SPRINGFIELD, IL – After a long-term solution to the state’s economic competitive issues and a resolution to the two year budget impasse wasn’t produced by the General Assembly’s scheduled May 31 adjournment, State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) believes achieving a final resolution now becomes even harder to achieve

Legislators returned to their districts for the summer, despite the fiscal uncertainty plaguing the state. Senator Fowler remains committed to returning to the State Capitol at a moment’s notice to vote much-needed reforms and a budget deal.

The Senator is concerned that as the clock runs down on Fiscal Year 2017, the consequences of inaction become even direr. After repeated requests by Senator Fowler and his fellow Senate Republican lawmakers, the majority party seems to have dug in even more in their opposition to reaching a budget deal with associated reforms that will help make Illinois more competitive.

Senator Fowler has held a number of meetings in his Harrisburg Office with constituents on issues ranging from coal mining to disaster recovery. On June 6, the Senator joined Representative Dave Severin for tour of the now-shuttered Bombardier boat factory. The factory ceased operations in 2012 and the factory is now being offered on the open market for future Franklin County economic development.

As most schools districts in Southern Illinois closed for the summer, impoverished students are often reliant on summer community-based lunch programs. Senator Fowler’s office took part in the opening of the Harrisburg East Side Elementary summer feeding program on June 7. The Senator thanked the non-profit organizations who are all-too-often leading providers to fill in the “gaps” for Southern Illinois Families.

Senator Fowler’s Comcast Newsmakers

The Senator recently made his debut on Comcast Newsmakers to discuss Cairo’s ongoing housing situation and his efforts to help economically rebuild the community. Senator Fowler’s appearance can be found on his Facebook “fan page” available at www.facebook.com/senatorfowler

Marion Senior Fair

Williamson County area senior citizens are invited to a 6/27 FREE senior health fair to be held at the Marion HUB Rec Center located at 917 W. Main. Nearly 30 vendors will be in attendance and several are offering various screenings including: mental health, blood pressure, oral exams, grip strength testing and some limited immunizations. The event will run from 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. For more information visit www.senatorfowler.com.

ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information

New testing dates have been scheduled for the Rend Lake College Medical Assistant program to give students the chance to complete applications for entrance into the program’s Fall 2017 semester. Applications are due Friday, July 14.

The Medical Assistant entrance exam, called the Psychological Service Bureau (PSB), is a required part of the application process. The test costs $30 and is due at the time of registration, which must be done in person at the Testing Center, located in the Administration Building.

Testing dates have been set for the following times: 1 p.m. Thursday, June 22; 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 27; and 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 12.

Students must bring photo identification for admission to the test. The PSB is a five-part, computerized, timed test. Paper applications for the program will be available in the Allied Health Division or Testing Center for students to complete.

After graduation, medical assistants are prepared to work in medical offices, clinics, and other outpatient facilities doing a number of tasks, including maintaining appointment schedules and medical records, billing, recording vital signs, obtaining medical histories, and drawing blood.

RLC’s Associate in Applied Science degree requires two years, or four semesters, of study. The Occupational Certificate option is 36 credit hours, or two semesters. All general education courses are required for those who want to complete the associate degree program.

Medical assistants are projected to have much faster than average job growth by 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, with more than 138,900 jobs coming into the market in the next seven years, a 23 percent increase. Medical assistants have an average pay of $31,540. After successful completion of the program at RLC, students can sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants examination.

For more information about the Medical Assistant program, visit online at www.rlc.edu or contact Nina Goloubeva, Program Director, at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1766. For questions about the PSB test, contact Beth Stevens in the Academic Advisement Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.