Gov. Rauner proposes coalition of governors work to finalize

project to protect taxpayers, the economy, and our Great Lakes 

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner today announced the State of Illinois’ willingness to partner with the US Army Corps of Engineers to enhance efforts to keep invasive Asian Carp from reaching Lake Michigan. As was confirmed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois is the only state with the necessary rights-of-way, public water authority, and jurisdiction to serve as the Non-Federal Sponsor and move properly mitigated measures forward to not only protect the great lakes, but our taxpayers, economy, and environment. 

Rauner also invited all seven Great Lakes governors to work with Illinois and the Army Corps of Engineers as the details of the Asian Carp project at Brandon Road are finalized (letter attached). Since 2010, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has led 27 local, state, federal and provincial partners in the fight to keep Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan, and their efforts have removed 93% of the Asian Carp population from its leading edge since 2012.

“No one cares more about protecting Lake Michigan and our Great Lakes than the State of Illinois,” said Gov. Rauner. “While Illinois has jurisdiction over our waterways and is the only state authorized to serve as project lead, I realize we cannot be effective unless we work together. That is why I invite my colleagues to work with Illinois in a new coalition to protect our lakes, our economy, and our ecosystems.”

“Since 1990, Asian Carp have not moved from their current location – nearly 50 miles from Lake Michigan in the Dresden Island Pool,” said Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Director Wayne Rosenthal. “Science tells us our efforts have been effective.”

In 2007, Congress authorized the US Army Corps of Engineers to study Asian Carp and other Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). In 2015, Congress identified Brandon Road Lock and Dam (Public Law 114-113) as the site for enhanced efforts to prevent the upstream transfer of aquatic invasive species. 

On December 8, 2017 Illinois submitted comments to the Army Corps outlining concerns the proposed project design would disrupt Chicago’s transportation system, hurt our economy, and harm the Des Plaines River ecosystem. Furthermore, due to Army Corps regulations, this $300 million project would require Illinois taxpayers to pay $100 million in construction costs and an additional $10 million annually toward operation and maintenance expenses.

“While our efforts to keep Asian Carp from Lake Michigan have proven effective, many have suggested we need to do more,” said Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council. “If the Corps can address our economic, transportation, environmental, and cost concerns in partnership with Illinois – we have no problem working with other states to enhance our efforts at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam.” 

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College Board members, faculty, staff, and retired employees gathered in the Theatre Tuesday afternoon to celebrate and highlight several individuals for an exceptional academic year.

Here’s a link to the story.

(Franklin County, IL) — Franklin County, Illinois based Abbott Ambulance (Abbott EMS) will be teaching Hands-only CPR, in cooperation with West Frankfort Fire Department and Air Evac Life Team, at the Old King Coal Festival in West Frankfort on May 11, 2018 from 4:00pm-9:00pm. Being a local ambulance provider in Franklin County, it is essential for us to educate people how to perform CPR. Anyone can learn to save a life.

Every year Abbott EMS/AMR take on the World CPR Challenge because of its importance and impact in saving someone’s life. Administering CPR until emergency medical service arrives can double or triple the chance of survival in a cardiac arrest situation. All who participate will be added to the total for this year’s challenge.

Two articulation agreements receive approval

Two articulation agreements with four-year universities were approved Tuesday. The board approved an agreement allowing students in RLC’s Health Information Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree program to transfer to Saint Joseph’s College Online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program. Additionally, the board approved ratification of an agreement with Southern Illinois University Carbondale to allow graduates of RLC’s Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic Associate in Applied Science Degree program to transfer to SIUC’s Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Management program.

Curriculum matters receive approval

The board approved two new curricula, IT Database Specialist and IT Security Specialist, and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action. Additionally, changes were approved to the Cyber Security Specialist and Computer Networking certificates and to the Manufacturing Employment Skills class. A new course was approved in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program. The Cyber Forensics Specialist certificate was withdrawn, as were the degree and certificate in the Oil and Natural Gas Technician. Several courses also were withdrawn.

Bids to go out for parking lot work

The board granted permission to advertise for bids and award for pavement sealing and striping on the RLC Ina campus and the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. Estimated costs are $42,000 for the Ina campus and $17,000 for the MarketPlace. This is a deferred maintenance project.

Veteran professor, coach Smith to retire

The board accepted with regret the retirement resignation of Dave Smith, Professor Emeritus, effective June 30, 2018. Smith has been with RLC for nearly 40 years. He first joined the ranks at RLC as a welding instructor in January of 1981. In 2009, he officially retired as a professor and returned as a full-time emeritus professor. As such, he sits atop the unofficial RLC seniority list of active, full-time employees.

Smith also served as head coach of the Warrior Men’s Golf Team for the better part of 30 years. Among the honors during his coaching tenure are seven consecutive Region XXIV D-II Championships, 13 All-Americans and an individual National Champion. “It has been both a pleasure and an honor to work at Rend Lake College for these nearly forty years,” Smith wrote in his retirement letter.

Kaufman becomes Student Success Coordinator

Danielle Kaufman was appointed Student Success Coordinator effective April 20. She previously was manager of the RLC Golf Outlet in Mt. Vernon and head coach of the Warrior Women’s Golf Team. In a related action, the job description was revised to include head coaching duties for women’s golf. Kaufman holds both Associate in Science and Associate in Arts degrees from RLC and a Bachelor of Science Degree in University Studies / Community Health from SIUC.

Resignations from three

Three resignations were accepted with regret Tuesday.

Aaron Gonzalez, Heath Studies Student Success Center / Help Desk Support Technician, effective May 11. He had been a part-time computer technician since 2014 before recently being appointed to the HSSSC position. “I’d like to thank Rend Lake College for all of the professional opportunities this institute has provided me over the past four years. I wish Rend Lake College all the best,” Gonzalez wrote in his resignation letter.

Ashlee Stevenson, Subsidized Child Care Specialist for the Child Care Resource and Referral program, effective May 10, 2018. She had been with RLC full-time since March 2017. “It has truly been a rewarding experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here,” Stevenson wrote in her resignation letter.

Deidra Traylor, TRIO / Upward Bound Student Advisor, effective May 1, 2018. She had been with RLC full-time since November 2000. “I am very thankful for the opportunities provided to me, the experience I’ve gained, and the friendships I have formed while working at the college,” Traylor wrote in her resignation letter. “My time spent at RLC working alongside wonderful colleagues and students will be something that I will always treasure.”

Accreditation update

The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for a comprehensive evaluation visit by the HLC Sept. 24-25, 2018.

In other business, the board …

Granted permission to advertise for a nursing instructor.

Granted an additional three weeks of unpaid leave for an employee.

Approved revisions to policy and procedure concerning computation of hourly rate of pay for part-time employees (second reading).

Approved revisions to policy and procedure concerning dual credit (second reading).

Approved the creation of policy and procedure concerning accident and incident reporting (second reading).

Approved revisions to board procedure concerning stipends.

Approved the RLC Student Handbook, along with several other program handbooks: Biomedical Electronics, EMT-Paramedic, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Coding, Studio RLC / Cosmetology, and the RLC Foundation Children’s Center.

Heard a report from Dr. Elizabeth Bailey-Smith regarding activities of the Academic Council.

Mark your calendars …

Radiologic Technology Pinning Ceremony, 1 p.m. Thursday, May 10, RLC Theatre.

Associate Degree Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, Waugh Gymnasium.

HSE/GED Graduation, 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, Waugh Gymnasium.

RLC Commencement, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018, Waugh Gymnasium.

Career Technical Exploration Camps, Tuesday-Thursday, June 19-21, RLC Campus and related off-site facilities.

Learning Resource Center Trivia Night, Friday, July 13, The Rec on campus. Doors open at 6 p.m., trivia starts at 7 p.m.