SPRINGFIELD — The state’s biggest supplier of police cars wants to put the brakes on a proposal requiring Illinois to buy only cars assembled in the United States.

 

Here’s a link to the story in the Decatur Herald-Review.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Illinois Voters shows Republican businessman Bruce Rauner picking up 43% of the vote to Quinn’s 40%. Six percent (6%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 10% are undecided.

Here’s the link at Illinois Review.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. • Faced with an expected $3 billion budget hole from an expiring income tax increase, Illinois lawmakers are grappling with whether to raise taxes to avoid major cuts to schools and social services next year.

Here’s the link at the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

INA, Ill. – For many students, on-the-job training and internships are just as important when it comes to learning about a career choice as the classes they take during college. This is especially true for Rend Lake College alumnus Cailah Brock, who turned her experiences at RLC into a career that she hopes to grow for years to come.

The Benton native and now resident of Herrin graduated from RLC in 2011 with an Associate Degree in Agricultural Business. Knowing what she wanted to do from the start, she set the foundation for her future in the classrooms of RLC.

“When I went into Ag, I decided that I wanted to be a rep, and the classes at Rend Lake College definitely helped me with certain jargon and terminology. Also, to graduate, I had to take a class that was like a ‘getting you ready for life’ kind of class where we talked about tips and different avenues to look into. It was required at RLC and having it that early definitely helped,” she said.

As a part of the Agriculture program, Brock spent several summers working in an on-the-job training at Southern FS, getting first-hand experiences that prepared her for her future.

“To graduate from RLC with an Ag degree, you have to do on-the-job training for two summers. Not only did I get to work in the summer, but I got paid for it, and received three credits for each summer toward my degree. I worked at the same place, Southern FS, for three summers,” said Brock.

But it didn’t stop there for this former Warrior. After graduating, Brock said Southern FS helped her land the job she has now as a Product Specialist at Precision Laboratories, the job she hopes to build upon throughout her career.

“In January before I graduated, I sent out résumés, and Southern FS worked with Precision Laboratories, so Southern FS sent my information and Precision contacted me about the position. Southern FS really helped me get my job. I had no experience in sales, but Precision went by my connections,” said Brock.

Other than her on-the-job training at RLC, Brock said the individualized education in the classroom helped her get a step ahead of others in her field.

“The Ag program is really great, especially being around all of the other Ag students and instructors,” she said. “It really is a top notch program and I loved everything about it. One of my instructors, Kathy Craig, and I still talk. The job I’m in now had a six-week interview process, and I would talk to her through the whole thing for advice and tips. She’s been really great.”

Brock then added the small class sizes and one-on-one teaching time she received at RLC were a bonus when compared to her time in a university.

“The smaller class sizes are very, very personal. I made several great relationships that I plan on keeping,” she said. “A lot of my friends were going straight on to SIU (Southern Illinois University) and I decided to save money and go to Rend Lake. The Ag Department is the best of the best in my book, and I consider choosing Rend Lake College over four years at SIU one of the best decisions I have made. Not many can say they graduated on a Saturday and started work that following Monday. RLC holds a very special place in my heart.”

Once graduated, Brock said the transition to SIU was a hard one, but thanks to her experiences at RLC, she was ready to dive in head first.

“I was terrified of going to SIU. On my first day, I remember I had a couple of general classes and an Ag class. I thought, ‘I don’t want to walk in here and be behind,’ so I was really nervous. When I got there, the instructor pulled out the book for the class and it was the exact same book that we had used in a class at RLC. All the weight of the world dropped off my shoulders and I felt so relieved,” she said.

Graduating in May of 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Plant and Soil Science, Brock said she hopes to be able to grow in her career and stay in the area at the same time.

“I’m very family-oriented. That was one of the main reasons I decided to go to Rend Lake and SIU. My goal is to make a life here in Southern Illinois. The reason I wanted the job was because it is in Southern Illinois and I can continue to grow here,” she said.

For more information about Rend Lake College, visit www.rlc.edu.

 

 

 

By Jim Muir

Two Herrin men are in Franklin County Jail charged with breaking into a Royalton residence.

Antuan M. Davis, 20, and Trenton E. Little, 18, were both charged with residential burglary and felony theft in connection with a break-in and the theft of four guns.  The theft reportedly took place on April 2, 2014 and the pair were arrested April 8.  All four guns were recovered according to Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones.

Jones said along with the recovery of the four guns a “substantial amount” of marijuana was also recovered.  The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Southern Illinois Drug Task Force took part in the investigation and the arrests of Davis and Little.

“Both suspects are believed to be involved in drug trafficking,” said Jones. “More arrests and further charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.”

Davis is a 2012 graduate of Herrin High School where he was a multi-sport standout.  He is attending Lindenwood University in Belleville on a football scholarship.

The Lindenwood Police Department and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois were also involved in the investigation.

By Jim Muir

For more than 20 years Whittington Church has been bringing the events of the Passion Week to life and they will continue that tradition April 11 and April 12 with the presentation of “Faithful Friend.”

Eric Haney serves as director of the play that is performed by the Drama Ministry at the church.  Haney said it takes three to four months preparation for the 75-minute program.

“As far as preparation we start right after Christmas getting ready for this event,” said Haney.  “It just depends when Easter is on a particular year – sometimes we get three months to prepare and sometimes we get four.”

The play was written by church member Eric Tindall and Haney said the two collaborated while putting the final draft together.

“I’m not a writer,” said Haney. “I’m more of a ‘tweaker’ … I can see it but I can’t write it, but Eric (Tindall) had the vision for this and wrote the rough draft and then we sat down and put it together.”

Haney said the format is based on the Apostle John as an old man living in Ephesus, the only remaining apostle, witnessing to a Roman soldier.

“Through this one evening John is witnessing and telling stories about Jesus to this Roman soldier and of course when he goes to a particular story we portray that story in a live drama,” said Haney. “Throughout the night we tell the story of the betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus”

Haney said in all more than 100 people will be involved in the production of “Faithful Friend.”

“Most of the time there is 100-120 people on average involved,” said Haney. “When you factor in cast and crew, and those that donate their time to help in just any way they are needed, it takes that many.  We use live animals in the marketplace, period costumes and then the lighting and dramatic effects.  The play also incorporates acting, singing, choreography and special effects.”

Haney said several years back the play was moved to the week before Easter in hopes of drawing more people to Whittington for the annual event.  Haney said despite small changes and ‘tweaks’ that have been made through the years there is always a two-pronged goal each year when the Passion week play is presented.

“For a church production I think those attending will be pleasantly surprised at the quality, especially coming from this little church in Whittington.  We have always taken a lot of pride in this production,” said Haney.  “But, our main focus is to introduce those attending to Jesus and show that he is a faithful friend.”

Bob Pankey, associate pastor at Whittington Church, noted that this is the 24th year the Easter play has been presented and emphasized that the focus has steadfastly remained the same.

“The goal has always been to present the events of the Passion week in a way that is professional, touches lives, and is true to the Bible,” said Pankey.  “But the main focus, as always, is on Jesus and the events surrounding his death on the cross, his burial and his victory over death. It’s always an emotional and soul stirring journey.”

The play last 75 minutes and incorporates acting, singing, choreography, and special effects. The play begins at 7 p.m. both nights.  There is no charge  and reserved seating is available for groups by calling the church office at 629-2423.

By Doug Finke
State Capitol Bureau

A new report on reducing the state’s proliferation of local governments recommends reducing barriers to consolidation, but not forcing it on local governments.

 

Here’s a link to the story in the Springfield State Journal-Register.

SPRINGFIELD — Members of the state’s business community are at odds with policy analysts over a proposed millionaire’s tax in Illinois.

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