INA, Ill. – The first week of Kids Summer Camps at Rend Lake College saw youth of all ages getting active and creative in Art Exploration, Bertie Ham Chefs of Tomorrow, Garbage Pail Science, Jr Law Enforcement Academy, Martial Arts, and My Buddy and Me Cake Creations camps. Click on the images below for larger views. Kids Summer Camps continue throughout the months of June and July. To learn more, visit www.rlc.edu/com-ed. To register, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.

Here’s a link to the story.

Articulation agreement for Criminal Justice receives approval

The board approved an articulation agreement with Southern Illinois University Carbondale to allow students to complete an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice at RLC and transfer to SIUC’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Volleyball season extended to spring

The board granted permission to extend the women’s volleyball season to include spring competition and to increase the stipend for women’s volleyball coach to $11,500. The recommendation is based on the potential of area prospective student-athletes for volleyball and overall increased interest in the sport.

Women’s tennis program suspended

Permission was granted to suspend the women’s tennis program effective June 13. The recommendation is based on the retirement of the coach, lack of area high school tennis programs to allow for student recruitment, and lack of community college programs making it expensive to travel and compete. No student-athletes have been recruited for the 2018-2019 academic year. Athletic academic awards will be honored for the remaining four freshman students.

New employees join ranks

The board made several appointments Tuesday.

·         Erica Hess, Nursing Instructor, effective Aug. 6. Hess holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degrees from Western Governors University and an Associate Degree in Nursing from Southeastern Illinois College. She currently serves as a nursing instructor for WGU and has served as a part-time nursing instructor for RLC.

·         Sarah Hopfinger, Nursing Instructor, effective July 16. Hopfinger holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of Southern Indiana and currently serves as Southeast Illinois AHEC Director and staff registered nurse at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.

·         Thomas Christopher Murphy, Computer Technician, effective June 18. He holds Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Wireless Communications Technology and Information Technology from Rend Lake College, and has served as a technician for Megabytes Technology Services and Hella Electronics.

·         David Patrick, Health Studies Student Success Center / Help Desk Technician, effective June 4. This was a ratification. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology from Illinois State University and an Associate Degree in Computer Science from John A. Logan College. He most recently was Technology Director for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.

Retirements from four

Four retirement resignations were accepted with regret Tuesday.

·         Dr. Barbara Hampton, Developmental Reading and English Professor, effective Spring 2020. She has been with RLC full-time since August 2007. “Rend Lake College has given me the opportunity to be part of a group of people who truly care about students, and, in doing so, help shape the future of our region,” Hampton wrote in her retirement letter. “I will speak of my time here with pride.”

·         Angie Kistner, Vice President of Finance and Administration, effective June 30, 2022. She has been with RLC for nearly 26 years, having joined the college full-time in September 1992. “Rend Lake College has not only been my home. It has been my family,” Kistner wrote in her retirement letter. “The friendships and the relationships that I have formed make it difficult to leave but I am confident that my colleagues can and will continue to work to make our institution the best community college in the nation.”

·         Ricky Robinson, Computer Networking Professor, effective June 30, 2019. He has been with RLC full-time for nearly two decades, since August 1998. “I would like to thank the Rend Lake College Board and the President for their support extended to me throughout my years of service here at the college,” Robinson wrote in his retirement letter. “Teaching at the college has been a most rewarding career and experience, and I attribute it to the family atmosphere here at the college.”

·         Linda Kay Shaw, Developmental Math Professor, effective May 31, 2018. She had been with RLC full-time since September 2013. “I am proud to have been a part of this wonderful, fantastic community,” Shaw wrote in her retirement letter. “I will always be a proud supporter of Rend Lake College and believe that it will continue to be a major asset to the students and the community.”

Resignations from two

The board accepted two resignation with regret Tuesday.

·         Nathan Burkitt, Computer Technician, effective May 24. He had been with RLC full-time since May 2014. “This institution has provided me with so much in  the time that I have been here and has become an integral part of my life,” Burkitt wrote in his resignation letter. “I wish Rend Lake College and its people nothing but the best in the future and hope that you will continue to be a cornerstone to the people of Southern Illinois.

·         Marli Choate, Title III Health Studies Support Coordinator, effective June 14. She has been with RLC full-time since January 2017. “I am grateful for the opportunities that Rend Lake College has given me,” Choate wrote in her resignation letter. “I have met many truly wonderful individuals and I wish nothing but the best for the college.”

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. A draft of the federal compliance filing has been completed and will be reviewed before submission to HLC.

In other business, the board …

·         Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.

·         Approved revisions to the Rend Lake College Faculty Union agreement, which will be in effect until Aug. 15, 2022.

·         Approved salaries for administration, administrative support, academic support, physical plant and office support personnel.

·         Approved the Resource Allocation Management Plan.

·         Approved revision to board procedure concerning stipends.

·         Approved withdrawal of an existing course, Computer Forensics II; approved assignment of Computer Forensics I to the IT Systems Specialist curriculum; and approved assignment of Cyber Crime and Law and Cyber Crime and Investigation to the Criminal Justice curriculum.

·         Approved an action transferring up to $3.4 million from the Working Cash fund to the Education fund. This was due to the timing of receipts of funds from the state for various grant payments which may be delayed during future periods. The amount will be transferred back to the Working Cash fund when the money comes in from the state. Additionally, the board approved the transfer of $2,481,000 from the Education fund to the Working Cash fund to repay earlier transfers made in anticipation of revenues to be received by the college. The college is legally required to repay this transfer between funds within one year.

·         Approved a revision to the amount of coverage needed and the principal party insured under a surety bond for Rend Lake College as required by state statute. The state requires that the college execute and obtain a surety bond from a recognized agent for the treasurer of the district. Upon review of current cash balances, investments held and bonds outstanding, it has been determined that the college needs a surety bond in an amount no less than $28,346,693 to meet the legal requirement for protection of the district’s counties and the state.

·         Approved an engagement letter for the providing of both audit services and tax return preparation for FY 2018. In FY 2015, the college entered into a five-year extension of the contractual arrangement for the providing of audit service with CliftonLarsonAllen. The cost of these services for FY 2018 will be $54,000.

·         Approved the prevailing rate of hourly wages resolution.

Mark your calendars …

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

·         Practical Nurse Pinning, 3 p.m. Monday, July 2, Pat Kern Private Dining Area.

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

INA, Ill.– Rend Lake College Criminal Justice students have a new option for transferring after graduation, thanks to the approval of a new articulation agreement with Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale during tonight’s Board of Trustees meeting.

RLC students who complete the Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice will be able to transfer seamlessly as juniors into SIU Carbondale’s Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Under the agreement, RLC students are required to complete specific courses and maintain a 2.0 grade point average or higher to qualify. Once at SIU, students will be required to complete approximately 42 credit hours to complete the bachelor’s degree.

Gabriele Farner, Dean of Applied Science and Technology, said the agreement with SIU Carbondale is a great new opportunity for students looking to stay in the area.

“The addition of Southern Illinois University to our list of opportunities for Criminal Justice graduates is fantastic in so many ways. Not only is it a local partnership that brings new ideas and technologies to RLC students, but it also gives the students another, local option to continue their education,” said Farner. “We’re excited to be working with them to help all of our students.”

The agreement joins two others for RLC Criminal Justice students who can also opt for similar arrangements with Central Methodist University and Missouri Baptist University. Each of these articulation agreements will be reevaluated annually by RLC and the partnering university.

The agreement is effective immediately for those who meet program requirements at both institutions. Students wishing to learn more about program specifics should contact their RLC Academic Advisor at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.

INA, Ill. – Academic and financial aid advisors at Rend Lake College are aiming to work around everyone’s schedule this summer with new late afternoon advisements once a month through September.

Advisors will remain open past regular office hours until 6 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Aug. 7, and Sept. 11. Students may walk in during these times to meet with academic advisors, though appointments are encouraged, to register for classes. Financial Aid, Business Office, and Student Records advisors will also be available to discuss funding options and student accounts. Both offices are located in the Administration Building of the Ina campus.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact the Academic Advisement Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266 or advising@rlc.edu.

6-6-18 at 11:00 am a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Kortrell D. Johnson Jr. age 20 of Marion for unlawful display of registration and for driving while license suspended.

6-6-18 at 3:30 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Spring Pond Road south of Benton. A 2014 Chrysler driven by Martin K. Yancey age 66 of Benton, was east bound, traveled off of the north side of the road and struck a decorative brick mailbox housing. Yancey was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving while license suspended.

6-7-18 at 6:50 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Jefferson Street in Valier. A 1989 Mercury Cougar driven by Nichole L. Thorpe age 32 of Christopher was north bound when she lost control, ran off the east side of the road and struck a utility pole. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and arrested for obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. She is being held in the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $4,000.00 bond.

6-8-18 at 12:01 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Number 9 Blacktop just south of Il. Rt. 149. A 2015 Chevrolet 3500 Pick-up truck driven by Henry F. Wulf age 62 of MT. Vernon was traveling toward Rt. 149 and veered into the south bound lane into the path of a 2010 Cadillac Escalade driven by Sharon L. Bowers age 77 of West Frankfort. There were no injuries and Henry Wulf was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

6-9-18 at 3:02 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Highway Rt. 148 and Elkville Blacktop. A 2006 Chevrolet Impala driven by Bret A. Parini age 25 of New Burnside was south bound, lost control and traveled into the north bound lane into the path of a 2018 Ford Fusion driven by Dellal Snider age 61 of Christopher. She received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. Brent Parini was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

6-9-18 at 8:48 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Craig D. Alderson age 19 of Orient for driving while license suspended.

6-9-18 at 10:24 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Ewing Road at Log Cabin Road. A 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Pick-up truck driven by Larry Todd Manker age 50 of Sesser was west bound on Ewing Blacktop when a 2017 Jeep Carryall driven by Danielle K. Venters age 21 of Ina had been north bound on Log Cabin Road and pulled into the path of the Pick-up. Manker was not injured and Venters and a passenger in her vehicle, a 12 year old female, received major injuries and were transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. Venters was also ticketed for failure to yield right of way and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

6-11-18 at 5:37 am a traffic stop in Macedonia resulted in the arrest of Jeffery B. Mcintosh age 47 of Grantsburg, IL for contempt of court, warrant out of McHenry County Illinois.

6-11-18 at 8:00 am Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Sesser. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Glenn R. Eubanks age 55 of Sesser for domestic battery.

6-13-18 at 10:10 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash in Coello. A 2000 Chevrolet Pick-up truck driven by Brittany M. Bryan age 20 of Coello was east bound on Division Street and struck a bicycle that had been south bound on Parkdon Street. The bicyclist, Roscoe A. Dillinger age 62 of Coello, received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. Bryan was not injured and was ticketed for failure to yield the right of way and failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash. The crash in still under investigation and further charges are possible.

6-14-18 at 5:28 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Highway Rt. 148 north of Zeigler. A 2016 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Eric M. Young age 22 of Christopher was north bound when he stated that he fell asleep, ran off the road on the west side, struck a ditch and overturned and came to rest in the yard of a residence. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. He was also ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash.

6-14-18 Deputies have made two arrests in a residential burglary and felony theft that had been reported the previous day. The residence is located in rural West Frankfort. Charged with residential burglary and felony theft are Zachary A. Sneed age 22 of Zeigler and Linda F. Dobbins age 59 of Zeigler. The pair had been arrested by Zeigler Police the day of the reported burglary and were already in custody. The investigation is continuing and more arrests and charges are possible.

6-15-18 at 6:17 am Deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a male subject had forcibly entered a residence in Buckner and attacked a male occupant with a claw hammer. The victim was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. for head injuries. The suspect had fled the scene and was later located shortly after 9:00 am in rural Macedonia and arrested without incident. Christopher H. Shurtz age 48 of Buckner is in the Franklin County Jail charged with home invasion (class x felony) aggravated battery (class 3 felony) unlawful violation of an order of protection (class a misdemeanor) These are tentative charges pending review by the State’s Attorney’s Office. Bond has not yet been set the Circuit Court.

WARRANT ARRESTS

6-6-18 Clifford T. McGuire age 36 of Benton. Failure to appear for bad checks

6-8-18 Jamie L. Meeks age 27 of Murphysboro. Failure to appear for aggravated identity theft

6-11-18 Marranda K. Booten age 27 of Marion. Retail theft

6-11-18 Bryan A. Johnson Age 34 of Marion. Failure to appear for D.U.I.

6-11-18 Lamar A. Washington age 29 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges

6-12-18 Chase A. Smith age 31 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for criminal trespass

6-13-18 Cody L. Summers age 19 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on traffic charges

6-14-18 Bridge K. Reeder age 24 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine

6-14-18 Gabrielle D. Bush age 43 of Mulkeytown. Failure to appear on bad checks

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Federal award for 75^th Street one of largest ever for Illinois, construction begins in fall

CHICAGO – Gov. Rauner announced on Tuesday the U.S. Department of Transportation will be awarding $132 million toward the 75^th Street Corridor Improvement Project that’s considered the linchpin of the Chicago Region Environment and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program. The award, through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program, leverages additional private and public contributions for a total investment of $474 million to fix the country’s most complex and complicated segment of railroad.

“This award will result in a significant advance for our transportation system,” Gov. Rauner said. “It means we can finally eliminate the 75^th Street bottleneck and start enjoying the commercial benefits that come with modernization and more efficient movement of goods and people through Chicago and Illinois, the nation’s most important transportation hub. It is a tremendous achievement by all of the partners involved.”

The grant is the largest received by Illinois under the two previous U.S. DOT’s discretionary grant programs and one of the largest ever. The accomplishment was made possible by the work of the entire Illinois congressional delegation, especially U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis and Dan Lipinski.

“While the 75^th Street Corridor Improvement Project is located in Chicago, it’s progress is critical to the entire state of Illinois,” said Davis. “The award Governor Rauner and Secretary Blankenhorn have helped secure will go a long way in alleviating train congestion in the Chicago area that has slowed down the movement of ag products and other goods and prevented access to reliable, high-speed rail between Chicago and downstate Illinois.”

The 75th Street corridor serves more than two million freight cars annually. In addition, more than 30 Metra trains and 10 Amtrak trains pass through it daily. The corridor improvement project will eliminate multiple conflict points, add double-tracking and enhance key linkages to improve capacity and efficiency, leading to an estimated $3.8 billion in economic benefit.

The major elements include a CSX Railroad flyover bridge to eliminate intersections with other tracks, a 71^st Street underpass just east of Western Avenue that will erase 10,000 hours of motorist delay annually, and new tracks and crossovers at the belt railroads, where trains presently travel as slow as 10 mph. Construction is scheduled to start this fall.

Also included is funding to complete studies and designs for a second set of Belt Railway Company of Chicago tracks and a new rail flyover connecting Metra’s Rock Island District and SouthWest Service lines.

The $132 million federal award is matched by $111 million from the Illinois Department of Transportation, $116 million from the American Association of Railroads, $78 million from Cook County, $23 million from Metra, $9 million from the City of Chicago and $5 million from Amtrak.

“The 75^th Street Corridor Improvement Project represents a true partnership,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said. “Thanks to Gov. Rauner’s leadership and the determination by everyone involved, we have arrived at a solution that not just helps the region, but the entire country.”

The grant will be officially announced on Friday by the USDOT in Washington, D.C.

Visit createprogram.org for more information about CREATE.

The Benton Public Library has been awarded funds to for improvements according to Illinois Secretary of State and state librarian Jesse White.

In a news release, White said the Benton Public Library will receive $6,395 for the installation of power-assisted exterior entry doors and interior restroom doors to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

“Our public libraries are the cornerstones of our communities,” White said. “l am pleased to award these grants through the Illinois State Library to help maintain the infrastructure of our public libraries so that they remain the best information resource centers available to citizens.”

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College President Terry Wilkerson now holds one of only 25 seats on the Chair Academy’s International Advisory Board, a group focused on bringing professional development programs to colleges and universities around the globe.

Wilkerson was named to the prestigious board earlier this spring and said his seat on the board is a chance to continue to evolve professionally and encourage others to do the same.

RLC President Terry Wilkerson

“I value and appreciate the training I received through the Chair Academy, and I look forward to serving the organization as an advisor,” said Wilkerson. “The Chair Academy is about leadership, period. It’s about always continuing to learn about leadership and to embrace who you are, because if you accept who you are, then other people will accept it too.”

The Chair Academy for Leadership and Development, a department of the Mesa Community College and Maricopa County Community College District, offers world-class, competency-based leadership development programs for college and university leaders.

The organization’s International Advisory Board includes professionals from various community colleges across the country, plus university and college leaders at institutions located in Australia and Canada.

Wilkerson’s nomination came from Chair Academy Facilitator Scott Geddis, president of the consulting firm Inspired Engagement. Geddis has been involved with the Chair Academy for many years, even serving as Wilkerson’s mentor during the two-year Foundation program, from which he graduated from in 2008.

“[Wilkerson is] a graduate of the Chair Academy and he has great respect for what the Academy has done for him professionally. When he went through the Academy, he wasn’t the president, and I’ve heard him say his experience at the Academy made him ready for the president role,” said Geddis. “He understands and appreciates the value, and he continues to be reliable and timely. He has the experience and perspective.”

As a member of the International Advisory Board, Wilkerson said he’s focused on his own continued development in leadership, plus bringing some of the techniques used in the Chair Academy to students, faculty, and staff.

“In the future, I want to look at how to promote leadership in higher education, specifically in our curriculum and course offerings, and hosting a Chair Academy in Illinois,” said Wilkerson.

Part of his plans to promote leadership on RLC’s campus includes the integration of CliftonStrengths for Students – a question and answer assessment designed to help students discover their unique strengths and natural talents. RLC faculty and staff recently participated in the CliftonStrengths assessment to promote positivity and leadership on campus.

Wilkerson said the plan is to roll out the first CliftonStrengths for Students assessment in the Fall 2018 First Year Experience course, an orientation-like class required by all incoming freshmen. In addition to completing the assessment, students will then have activities and discussions about how to apply their results for their own success.

“Strengths-based student engagement is part of my drive behind this. We’re really good at testing students to find out what they’re good and bad at, but they’ve known that for 18 years. This is a different way of teaching. By telling them what they’re good at and how to use those strengths, it’s a way to change the conversation,” said Wilkerson.

In addition to his plans locally, Wilkerson will also participate at the Chair Academy’s 28th Annual International Leadership Conference in Atlanta next spring. He recently returned from the 27th annual event hosted in Denver.

In addition to Wilkerson, three other RLC administrators have also graduated from the two-year Chair Academy Foundation program: Henry Leeck, Dean of Liberal Arts; Lori Ragland, Vice President of Instruction; and Kim Wilkerson, Dean of Allied Health.

To learn more about the Chair Academy, visit www.chairacademy.com.