Mentorship program puts returning citizens on path to business ownership

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner recognized today formerly incarcerated men and women who have completed the first of three phases of their training to start and operate a business through the Pathway to Enterprise for Returning Citizens (PERC) program. PERC is a privately funded initiative aimed at reducing prison recidivism rates by giving people who aspire to build their own businesses the tools they need to succeed.

A total of 16 men and women completed the first phase and will now move on to the second phase of training — mentorship. They’ll work with an experienced business professional who’ll critique their business plans and coach them on how to build a market for their product, establish their brand, maintain creditworthiness, and generate income while their business is in its infant stages.

The third phase of training will involve applying for capital. Those who complete the program successfully will be positioned to receive a privately funded loan of up to $50,000 to launch their businesses.

“Too often, the men and women who have served time in a correctional center are counted out. We’re changing that and giving them an opportunity to start their own business, create jobs, and build in the communities where they live,” Rauner said at today’s ceremony. “That’s how you put people on a path to success, that’s how you build generational wealth, and that’s how you stop the cycle of incarceration. We’re proud to see these men and women rise up and we wish them the best as they continue on this journey.”

The Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group (CNIMFG) and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) played a critical role in launching the pilot program last November, and worked closely with the private organizations to secure more than $1 million to get the program started.

“We’re working to empower the most underserved populations by creating economic opportunities through entrepreneurship,” said Erica King, vice president of lending for CNIMFG. “We are excited to extend that same service to formerly incarcerated individuals who are seeking to live in a secure and inclusive community. The training, coaching and capital access that PERC provides will equip returning citizens with the tools they need to start businesses and create employment opportunities for themselves and others in their community.”

“We are thrilled to see the first group of PERC participants make it through the first phase of training,” said ICJIA’s Randy Kurtz. “We are cheering for their success and hopeful that they will take what they learn and build a better future for themselves.”

“There has been a history of a lack of support for minority–owned businesses as well as its entrepreneurial community, especially those who are returning citizens,” said PERC Program Manager Marcus Yancey. “We hope these entrepreneurs will go back into their communities with some of the knowledge and resources that PERC has provided and open businesses, hire within their community and help reduce unemployment rates.”

Men and women who are interested in participating in the PERC program apply before they are released from a correctional center. The PERC team works with the Illinois Department of Corrections to identify candidates who are returning to communities in the South and West Sides of Chicago.

“We are on a mission to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for the men and women sentenced to us. Unique programming such as PERC gives offenders the hope and skills they need to create better futures for their families,” said IDOC Director John Baldwin. “The individuals who take part in this program are taking charge of their lives and we look forward to their accomplishments as they put the training they have learned into motion.”

Training services for the PERC program are provided by The Safer Foundation of Illinois, Bethel New Life in the Austin neighborhood, and Sunshine Enterprises, based in Woodlawn. Additional training will be provided by the North Lawndale Employment Network.

The PERC program highlights Rauner’s commitment to reform the state’s criminal justice system and set formerly incarcerated individuals up for success upon release. Since taking office, Rauner has worked to remove barriers that prevented former offenders from receiving professional licenses in health care fields and cosmetology; worked with legislators on both sides of the aisle to change sentencing laws and ensure former offenders get access to a state ID and their birth certificates; and opened Life Skills Re-Entry Centers that provide offenders with training on how to prepare a budget, set realistic goals, and build interpersonal relationship skills.

The Illinois prison population is down more than 15 percent since Rauner took office in 2015.

Southern Illinois’ congressman expects President Donald Trump to talk about more than just tariffs and steel jobs when he visits the Metro East. 

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

REO Speedwagon, the band behind “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Taking It On The Run,” and “Time For Me To Fly,” is the state’s best for Illinois’ 200th birthday. 

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

President Donald Trump’s administration is going to send a portion of $12 billion directly to farmers’ pockets as a way to soothe the sting of the tariff battle he’s waging against foreign importers of American farm commodities.

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

Illinois taxpayers could save more than $3 billion a year from government consolidation and mandate relief, according to Gov. Bruce Rauner.

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

CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), formed by Executive Order in 2016, is now officially recognized as a state agency.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed HB 5611 today, a bill which passed unanimously in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly this spring, codifying the agency into law. Bipartisan support for the legislation reflects the state’s commitment to improve cybersecurity, enhance employee work processes, and provide better services to Illinois citizens.

“When we first came into office, we discovered that our technology systems had been grossly neglected. Employees at multiple agencies relied on manual, paper processes for much of their work. That was extremely inefficient,” Rauner said. “We created DoIT, put a team of experts in place and developed a comprehensive approach to modernize our technology. Now, I’m proud to say we are among the nation’s leaders when it comes to using smart technology and making sure our citizens’ personal information is secure.”

“Illinois’ digital transformation is being realized as a result of Gov. Rauner’s vision and leadership,” said DoIT Acting Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Kirk Lonbom. “We’re making rapid strides toward improving operational efficiencies and offering state services through the convenience of mobility, while placing the security of data and operations at the foundation of all initiatives.”

Cybersecurity has been a priority for DoIT. Since its inception, the agency has encrypted more than 5.8 billion records, protecting the personal and private information of Illinois citizens. DoIT launched the first statewide security operations center with 24/7 monitoring aimed at identifying risk and proactively responding to cyberthreats.

“The security of state systems, citizen data, and ensuring we have a robust digital infrastructure is a key component of this legislation. I was proud to sponsor this legislation and move Illinois forward as a digital state,” said Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago.

Staff members at DoIT also have focused on streamlining state operations and improving efficiencies across state agencies. Over half of the state’s financials are now managed on a common system to address decades of lack of interoperability and financial management challenges. Infrastructure and network unification efforts in Illinois have already resulted in savings and cost-avoidance of over $20 million.

“Improving government operations, increasing transparency, and saving taxpayer money are all goals being achieved by DoIT. This is important legislation to ensure we provide a modern and efficient government to our citizens,” said Rep. Keith Wheeler, R-Oswego.

“This legislation creates a necessary department that will be able to efficiently handle the magnitude of information gathered by state agencies in the safest and most secure way possible,” said Rep. Christine Winger, R-Wood Dale. “DoIT will transform the antiquated nature of the state’s systems, and help protect Illinois residents and their information efficiently. I am pleased to see this initiative move forward, especially one that will support the infrastructure and future of Illinois.”

“For decades, the state relied on software systems that were decades old and nearly every state department had its own, independently operated IT infrastructure. This system obviously led to inefficiencies and redundancies,” said State Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-McHenry. “Unifying the state’s systems will ultimately help state employees deliver services more efficiently and will increase accessibility for residents.”

Through its Smart State initiative, DoIT also is helping local governments use SMART technology (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) on things like street lighting — which cuts down on energy costs and saves taxpayer dollars.

These efforts are being applauded by national experts.

“The State of Illinois’ move towards consolidation, its development of a Smart State strategy, and the exploration of emerging technologies like blockchain all illustrate advancements we applaud for a government technology organization,” said Doug Robinson, executive director of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers.

For additional information, please see the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology strategy at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/doit/Strategy/EnterpriseStrategies/Pages/default.aspx.

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MEDIA RELEASE

7-14-18 at 3:24 am a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Bobby L.A. Todd age 41 of Benton for improper parking on roadway and driving under the influence of alcohol.

7-15-18 at 12:57 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Moore Road .25 miles north of Prior Road. A 2008 Ford Ranger driven by Daulton J. Stewart age 19 of Benton was east bound on Moore Road and failed to negotiate a curve and struck a utility pole and then a tree. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. Citations are pending.

7-16-18 at 1:00 pm Deputies arrested Robert J. Carlton age 61 of West Frankfort for unlawful violation of an order of protection. The violation had occurred in rural West Frankfort on July 8th.

7-16-18 at 6:24 pm Deputies responded to a reported fight in progress involving several individuals at the North Marcum Beach area of Rend Lake. The investigation led to the arrests of Derek A. Verschueren age 35 of West Frankfort, Kyle D. Furlow age 28 of Christopher and Hailey L. Winemiller age 25 of Benton. All were charged with battery.

7-18-18 at 9:32 am Deputies responded to Orient in response to a request from Animal Control for assistance with an investigation in which a one year old child had been bitten by a Chihuahua dog. The dog owner was uncooperative in the investigation. The investigation resulted in the recovery of the dog from a residence in Mt. Vernon and the arrest of the dog owner, John R. Choate age 24 of Orient for obstructing a Peace Officer.

7-17-18 and 7-18-18 Deputies recovered two stolen A.T.V. 4-wheelers. The A.T.V.’s had been reported stolen from a residence near Orient and another residence in Buckner. Both thefts are under investigation.

7-18-18 at 4:54 pm Deputies responded to a one vehicle traffic crash on Number 9 Blacktop near Rogers Road. An international 9400 cement truck, driven by Brian K. Welch age 49 of Bonnie, swerved to avoid striking two dogs, ran off the roadway, then over-corrected, losing control, ran off the road, overturned and struck a power utility pole trapping the driver for some time until Southeastern Power responded and was extracted by West Frankfort Firefighters. The driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire E.M.S.

WARRANT ARRESTS

7-13-18 Thomas W. Kretz age 43 of Mulkeytown. Failure to appear on a bad check charge.

7-13-18 Aaron W. Simmons age 24 of Carbondale. Violation of probation.

7-13-18 Jared M. Curry age 18 of Zeigler. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

7-13-18 Ryan D. Pickett age 35 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on aggravated D.U.I.

7-16-18 Jason A. Eddy age 40 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for retail theft.

7-17-18 Kendra S. Dent age 32 of Carbondale. Failure to appear for resisting a peace officer.

7-19-18 Joshua G. Crispin age 32 of Sesser. Possession of a controlled substance.

7-19-18 Joseph D. McGrath age 49 of Carterville. Failure to appear for aggravated D.U.I.

7-20-18 Robert D. Willis age 34 of Carbondale. Aggravated criminal sexual assault.

7-20-18 Sheena N. Frost age 33 of Benton. Failure to appear of forgery.

BRANSON, MO — Eight people are dead and an unknown number of others are missing after a tourist boat capsized on Table Rock Lake on Thursday night, the Stone County sheriff said.

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

O’FALLON — Vice President Mike Pence defended President Donald Trump against claims that the president is too soft on Russia, telling a St. Louis crowd Thursday that Russian aggression has been met with “American strength and action.”

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