SPRINGFIELD — By signing SB 20 today, Gov. Bruce Rauner advanced his administration’s effort to professionalize the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights. 

The signing was a show of good faith to the aggrieved parties, business respondents, pro se parties, attorneys of record and others harmed by years-long delay in resolving discrimination complaints. The governor called for a collaborative effort to ensure that the legislation is fully implemented in conjunction with the mandates of his Executive Order 2018-08. 

Rauner also signed two immigration bills into law.

SB 3109 will principally benefit DACA immigrants. It provides that neither the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation nor the Illinois State Board of Education shall deny a license, certificate, permit, or registration based solely on an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status.

In signing the legislation, Rauner noted that citizenship and immigration status are not relevant in considering professional qualifications. Rauner signed similar legislation in 2015 for law licenses.

The governor also signed SB 3488 barring state and local agencies from creating or participating in the creation of unconstitutional or illegal registries, i.e. those that are based solely on classifications protected by our human rights law, including religion or national origin.

The laws he signed align with the Governor’s belief that the nation and the state of Illinois should be immigrant-friendly within the bounds of federal immigration law. No state law should require, authorize, or encourage resistance to or evasion of federal agencies’ lawful efforts to enforce federal statutes.

8-17-18 at 11:23 pm Deputies responded to an incident in Orient in which a 1998 Dodge Ram Pick-Up Truck struck a fire hydrant on Jackson St. and left the scene. The investigation led to the arrest of Michael E. Humerickhouse age 58 of West Frankfort for leaving the scene of a property damage traffic crash.

8-18-18 at 3:05 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Hwy. 14 just west of Fairview Rd. A 2006 Pontiac G6 driven by Anthony M. Beaty age 16 of DuQuoin was west bound on Rt. 14 and swerved into the path of an east bound 2012 Nissan Altima driven by Van E. Quick age 64 of Benton, sideswiping the Nissan. Van Quick and a passenger, Lou Ann Quick age 65 of Benton received incapacitating injuries and were both transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. Beaty was not injured and was ticketed for improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash.

8-21-18 at 11:29 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Hwy. Rt. 149 at Orient Road. A 2012 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Kristen L. Eldridge age 30 of West Frankfort had been south bound on Orient Road and turned into the Rt. 149 intersection in front of an east bound 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Samantha S. Vachata age 34 of Zeigler. Eldridge and a passenger, Cheryl R. Mifflin age 56 of West Frankfort received major injuries as did Samantha Vachata. All were transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire E.M.S. Eldridge was ticketed for failure to yield right of way.

8-22-18 AT 3:33 am a traffic stop in West City led to the arrest of Chad A. Kramer age 46 of West Frankfort for possession of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle recovered was a 2003 green Dodge Durango, reported stolen from Centralia.

8-22-18 at 5:52 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Hwy. Rt. 14 at Il. State Hwy. Rt. 184. A 2001 Pontiac Grand am driven by Daniel T. Adams age 31 of Benton was west bound on Rt. 14 and stopped in traffic to complete a left turn south onto Rt. 184. A 2003 Buick, driven by Joshua P. Webb age 31 of Mt. Vernon was also west bound directly behind the Pontiac, failed to stop and struck the Pontiac in a rear-end type crash. There were no injuries and Webb was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

8-22-18 at 6:10 am Deputies responded to a reported disturbance at the north bound rest area on I-57. The incident led to the arrest of Tristan D. Duong age 35 of Marion for unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Duong also was wanted on an outstanding Williamson County warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-23-18 at 2:38 pm a Deputy assisted Franklin County Probation with a home visit in West Frankfort. The investigation led to the arrest of Chad H. Barnett age 42 of West Frankfort for possession of methamphetamine.

8-23-18 at 3:05 pm a traffic stop in Akin led to the arrest of Jason L. Kelley age 40 of Macedonia for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on felony theft.

WARRANT ARRESTS

8-19-18 John A. B. Sutton age 29 of Christopher. Failed to appear on civil and traffic cases.

8-19-18 Carrie A. Ellis age 36 of Sesser. Failure to appear for criminal trespass.

8-19-18 Janelle A. Canon Age 33 of Benton. Failure to appear for theft.

8-20-18 Kevin L. Morris age 43 of Christopher. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-20-18 Northen W. Dimuke age 47 of Harrisburg. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

8-20-18 Kalyn A. Hayes age 22 of Christopher. Failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine.

8-22-18 Brandon J. Finke age 37 of Effingham. Failure to appear for obstructing a peace officer.

WHITTINGTON, Ill. – Be the winning team at the 38th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Golf Outing by reserving your team today. The event, set for Thursday, Sept. 13 at the Rend Lake Golf Course in Whittington, will begin with registration at 10:30 a.m., lunch at 11 a.m., and a shotgun start at noon.

The entry fee for the six-person scramble is $125 per person, of which $50 is tax deductible. The fee covers lunch, green fees, riding carts, refreshments and games on the course, hors d’oeuvres in the 19th Hole, and prizes to be awarded.

RLC Foundation CEO Kay Zibby-Damron said the day will be filled with surprises for participants. She also hopes to see many new and returning faces to support local students.

“We’re going to have a really fun day on the course this year. Several of our major sponsors are planning to have special treats and games for our golfers. Individual and team entries are filled on a first-come first-serve basis, so I encourage anyone who would like to play with us to call today,” said Zibby-Damron. “Our golf outing is a great way to relax, have fun, and most importantly, support Illinois’ number one community college and our hardworking students. We would love to have you join us.”

Entry deadline for the outing is Thursday, Sept. 6. Proceeds directly support RLC Foundation student scholarships and the Warriors and Lady Warriors Golf teams.

Team Kane Insurance won the championship title at the 37th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Golf Outing in 2017. Pictured is, FROM LEFT, Shannon Smith, McKenzie Flanigan, James Sager, team captain Tom Kane, Jeff Morgan, and Hillary Esser.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)

Individuals and businesses can also participate in the Golf Outing through sponsorships, which are 100 percent tax deductible, including Cart Sponsors for $25, Hole Sponsors for $150, Award Sponsors for $500, Refreshment Sponsors for $750, 19th Hole or Lunch Sponsors for $1,000, or Corporate Sponsors for $1,500. All sponsors will be recognized on the golf course. Major sponsorships include complimentary golfers and additional publicity opportunities.

The RLC MarketPlace and RLC Golf Outlet are the 2018 Event Sponsors for the Golf Outing. Several other local businesses have stepped up as Corporate Sponsors, including Crossroads Community Hospital, Ford Square and King City Chrysler of Mt. Vernon, RollnUp Smoke Shop & Liquor, Tanglewood Apartments, and Walgreens Distribution Center.

Roadhouse Harley-Davidson is the Hole-in-One Sponsor with a 2018 Harley Davidson Motorcycle, valued at $10,000. The Lunch Sponsor is Merrill Lynch, and the 19th Hole Sponsor is Community First Bank.

For more details about sponsorships or to register to compete at the RLC Foundation Golf Outing, contact Liz Jennings at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324 or

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum salary for full-time public school teachers to $40,000 within five years.

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

On August 24, 2018 at approximately 8:35 p.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of North Main Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Chad A. Kramer, age 46, of West Frankfort for unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

Kramer was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 24, 2018 at approximately 11:45 p,m,. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of South Main and East Webster Street.

Upon investigating, police arrested Marilyn S. Crabtree, age 55, of Centralia for driving while license suspended.

Crabtree was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 25, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to Franklin Hospital, located at 201 Bailey Lane in reference to a battery complaint.

Upon investigating, police arrested Frank L. Humphrey Jr., age 38, of West City for aggravated battery.

Humphrey was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 25, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the area of West Main Street in reference to a reckless driver.

Upon investigating, police arrested Ryan T. Minier, age 41, of Thompsonville for driving under the influence.

Minier was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 26^th ,2018 Benton Police arrested Joey A. Cesar, age 38, of Benton for theft and resisting a peace officer.

Cesar was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

CHICAGO — Illinois’ attorney general is planning to meet with Chicago Archdiocese officials to discuss seven priests with links to the state who were included in a scathing Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy sex abuse.

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

MARION — Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti met with Centerstone CEO John Markley Friday afternoon in Marion to discuss plans for a new treatment facility that will expand services to Southern Illinoisans with opioid use disorder. Sanguinetti is co-chair of the governor’s Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force.

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

CARBONDALE — Earlier this month, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed two bills aimed at improving Illinois’ higher education system.

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

 

DU QUOIN — Gov. Bruce Rauner cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Du Quoin State Fair today, kicking off the eleven-day celebration of Southern Illinois agriculture and the Illinois Bicentennial.

Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Raymond Poe, State Fair Manager Luke Sailer, Assistant Manager Tibretta Reiman, and the twilight parade grand marshals joined in the launching of the 2018 fair, which runs through September 3.

“The Du Quoin State Fair features the best aspects of Southern Illinois, particularly its agriculture and farm families,” Rauner said. “Southern Illinoisans have played a major role in the history of Illinois, and the fair will highlight their contributions to Illinois agriculture and the state’s economic and cultural life.”

“The state’s farm families are a top priority for me and the rest of the governor’s administration,” said Sanguinetti, who serves as the Chair of the Governor’s Council on Rural Affairs. “I am happy to be back in Southern Illinois for the fair to celebrate agriculture’s importance to the state of Illinois.”

Twilight parade grand marshals Gerald and Betty Brown are the first family to be designated as a Bicentennial Farm by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The family has farmed in Illinois since 1816, and Gerald Brown is the fifth generation of the Brown family to own the same piece of land in Union County.

“We are extremely proud of the generations of Southern Illinoisans like the Browns who have made the Du Quoin State Fair possible year after year,” Poe said. “We’re excited to honor farm families’ commitment to agriculture and the future of Illinois.”

“As a native of Southern Illinois, coming to the Du Quoin State Fair was a family tradition,” Sailer said. “We’re excited to welcome another generation of families to celebrate with us at the 2018 Du Quoin State Fair as we honor everything that’s born, built and grown here in Southern Illinois.”

“I am proud to be the Representative for the city of Du Quoin and the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds,” 115th district State Representative Terri Bryant said. “The Department of Agriculture is always innovating and making the fair new again. This year the grandstand lineup features great entertainment, the parade has been moved inside the fairgrounds for a new twist, and I’m greatly looking forward to taking my grandchildren for a ride on the double ferris wheel. I want to wish everyone a great 10 days at the Du Quoin State Fair!”

“We’re only days away from the state’s Bicentennial, and it’s only fitting that we celebrate this significant event in Illinois’ history as part of the festivities at the Du Quoin State Fair,” said state Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo). “Generations of local residents have fond memories that they have made at the Du Quoin State Fair over the years. Over the next week, I look forward to continuing the long tradition of honoring Illinois agriculture and the contributions our farm families make to our region and our state.”

The Du Quoin State Fair is Southern Illinois’ most popular attraction and has featured many of the nation’s most prominent entertainers since its founding in 1923. New this year is a free admission night on August 24 and the return of the lumberjack show, which features demonstrations and audience participation. Fair events include two days of harness racing, live music, livestock competitions, and more. More information about the state fair can be found here.