•March 8, 2023•
Lake Land College enrollment in workforce ready and non-degree programs are up by almost 12% at Lake Land College, following a positive Spring Enrollment Report.
The report also indicates Lake Land College remains the top choice for in-district, college-bound seniors.
Enrollment in short-term certificate programs increased by 26% and enrollment in technical/trade degrees increased by 8.64%. Both of these options prepare students to enter the workforce following completion of the program.
Students enrolled in non-degree courses saw a 3% increase. Read More
High Prices, Gaps in Availability Across Illinois Highlight Patchwork Child Care System
As Pritzker makes $250M pitch for child care investment, data show the obstacles to access across Illinois
•March 8, 2023•
By Andrew Adams
Capitol News Illinois
aadams @ capitolnewsillinois.com
In some Illinois communities, finding child care isn’t just a routine task for families to work through, but a seemingly impossible dream.
In some of those places, costs are too high for middle class families to afford. In others, day cares have had to cut staff, limiting the number of available placements. Some areas, especially rural ones, have just one or two licensed day care centers for a population of hundreds of children.
Gov. JB Pritzker has made child care and early childhood education a priority in this year’s proposed budget. Since introducing his budget on Feb. 15, he has visited child care centers in eight cities to promote his “Smart Start” plan, a program of policies aimed at bolstering the child care workforce and making it more affordable for families.
“It is important to us to make sure that every 3- and 4-year-old in Illinois can go to preschool and have child care available to them,” Pritzker said during the Springfield stop on his multi-city tour. Read More
Daylight Saving Time – “Turn and Test”
•March 8, 2023•
Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 12, and the Red Cross reminds you to turn your clocks forward one hour and test your smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by 50 percent. It is important to “Turn and Test” to help stay safe from home fires – the nation’s most frequent disaster. Read More
DCEO Celebrates Women’s HERstory Month
•March 8, 2023•
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched its annual Women’s HERstory Month campaign — developed to celebrate and support women-owned businesses and future female founders throughout Illinois. As part of the month-long celebration, DCEO is hosting events, launching a social media campaign, and sharing new resources to elevate and promote Illinois’ entrepreneurial women.
“DCEO is committed to uplifting communities who have historically faced barriers to business ownership, and we’re proud to spotlight and support women-owned businesses across our great state during Women’s History Month and beyond,” said Acting DCEO Director Kristin A. Richards. “In order to ensure Illinois remains the best place to live, work and do business, we continue to focus on supporting women as they continue to make progress and break glass ceilings.” Read More
Facts for Families: Illinois Extension FCS Professionals Help Area Residents to “Live Well”
•March 8, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
Health is a lot more than how one looks and feels. Conversations about health should include all eight dimensions or areas of wellness—that is mental, social, emotional, spiritual, financial, occupational, environmental, and intellectual. That’s the focus of Living Well Month, a national event in March promoting overall wellness and the education provided by Family and Consumer Sciences professionals to improve the lives of people, families, and communities.
“The Illinois Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences works through University of Illinois Extension to offer information that will help families achieve a positive, healthy lifestyle,” says Cheri Burcham, Family Life Educator. “Whether you are trying to manage your diabetes through meal planning and exercise, make decisions about health care and insurance, or get tips on effective parenting techniques, Extension FCS has a research-based answer.” Read More
On Behalf of March Being Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month
•March 8, 2023•
by Sarah Hudson Pierce
columnist
In honor of my precious mother, Marcella May Morris-Hudson, I wish to do my part to make the public aware of traumatic brain injuries, along with the Brain Injury Association of America, who has led the way in making the public aware of traumatic brain injuries.
I shall always remember when I first became aware of just how important it is that I share my story of my mother’s tragic accident, when she lapsed into a coma at the age of two, while her parents were living in an underground dugout in Woods County, Oklahoma where their family was in the Land Rush of Oklahoma in 1908. Read More
Lake Land College to Host Broadcast Communication Open House
•March 8, 2023•
The Lake Land College Broadcast Communication department will be hosting an open house Friday, March 24 from 12-2 p.m. The event will take place after Laker Visit Day and a light lunch will be served.
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the college’s student-run FM radio station, WLKL 89.9, The Max Alternative; TV studio and production control room; and view professional audio equipment and state-of-the-art camera and video equipment as well as industry-standard digital editing software.
Registration for the event is now open at lakelandcollege.edu/visit. Read More
Menu 3-8-2023
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
March 13 - Ham and Beans, Copper Carrots, Fruit, Cornbread
March 14 - Chicken Parmesan, Green Beans, Yellow Squash, Romaine Salad, Spaghetti
March 15 - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Zucchini & Tomatoes, Three Bean Salad, Bread
March 16 - Steak Bites over Noodles, Hot Greens, Basil Carrots, Fruit
March 17 - Salmon Burger, Baked Beans, Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad, Fruit Crisp, Bun
A Return to Our Roots
•March 8, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
When Gib Van Dine recommended my next column consider Latin roots, I naturally started humming the entirety of Santana’s “Abraxas” album in my head.
You know you love a record when you remember which song comes next, which kicks off Side 2 and how it ends.
But Gib wasn’t talking about music.
He was talking about common Latin and Greek root words.
I’ll hand the keyboard over to Gib to explain. Read More
Remember When? 3-8-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
Seven Sullivan residents spent the last week of February helping build Habitat houses in Clarksdale, Miss. They were Rev. Glen Stewart, Doug DeLong, Nellie Lehman, Jerry Dycus, Vonnie Johnson and Joe and Joan Pound.
Chris Crawford, an eighth grader at Sullivan Middle School, captured first All-Around as a level 5 competitor at the Champaign County YMCA gymnastics meet. Read More