(Springfield, IL) Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has gone out of state to find a new director for Illinois’ prison system. Quinn has tapped Michael Randle as the director at the Illinois Department of Corrections. Randle had been the number two man for Ohio's prison system. The Governor says DOC is one of the state's most "important" agencies, and says he wanted to find the best person for the job. Randle will take over for Blagojevich administration prisons chief Roger Walker. Quinn says he thought it was time "take the department in a new direction." Randle isn't getting into many of the specifics that have plagued Illinois’ prison systems. He says he will have to "review" issues of mandatory overtime for guards, and the issues of overcrowding. Randle says he knows a little bit about the state's needs, but says what he does know gives him some reason for optimism. Randle is only the second minority appointed by Governor Quinn to a top spot in state government. He is the first African American to lead a state agency under the new Governor. Randle now must win confirmation by the Illinois Senate before officially taking over at DOC.

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) has joined House colleagues in expressing concern about the elimination of thousands of Chrysler and General Motor dealerships. The Chrysler announcement was made public Thursday, and 789 dealership agreements in the United States will be terminated within weeks pending approval by the bankruptcy judge. The GM announcements are being kept confidential by the company, as their agreements do not expire until October 2010.

"I have talked to affected Chrysler dealerships in and around my district," Shimkus said. "I know they are concerned for their employees and with the disregard Chrysler is showing them as a business partner. In addition to this letter, I plan to follow-up with another letter of my own that addresses some of the specific concerns relayed to me by the dealerships."

Shimkus is joining in a letter from dozens of Members of the House to the U.S. Department of Transportation, given its role in assisting the domestic auto industry. The letter notes that combined, 150,000 people could be put out of work at a time when the unemployment rate is already high.

The letter reads as follows:


The Honorable Steven Rattner
Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Mr. Rattner:

We are writing to express our serious concerns regarding the demands by the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry for the rapid and potentially disorderly elimination of thousands of Chrysler and General Motors dealerships. This action, if implemented, could put approximately 150,000 people out of work. Since these dealer reductions and its ripple effects would have a serious and adverse impact on the United States, we would like to ask that you revisit the forced closure of thousands of dealerships.

To justify these job losses, the Task Force is apparently relying on a misperception that new car dealers create a cost burden to auto manufacturers. This is not true, as on average, about 90 percent of an automaker’s revenue comes from dealers purchasing the automakers’ vehicles. Far from saving money, a rapid reduction in dealerships would further reduce GM’s and Chrysler’s revenue and market share.

Automobile dealers are one of the largest private sector employers in the United States, providing tens of thousands of local jobs and contributing millions of dollars in tax revenues to states. Auto dealers are anchors in communities throughout the country and many times ownership is passed down from generation to generation. In addition many auto dealerships are minority owned and have traditionally provided strong local community support. Each dealership creates an average of 52 neighborhood jobs and these positions typically pay twice the national average as other retail-sector jobs. Dealers have invested about $233 billion to create an auto sales network that provides a vast distribution and service channel for consumers. In fact, automakers created the franchise dealer network specifically to lower their costs, as they outsource virtually 100 percent of the cost associated with selling and servicing cars.

Last year, over a thousand auto dealers closed their doors for good. Further thinning of the dealer ranks through normal market, dealer-driven consolidation, and other forces is inevitable. The action being proposed has not taken into effect the impact on communities and workers, and without any evidence that massive and immediate dealer reductions are necessary to restore the financial health of GM and Chrysler.

We appreciate the enormity of the mission your Task Force has undertaken to help the auto industry. However, we are concerned the reduction of dealerships, at a time when the national unemployment rate is rising, is unconscionable for the government. We respectfully request that the Auto Task Force provide more transparency and justification on forced dealership closures, so you can revisit this decision and consider the damaging effects on local communities.

Sincerely,

Governor Pat Quinn and the legislature is looking to a few small tax increases to help fund a statewide construction plan.

Ideas for funding a long awaited capital program are firming up, and include raising the tax on some hygiene products, and cigarettes. Quinn says some fees may also go up.

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A tax hike on booze has also been discussed, although that wouldn’t apply to beer. And officials are considering allowing bars and clubs to have video poker machines as a way to raise more money to repair and build roads and schools.

The Illinois Senate passed Rep. Bob Flider’s (D-Mount Zion) legislation Wednesday, which increases penalties for selling or giving a firearm to a convicted felon and institutes a new law that makes the use of a stolen firearm in the commission of crime a felony.

This legislation was proposed by the family of 18 year-old Decatur resident Brandon Read who died in April 2007 as the innocent victim of a drive-by shooting. The individual responsible used a stolen handgun in his slaying. Flider thanks the family of Read for bringing the legislation forward.

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Flider’s HB 1032 passed the House in March by a vote of 113-1 and now has passed the Senate with 56 Senators voting in favor of the bill and 1 voting present. The legislation now moves to the governor’s desk for his approval.

(Taylorville) Earlier today (Friday), General Motors Corp. told a reported 1100 dealerships nationwide that they will be fired by the end of next year due to weak sales numbers. GM declined to reveal which dealers will be eliminated and left it up to franchise owners to report the decision to customers.

Gordon Pontiac GMC and Landmark Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac in Taylorville were apparently not among the list of franchises receiving bad news Friday morning. According to Gordon Salesman Ron Fleming, Gordon did not receive any letter today. And according to Landmark General Manager Joe Antal, Landmark will not be among the GM franchises cut.

The cuts are part of a larger GM plan to drop 2,600, or nearly 42 percent, of its 6,200 dealerships.

Lincoln Land Community College is offering a self-defense class designed specifically for women in Taylorville. RAD (Rape, Aggression, Defense) will be held Wednesdays beginning July 8th from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Taylorville Fire Station Community Room at the Taylorville Fire House.

The cost of the 12-hour course, which is taught by RAD-certified instructors, is $25 per person and includes the RAD workbook/reference manual. The manual outlines the entire physical defense program for reference and continuous personal growth. Lifetime re-training is free. Previous participants are welcome to attend RAD courses at no cost.

As Marianne Klein of LLCC’s Capital City Training Center explains, the first part of the program deals with the philosophy behind being prepared to defend yourself.

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From there, women will be taught hands on techniques and get to practice them with classmates and trained professionals.

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Klein says the class is as much about training as it is about bonding, so she advises anyone wishing to attend to bring a friend along.

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Registrations are being accepted now. Due to limited class size, pre-registration is required for all students, new and returning. To register, please call the LLCC Capital City Training Center at 217.557.7290. For more information regarding RAD, please contact Marianne Klein at 217.524.0442 or marianne.klein@llcc.edu.

May is Osteoporosis awareness and prevention month, which means it’s a good time to learn more about a disease that affects about 10 million Americans. Joyce Fikri with the St. Louis District Dairy Council, explains some of the symptoms associated with the condition, and what can be done to prevent it.

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Fikri says there are several factors to consider when determining if someone is at-risk for developing osteoporosis.

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While Osteoporosis generally affects older people, Fikri says what you do in your youth could affect your risk factor for the disease later in life.

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In addition to Calcium, Fikri says Vitamin D also plays a crucial role in bone health. She adds that one of the first signs of osteoporosis is a loss of height and slumping posture.

Governor pat Quinn says he doesn’t want attempts to fumigate Illinois government to disrupt the work of the state.
House speaker mike Madigan has proposed doing away with about three thousand state workers…who were appointed by either former Governor George Ryan or Rod Blagojevich. But Governor Quinn says the plan is too broad, and that there are plenty of good people working in state government.

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Governor Quinn’s office is working with the speaker’s staff to scale back the firing plan. He says they should start by looking closely at the people appointed to state boards and commissions.

Some Illinois lawmakers are looking to increase the tax on alcohol to help pay for substance abuse prevention and treatment services.
The tax hike comes out to about a nickel a drink. Representative Dave Winters of Rockford says it’s expected to raise more than 250 million dollars in new revenue for the state, that would be put towards a specific cause.

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Supporters say this tax hike would also help reduce the number of underage drinkers.

High school athletes would be randomly tested for steroids under a bill sent to the governor’s desk this week.

Currently, student athletes are randomly tested for performance enhancing drugs at i-h-s-a championship games. The legislation…sponsored by senator Susan Garrett of Highwood, expands that testing to include the whole season. Garrett says students will have to comply if they want to play.

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At least one thousand students would be tested each year…and coaches will have to complete an educational program on the dangers of steroid use. The bill still needs to be signed into law by the governor.

(Taylorville) A prominent car dealership in Taylorville is on the list of dealerships that will be forced to pull their Chrysler brand as part of the company’s restructuring plan. Bob Ridings dealership in Taylorville is among the 789 dealerships that will stop selling Chrysler’s as part of the company’s restructuring plan following their filing for bankruptcy last month. Ridings Ford in Taylorville, which operates from the same location, will remain open. In addition, the Bob Ridings Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership in Pana will remain open, while the Ridings dealerships in Jacksonville and Decatur will pull the Chryslers off the lot. Following the announcement from Chrysler this morning, Bob Ridings says it did not come as a big surprise to him.

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Ridings says Chrysler only made up about 15 % of total sales in the Taylorville location, and does not expect any layoffs at the dealership. However, he says there may be a few jobs lost at his Jacksonville store.

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Ridings says there is an appeals process, but he is not optimistic that Chrysler will reverse the decisions to cut Chrysler out of any of his locations. He says he expects the Chryslers sales to cease sometime in mid- June.

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The closure of 789 dealerships represents about 25 percent of Chrysler Dealerships currently operating, but reportedly only about 14 percent of sales. In Total 41 Dealership in Illinois will be forced to stop selling its Chrysler brand.

(Taylorville)As they make their bids to be elected to serve the people of Christian County, several Candidates vying to become the next Christian County Sheriff will be on hand at a fundraising dinner this weekend… serving the people. The American Legion Auxiliary in Taylorville is hosting a Spaghetti supper this Saturday to raise money for disabled veterans. Four candidates vying for the post will volunteer as guest serves at the supper. Auxiliary President Holly Beard says the event is a good way for the community to meet the candidates, while raising money for a good cause.
The event is being held in conjunction with Armed Forces Day, a day designated to honor all branches of the military. Beard says the proceeds will go to benefit the VA Hospital in Danville and the Quincy VA Home.
The Spaghetti supper run from 4-7 pm this Saturday at the American Legion Auxiliary located at 110 west Franklin in Taylorville. Candidates for Christian County Sheriff include Morrisonville Police Chief Don Broaddus, Christian County Chief Deputy Dave Mahan, Deputies Gary Slovic, Thomas Strawn Mike Moliske and Retired Illinois State Police Sargeant Bruce Kettelkamp.

Attorney general Lisa Madigan says craigslist is dropping it’s erotic services section.
Craigslist is a free online ad service…with postings for everything from cars to toys. Attorney general Madigan says there is also a section for erotic ads.
For the first time, Craigslist has agreed to review every such ad before it’s posted in a new adult section. Existing erotic ads will expire in seven days.

Lawmakers are doing a little more fine-tuning to a bill banning text messaging while driving.
Supporters, like Senator Dave Syverson of Rockford and Dale Righter of Mattoon say the bill needs a little more clarification about exactly when a driver is in violation of the law.
Sponsors of the legislation say they will work to better clarify the law. The bill does not ban drivers from talking on cell phones…or using a g-p-s system.

If area business have a high number of people ‘calling in sick’ next Friday, you may find them at the third annual Christian County YMCA golf outing. The event will be held at the Lake Shore Golf Course in Taylorville. Christian County ‘Y’ Executive Director B.J. Wilken says there is still time for people to sign up to tee it up with some of the area’s finest linksmen.
In addition to a round of golf, Wilken says the sign up fee of 85 dollars includes lunch and prizes.
Wilken says the golf outing is one of the primary fundraisers to help support programs offered by the ‘Y.’
People interested in participating in the event can sign up by calling the Chrisitan County YMCA at 287-7271. People can sign up as part of a group or individually for the event.

The Regional Radio listening area was hit this morning with heavy rains and hail, and more is expected throughout the day. Lyle Barker with the National Weather Service in Lincoln says this morning’s rain was the first of three rounds of severe weather that could produce large hail, high winds and a possible tornado.
A flood advisory is currently in effect in effect for part of Christian County, will several inches of rain accumulation possible by the time the line of storms passes through the area.
In addition to Christian County, Flood Advisories are in effect for Sangamon, Macon, Piatt, and Logan counties in Central Illinois.

(Taylorville) The Taylorville Chamber of Commerce boardroom was the site Tuesday afternoon for a ‘meet and greet’ with officials from the Taylorville Energy Center project. Representatives were in attendance from Tenaska, the Nebraska based Power Company in charge of the project, and Kiewit and Burns and McDonnell, the companies conducting the FEED and cost feasibility studies. Tenaska representative Daniel Culver addressed questions about the Taylorville Energy Center. Culver made it clear that a bevy of positives will come out of the clean coal power plant, including industrial grade sulfur.

The Taylorville Energy Center will only draw upon Illinois for its coal supply. Culver did state however, that the power plant would run on natural gas, not coal.

Also at the ‘meet and greet’ Culver said that the plant would ultimately produce more substitute natural gas then needed, and as a result the amount not consumed by the plant would go into the natural gas pipeline.

Culver also added that Ameren and ComEd have agreed to buy at least 5% of their power from the plant for 30 years, in order to pay off the project’s debts. When its all said and done, If the FEED and cost feasibility studies are accepted by state legislators, then the 3.5 billion dollar clean coal project will finally get the green light.

The Taylorville School District has donated a portion of their Mt. Auburn property back to the village of Mt. Auburn. The Mount Auburn elementary school is set to close along with West Elementary in Taylorville at the completion of this school year. The Taylorville School board okayed the decision to donate the land during this week's board meeting.Taylorville Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau says the property’s Ag plots will still remain with the school district.
The next Taylorville school board meeting is slated for June 8th.

(Taylorville) The Taylorville Kiwanis Club held their 19th annual Prayer Luncheon as their weekly meeting Tuesday at Taylorville Memorial Hospital Auditorium.

The club gave its annual “Outstanding Spiritual Leader in the Community” award to Cathy Coker, executive director of the Loving Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center in Taylorville. Kiwanis member Randy Miller, also a member of the Loving Arms board, nominated Coker for taking the center to new heights in ministering to those considering aborting their baby, as well as helping them after their baby has been born. Coker received the award from Kiwanis Club Spiritual Values Committee chair Reverend Dick Wamsley, who also planned Tuesday’s event.

Taylorville mayor Greg Brotherton presented the Kiwanis Club with an Official Proclaimation designating this week as “Kiwanis Prayer Week”.

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Guest speaker for the prayer luncheon was Tim Lawrence, a psychologist at the Taylorville Correctional Center and also has a private practice in Taylorville. Lawrence, who is very involved in his church as well, told Kiwanis members and guests to be intentional about the influences they have over family, friends and business associates in the community. Lawrence shared how God directed his life as a child as well as an adult.

The president of the Taylorville Ministerial Association, the Reverend Steve Robinson, gave the closing benediction.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at Taylorville Memorial Hospital Auditorium.

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That’s Jim Deere of the Pana Chamber of Commerce, describing the 2009 Pana Days, set to kick of Friday night in Downtown Pana. The annual Pana Days, a tradition more than 50 years in the making, will feature rides, live entertainment, games, a flea market, displays, demos and good eats. Deere says even if you’ve been the the festival before, it is worth checking out again.

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Before ‘Pana Days’ even gets started, folks will have a chance for a sneak preview of the festivities Thursday night with the ‘Pana Block Party,’ which will run from 5:30-10:00.

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Pana Days will also feature the Baby, Little Miss and Mr. Contests. Babies will assemble at the Main Stage, to be located on the corner of Third and Locust Streets at 8:45 a.m. and the Contest will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Single Entry forms for the 2009 Little Baby Chili Pepper, Little Miss, and Mr. Chili Pepper Contest are now available at the Pana McDonalds, Prairie Rose Health Care, Pana News and Pana Qik N Ez. Little girls and boys from 3 to 6 years of age are invited to enter the 2009 Pana Days Baby, Little Miss Chili Pepper and Little Mr. Chili Pepper Contests. The entry fee will be $5.00 payable to the Pana Chamber of Commerce.

(Taylorville) Just three days left until local growers will put their products on display for folks around Christian county to enjoy. This Saturday is the Taylorville Farmer’s Market preview day, the first in a series of weekly farmers markets to be held on the Taylorville Square every Saturday through October. Christian County Ag Literacy Coordinator Ann Lupton, who teaches area kids about the importance of agriculture in our community, says much of the produce is picked just hours before it’s sold.

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In addition to produce, Lupton says you may also find some of the finest meats grown in the area at the Taylorville Farmers markets.

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The farmers markets will run from 9am until 1pm each Saturday rain or shine. In addition to locally grown food, arts and craft vendors will be set up, and live entertainment is scheduled for some days as well.

(Taylorville) Jim Novar is the new head coach of the Taylorville boy’s varsity basketball team. The Taylorville school board unanimously approved the recommendation to name Novar as Brent Bond’s replacement during last night’s (Monday) monthly Board of Education meeting. Novar, who coached the sophomore boys team last season, is excited for the challenge.

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Novar says his coaching style features some differences from former head coach Brent Bond’s, including a faster paced offensive style.

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When asked what his coaching staff will look like, Novar says he needs to meet with Athletic Director Paul Held to discuss open positions.

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Novar has a total of 9 years head coaching experience; he coached girl’s varsity for 7 years, and boys for 2, at Athens High School in Michigan. Dating back to December of 2006, the Tornadoes have dropped 39 straight conference (Central State Eight) games.

To help ensure an adequate blood supply for local hospitals, a blood drive is scheduled to be held at the Assumption Fire House next Wednesday May 20th. Jessica Becker of the Central Illinois Community Blood Center will take sign ups 1-866-GIVE-BLD, but she says walk ins are also welcome.

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As this years Springfield Clinic High School Blood Challenge wraps up, the next challenge begins. Blood Donated at the upcoming Assumption drive can be credited toward the High School of your choice. The high school that wins the challenge will receive a $1,000 college scholarship from Springfield Clinic to award to a graduating senior who plans on furthering their education.

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Becker says due to a higher accident rate, blood donations are in higher demand during the summer months.

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The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is a not-for-profit organization that provides blood to 19 area hospitals. Blood collected at these drives is intended for local hospitals. For more information about blood drives, blood facts, blood types please check out the web site at www.cicbc.org.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois awarded Trinity Lutheran Church’s ChildCarePlus Daycare in Taylorville a $6000 grant this month to upgrade their kitchen and playground. ChildCarePlus Director Heather Barto said the grant will be used to purchase a new commercial range/oven which will improve the quality and efficiency when serving over 70 meals and snacks each day. In addition, the playground will be expanded with new protective ground cover.

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Local McDonald store owners, Marty and Donna Davis recommended the grant based on how the improvements could better serve the young children attending the daycare. Barto says she is grateful that ChildCarePlus was selected.

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Barto says work on the upgrades is expected to begin within 90 days.
ChildCarePlus is a DCFS licensed daycare serving children ages 6 weeks through 4 years, in addition to offering an after school program for school age children. It is located at 1010 N Webster and is a ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Bicycle safety is the focus of a jamboree scheduled for this weekend at the Christian County YMCA. The ‘Y’ is teaming up with the Stonington based Monsanto Grain Company to put on the first ever Bike inspection jamboree Saturday from 9am until 11:30. Volunteers will be on hand to inspect bikes for area children in Kindergarten through fifth grade. In addition, local emergency service personnel will perform demonstration of their equipment for the kids. Monsanto’s Bill Cope says safety is a top priority for the company, not only on the job but also within the community.

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Cope explains some of the things that volunteers will look for when inspecting the bikes.

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The jamboree is free to attend and no registration is necessary. In addition to the bike safety checks, a drawing will be held to award a new bike to one boy and one girl as well as other prize giveaways.

An Assumption man was hospitalized after a crash in Taylorville Friday afternoon. According to Taylorville Police, 84 year old Emmett Hamm of Edinburg was turning from McAdam Drive onto Park street when he struck a car driven by 50 year old Jeffrey D. Kearney of Assumption. Kearney was taken to Taylorville Memorial Hospital for treatment, and Hamm was issued a citation for failure to yield at an intersection.

Christian County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a burglary that occurred at a Christian County Tavern. According to a report from the Sheriff's department, someone entered through the back door of the Sangchris Tavern in South Fork Township sometime between May 1st and May 8th, and stole two slot machines and various other items. The items were reported missing Friday, there are currently no suspects in the case.

As construction season gets into full swing, the Illinois state police are reminding drivers to slow down near work zones.
Work zone deaths are down in Illinois, and state police lieutenant Dave Nanninga wants to keep it that way. He says drivers should have plenty of warning that a construction area is coming up.

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The fine for speeding in a work zone is 375 dollars for first time offenders. If a driver is busted a second time, they will lose their license for 90 days and have to pay a one thousand dollar fine.

(Kincaid) The Kincaid lake is closed for fishing, camping and all other recreational activities until further notice, due to an apparent environmental issue affecting the lake. Kincaid Mayor Doug Thomas says the Environmental Protection Agency was notified Sunday when fish started turning up dead on the north end of the lake. The EPA is currently conducting tests on the water, and Thomas says he hopes to have the lake re-opened by the end of the week.

Soaked fields continue to frustrate farmers throughout central Illinois. As a result of inconsistent weather patterns, farmers are struggling to make any planting progress. Christian County Farm Bureau Manager Eric Johnson says in most cases farmers have struggled specifically with corn.

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Johnson says inconsistent weather conditions like these can take a mental toll on anxious farmers.

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Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana are among three of the top 5 corn producing states in the Midwest. According to Johnson, the three states currently aren’t even over 5% planted. Despite the sluggish start, Johnson says last year’s turnaround provides a glimmer of hope that 2009 could still turn out successful.

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If the slow start continues on through the summer, corn prices could possibly shift up. Johnson says there are currently a large number of ‘hanging chads’, and farmers can do nothing more then be patient.

Shriners Hospitals for Children could be the latest organization to feel the effects of the recent economic downturn. A large trust fund established years ago, and numerous contributions from the private sector, have allowed Shriners to offer children medical treatment free of charge since 1922. However, as a result of the challenging economic climate, Christian County Shrine Club member Danny Coker says the organization is considering closing up to 6 of its 22 hospitals this summer.

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Shriners operates at a budget of roughly 800 million dollars per year. In order to help maintain the budget, Coker says Shriners may explore the option of taking ‘third party pay’.

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No matter what happens, Coker adds that the Christian County Shrine Club will continue to remain active in the local community.

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According to Coker, the Shriners Hospitals in St. Louis and Chicago are in no danger of closing down. For more information about Shriners visit their website shrinershospitals.org.

Two local fire departments will be better able to serve and protect their communities with new funding made available through legislation sponsored by state Rep. Bob Flider (D-Mt. Zion).

The Illinois State Fire Marshal and the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director recently issued nearly $12 million in no interest loans to emergency responders across the state. Flider says nearly a half million dollars will go towards fire protection districts in Moultrie County, including Sullivan and Lovington.

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The Fire Truck Revolving Loan Fund provides interest free loans of up to $250,000 to a fire department or fire protection district – including township fire districts - for the purchase of new fire trucks. The loan can be paid back over a 20-year period.

This year, Flider also supported legislation (HB 38), which would establish a revolving loan program to allow departments to construct or rehabilitate a fire station. The bill is currently in the Senate awaiting further consideration.

(Taylorville) It’s almost that time of the month again- The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce holds their monthly ‘Business After Hours’ networking program in less then 10 days. This month’s program takes place at Bailey’s Pub on Wednesday May 20th . Chamber CEO Fred Ronnow says all attendees are guaranteed to have a good time.

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The event will run from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. For more information call the Chamber offices at 824 4919

The Chamber’s April numbers are in, and read as follows: 192 phone calls, 154 requests for information, and 56 people came through the front door.

(Morrisonville) The Kitchell Memorial Library in Morrisonville is putting its entire collection online. Kitchell Memorial recently secured the ‘2008-2009 library services and technology’ grant, which will allow people access to library materials with the click of a mouse. President of the Kitchell Memorial Library Board, Beth Fuchs says the transition will open Kitchell’s doors to over 140 other counties.

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Ultimately, as result of the technology grant, Fuchs says Kitchell’s database will expand from thousands to millions.

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Fuchs says the library should have all its materials online by this fall.

(Minonk, IL) One teenager is dead and some others were hospitalized, following a two-vehicle crash in LaSalle County, near Rutland, Thursday afternoon. Authorities say a pickup truck was traveling east when it was struck by a southbound car, causing the truck to roll several times. The driver of the truck was then taken to St. James Medical Center in Pontiac and was pronounced dead. An autopsy has been ordered and the LaSalle County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate. The dead teen is now being remembered at their high school. Counselors and ministers were on hand at Fieldcrest High School Friday to help students cope with the death of a classmate. Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn Park was killed and five others were hospitalized following the Thursday crash. Three of the others who are hospitalized also attend Fieldcrest High. Two others are grade school students in Fieldcrest. The other driver, 17-year-old Brianna Palmore, was released from the hospital. She was charged with failure to yield at a stop sign.

(Springfield) Lincoln Land Community College in Taylorville will soon add five new members to its advisory committee. The announcement came at a recent meeting of the advisory committee. The committee advises LLCC administration on matters related to the planning, marketing, implementation and expansion of programs at the Taylorville location.

The new members include Jim Hahn, CEO, Palmer Bank; Lynda Irvin, Superintendent, Edinburg School District; Amy Stolte, LLCC adjunct faculty, computer applications; Mike Brotherton, owner, Kreigers; and Toni Marucco, LLCC professor, computer applications.

Also at the meeting, LLCC Trustee Dan Austin (now retired from the Board of Trustees) updated the committee on the project to construct a new classroom facility at the Taylorville site, which he reported is on schedule. The Eastern Region Student Advisory Council (ERSAC) provided details of spring activities including fundraising and planning for a fall community concert. Marcy Durbin, registration services representative, informed the group about expanded community learning offerings in Taylorville including American Sign Language, Poetry and On the Air – Radio Broadcasting.

The committee also discussed community workforce needs and LLCC training programs to fit those needs.

(Springfield) Governor Pat Quinn signed a law Friday to help people who have defaulted on their student loans.

The new law will assist more than three thousand people clear their credit record of their overdue loans. Student Assistance Commission executive director Andrew Davis says essentially, the state will buy their loans, and expedite repayment.

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Once it’s repaid, the borrower’s credit history is cleared.