INA, Ill. – Beginning this fall, Rend Lake College students enrolled in four popular programs will have a new opportunity to receive paid on-the-job training while completing their desired degree or certificate.

These apprenticeships, offered through the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship, are geared toward students enrolled in the Industrial Maintenance Technology, Basic Machining Technology, Truck Driver Training, or Welding Technology programs, with additional program options in the works. Each apprentice will have the chance to team up with local industry businesses and mentors for the trainings.

Bruce A.L. Hallam, USDOL Apprenticeship & Training Representative, FOURTH FROM LEFT, visited RLC this week to meet with program faculty and administrators to discuss the new partnership between the college and USDOL. Also pictured is, FROM LEFT, Pete Wilce, RLC Welding Associate Professor; Joy Fitts, RLC Applied Science & Technology Administrative Assistant; Lori Ragland, RLC Vice President of Instruction; Hallam; Terry Wilkerson, RLC President; Gabriele Farner, RLC Dean of Applied Science & Technology Division; David Nordin, RLC Truck Driver Training Instructor; Mike Meinert, RLC Welding Instructor; and Chris Sink, RLC Computer Networking / Wireless Professor.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

The goal of the new apprenticeships is to meet student and industry needs for continuous training in high level skill jobs. Together with the USDOL, RLC has adopted apprenticeship standards for each of the four programs.

“It’s important to our business partners that our students and graduates are skilled professionals, but are also familiar with the everyday aspects of their job that may not be taught in the classroom, such as company and customer orientation and specific workplace safety,” said Gabriele Farner, RLC Dean of Applied Science & Technology.

Some other work processes covered in the apprenticeships include planning and organizing work, maintaining operating equipment, operability of technical systems, and quality control.

During the apprenticeship, RLC students will complete approximately 2,000 hours, depending on industry standards, of hands-on training while receiving related training instruction (RTI) at RLC. Apprentices are paid wages that will increase throughout the apprenticeship.

Farner said RLC students should look at the apprenticeships as opportunities to get a leg up in the local work force.

“The apprenticeship is a practical, cost-effective way to expose our students to the industries where they are interested in working,” said Farner. “It’s a win for everyone involved. Students receive hands-on training from skilled mentors while earning incomes above minimum wage, local businesses get to work directly with new professionals, and RLC continues to lead students and graduates down a path they desire to walk.”

Students successfully completing the required RTI and on-the-job learning will receive the national occupational credential in their related field from the USDOL. According to the USDOL, receipt of this credential indicates the employer is certifying the apprentice to be fully skilled in their respective occupation.

To learn more about these apprenticeship programs, contact RLC’s Applied Science & Technology Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261 or AppliedScience@rlc.edu.

School students in contest to name “The People’s Coliseum”

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner announced today that the Rauner Family Foundation is contributing $1 million to the Illinois State Fair for the naming rights to The Coliseum, the 117-year-old, 60,000-square-foot amphitheater that is “the pride and joy” of the state fairgrounds.

“Diana and I want to make this ‘The People’s Coliseum’ just as we made the Governor’s Mansion ‘the People’s House,’” said Rauner. “In that spirit, we are going to ask Illinois school children to help us to name the Coliseum in a naming contest. This building belongs to the future, so it is fitting that we let the young people who are the future do the naming.”  

Rauner made the announcement at the breakfast which kicked off Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair. Details of the naming contest will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. Later today, the governor will host the Sale of Champions, where Junior Division Grand and Reserve Champion livestock are selected and auctioned with proceeds going to youth exhibitors and the 4-H and FFA Foundations. Last year’s auction brought in more than $150,000 in proceeds.

“Agribusiness is big business in Illinois,” Rauner said. “There are more than 72,000 farms and 2,400 food manufacturers in Illinois. We are the nation’s leading state for food processing, our ag commodities businesses produce $19 billion a year, and there’s billions more in ag-related industries. It is essential that we support the industry’s growth and advancement by sensibly reducing regulatory burdens and reforming our workers comp and property tax systems.”

At the Agriculture Day Breakfast, Rauner signed a package of legislation that will benefit farmers and ag businesses. First up was Senate Bill 3072, which provides for staggered board terms for the State Fair Advisory Board. The move ensures the operational interests of the fairs are more equitably represented.

The board exists to advise the director and the Department of Agriculture on operational matters for both the State Fairs and the State Fairgrounds.

“These changes to the Board structure will help bring in new perspectives and help ensure that our State Fairs are offering the best family entertainment and value for fairgoers,” said Raymond Poe, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“This new law will help bring about fresh and innovative ideas to the State Fair Advisory Board, which will help grow and enhance the Illinois State Fair as the state’s premier summer event for years to come,” said Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady.

“The State Fair Board of Trustees performs a vital service to help guide the Springfield State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair especially,” said Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Mount Vernon. “The Board is being trimmed from 20 down to 15 in order to increase the likelihood of filling the board and to cut down on the size of government. Every little bit of streamlining helps in Illinois. I am thankful to the governor for recognizing the need to keep the State Fair Board of Trustees a lean, mean and efficiently operating body and for signing SB 3072.”

House Bill 4999 reduces the number of meetings for the Advisory Board of Livestock Commissioners and other administrative requirements, resulting in cost and staff time savings for administrative support.

“With this change in statute, the advisory board is able to easily meet at least once a year to compile their recommendations for the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture,” said Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond. “Their input is essential for state agricultural success since they approve the rules and regulations of the department on prevention, elimination and control of diseases in our livestock.”

House Bill 5029 ensures the humane treatment of dogs and cats and makes certain breeders live up to legal standards for health. Anyone who intentionally breeds cats and dogs to sell, offer to sell, exchange or offer for adoption are now classified as breeders.

“This new law was created to clear up any confusion regarding the definition under state law for dog and cat breeders,” said Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville. “It will help reduce confusion for both licensees and consumers. It’s just common sense.”

The governor signed House Bill 5459 which amends the Horse Racing Act so that more foals can qualify for Illinois races, a big step to help the racing and horse breeding industries in the state.

Senate Bill 2752 changes definitions of “adulterated” meats and poultry to ensure the protection of consumers against food-borne illnesses.

“Food safety is of critical importance to Illinois families,” said Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Freeport, after Tuesday’s bill signing. “Ensuring Illinois conforms with federal guidelines and is implementing best practices with everyone on the same page is important for not just Illinois’ agricultural community, but also for consumers.

“Whenever we need to bring Illinois’ statutes in line with federal guidelines on food safety, we should leap at the opportunity to protect business from unequal application of the laws as well as protect consumers, who are increasingly in tune with what’s in the food their families consume.”

The governor signed Senate Bill 2875 giving the Department of Agriculture authority to develop and implement value-added certifications so that Illinois certified products warrant higher prices.  The legislation repeals several non-functioning programs including Forever Green Illinois; Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act Labeling and Certification; Illinois AgriFIRST Act of 2001; the Dairy Statistics Act; the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act; and the Trichinosis Control Act. 

“Under this legislation we are formally repealing some programs within the Department of Agriculture which have not functioned in years but which still exist on paper,” said Rep. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City. “It is a good measure for streamlining government and avoiding possible confusion in the future.”

“Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy. If we can help farms and agribusinesses to succeed, then Illinois will succeed,” said Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria. “I grew up on a family farm, and know the hard work these men and women do every day to feed the world, and the unique challenges they face. It was an honor to sponsor this new law that consolidates and modernizes rules for programs that affect farmers and agribusinesses each day.”

“This new law will make government more efficient by repealing a number of programs that are no longer operating,” added Okawville’s Meier. “This makes perfect sense to eliminate programs on the books that don’t exist and consolidate programs that still exist.”

Senate Bill 3082 makes it possible for Farm Bureaus to participate more fully in the promotion of Ag Centennial, Sesquicentennial, and Bicentennial programs by considering the bureaus as agribusinesses.

“Agribusiness is Illinois’ No. 1 industry and this new law shows our commitment to supporting agriculture in our state,” said Meier. “Whether your business is in production, processing or distribution, this new law will recognize your business as an ‘Agribusiness’ in the State of Illinois.”

“I am happy to have co-sponsored three of these bills today that streamline the State Fair Board and reduce some of the bureaucracy and cost of the state and let taxpayers keep more of their money,” commented Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, who sponsored SB 3072, HB 5459 and SB 2875. “And in our modern economy where some agribusinesses promote farmers and produce as part of the overall $19 billion economy, I think it’s important to recognize not only farmers but those agribusinesses as well in our Centennial designation program for their positive impact on farming in Illinois.”

On August 15, 2018 at approximately, 11 p.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North McLeansboro and East Main Street.

During the stop,  Benton Police K9 “ Ranger” alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.

Upon investigating further, police arrested Bryce J. Sneddon, age 25, of Benton for unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Sneddon was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

WEST FRANKFORT — Mayor Tom Jordan said Tuesday’s City Council meeting was full of good news, but a definite bright spot was signing a lease for the mall that could bring a significant number of jobs to West Frankfort.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Republicans, led by Gov. Bruce Rauner, rallied the faithful Wednesday by pledging to make the GOP the state’s majority party in the November election.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College and the US Army Corps of Engineers are partnering together to bring a little more adventure to the lives of local children.

The Rend Lake Search for the Science Stones is an educational treasure hunt targeted towards youth 6-15 years of age that will kick off on August 19.

Every week a new science stone will be released into the wilds around Rend Lake with clues for its location being released on the Rend Lake Search for the Science Stones Facebook group. Links to the group will be posted on both RLC’s and the Project Office’s social media accounts.

The Facebook group will not only be a place for the clues to be revealed, but also a space that hunters can discuss their theories and make new friends.

Clues will start generically, but as the week goes on, and the hunt heats up, new clues will be issued until the science stone is found. The intrepid treasure hunter who finds the stone can bring it to the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center to exchange it for one of numerous prizes provided by RLC.

“We’re excited to partner with the Corps of Engineers on this activity,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. “Anyone who wants to join the hunt will have a good time, and it’s an exciting way to generate some enthusiasm among young people in the STEM fields. Also, we hope we can get some more people acquainted with what Rend Lake, the Corps and the college have to offer.”

Every week for the next four weeks, a new stone will be hidden for numerous opportunities at prizes.

Those explorers who discover the stones will also be entered into the grand prize drawing. At the end of the event, one lucky participant will be randomly selected for a 12 credit hour academic award at Rend Lake College for use whenever they are ready to attend.

“The Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is excited to partner with Rend Lake College in this new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiative. This activity is designed to get youth outdoors where they can learn about nature and science while encouraging them to take ownership of their public lands.  The opportunity to earn prizes and a scholarship at Rend Lake College is a great incentive to get out and have some fun in the park,” said Rend Lake Operations Manager Jackie Taylor.

The Search of the Science Stones will run in conjunction with the Army Corps 2018 Environmental Science Series at Rend Lake. For more information about those events, call the Rend Lake Visitor Center at 618-724-2493 or visit their website at www.corpslakes.us/rend.

Trump International Hotel & Tower is endangering fish and other aquatic life in the Chicago River, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan alleges in a new lawsuit targeting the president’s skyscraper for multiple violations of clean water laws.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation today aimed at stabilizing families and providing additional services to those whose children are at risk of entering the child welfare system.

The joint-agency services are available to families with children under the age of 5 who already have an open intact family services case with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Families will be offered child care assistance under the Illinois Department of Human Service’s child care assistance program for six months after the child’s intact family services case is closed.

“Children thrive when their families are healthy,” Rauner said. “We want to make sure families stay together. Child care services are critical when it comes to helping parents rebuild, and this additional time gives them an opportunity to transition into new routines after their involvement with DCFS ends.”

Intact Family Services through DCFS provide at-risk families with job training, housing assistance, counseling, and substance use services that help them avoid more intensive and traumatic interventions.

“This is a unique collaboration with IDHS focused on the state’s youngest children,” said DCFS Acting Director B.J. Walker. “This allows social service workers to put an extra set of eyes on a family and help them identify any concerns they may need to address.”

“For some children, their child care setting may be the most reliable and stable part of their lives,” said IDHS Secretary James Dimas. “Allowing these children to maintain some stability during a very critical period of their development will help them for the rest of their lives.”

“Some families involved with the child welfare system have great difficulty accessing safe, affordable child care,” said Paula Corrigan-Halpern, vice president, Ahlquist Center for Policy, Practice and Innovation at Children’s Home and Aid. “Child care can provide the nurturing environment and learning opportunities that support a child’s healthy development and mitigate the impact of early exposure to trauma. Children’s Home & Aid has seen the positive difference high-quality child care makes in the lives of children and families. As a result of HB 4885, parents will be better able to access the services they need to strengthen their families and reduce the risk of abuse and neglect.”