Even with 600 more officers on the street, nearly as many people were shot in Chicago over the weekend as earlier this month, when a spike in violence prompted the boost in deployment.

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

Three of every four students entering kindergarten aren’t fully prepared, according to results from the Illinois State Board of Education’s first look at kindergarten readiness.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

On August 16, 2018 at approximately 4:30p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Hickory Street in reference to a criminal trespass complaint.

Upon investigating, police arrested Lowell V. Moore, age 41, of Benton for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

On August 16, 2018 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the area of Joplin and Frisco Street in reference to a male suspect blocking the roadway and making threats to a motorist.

Upon investigating, police arrested Justin A. Fairbun, age 28, of Florida for aggravated assault.

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

Billionaire J.B. Pritzker has pumped another $20 million into his Democratic campaign for governor, bringing his record self-funding total to $126.5 million with 2½ months to go before the Nov. 6 general election.

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

Gov. Bruce Rauner and political opponent J.B. Pritzker are trading sharp barbs in the lead up to the November election.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

SPRINGFIELD — Joe Biden bowed out as keynote speaker but Illinois Democrats matched the verbal salvos from Republican opponents at their annual state fair rally on Thursday that marked the informal start of the fall campaign.

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

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.

A new measure to foster increased rural broadband access is now law and the Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration said that’s good for Illinoisans young and old.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

A lot of people in Illinois are calling the state’s new opioid hotline for help. 

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

 

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.”