Karl E. Keller-Benton, IL

Karl “Mr. Bingo” Keller, 70, of Benton passed away on Wednesday June 20, 2018 in Benton.

He was born on November 14, 1947 in Benton to Albert and Ruth (Craddock) Keller.

He is survived by several sisters.

Graveside services will be held on Sunday June 24, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. 

Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser is assisting the family with arrangements.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

After student sex abuse reports, Illinois lawmakers hear of open cases around state

Of the more than 170 open cases the Illinois State Board of Education has of educator misconduct from around the state, 40 of them deal with allegations of a sexual nature.

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

Pastor Rick Warren: Think before you speak in anger

THINK Before You Speak in Anger

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“Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back” (Proverbs 29:11 GNT).

Anger confounds many people in our world today. We simply don’t know how to handle our anger like we have in the past. One of the Bible’s simplest yet most profound answers for our anger comes in Proverbs 29:11: “Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back” (GNT).

Think before you speak. Delay is a tremendous remedy for anger. You don’t need to delay indefinitely. If you’ve got an issue you need to deal with, you need to do so. Anger delayed indefinitely becomes bitterness. That’s worse than anger. Anger isn’t always a sin. Bitterness is.

If you respond impulsively, you tend to respond in anger. If you wait to talk about whatever conflict you’re dealing with, you’ll be more rational and reasonable when you do. The longer you hold your temper, the better your response will be. Give yourself time to think.

When conflict arises and you give yourself time to think, what should you think about? Consider these five questions:

T: Is it truthful? Is what I’m about to say the truth?

H: Is it helpful? Or will it simply harm the other person?

I: Is it inspirational? Does it build up or does it tear down?

N: Is it necessary? If it’s not necessary, why do I need to say it?

K: Is it kind?

THINK before you speak. Reflect before you react. It’ll slow down your anger every time.

Talk It Over

  • Think back through a recent argument. Would more time before you responded have helped the situation?
  • Which question in the THINK acronym is most likely to be helpful to you when you’re angry?
  • What’s the biggest challenge to giving yourself more time before responding when you’re angry?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Gov. Rauner issues Executive Order to eliminate backlog of human rights cases

Mandates coordination between departments; names new Executive Director of Human Rights Commission

 

SPRINGFIELD  – Gov. Bruce Rauner today issued an executive order mandating that steps be taken to eliminate the backlog of over 1,000 cases at the Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC) dealing with anti-discrimination and equal opportunity complaints. Executive Order 18-08 will streamline government services to provide due process for Illinois residents.

In addition to the executive order, Gov. Rauner has appointed Philip Dalmage as the new Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission to oversee the commission’s coordination efforts.

“Our administration has made government transformation a priority from day one,” Rauner said. “With this executive order, The Human Rights Commission will have 60 days to create an 18 month plan to eliminate the thousands of backlogged cases that prevent taxpayers from receiving due process, and the assistance they need in their cases. I’m confident that under the new leadership of Executive Director Dalmage all of the goals of this executive order will be met in a swift manner.”

In 2016, Rauner directed the creation of a Bureau of Administrative Hearings at Central Management Services (CMS) to study the efficiencies the state could realize though consolidation of administrative hearing caseloads. Recognizing that the IHRC has one of the most egregious hearing backlogs in state government, and knowing these hearings affect the state’s most vulnerable populations, in 2017, the governor proposed Executive Order 17-02, the reorganization of IHRC into the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) to expedite anti-discrimination cases brought by Illinois citizens. Without explanation, the General Assembly rejected the governor’s reorganization executive order later that year.

“This backlog must be addressed so that the victims of discrimination and harassment can receive the legal assistance they deserve,” said IDHR Director Janice Glenn. “This executive order will ensure that all harassment and discrimination cases receive due process.”

Nearly every year since 2008, the backlog of cases waiting final decision at IHRC has grown. Individuals and businesses, often parties without great financial means or legal assistance, wait longer and longer for a decision on their cases. On average, parties wait more than four years from the time of filing a charge of discrimination until a final decision is reached.

“This executive order will provide the tools necessary to directly resolve the backlog of charges of discrimination pending before IHRC. By sharing expertise and resources with CMS and IDHR, I am confident that we will accomplish this objective. I look forward to working with Phil Dalmage on this effort,” IHRC Chair Rosemary Bombela said.

Executive Order 18-08 mandates coordination between the Bureau of Administrative Hearings, IHRC, and IDHR to eliminate backlog and improve due process. Coordination includes:

  • Within 60 days, creating a plan to eliminate IHRC’s backlog within 18 months.
  • Drafting or amending legislation, administrative rules, and internal policies to streamline the transfer and administration of cases between IDHR and IHRC.
  • Tracking and transparently reporting on backlogs.
  • Developing a shared case management system with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT).
  • Surveying parties appearing before IDHR and IHRC.
  • Participating in training, including Rapid Results training.
  • An annual report from the Bureau on the success of coordination and other process improvements, to be filed with the governor and the General Assembly.

The newly appointed executive director is a former Chief Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS), and served as the Director of the Business Enterprise Program at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Most recently, Dalmage worked as a practicing attorney dealing with civil and family cases, specifically working with IDCFS abuse and neglect cases. He holds a B.A. from Marquette University and a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School.

“It is an incredible honor to be appointed Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission,” Dalmage said. “I am aware of the long and storied history of the Illinois Human Rights Act in Illinois and look forward to using this role to adjudicate civil rights violations in as fair, just, and expeditious a manner as possible. I thank Governor Rauner for giving me this great opportunity.”

School district leaders ask Rauner to veto $40,000 teacher pay mandate

A group of school district leaders is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to veto a bill that would require a $40,000 starting salary for teachers by 2022.

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

Cubs, Dodgers split doubleheader

Cubs and Dodgers split doubleheader

Albert Almora Jr. got even. So did the Chicago Cubs.

Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Carpenter homes in ninth, Cards beat Phillies 7-6

Before Matt Carpenter could do something that hasn’t been done all season against Philadelphia’s hotshot rookie reliever, the Cardinals had to accomplish a few things Tuesday they haven’t done enough.

Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

FCN Daily Bible Verse

I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Psalm 143:6 (Read all of Psalm 143:6)
New International Version

Benton Police make arrests

On June 16, 2018 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Madison and East Main Street.  During the stop, Benton Police K9 “Ranger” alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.  Upon investigating further a passenger identified as Rodney G. Sailliez, age 47, of Benton was arrested for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Sailliez was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 16, 2018 at approximately 11:50 p.m. Benton Police stopped a male subject walking in the 600 block of Jesse Street.  Upon investigating, the subject identified as 33 year old Mitchell T. Mann of Benton was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.  Mann was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail.

On June 17, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 600 block of Dial Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Brett C. Coulter, age 28, of DuQuoin for domestic battery, criminal trespass to a residence, criminal damage to property, and resisting a peace officer.  Coulter was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 19, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of West Webster Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Aaron A. Hargett, age 19, of Benton for domestic battery.  Hargett was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Pastor Rick Warren: Who controls your future?

Who Controls Your Future?

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“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

One of the great fears we all face is the fear of the future. We fear for the futures of our families, our friends, our jobs, our communities — and everything else in between.

It’s natural. We’re not in control. But that realization should drive us to trust God more deeply.

We might not be in control of our future, but God is. He created the whole universe. If he wanted to, the Lord could just snap it out of existence in a moment. Yet he is working his plan in history. He is moving history to a climax, a destiny. One day Jesus Christ will come back to Earth. Nothing will stop that. Just as he is working in history to move events toward that day, he will work in your life for a purpose, too — if you’ll let him.

The Bible says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT).

God’s Word doesn’t say that everything is good. It also doesn’t say that God causes everything. He doesn’t cause war. He doesn’t cause cancer. He doesn’t cause rape, abortion, abuse, or molestation. He doesn’t cause evil. We do that. God gives us the freedom to choose. Evil is the price of that freedom.

But the Bible does say that God causes everything to work together for good. He can take the dumb, evil, and bad decisions I’ve made in my life and use them for good if I’ll trust him. Romans 8:28 isn’t a promise for everyone, though. It’s for “those who love God.” It’s for those who trust God and say, “Here, Lord, you take all the broken pieces of my life and put them together.”

This is why when I read the headlines each day, I don’t worry. Sure, there are a lot of problems in the world today, but God is still in control. God is still moving history to a climax. And God is still moving his people toward his best for them. One day God will work everything out for his purpose.

Because God is in control, we can trust him with everything — including the good, the bad, and the ugly of our lives.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News