•May 13, 2020•
Amanda Clevinger of Windsor graduated from Georgia State University during the spring 2020 semester with a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the university’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Clevinger majored in Psychology with a focus in Cognitive Sciences.
More than 4,000 students graduated from Georgia State in the spring of 2020, and were honored by the university with a virtual celebration on May 6. Spring 2020 graduates have been invited to return to the university to participate in an in-person, formal commencement when it is safe to do so. Read More
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More Illinoisans File First Time Unemployment Claims
Another 3.2 million file claims nationally
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois
jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com
Another 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment during the week ending May 2, including more than 74,476 Illinoisans.
That brought the total number of insured unemployed for the week to 697,443 in Illinois, according to the U.S. Department of Labor estimates, while the total number of jobless claims since mid-March grew to 33.3 million nationwide. The numbers represent roughly 11 percent of Illinois’ civilian labor force and 15 percent of the nation’s workforce.
The numbers continue to grow while states around the country contemplate the best plan for reopening their economies as the novel coronavirus pandemic appears to be in the middle of a plateau.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan, which he says is backed by science and epidemiologists, has faced criticism from Republican lawmakers for moving too slowly to get the state working again.
“Until we have a vaccine or an effective treatment or enough widespread immunity that new cases fail to materialize, the option of returning to normalcy doesn’t exist,” Pritzker said in unveiling the plan Tuesday. “That means we have to learn how to live with COVID-19 until it can be vanquished.” Read More
Grant Aimed to Improve Early Childhood Education
•May 13, 2020•
Knowing that effective, skilled, and diverse early childhood educators are a lynchpin to classroom quality, Gov. JB Pritzker has awarded the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) $1.3 million in grants to strengthen the early childhood workforce. The funding comes from a $13.4 million grant to Illinois from the federal Preschool Development Birth to Five Renewal Grant.
Funds will be used by colleges and universities to help early educators attain a credential or degree. That could mean providing supports such as tailored advising and mentoring, job-embedded coaching, access to technology, transportation, childcare, and supports for course and other administrative and instructional fees. Illinois has a history of institution-led programs of tailored supports for early childhood educators, and evaluations have demonstrated that they can be helpful for current early childhood educators pursuing degrees or credentials to improve their practice. Read More
Lake Land College Increases Dual Credit Program Access
•May 13, 2020•
At the May meeting, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved a new program designed to increase high school students’ opportunities to create a successful path to a college education by increasing access to dual credit courses. The Lake Land College Dual Credit Program Access Incentive, beginning Fall 2020, provides program fee waivers to schools in order to assist in-district high school students who may not be able to afford dual credit coursework.
Dual credit coursework allows high school students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously. This approach lets high school students begin earning college credits earlier, and often encourages them to continue their education at an institution of higher learning after high school. Read More
State E-Check Payment Processor Fee Waived Through August 2, 2020
Renew online now and avoid facility lines later
•May 13, 2020•
In an effort to further encourage online transactions with the Secretary of State’s office at www.cyberdriveillinois.com, Secretary of State Jesse White and Treasurer Michael Frerichs have worked to waive the payment processor fee associated with e-checks through August 2, 2020. White and Frerichs successfully partnered with National Cash Register (NCR) – the Treasurer’s approved payment processor company – to remove the e-check payment processing fee for three months.
This e-check payment processor fee will be waived for the following online services:
· renewing a vehicle registration;
· obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card; and Read More
IHSA Celebrates Year’s End with Social Media Campaign
•May 13, 2020•
The IHSA is embarking on a three-day social media campaign from May 14-16 to celebrate the end of the 2019-20 school year amidst the significant impact COVID-19 has placed on Illinois High School Association teams and students. Despite challenges, COUNTRY Financial, an official corporate sponsor, recognizes the commitments of each school community throughout the entire year and is pleased to assist the IHSA in making sure those efforts do not go unnoticed.
Utilizing the slogan #WeAreInThisTogether, the campaign aims to unify participants statewide via recognition of student-athletes, educators, and the senior class of 2020.
“This is a time of year to celebrate, even among these extraordinary circumstances,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We want to come together as a statewide high school community to let each of these groups know that we recognize their efforts and accomplishments. No matter what happens, we are in this together.” Read More
Health Care Advocates Say Lifting Stay-At-Home Order Would Be ‘Devastating’
•May 13, 2020•
By Rebecca Anzel
Capitol News Illinois
ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com
The novel coronavirus pandemic’s historic impact on Illinois warrants Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, four state health care advocacy organizations argue in a court filing.
That restriction, in place with modifications since March 21, prevented the accelerated spreading of COVID-19, health care facilities from using up stores of personal protective gear, hospitals from running out of beds and the short-staffing of personnel, attorneys for the organizations wrote. Read More
Obituaries 5-13-2020: Kathryn Nisley
Kathryn Nisley
Kathryn V. Nisley, 89, of Glendale, Arizona, formerly of Arthur, died Monday, May 4, 2020, at Providence Place in Glencroft Senior Living.
There was a family funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 12 in the Arthur Mennonite Church with the Rev. Glen Rhodes officiating. Burial followed in the Arthur Cemetery. Shrader Funeral Home in Arthur assisted the family with arrangements. Read More
MCHD Announces More Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
•May 13, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) announces their sixth and seventh confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). The patients are a male and a female in their 70s who are hospitalized. Public health officials are contacting and verifying all close contacts.
To date 116 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 107 tests were negative for coronavirus, and two are still pending. Read More
Lovington Board Purchases Defibrillator for Police
•May 13, 2020•
Lovington Village Board met April 13 with personal space observances in place.
President Roger Walker called the meeting to order with trustees Gary Clem, Dennis Garmon, Al Rennert and Clerk Alma Fair attending.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions trustees Pam Anklam and April Daily attended by conference call.
In the police report trustee Anklam read a letter from Lovington Community Ambulance EMTI and Chairperson Steve Fleming commending officer Martina for starting CPR on a 48 year old prior to ambulance arrival. Read More