Plan to raise smoking age stalls in Illinois House

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House has voted against increasing the smoking age from 18 to 21.

The plan fell four votes short Tuesday despite passing the Senate in April. It would have banned under-21 sales of tobacco or related products including e-cigarettes or vaping materials.

Rep. Camille Lilly is the sponsor. The Chicago Democrat says the plan would reduce teen addiction and saves the state millions of dollars in long-term health care costs.

Rep. Jeanne Ives voted against the measure. The Wheaton Republican says teens could still cross into neighboring states to buy tobacco products.

Five states and 14 Illinois cities and counties, including Chicago, have already adopted local ordinances setting the age at 21.

The bill is SB2332.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Governor takes clemency action

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

CHICAGO — Governor Bruce Rauner granted five and denied 59 clemency petitions.

This is the 25th set of petitions the governor has reviewed since taking office. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police’s Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.

A granted clemency request for a pardon with expungement allows the petitioner to seek expungement of their conviction through the court system.

For additional information on the granted clemency cases, please contact the Prisoner Review Board at (217) 782-1610.

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Filed Under: Breaking News

Former professional soccer player Libby Stout named assistant coach for SIU’s new soccer program

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
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CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois women’s soccer coach Grant Williams announced on Tuesday that former professional soccer player and standout goalkeeper Libby Stout will join his staff as an assistant coach. 

Stout played for Williams at Western Kentucky, where she earned All-American status and was a three-time team Most Valuable Player. She posted a 45-17-11 career record from 2008-11 and set school records for wins, shutouts, goals against average and save percentage. Her 39 career shutouts ranked second all-time in NCAA Division I history at the time she graduated and still ranks eighth all-time.

“Our program just got better today and I couldn’t be more excited that Libby is joining our staff,” Williams said. “When I started to evaluate what characteristics would be important in helping me, and more importantly, our team develop on and off the field, Libby was the first person I thought of.”

After graduation, Stout played professionally overseas for five years with stops in France, Germany, England and Cyprus. Among her many career highlights, she helped Liverpool win a league title in 2014. Stout also played two seasons (2016-17) in the United States with the Boston Breakers of the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) and has international-team training camp experience with the U.S. Under-23 National Team in 2013.

“Her experience and success as a student-athlete and as a professional at the highest level will be an invaluable asset as a resource and role model for our team,” Williams continued. “I have witnessed first-hand her passion, character, and work ethic, as a collegiate athlete and I can’t wait to see it again as a coach with our program.”

Since retiring from professional soccer last fall, Stout has worked in the private sector while maintaining her Stout Goalkeeping (stoutgk.com) personal training platform for aspiring goalkeepers. She also served as an assistant goalkeeper coach with the Region 1 Olympic Development Program, based in Massachusetts, for youth soccer players.

“I am extremely excited to be joining Grant and the women’s soccer program at SIU,” Stout said. “I’m really looking forward to the transition from playing the game to coaching Division I soccer. Not to mention, the opportunity to start a program from the ground up is a unique and exciting prospect. I’m humbled to work alongside Grant and I can’t wait to get started and make SIU proud.”

Southern’s newly created women’s soccer program is preparing for competition in the fall of 2019 and entry into the Missouri Valley Conference in 2020.

Filed Under: Sports

Despite billions behind in unpaid bills, Governor Rauner announces new $11 billion infrastructure plan

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

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SPRINGFIELD – If Illinois is having financial difficulties, they’re evidently no big deal.  Governor Rauner called Tuesday for a six year, $11 billion dollar infrastructure plan that will be paid for with tax dollars … somehow. With the state billions of dollars behind on bill paying, where the money is going to come from for this starry-eyed plan will be intriguing. From the governor’s office:

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced a plan today to invest $11.05 billion in the state’s roads and bridges over the next six years, including $2.2 billion of state and federal funding in the upcoming fiscal year. The Illinois Department of Transportation Multi-Year Proposed Highway Improvement Program will focus on projects that provide the greatest economic benefit to communities and take advantage of long-term strategies that save money over time.

“Investing in transportation creates jobs and economic opportunity, improves safety and makes Illinois a better place to raise a family,” Rauner said. “This plan will make Illinois more competitive while protecting the interests of the taxpayers.”

The governor announced the plan’s release at Peoria’s McClugage Bridge at eastbound U.S. 150, which will be replaced in 2019 at a cost of $205 million with the completion of the final design this year. Based on current funding levels, the FY2019-2024 Proposed Highway Improvement Program aims to improve a total of 1,945 miles of miles of road and 525 bridges maintained by the state. The multi-year program also includes funding for upgrades to more than 750 miles of local roads and 922,933 square feet of local bridges.

Other plan highlights include:

  • $26 million toward the reconstruction of U.S. 20/Rockford Bypass in Rockford
  • $36 million to replace and repair the Third Street exit and ramps to Martin Luther King Drive in East St. Louis
  • $12.7 million for additional lanes on 4.5 miles of Interstate 57 from Johnson City to West Frankfort
  • $148.4 million for bridge work and other improvements on Interstate 80 through Will County

This multiyear plan is the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) first to embrace asset management strategies that commit to smaller repairs avoiding the higher costs of deferred maintenance. Using this approach, IDOT will realize savings over multiple years to eventually invest in other projects throughout the state. The plan also builds upon the latest in data-driven tools to help identify projects that provide the most value to the public while improving quality of life and regional mobility.

“At the governor’s direction, IDOT continues to innovate in how it chooses which projects to build,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “This is a plan that gets the state on the right track toward truly meeting the needs of our communities and building a 21st century system of transportation.”

Filed Under: Columns

Five culinary classes on the menu for summer

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Five culinary classes on the menu for summer

INA, Ill. – Five culinary courses are scheduled for June and July through Rend Lake College’s Corporate and Community Education Division. Try your hand at outdoor cooking, wine tasting, and cooking for two with the help of the RLC Chefs.

Get an introduction to Grilling and Smoking by developing a variety of skills used in outdoor cooking. Instructors will utilize different equipment and give participants the chance to get hands-on. The three-day class also includes tasting and evaluating food products. The class costs $75 per person and will meet from 5 – 8 p.m. Tuesdays, June 5, 12, and 19 in the Student Center.

Prepare for a unique date night with Italian Cooking for Couples. This class is perfect for couples who want more experience in the kitchen working together. With a focus on Italian foods, the class will prepare the meal and each couple will enjoy it together. The class costs $75 per couple and will meet from 5 – 9 p.m. Monday, July 9 in the Student Center.

RLC will also offer three courses centered on Exploring Wines. Participants must be 21 years of age or older. The classes cost $30 per session or $75 for all three sessions, and will meet in the Pat Kern Private Dining Area of the Student Center.

The first, Introduction to Wine, will focus on identifying characteristics between the five basic wine categories: white, red, blush, fortified, and sparkling. Participants will receive step-by-step instructions on how to taste and evaluate wines. The class will meet from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11.

Next, participants can Explore the World of Wines by comparing wines from renowned regions from around the world, including Australia, California, France, and New Zealand. Instructors will focus on the differences in growing regions and wine-making styles. The class will meet from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 18.

The final class, Food and Wine Pairing, will help ease the intimidation of ordering wine when out to dinner. Participants will learn about matching their favorite wines to the food they enjoy. The class will meet from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25.

To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.

Filed Under: Breaking News

A Thought for Today

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

PROPER MOTIVES 

READ 2 CHRONICLES 1:1 THROUGH 2:18; JOHN 6:41-59 

The 1960s television comedy I Dream of Jeannie was about the life of an astronaut who uncorked a bottle and was granted a lifetime of wishes. Have you ever wondered what you would wish for if a powerful being promised to give you whatever you wanted? 

King Solomon was offered anything he wanted from God. His request revealed a great deal about his heart. 

“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10).

Solomon’s desire was to help others and to serve God. When God realized that Solomon wanted to serve His people, God blessed Solomon with wisdom and more. 

What was the first thought that came to your mind when considering your greatest desire? Like Solomon, it reveals what really motivates you. If you have a heart to love God and serve others, God will provide everything you need.

Thought for Today: It is vital to remember that God alone can meet your needs. 

Filed Under: Columns

FCN Daily Bible Verse

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Philippians 2:14-16 (Read all of Philippians 2:14-16)
New International Version
Filed Under: Columns

Pastor Rick Warren: God’s Free Gift of Salvation Is Offered to Everyone

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Rick Warren — May 30, 2018

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“God says he will accept and acquit us — declare us ‘not guilty’ — if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like” (Romans 3:22 TLB).

There are more than 7,000 promises in the Bible from God to you. They’re like blank checks just waiting on you to cash. And with every promise, there’s a premise.

In the Bible’s most famous promise, John 3:16, Jesus tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). God promises we won’t perish if we believe in him.

God’s free gift of salvation is offered to everyone. It doesn’t matter your religion or cultural background. Jesus Christ died for you.

How do we receive this free gift?

The Bible says, “God says he will accept and acquit us — declare us ‘not guilty’ — if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like” (Romans 3:22 TLB).

Though anyone can acknowledge the existence of Jesus, the only way we can get to heaven is by placing our trust in him. You can’t trust Jesus unless you really know him.

It’s the difference between your head and your heart. Here’s an example to help explain that difference. I have the privilege of knowing many people, including some famous people. I know Bill Gates. We’ve spoken on the same platform together. I’ve sat on a couch and explained The PEACE Plan to him. I know Bill Gates, but I don’t really know him. He’s not a close personal friend, and I can’t say I really know what makes him tick.

But I do know my wife. We’ve been married for over 40 years. I know what makes her tick. I know the way she thinks. I know what she cares about.

When we talk about knowing God, it means having a real, living relationship with him. That’s what it means to trust God.

Talk It Over

  • How is it possible to know about God but not really know him?
  • How are you getting to really know God? What does that look like in your life?
  • If someone is trusting Jesus, what might their life look like?

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

Filed Under: Columns

Cities across Illinois are shrinking because people are moving to other states, according to U.S. Census officials.

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

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Census: Illinois’ cities are shrinking

May 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Cities across Illinois are shrinking because people are moving to other states, according to U.S. Census officials.

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

Filed Under: Featured
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