INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College Board members, faculty, staff, and retired employees gathered in the Theatre Tuesday afternoon to celebrate and highlight several individuals for an exceptional academic year.

Here’s a link to the story.

(Franklin County, IL) — Franklin County, Illinois based Abbott Ambulance (Abbott EMS) will be teaching Hands-only CPR, in cooperation with West Frankfort Fire Department and Air Evac Life Team, at the Old King Coal Festival in West Frankfort on May 11, 2018 from 4:00pm-9:00pm. Being a local ambulance provider in Franklin County, it is essential for us to educate people how to perform CPR. Anyone can learn to save a life.

Every year Abbott EMS/AMR take on the World CPR Challenge because of its importance and impact in saving someone’s life. Administering CPR until emergency medical service arrives can double or triple the chance of survival in a cardiac arrest situation. All who participate will be added to the total for this year’s challenge.

Two articulation agreements receive approval

Two articulation agreements with four-year universities were approved Tuesday. The board approved an agreement allowing students in RLC’s Health Information Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree program to transfer to Saint Joseph’s College Online Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program. Additionally, the board approved ratification of an agreement with Southern Illinois University Carbondale to allow graduates of RLC’s Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic Associate in Applied Science Degree program to transfer to SIUC’s Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Management program.

Curriculum matters receive approval

The board approved two new curricula, IT Database Specialist and IT Security Specialist, and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action. Additionally, changes were approved to the Cyber Security Specialist and Computer Networking certificates and to the Manufacturing Employment Skills class. A new course was approved in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program. The Cyber Forensics Specialist certificate was withdrawn, as were the degree and certificate in the Oil and Natural Gas Technician. Several courses also were withdrawn.

Bids to go out for parking lot work

The board granted permission to advertise for bids and award for pavement sealing and striping on the RLC Ina campus and the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. Estimated costs are $42,000 for the Ina campus and $17,000 for the MarketPlace. This is a deferred maintenance project.

Veteran professor, coach Smith to retire

The board accepted with regret the retirement resignation of Dave Smith, Professor Emeritus, effective June 30, 2018. Smith has been with RLC for nearly 40 years. He first joined the ranks at RLC as a welding instructor in January of 1981. In 2009, he officially retired as a professor and returned as a full-time emeritus professor. As such, he sits atop the unofficial RLC seniority list of active, full-time employees.

Smith also served as head coach of the Warrior Men’s Golf Team for the better part of 30 years. Among the honors during his coaching tenure are seven consecutive Region XXIV D-II Championships, 13 All-Americans and an individual National Champion. “It has been both a pleasure and an honor to work at Rend Lake College for these nearly forty years,” Smith wrote in his retirement letter.

Kaufman becomes Student Success Coordinator

Danielle Kaufman was appointed Student Success Coordinator effective April 20. She previously was manager of the RLC Golf Outlet in Mt. Vernon and head coach of the Warrior Women’s Golf Team. In a related action, the job description was revised to include head coaching duties for women’s golf. Kaufman holds both Associate in Science and Associate in Arts degrees from RLC and a Bachelor of Science Degree in University Studies / Community Health from SIUC.

Resignations from three

Three resignations were accepted with regret Tuesday.

Aaron Gonzalez, Heath Studies Student Success Center / Help Desk Support Technician, effective May 11. He had been a part-time computer technician since 2014 before recently being appointed to the HSSSC position. “I’d like to thank Rend Lake College for all of the professional opportunities this institute has provided me over the past four years. I wish Rend Lake College all the best,” Gonzalez wrote in his resignation letter.

Ashlee Stevenson, Subsidized Child Care Specialist for the Child Care Resource and Referral program, effective May 10, 2018. She had been with RLC full-time since March 2017. “It has truly been a rewarding experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here,” Stevenson wrote in her resignation letter.

Deidra Traylor, TRIO / Upward Bound Student Advisor, effective May 1, 2018. She had been with RLC full-time since November 2000. “I am very thankful for the opportunities provided to me, the experience I’ve gained, and the friendships I have formed while working at the college,” Traylor wrote in her resignation letter. “My time spent at RLC working alongside wonderful colleagues and students will be something that I will always treasure.”

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.

In other business, the board …

Granted permission to advertise for a nursing instructor.

Granted an additional three weeks of unpaid leave for an employee.

Approved revisions to policy and procedure concerning computation of hourly rate of pay for part-time employees (second reading).

Approved revisions to policy and procedure concerning dual credit (second reading).

Approved the creation of policy and procedure concerning accident and incident reporting (second reading).

Approved revisions to board procedure concerning stipends.

Approved the RLC Student Handbook, along with several other program handbooks: Biomedical Electronics, EMT-Paramedic, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Coding, Studio RLC / Cosmetology, and the RLC Foundation Children’s Center.

Heard a report from Dr. Elizabeth Bailey-Smith regarding activities of the Academic Council.

Mark your calendars …

Radiologic Technology Pinning Ceremony, 1 p.m. Thursday, May 10, RLC Theatre.

Associate Degree Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, Waugh Gymnasium.

HSE/GED Graduation, 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, Waugh Gymnasium.

RLC Commencement, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018, Waugh Gymnasium.

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

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. – Focus on fashion, create delicious cakes, or craft original origami at three Kids Summer Camps located in Mt. Vernon or Pinckneyville this summer.

Studio RLC, located at the MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon, is again offering Strike A Pose camp for first through seventh graders. Learn the latest fashions and trends through the basics of skin care, make-up, nail care, hair styles, poise and etiquette. Campers will end the day with a fashion show for friends and family.

Each student should bring their favorite outfit for the fashion show, and parents and caregivers should arrive early to see the show. The camp costs $35 and includes lunch. The camp will meet from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday, June 4 at Studio RLC in Mt. Vernon.

In Pinckneyville, campers have two options in June and July. The first, Cake Creations camp, invites students in first through sixth grades to use icing, cookies, candies, and their imagination to create their own unique masterpieces with RLC Chef Janet Pearce.

Each camper should bring an apron or old shirt. The camp costs $15. Campers in first through third grades will meet from 9 – 11 a.m. and fourth through sixth graders will meet from 12 – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 at the Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus, Room 101.

For a less-messy creative outlet, campers can also take part in Origami camp. Here, Camp Instructor Maria Forbes will teach the Japanese art of paper folding to create modern designs.

Students between fourth and sixth grades will meet from 1 – 3 p.m. Thursday, July 19 at the Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus, Room 101. The camp costs $15.

Grade level applies to either past or upcoming grade. Payments may be made by check, money order, credit or debit cards, or cash, and must be received at the time of registration. Parents and guardians are responsible for all transportation arrangements to and from camp.

For more information about a camp or to register, contact the RLC Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.

 Franklin County, Illinois based Abbott Ambulance (Abbott EMS) will be hosting their 2018 Clinical Save Banquet at The Falls Reception Center in Columbia, Illinois on May 22, 2018 at 6:00pm. The ceremony has been held for over 30 years. Other members of the American Medical Response (AMR) family from Illinois and Missouri will be in attendance.

Abbott EMS serves the Franklin County area, as well as Effingham, Madison, and St. Clair Counties in Illinois and the St. Louis region in Missouri. The Clinical Save Banquet recognizes the Abbott Dispatchers, EMTs, and Paramedics that have played a crucial role in the community. They will be commended on successful resuscitation of individuals during care and transport to local hospitals. Patients who have been saved, and their families, will also attend the ceremony. Also recognized will be area Fire Departments, Hospitals, Law Enforcement agencies, Medical Directors, and Municipal officials who partner with Abbott EMS to provide care to those who are served.

REND LAKE COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

May 08, 2018 6:30 PM Rend Lake College 468 N Ken Gray Parkway Ina, IL 62846

Page No. I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. General Information
A. Announcements 1. Thursday, May 10, 2018; 1:00pm RAD Tech Pinning Ceremony Private Dining Room
2. Thursday, May 10, 2018; 7:00pm ADN Pinning Ceremony James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium

3. Friday, May 11, 2018; 1:30pm HSE/GED Graduation James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium
4. Saturday, May 12, 2018 10:00am and 1:00pm Rend Lake College Commencement James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium

5. Tuesday – Thursday, June 19-21, 2018 Career Technical Exploration Camps RLC Campus & Off-site Medical Facilities

6. Friday, July 13, 2018 6pm–Doors Open/7pm-Trivia Begins LRC Trivia Night The REC
IV. Closed Session – The Board may go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1)(2)(11)(21) of the Open Meetings Act.
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Subsection (1) appointment, employment, and compensation of specific employees; (2) collective negotiating matters; (11) litigation; (21) approval of meeting minutes.
V. Resume Open Meeting
VI. Approval of Consent Agenda Consent Items are marked with an asterisk (*)
VII. Approval of Minutes of the: 02 * April 10, 2018 Board of Trustees Meeting* VIII. New Business
12 * A. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Policy 3.1110 – Computation of Hourly Rate of Pay For Part-Time Employees (Second Reading)

15 * B. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Board Policy & Procedure 4.1445 – Dual Credit (Second Reading)

17 * C. Approval to Create Rend Lake College Policy & Procedure 3.1326 – Accident/Incident Reporting (Second Reading)

19 * D. Approval of Program Articulation Agreement Between Rend Lake College District #521 and Saint Joseph’s College Online, Health Information Technology Program

24 * E. Ratify the Approval of Program Articulation Agreement Between Rend Lake College, District #521 and Southern Illinois University Carbondale College of Applied Sciences and Arts

32 * F. Approval of Revisions to Rend Lake College Board Policy & Procedure 3.1115 – Stipends

G. Approval of Handbooks: 34 * 1. Biomedical Electronics 35 * 2. EMT-Paramedic 36 * 3. Pharmacy Technician 37 * 5. Medical Coding 38 * 6. Studio RLC/Cosmetology School 39 * 7. RLCF Children’s Center 40 * 8. Student

41 * H. Course / Curriculum Approvals

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43 I. Permission to Advertise for Bids and Award for pavement Sealing and Striping of the Rend Lake College Ina Campus and the MarketPlace Parking Lots
IX. Personnel
45 A. Approval of Retirement Resignation – Professor Emeritus

47 B. Ratify the Acceptance of Resignation of Trio / Upward Bound Student Advisor

51 C. Ratify the Acceptance of Resignation of Specialist – Subsidized Child Care – Child Care Resource and Referral

54 D. Ratify the Acceptance of Resignation of HSSSC / Information Technology Help Desk Support Technician 57 E. Recommendation to Revise Job Description and Ratify Appointment of Student Success Coordinator w/ Women’s Golf

61 F. Permission to Advertise for Nursing Instructor

62 G. Approve the Extension of an Unpaid Leave of Absence X. Financial Information 64 A. Ratification of the Payment of College Expenses including Travel Expense Reimbursements
B. Financials (INFORMATIONAL; TO BE PROVIDED)
XI. Reports
1. Academic Council
2. ICCTA Representative 3. Rend Lake College Foundation

4. Accreditation Report
XII. Public Comment
XIII. President’s Comments
XIV. Adjournment

On April 27, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the Public Square in reference to a report of children left unattended in a vehicle.  Upon investigating, police arrested Megan E. Scarlett, age 21, of Cowden, IL for child endangerment.  Scarlett was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On April 27, 2018 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Buchanan and Lawrence Street.  Upon investigating, police arrested Justin L. Wagoner, age 20, of Benton for unlawful possession of a controlled substance.  Wagoner was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On April 29, 2018 Benton Police arrested Kaylee M. Porter,age 21, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Porter was also charged with obstructing a peace officer.  Porter was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College Early Childhood Education (ECE) students can now qualify for state-recognized credentials while taking courses to complete a degree or certificate. In April, RLC became an approved “entitled institution” for three Gateways to Opportunity credentials.

Brenda Heinzmann, RLC Early Childhood Education Professor, said the entitled institution designation came after a comprehensive realignment of programs and courses.

“To be an entitled institution, we have completed a redesign of our program. Any student who takes our classes can submit their transcript after graduation and get state-recognized credentials to supplement their Early Childhood Education degree or certificate,” said Heinzmann.

Many governing bodies across the state came together with the idea for stackable credentials for graduates of community college programs. RLC then realigned the ECE degrees and certificates to match those outlined industry standards. RLC will remain an entitled institution until 2023.

For local child care centers, employees with these credentials can bring higher reimbursement rates from the Department of Human Services, putting graduates in higher demand.

“It means we’re leading our profession,” explained Heinzmann. “Our students become more qualified, more marketable. It’s a win-win for us, for our students, and for their future employers.”

RLC is among a select group of institutions in Illinois to be entitled for the Gateways to Opportunity credentials, read a press release from the organization.

It continued to state, “The faculty at RLC has worked diligently to align their courses with the Gateways to Opportunity competencies… RLC has become entitled to help further their goal by graduating students ready to provide quality care and education to young children in Illinois.”

The credentials reflect professional standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Illinois Professional Teaching standards. To learn more about RLC’s ECE programs, visit www.rlc.edu/math-science-education/teaching or call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251.

Gateways to Opportunity, Illinois Professional Development System, is designed to provide guidance, support, and recognition to practitioners who serve children and families in Illinois. Gateways to Opportunity is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies on behalf of the Illinois Department of Human Services. Learn more by visiting www.ilgateways.com.

On April 30, 2018 Benton Police were informed of unsupervised children on the roadway in the 700 block of East Bond Street.  Upon investigating, police arrested James Patton, age 32, of Benton for child endangerment.  Patton was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

 

Substantial investments in Illinois are likely to follow soon

 

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner, addressing the media to recap his 10-day investment and business growth mission to Germany and Poland, said today that he and his delegation of Illinois business leaders met with dozens of companies to discuss foreign direct investment in Illinois.

“We talked about some really exciting opportunities that are likely to result in substantial investments in our state in the coming months,” Rauner said. “Our meetings took place at critical stages in the decision process for some of these companies and we made Illinois’ case.”

Rauner revealed details of his mission at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). Near the end of his trip, he made the official announcement that MPEA will host Germany’s world-renowned manufacturing trade show brand at McCormick Place co-located with the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS).

Combined, Germany’s HANNOVER MESSE and our IMTS will attract more than 125,000 visitors and produce hundreds of millions in economic impact for Illinois, and the City of Chicago and the Chicagoland area.

“This fall we are excited to welcome HANNOVER MESSE to McCormick Square for their first show in the United States,” said Lori T. Healey, CEO, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). “I believe there will be in excess of 125,000 people here this year taking up every square inch of rentable space on this campus for this huge show. That’s a lot of people eating in restaurants, staying in hotels, and providing an economic boost for Chicago and the surrounding area.”

“IMTS has further enhanced its attractiveness as a ‘must attend’ international manufacturing technology destination by partnering with HANNOVER MESSE,” says Michelle Edmonson, Senior Director – Exhibitions Operations & Marketing. “Co-locating HANNOVER MESSE USA with IMTS 2018 increases the show’s emphasis on automation, robotics and Industry 4.0, with approximately 550 additional exhibitors occupying 130,000 sq. ft. of floor space.”

“Growth-minded visitors will attend IMTS 2018 looking for solutions that remove production bottlenecks,” says Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology, which produces IMTS. “For many manufacturers, simply doing more of the same thing in a larger space or adding more people isn’t a viable option. Growth requires change, and visitors view IMTS as a change agent. They come to the show knowing that they can find technologies that not just shave minutes off production cycles, but that can positively disrupt their manufacturing approach.”

According to the governor, the mission provided an opportunity to meet with companies that already have Illinois in their sights for investment.

“This trade mission solidified the fact that we have a tremendous opportunity to revitalize our middle class through bringing manufacturing jobs back to Illinois. To do this, however, we need to ensure a strong workforce is in place and is prepared to fill these positions with the right skillsets.  At the end of the day, the positives Illinois has to offer far outweigh the negatives,” said Illinois Manufacturers Association President and CEO Greg Baise.  “This mission highlighted the employer demand—and incredible opportunity—to develop a direct pipeline of educated students and connect them to a workforce eager to hire them.”

The governor noted that the mission had a marketing aspect, as well. Illinois is the world’s 18^th largest economy and its assets are well known to the 200+ German and Polish companies that employ more than 38,000 Illinoisans. But there are thousands more that don’t know the Illinois story.

Intersect Illinois CEO Mark Peterson, whose organization financed most of the trip, was also encouraged by the results. “This is only the beginning of the focused efforts that Intersect Illinois will lead in the coming years. Helping the State of Illinois to recruit new companies from  around the world and attract foreign direct investment is exactly what Intersect was created for. We look forward to announcing new investment in the coming months as a direct result of this trade mission.”

“This is an exciting time for DuPage County and the region as a whole. Working closely with the Governor’s Office, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Intersect Illinois, DuPage County has expanded its global footprint with international businesses seeking to relocate, or expand operations here,” said John Carpenter, President and CEO of Choose Dupage.

Consuls General and U.S. Ambassadors arranged for hundreds of prospective investors to hear the Illinois story.

“Over the course of this mission we talked to companies throughout Poland and Germany looking to build and grow relationships with Illinois,” said DCEO Director Sean McCarthy. “By making these connections and selling Illinois assets abroad we can bring a lot of foreign direct investment to Illinois.”

“We met with business and education leaders in two of Europe’s most compelling economies,” Rauner said. “Germany is a mainstay in world commerce and is a $3.4 billion customer for Illinois businesses. Poland is a rising economic star that has parlayed fiscal discipline into more than 25 consecutive years of economic growth. We look forward to seeing where these friendships lead.”