Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
There is one product that, for a century, has towered above all others as a symbol of choice, control and personal freedom in America: the automobile. There are more than 10 million registered vehicles in Illinois, according to the secretary of state’s office.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.
By Rick Warren
”When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT).
No matter what you face in the future, you’re never going to face it alone. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT).
This is the key to courage. There is nothing to fear when you know God is near. On your own you might drown, but God has said that he will never leave you or abandon you (go read Hebrews 13:5).
Maybe you feel alone right now. You may feel that way, but it isn’t true. God sees what you’re going through. God cares about what you’re going through. And God will help you out if you trust him.
Your fears and doubts are not from God. When it comes to your giving, you can trust that as God leads you to give, he will stand by you and provide for your needs. The only way to reap generosity is to sow generosity.
The Supreme Court nomination seems like a new season of “House of Cards,” with many in the media helping write the script.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
BENTON — Brian Pheasant, the Christopher man who was convicted earlier this year of murdering his wife in 2016, was sentenced on Friday to 67 years in prison.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
CARBONDALE — Southern Illinois Healthcare, the region’s largest health care employer, has committed to fund a proposed Southern Illinois University Carbodnale nursing program to the tune of $750,000 over a three-year period, according to a letter to SIUC Chancellor Carlo Montemagno obtained by The Southern Illinoisan.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a campaign speech Thursday that the two-and-a-half year budget impasse was a fight for reforms. His opponents have called it a failure
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.
Illinois employers notified the state of nearly 1,200 upcoming layoffs last month, some driven by manufacturing plant closures.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
Marks the German company’s first facility in North America
ELGIN – Governor Bruce Rauner and Faber-Castell Cosmetics announced the company’s first North American manufacturing facility in Illinois. The German company has leased a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Elgin that will be dedicated to producing cosmetic pencils for the North American market. The $9 million project will create 50 full-time jobs. The announcement comes after the Governor visited with the company in Stein, Germany in late spring.
“It is an honor to welcome Faber-Castell to the Illinois manufacturing family,” said Governor Bruce Rauner. “Faber-Castell has a remarkable legacy in Germany, and I am proud that they have chosen Illinois to be the next phase in their journey. We look forward to working with them and helping them thrive in Elgin.”
“I am proud to announce this project during the 40th year of Faber-Castell Cosmetics,” said company President Countess Mary von Faber-Castell. “The US facility will become Faber-Castell Cosmetics’ beta factory with exceptional, industry-standard processes and systems, in addition to offering US customers the same speed-to-market and convenience now enjoyed by Europe and Brazil.”
During his April 2018 trade mission to Poland and Germany, the Governor met with leaders of Faber-Castell at their world headquarters in Stein, Germany. The company, best known for their pens, pencils and art supplies, dates back to 1761 and does business with more than 100 countries. The cosmetic division, Faber-Castell Cosmetics, is currently celebrating its 40th year anniversary as a world-recognized private label cosmetic manufacturer, focusing on color cosmetics and nail care.
“Economic development is a collaborative effort – it takes time, effort and strong relationships to make projects like this a reality,” said Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce Sean McCarthy. “We have worked closely with Faber-Castell, both in Illinois and in Germany, as well as partners like former Illinois Senator Karen McConnaughay, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the City of Elgin, and Harper College, to solidify this deal for Illinois.”
The company chose to announce their expansion at the MakeUp conference in New York, an industry-wide event that has more than 110 formula, accessories and packaging industry exhibitors.
“Adding a North American facility is a remarkable milestone for our company,” said Dr. Christina Zech, Managing Director of Faber-Castell Cosmetics. “Illinois now joins Brazil and Germany on our list of production sites. The strategic location in between the coasts along with the exceptional workforce Illinois boasts made it a natural choice for our next facility.”
“Faber-Castell is a phenomenal global company with roots going back three centuries,” added Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Vice President & COO Mark Denzler. “It was fascinating to learn about their history and vision for the future during the Governor’s trade mission and we’re excited that Illinois will host their first American facility.”
Intersect Illinois coordinated the April trade mission to enhance the state’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) strategy. During the mission, the 22-member delegation visited with 16 companies and attended one of the world’s largest trade fairs, Hannover Messe.
“Growing our foreign direct investment is essential to improving our economy and maximizing our potential,” said Mark Peterson, President and CEO of Intersect Illinois. “Germany remains one of our greatest FDI partners, and the Faber-Castell facility is the next chapter in our rich and shared economic history with German manufacturing here in Illinois.”
State expands successful Winnebago County Jail program to other counties
ROCKFORD – A Winnebago County Jail program aimed at helping incarcerated individuals beat opioid addiction is being emulated in nine other county jails in Illinois, Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti announced today at a press conference.
Lt. Governor Sanguinetti, who co-chairs Governor Rauner’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force, said those who struggle with opioid use disorder before they are arrested receive an injection of naltrexone (Vivitrol) to reduce opioid cravings while they’re in jail. Once they are released, they receive continued residential or outpatient treatment. This state-funded program partners with Rosecrance addiction treatment center to provide this service.
“This program that started in the Winnebago County Jail years ago has been so successful that the state is now emulating it in other county jails,” Lt. Governor Sanguinetti said. “Of the more than 400 inmates treated with naltrexone statewide, 92 percent were admitted into treatment programs upon release and are in recovery where they can rebuild their lives.”
The Rockford program is just one of the strategies the State of Illinois is pursuing as part of the Illinois Opioid Action Plan, which was released one year ago with the creation of the Governor’s opioid task force.
“The opioid crisis is having a devastating effect on individuals, families, and employers in Illinois,” said Gov. Bruce Rauner. “Our team’s lifesaving work is intensely focused on both prevention and treatment of this pervasive and complex problem.”
The Illinois Dept. of Human Services (IDHS) has secured more than $32 million in federal funds to battle the opioid crisis over the past two years and has launched several new initiatives that provide resources to those in need.
IDHS recently learned it will be awarded an additional $57 million in federal grants to continue its work toward reducing opioid deaths and helping people get connected to treatment.
“We’ve been supporting this model of delivering naltrexone to Winnebago County Jail since 2014,” said IDHS Secretary James Dimas. “Illinois will continue to support and expand successful programs like this with the additional $57 million dollars we will be receiving from the federal government at the end of the month. Improving access to care for individuals with opioid use disorder has been and will continue to be a top priority.”
One of the first actions of the Governor’s opioid task force came last October when co-chair Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, issued a Standing Order to make naloxone available throughout the state without a prescription. As a result, anyone can go to the local drug store and purchase the overdose reversal drug on their own. Studies show that when naloxone is distributed among communities, it can reduce overdose deaths by 50 percent.
“By making it easier to obtain, distribute, and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly called Narcan, we can help save the lives of some of the 2,000 estimated annual opioid overdose deaths,” said Director Shah.
Governor Rauner recently signed two bills into law that will have a significant impact on the opioid crisis:
In addition, our Better Care Illinois program, which was approved by the federal government this past spring, will allow Medicaid reimbursement for expanded addiction treatment and recovery support services.
“Overdose is now the number one cause of death for Americans under 50. It takes more lives than breast cancer, automobile accidents and homicides,” Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti said. “This horrible epidemic knows no neighborhood, no color and no class. It’s an equal opportunity destroyer. It’s going to take all of us working together to battle this scourge and save lives. And Illinois is taking action.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing opioid use disorder, call the state’s Helpline for Opioids and other Substances at 1-833-2FINDHELP or visit HelplineIL.org.
MURPHYSBORO — The Murphysboro man accused of killing his parents last year was found guilty Thursday during a bench trial in Jackson County.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.
