Brian Pheasant was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder in the 2016 shooting death of his wife, Beth Pheasant.

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

Some students in Illinois could soon get to use cannabis-based medicines in public schools. 

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

An Illinois House hearing Monday afternoon in Springfield will tackle reinstating the death penalty for cop killers and mass murderers, and other issues that are part of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s latest public safety push.

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

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner announced today Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs IDVA) Director Erica Jeffries will be leaving IDVA after leading the agency for more than threeyears. Jeffries is returning to the private sector where she will serve as an executive in a large multinational, Fortune 100 company. Elisabeth Pennix, the current General Counsel at IDVA and Navy veteran will serve as the interim director of the agency until a permanent director is announced.  

“Director Jeffries has done remarkable work for the veterans of Illinois during her tenure as director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” Rauner said. “She has been a steadfast leader in providing the crucial services our heroes need and deserve. We are deeply grateful for her service, and are confident Elisabeth Pennix will lead the department and serve Illinois’ veterans tremendously until a permanent director is selected.”

Jeffries, who is an Army veteran and former Blackhawk helicopter pilot, says leading the IDVA has been both a rewarding and challenging experience.

“It has been an honor to serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs alongside the outstanding men and women who make up this Agency and in collaboration with our many partners throughout the veteran community,” Jeffries said.  “Our mission at the IDVA is one of the most critical in the state – serving the most deserving population across Illinois – and throughout our nation.  This experience has truly challenged and strengthened my leadership.”

Under Director Jeffries’ leadership, IDVA provided quality skilled nursing care to over 900 aging veterans annually; helped thousands of veterans file claims to obtain benefits and compensation totaling more than $208M; and hosted dozens of workshops and events for women veterans, veteran job-seekers, employers seeking to hire veterans, veteran entrepreneurs, and Gold Star families.

Before serving as General Counsel at IDVA, Pennix served as Senior Program Manager for the Women Veterans Program, Gold Star Family Program, and Illinois Joining Forces.

During her military service, Pennix served seven years on active duty as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the U.S. Navy, and also deployed to Iraq in 2006-2007 where she conducted Geneva Convention legal reviews for Iraqi detainees. Pennix continues to serve part-time as a commander in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps Reserves. 

“I’m honored to continue the work of Director Jeffries and the entire IDVA as we continue to strive to provide the best possible care for Illinois’ veterans today and in the future,” Pennix said.

Pennix is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Chicago-Kent College of Law. She lives in Chicago with her husband, a retired U.S. Army officer and active duty Chicago Police Sergeant, and their children.

Amid calls for his resignation, Randy Dunn said Friday that he has no plans to step down from his role as president of the Southern Illinois University system.

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

Rend Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is now receiving water from the Rend Lake Conservancy District Water Plant.  All water-borne facilities at Rend Lake managed by the Corps of Engineers, such as restrooms and shower houses, are now open.  Please conserve water while the system recharges. The facilities will remain under a “Boil Water Order” until further notice. The total burn ban will remain in effect on all Rend Lake project lands until further notice. All outdoor fires, including campfires and grills, are not allowed until the burn ban is lifted.

The openings include all the restrooms and shower houses in the four Corps managed campgrounds including South Marcum, Gun Creek, North Sandusky, and South Sandusky.   Water and sewer will now be available at the dump stations, full-hookup sites, or hydrants. It is suggested that campers bring drinking water with them until the boil water order is lifted. Portable toilets and hand-washing stations will remain in the areas through the weekend in case of any water fluctuations.  Full fees will be re-instated beginning Friday, May 18, 2018.

All areas, including South Sandusky Day Use/Beach and North Marcum Day Use, planned to open on Friday, May 18, 2018, are now open.  These areas will have restrooms available. It is suggested that visitors bring drinking water with them until the boil water order is lifted.

Meets with officials from impacted communities during stops in Marion, RLCD

MARION, Ill. – Governor Bruce Rauner today issued a disaster proclamation for nine counties impacted by the Rend Lake Conservancy District water main break. The governor announced the proclamation during a visit to the Williamson County Emergency Operations Center in Marion. He also visited the Rend Lake Conservancy District, where district officials updated him on water restoration.

The proclamation ensures state support for affected communities will continue until all water supply issues are resolved. Counties in the proclamation include: Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Saline, Washington, White and Williamson.

“We’re encouraged that water is now flowing through the system,” Gov. Rauner said. “We’ve arranged for several truckloads of water to be delivered to the area today. We will continue to support the local officials in whatever way we can until everyone has good, safe water flowing again.”

“We do want to warn people that because of decreased chemical levels there may be higher than normal levels of bacteria in the water,” Rauner said. “We must flush it out to keep our residents safe. We have had Illinois Emergency Management Agency personnel working on this around the clock, and we will give updates as soon as possible.”

All systems served by the Rend Lake Conservancy District remain on boil orders. Residents are encouraged to watch for notices from local officials and media for when the orders may be lifted. 

Representatives from several state agencies and other response organizations are coordinating support efforts in the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield.

The state has coordinated shipments of bottled water for affected communities from several sources, including:

• Three semi truckloads of water from the Salvation Army
• 22 pallets of water from Ameren
• 3,000 cases of water from Home Depot
• Two semi truckloads of water procured by the state.

The SEOC will remain activated as long as necessary.

Today the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued a memo to affected healthcare facilities offering guidance on steps that can be taken to minimize risk to patients, residents, and staff, while meeting the mandate to provide safe water to building occupants for all required uses. IDPH is offering free voluntary water testing to regulated health care facilities in the area. Bottles are in the process of being personally delivered to each facility where they can collect water after the boil orders are lifted and take it to the IDPH laboratory in Carbondale for testing. The efforts will continue and the lab will remain open throughout the weekend.

SPRINGFIELD – Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti joined IL Dept. of Healthcare & Family Services Director Felicia Norwood today to announce the formation of a new state task force to develop a comprehensive telemedicine strategy for the Medicaid program to help improve access to healthcare for Illinois residents in rural areas.

Co-chaired by Lt. Governor Sanguinetti, Director Norwood, and Medicaid Advisory Committee Chairman Howard Peters III, the Illinois Medicaid Telemedicine Task Force held its inaugural meeting Wednesday and immediately began identifying ways to expand the use of telemedicine in Illinois to assist the state in its goal of integrating physical and behavioral health services. The 18-member task force is comprised of health professionals and advocates from all areas of Illinois.

“Unfortunately, too many residents of our state go without needed access to health services because of where they live,” said Sanguinetti, who also chairs the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council. “The good news is that the use of telemedicine and other forms of virtual care – such as remote monitoring, online care, direct-to-consumer care, and the use of self-management apps – is increasing rapidly in Illinois as the need to solve health care disparities increases. It is our goal to expand telemedicine to deliver better care at a lower cost throughout Illinois.”

Norwood added, “Illinois Medicaid is committed to ensuring that all our members have access to quality healthcare, wherever they live. Through the use of today’s technologies, we are going to help our members connect to care more effectively than ever.”