SPRINGFIELD — Recognizing the importance of an industry that employs more than a half million workers in the state, Gov. Bruce Rauner today proclaimed October Manufacturing Month in Illinois.

“Manufacturing is at the heart of the Illinois economy,” Rauner said. “For decades, Illinois manufacturers have shown their savvy by adapting to changing market conditions and embracing innovation to stay at the top of their game. I am proud to recognize this strong industry.”

Illinois companies manufacture a wide range of products including farm equipment and machinery, automotive parts, plastics, pharmaceuticals, biofuels and food products.

Illinois Manufacturing Highlights:

• Manufacturing is the third largest industry in Illinois by employment with more than 580,000 workers.
• Illinois is the fourth largest manufacturing state in the nation by output.
• Manufacturing makes up 93.6 percent of all Illinois goods exported.
• Average annual income for Illinois manufacturing workers is $70,174.

“Manufacturing accounts for 12.4 percent of our gross state product,” said Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger, acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “Every day we work with businesses, community leaders and stakeholders across the state to support, strengthen and grow this critical Illinois industry.”

Manufacturing Month events will take place throughout October in Illinois. These events showcase some of the nearly 13,000 manufacturing firms that call Illinois home. October is a time to highlight the benefits of working in the industry and continue to build a talent pipeline that guarantees Illinois remains a leader in manufacturing for years to come. Manufacturing Day will be celebrated nationwide on the first Friday of the month, Oct. 5.

Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke’s murder trial was postponed Monday because of the illness of a juror.

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

CARBONDALE — A Southern Illinois University student accused last week of belonging to a white supremacist neo-Nazi group is no longer enrolled at the school, according to Lori Stettler, SIUC’s vice chancellor for student affairs.

Here’s a link to the story.

CARBONDALE — Friday’s bond revocation hearing for Gaege Bethune was canceled after the state and defense came to an agreement to change the terms of Bethune’s bond.

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

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates are among the most important events in the United States’ history.

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

9-21-18 at 1:54 pm a traffic stop for speeding on the Akin Blacktop resulted in the arrest of William F. Moss age 596 of Harrisburg for an outstanding federal arrest warrant from the United States Marshall’s Service for a cocaine violation.

9-22-18 at 1:32 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Royalton that led to the arrest of Ashley E. Moore age 32 of Royalton for an outstanding Wayne County warrant for probation revocation, unlawful possession of cannabis.

9-23-18 at 1:54 am a traffic stop on the Akin Blacktop resulted in the arrest of Sherry V. Wright ago 50 of Akin for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper lane usage, illegal transportation of alcohol and driving under the influence of alcohol.

9-23-18 at 4:07 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Vincent G. Hasenjaeger age 25 of West Frankfort for no valid registration, disobeying a traffic control device, driving while license suspended and reckless driving.

9-23-18 at 2:49 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Royalton. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Jamie E. Holland age 33 of Herrin and Jeramie J. Holland age 32 of Royalton. Both were charged with aggravated battery and mob action.

9-24-18 at 7:48 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Park Street Road ½ mile west of Fox Hunter Road. A 1994 GMC Sierra Pick-Up driven by Ryan L. Winders age 20 of DuQuoin, was west bound when the Pick-Up left the roadway on the north side, traveling approximately 120 feet in a ditch, prior to striking a large tree. The tree was uprooted and fell on the Pick-Up and the roadway. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott’s E.M.S. No citations were issued.

9-27-18 at 11:15 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Hwy. Rt. 37 ½ mile north of Benton. A 2015 Toyota driven by Sheridan L. Campbell age 16 of Whittington was south bound on Rt. 37 and rear-ended a south bound 2016 Ford Truck driven by Ean White age 22 of Marion. There were no injuries and a ticket was issued for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

WARRANT ARRESTS

9-25-18 Jason W. Shepard age 36 of Alton. Failure to appear on possession of a controlled substance.

9-26-18 Christopher J. Samel age 23 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance.

9-28-18 Kristal L. Stanley age 32 of Benton. Failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine.

9-28-18 Jennifer L. Wilkie age 47 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for a methamphetamine related charge.

INA, Ill. – The Upward Bound program at Rend Lake College celebrated by singing its students’ praises at the annual Upward Bound Banquet, held RLC’s James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium.

This year’s Nashville-themed event recognized dozens of local students for their involvement in the academic year program, as well as the summer program. The academic year program focuses on achievement in the classroom, team building, and goal setting activities. The summer program is more intensive with five weeks of classes on the Ina campus. Some students also take part in trips throughout the year and others enroll in RLC credit courses.

During the awards aspect of the banquet, students received certificates for participation in the Upward Bound program and the summer program during the 2016-17 year, for earning straight As, for perfect attendance, for receiving RLC college credit, and many others.

The RLC Upward Bound program is a federally funded college preparatory program designed to provide academic support, personal and career counseling, and cultural and social enrichment to high school participants who have the academic ability to be successful in college. Services are provided at no cost to the student.

Zeigler-Royalton High School Participants. Front row, from left: Kya Maier, Gabby Dover, Hannah Absher, Ashley Arvai, Lacey Grammer. Back row, from left: Dawson Thomas, Alora Lefler, Bryce Leeper, Imogen Perry, Draven Witt.

Mt. Vernon High School Participants. From left: Casey White, Lexy McKinney, Jay King, Hailey Mays, Madison Waters, Lance White.

Hamilton County High School Participants. Front row, from left: Kennedy Moles, Emilie Green, Kristin Gibson, Jeremy Colclasure, Austin Alverth, Summer Matthews, Kelcie Green. Back row, from left: Shelby Taylor, Chloe Greenwood, Alex Farthing, Tyler Branch, Samantha Alverth, Bailee Waggoner.

Benton Consolidated High School Participants. Front row, from left: Brandie Anderson, Diamond Anderson, Honey Harvill, Mauro Wallace, Damian Roberson, Alexis Jones. Back row, from left: Trevor Richardson, Hailey Bryan, Alexea Crawford, Jaxson Sloan.

CAVE-IN-ROCK — After months of uncertainty for the future of the ferry that provides a link between deep Southern Illinois and Crittenden County, Kentucky, the Ohio River ferry will restore to full service on Monday.

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

In a murder trial that has questioned Laquan McDonald’s actions as much as those of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, the defense Thursday resumed its efforts to show the teen had embarked on a “wild rampage” in the hours before the patrolman fatally shot him.

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

In a day like few others in Senate history, California psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford quietly recounted her “100 percent” certainty Thursday that President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court had sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers — and then Brett Kavanaugh defiantly testified he was “100 percent certain” he did no such thing

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