By The Associated Press

Two state senators say Illinois needs another Big Ten Conference school.The Chicago Sun-Times reports a bill has been introduced by Lisle Republican Michael Connelly and Palatine Republican Matt Murphy.

The two say their measure would study what’s needed for a public university in the state to join the conference that already includes Northwestern and the University of Illinois.Connelly says tight admissions policies at Illinois mean some students who want to attend a large state school in a marquee athletics conference look to other states such as Indiana and Iowa.

The 12-team conference is set to expand to include 14 schools next year. New members need support from at least 70 percent of schools to join.A conference spokesman declined to comment on the Illinois bill.

INA, Ill. (March 24, 2014) – Audrey II, the larger-than-life, carnivorous plant from the 2014 Spring Musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” is beginning to take form on the RLC Theatre stage. The 1,000-pound prop towers over the actors on stage, even devouring a few before the show’s end. To see a more about Audrey II, visit the RLC YouTube channel or click here.

The Musical debuts at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, with show times at 7 p.m. April 4 and April 5, and at 2 p.m. April 6. For more information about the Spring Musical, contact Alstat at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1817, or alstats@rlc.edu. Tickets for the show are $12. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1467.

RLC sophomore Sierra Harrell (Opdyke) practices a scene from “Little Shop of Horrors” as Audrey, the character for which the plant “Audrey II” is named. The plant’s skeleton has been built by RLC student William Kimble (Thompsonville) and the outside features will be done by Art Associate Professor Melissa McClement-Engler in coming days.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information

More than a month after he was originally supposed to deliver his budget speech, Gov. Pat Quinn this week will finally outline his spending plan for the next budget year.

Gov. Pat Quinn will deliver his annual budget proposal to the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday.

Illinois lawmakers want to tweak concealed carry law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers are considering a series of changes to amend the state’s new concealed carry legislation, even though the first concealed carry permits haven’t been issued.

Some of the proposals would make it easier to get a permit, while others would expand the list of locations where people would be allowed to carry weapons. Others would tighten restrictions, according to a report (http://bit.ly/1eqxFX7 ) by The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers.

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, a Forsyth Republican, wants to cut the number of required training hours in half for people who want a concealed carry permit and eliminate a provision that requires concealed carry permit owners to undergo additional training when they renew their license. He also wants to allow some people with concealed-carry permits from other states to continue to carry the weapons in Illinois.

But Rep. Brandon Phelps, a Harrisburg Democrat who was the chief sponsor of the original legislation, said he believes it’s too early to tweak the law.

“Everybody needs to take a deep breath,” he said. “This is monumental legislation. Let’s let it go into effect and see what it’s like before we try to change it.”

He said he doesn’t think many of the concealed carry provisions will get much traction during the legislative session.

Still, Rep. Scott Drury, a Highwood Democrat, said he thinks the law should be changed. He wants to change what he says is ambiguity in the current statute to make sure concealed weapons aren’t brought into businesses where there’s gambling or alcohol.

“The changes that I’m making are just technical changes to clarify the law where I think there’s vague language,” he said.

Illinois’ law bans carrying concealed firearms in places such as schools, child-care facilities, courthouses, public transportation, college and professional sports stadiums and in establishments where alcohol sales make up more than 50 percent of a business’s receipts.

Illinois lawmakers have projected there would be 350,000 to 400,000 applications for concealed carry permits in the first year of the law. Residents could begin to submit applications last month and the first licenses to carry concealed weapons could be issued by spring,

The state is the last in the U.S. to allow the practice.

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford routinely roomed overnight in hotels and a Chicago apartment with a low-level treasurer’s office employee whom he has given a 50 percent pay hike, raising questions about the workplace judgment of the Republican candidate for governor.

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

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford answers a question during the Northwest Suburban Republican gubernatorial debate in Hoffman Estates on Monday. (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune

https://www.franklincounty-news.com/2014/02/12/6005/

RLC Radiology Tech students try out Robotic Assisted Surgery Equipment

MT. VERNON, Ill.  – Two dozen Rend Lake College Radiologic Technology students made their way to Crossroads Community Hospital last week to get a hands-on approach at learning all about the latest in robotic assisted surgery to help them with clinical practice and in the workplace after they graduate.

The students were able to use the robotic assisted surgery equipment and simulator at Crossroads after learning about the uses of the equipment and the training involved. The equipment came out of Stanford University in 1999 to be used, primarily, for patients with prostate cancer. Now, the machine can be used for many different surgeries, from hysterectomies to gallbladders, and single-site surgery.

Rend Lake College Radiologic Technology student Cody Watkins of Johnston City, SITTING, uses the robotic assisted surgery equipment to move items the size of a penny last week at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

While using the robot, students have the ability to move a number of arms while looking at a 3-D image. The arms can have a number of tools to use during surgery and give more flexibility than the human wrist.

Freshman Justin Holman of Ewing was one of the first to get his hands on the simulator. He said, after he completes his Radiologic Technology certificate, he is planning on moving on to a further degree, and maybe working with advanced machines like the robot.

“It’s really neat to use because the technology is pretty amazing. It’s true 3-D. To be able to look into it and see actual things up close is really cool,” said Holman.

Shaquala Versteeg-Knifechief of Macedonia watches as another student uses the controls to move a number of arms on the robotic surgery equipment. Versteeg-Knifechief said the experience of using the new device was exciting and different.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Another freshman, Tabitha Harris of Christopher, added it was similar to playing a video game, only with pincher-like tools as the controls.

“It’s pretty neat to use. I’d love to do something like this,” said Harris.

Radiology Program Director Bria Robinson attended the class as well and thanked Crossroads for providing the opportunity to the students.

“We like to expose our students to any new technology, especially when we partner with our local hospitals to do so. Our students do clinicals at local hospitals like Crossroads, and it’s a great opportunity to get them here,” said Robinson. “Some of our students may want to go on from Radiology. We try to teach them quality over quantity, and we appreciate everything Crossroads does to help us with that goal.”

Students were also able to speak with Medical Director of Imaging Services Dr. James Tarter and Imaging Department Director Kerri Carr. Both encouraged the students to follow what they love to do and they will have a career – not a job.

In another effort to help the students, Crossroads is also donating $120 to the Rend Lake College Foundation – $4 per attendee – to help future Radiologic Technology students.

For more information about the RLC Radiologic Technology Program, call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251. Applications for the program can be found online at www.rlc.edu/allied-health/radiology-tech.

Raghuveer Nayak, a longtime fundraiser for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich who was at the center of the illegal sale of a U.S. Senate seat, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison for paying bribes to doctors to send patients to surgery centers he owns.  Chicago Tribune photo by Nancy Stone.