•April 12, 2023•
The field of nursing is vast. While providing medical assistance and support to patients is at the heart of any nursing career, the road to becoming a nurse varies.
There are many pathways to becoming a nurse, and each requires a specific amount of education, training and testing. Here’s a deep dive into the various professional degrees associated with nursing, courtesy of NurseJournal.org and Nurse.org.

Certified Nursing Assistant: A certified nursing assistant is how many people first enter the field of nursing. CNAs are not nurses, but they help nurses provide medical care. Becoming a CNA requires completion of a program that can last 12 weeks, a CNA certification exam and state (provincial) licensing. Read More

Some districts could operate for years on money they’ve stashed away
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com

The overall financial health of Illinois school districts has been improving in recent years, according to a recent state report, but a bill moving through the General Assembly seeks to rein in the amount of money some districts are saving.
Senate Bill 1994, which passed unanimously out of the Senate last week and now awaits action in the House, would put a cap on how much money school districts could hold in reserves. Districts that exceed it would be required to file a report with the state.
“They’re kind of like a nonprofit where, you know, money comes in and resources come in, and then it needs to be spent,” the bill’s sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, said during an interview. “Like, yes, you need to have savings. Yes, those are good practices. But you can’t just be sitting on all this cash and then not doing anything with it.” Read More

•April 5, 2023•
The Illinois Department of Transportation is once again asking the public to be on the alert for crews picking up litter and to Think Before You Throw! As part of an ongoing awareness campaign, IDOT is mobilizing litter pickup operations this spring and encouraging you to be part of the solution in keeping roadsides and communities free of unnecessary trash and debris.
“As one of the largest landowners in the state, the Illinois Department of Transportation takes great pride in making sure we are keeping our state as clean and free of clutter as possible, but we need your help,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Excess garbage on highways can be easily avoided. Dispose of garbage properly. Make sure loads are properly secured and covered to keep debris and other trash from winding up on the roads. Litter has consequences: Think before you throw!” Read More

•April 5, 2023•
Lake Land College recognized employees who will be retiring, those who have achieved years of service milestones, faculty award winners and peer-nominated Shine award recipients at an employee recognition event in March.
Lake Land College congratulates the 2023 Lake Land College retirees including Psychology Instructor Lara Bacino-Althaus with 28 years of service, Nursing Instructor Cheryl Beam with 22 years of service, Business Instructor/Program Coordinator Office Professionals –Medical Kathleen Daugherty with 14 years of service, Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor Kay Foreman with 29 years of service, Director of Assessment & Program Review Lisa Madlem with 13 years of service, Agronomy Instructor/Farm Manager Mark Niemerg with 26 years of service, Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Admission Services Jane Plummer with 14 years of service, History Instructor David Seiler with 23 years of service and Technical Training Specialist – CBI Randall Strohl with 19 years of service. Read More