Illinois lawmakers want to lock in raises for more than 28,000 union members through 2022 at an estimated cost of more than $800 million.

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

The private companies that have stepped in to pay the state’s bills say they aren’t getting promised interest payments on time.

Taxpayers are on the hook for nearly half a billion dollars in interest because of late bills and if it’s not paid, vendors that take on the debt say the liquidity program could collapse.

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

Put down the phone while driving.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police are promoting Distracted Driving Awareness Week in Illinois.

That means drivers will see a lot more police officers out on the roads, looking to make sure that they are paying attention behind the wheel.

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

Gov. Rauner advocates innovative apprenticeship models

NEUSTADT – Gov. Bruce Rauner, in a push for stronger apprenticeship programs in Illinois, met with company leaders, apprentices and students at the BBZ Neustadt am Rübenberge.  The world-renowned vocational school and professional training center located in the Hannover region has been preparing students for the workforce for 150 years.

“I firmly believe that to strengthen Illinois’ economy we need to attract and retain skilled labor,” Rauner said. “In order to do that, we need to invest more in training and invest in our young people. Illinois has the talent and the innovative ideas that if cultivated have the potential to produce great things.”

Nearly half a million Germans enter the workforce through apprenticeship programs each year which many have noted is a major component in the country’s success in the manufacturing industry.

Rauner toured the school and learned about several of their models, including the Smart Factory Concept and strategic automotive innovation, which he hopes to incorporate into Illinois’ growing programs. To coincide with the governor’s meeting, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti visited one of those programs: YouthBuild McLean County, an apprenticeship effort in Normal, IL that provides 85 young people with training in construction, healthcare and information technology.

“Apprenticeship programs like YouthBuild create a supportive environment for students to succeed in Illinois and become leaders,” Sanguinetti said. “It’s a great program that gives young people hands on training while they are giving back to their communities.”

For every four people who leave the trades, due to retirement, health or other reasons, only one new person is supplied by apprenticeship programs to enter the trades. The governor hopes by strengthening our apprenticeship programs we can reduce turnover, improve recruitment and create a pipeline of skilled employees.

Middle skill jobs make up the largest part of Illinois’ labor market. The demand is strong for middle skill jobs and they make up the largest part of Illinois’ labor market. By 2024, 50% of all job openings are expected to be middle-skill jobs. And community college graduates are a key component of a strong competitive workforce.

“I think there is no substitute for the real world experience and hands on application that apprenticeships provide,” said President Terry Wilkerson of Rend Lake College. “This experience reinforces the skill sets provided by the college in the classroom.”

“The relevance of apprenticeships is embodied in the contextualization of the classroom experience in the real world context of working, so what has been the theoretically becomes much more relevant,” said President Kenneth Ender of Harper College.

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s current trip to Germany and Poland could result in economic development for Southern Illinois, the governor said Monday morning.

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

House Speaker Michael Madigan was re-elected Monday to his position as head of Illinois’ Democratic Party, as expected.

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

4-13-18 at 1:48pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on North Thompsonville Road at Carlyle Road.  A 2018 Dodge driven by Dalton W. James age 28 of DuQuoin was south bound and swerved into the north bound lane in traffic.  A north bound 2011 Chevrolet Impala driven by Timothy L. Neal age 27 of Galatia was north bound, was forced off the roadway, striking a mailbox.  There were no injuries and Dalton James was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash.

4-13-18 at 2:04 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash on Il. State Hwy. 148 near the Zeigler-Royalton Schools.  A 2017 Harley Davidson Sportster driven by Alex K. Stewart age 21 of Christopher was north bound on Rt. 148 when the motorcycle went out of control, went down on its side.  Alex Stewart received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S. He was also ticketed for violation of driver’s license classification and for operating an uninsured vehicle.

4-14-18 at 10:18 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Highway Rt. 149 at Antioch Road.  A 2014 Dodge Avenger driven by Collin D. Batts age 23 of West Frankfort was apparently east bound and lost control running off the roadway into a ditch.  The driver had left the scene.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Collin Batts for leaving the scene of a property damage traffic crash, failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and operating an uninsured vehicle.

4-15-18 at 4:12 Deputies responded to a trespassing complaint on private property in rural West Frankfort.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of James D. Muck Jr. age 24 of Marion for criminal trespass to property and Jessica M. McPherson age 24 of Thompsonville for criminal trespass to property and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

4-17-18 at 12:27 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash in rural Sesser.  The incident turned out not to be a crash, but a 1999 Pontiac was located in a ditch at the intersection of Bear Point Road and Evergreen Road.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Robert L. Gibson age 35 of Dowell for driving under the influence of alcohol.

4-18-18 at 11:00 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Benton.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Christina A. Robinson age 48 of Benton for domestic battery.4-19-18 at 3:00 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Zachary M. Baize age 24 of West Frankfort for unlawful display of registration, a class A misdemeanor.

WARRANT ARRESTS

 4-14-18 James A. Besson age 43 of Herrin.  Failure to appear for battery.

4-19-18 Jolene R. Stanley age 42 of West Frankfort.  Unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

4-19-18 Elisha D. Johnson age 37 of Elkville.  Failure to appear on methamphetamine charges.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Don Jones

At $30 a ticket, the Illinois Lottery’s World Class Millions instant game was not only one of its priciest offerings — it was also potentially one of the most lucrative for players

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

Illinois is receiving a $16 million federal grant to fight opioid abuse.

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