with an opportunity to learn the principles of building a safe street rod. Whether you are a beginner or someone with experience looking for ideas, this is the class for you. A 1939 Chevy Coupe will be used for demonstration. Information covered in this class will include how to select the right project (what to look for and what to avoid), the paperwork involved from taxes to titles and certificates of origin, chassis and suspension options and selections, engine and transmission choices, selecting the right brakes and wheel/tire combinations. This class will also focus on the body of the car with hands-on instruction.

Participants should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and should bring safety glasses and welding glasses or hood. This course is designed for those 16 years of age and older. (Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.) Register for one or both sections—each section will provide new hands-on experiences.

The class will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays from Oct. 16 to Nov. 20 in the Vocational Building, Room 125 on the Ina campus. The cost of the class is $90 per section.

Shifting gears, Holiday Wreath Workshop will teach participants how to a festive holiday wreath. During the session, the class will create an 18” pine wreath filled with holiday florals. Your neighbors will be asking which florist created your work of art. All floral supplies are provided. Please bring scissors and a pair of wire cutters. The class will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103 on the Ina campus. The cost of the class is $15 plus a $25 supply fee.

More of an outdoors type? Stars and Constellations offers a chance for the entire family to take part in a fascinating evening of stargazing. Rend Lake College instructor, Greg Hollmann, will point out the bright stars and constellations as he captures your attention with stories of ancient mythology and modern science as it relates to the night sky. Participants will get the opportunity to view Mars and Saturn through the college’s telescope. If bad weather threatens, the instructor will present an alternate program. The class will run from 6 – 8 p.m.  Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Mt. Vernon Airport. Pre-registration is required for the class, but the class will be free to those registered.

In the final offering, Instructor Fred Lawrence will head up a Taxidermy class. Students will learn the art of preserving, mounting, and displaying animal skins. Get hands-on experience by mounting your own bird, deer, or small animal. Supplies for first session include your species to mount (needs to be thawed) and scalpel or sharp knife. Added costs for other supplies will be determined by your selected project and will be discussed at first session. A projected supply list will be mailed to you at the time of registration. Please specify the type of species you plan on mounting at time of registration (fish are not recommended). The class will take place in January with details to be released at a later date. The cost of the class is $120 plus the cost of supplies.

To register or learn more about the hobby classes, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.

RLC COMMUNITY EDUCATION PLUGS IN WITH COMPUTER CLASSES

INA, Ill. (Aug. 30, 2018) – Community and Corporate Education is offering a slate of classes to help you get versed in some of the finer points of the computer. From just learning the basics of the internet and email to the foundations of understanding social media all the way to mastering the Linux operating system, there’s something new and interesting to learn in the electronic world.

Offerings kick off with All About Pinterest, a class designed to get you started on the social network. Pinterest allows you to collect and share ideas that you find online. In this class we will take you through the basics of how to sign up and then show you how to pin, how to create boards and find your way around the world of Pinterest. The class will cost $10 and meets from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 2 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 338, in Mt. Vernon.

Participants in the Linux for Home User class will be able to personalize and take home their own computer (excluding the monitor), all thanks to local donations. In this class, instructor James Featherstone will show attendees how to use the Linux Mint operating system, which includes all the basic programs necessary to surf the web, send emails, create documents, produce presentations, and more. Linux also allows free downloads of applications, giving attendees limitless options for personalizing their own machine as well as. The class costs $50 and will meet from 5-9 p.m. Friday, October 26 at the Advanced Technology Center, Room 178, on the Ina campus.

Social Media Basics is a great place to start for those looking to dive into the world of social media. Whether you’re new to social media or just looking to close a few knowledge gaps, we’re here to help! Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram are just a few of the social media sites we will discuss. The class will cost $10 and meets from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 4 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 338, in Mt. Vernon.

Internet & Email Basics will get participants started on the internet with help from instructor Liz Jennings. Participants will learn about different browsers, links, and web addresses, plus each person will obtain an email address, and learn to check email, attach photos, and more. The class costs $10 and meets from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 338, in Mt. Vernon.

To register or learn more about the electronic classes, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.