SPRINGFIELD — Minutes after the Senate put the final touches on first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s sweeping legislative agenda Sunday, the governor addressed media and delivered a message: “Illinois is back.”

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

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ dioceses have condemned the General Assembly’s passage of an abortion repeal-and-replace measure headed for the governor’s desk.

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

INA, Ill. — Nearly 50 students completed the Associate Degree Nursing program at Rend Lake College this spring. The graduates received their pins at a May 16 ceremony in front of friends, family and RLC administrators.
Director of Nursing Dr. Nancy Buttry welcomed the graduates and guests, and introduced Clarisa Gammons for the prayer. Tedgie Morgan addressed the audience on behalf of the class. “An effective nurse is caring, understanding, non-judgemental, and has a strong ability to empathize with patients from all walks of life,” Morgan told the crowd. “The faculty sitting behind us tonight has helped mold each and every one of us to be an effective and excellent nurse. For that, our class cannot begin to thank them enough.”
Allied Health Faculty & Staff

Nancy Buttry, PhD, MSN, RN | Director of Nursing
Lynn Salesberry, MSN,RN | Instructor
Susan Wiley, DNP,MSN, RN | Instructor
Denise Griffith, MSN, RN | Insructor
Sarah Hopfinger, MSN, RN | Instructor
Tracy Smith, MSN, RN-BC,CPHQ | Instructor
Bria Robinson, MAED RT(R) (CT) | Dean of Allied Health

RLC Nursing graduate Miranda Kish of DuQuoin receives her pin from Instructor Lynn Salesberry.
Associate Degree Nursing Graduates
Jessica Baxley (New Athens)
Katelin Bravard (Opdyke)
Brittany Bright (Valier)
Bailey Bryson (McLeansboro)
Cali Carney (Benton)
Jodie Davies (Tamaroa)
Chason Dunford (Benton)
Heather Earl (Thompsonville)
Jessica Fowler (Benton)
Clarisa Gammons (Mt. Vernon)
Tegan Gray (Bluford)
Rebecca Gregory (Galatia)
Crystal Gualdoni (West Frankfort)
Olivia Hagerman (Benton)
Kristen Hart (McLeansboro)
Talia Hoffman (Mt. Vernon)
Cynthia Horton (Keenes)
Cassidy Howell (Benton)
Agneta Kalaghe (Belleville)
Kayla King (Mt. Vernon)
Afton Kirk (Mulkeytown)
Miranda Kish (DuQuoin)
Crystal Knisley (Thompsonville)
Rachael Lowery (Mt. Vernon)
Beth Marks (Christopher)
Elizabeth Merchel (Mt. Vernon)
Tedgie Morgan (Benton)
Peter Patalas (DuQuoin)
Tara Payne (Bonnie)
Daniella Payton (Mt. Vernon)
Allison Pearce (Ewing)
Kristen Queen (Centralia)
Kelsey Ralls (Fairview Heights)
Heath Ramsey (Valier)
Lorene Reynolds (McLeansboro)
Toni Richardson (Akin)
Bethany Smith (Mt. Vernon)
Phillip Smith (Christopher)
Emily Tackitt (Mt. Vernon)
Makala Thompson (Whittington)
Tyler Thompson (Whittington)
Meagan Warren (Carterville)
Amy Williams (DuQuoin)
Laci Williams (Broughton)
Lindsey Young (Benton)

RLC Nursing graduate Bailey Bryson of McLeansboro gives Instructor Lynn Salesberry a hug at the 2019 ADN Pinning Ceremony. Click on the image for a larger version.
The Associate Degree Nursing Program at RLC is designed to prepare nurses who, as beginning practitioners, are able to give quality nursing care to clients and function as members of nursing and health care teams. Registered nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, physicians’ offices, clinics, and community agencies.
RLC will begin accepting nursing applications for the Fall 2020 semester on Oct. 1. College and state admissions policies are used to determine who qualifies for acceptance into the program. For information on requirements, visit www.rlc.edu/nursing. RLC offers a tuition-free CNA – Basic Nurse Assistant program. Visit www.rlc.edu/cna for seat availability and more information.

On May 25th, 2019 at approximately 8:40 p.m., Benton Police arrested Michael A. Coleman, age 28, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Coleman was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On May 27th, 2019 at approximately 2:30 a.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of East Main and Tenth Street.
Upon investigating, police arrested Zackary S. Marvel, age 20, of Buckner for driving under the influence. Marvel was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On May 27th, 2019 at approximately 5 p.m. Benton Police were dispatched to 513 South Main in reference to a disturbance complaint.
Upon investigating, police arrested Angel S. Vasquez, age 30, of Herrin for unlawful violation of order of protection. Vasquez was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On May 28th, 2019 at approximately 4:50 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 1400 block of North Della Street in reference to a disturbance complaint. Upon investigating, police arrested Karen R. Taylor, age 62, of Benton for criminal damage to government supported property. Taylor was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Some Illinois lawmakers are proposing changes to protect public-sector union rolls by creating impediments for workers who want to withdraw from membership.

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

Democrats and Republicans in the Illinois House came together Saturday after tense negotiations to pass a package of legislation that included authorizing a Chicago casino and significant increases in gasoline and cigarette taxes to fund a massive public works program.

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

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to unveil a six-year, $41.5 billion plan to repair Illinois’ crumbling roads, bridges, public schools and university buildings in a massive proposal that calls for nearly $1.8 billion in new taxes and tax increases, according to documents provided to lawmakers at a Friday briefing.

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

This year’s recipient of the Franklin County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship was Morgan Robertson from Benton High School. Morgan is the daughter of Kelly and Lori Robertson of Benton, IL.

Morgan also received the Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Scholarship as well as the first Farm City Days Committee Scholarship.

The is enrolled in Ag Business at Rend Lake College studying Plant and Soil Science with a focus on Plant Genetics. She has been in FFA at Benton High School all four years and has held the positions of Sentinel, Reporter and her Senior year was President.

Morgan also received the People’s Bank Scholarship, The Legence Bank/Mr. A Scholarship and the Rend Lake College Foundation/Mr. A Scholarship. She has been on the National Honor Society for four years.

Morgan has been working for Precision Crop Services LLC in Benton, IL as a Soil Technician for three years.

We are very proud of Morgan and what she has accomplished and know that she will continue to make us proud. Morgan is planning on staying in or returning to the area after her education is complete.

Pictured are Cailah Heinrich – Farm City Days Committee, Kendall Browning – District 17 Young Leader Chair representing the Franklin County Young Leaders Committee, Morgan Robertson and her father Kelly Robertson Vice-President of the Franklin County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

HerrinFesta Italiana is a celebration of the rich Italian heritage in Herrin.

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

The ongoing trade battle between the U.S. and China has hit Illinois harder than the rest of the nation.

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