by ReAnne Palmer, Rend Lake College Public Information

INA, IL – Tables are filling up at Rend Lake College’s Glo Bingo event, set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. The event will be held at the RLC Rec, located on the Ina campus, and will raise funds for improvements in the college’s Learning Resource Center library.
Before breaking out the cards and dabbers, enjoy a chicken and dumpling dinner provided by the Franklin County 4-H Federation, which includes salad, corn, tea and lemonade for a ticket price of $10 per person.

After dinner ends at 7 p.m., attendees can purchase Glo Bingo tickets for $25, which includes six bingo cards, a glow hat, and a glow dabber. Additional bingo cards are available for purchase for $5 per six cards.

Attendees who plan to eat dinner and play bingo can purchase a meal ticket and the bingo pack for a discounted rate of $30 total. Competitors will have the chance to win over $1,000 in cash prizes. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and early bird and middle bird raffle games at the door.

Seats for the event are limited. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Glo Bingo participants must be over the age of 18. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, contact the Learning Resource Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1308. For groups interested in participating, tables can be reserved by calling ahead for advance ticket purchases.

From Chirsti Mathis – SIUC News Services

CARBONDALE, IL – With fun activities and a supportive atmosphere, Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Fresh Check Day will serve as an uplifting way of promoting awareness and discussions about mental health and suicide prevention.

Fresh Check Day is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 8 on the Morris Library lawn. Numerous campus departments and groups are collaborating for the interactive event which will feature giveaways, free food, special entertainment, peer-to-peer discussions, expo booths and information about available resources.

“This is a great way for students to get connected and have fun,” said Beth Morrison, wellness coordinator. “We want to create an approachable atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health. We also want to build bridges between them and the many mental health resources available.”

SIU is sponsoring its inaugural Fresh Check Day thanks to the “Salukis on Your Side” Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant and the Jordan Porco Foundation. The Jordan Porco Foundation is a non-profit organization created by Ernie and Marisa Porco in honor of their son, Jordan, who died by suicide when he was a college freshman. The foundation seeks to promote mental health and prevent suicide, striving to reduce the stigma of seeking help and giving young adults a message of hope and support. Similar events are slated at dozens of schools across the country.

In the event of rain, SIU’s Fresh Check Day will be in the Student Recreation Center’s Alumni Lounge. Visit www.freshcheckday.com/SIUC to learn more

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/illinois-house-approves-compromise-education-funding-reform-measure-after-initially/article_b50be724-8c45-11e7-814b-ab1c6b260e1c.html

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SPRINGFIELD, IL –  (Cole Latterback and DanMcCaleb, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.

Given a second chance, the Illinois House opted for compromise.

After initially voting against a compromise education funding reform measure that includes a school-choice scholarship program supported by Gov. Bruce Rauner, representatives reconsidered and, in a dramatic revote Monday night, approved it.

The compromise plan allows for some unfunded mandate relief for schools, as well as creates a school choice plan that would give up to 6,000 lower-income students annually an opportunity to attend the private school of their choice. The compromise plan, supported by Rauner and a majority of Republicans, would allow for voluntary, tax-deductible donations, capped at $75 million annually, toward school choice scholarships. The pilot program would expire after five years unless renewed.

The mandate relief items include allowing school districts to reduce physical education requirements to three days a week and allowing student athletes in grades 7-10 to be exempt from phys. ed. Student athletes in grades 11 and 12 already are entitled to the exemption. School districts also would be able to contract drivers’ education out to a third party without having to go through an exemption process. Other unfunded mandate waiver requests would go through an expedited review by the four legislative leaders rather than through the full General Assembly.

From George O’ Connor, Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost today announced a grant award to fund the construction of roadway improvements for industrial expansion in Mount Vernon. The project will improve access to allow current industries to ship and receive goods more efficiently, along with improving water service for the area, which will result in new higher paying jobs and additional employment throughout the region.

“This grant not only improves infrastructure in Mount Vernon, it will also create more than 100 good-paying jobs and promote economic development in Jefferson County,” said Rep. Bost. “This is a win for job creation and the local economy.”

Background:

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant totals $1.5 million and is expected to create 110 jobs, save 97 jobs, and leverage $110 million in private investment.
EDA grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application’s merit, the applicant’s eligibility, and the availability of funds.