Illinois employers notified the state of nearly 1,200 upcoming layoffs last month, some driven by manufacturing plant closures.

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

Marks the German company’s first facility in North America

ELGIN – Governor Bruce Rauner and Faber-Castell Cosmetics announced the company’s first North American manufacturing facility in Illinois. The German company has leased a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Elgin that will be dedicated to producing cosmetic pencils for the North American market. The $9 million project will create 50 full-time jobs. The announcement comes after the Governor visited with the company in Stein, Germany in late spring.

“It is an honor to welcome Faber-Castell to the Illinois manufacturing family,” said Governor Bruce Rauner. “Faber-Castell has a remarkable legacy in Germany, and I am proud that they have chosen Illinois to be the next phase in their journey. We look forward to working with them and helping them thrive in Elgin.”

“I am proud to announce this project during the 40^th year of Faber-Castell Cosmetics,” said company President Countess Mary von Faber-Castell. “The US facility will become Faber-Castell Cosmetics’ beta factory with exceptional, industry-standard processes and systems, in addition to offering US customers the same speed-to-market and convenience now enjoyed by Europe and Brazil.”

During his April 2018 trade mission to Poland and Germany, the Governor met with leaders of Faber-Castell at their world headquarters in Stein, Germany. The company, best known for their pens, pencils and art supplies, dates back to 1761 and does business with more than 100 countries. The cosmetic division, Faber-Castell Cosmetics, is currently celebrating its 40^th year anniversary as a world-recognized private label cosmetic manufacturer, focusing on color cosmetics and nail care.

“Economic development is a collaborative effort – it takes time, effort and strong relationships to make projects like this a reality,” said Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce Sean McCarthy. “We have worked closely with Faber-Castell, both in Illinois and in Germany, as well as partners like former Illinois Senator Karen McConnaughay, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the City of Elgin, and Harper College, to solidify this deal for Illinois.”

The company chose to announce their expansion at the MakeUp conference in New York, an industry-wide event that has more than 110 formula, accessories and packaging industry exhibitors.

“Adding a North American facility is a remarkable milestone for our company,” said Dr. Christina Zech, Managing Director of Faber-Castell Cosmetics. “Illinois now joins Brazil and Germany on our list of production sites. The strategic location in between the coasts along with the exceptional workforce Illinois boasts made it a natural choice for our next facility.”

“Faber-Castell is a phenomenal global company with roots going back three centuries,” added Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Vice President & COO Mark Denzler. “It was fascinating to learn about their history and vision for the future during the Governor’s trade mission and we’re excited that Illinois will host their first American facility.”

Intersect Illinois coordinated the April trade mission to enhance the state’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) strategy. During the mission, the 22-member delegation visited with 16 companies and attended one of the world’s largest trade fairs, Hannover Messe.

“Growing our foreign direct investment is essential to improving our economy and maximizing our potential,” said Mark Peterson, President and CEO of Intersect Illinois. “Germany remains one of our greatest FDI partners, and the Faber-Castell facility is the next chapter in our rich and shared economic history with German manufacturing here in Illinois.”

State expands successful Winnebago County Jail program to other counties

ROCKFORD – A Winnebago County Jail program aimed at helping incarcerated individuals beat opioid addiction is being emulated in nine other county jails in Illinois, Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti announced today at a press conference.

Lt. Governor Sanguinetti, who co-chairs Governor Rauner’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force, said those who struggle with opioid use disorder before they are arrested receive an injection of naltrexone (Vivitrol) to reduce opioid cravings while they’re in jail. Once they are released, they receive continued residential or outpatient treatment. This state-funded program partners with Rosecrance addiction treatment center to provide this service.

“This program that started in the Winnebago County Jail years ago has been so successful that the state is now emulating it in other county jails,” Lt. Governor Sanguinetti said. “Of the more than 400 inmates treated with naltrexone statewide, 92 percent were admitted into treatment programs upon release and are in recovery where they can rebuild their lives.”

The Rockford program is just one of the strategies the State of Illinois is pursuing as part of the Illinois Opioid Action Plan, which was released one year ago with the creation of the Governor’s opioid task force.

“The opioid crisis is having a devastating effect on individuals, families, and employers in Illinois,” said Gov. Bruce Rauner. “Our team’s lifesaving work is intensely focused on both prevention and treatment of this pervasive and complex problem.”

The Illinois Dept. of Human Services (IDHS) has secured more than $32 million in federal funds to battle the opioid crisis over the past two years and has launched several new initiatives that provide resources to those in need.

• In FY 2018 alone, IDHS and its partners trained more than 113,000 individuals to administer naloxone, the life-saving drug that reverses the effect of an overdose. In addition, more than 17,000 naloxone kits have been distributed.
• The Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances — 1-833-2FIND-HELP — launched in December of 2017 and has so far received more than 6,000 calls seeking assistance. A new website for the Helpline – www.HelplineIL.org — launched this summer.
• IDHS has contracted with five organizations to provide “warm handoffs” at 14 targeted hospitals in Illinois to ensure those who suffer an opioid overdose have access to treatment shortly after release from the ER. To date, 79% of those handoffs have resulted in 1,380 patients seeking treatment.
• IDHS has contracted with 11 community-based providers to expand outpatient methadone services to 2,500 additional clients in Illinois.
• IDHS has contracted for two “Hub and Spoke” pilot projects to provide Medication Assisted Treatment options to several underserved counties in central and southern Illinois. The “Hubs” will be based in Springfield and Marion and serve “Spoke” counties in surrounding areas. Currently, 1.3 million people live in counties with little or no access to Medication Assisted Treatment (buprenorphine, naltrexone, methadone, etc.).

IDHS recently learned it will be awarded an additional $57 million in federal grants to continue its work toward reducing opioid deaths and helping people get connected to treatment.

“We’ve been supporting this model of delivering naltrexone to Winnebago County Jail since 2014,” said IDHS Secretary James Dimas. “Illinois will continue to support and expand successful programs like this with the additional $57 million dollars we will be receiving from the federal government at the end of the month. Improving access to care for individuals with opioid use disorder has been and will continue to be a top priority.”

One of the first actions of the Governor’s opioid task force came last October when co-chair Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, issued a Standing Order to make naloxone available throughout the state without a prescription. As a result, anyone can go to the local drug store and purchase the overdose reversal drug on their own. Studies show that when naloxone is distributed among communities, it can reduce overdose deaths by 50 percent.

“By making it easier to obtain, distribute, and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, commonly called Narcan, we can help save the lives of some of the 2,000 estimated annual opioid overdose deaths,” said Director Shah.

Governor Rauner recently signed two bills into law that will have a significant impact on the opioid crisis:

• SB 772, enacted in December, requires physicians to use the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program to guard against doctor shopping. Since the governor signed the bill into law, participating prescribers have increased 75%.
• SB 336, enacted in August, allows those prescribed addictive opioids for pain to exchange those prescriptions for non-addictive medical cannabis. The legislation also reduces the turnaround time for securing medical cannabis.

In addition, our Better Care Illinois program, which was approved by the federal government this past spring, will allow Medicaid reimbursement for expanded addiction treatment and recovery support services.

“Overdose is now the number one cause of death for Americans under 50. It takes more lives than breast cancer, automobile accidents and homicides,” Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti said. “This horrible epidemic knows no neighborhood, no color and no class. It’s an equal opportunity destroyer. It’s going to take all of us working together to battle this scourge and save lives. And Illinois is taking action.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing opioid use disorder, call the state’s Helpline for Opioids and other Substances at 1-833-2FINDHELP or visit HelplineIL.org.

MURPHYSBORO — The Murphysboro man accused of killing his parents last year was found guilty Thursday during a bench trial in Jackson County.

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

MASTER COMPUTER BASICS WITH COMMUNITY EDUCATION

INA, Ill. – Take the leap into learning the ins and outs of computers or learn a new program with a suite of classes from the Rend Lake College Community and Corporate Education Department.

The offerings start with Beginning Computers taught over two classes from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 and Sept. 27. The class will be held in Room 338 of the RLC MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. The cost of the class will be $25.

Beginning Microsoft Word will be taught from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 and Oct. 18 in MarketPlace room 338. Students will be taught the fundamentals of word processing using Microsoft Word and will discover how to use the menu system and toolbars; open, reopen, print, save and close documents; insert/delete text, reverse an edit operation, apply font attributes to text, and move text blocks.

Students will also be trained on how to use Spelling/Grammar Checker, Thesaurus, the Help menu and how to customize the AutoCorrect Dictionary. Cost of the course includes the text book. The cost of this class will be $25.

Beginning Microsoft Excel is also being held at the MarketPlace room 338 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and Nov. 8. In this class, students will learn how easy it is to work with numbers by picking up skills in the fundamental operations of spreadsheets. Participants will learn how to use the menu system and toolbars; open, reopen, print and close workbooks; and enter labels. Students will also be taught adding values and formulas into worksheets, formatting spreadsheets by adjusting the size of columns/rows, using borders/shading, and changing the page setup. The cost of this class will be $25

Beginner classes wrap up with Beginning Microsoft Publisher class from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 27 and Nov. 29 at Mt. Vernon MarketPlace Campus, room 338. Students will be shown how to create professional looking publications, such as flyers, greeting cards, brochures and more. This class will cover the basic skills needed in Publisher and will include how to find images/graphics online. The cost of the class will be $25.

To register or learn more about the hobby classes, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.

GO EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH RLC COMMUNITY EDUCATION OFFERINGS

INA, Ill. (Sept. 13, 2018) – Somewhere far away has never been easier to get to thanks to Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education and Collette Vacations. With a pair of far-flung adventures, it’s never been a better time to get away.

The first getaway offers community members the chance to see Iceland’s magical northern lights. The “land of fire and ice” is a place of many wonders, including the rare opportunity to see the spectacular aurora borealis – or northern lights. This tour will bring you on a search for that once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Take an exhilarating evening northern lights cruise. Travel to the “Golden Circle,” home to many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders. Spend time at Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area. Gaze at the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall – one of the world’s most incredible cascades. At the Lava Exhibition Center, learn about Iceland’s volcanic history and its impact on daily life. Explore Skogar Folk Museum and see traditional turf-built homes. Walk on a black volcanic sand beach. See Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Relax in the warm, mineral-rich water of the natural geothermal pool, the Blue Lagoon. Spend your evenings gazing at the night sky in search of the elusive and dazzling northern lights.

The trip is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 13 through Monday, Nov 19, 2019 and includes 10 meals. The cost of the trip is $3,999 per person based on double occupancy.

If you’re craving something warmer, Discover the South Pacific Wonders has adventurers exploring two great countries of the Southern Hemisphere – Australia and New Zealand.

Explore the tropical splendor of the Great Barrier Reef on Australia’s northeast coast to the ethereal beauty of glacial fjords on New Zealand’s South Island, this journey to the lands “Down Under” brings you the best of both countries at an enjoyable pace. Cruise Sydney Harbour and Milford Sound. Meet Australia’s wildlife up close. Discover the wonders of Aboriginal culture. Indulge in regional flavors during lunch at a family-run merino sheep farm and experience Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.

The south pacific trip will go from Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 to Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. The 15-day trip will include 21 meals. The cost of the trip is $6,799 per person based on double occupancy.

An Informational Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 at 5 p.m. at the RLC Historic Schoolhouse. We will discuss the South Pacific Wonders trip and the Iceland tour, and answer questions. Details on an Early Booking Discount will also be provided.

If you will be attending this meeting, please RSVP by contacting Community & Corporate Education at (618) 437-5321, x1714.

ADD COLOR TO YOUR LIFE WITH COMM ED CLASSES

INA, Ill. (Sept. 13, 2018) – Rend Lake College’s Community and Corporate Education is providing two unique opportunities to play with some paints.

In Fun with Acrylics, participants will try their hand at painting while having fun. Not creative? Never painted before? That’s okay! No painting or drawing experience needed. The instructor will guide you step-by-step to create your own masterpiece to take home. Participants will have two opportunities to create custom works. The October session will be Fall/Thanksgiving themed, and November will be winter themed. Participants will be painting with acrylics on a 16×20 stretched canvas.

The October session will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9. November will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday the 13th. Both classes will be held in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103 on the Ina Main Campus. The cost of the class is $15, plus a $10 supply fee.

Put your creation somewhere everyone can see with the Painted Door Décor class. Participates will be painting a 16 inch wooden cross. You can hang the cross on your door, in your home, or even give it as a gift. No skills required, just come and have fun.

Painted Door Décor will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus, Room 101. The cost of the class is $12, plus an $8 supply fee.

To register or learn more about the hobby classes, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.

Ten Army National Guard Soldiers Deploy to North Carolina

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner announced today that Illinois is prepared to provide personnel and other support to states that may be impacted by Hurricane Florence.

Ten Illinois Army National Guard soldiers and two helicopters have deployed to support relief efforts in North Carolina. The crews left from Peoria’s 238th Aviation Battalion and Kankakee’s 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment. They will provide support for up to 10 days. All costs associated with the deployment will be paid for by the Tar Heel state.

“We can never anticipate the scope of damage caused by these natural disasters and the impact they have on families,” Rauner said. “We are proud to send our soldiers in to assist with emergency rescue and to transport supplies in and out of the disaster areas.”

“This hurricane has the potential to be devastating,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Hayes Jr., the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. “I am proud of our soldiers’ ability to quickly respond to the requests of our fellow Americans in North Carolina, and I am thankful for the support of our soldiers’ families and employers as they prepare for and execute this mission.”

Requests for assistance are coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a mutual aid agreement that allows states to request assistance from other states during emergencies.  Officials from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) have been in regular contact with EMAC representative this week and are currently reviewing the anticipated needs drafted by the states of Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“Illinois takes EMAC requests very seriously, and we always look to help when called upon,” said Acting IEMA Director William Robertson. “You never know when you may be on the receiving end of these request.  EMAC allows states to help other states be safe, secure and resilient against all hazards. That’s the beauty of the partnership and collaboration behind EMAC.”

Illinois has answered the call to assist other states with large scale deployments of personnel and equipment over the years, demonstrating the state’s ability to respond to a major disaster, even when it’s thousands of miles away.

Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the state’s largest EMAC response to date, with more than 2,500 Illinois responders deployed to the Gulf Coast, including guardsmen, firefighters, paramedics, state emergency managers, law enforcement officers and medical personnel.  Most recently, the state deployed personnel from the Illinois National Guard to Puerto Rico to assist with recovery efforts on the island following Hurricane Maria.

INA, Ill. – Two Rend Lake College Day Tours this fall will feature many popular attractions in St. Louis that are sure to peak many interests. Stops on these two trips include the National Blues Museum, the Metropolitan Square Building, the Gateway Arch, the Anheuser-Busch InBev Brewery, and the Missouri Civil War Museum.

First up is the Re-Discover St. Louis tour, set for Friday, Oct. 12. Participants will stop in at the new National Blues Museum, an attraction dedicated to exploring musical history and the impact of blues music. Attendees will then take part in lunch as one of St. Louis’ finest restaurants – Kemoll’s – on top of Missouri’s largest skyscraper, the Metropolitan Square Building.

After lunch, re-discover the Gateway Arch where construction on the grounds is now completed. Attendees will explore the new, interactive museum below the Gateway Arch and enjoy the tram ride to the top for breathtaking views. The Re-Discover St. Louis tour costs $135. Attendees must pre-register by Monday, Sept. 17.

Later this fall, participants can spend the day on the Brewery & Civil War Museum Tour, set for Thursday, Nov. 1. Kick off the day with a tour of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Brewery to learn about the brewing process, sample brewery products in the tasting room, and see the world-famous Clydesdale horses in their stables.

Enjoy lunch at The Lodge at Grant’s Trail before heading off for a tour of the Missouri Civil War Museum – one of the largest Civil War museums in the nation. The Brewery & Civil War Museum tour costs $130. Attendees must pre-register by Monday, Oct. 8.

Tour fees, lunch, gratuities, and charter bus transportation are included for both tours. Also for both tours, the bus will depart from the Ina campus at 7:30 a.m. and will return by 6:30 p.m. Attendees can also get on the bus at the Mt. Vernon MarketPlace at 8 a.m. The bus will return to Mt. Vernon by 6 p.m.

To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration is required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.

INA, Ill.– Whether you’re learning the basics of handgun safety, interested in learning more techniques, or needing to get your Concealed Carry license renewed, Rend Lake College has a handgun training class for you this fall.

Beginners can step into Basic Reloading with Instructor Michael Dollins. This class will focus on learning how to reload ammunition for a handgun and how to utilize various equipment needed for reloading.

No live primers or gun powder will be used in this class, and no live ammunition will be created during this class. Alternatives will be used to ensure safety. Attendees must be 16 or older. The class costs $15, plus a $5 supply fee, and will meet from 6-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 or Monday, Dec. 3 in the Historic Schoolhouse on the Ina campus.

Local, first-time hunters can take advantage of the free Hunter Safety course with Instructor Sam Settle of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This class will cover topics such as wildlife management, firearms safety, hunter ethics, game identification, first aid, survival techniques, and regulations.

Participation in the class is a requirement in state statute for hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1980, when applying for a hunting license. Pre-registration is required and attendees must attend both sessions and bring a pen or pencil. The class meets from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21 and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 at the RLC MarketPlace, Room 354, in Mt. Vernon.

More advanced handgun users can take advantage of Advanced Handgun Training and Low Light Engagement Handgun Training. The Advanced class will cover the laws of civilian use of force, weak hand shooting, one hand shooting, one hand reloading, shooting on the move, and range rules. The range portion will test marksmanship using techniques learned in the class. The class will meet with Instructor Jeff Bullard of the Mt. Vernon Police Department from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 or Saturday, Oct. 20 in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus. The class costs $65.

The Low Light Engagement class will teach the basics about shooting in a low light setting, including the importance of illumination tools. The drills in the class include shooting with handheld illumination, shooting from cover with illumination, and moving with and without light. This class will meet with Bullard from 2 – 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 or Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus. The class costs $65.

Participants interested in either handgun training session will have to have passed the RLC Basic Handgun Training course in the past, and to enroll in Low Light Engagement, will also have to have taken the Advanced Handgun Training course. All attendees must be 18 or older, wear old clothes, and have a valid Illinois FOID card. Attendees should also bring eye and ear protection, handgun, and 150 rounds of ammunition.

Local Concealed Carry license (CCL) holders can also take advantage of the Concealed Carry License Renewal class, which is designed for those with CCLs set to expire in the next six months. RLC Criminal Justice Professor Ron Meek will review the required license information and attendees will take part in the live fire portion of the class on the RLC Shooting Range.

Attendees should bring their Illinois FOID and CCL cards, along with their handgun and two boxes of unopened ammunition. Handguns will be inspected by the instructors and must be approved prior to use. The class costs $50 and will meet four times this fall in the Applied Science Center, Room 102, on the Ina campus: 8 a.m. – noon Saturday, Nov. 3; noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3; 8 a.m. – noon Saturday, Dec. 8; and noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

To learn more about or to register for any of these classes, call RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714. Pre-registration may be required, and can be done in person, via phone call, or by emailing commcorped@rlc.edu.

CHICAGO — Gov. Bruce Rauner told exhibitors attending the largest manufacturing trade show inAmerica that Illinois remains an ideal home for companies that are looking for a highly skilled workforce and a transportation infrastructure that is unmatched in its ability to support worldwide distribution.

Rauner made his remarks during a visit to the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), which was organized by the Association For Manufacturing Technology and is taking place this week at McCormick Place in Chicago. This is the first time that IMTS has partnered with Germany’s Hannover MESSE, producer of the world’s largest manufacturing tech show, to highlight the global significances of the sector.

“Chicago is the epicenter of American industrial enterprise and it is the perfect place to display the incredible new technologies being deployed by modern manufacturing companies,” Rauner said. “Illinois’ commercial pedigree is built on the vibrancy of its manufacturing companies, and we are determined to support the growth of these companies into the future.

“Modern manufacturing requires highly skilled labor,” Rauner continued. “Illinois is a tremendous source of talent for manufacturers. We’re a leading technology innovation center. We’re a top STEM state. We’re a leader in apprenticeship programs, vocation and technical skills development. Our universities are among the greatest engineering schools in the country.

“We’re also investing in our transportation and distribution infrastructure,” he said, pointing to the $500 million 75^th Street Rail Corridor project as an example. “There is no place in the country that can match our ability to get goods and people from one place to another.”

Rauner noted the multiplier effect of manufacturing when it comes to economic output, job growth and wages. He also said that the sector is responsible for two-thirds of the nation’s private research and development, making it one of the most exciting and demanding places for 21^st century careers.

“The companies that make things contribute so much to our economy and our quality of life,” Rauner said. “Our state’s total manufacturing output in 2016 was over $100 billion and we exported $55 billion. About 600,000 Illinoisans are employed by manufacturers, and more than 1,900 foreign firms have a presence here. It is a tremendous force for good.”

At the show this morning, Rauner visited several exhibits, a number of which also were on his itinerary when he visited Germany last April and Asia last year.

His stops included HARTING Americas, a Germany-based connector company that is growing in Illinois and is developing strong apprenticeship and business development ties with Harper College in Palatine and the University of Illinois. He stopped at the Rittal exhibit to renew acquaintances with the company he visited at Hanover MESSE in April during his mission to Europe. The company makes some of the most innovative IT enclosures in the world and has its North American offices in Schaumburg.

Rauner also visited the exhibit of Sodick Inc., a Japan-based leader in electronic discharge machining (EDM) that opened a new North American headquarters in Schaumburg earlier this year.