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Memorial Hospital Earns Three-Year Full Accreditation from The Joint Commission

 

Memorial Hospital Earns Three-Year Full Accreditation from The Joint

Commission

IL—Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that it has been awarded full
accreditation for another three years by The Joint Commission. This accreditation highlights Memorial Hospital's commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services that prioritize patient and family safety, quality, and care.


The Joint Commission is a nationally recognized organization that evaluates and accredits healthcare organizations. The Joint Commission's role is to seek to improve health care for the public by evaluating healthcare organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.


The Joint Commission is a accreditation process thoroughly assesses various aspects of healthcare delivery, including clinical practices, patient outcomes, infection control measures, and compliance with industry standards and regulations. It also includes evaluations of staff qualifications, training programs, and patient engagement initiatives.


Memorial Hospital's accreditation status from The Joint Commission is a testament to its loyalty to best practices, evidence-based care, and ongoing quality improvement efforts. Patients and their families can trust that they receive care from a healthcare organization that meets or exceeds national standards for excellence.
"The effort that is given to ensure our patients receive safe and quality care at Memorial Hospital is remarkable. Our team is committed to excellence, and we are thankful for their great work,"  said Raigan Brown, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hospital. For more information about Memorial Hospital and its services, visit mhtlc.org.

Memorial Hospital Donates Essential Equipment to Two Hospital Projects in Kenya

Memorial Hospital Donates Essential Equipment to Two Hospital

Projects in Kenya

IL—Memorial Hospital is proud to announce the donation of vital medical equipment
to two significant hospital projects in Kenya. This charitable effort was facilitated by insights from Memorial Hospital’s colleagues at Quincy Medical Group and Bishop E.L. Warren, Ph.D., Senior Pastor of the Cathedral of Worship in Quincy, Illinois. This contribution aims to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and enhance medical services in an underserved region.


The need and vision had a compelling story for Memorial Hospital, understanding how furniture and equipment that cannot be utilized in the United States meet critical needs in underserved countries. One of the projects taking place in Kenya is a two-story women’s health maternity hospital that will include small unit birthing rooms, emergency room facilities, and waiting rooms designed to support mothers during labor. This facility is currently at 70% completion and is being built by hand, except for heavy machinery that is being used to transport concrete to the second level for safety reasons. This project is the first of this kind within the region and is expected to serve 500,000 childbearing women. Additionally, a 400-bed hospital in Kenya that has been vacant for nine years is currently being renovated to help serve those in need.


For both of these projects, Memorial Hospital and Quincy Medical Group have generously
donated a range of essential equipment, from birthing and hospital beds to kitchen appliances and mobility equipment. The donated equipment, including 15,000 surgical instruments, will play a pivotal role in restoring these essential healthcare facilities to operational status. 

 

“We are honored to support these transformative healthcare projects in Kenya,” said Ada Bair, Memorial Hospital and Hancock County Senior and Childcare Services CEO. “Our partnership with local organizations exemplifies our shared commitment to improving healthier outcomes and enhancing the well-being of communities worldwide. We believe that every individual deserves access to essential healthcare services, and through initiatives like these, we strive to make that a reality.” Along with the donation of equipment, Bishop Warren plans to take a team from the United States to Kenya to help launch these projects through training and support of local professionals, including Memorial Hospital’s very own Dr. Gina Bell, OB/GYN.

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Pictured left to right: Dr. Gina Bell, OB/GYN; Dr. Ferdinand Wanjala Nang’ole, Chairperson
Trans Nzoia County Health Taskforce, Bishop E.L. Warren, Ph.D., Senior Pastor of the
Cathedral of Worship in Quincy, Illinois; and Ada Bair, CEO at Memorial Hospital and Hancock County Senior and Childcare Services

2024 Sandburg Student Art Show Opening Reception April 5

2024 Sandburg Student Art Show Opening Reception April 5

 The annual Carl Sandburg College Student Art Show is on display in the Lonnie Eugene Stewart Art Gallery through May 6, with an opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 5 in the gallery on Sandburg’s Galesburg campus.

 

The show and reception are free and open to the public. An award will be presented for best of show in addition to honors for best drawing, best painting, best ceramic and two juror’s choice awards. Multiple special merit awards also will be given out. Prizes for the show are sponsored by Blick Art Materials.

 

The juror for this year’s Student Art Show is artist and Eastern Illinois University professor Jenny Chi, whose “Double Vision” show was featured at Sandburg earlier this year. Chi’s many awards and honors include the White House Blue Ribbon Christmas Project, artist in residence for the Duval County School Board, the Carl Steinsieck Memorial Award for best figure drawing and a George Sugarman Foundation grant recipient.

 

Established in 2006 and named for area artist Lonnie Eugene Stewart in 2015, the Lonnie Eugene Stewart Art Gallery has hosted group faculty exhibits, juried student exhibits and the works of professional artists. For more information, contact art program coordinator Lisa Walker at 309.341.5303 or ldwalker@sandburg.edu

Memorial Hospital Elevates Diabetes Services

Memorial Hospital Elevates Diabetes Services

As Diabetes Alert Day, March 26, Memorial Hospital proudly highlights the
strides made in diabetes care under the leadership of Kayce Fuhrman, Director of Diabetes
Services. With a focus on innovation and community outreach, Memorial Hospital is
revolutionizing diabetes management for patients and the broader community.


One of the key initiatives led by Fuhrman is the comprehensive certification and education
program on insulin pump technology, specifically the Omnipod system. This program equips healthcare providers with the latest knowledge and skills to effectively support patients utilizing insulin pumps, ensuring optimal diabetes management and improved patient outcomes.


In addition to insulin pump education, Fuhrman is dedicated to advancing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, awareness, and education. By staying at the forefront of CGM advancements, Memorial Hospital Diabetic Services empowers patients with valuable insights into their glucose levels, leading to more personalized and proactive diabetes management. 


Recognizing the importance of accessible education, Memorial Hospital’s Diabetic Services have expanded its diabetes education programs beyond Carthage to Memorial Medical Clinics LaHarpe and Memorial Medical Clinics Colchester. These initiatives aim to reach a wider audience and provide essential resources and guidance to individuals and families affected by diabetes, fostering a healthier community overall.


Furthermore, as part of its commitment to preventative care, Memorial Hospital Diabetic
Services offers A1C screenings within the community and surrounding communities. These screenings play a crucial role in the early detection and monitoring of diabetes, allowing individuals to take proactive steps toward managing their health and well-being. 


For more information on Diabetes Services offered at Memorial Hospital, visit
mhtlc.org/services/health-wellness-center/diabetes-services/, or call 217-357-6540.

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify

 

The night before Rebecca Hooks started at the Illinois State Police Academy in 2002, she spoke on the phone with her father and her brother – both of whom worked in law enforcement. 

Her father encouraged her, telling her she was strong and could get through the boot camp-like experience. Her brother, in typical sibling fashion, offered encouragement by warning her against messing up and embarrassing him. 

More than 20 years later, Hooks was promoted to first deputy director of the Illinois State Police in 2023, becoming the first woman to be second in command of the agency despite never setting out to be a trailblazer.

“I wanted to work hard and be the – do the – best I could at every seat that I was in,” Hooks said. 

 

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said Hooks’ compassionate professionalism made an “outstanding first impression” on him five years ago when he took over the agency. He told Capitol News Illinois Hooks led him through a “very visceral, very intense” crime scene while also making sure the officers impacted by the incident were supported during an investigation of a state trooper’s death.

“She was one of many people that I’ve seen over the five years I’ve been director where I’ve seen great potential and strong leadership and strong skills,” Kelly said.

Many women are not choosing a similar path though. Of the last 86 Illinois State Police Academy graduates, only eight – or 9 percent – were women. As of February, only 10 percent of the ISP’s total 1,812 sworn officers were women.

The Illinois State Police do have a higher-than-average presence of women in law enforcement leadership, however. Women make up 14 percent of ISP’s leadership, according to an agency spokesperson. But the 30x30 Initiative, a coalition of law enforcement experts and agencies trying to diversify police forces across the U.S., reports that women hold just 3 percent of leadership positions across the country on average. 

In 2021, the Illinois State Police signed a pledge through the 30x30 Initiative to make police cadet classes at least 30 percent women by 2030 and further increase the representation of women in the agency. 

 

‘The research is clear’

Hooks said the effort is important because police forces perform better when they represent the communities they serve.

“We have sworn personnel as well as civilian personnel and everyone plays a role in what we do and we fulfill the mission together,” said Hooks. “So, we need all different types of people – all different shapes, all different sizes, all different genders.”

Tanya Meisenholder, director of gender equity at New York University’s Policing Project and a 30x30 founding partner, said “the research is clear” that women use less force, receive fewer complaints, and are perceived as more compassionate and empathetic while caring for victims.

A 2021 case study published in the research journal Science that used data from the Chicago Police Department found female officers were 28 percent less likely to use force than male officers in general, and 31 percent less likely to use force against Black people. Because women are less likely to use force, they are less likely to be involved in civil liability cases, which can save taxpayer money, according to research from 2002 published by the National Center for Women and Policing, a prior branch of the Feminist Majority Foundation. 

Other studies published in Feminine Criminology and Oxford University Press on behalf of The Review of Economic Studies suggest women officers do a better job reporting, closing and managing rape and domestic violence cases. 

 

Intentional recruitment efforts

The Illinois State Police is one of over 350 other organizations that have signed the 30x30 pledge, which requires the agency to regularly share progress reports on its inclusion policies. 

Meisenholder said partner organizations have “seen positive results” from intentional recruitment strategies.

“With recruitment ads in particular, I think we've had a lot of success in getting people to think very carefully about what their ads represent,” Meisenholder said. “Are they showcasing the reality of policing, are they showing all the diversity in their workforce? And I think that makes a difference.”

Kelly said the Illinois State Police is focusing their “messaging and outreach” on barriers women might face when joining the force and opportunities they can have with the agency.

“By talking about the many career paths that are possible for anybody who wants to serve the Illinois State Police, that allows us to engage in a conversation with women that may be thinking about serving in law enforcement,” Kelly said.

Kelly said sometimes potential cadets, including women and their loved ones, might have concerns about safety and the ability to raise a family while on the force. 

“I think the greatest challenge that we have is that people think that this is only a job for men, and that’s because for, you know, hundreds of years that’s the way it’s been perceived,” Kelly said.

But Hooks, who comes from a family of law enforcement and medical professionals where things like “crazy schedules” are normal, said none of these barriers impacted her.

“I didn’t have anyone in my family who was against me doing it,” Hooks said. “It was just, ‘okay, we’re getting another cop in the family,’ and it was great.”

For those who are worried, Hooks said, “you get the skills and the training that you need” to safely do the job. She also said the notion that women are unable to have a family or life outside the force is a “false concept.” 

“We have a lot of women in the department who have families, there’s a lot of men in the department who have families,” Hooks said. “It’s not a barrier, there’s more opportunities in the department than people realize.” Hooks said beyond division patrol – the officers who enforce traffic laws on state highways – ISP officers can go into internal or criminal investigations or forensics, which is where Hooks spent much of her career.  

In an attempt to better demonstrate those opportunities with the Illinois State Police, a spokesperson said the agency is developing a public recruitment campaign with Southern Illinois University Carbondale that is “specific to women” and includes elements of their partnership with 30x30. The campaign also includes other marketing materials recruiters can share at hiring events.

The spokesperson said ISP recruiters regularly attend the Women in Criminal Justice Conference, an annual Midwestern networking and continuing education event, and participate in career fairs at historically women’s colleges.

Hooks said managing her new schedule can be difficult, but “a good team and good communication” within her department allows for flexibility.  She said she has time to spend with her family and friends, as well as participating in activities like training for marathons. 

 

Changing agency culture

Part of 30x30’s mission is to ultimately change agency cultures and welcome diversity across all demographics in policing by making recruits feel supported in the profession.

Meisenholder said the theory of representative bureaucracy suggests that when minority representation reaches 30 percent, the organization’s culture reaches a tipping point of being more welcoming.

“So, I think when you feel heard, when you have people that are supportive, perhaps mentors, then you can engage a bit more and feel more comfortable talking about whatever it is you’re experiencing,” Meisenholder said.

In addition to thinking about recruitment strategies, Meisenholder said agencies could examine policies, such as those relating to additional support for pregnant people and new parents, like lactation rooms.

“We also ask them to think about how they’re engaging with their workforce and their women in particular,” Meisenholder said. “And are they listening to the challenges they might be facing?”

The Illinois State Police filed its 24-month check-in survey with 30x30 in June 2023 and indicated policies supporting nursing mothers are “still a work in progress,” although women “are given the opportunity to work their schedule if necessary.” The agency also responded that it requires sexual harassment and bias training and supports a yearly mentorship program. It also shared that it is continuing to focus on social media recruiting initiatives highlighting 30x30 and its mission. 

Hooks – who attributes much of her own success to hard work and good mentors – emphasized that the agency’s culture of integrity and accountability was another key to her success.

“And I’ve looked at positions in the ISP and thought, ‘oh, I wouldn’t be good at that’ or ‘that’s really not my skill set, I’m not interested in that,’” Hooks said. “But I never looked at a position and thought ‘oh, I can’t do that because I’m a woman,’ and no one ever treated me that way.”

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. 


 

Sandburg Nursing Program Receives State Grant for $96K

Sandburg Nursing Program Receives State Grant for $96K

 

Carl Sandburg College recently was awarded a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education that will support students in the college’s associate degree nursing program and help meet health care workforce needs in the state.

 

Sandburg was one of 12 schools in Illinois that received a total of $1.4 million in grant funding from the IBHE for the current fiscal year. The grants are designed to increase the number of registered professional nurses with high-quality credentials to meet the demands of the workforce.

 

Sandburg received $96,401, which will go toward purchasing audio/video equipment and software for its simulation lab as well as assisting students with end-of-program expenses such as fingerprinting and board exams such as the NCLEX. The college will also use funds to continue its focus on retention of minority and nontraditional students in the nursing program.

 

“This grant will positively affect our students in ways both in and out of the classroom,” said Dr. Emily Schaeffer, dean of health professions. “Our simulation lab gives Sandburg students the opportunity to experience situations they’ll encounter in health care environments. Also, helping cover the cost of fees that students must pay to obtain their state licensure will lessen the financial and mental stress our graduates carry as they prepare to enter the workforce.”

 

Grants were awarded through a competitive application process in which institutions submitted data about their enrollment, retention, completion and job placement rates during a multi-year period and how grant funds would be used to enhance their program’s efforts to close equity gaps and improve student success.

 

“These funds will help nursing programs prepare students for a successful career and meet the demands of the health care industry at a time when the health professional shortage and the critical work nurses perform have become more evident than ever,” said Ginger Ostro, IBHE executive director. “We are pleased to partner with institutions to help prepare the nurses of tomorrow and meet the goals of the higher education strategic plan to close equity gaps.”

 

The announcement of this award comes shortly after Sandburg received a $90,000 grant from the Illinois Community College Board that will support the college’s welding program through the purchase of a state-of-the-art welding training simulator.

Iconic Celtic rock band Red Hot Chilli Pipers to set Burlington Memorial Auditorium ablaze with electrifying performance

Iconic Celtic rock band Red Hot Chilli Pipers to set Burlington Memorial Auditorium ablaze with electrifying performance

 

 Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening of pulsating rhythms, electrifying bagpipes and infectious energy as the world-renowned Celtic rock sensation the Red Hot Chilli Pipers gear up to ignite the stage at Burlington Memorial Auditorium. Their performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5.

Hailing from Scotland, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers have captured the hearts and souls of audiences worldwide with their unique fusion of traditional Scottish music and contemporary rock vibes. Renowned for their high-octane performances and innovative musical arrangements, the band has redefined the boundaries of Celtic music, earning them a dedicated global fan base and critical acclaim.

Founded in 2002, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers have released multiple albums and toured extensively, earning them a dedicated global fanbase and critical acclaim. With a repertoire spanning traditional Scottish classics to contemporary hits by artists such as Queen, Coldplay and Journey, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers guarantee a night of nonstop entertainment with audiences dancing, singing and tapping their feet from start to finish.

“We are honored to host the Red Hot Chilli Pipers,” said Burlington Civic Music Association board president Kay Conrad. “Their unique blend of Celtic music and rock promises to deliver an unforgettable evening of entertainment for music lovers of all ages.”

Besides the evening performance, a student concert sponsored by World Insurance Associates is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, April 5, at Burlington Memorial Auditorium.

Don't miss your chance to witness the magic of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. To order tickets or for more information, call 319-752-0336 or email BurlingtonCivicMusic@gmail.com.

Officials say state veterans homes have reformed after deadly 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, but staffing challenges remain

Officials say state veterans homes have reformed after deadly 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, but staffing challenges remain

 Illinois’ veterans affairs director told a legislative panel this week that while state-run veterans homes have better policies in place following a COVID-19 outbreak that killed 36 residents at the LaSalle Veterans Home in 2020, understaffing remains a challenge.

“The need for long-term care will explode over the next 20 years,” Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince told the Legislative Audit Commission. He predicted long-term care populations would grow by 200 to 500 percent in that span.

He said while IDVA has employees who “are dedicated and devoted and willing to work overtime,” the department has also let its census decrease at state-run veterans homes to keep staff-to-patient ratios sustainable. 

“It could be easy to say yeah, we're gonna fill the Quincy Veterans Home and fill it all the way up to 400 people, but you have to have the staff to do so,” he said.

He said staffing remains difficult even though Illinois’ “fantastic” benefits package for staff at veterans homes is “nearly $40,000 higher than the civilian equivalent.”

As for responding to COVID-19 outbreaks, Prince said the department is in a much better place than it was in 2020. Beginning in late October that year, the LaSalle home experienced a COVID-19 outbreak that sickened nearly 200 people – a whopping 85 percent of residents and 35 percent of staff tested positive for the virus, which eventually killed three dozen residents.

The deadly outbreak led to legislative hearings and scrutiny of Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration’s response. The General Assembly called for an audit, which was published in 2022. The 12-member Legislative Audit Commission held its hearing to review it on Wednesday. 

Read more: Audit finds IDPH failed to intervene in early days of LaSalle Veterans' Home outbreak

The audit made three major recommendations, including mandating testing of staff and residents during COVID outbreaks – defined as two or more cases – and delineating responsibilities between IDVA and IDPH. Additionally, the audit recommended the governor’s office increase oversight of administrative staff and create a senior home administrator position within IDVA. 

“I want to make sure that it’s recognized that this agency threw everything at this situation as they did during the COVID crisis,” Prince said. 

IDVA Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn told the panel that when he arrived at LaSalle toward the end of the outbreak in December 2020 as the home’s newly appointed interim administrator, he found “a dedicated staff looking to do the right thing.”

But he also compared the scene to a “Marine Corps unit that’s just been through a big battle.”

“And they're still recovering, and they're still hurting, but they want the leadership to be able to move on,” he said.

While a 2021 report from the Illinois Department of Human Services inspector general found fault with IDVA’s response, the auditor general’s report was more critical of the state’s public health department. The auditor general’s office described the previous IDHS inspector general report as “flawed” for its reliance on interviews rather than documentation.

On Wednesday, Scott Wahlbrink of the auditor general’s office told lawmakers that the Illinois Department of Public Health was not responsive to the crisis even though officials there were repeatedly made aware “on almost a daily basis” from their counterparts at the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

“IDPH did not identify and respond to the seriousness of the outbreak,” Wahlbrink said. “It was the IDVA chief of staff who ultimately had to request assistance.” 

That chief of staff, Tony Kolbeck, was among those fired after the IDHS report on the outbreak. IDVA Director Linda Chapa LaVia was fired as well.  

Pritzker, in response to the audit in 2021, said IDPH was following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance not to visit a congregate facility and risk disease spread when a phone call would suffice. 

Prince said one of his major changes has been improving communication. 

“I have a direct line to Gov. Pritzker, if I need to call the governor for something,” he said. “I have regular conversations with the IDPH director.”

Since the outbreak, Prince said the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs has made changes to prevent future outbreaks and keep residents and staff safe. Angela Simmons, IDVA senior home administrator, said that IDVA has weekly infection control meetings to review daily tests that are reported to IDPH.

In addition to increased reporting, Simmons said the department has begun including staff from the state’s five veterans homes to develop policies for how to respond to situations ranging disease outbreaks to daily incidents.

“Our policy process right now is stronger than it ever has been,” Simmons said. “We get input from the homes.”

Since the outbreak there have also been major staff changes in IDPH and IDVA. Prince was appointed in April 2021, and IDVA hired a senior home administrator and an agencywide infection specialist. It is also looking to hire a medical director this year.

Rep. Amy Elik, R-Godfrey, asked Prince if the state’s veterans homes had seen “outbreaks of other infectious diseases” since IDVA overhauled some of its procedures that have served “as sort of a test.”

Prince said the veterans homes have seen other outbreaks with better outcomes.

“I believe in my heart of hearts that the vaccine has been one of the biggest things that has made this a much different story than back in 2020,” he said. “We are much better positioned.”

Jerry Nowicki contributed to this report.

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

Melissa Smith, who is the NASA ambassador for our area, will be at the Carthage Public Library on March 25.

Melissa Smith, who is the NASA ambassador for our area, will be at the Carthage Public Library on March 25. She has a presentation on the up coming solar eclipse. We will also make masks for our solar eclipse viewers. This is a free program for children and their families. You can learn about the Solar Eclipse at two times 3:30pm (mostly for children) and 6:00pm (mostly for adults/teens) however please attend at the time that works best for you.

 

Beckers Hospital Review Reports Memorial Hospital 5-Stars For Nursing and Physician Communication

 

Beckers Hospital Review Reports Memorial Hospital 5-Stars For

Nursing and Physician Communication

Carthage, IL – Memorial Hospital proudly announces its exceptional recognition through
Becker';s Hospital Review, which secured a 5-star rating for nursing and physician
communication. This esteemed ranking highlights the hospital';s commitment to fostering effective communication practices within its healthcare environment.


Becker's Hospital Review, a renowned healthcare publication, has placed Memorial Hospital among the top 350 hospitals nationwide for nursing communication and physician communication, which gives both categories a 5-star rating. The star rating is based on survey  data collected from hospital patients in the 2022 calendar year.


These ratings highlight Memorial Hospital's dedication to promoting clear, empathetic, and efficient communication. As a reminder, filling out an HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer
Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey is crucial for hospitals aiming to achieve a 5-star rating. Having patients fill out these surveys not only aids in achieving a 5-star rating but also contributes to a culture of continuous improvement within the hospital, ensuring that patient experiences and satisfaction remain a priority.

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Pictured left to right back row: Mary Lou Sadler, COTA; Teresa Culpepper, RN; Tonya Dooley, PT, Beth Martin, RN; Brittany Bartell, CNA; Dave Davis, Housekeeping Aide
Front Row: Moira Rothert, Discharge Planner/Care Coordinator; Kristen Dinwiddie, RN; Kaley Buckert, RRT; and Shelly Hunter, Director of Inpatient Services

Giannoulias Kicks Off 2024 Summer Job Program

Giannoulias Kicks Off 2024 Summer Job Program

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today his office is now accepting applications for the second year of his administration’s summer job program.
 
More than 120 positions are available for college, trade school and graduate school students or graduating high school students who are enrolled in college or trade school in the fall. Job offerings include working at DMVs or at one of the various departments in the Secretary of State’s office.
 
“The goal of our summer jobs program is to provide a pathway for young people to explore career opportunities, build their skillsets, earn money and make connections through a real-world job experience,” Giannoulias said. “This type of hands-on work also helps with future academic and professional success and can translate into long-term benefits for our communities.”
 
Along with building job skills for students and learning about state government, the program bolsters the office’s customer service efforts during the busy summer months.
 
Available positions include work in Secretary of State offices in Chicago, surrounding suburbs, Springfield and downstate facility locations. Pay is $16 per hour for college and trade school students and $25 per hour for specific contractual intern positions for graduate school students.
 
Interested applicants can apply at www.ilsos.gov/summerjobs and must submit a resume and cover letter explaining their interest in working at the Secretary of State’s office. Applicants may list up to three choices for their preferred work location.
 
Summer employees can begin their employment as early as May 13.

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State awards local food infrastructure grants as advocates seek program's extension

State awards local food infrastructure grants as advocates seek program’s extension

Nineteen local farms will receive a combined $1.8 million in grants to fund infrastructure projects aimed at developing their ability to produce and distribute food around the state as part of the Local Food and Infrastructure Grant Program.

The grants come from the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s budget but were managed by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, a local food and farm advocacy group. Grantees were recognized by a small group of bipartisan state legislators and the Alliance Wednesday morning at a Capitol news conference.

Grants were awarded to farms across Illinois, including several in the Chicagoland area. Five of the recipients will receive the maximum amount of funding which is $150,000. 

One of the farms receiving the maximum grant amount is The Flock Farm in southern Illinois. Brent Glays, a marine veteran and the farm’s owner, said the hardest part of producing meat in that area is processing it. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, the closest poultry processing plant is in central Illinois. 

Glays said his farm will use the grant money to build a local U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved poultry processing center and educate other farmers on how to humanely raise animals and process meat. That includes creating workshops on food safety management and regulations.  

“I’m not looking at this poultry plant as a processing facility per se, I’m viewing it as a classroom,” Glays said. 

In Chicago, another $150,000 grant will be awarded to Eden Place Farms, an urban agricultural center. Founder Michael Howard said the grant money will allow them to build new kitchen, storage and processing infrastructure other urban farmers can use to distribute their products.

“This is the first tangible funding that has come out of Springfield to urban farms,” Howard said.

Gov. JB Pritzker did not propose ongoing funding for the budget year that begins July 1, but advocates – including the Illinois Stewardship Alliance – are pushing for legislation to make the program permanent. Senate Bill 3077 would officially establish an ongoing Local Food Infrastructure Grant program with at least $2 million in annual funding. 

One of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, said the program is “just the start of alleviating our food deserts and food insecurities.”

The bill recently passed unanimously through the Senate Agriculture Committee

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. 

 

Sandburg Gets $90K State Grant for New VR Welding Simulator

Sandburg Gets $90K State Grant for New VR Welding Simulator

 

 Students in Carl Sandburg College’s welding program are used to wearing a helmet while they work. Thanks to a state grant, they’ll also be able to learn the trade while wearing a headset.

 

Sandburg recently was awarded a grant from the Illinois Community College Board that will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art welding training simulator, giving students experience in a controlled environment and providing cost savings for the program.

 

Sandburg was one of 12 community colleges in the state that received funding to implement virtual reality equipment and software into existing career and technical programs. Sandburg’s $89,509 grant will go toward purchasing a VRTEX 360+ dual user virtual reality welding simulator.

 

The mobile VR unit is set on casters and has two adjustable towers, allowing two students to get hands-on training at the same time and practice at different eye and hand levels. It provides a realistic simulation of the look, feel and action of actual guns and torches, even recreating sparks, slag, grinding and weld cooling.

 

“Right now, our students go in the shop and they're at the table in their welding booth. They get very used to welding at eye level and chest level,” said Ellen Burns, dean of career and technical education. “With this, you can adjust the towers to replicate different heights and angles.”

 

The simulator tracks and scores weld parameters, including work angle, travel angle, travel speed, distance and position. The unit also features a virtual bend test that provides instant results and shows students what caused a weld to pass or fail.

 

Its demo, replay and lesson modes help instructors and welders look back at their work to identify what went wrong or well. The simulator also includes a curriculum package with lesson plans, faculty resources and a student workbook. In addition, the machine includes activities that are required components for students to achieve a variety of welding certifications through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). 

The simulator also ensures that newer students — or even someone with no welding experience who may be interested in learning — can do work without fear of accident or injury.

 

“Being able to offer this type of technology to current and potential students is a great benefit to our program,” Sandburg manufacturing technology instructor Ian Milligan said. “It’s realistic, it’s versatile and it gives students the opportunity to hone their skills in a safe way while getting feedback from the simulator and from their instructor. I know this is something that our students are going to love using.”

 

Sandburg currently has two simulators for students to use, but both are closing in on a being a decade old. The new system is easier to transport and set up than the existing ones, and it will provide more assessment reporting and tracking information.

 

An added benefit is that the simulator will reduce the amount the college spends on physical material for the program. Much of the metal Sandburg uses for its welding program is donated by industry partners, but the college also purchases its own material for capstone projects. With the simulator as an option, students can have the peace of mind to practice their craft without concern of how much material they’re using. The new system can even display the savings of material consumption.

 

“With the cost of raw materials that are increasing in the manufacturing environment, this is going to be very beneficial to us because of that cost-savings piece,” Burns said. “When we purchase metal, we aren’t creating a product, selling it and profiting from it like an industry would be. So, it's a little different when we look at purchasing metal. It's not going to eliminate the need to get under the hood with a real welding gun, but it helps you build skills in a cost-effective manner.”

 

The college hopes to implement the simulator into the program for students to use later this semester. It also intends to use it at recruitment events, trade showcases, youth camps and open houses for students interested in the program or learning more about it.

 

Kibbe Museum Opens in Carthage April 2nd

Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum in Carthage will open for the season on Tuesday, April 2. The free
museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Special
group or class tours can be arranged during those hours or at other times.
The museum was created around the large natural history collection from Dr. Alice Kibbe, former
biology professor of Carthage College. It has expanded to include items from homes, farms, businesses,
fashions and military items of Hancock County’s past; and relics from Carthage College, Native
Americans, and fossils and rocks of the area.
Special exhibits focus on the origins of Memorial Hospital and healthcare in Hancock County; Abraham
Lincoln’s life and death, the pioneer and Civil War eras, and his connections to Hancock County; plus
funeral customs, and much more.
There are household rooms displayed, military uniforms and gear from as early as the Civil War, toys,
and special items from towns all around the county.
The museum is closed on Mondays, and on major holidays. Sherry Harris and Don Gee will share weekly
duties as host at the museum along with volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering as a museum
host can call museum during open hours for more information.
The museum is located at 306 Walnut Street in Carthage. For information, call 217-357-9552.

Illinois Elections March 19 2024

Illinois Elections   March 19 2024

Hancock Co. Circuit Clerk (R)Hancock
Keara Weber (R) 1,134

59%

Chris Becker (R) 791

41%

100%

Hancock Co. Board Dist. 1 (R)Hancock
Joe Boyles (R) 224

71%

Kelly Mason (R) 90

29%

0%

Hancock Co. (1% school sales tax)Hancock
No 1,265

56%

Yes 989

44%

100%

Hancock Co. Committeeperson Bear Creek (R)Hancock
Steve Lucie (R) 34

52%

Travis Duffy (R) 31

48%

100%

 

 

Congressman Eric Sorensen Secures Democratic Primary Nomination

Congressman Eric Sorensen Secures Democratic Primary Nomination

 

Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen, running unopposed, officially became the Democratic nominee for Congress in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. He issued the following statement:

 

“I first ran for Congress because I wanted to be a trusted voice for my neighbors in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. I’m honored to again be the Democratic nominee and look forward to continuing the work of being a trusted representative and delivering real results for Central & Northwestern Illinois.

 

Since beginning my first term, I’ve seen the impact that working across the aisle can have on our communities. From lowering costs and bringing tax dollars back home, to supporting our police and infrastructure, we’ve made huge progress on the issues that matter most to middle-class families. I look forward to bringing more progress home and again earning the support of the people of Illinois’ 17th District in November.”

Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1 billion revenue proposals

Pritzker agency heads questioned on $1.1 billion revenue proposals

 

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s revenue and budget directors took questions from a legislative panel Thursday on his proposals to generate another $1.1 billion in the upcoming fiscal year through various tax changes. 

Pritzker’s proposed spending plan anticipates $52.9 billion in revenue, with new funds raised by increasing certain corporate tax rates, lowering personal and business income tax deductions and making other tax changes. 

 

Corporate net operating losses

Pritzker’s main revenue-generating proposal looks to raise $526 million by extending a cap on corporate net operating losses that businesses can claim on taxes. 

Current law allows businesses to claim up to $100,000 in losses on taxes, but it’s set to expire this year. Pritzker proposes extending the cap in fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1, but also increasing it to $500,000. 

“The idea is that they will not be able to use those losses to reduce revenue,” Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris told the House Revenue and Finance Committee on Thursday. “So they're limited. And thus, since they're limited in terms of using those losses to reduce revenue, that revenue is going to be now taxed.”

Harris said roughly 1 percent of corporations, or 1,175, are likely to be affected by the cap. That means the rest of the roughly 101,000 businesses would not have claimed enough losses for the cap to have affected their tax liability. 

 

Sports betting tax hike

The governor proposed raising another $200 million by upping the tax rates paid by sportsbooks to 35 percent from 15 percent. When the General Assembly legalized sports betting in 2019, lawmakers dedicated all revenue from it to building infrastructure projects. But the governor’s plan would direct all extra revenue generated by the increase to the state’s General Revenue Fund. 

Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, one of the architects of the original sports betting legalization plan, questioned the logic of the move. 

“Wouldn't it make more sense to keep this under the capital fund, so that we fully fund the projects that we've been trying to get out the door?” he asked. 

Pritzker’s Office of Management and Budget Director Alexis Sturm responded that video gambling and cigarette taxes that also fund infrastructure have outperformed expectations. 

“The revenues that are coming into the capital projects fund have been sufficient to cover the debt service needs out of that fund,” she said, adding that new casino licensing fees and other casino revenues fund “pay-as-you-go” projects that don’t require borrowing.  

 

Cap on retailers discount 

Another proposal would generate $101 million by capping Illinois’ so-called “retailers discount.” Under state law, retailers receive a discount of 1.75 percent of the sales tax they collect as reimbursement for their efforts to collect them. The governor’s change would cap the amount claimed at $1,000 per month. 

“We are currently – in terms of the amount of money that is provided under the vendors discount allowance – we are the most generous in in the nation,” Harris said, later noting that “virtually every state has some sort of a limit.” 

Harris said only “2 to 3 percent” of retailers would be affected by the cap. But upon questioning from Rep. Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, he added the change would have “a significant impact on very large retailers.”

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association, however, has pushed back against the administration’s assertions. 

“Contrary to claims, this proposal does not just target large retail stores but would impact retailers of all sizes, from independent grocers to the corner hardware store,” Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr said in a news release. 

The proposal would also generate $85 million for local governments. 

 

Road fund transfer 

The governor also proposes raising $175 million by transferring some public transit expenses to the Road Fund, freeing up money in the state’s General Revenue Fund. 

Sturm assured committee chair Rep. Kelly Burke, D-Chicago, that the use of Road Fund money for public transportation is allowable under the state’s “lockbox” amendment. Voters approved the lockbox amendment in November 2016, limiting the state to spending revenues generated by the motor fuel tax and transportation-related fees for transportation-related purposes. 

 

Pritzker’s other revenue proposals include: 

  • Raising $25 million by distributing a portion of a tax on real estate transfers to the general fund instead of the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Fund, which funds parks and recreation projects. 

  • Raising $93 million by adjusting the standard deduction amount to a lower level than would be used under current law. The deduction claimed by millions of Illinoisans would be capped at $2,550, rather than increasing to $2,775 as it was slated to, due to inflation.

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.


 

Bailey vs. Bost congressional race among GOP primaries to watch

Bailey vs. Bost congressional race among GOP primaries to watch

 

SPRINGFIELD – The March 19 primaries in Illinois may seem anticlimactic to those who are only interested in presidential politics. Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump sewed up their nominations a full week before polls even opened in the Prairie State.

But further down the ballot there are still a number of competitive races to watch, including several in downstate Illinois where Republican politics has increased its dominance in many areas.

Perhaps the most closely watched race is in the 12th Congressional District of southern Illinois, where incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Bost, of Murphysboro, faces an intraparty challenge from former state Sen. Darren Bailey, of Xenia, the failed GOP candidate for governor in 2022.

Due to dramatic population losses in southern Illinois, two districts were folded into one following the 2020 census. The 12th District now encompasses nearly the entire area between the Mississippi and Wabash Rivers, from the Ohio River on the south end, north to around Interstate 70.

Bost, a former state representative, was first elected to Congress in 2014 from what is now the western portion of the district. Bailey, meanwhile, represented areas that lie in the eastern portion of the congressional district.

Before the 2020 census, the eastern portion had been a separate congressional district held by U.S. Rep. Mary Miller. She now represents the newly drawn 15th District, which is outside her home, and has endorsed Bailey in the 12th District race.

Southern Illinois was once more competitive than it is now. The 12th District contains much of the area that the late Democrat Paul Simon represented in the U.S. House in the 1970s and 1980s before he was elected to the Senate. But today it is considered safely in Republican hands, meaning the winner of the Republican primary is virtually assured of being elected. In 2022, Bost won the seat by a 3-to-1 margin over Democrat Homer “Chip” Markel.

Two Democrats have filed for the seat as well – Preston Nelson and Brian Roberts – but neither has reported raising or spending any money on their campaigns.

Bost now chairs the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee. On his campaign website, he describes himself as “unapologetically pro-life.” He is also a staunch supporter of gun rights, supports building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, and supports the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy on immigration.

Bailey, a farmer, was elected to the Illinois House in 2018 and served one term. During that term, he sued Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker over the governor’s COVID-19 mitigation orders and was once removed from the House floor for refusing to wear a face covering.

In 2020, Bailey ran for the Senate seat being vacated that year by Dale Righter, of Mattoon, and after one session in the Senate he announced plans to run for governor against Pritzker. Although he won the GOP nomination in a crowded primary race, he lost to Pritzker in the general election, 55-42 percent, a margin of more than 500,000 votes.

In this year’s primary, Bost has enjoyed the power of an incumbent. He has endorsements from National Right to Life, the National Rifle Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, and, perhaps most importantly, former President Trump, who previously backed Bailey in the 2022 gubernatorial race.

“While I like and respect Darren Bailey, and was proud to campaign for him in 2022, Mike Bost was one of the first House Committee Chairmen to endorse my Campaign, and Mike was a stalwart supporter of our America First agenda during my record-setting Administration,” Trump said on his Truth Social account in February.

Bost also has enjoyed a funding advantage, according to Federal Election Commission data, raising and spending more than $2 million through the end of February, compared to only $400,000 in spending by the Bailey campaign.

 

Freedom Caucus races

In state legislative races, a number of Republican primaries involve current or outgoing members of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of ultraconservative lawmakers, primarily from eastern and southern Illinois. Caucus members are known for their strident positions on issues such as gun rights, abortion, and immigration.

One of the most unusual primary races is in the 102nd House District in southern Illinois where, officially, no candidate is listed on the ballot for either party.

The seat is currently held by Rep. Adam Niemerg, a Republican from Dietrich who succeeded Bailey in that office when Bailey ran for the Senate in 2020. But Niemerg was removed from the ballot in January over an objection to the notarization of his statement of candidacy.

So Niemerg is now running as a write-in candidate, but he faces a challenge from another write-in candidate, Jim Acklin. A former teacher, coach and school superintendent, Acklin ran unsuccessfully for the House in 2016 and announced his current write-in campaign after Niemerg was removed from the ballot.

Acklin is endorsed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers, whose political action committee has given him at least $35,000, according to campaign finance records. He has also received money from the Illinois Education Association’s PAC and the Illinois Laborers’ Legislative Committee.

Niemerg serves on the House committee that deals with legislation affecting K-12 education. He has appeared on the campaign trail with Bailey and has endorsements from groups such as Illinois Family Action and the Illinois State Rifle Association. 

Another primary drawing financial involvement from IFT and other labor groups is the 110th District, where Freedom Caucus member Rep. Blain Wilhour, of Beecher City, faces a challenge from Matthew Hall, of Vandalia.

Wilhour, who was first elected in 2018, serves as the Republican spokesperson on the committee that deals with K-12 education funding.

Hall’s campaign website does not specifically mention his positions on education, focusing instead on his conservative views regarding abortion, law enforcement and gun rights. But his campaign finance reports indicate virtually all his financial support has come from labor-related political committees, including teachers unions.

In the 88th House District in eastern Illinois, a race is underway to replace Rep. Dan Caulkins, of Decatur, a Freedom Caucus member who is stepping down after three terms in the House. 

He may be best known for leading a lawsuit to challenge the state’s assault weapons ban, a case he lost at the Illinois Supreme Court, although other challenges to the law are now pending at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Vying to succeed him are Regan Deering, a Decatur native whose grandfather Dwayne Andreas led agribusiness giant Archer Daniel Midland for many years, and McLean County Board member Chuck Erickson.

Deering, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022 against Democrat Nikki Budzinski, has enjoyed a financial advantage in the race. With endorsements from groups like Americans for Prosperity, the Illinois State Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, and Illinois Farm Bureau, she reported having just over $75,000 in cash on hand at the start of the year.

Erickson touts his membership in groups such as the Illinois State Rifle Association and the gun rights advocacy group Guns Save Life. As a county board member, he recently sponsored an unsuccessful resolution to ban the use of county funds to support migrants being sent to the county. He began the year with just under $27,000 in cash on hand.

 

Senate races

State Sen. Terri Bryant, of Murphysboro, is the only Republican state senator facing a primary challenge this year. She faces Wesley Kash, a farmer and lawyer from Scheller, whose campaign appears to be funded almost entirely with about $300,000 in loans from his family members.

Bryant served six years in the Illinois House before running for the Senate in 2020. Before entering politics, she spent 20 years working for the Illinois Department of Corrections. Her campaign finance reports showed more than $277,000 cash on hand at the beginning of the year and she has raised a considerable amount since then, including donations from both industry and labor groups.

More competitive primaries are being waged in districts where incumbent senators are stepping down.

In the 37th District in northern Illinois, for example, a three-way race is underway to succeed retiring Sen. Win Stoller, R-East Peoria. They include Li Arellano Jr., a former mayor of Dixon who ran unsuccessfully for a House seat in 2022; Henry County Board member Tim Yager; and Chris Bishop, a former teacher and high school wrestling coach who now works in crop insurance.

That race has divided the two House members who represent the area. Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, has endorsed Yager, who has led the pack in fundraising. Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, has endorsed Bishop.

And in the 53rd District of eastern Illinois, a four-way race is underway to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City.

Bennett served eight years in the Illinois House before he was appointed to the Senate in 2023 to replace former Sen. Jason Barickman, who resigned.  

The field to fill that seat this year includes Bennett’s former chief of staff, Susan Winn Bence, of Watseka; Grundy County Board member Chris Balkema, of Channahon; farmer Jesse Faber, of Pontiac; and Livingston County Board member Mark Kirkton, of Gridley.


Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

Memorial Hospital now offering highly advanced Mako SmartRobotics™ for Total Knee, Partial Knee and Total Hip replacement

 

Memorial Hospital now offering highly advanced Mako SmartRobotics™

for Total Knee, Partial Knee and Total Hip replacement 

Innovative robotic technology allows surgeons to personalize total knee, partial knee, total hipprocedures to each patient in the Hancock County region

 

Carthage, IL – Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois, led by the pioneering efforts of
Dr. Drake White, a seasoned Orthopedic Surgeon with over two decades of dedicated service to the region, is proud to announce the introduction of the highly advanced Mako SmartRobotics™ for Total Knee, Partial Knee, and Total Hip replacements. Dr. White's initiative in bringing this state-of-the-art robotic surgery option to the Hancock County region underscores Memorial  Hospital's commitment to offering cutting-edge healthcare solutions to its community.


Mako SmartRobotics™ represents a groundbreaking approach to joint replacement
surgery, empowering surgeons with unparalleled precision and personalized planning
capabilities. Leveraging 3D CT-based planning and AccuStop™ haptic technology, this
innovative system enables surgeons like Dr. White to tailor each procedure to the unique
anatomical characteristics of the patient, ultimately leading to superior outcomes such as reduced pain and faster recovery times.


"Incorporating Mako SmartRobotics™ into our orthopedic practice allows us to
revolutionize joint replacement surgery," remarked Dr. White. "By harnessing the power of
robotic technology, we can optimize surgical planning and execution, ensuring a more
predictable and precise experience for our patients."


Total knee replacements in the United States are expected to increase 85% between 2020
and 2030, yet studies have shown that approximately 20% of patients are dissatisfied after
conventional surgery. Mako Total Knee combines Stryker’s advanced robotic technology with its clinically successful Triathlon Total Knee System, which enables surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased precision and accuracy.


Additionally, by 2030, total hip replacements in the US are projected to increase by 71%.
Mako SmartRobotics™ for Total Hip is a treatment option for adults who suffer from
degenerative joint disease of the hip. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic arm during bone preparation to prepare the hip socket and position the implant according to the
predetermined surgical plan. In a controlled matched-paired study to measure acetabular bone resection, results suggested greater bone preservation for Mako Total Hip compared to manual surgery.

 

"We are excited to be at the forefront of orthopedic innovation, offering our patients
access to the latest advancements in joint replacement surgery," stated Ada Bair, CEO of
Memorial Hospital. "Dr. White's leadership in implementing Mako SmartRobotics™
underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services to the residents of our community."


Memorial Hospital's investment in Mako SmartRobotics™ reaffirms its position as a
leader in orthopedic care, providing patients in the Hancock County region with unparalleled access to state-of-the-art treatment options. As the demand for joint replacements continues to escalate, Memorial Hospital remains dedicated to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of its community through innovation, expertise, and compassionate care.
Dr. White consults with p

atients at two Memorial Medical Clinic locations, in Colchester
and Hamilton. To schedule an appointment or for further details, please contact Memorial
Medical Clinic Colchester at 309-776-3301 or Memorial Medical Clinic Hamilton at             217-847- 3383.

 

 

March 18 is anniversary of Bowen basketball magic

 March 18 is anniversary   of Bowen basketball magic
 

 Monday (March 18) marks the 70th anniversary of a true David-and-Goliath basketball battle.

   The Bowen Bulldogs faced the Chicago DuSable Panthers in the 1954 Illinois State High School Tournament. There was no division between big schools and little ones then.

   DuSable had almost 2,200 students, compared with just 93 at Bowen. But fifth-year Coach Jim Lewis and his 10 players showed doubters and detractors just how great a small-town team can be.

   The Bulldogs were Hancock County’s first entrant in the 47 years of the state basketball tourney. They got to the Sweet 16 by winning their own district, the Carthage regional and the Macomb sectional.

   Bowen’s allotment of 553 tickets for the state tournament was scooped up fast, with some fans getting in line at four o’clock in the morning. The Jackson Funeral Home was overwhelmed with telephone calls after media and fans learned the unmarried Lewis had an apartment there.

   The town gave the team a rousing send-off that stretched six miles to Augusta. Just about every business – from Peg’s Dairy Dipper to The Lyric Theatre – was closed for the game.

   The Bulldogs stayed at the Inman Hotel in downtown Champaign, which is now an apartment building. The afternoon game took place before 7,000 fans at George Huff Gym. It’s still used as a sports center by the University of Illinois.

   Bowen played well against heavily-favored DuSable, but the undefeated Panthers started to pull away late in the third quarter and won 87 to 64. Despite the defeat, the Bulldogs made quite the impression.

   DuSable shot a then-record 110 times during the game. Two days later, they would lose to Mount Vernon in the state championship.

   Bowen finished the season with a record of 30 wins and three losses. Lewis went on to coach and teach science at Augusta, LaHarpe and Macomb before finishing his career in Florida. He was named to the Basketball Museum of Illinois in 1982 and died in 2003.

   Bowen and Augusta schools merged in 1970 to form the Southeastern school district.

 

 

 

*The players from the 1954 Bulldogs were John Henson, Don Totsch (pronounced TOE-ssh with a long “o”), Roger McMahan, Robert Bilderback, Max Scott, Robert Wells, Bill Welch, John Sowder, Harold Veach and Max Williams.

 

*WGEM Radio 1440 AM and 105.1 FM carried the Bowen game with Rick Weaver broadcasting. There is footage on YouTube of the championship game, but it does not involve Bowen.

 

 

 

BOWEN

Player                  FG-FGA  FT-FTA Pts PF

Robert Bilderback        4  16   8  10  16  3

John Henson              3  20   4   4  10  4

Roger McMahan            4   6   3   6  11  2

John Sowder              3   6   1   2   7  0

Don Totsch               8  19   4  10  20  4

Robert Wills             0   0   0   0   0  0

TOTAL                   22  67  20  32  64 13

 

 

Ashlyn Housewright Named ICAHN 2023 '4 Under 40' Winner for Exemplary Leadership at Memorial Hospital

Ashlyn Housewright Named ICAHN 2023 '4 Under 40' Winner for Exemplary Leadership at Memorial Hospital

Carthage, IL—The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) announced its "4 Under 40 Hospital Leadership Winners, including Ashlyn Housewright, Executive Director of
Community Health and Wellness, during its 20 th Anniversary Annual Conference held at the I- Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois.


In this honor, she is joined by Lindsay Culver, Director of Radiology at Lawrence County
Memorial Hospital, Lawrenceville; Jessica Diane Carter, Director of Nursing Services at Ferrell Hospital; and Colton Anderson, Director of Clinic Services at Hammond-Henry Hospital, Geneseo.


Housewright has been a full-time employee with Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois, for
five years. She has a strong passion for educating people in her community on improving their health and pursuing healthy lifestyles.
In response to the escalating diabetes rates, Housewright launched the KEY (Keep Encouraging Yourself) To Good Health program with the support of other community leaders whose focus is to improve and support diabetic education and screenings. The mission of KEY is “Encourage healthy lifestyles to prevent and reduce chronic disease through community engagement and support. Embrace physical, social, and mental wellness through screenings, education, and experiences to improve health outcomes together.”

 

 Housewright played an instrumental part in implementing a teaching kitchen for the community located at Memorial Hospital. This involved the construction of four kitchen stations equipped with the proper technology to teach viewers from home or in person. As a result of this implementation, many events have been opened to the community. One of the events included teaching cooking basics to third grade 4H students, and another focused on teaching individuals how to make ten meals ready to be frozen and reheated when needed. Utilizing this resource has been a large demand from the local community to engage with and learn. The teaching kitchen at Memorial Hospital has educated over 200 people in 2023 in conjunction with the Health& Wellness team.


"Ashlyn portrays extraordinary personal leadership by engaging with her team positively and is willing to work side-by-side to complete projects. She empowers her team to pursue innovative solutions and is seen by her peers as a go-to person for collaboration" said Ada Bair, CEO of Memorial Hospital, Carthage."She knows how to lead teams by engaging all around the table, asking questions, and recognizing others"

 

Housewright's  initiative and mission to improve lifestyles have improved turnover rates and led to the staffing of a highly qualified team of individuals in Memorial"s Health and Wellness Department. The Food and Nutrition Team cooks from scratch and focuses on healthier yet tasty options.
"The increase in cafe use and carry-out meals comes from Ashlyn's desire to innovate and lead a team to grow and develop services that better meet the needs of staff and community," said Bair.


Housewright also played a large role in acquiring and launching FOCUS Fitness, the local fitness center. FOCUS Fitness has seen an uptick in memberships and offerings within the community. Housewright leads Organizational Improvement Teams and has served as a Super Coach to individuals serving on Memorial Hospital"s Service Excellence Council.
ICAHN's "4 Under 40"Hospital Leadership Award is open to new and emerging leaders aged 40 and under who have been employed by an ICAHN member hospital or have served on its board for at least two years and have a strong record of innovation and outstanding performance.
Located in Princeton, IL, ICAHN is a network of 59 small, rural hospitals dedicated to
strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization is composed of Illinois hospitals that have earned critical access hospital designation by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is recognized nationally for its work with rural healthcare, administering several state, federal, and private healthcare programs.

#####

Pictured: Left to right: Ada Bair, Memorial Hospital CEO, and Ashlyn Housewright, Executive
Director of Community Health and Wellness.

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