Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a campaign speech Thursday that the two-and-a-half year budget impasse was a fight for reforms. His opponents have called it a failure

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

Illinois’ constitution says lawmakers can’t be arrested on their way to and from Springfield and state law also protects lawyers, judges and others going to and from court.

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

CHICAGO — Administrators at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign have raised the idea of adopting a mascot to ease the continuing turmoil over Chief Illiniwek, the school’s officially banned but still omnipresent symbol.

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A humbled Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, one of the most endangered state executives in the country, promised Thursday to be less confrontational and more understanding of his political opponents’ views if voters give him a second chance in the November election.

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

CARBONDALE — With just hours left to sign up Wednesday, local politicians lent a hand to help Southern Illinois University Carbondale boost attendance at its inaugural campus-wide open house.

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

FY 2019 Budget approved

The board adopted the FY 2019 budget as presented at the August 7, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting. The budget was presented in tentative form at the August meeting. A public hearing was held at 6 p.m. prior to the regular board meeting this evening, September 11, 2018.

Board adopts 2018 tax levy

The board adopted the 2018 tax levy (payable 2019). The corporate and special purposes levy went from $3,547,797 in 2017 to $3,692,953 in 2018, an increase of 4.09 percent. The debt service levy went from $3,117,676 in 2017 to $3,180,426 in 2018, an increase of 2.01 percent. Because the corporate and special purposes levy is not greater than 105 percent of last year’s levy, no Truth in Taxation hearing is required.

Maxwell appointed as TRIO Director

The board appointed Christy Rose Maxwell as TRIO Program Director, effective October 4, 2018. Maxwell has an MBA from Missouri State University and has recently served as the Talent Search Outreach Specialist at Three Rivers Community College.

Nursing Program hires two instructors

The board approved two instructor positions in the Nursing program:

• Crystal Mulvaney, effective October 16, 2018. Mulvaney has nine years of nursing experience as well as some adjunct faculty experience. She has a BSN (Bachelor of Science Nursing) with MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Educator degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing. She was recently employed at SSM Healthcare.
• Tracy Smith, effective October 16, 2018. Smith has 13 years of nursing experience as well as some adjunct faculty experience. She has a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) from McKendree University and was recently employed at Union County Hospital.

Accreditation update

The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for a comprehensive evaluation visit by the HLC Sept. 24-25, 2018. The college submitted its assurance argument on Aug. 23; this is the document which lays out the college’s evidence that it meets HLC’s five criteria for accreditation. During the visit by the peer review team later this month, the reviewers will meet with various college constituencies and begin developing their own report and recommendations.

In other business, the board …

• Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.
• Approved the minutes of the August 7, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting.
• Adopted a resolution appointing President Terry Wilkerson and Vice President of Finance Angie Kistner as representatives of the RLC Board Secretary to accept candidate’s nominating petitions for the April 2019 election.
• Approved new curriculum for an Industrial Maintenance course and requests to develop online and hybrid courses in Botany, Chemistry, and Computer Science. The board also authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
• Approved permission to create RLC Board Policy & Procedure 2.1300 – Informal Complaints (first reading).
• Approved revisions to Board Policy 3.1530 – Holidays (first reading).
• Approved revisions to Board Policy & Procedure 3.1115 – Stipends.
• Approved a resolution to support the Franklin County I-57 Enterprise Zone.
• Approved Protection, Health, and Safety Projects (PHS Levy) for FY20.
• Approved permission to advertise for bids and award for replacement of three air handler unites in the Advanced Technology Center.
• Approved permission to advertise for bids and award for replacement of five smoke vents on the Learning Resource Center rooftop.
• Ratified the registration of a nursing instructor, effective Sept. 21.

Mark your calendars …

• Fun Fest, Noon – 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, Ina campus.
• Thirty-eighth Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Golf Outing, noon shotgun start, Thursday, Sept. 13, Rend Lake Golf Course, Whittington.
• Illinois Regional College Fair, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, Waugh Gymnasium.
• HLC On-Site Visit, Monday, Sept. 24 – Tuesday, Sept. 25, RLC Campuses.
• Faculty / Staff Fall In-Service, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, RLC Theatre.
• RLC Foundation Scholarship Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, Benton Civic Center.
• Criminal Justice Roundup, 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, Private Dining Area, Student Center.
• Fall Play “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 – Saturday, Nov. 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, RLC Theatre.
• Fall Concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, RLC Theatre.
• Glo Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, the Rec.
• Spoken Word & Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, King City Books, Mt. Vernon.
• RLC Foundation Annual Dinner, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, Doubletree Hotel, Mt. Vernon

On September 12, 2018 at approximately 2a.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of South Jones Street in reference to a domestic dispute. Upon investigating, police arrested Robert L. Swanson, age 36, of Benton for domestic battery. Swanson was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 10, 2018 at approximately 3 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 500 block of Burkett Street in reference to a theft from motor vehicle. Upon investigating, police detained a male juvenile for burglary and possession of firearm ammunition without a firearm owner’s identification card. The juvenile was transported to the Franklin County Detention Center.

On September 10, 2018 at approximately 9p.m., Benton Police arrested Kenneth A. Miner, age 51, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear. Miner was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 10, at approximately 12:25 a.m. Benton Police arrested Paulie J. Potts, age 36, of Benton for a retail theft that took place at Huck’s Convenience Store located at 1200 N. Main Street. Potts was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 8, 2018 at approximately 10:30 p.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the area of Blake and McLeansboro Street in reference to a reckless driver. Upon investigating, police arrested Dennis A. Parker, age 47, of West Frankfort for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. Parker was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 8, 2018 at approximately 9:30 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 700 block of Election Street in reference to domestic disturbance. Upon investigating, police arrested Jeremy M. Toth, age 30 of Benton for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Toth was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 7, 2018 at approximately 2:30 a.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the intersection of Bailey Lane and Industrial Park Road in reference to a suspicious male. Upon investigating, police arrested Michael T. Braden, age 32, of Benton for aggravated battery and resisting a peace officer. Braden was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 6, 2018 at approximately 7:40 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of East Lawrence Street in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon investigating, police arrested Terry L. Norris, age 56, of Benton for domestic battery.
Norris was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 4, 2018 at approximately 3:35 p.m. Benton Police were dispatched to Dollar General located at 1642 North Main Street in reference to a retail theft complaint. Upon investigating, police arrested Phillip R. Gower, age 38, of Benton for retail theft.
Gower was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 4th, 2018 at approximately 9:30 a.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of North Main and Reed Street.
Upon investigating, police arrested Monica J. Kelso, age 28, of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended.
Kelso was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 3, at approximately 9:45 p.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the Franklin County Housing located at 607 Dial Street in reference to a criminal trespass complaint. Upon investigating, police arrested Danny J. Smith, age 47, of West Frankfort for criminal trespass to state supported land. Smith was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 2, at approximately 1:20a.m., Benton Police were dispatched to City Limits Bar, located at 1307 East Main Street in reference to a fight in progress. Upon investigating, police arrested two suspects identified as Alec J. Patrick, age 26, of Marion and Austin L. White, age 26, of Herrin both were charged with aggravated battery and mob action. Police also arrested Marynell Smith, age 29, of Macedonia for obstructing a peace officer. Patrick, White, and Smith were charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 2, 2018, at approximately 11:45 p.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop on Wastena St. Upon investigating police arrested Jarret A. Cash, age 36, of Desoto for driving while license suspended. Cash was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 2, 2018 at approximately 9:35 p.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of West Webster and South Main Street. Upon investigating, police arrested Zachery M. Beaumont, age 23, of Benton for unlawful possession of cannabis. Beaumont was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 1, at approximately 9:25 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 200 block of South Main Street in reference to a suspicious person. Upon investigating, police arrested Jason S. Northrop, age 36, of Centralia for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Police also arrested Crystal L. Sutton, age 27, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.
Both Northrop and Sutton were transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 31, 2018 at approximately 9:50p.m., Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Route 37 and Minier Road.
Upon investigating, police arrested Jamie J. Pepple, age 39, of Bradenton, IL for driving while license suspended.
Pepple was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 30, 2018 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of Virginia Street in reference to a criminal trespass complaint. Upon investigating, police arrested Jennifer R. Shelton, age 29, of West City for criminal trespass to real property. Shelton was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On August 29, 2018 , at approximately 4p.m., Benton Police were dispatched to County Seat Antique Mall located at 303 Public Square in reference to a theft complaint. Upon investigating, police arrested Aaron M. Stanley, age 29, of Orient for retail theft.
Stanley was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

FY 2019 Budget approved

The board adopted the FY 2019 budget as presented at the August 7, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting. The budget was presented in tentative form at the August meeting. A public hearing was held at 6 p.m. prior to the regular board meeting this evening, September 11, 2018.

Board adopts 2018 tax levy

The board adopted the 2018 tax levy (payable 2019). The corporate and special purposes levy went from $3,547,797 in 2017 to $3,692,953 in 2018, an increase of 4.09 percent. The debt service levy went from $3,117,676 in 2017 to $3,180,426 in 2018, an increase of 2.01 percent. Because the corporate and special purposes levy is not greater than 105 percent of last year’s levy, no Truth in Taxation hearing is required.

Maxwell appointed as TRIO Director

The board appointed Christy Rose Maxwell as TRIO Program Director, effective October 4, 2018. Maxwell has an MBA from Missouri State University and has recently served as the Talent Search Outreach Specialist at Three Rivers Community College.

Nursing Program hires two instructors

The board approved two instructor positions in the Nursing program:

• Crystal Mulvaney, effective October 16, 2018. Mulvaney has nine years of nursing experience as well as some adjunct faculty experience. She has a BSN (Bachelor of Science Nursing) with MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Educator degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing. She was recently employed at SSM Healthcare.
• Tracy Smith, effective October 16, 2018. Smith has 13 years of nursing experience as well as some adjunct faculty experience. She has a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) from McKendree University and was recently employed at Union County Hospital.

Accreditation update

The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for a comprehensive evaluation visit by the HLC Sept. 24-25, 2018. The college submitted its assurance argument on Aug. 23; this is the document which lays out the college’s evidence that it meets HLC’s five criteria for accreditation. During the visit by the peer review team later this month, the reviewers will meet with various college constituencies and begin developing their own report and recommendations.

In other business, the board …

• Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.
• Approved the minutes of the August 7, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting.
• Adopted a resolution appointing President Terry Wilkerson and Vice President of Finance Angie Kistner as representatives of the RLC Board Secretary to accept candidate’s nominating petitions for the April 2019 election.
• Approved new curriculum for an Industrial Maintenance course and requests to develop online and hybrid courses in Botany, Chemistry, and Computer Science. The board also authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
• Approved permission to create RLC Board Policy & Procedure 2.1300 – Informal Complaints (first reading).
• Approved revisions to Board Policy 3.1530 – Holidays (first reading).
• Approved revisions to Board Policy & Procedure 3.1115 – Stipends.
• Approved a resolution to support the Franklin County I-57 Enterprise Zone.
• Approved Protection, Health, and Safety Projects (PHS Levy) for FY20.
• Approved permission to advertise for bids and award for replacement of three air handler unites in the Advanced Technology Center.
• Approved permission to advertise for bids and award for replacement of five smoke vents on the Learning Resource Center rooftop.
• Ratified the registration of a nursing instructor, effective Sept. 21.

Mark your calendars …

• Fun Fest, Noon – 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, Ina campus.
• Thirty-eighth Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Golf Outing, noon shotgun start, Thursday, Sept. 13, Rend Lake Golf Course, Whittington.
• Illinois Regional College Fair, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, Waugh Gymnasium.
• HLC On-Site Visit, Monday, Sept. 24 – Tuesday, Sept. 25, RLC Campuses.
• Faculty / Staff Fall In-Service, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, RLC Theatre.
• RLC Foundation Scholarship Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, Benton Civic Center.
• Criminal Justice Roundup, 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, Private Dining Area, Student Center.
• Fall Play “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 – Saturday, Nov. 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, RLC Theatre.
• Fall Concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, RLC Theatre.
• Glo Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, the Rec.
• Spoken Word & Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, King City Books, Mt. Vernon.
• RLC Foundation Annual Dinner, 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, Doubletree Hotel, Mt. Vernon.

Rural parts of Illinois could finally get high-speed internet thanks to new federal grants.

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

CARBONDALE — Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and Republican-elected officials held a news conference Tuesday at the Carbondale Civic Center to explain why they believe a progressive tax, as proposed by gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker, is a bad idea.

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