MARION — Williamson County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jim Marlo was ready to move forward with asking November voters their thoughts on gun control, but was stopped short in the board’s meeting Thursday when the other two members declined to bring the matter to a vote.

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

 

INA, Ill. – Local high school students saved their families over $1 million this year by participating in Rend Lake College’s dual credit program. Wrapping up its 17th year, RLC’s program saved a total of 2,798 students (duplicated) approximately $1,405,130 in tuition and textbook fees during the last academic year.

The dual credit program offers tuition-free courses with a reduced rate for textbook rental for in-district high school students. For the 2,791 students (duplicated) who enrolled in 8,841 credit hours in the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters, the savings in tuition alone is $972,510 at $110 per credit hour. Students who enroll in both semesters are counted twice for official reports.

FY 2018 Totals
Total Tuition Savings	$972,510
Total Textbook Rental Savings	$432,620
Total Tuition & Textbook Savings	$1,405,130

Through this program, juniors and seniors take general education and career technical courses during the day at their high school, meeting graduation requirements at both the high school and RLC. The courses are taught by both college and high school instructors.

For the first time ever, Benton Consolidated High School had the most participants in the dual credit program at 484 (duplicated), earning a total of 1,448 credit hours in two semesters and saving approximately $159,280 in tuition. Mt. Vernon Township High School students earned the most credit hours at 1,596, saving $175,560 in tuition. See the chart below for tuition savings by high school.

FY 2018 Totals
High School	Students Enrolled (duplicated)	Total Credit Hours Earned ($110 / credit hour)	Savings to Students
Benton CHS	484	1,448	$159,280
Christopher HS	85	287	$31,570
Hamilton Co SHS	447	1,334	$146,740
Mt. Vernon THS	457	1,596	$175,560
Pinckneyville CHS	440	1,415	$155,650
Sesser-Valier CHS	54	137	$15,070
Thompsonville HS	98	321	$35,310
Waltonville HS	176	575	$63,250
Wayne City HS	140	415	$45,650
Webber THS	155	525	$57,750
Woodlawn HS	149	453	$49,830
Zeigler-Royalton CHS	106	335	$36,850
TOTAL	2,791	8,841	$972,510

In addition to tuition savings, students enrolled in the dual credit program also qualify for reduced textbook rental rates. For the average RLC student, renting a textbook costs $40, but for dual credit students, that cost is lowered to $10. This year, students saved $432,620 by renting textbooks instead of purchasing. Not all textbooks can be rented, depending on usage. See the chart below for textbook savings.

FY 2018 Totals
Total Textbooks Rented	3,452
Total Value of Textbooks (if purchased)	$469,891
Total Charges to Dual Credit Students	($37,271)
Total Savings in Textbook Fees	$432,620

“On behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration at Rend Lake College, I want to congratulate these overachieving students for their hard work and dedication to their education,” said Lisa Price, Vice President of Student Services. “It takes a unique determination and focus on the future for these students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. I look forward to working with these students in the future, on their campuses and ours.”

All 13 public high schools in RLC’s district are registered with the program, and 12 participated last year. RLC also had seven students (duplicated) from Marion High School participate in the program, earning 21 credit hours and saving $2,310 in tuition fees.

Students must meet placement requirements and prerequisites prior to enrolling in the courses. Approval for students to participate in dual enrollment must be obtained by a high school official. Students also must adhere to the RLC drop policy. The grade will become a part of the college transcript.

Tuition is waived for eight hours per semester. For those wanting to take additional classes, approval from the Vice President of Student Services is required. For more information on dual credit, contact the Student Services Department at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.

Action expected to fuel jobs, economic development statewide

 

PEORIA — Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed SB 3527, a bipartisan bill improving and expanding the River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) Historic Tax Credit. The successful economic development incentive now will be available to communities statewide.

“This legislation opens up millions of dollars in economic incentives in the form of tax credits for historic preservation projects throughout Illinois,” Rauner said after signing the bill at the Peoria Riverfront Museum Plaza. “It is imperative that we add jobs and fuel economic development. This bill will help Illinois achieve those goals while also preserving our past and making our state even more beautiful to visit.”

Established in 2012, the RERZ originally was a five-year pilot program allowing a 25 percent state income tax credit for qualifying projects in blighted, historic riverfront areas in Peoria, Rockford, Elgin, East St. Louis and Aurora.

SB 3527, which passed both Houses in May, expands availability of the historic tax credits to similar projects across the state. It also adds a new Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit with $15 million in credits to be administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources each year between January 2019 and December 2023.