WASHINGTON — A prominent abortion foe is accusing Planned Parenthood of violating federal laws barring for-profit sales of fetal tissue, while a defender of the group says it’s done nothing illegal as Congress begins long-awaited hearings that are already weaving accusations, emotion and politics.

Here’s a link to the story.

The Benton Rangers are celebrating 100 years of football this season and many special events are planned for throughout the season. On August 21 a banquet will be held at Benton Civic Center to honor former teams, coaches and players. A silent auction will be held and many special keepsake items will be up for grabs and this week received some star-power by Benton’s most well-known former player.

One particular Benton Rangers’ jersey (No. 75) made it to Hollywood when John Malkovich (a former Benton player) used it in the hit movie “In the Line of Fire” – where he starred with Clint Eastwood. Malkovich graciously autographed the three Benton jerseys (all No. 75) along with five 8 X 10 photos of Malkovich in his playing days that were also used in the movie. All the Malkovich memorabilia will be part of the silent auction at the August 21st banquet.

A special ‘thank you’ to former Benton resident Matt Malkovich who did the leg work to get the jerseys and pictures to his uncle. Tickets are still available for the August 21 banquet. Check the Benton Rangers football Facebook page for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis Hastert’s lawyers will try to defend the former U.S. House speaker against allegations that he lied to the FBI and skirted banking laws by first picking apart the indictment unveiled by federal prosecutors in May.

Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Sun-Times.

INA, Ill. – Graduates of Rend Lake College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program will have a new, online opportunity to continue their education starting this fall. RLC has teamed up with Chamberlain College of Nursing to give graduates a seamless transition into a bachelor’s degree program.

Under the articulation agreement signed during Tuesday night’s RLC Board of Trustees meeting, Chamberlain College of Nursing, located in Downers Grove, will accept RLC graduates with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, provided they successfully complete the agreed upon coursework.

The agreement states RLC graduates will be awarded up to 72 credit hours in transfer, and will have to complete a minimum of 47 credit hours with Chamberlain for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). To participate, students will be required to submit an application to Chamberlain, have a minimum grade point average of 2.0, and hold a current and active registered nurse license.

Melisa Berendson, RLC Director of Nursing, said this agreement has formed out of RLC student interest in the online program and interest from Chamberlain officials.

“Chamberlain School of Nursing has started reaching out to nursing programs because they’re offering more online options. Representatives from their institution came to RLC and visited with our ADN students in class,” explained Berendson. “The agreement came out of our students’ interest and our desire to work with them.”

“The agreement is based on our new curriculum so our graduates next year will be able to take advantage of the transition, but any ADN graduate from Rend Lake can still apply to be accepted into Chamberlain’s BSN program,” added Berendson. “It’s a great opportunity for our students and graduates to continue on with their higher education.”

Kim Wilkerson, RLC Dean of Allied Health, said the agreement brings Chamberlain into the ranks of several other institutions to give graduates more options for their future education.

“We’re adding Chamberlain to a list of four other universities with whom we have close connections and articulation agreements to benefit our students,” said Wilkerson. “By taking advantage of these, our graduates continue down a path to expand on their skill set and experience more research-based learning. Many local facilities are looking to hire BSN graduates, and the bachelor’s degree will help with any movement into management positions and higher pay for those who take advantage of them.”

According to the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, ADN registered nurses have a median pay of $65,470 and work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home health care services, and nursing care facilities. The industry is expecting a faster than average growth – 19 percent or 526,800 new jobs – between 2012 and 2022 due to an emphasis on preventative care and an aging population.

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers several online programs ranging from ADN and BSN programs to graduate certificates and doctorate programs. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

For more information about the RLC ADN program, contact Berendson at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1705 or berendsonm@rlc.edu. To learn more about the degree programs at Chamberlain, visit www.chamberlain.edu.

SPRINGFIELD — The largest poverty-fighting network in Illinois is turning away thousands of vulnerable residents and laying off an estimated 1,500 workers in response to the state’s lingering budget standoff.

 

Here’s a link to the story.

The developments Thursday are the latest amid an ongoing stalemate that has left state government without full spending authority since July 1. The impasse is the result of the deep partisan divide.

Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.

Gov. Bruce Rauner Tuesday launched his long-promised TV ads critical of Democrats for not embracing his legislative initiatives.

 

Here’s the link to the story.

They forgave him. They advised him to repent for his sins, and asked for God’s mercy on his soul. One even told Dylann Storm Roof to repent and confess, and “you’ll be OK.”

Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Tribune.

By Jim Muir

Will Zettler is the general sales manager at Weeks in Benton – one of three Weeks dealerships in Franklin County.

When asked about his job duties, Zettler gave a five-word answer that sums up the overall customer service philosophy that has kept Weeks locations thriving despite tough economic times in the region.

“Whatever needs to be done,” Zettler said about his daily role at the location located on Route 37, just north of Benton. “I make sure we sell cars, oversee the clean-up department, the service department and oversee the day-to-day operations. We’re a small place so I try to tend to lots of different things.”

Zettler said he also oversees internet sales and keeps a close eye on the Weeks’ website, a point that he says has changed the car industry during the past decade.

“When I started 14 years ago I didn’t take internet sales very seriously, it was something new and kind of in its infancy,” Zettler said. “But now, it’s our virtual lot where people can actually shop for a car.”

Despite high-tech car shopping that is now available, Zettler said the vast majority of business comes from repeat customers who shop for a new or used vehicle the old-fashioned way.

“I would say that 80-90 percent of our customers are repeat customers and that’s a great indication that we treat people right when they purchase a vehicle from us,” said Zettler. “We rely on our experienced sales staff to bring in people they know, people that have dealt with them in the past and know that they will be treated right and treated fairly. Out of this location we sell through relationships we have built.”

Zettler said Weeks’ Benton location is smaller and has less traffic than most other dealerships in Southern Illinois, but he sees that as a positive in many ways.

“Being a small dealership is not always a bad thing, it allows us to make decisions quicker, take care of customers in a quicker fashion and to do things without having to cut through a bunch of red tape to get things done, we can get the job done,” Zettler said.

Zettler began his career as a salesman which gives him a unique view of the business and he oversees a team of five sales people.

Like the West Frankfort locations, Zettler said Weeks in Benton also has a close working relationship with sales and service.

“Some places might look at it as two different businesses under one roof but there has to be a close relationship,” said Zettler. “The task of sales and service working together is much easier when the only goal is taking care of the customer.”

Weeks is the only new car dealership in Franklin County and has kept three locations humming along despite rough economic times. Zettler said that fact in itself speaks volumes about customer satisfaction that is preached daily at all the Weeks’ locations.

“All three locations operate independently of each other and Greg (owner Greg Weeks) gives us the freedom to take care of people, whatever it takes, we take care of our customers,” said Zettler. “Whatever lengths we have to go to, our goal is to make the customer happy and keep them satisfied with their purchase. No matter what, we will take care of our customers.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner has joined the ranks of people who have doubts about the way forward for solving Illinois’ pension problems after the state Supreme Court tossed out a 2013 law that sought savings by cutting benefits for workers and retirees.

Here’s the link in the Chicago Tribune.