President Donald Trump’s administration has finalized an exemption allowing for a much cheaper health insurance plan. Advocates and businesses say the affordable choice will lead to more insured but others worry it’s woefully inadequate coverage.

Here’s the link to the story at Illinois News Network.

PEORIA — Gov. Rauner signed legislation today that improves post-secondary education opportunities by allowing high school students to enroll in an unlimited number of dual credit courses in which they can earn both high school and college credits. The courses, whether taken in class or online, must be taught by instructors who are in compliance with the Dual Credit Quality Act.

“This legislation will help give students greater access to higher education,” Rauner said. “Earning college credit in high school may mean completing college in less time and that, in turn, could significantly lessen the financial burden for students and their families. It could also hasten General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) completion and entry to community colleges.”

The new law is another step toward the administration’s objective of improving access to education to help students prepare for the 21^st century economy. Cost is a major deterrent. A 2017 survey by the Institute for Higher Education Policy estimated that 70 percent of U.S. colleges are unaffordable for low- and middle-income families who are unwilling or unable to take out loans.

SB 2527 amends the School Code and prohibits a school board from enacting limits to the number of dual credit courses a student may enroll in or the number of credits a student may receive from dual credit courses, provided the courses are taught by Dual Credit Quality Act-compliant instructors, licensed teachers, or community college professors. With some exceptions, the bill also states that if a school district establishes a dual credit online learning program for students, the school board may not limit which students may participate.

Sen. Chuck Weaver and other proponents of the legislation welcomed the signing of the bill at an event held at Richwoods High School in Peoria.

“Dual credit courses are one of the most cost-effective options for helping students earn a college degree,” said Weaver, R-Peoria. “This new law will help boost degree completion rates and help cut costs for students.”

Dual credit programs allow students to get college credit for courses they take while in high school, reducing the amount of time it takes to get a degree, thus decreasing the cost of higher education. It allows students who face time and financial constraints to complete a program.

Community colleges could see a benefit with increased enrollment and General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) certificate completion. The legislation requires that school boards must have their school district’s high schools inform all 11^th– and 12^th-grade students of  dual enrollment and dual credit opportunities available at public community colleges for qualified students.

Under the new law, students have the ability to complete all of their General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) before graduating high school. Studies reflect that students who attain a certification or a degree are more likely to begin paying off student loans earlier than those who do not finish their programs.

The bill, passed unanimously in both Houses, takes effect Jan. 1, 2019.

The Governor also acted on the following bills:

8-1-18 at 12:45 pm Deputies arrested Samuel L. Williams age 33 of West Frankfort for five counts of forgery that had occurred in Benton during the month of June.

8-4-18 at 6:23 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation led to the arrest of Michael S. Wright age 53 of West Frankfort for driving while license revoked.

8-4-18 at 10:58 pm Deputies investigated a complaint related to a domestic dispute that had occurred earlier in rural Royalton. The investigation resulted in the arrest of James B. Grammer age 34 of Mulkeytown for domestic battery.

8-5-18 at 6:11 pm Deputies were notified of an underage gathering in rural Sesser by the Sesser Police. Out of a group of approximately twenty people, six were cited for underage drinking. Addison G. Baxter age 19 of Sesser, Ashley A. Laskowski age 18 of Sesser, Kendra R. Green-Shurtz age 18 of Sesser, Rylie E. Mansker age 19 of DuQuoin, Joshua R. Gunter age 19 of Valier and a 17 year old female from Sesser.

8-7-18 at 1:45 pm Deputies responded to a reported fight at Elsie’s Tavern in Orient. The investigation resulted in two arrests. Donald L. Peavey age 51 of Zeigler and Frederick N. Bowling age 33 of Orient. Both were charged with battery. More arrests are possible.

8-7-18 at 9:40 pm a traffic stop south of West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Gary N. Rogers age 49 of Thompsonville for felony driving while license revoked.

8-8-18 at 3:11 pm a traffic stop in rural Benton led to the arrest of Ally R. Morris age 18 of West Frankfort for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving while license suspended.

8-8-18 at 4:08 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Highway Rt. 14 at Il. State Highway Rt. 184. A 2006 Toyota driven by Gillian D. Eubanks age 17 of Murphysboro was west bound on Rt. 14, negotiating a left turn (south) onto Rt. 184 and turned into the path of a 2011 Lexus that was east bound on Rt. 14. The Lexus was driven by Pamela M. Pearson age 60 of Marion. There were no injuries and Eubanks was ticketed for failure to yield right of way.

8-9-18 at 4:41 am Deputies responded to s single vehicle traffic crash on South McLeansboro St. at Spring Pond Road in rural Benton. A 2013 Chevrolet Silverado Pick-Up was north bound and failed to negotiate a left turn and continued straight through a ditch, into a wooded area striking a tree. The truck was driven by Zackary M. Holder age 22 of West Frankfort. Holder was not injured and was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

8-10-18 at 9:36 am Deputies responded to a request from the Corps of Engineers to investigate a suspicious vehicle in the South Marcum Campground of Rend Lake. The investigation led to the arrest of Paul E. Ray age 35 of Benton and Rachel D. Ray age 32 of Benton for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

8-10-18 investigators have located a Black 2015 Dodge Ram Pick-Up Truck and its driver believed to have been involved in the fatal hit and run crash last Saturday morning, August 4th. The investigation is continuing and more information will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. No charges have been files at this time.

WARRANT ARRESTS

8-3-18 Marranda K. Booten age 27 of Marion. Failure to appear on a theft charge.

8-7-18 Jeremy J. Jackson age 29 of Benton. Solicitation of a sex act.

8-11-18 Jerry L. Murray age 32 of Harrisburg. Retail theft.

8-9-18 Tabitha L. Brown age 30 of Christopher. Failure to appear for retail theft.

8-10-18 Robert W. Key age 45 of Buckner has been arrested and charged with a violation of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Statue. He is being held in the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $50,000.00 bond.

8-10-18 Levi V. Vinson age 18 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for aggravated driving under the influence.