Heavy rains, winds and the threat of tornadoes hit parts of Southern Illinois on Tuesday, causing some substantial damage.

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

 

Elementary and middle schools across Illinois can apply before April 13

CHICAGO —  The Governor’s Office of the Illinois Bicentennial is awarding 25 schools across the state a 3-year technology program as a signature legacy project of the Bicentennial Celebration.  The highly renowned IMSA Fusion program presents a unique curriculum for middle school teachers to inspire 4^th through 8^th graders to study math and science and pursue careers in technology, medicine, education and business. The effort is a partnership with the Illinois Math and Science Academy.

The application deadline for schools is April 13.  Applications can be submitted through http://bit.ly/FusionBicentennial.

Wintrust and Abbott are the presenting sponsors.  All Bicentennial Office programs are privately financed.  Additional funding for this campaign is provided by Boeing, Ingredion and Motorola.

IMSA Fusion is a teacher professional development and student STEM enrichment program.  IMSA Fusion places a special emphasis on students who are historically underrepresented in those areas. 

A five person school selection committee will review the applications.  The committee includes:  Emily Bastedo, Senior Advisor to the Governor; Dr. Kevin Pitts, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education- University of Illinois; Ross Hemphill, Board Member- IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education; Jenna Daugherty, Divisional Vice President of Global Social Responsibility- Abbott; and Susana Meza, Vice President, Marketing- Wintrust Financial.

The schools will be chosen based on serving predominately underrepresented populations, commitments to embedding IMSA Fusion into the regular school day as an elective/encore/CTE course and requiring teachers to undertake 5 full days of professional development, and a sustainability plan to continue the IMSA Fusion after the 3-year award expires.

ABOUT ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL

On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The Illinois Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of what has been BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the state and a reminder of why we are #IllinoisProud.  Citizens are encouraged to participate in the celebration by visiting www.illinois200.com.

Illinois will spend $194 million over the next five years on projects intended to make railroad crossings in the state safer.

 

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

A judgment against Illinois for not paying union members’ automatic raises is going to put lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner under even greater pressure to work out a balanced budget.

Here’s the link at Illinois News Network.

On March 29, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of North Ninth Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Patrick McClerren, age 42, of Benton for domestic battery and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.  McClerren was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 30, 2018 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Diamond and Ninth Street.  Upon investigating, police arrested Dustin Forby. Age 42, of Benton for driving while license suspended.  Forby was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 30, 2018 Benton Police arrested Alyssa Blades, age 27, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.  Blades was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 30, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to 1600 block of North Main Street in reference to a disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Denise Wagoner, age 32, of West Frankfort for aggravated battery.  Wagoner was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On March 31, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Virginia Street in reference to a trespass complaint.  Upon investigating, police arrested Jennifer Shelton, age 28, of West City for criminal trespass to real property.  Shelton was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On April 1, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to 710 East Main Street, known as Casey’s General Store, in reference to a retail theft.  Upon investigating, police arrested Christopher Braden, age 35, of Thompsonville for retail theft.  Braden was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

April 2, 2018 – According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are 590,000 people providing 672,000,000 hours of unpaid care to the 220,000 people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia in Illinois. The level of assistance provided by caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias tends to be extensive. As symptoms worsen and the amount of care needed continues to increase, caregivers report stress, anxiety and even depression at high rates. In honor of National Stress Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter offers tips to help manage stress throughout the role of caregiving.

1. Know what community resources are available. 
Adult day programs, in-home assistance, visiting nurses and meal delivery are just some of the services that can help you manage daily tasks. Use our online Community Resource Finder or contact your local Alzheimer’s Association office for assistance in finding Alzheimer’s care resources in your community.

2. Get help and find support.
Our online Care Team Calendar helps you organize friends and family who want to help provide care and support. Our 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900), ALZConnected online community and local support groups are all good sources for finding comfort and reassurance. If stress becomes overwhelming, seek professional help.

3. Use relaxation techniques.
There are several simple relaxation techniques that can help relieve stress. Try more than one to find which works best for you. Techniques include:

• Visualization (mentally picturing a place or situation that is peaceful and calm)
• Meditation (which can be as simple as dedicating 15 minutes a day to letting go of all stressful thoughts)
• Breathing exercises (slowing your breathing and focusing on taking deep breaths)
• Progressive muscle relaxation (tightening and then relaxing each muscle group, starting at one end of your body and working your way to the other end) 

4. Get moving.
Physical activity — in any form — can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Even 10 minutes of exercise a day can help. Take a walk. Do an activity you love, such as gardening or dancing.

5. Find time for yourself. 
Consider taking advantage of respite care so you can spend time doing something you enjoy. Respite care provides caregivers with a temporary rest from caregiving, while the person with Alzheimer’s disease continues to receive care in a safe environment.

6. Become an educated caregiver.
As the disease progresses, new caregiving skills may be necessary. The Alzheimer’s Association offers programs in-person, online and over the phone to help you better understand and cope with the behaviors and personality changes that often accompany Alzheimer’s. You may also find it helpful to talk to other care partners and caregivers about how they are coping with the challenges of the disease and uncertainty about the future.

7. Take care of yourself.
Visit your doctor regularly. Try to eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest. Making sure that you are healthy can help you be a better caregiver.

8. Make legal and financial plans. 
Putting legal and financial plans in place after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is important so that the person with the disease can participate. Having future plans in place can provide comfort to the entire family.

To shed additional light on this information, I would be happy to arrange an interview with a local Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter spokesperson.

For more information on signs of caregiver stress and ways to manage stress, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org/care.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter:

The Alzheimer’s Association® is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter covers an 87-county area with offices in Chicago, Joliet, Rockford, Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria, Quincy and Carbondale. Since 1980, the Chapter has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes. The Illinois Chapter serves more than half a million Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease, including more than 220,000 Illinois residents living with the disease. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s®. For more information visit www.alz.org/illinois or call our free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

 

 

Chicago – As part of an ongoing effort to streamline government and avoid wasteful spending, Governor Bruce Rauner today issued an executive order abolishing 19 boards and commissions that have been inactive for five years or more.

The move eliminates some entities that were created for a special but temporary purpose which has been fulfilled. Others are being abolished because they are redundant with other units of state government.

Over the years, either by statute or executive order, the state of Illinois has created more than 600 authorities, boards, commissions, councils, task forces, and other similar entities. The action taken by the Governor today is the first step in a plan to eliminate more than 100 such entities in the months ahead.

The order does not invalidate any action undertaken or ratified by the eliminated boards and commissions. In addition, though unlikely, any unexpected balances of appropriations, funds, grants, donations or other moneys available to the units will be transferred to the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) or an appropriate Department and expended for similar purposes.

The list of abolished entities is below:

Board or Commission	Last Known Action
Board of Aeronautical Advisors	None
Agrichemical Facility Response Action Program Board	Report 2003
Air Service Commission I-FLY	None
Commission on Children and Youth	Report 2010
Children’s Hearing Services Advisory Committee	None
Children’s Saving Account Task Force	Report 2010
Children’s Vision Services Advisory Committee	Met 2009
Revenue Commission for Community Services	Report 2010
Cord Blood Stem Cell Banks Advisory Committee	None
Electronic Health Records Task Force	Report 2006
Family Practice Residencies Advisory Committee	None
Food Systems Policy Council, Illinois	Report 2007
Grape and Wine Resources Council	Met 2004
Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transportation	Report 2006
Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force, Illinois	Replaced 2009
Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Board	Met 2005
Newborn Eye Pathology Advisory Committee	None
Offshore Wind Energy Economic Development Task Force	None
Sorry Works! Pilot Program Committee	None

The flu season may be winding down, but parents of young children have reason to remain watchful.

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

Two of Southern Illinois’ longest and most recognizable coaches were fired Thursday night, during action at the West Frankfort High School board meeting.

Here’s the link at the Southern Illinoisan.http://thesouthern.com/sports/high-school/basketball/prep-basketball-west-frankfort-dismisses-coaches-matt-hampleman-and-kevin/article_6e4cbe6a-355f-5693-8cad-14ef2be384ab.html#tracking-source=home-top-stories

Doctors have been warning about the dangers of spice, K2, and all other kinds of synthetic marijuana since the psychoactive substances first hit the streets years ago.

Here’s the link at Illinois News Network.