Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today released the following statement after the House passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

“Southern Illinois’ hardworking middle-class families deserve a break. We need more jobs, higher take-home pay, and greater opportunity to get ahead. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is focused on empowering middle-class working families by delivering more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger take-home pay. For the 78% of tax filers in Illinois’ 12^th Congressional District who currently take the standard deduction, you will see an average $1700 more in your pocket after taxes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act gives you the breathing room you need to save for college, help raise a family, or prepare for a rainy day. When given the chance, I have no doubt you’ll keep a closer eye on your hard-earned dollars than any Washington bureaucrat ever will.”

For individuals and families, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

• Lowers individual tax rates for low- and middle-income Americans to zero, 12 percent, 25 percent, and 35 percent so people can keep more of the money they earn throughout their lives, and continues to maintain 39.6 percent for high-income Americans.

• Significantly increases the standard deduction to protect roughly double the amount of what you earn each year from taxes – from $6,350 to $12,000 for individuals and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples.

Transfer agreement with U of I Chicago gets green light
The board approved a transfer admission guarantee (TAG) agreement between the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, specifically U of I Chicago, and Rend Lake College. This agreement allows RLC students guaranteed admission to the University of Illinois at Chicago provided they meet the requirements of the agreement.

Three new certificates receive approval, other curriculum matters
The board approved the creation of three new occupational certificates – Entrepreneurship, Early Childhood Education and Graphic Technician – and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.

The Entrepreneurship certificate program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in business as an entrepreneur and to prepare them for further educational opportunities in a variety of business areas. This certificate will lay the foundation in preparing students to be enterprising individuals who contribute to the economic development of our community.

The one-year Early Childhood Education certificate provides students with a background in ECE courses. Courses in this two-semester certificate align with the associate degree program to promote a seamless transition into the Associate in Applied Science Degree in ECE.

Falling under the umbrella of the Graphic Design program, the Graphic Technician certificate program prepares students for employment requiring design responsibilities in a variety of organizational settings. The curriculum partners the necessary knowledge of design techniques with skills needed to be successful in business settings through enhanced communication skills and a working knowledge of office systems software.

Two new courses, Diversity in Education and Graphic Design’s Portfolio Review, also were approved Tuesday, and approval also was granted to develop an online Portfolio Review class in the Graphic Design program. Among other changes approved were title changes to four courses, inactivation of the Mining Technology and Surveying Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree programs, semester course sequence changes to eight degree programs and six certificate programs, and withdrawal of 25 courses.

Farner to take reins of Applied Science & Tech
Gabriele Farner was appointed Dean of Applied Science and Technology effective Nov. 27. She will replace the retiring Chris Nielsen. Farner holds both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University and is pursuing a doctorate degree in Educational Teaching and Leadership through Walden University. She currently is the Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Learning for Shawnee Community College.

CCRR seeks License Exempt Monitor
Permission was granted to create the position, approve the job description and advertise for a License Exempt Monitor for the Child Care Resource and Referral program (Project CHILD). This new position is required by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

PHS projects receive approval
The board granted permission to bid to replace the gymnasium and Aquatics Center roof, flashing and part of the guttering and downspouts using Protection, Health and Safety Levy funds for Fiscal Year 2019. The current roof is 24 years old and has exceeded its life expectancy.

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 an evaluation by the HLC in September 2018. The Steering Committee and various other working groups and committees will be meeting later this week to work on writing specific sections of the Assurance Argument and to provide an update on progress.

Advisement’s Hicks moving on
The board accepted with regret the resignation of Jordan Hicks, Academic Advisor, effective Nov. 10. He had been with RLC full-time since July 2014. “I have witnessed first-hand how an excellent higher education institution operates,” Hicks wrote in his resignation letter. I hope I have had a positive impact on my co-workers and most importantly our students.”

In other business, the board …
• Heard a report from Dr. Elizabeth Bailey-Smith of the Academic Council covering the curriculum matters taken up by the board Tuesday and reporting on additional meetings and activities.
• Accepted the audit report for Fiscal Year 2017 as presented.
• Approved revisions to board policy concerning background checks for potential and current employees (second reading) and return to work certification (second reading) and tabled a board policy regarding holidays (first reading).
• Approved revisions to board policy and procedure concerning enrollment of international students (second reading).
• Approved creation of board policy and procedure concerning media relations (second reading) and student employment (second reading).
• Amended the retirement resignation for the administrative assistant of the Math and Sciences Division.
• Ratified the acceptance of the resignation of a Certified Nurse Assistant associate professor.
• Approved the Student Worker Handbook.
• Approved the 2018-2019 academic calendar.
• Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.

Mark your calendars …
• Documentary Film Showing: Paper Clips, noon Wednesday, Nov. 15, RLC Theatre.
• RLC Foundation Annual Dinner Meeting, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, Holiday Inn / DoubleTree Inn, Mt. Vernon.
• RLC Faculty / Staff Holiday Luncheon, Friday, Dec. 8, Waugh Gymnasium.

…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CST
THIS EVENING…

* TIMING…Gusty southerly winds will increase from mid to late
morning as a cold front arrives. In the wake of the front, even
stronger wind gusts from the northwest can be expected through
the afternoon.

* WINDS…Peak wind gusts will be 40 to 45 mph, especially in the
afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Minor damage is possible along with more difficult
driving conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds are expected to
reach 30 mph or greater for longer than one hour…or wind gusts
are expected to reach 40 mph for any duration.

ZEIGLER, IL –  Franklin County Emergency Management Agency states that State Route 149 west of Zeigler is closed due to a vehicle fire.

Further updates will be provided as soon as information becomes available.

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http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36855559/gov-rauner-announces-plans-for-new-off-road-trails

CARRIER MILLS, IL-  (Andrew Feather, WSIL-TV) Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

At the Sahara Woods Fish and Wildlife area Tuesday, Illinois governor Bruce Rauner announced plans for a new off-road trail facility he says will bring jobs to Saline County.

“We’ll be getting dozens and I think hundreds of jobs very quickly around here because of the visitors coming to enjoy this park, the hunting, the outdoor hiking and the riding, so this can move the needle very quickly,” Rauner said.

The initial plans include 26 miles of off-road trails at the facility, designed to make better use the 4,100 acre strip mine turned state park.

Site superintendent Eric McClusky says he’s excited because the new trails will add more appeal to the park, hopefully attracting people seeking some outdoor fun.

UPDATED 8:45  a.m.  Press Release from Governor’s Bruce Rauner’s office

— A new project will make southern Illinois a destination for off-road riders, Gov. Rauner said while announcing development of a 26-mile off-highway vehicle trail system at Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area.

“Demand is growing for off-highway vehicle recreation, and this state-of-the-art facility will give riders from across the Midwest a place to enjoy the outdoors,” Rauner said. “Not only will this trail bring additional resources to southern Illinois, it’ll also put Illinois on the map when it comes to offering diverse outdoor experience for riders of all ages.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources received a $1.2 million grant from the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which allows the state agency to move forward with the project. IDNR will pitch in an additional $303,000 from its state parks fund to complete the trail.

This will be the first state-owned off-highway vehicle trail facility.

IDNR will oversee design and development of the project. The setting is ideal, agency Director Wayne Rosenthal said.

“There used to be a coal mine at Sahara Woods,” Rosenthal said of the location, which is just west of Harrisburg. “The topography of the reclaimed, strip-mined land will allow us to develop some challenging trails that should attract a lot of interest from OHV enthusiasts.”

Some mine reclamation projects already are ongoing at the site, including interior roadway and boat-access development, as well as openings for limited fishing and hunting programs. State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, said the wildlife area already is a southern Illinois gem, one the new trail system will aid in promoting.

“Expanding on the treasures that Sahara Woods already offers could translate into increased job opportunities and a much-needed economic boost for the region,” Fowler said. “It will go a long way in boosting tourism in Saline County, giving us a platform to continue promoting southern Illinois in the future.”

Federal RTP grants are funded through a portion of motor fuel excise taxes collected from non-highway recreational use, including all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles. Federal law requires that a portion of each state’s RTP funding must be earmarked for motorized trail projects, including trail construction, support facilities, and restoration of areas adjacent to trails.

The recreational area is expected to be ready for riders in spring 2019.

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On November 2, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner issued a proclamation declaring November 12 through November 18, 2017 as Nurse Practitioner Week.

Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) issued the following statement in support of the proclamation:

 “With over 230,000 nurse practitioners licensed today in the U.S., to say that they play an essential role in our health care system would be an understatement. These medical professionals have extensive knowledge in their field, and are trained to provide cost-effective, quality care. The contribution and services that nurse practitioners provide is especially important considering that many of our rural communities already face the challenge of gaining and maintaining health care access. Nurse practitioners play a critical role in today’s healthcare system, and provide important care and support as our state grapples with an ongoing health care provider crisis. This proclamation is just a small way to increase awareness, show our appreciation and applaud the hard work of all the nurse practitioners that go to work each and every day.”

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, nurse practitioners are expert healthcare providers who are educated and trained to provide primary, acute and specialty health care.