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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, announced his legislation to reform the appeals process at the Department of Veterans Affairs, which received final congressional approval today and will soon head to the president’s desk for his signature. Bost introduced the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R. 2288) in May and the final version of the bill was passed unanimously by the Senate last week.

“This is a big step forward for America’s heroes and their families,” said Bost. “Too many veterans faced unacceptable delays during the VA’s benefits claims appeal process. By modernizing the system, we can now ensure they get the help they need in a more efficient and effective manner. I am pleased that Republicans and Democrats came together to support my legislation and I look forward to the president signing it into law in the near future.”

Background:
The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 would create three “lanes” for veterans’ appeals, including the “Local Higher Level Review Lane” in which an adjudicator reviews the same evidence considered by the original claims processor; the “New Evidence Lane,” in which the veteran could submit new evidence for review and have a hearing; and the “Board Lane,” in which jurisdiction for the appeal would transfer immediately to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

ISP Provides Tips for the Public to Safely Enjoy the Event of a Lifetime

Press release from Illinois State Police, District 13, DuQuoin

DuQUOIN, IL – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 13/22 Commander, Lieutenant Michael Alvey, encourages attendees to the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse in Southern Illinois to begin their preparations now. “With the eclipse less than two weeks out, we want to make sure Southern Illinoisans, and the attendees that will be coming into the area, are ready to safely enjoy this event,” stated Alvey. “We have been planning for months with our local partners and want the public to be aware of a few things to help make this event as safe as it can be,” he continued

The ISP has been working with local police agencies, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, local area tourism bureaus, and other community partners to ensure we are ready to handle the influx of people traveling to Southern Illinois. Crowds are estimated to be between 50,000 and 200,000 in the Carbondale area and other prime viewing locations nearby.
The ISP offers the following suggestions for travel and viewing safety:
• The ISP expects the Interstate 57, U.S. Route 51, and Illinois Route 13 corridors to be among the most highly traveled from Friday, August 15, through Tuesday, August 22. Local travelers should seek alternate routes where applicable.
• Motorists traveling these routes should plan ahead for extra traffic congestion and allow additional travel time. Check www.gettingaroundillinois.com or real-time traffic apps for local traffic information before you leave.
• Because of the darkness created by the passing shadow, it is a good idea to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. Do not rely on your vehicle’s automatic headlight feature to do it for you. Manually activate your headlights to ensure they are turned on.
• Do not drive with your Solar Eclipse viewing glasses on or try to take photographs while driving. The glasses are only needed while looking directly at the sun. For additional specific information on viewing safety, check https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
• Get your Solar Eclipse viewing glasses early as supplies may dry up as the eclipse approaches. Make sure they are of good quality as well because looking directly at the sun will permanently damage your eyes. For additional information regarding the level of protection needed for safe viewing, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety
• DO NOT stop along the highway to view the eclipse. The shoulder is for emergency parking only. Should there be an incident emergency responders need to get to, we will need the shoulders for ingress and egress. Viewing should be conducted from a safe location away from traffic.
• Watch for pedestrians! Although discouraged, people may be parking and walking along roadways in the hour before the total eclipse to get the best viewing.
• Arrive at your planned viewing area or destination early and with the things you need to be comfortable for an extended period outdoors. For other great tips on being prepared, visit https://www.illinois.gov/ready/Press/Pages/073117.aspx
“Southern Illinois is a great place to live and work,” added Commander Alvey. “This event gives us the opportunity to showcase our communities to visitors from across the nation. With some pre-planning and our minds focused on safety, this can be the event of a lifetime.”
For additional information in the coming days regarding eclipse safety, please visit the Illinois State Police District 13 DuQuoin Facebook page and hit the Like button to follow us.

Press Release From State Representative Dave Severin

BENTON, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) on Wednesday presented members of the Farm City Days committee with a copy of House Resolution 380, which designated June 10, 2017, as “Farm City Days” in Illinois. The event saw an excellent turn out, considering that prior to this year Franklin County had not held Farm City Days in more than 21 years.

“It was great to have Farm City Days back in Benton this year, and I was glad see the so many people attended the event,” Rep. Severin said. “Thank you to the members of the committee for your hard work putting together the event and I hope HR 380 can bring more attention as you start preparations for next year

Farm City Days is a family-friendly festival that gives Franklin County residents a unique opportunity to learn about the equipment, operations, and techniques behind modern farming. Steve Browning, Chairman of Farm City Days 2017, was happy with this year’s event and felt that HB 380 would help build the events reputation moving forward.

“It is a big boost for Farm City Days to receive state wide recognition from the Illinois General Assembly.” Browning said, “The committee is proud of the event we were able to put on, and positive attention like what we have received from Representative Severin will only help grow the event for next year.

“Also thanks to my Co-Chair Gay Bowlin and the other committee men and women. Without their hard work Farm City Days could not have had the success it did.”
The Farm City Days committee has already settled on June 9, 2018, as the date for next year’s event.

MT. VERNON, IL – One and two-day courses through a partnership between Rend Lake College and the American Heart Association (AHA) will give locals the chance to freshen up on their emergency services training, or learn a few new skills.

The AHA Training Center, located at the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon, will host several Basic Life Support (BLS), First Aid, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training courses; Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider and renewal courses; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) provider and renewal courses; and Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) trainings. Both ACLS and PALS required successful completion of a pre-course assessment.

For more information about the trainings or to register, contact the AHA Training Center at 618-437-5321, Ext. 2032.

BLS, First Aid and AED Training

One-day courses for BLS, First Aid and AED trainings have already begun, with many more dates scheduled for this fall. During this course, participants will learn about BLS and AED techniques used to save victims whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped. First Aid will also cover the assistance given to a person who has suffered a sudden illness or injury.
BLS, First Aid and AED trainings will meet from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 22; Sept. 6 and 12; Oct. 2 and 23; Nov. 15 and 27; and Dec. 6 and 18.
ACLS Provider and Renewal.

The AHA offers both ACLS Preparatory and ACLS renewal courses this semester to ready students for the urgent treatment of cardiac arrest, stroke, and other life-threatening medical emergencies. The preparatory class meets from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the following dates: Aug. 30-31, Sept. 13-14, Oct. 25-26, Nov. 7-8, and Dec. 12-13.
The one-day renewal courses meet from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., on Aug. 17 and 31, Sept. 14 and 28, Oct. 12 and 26, Nov. 8 and 21, and Dec. 5 and 13.

PALS Provider and Renewal

Another two-day preparatory class, PALS aims to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for students to efficiently and effectively manage critically ill infants and children. The class meets from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sept. 7-8 and Oct. 16-17.
For those needing renewal, the one-day course will meet from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aug. 24, Nov. 16, and Dec. 7.

TNCC class
The Emergency Nurses Association developed the TNCC for national and international dissemination to recognize a standard of trauma nursing knowledge. TNCC is a 16-hour course designed to provide the student with cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills. The class will meet from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Oct. 18 and Oct. 19.
Attendees should be registered nurses with at least six months of clinical nursing experience in an emergency care setting. The class costs $300, plus $80 for the textbook.

MARION, IL- Please click on the following link below to watch a half hour interview with Dave Severin by Tom Nolan on TCT Today.

http://www.tct.tv/watch-tct/on-demand-ttod?playlistVideoId=5530748902001