Tools of the Trade grant gears Sandburg automotive technology students with equipment to succeed

 When Draven Leady enrolled in Sandburg’s automotive technology program last year, he thought he’d have to borrow tools from his father and grandfather to use in his classes.

Then Leady got wind of the college’s Tools of the Trade grant. His concerns subsided, and his inventory expanded. The grant provides students in the automotive technology program with required equipment and supplies, including a new tool cart and tools to go with it.

“It was like Christmas when we opened them up,” said Leady, who graduated in May with an automotive technology certificate. “It was so joyful seeing everyone open theirs up and putting everything in their toolboxes.”

Now entering its second year, Tools of the Trade is supported through the Carl Sandburg College Foundation and the Edward Arthur Mellinger Educational Foundation. A limited number of Tools of the Trade grants for the 2024-25 academic year are still available on a first-come, first-served basis. The grant reduces costs and eliminates barriers that would hinder students interested in the automotive technology program.

“At the end of this last year, we had students telling us they may not have come to Sandburg or taken part in our automotive program if it wasn’t for the Tools of the Trade grant,” said Eric Johnson, chief advancement officer for the Sandburg Foundation. “This grant — just like all of the other grants and scholarships we have to support Sandburg students — is an investment in the success of students on our campus and people in our area.”

Each grant recipient gets a tool cart and is supplied with a variety of tools, including standard and metric sockets and wrenches, an air impact wrench, a dead-blow hammer, a ball-peen hammer, screwdrivers, torx bits, hex bits, Allen wrenches, a multimeter, a test light and more.

“It was a really good starter set for us,” said Leady, a 2023 graduate of Spoon River Valley High School. “It took a lot of what I needed to get off my plate, especially the wrenches and sockets. Those cost a lot of money with how good of quality they are. I thought they were going to be hand-me-downs or something people threw in there, but they were brand new. We ripped them right out of the packaging.”

And when students finish their time in the program like Leady did, they don’t have to turn their tools back in. Once they’ve earned their diploma, they’ll also have earned the equipment they used to get it.

“Having this grant is a great benefit for students as they enter this program, and it also serves as a great incentive for them to succeed in their time here,” Johnson said. “No matter where someone is in their life, there are opportunities at Sandburg. People who come here are doing everything they can to better themselves. If we can help people get there, we’re doing our part.”

Leady will be back at Sandburg this fall to study welding in addition to being a full-time assembly worker at Heat & Control. He said he’ll still put his new tools to use at home for work on his own car or doing side jobs for friends. That passion for car projects started as a kid when he helped his dad with maintenance on his vehicles.

“I loved it a lot, and I didn't realize how much I loved it until I look back on it now,” Leady said. “I'm actually doing something that I really enjoy. The more I think about it, the more grateful I am to have that (tool set) with me.”

JOY SWEARINGEN COVERS WESTERN ILLINOIS THRESHERS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

THE 57TH ANNUAL WESTERN ILLINOIS THRESHERS COMING UP AUGUST 2ND 3RD AN 4TH

More Illinois Democrats – including Pritzker – endorse Harris for president

Governor, senators, state party on board after not endorsing on Sunday

Illinois Democrats, after initially being split on whether to immediately endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ bid to replace President Joe Biden, began rallying around her on Monday. 

Gov. JB Pritzker, along with Illinois’ U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, added their names to the growing list of Democrats backing the vice president one day after Biden announced he would no longer seek reelection. They join all of Illinois’ Democratic U.S. House members in supporting Harris. 

Pritzker has frequently been mentioned as a possible fill-in for Biden, especially in recent weeks following Biden’s jarring showing during a debate with former President Donald Trump late last month.

But in a statement Monday morning, Pritzker said he “spent hours yesterday talking to fellow leaders in our Party getting and giving input about the road to victory in November” – including a conversation with Harris. 

“Vice President Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country and the vision to better the lives of all Americans,” Pritzker said. “She represents our Party’s best chance to defeat Donald Trump in November, and I will work my heart out to help her do that.”

Pritzker’s endorsement follows those of other Democratic governors whose names have also been floated as possible replacements for Biden on the Democratic ticket, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

All of Illinois’ congressional Democrats have now pledged to support Harris as she vies to clinch the Democratic nomination ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago next month. Five of Illinois’ 14 Democratic representatives called on Biden to drop out prior to Sunday’s announcement. 

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline, was among those calling on Biden to drop out and one of the Democrats who did not initially endorse Harris. He instead waited until Monday morning to announce that he was backing the vice president via a post on social media. 

“We need a Democratic Presidential nominee who will lead with passion, empathy, and fire,” Sorensen said. “Vice President Kamala Harris is that person.” 

Sorensen faces one of the toughest reelection bids in Illinois this November, when he will face off against Republican Joseph McGraw, a retired state judge. The district is on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s list of 37 districts it will try to flip in 2024.

The rush of Monday morning endorsements also included one from Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, one of the highest-ranking Black women in Illinois politics. 

“Today, I am dreaming of the future I want my daughters to inherit,” Stratton said. “Kamala Harris is the best person to take us there.” 

Illinois’ state party chair and state Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, also endorsed Harris on Monday after not mentioning her in a Sunday statement. 

“The Democratic Party of Illinois is fully committed to mobilizing our communities in support of Kamala Harris,” Hernandez said in her Monday statement. “We recognize the historic significance of her candidacy and profound impact her leadership will have on our state and our country.” 

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, also backed Harris on Monday, tying his support to the historic nature of Harris’ candidacy as a woman of color. Welch said there is “no greater celebration of Black excellence” than nominating Harris.

Many are now watching Chicago as it prepares to host the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22. 

“Here in Chicago, our mission remains the same,” convention chair Minyon Moore said in a statement. “During the convention, we will have an opportunity to show the country and the world who Democrats are and what we stand for.”

Many of the details of the convention are now up in the air as national Democrats determine, procedurally, how to handle the shift at the top of the ticket. 

“In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward,” Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said in a statement. “This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.”

But as far as the ballot goes, Biden’s decision to drop out will have no immediate impact on the ongoing process, according to state election officials, because the names that appear on the ballot won’t be officially determined for several weeks.

Illinois State Board of Elections spokesperson Matt Dietrich said in an interview Monday the names won’t be determined until the Democratic Party formally nominates its candidates at the convention. After that, Dietrich said, it will send those names to state election officials. The Illinois board will meet Aug. 23 to certify those names for the Illinois ballot.

Illinois held what is officially known as a “presidential preference primary” on March 19, and Biden, who faced no serious challenge for the nomination at that time, won that race with 91.5 percent of the vote.

Dietrich noted, however, that in such a primary, voters do not actually cast ballots for a candidate but, rather, for a slate of delegates who pledge their support for a particular candidate. Biden’s decision Sunday to bow out of the race released his delegates from that pledge.

Republicans, meanwhile, have been reacting to the change at the top of the ticket as well, including by branding Harris as Biden’s “border czar,” accusing the party of covering up Biden’s mental decline and questioning his fitness to continue to lead the nation. 

“It's been clear that President Biden cannot serve four more years, but serious concerns remain about whether he can fulfill his duty over the next four months,” U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said in a statement on Sunday. “No matter who the Democrat Party installs in Chicago next month, Americans are not buying the open-border, soft-on-crime, and out-of-touch policies they are selling.”

Capitol News Illinois Hannah Meisel contributed to this story. 

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.

Memorial Hospital Hosts Renowned Speaker Brian Lee

Carthage, IL – Memorial Hospital welcomed renowned speaker Brian Lee, CSP, HoF, on July
16-17. Lee delivered an inspiring presentation on “Resilience, Self-Care, and Uplifting
Communication” to over 350 Memorial Hospital and Hancock County Senior and Childcare
Services employees. 
During the event, Lee shared valuable strategies and practical tools to enhance resilience, and promote positive communication among patients and healthcare professionals. Additionally, Lee  provided staff with a range of self-care recommendations covering various aspects in life such as physical, social, space, work, emotional, spiritual, financial, and personal well-being. His engaging sessions profoundly impacted all employees who attended.

 “We are honored to have Brian share his knowledge and expertise with our team,” said Ada Bair, CEO at Memorial Hospital and Hancock County Senior and Childcare Services (HCSCS). “His insights were invaluable, and I am confident that our staff will greatly benefit from his teaching, ultimately enhancing the quality of care we provide to our community.”

“Based upon our attitude, we can bring joy or misery to ourselves and those around us” Lee
stated. “By fostering a culture of resilience and self-care, we can create a more uplifting and supportive atmosphere for both staff and patients.”

Brian Lee is the founder of Custom Learning Systems and has been a prominent figure in
healthcare training for the past forty years. He has personally trained and served as an on-site advisor to over 560 hospitals, clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers across North America. His remarkable contributions to customer services and healthcare education have earned him the title of the number one Customer Service Speaker in the World by the International Customer Service Association for two consecutive years.

In addition to his speaking engagements, Lee is the accomplished author of eight books,
including Keep Your Nurses for Life and Skillful Physician Communication. With over forty
years of experience, Lee has traveled more than five million miles and spoken over 3,840 times in every state and province in North America and 16 countries worldwide.

##

Pictured: Memorial Hospital and Hancock County Senior and Childcare Services Service
Excellence Council back row left to right: Raigan Brown, Chief Nursing Officer; Deana Ferrill,
Clinic Administrative Assistant; Theresa Klossing, Medical Records Specialist; Mary Lou

Sadler, OTA; Brad Culpepper, Director of Hospitality; Sheridan Voshake, Medical Laboratory
Supervisor; Rob Biondolino, Director of Plant Operations; Shelly Fox, Grant Administrator;
Tanna Jennings, Administrative Coordinator; Lisa Merriman, Medical Staff Coordinator
Front row left to right: Jill Schlatter, Director of Diagnostic Imaging; Brian Lee, CEO and
founder of Custom Learning Systems; Ada Bair, CEO of Memorial Hospital and Hancock
County Senior and Childcare Services; Lauren Ellison, Marketing and Communications
Coordinator; Colleen Wildrick, Director of Development Memorial Hospital Foundation

Biden drops out of presidential race and endorses Harris to be nominee

President Joe Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the 2024 race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new nominee, after mounting calls from Democrats to end his reelection bid. Biden said he will finish his term and will address the nation later this week.

Despite Biden’s backing, it remains unclear whether Harris will become the nominee, or what process the party will take to select an alternative. Either during a virtual roll call, which is tentatively planned for early August, or at the convention in Chicago beginning August 19, delegates will select a new candidate to be the party’s nominee.

CONVERSATION WITH THE LEGENDARY BELLAMY BROTHERS  WHO PREFORMED LIVE AT COUNTRY THUNDER WISCONSIN SATURDAY NIGHT

Don Obrien with the Quincy Better Business Bureau on

COURIER SCAMS AND HOW TO LOOK OUT FOR THEM

U OF I EXTENSION DAWN WEINBERG

Up coming 4 H events and shows

Hancock COunty Health Department- Melita Finney - ALL THE SERVICES HCHD PROVIDES INCLUDING HOME HEALTH SERVICES AND IMMUNIZATIONS

Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce Held a   Ribbon Cutting For  LOU LOU"S BARGIN  DEN this morning to Welcome the newest member Lou Lou's Bargin Den owed by Leigh and Jeff Patrick 

HANCOCK COUNTY FARM BUREAU  RICHLAND HOENER- UPDATE FOR JUNE HIGHLIGHTING THE UPCOMING SALUTE TO AG SCRAMBLE AND FUEL PROMOTION AND ANNUAL FALL BUS TRIP

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL’S HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER PRESENTS:

MEALS WITH MEMORIAL PREP & GO!

Carthage, IL – As the school year approaches and the harvest season begins, Memorial Hospital’s Health & Wellness Center is excited to offer Meals with Memorial: PREP & GO! Back by popular demand, this workshop is designed to help busy individuals and families prepare nutritious and delicious meals with ease. The event will take place on Thursday, August 8, from 5:30-6:30 PM at Memorial Hospital Health & Wellness Center Teaching Kitchen at 1454 N. Co. Rd. 2050, Carthage, IL.

The cost is $5 or less per serving for a total of $200 for 10 meals (each meal serves 4-6 people). Workshop Highlights
? Expert guidance from nutrition and culinary professionals
? Take home 10 ready-to-cook meals
? Only 15 spots are available, so sign up now!
Included Meals
1. Teriyaki Beef & Broccoli
2. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
3. Crockpot Taco Soup
4. Herb Roasted Chicken & Vegetables
5. Beef Ragu
6. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
7. Chicken Sausage & Pasta Skillet
8. Classic Chili
9. Coconut Curry Chicken (Prepared ahead by Chef Amber)
10. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
Instructors
? Ashlyn Housewright, MHA, RDN, LDN, CDCES
? Julie Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLC
? Chef Amber Clark, Memorial Hospital’s Head Chef
Make your life easier with Meals with Memorial: PREP & GO! Enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals without the hassle of daily cooking. Register now by visiting MHTLC.org. For more information, contact the Health & Wellness Center at 217-357-6540.
##

Direct Registration Link: https://form.jotform.com/241585782474165

67 Chargers earn Academic All-Region 4 for spring semester

Sixty-seven Sandburg student-athletes earned Academic All-NJCAA Region 4 honors for the 2024 spring semester.

Honorees had to achieve at least a 3.0 grade point average and pass a minimum of 12 credit hours to earn the distinction. Among Sandburg’s recipients, 44 had a GPA of 3.50 or better. Nineteen Chargers had a perfect 4.0 GPA, and each Sandburg team was represented within that group of student-athletes with an unblemished GPA.

Nine of the Chargers’ award winners participated in multiple sports during the 2023-24 season. Sandburg’s men’s soccer team had a department-best 18 players who earned all-academic honors from the region. Softball and volleyball each had 10 designees to share top honors among women’s teams.

The announcement of the Academic All-Region 4 team comes shortly after 61 Chargers earned Academic All-Arrowhead Conference honors for the 2023-24 season.

The following Sandburg student-athletes earned Academic All-Region 4 honors for the 2024 spring semester:

MULTIPLE SPORTS
Men’s basketball and men’s golf
David Hise
Women’s basketball and softball
Elly Bentley
Women’s basketball and volleyball
Lauren Powell
Volleyball and softball
Addison DeSpain
Cristina Heras Marcos
Erin Jackson
Madeline Mooney
Maleaha Nagel
Bailey Ryan

BASEBALL
Derek Castillo
Sammy Eisenberg
Payton Hankins
Cameron Howard
Frank Kelch
Michael Kleinhans
Dhane McCormick
Anthony Nino
David Smith
Parker Stoneking
Austin Wiegand
Noah Wolf

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Koen Derry
Jack DuBois
Easten Schisler

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Camille Kruse
Elliot Lewis
Armani Revis
Gracie Sims

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Collines Chelak
Larry Kamara
Meshack Kimutai
Matthew Kiplagat

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Ascar Jepchirchir
Damaris Kimaiyo
Sharon Yego
Linda Koech

MEN’S GOLF
Jake McGarry

MEN’S SOCCER
Daniel Albino
Sebastien Bornelus
Jean Pierre Cabezas Ortiz
Murillo Campos Costa
Tian Capilla
Felipe Endo Dos Santos
Felipe Garcia
Brais Gonzalez
Breno Imbuzeiro
Gabriel Barros Lima
Lucas Maranhao
Lucas Mota
Mario Munoz
Rodrigo Perez
Matteo Rissato Prado
Vinicio Goncalves Sartorello
Lorenzo Schons
Diego Soto

WOMEN’S GOLF
Kylie Fahnestock
Ava Hackman
Taylor Haga
Lainey Jensen
Addy Trego
Ellie Wasson

SOFTBALL
Alexis Brammeier
Kaitlyn Egenes
Mary Hellige

VOLLEYBALL
Natalie Burden
Grace Evans
Grace Vyhnanek

Pritzker signs health insurance reform measures

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Wednesday that puts new controls on the state’s health insurance industry, including bans on certain practices companies have used to reduce costs by controlling the amount of health care services a patient receives.

The Health Care Protection Act, House Bill 5395, was among Pritzker’s top legislative priorities during the just-completed legislative session. 

Pritzker also signed House Bill 2499, which bans the sale of short-term, limited-duration insurance plans in Illinois – policies Pritzker and other critics refer to as “junk insurance” because they are not required to meet the minimum standards under the federal Affordable Care Act.

“For too long, insurance companies have used predatory tactics to make an extra dime at the expense of Illinois consumers,” Pritzker said at a bill signing ceremony in Chicago. “For too long, patients have delayed or been denied medically necessary treatments because of profit-driver utilization management practices. For too long, shoddy networks, price gouging and overly complicated bureaucracies have stood in the way of our families getting the care that they deserve. Today, with my signature, Illinois is addressing and rectifying that problem.”

Among other things, the Health Care Protection Act bars the use of a restriction known as “step therapy,” also known as a “fail first” provision, that requires a patient to try and fail on one or more treatments preferred by the insurance company before they can access a treatment recommended by their doctor.

It also prohibits insurers from requiring prior authorization before a patient can receive emergency inpatient treatment at a psychiatric facility.

“Illinois, by the way, is once again a pioneer, the first state in the nation to do this for adults and children,” Pritzker said.

The new law also requires insurers to maintain accurate, up-to-date lists of providers in their networks. And it gives the Illinois Department of Insurance authority to approve or reject proposed premium rate changes in large-group health insurance plans, similar to the authority it already has over small-group plans.

Pritzker first announced the plan in his State of the State address in February, saying he expected stiff resistance from the insurance industry but vowing “to spend serious political capital” if necessary to pass the legislation.

The bill was, in fact, the subject of intense behind-the-scenes negotiations between the administration, insurance industry representatives, health care providers and other stakeholder groups. In the end, the final version of the act had little opposition and drew some Republican support. It passed 45-14 in the Senate and 83-23 in the House.

Part of the reason for the bipartisan support was that the more controversial provision banning the sale of short-term, limited-duration insurance plans was taken out and put into a separate bill. 

Those policies are marketed as temporary plans intended mainly for people who find themselves in between coverage plans, often because of changes in employment. Supporters of the bill argued those plans provide substandard coverage and often leave individuals liable for huge medical bills. But many Republicans argued that those policies provide a lower-cost option that suits the needs of some individuals.

That measure passed largely along party lines: 40-19 in the Senate, and 72-35 in the House.

Pritzker signed the two bills at a ceremony at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago where he was joined by lawmakers who supported the bill, as well as health care providers.

“The health insurance reforms passed by the Illinois lawmakers, many of them are right here, will ensure that administrative delays caused by the insurance companies as well as their inadequate provider networks, so called ghost networks, should be a thing of the past,” said Piyush Vyas, president of the Illinois State Medical Society. 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering 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.

Illinois Soybean Association  hosting   Field Day in Western IL  in Augusta, IL, on July 25th from 4-6 PM

llinois Soybean Association (ISA) is hosting its next on-farm field day event in Augusta, IL, on July 25th from 4-6 PM. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Connor Sible from the University of Illinois, will discuss strategies for maintaining crop yields despite low commodity prices—a challenge many farmers are facing in the current market. Plus, we will also hear from Abigail Peterson, CCA and ISA’s Director of Agronomy, and Stephanie Porter, CCA and ISA’s Outreach Agronomist.

The event will take place at Brady Holst’s farm in Augusta. Brady serves on the Illinois Soybean Board of Directors and chairs the Soybean Production committee. Here are the GPS coordinates for the event: 40.25130590358717, -90.94946147116376 a screenshot of the map – we are located at the red pin, north of Augusta.

Agenda:

4:00 - 4:30 PM: Welcome/ISA Agronomy Update - Abigail Peterson, CCA, Illinois Soybean Association Director of Agronomy

4:30 - 5:00 PM: Demo of Leaftech Ag - On Demand Tissue Analysis - Stephanie Porter, CCA, Illinois Soybean Association Outreach Agronomist

5:00 - 6:00 PM: "Strategies for Crops Among Low Commodity Prices" - Dr. Connor Sible, Postdoc, University of Illinois Crop Sciences

6:00 PM: Dinner Provided at Rally Point, Bowen, IL

CCA credits in crop management will be offered.

Former GOP state lawmaker, candidate for governor sentenced to 42 months in prison

Sam McCann abruptly ended February trial in guilty plea for stealing campaign funds

SPRINGFIELD – Former Republican State Sen. Sam McCann on Tuesday was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for stealing nearly $700,000 in campaign funds and attempting to conceal his theft with false reports to state election authorities.

In February, McCann pleaded guilty to seven counts of wire fraud and one count each of money laundering and tax evasion – but only after prosecutors had spent nearly three days presenting evidence against him at trial. 

U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless hearkened back to that moment as she was handing down her sentence Tuesday afternoon, saying McCann’s refusal to “accept responsibility” until the last possible moment factored into her calculation for prison time. She also told McCann she was bothered that he “continued to steal” all while “holding yourself out (to be) a God-fearing public servant.”

“That may have been part of your stump speech and your public persona,” Lawless said. “But just because you said it over and over does not make it true.”

McCann appeared in Lawless’ courtroom clad in the gray-and-black striped uniform of the Macon County Jail, where he’s been held since shortly before his trial began in February. The judge had ordered him detained when he disobeyed her directives after his sudden unexplained hospitalization on the eve of trial further delayed court proceedings, and she declined to release him on home confinement after his guilty plea to await sentencing.

But in addressing Lawless on Tuesday, McCann said he was “thankful” for his time in jail because of the relationships he was developing with other detainees and correctional officers. He also said he was coming to understand how some of the votes he took during his eight years in the General Assembly translated to real-world policy that contributed to his fellow detainees’ involvement with the criminal justice system.

“I’d trust these men more than some of my colleagues in Illinois government,” McCann said of his fellow detainees.

A ‘brazen...fraud’

McCann was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2010, and then twice more in 2012 and 2016. During his eight years in office, McCann represented a rural district spanning from Springfield westward to the Missouri border, sometimes breaking from his own party to vote in the interest of organized labor – a key constituency for Democrats.

McCann’s disagreements with GOP leadership ultimately led to him leaving the Republican Party and forming his own “Conservative Party.” In 2018, McCann ran on his new third-party ticket for governor, garnering $3 million from the International Union of Operating Engineers – a funding move seen as a strategic way to draw votes away from then GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner, who was deeply unpopular with organized labor.

Though prosecutors alleged McCann’s illegal campaign spending dated back to 2015, it ramped up in 2018, coinciding with McCann’s run for governor and accompanying infusion of cash.

The government’s evidence included checks and bank statements showing McCann used campaign money to pay two mortgages and delinquent loans in addition to helping finance multiple vehicles and vacations. McCann also fraudulently cut himself checks for work not performed and double-dipped on reimbursement for miles driven.

During the summer of 2018, federal agents approached McCann about his campaign spending, but he denied any wrongdoing. In several hours of FBI recordings of the meetings played during trial, McCann stumbled over his explanations about why his campaign was paying to lease RVs and properties McCann personally owned, while the agents warned him that lying to them could land him in hot water.

Even so, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Bass reminded Judge Lawless on Tuesday, McCann kept spending the campaign money all the way up through mid-2020, including buying another RV and cutting himself regular checks from the basically defunct Conservative Party of Illinois long after losing his bid for governor.

Bass said the continuation of illegal campaign fund spending even after multiple interviews with federal agents was McCann’s “most brazen” act of “fraud.”

“This wasn’t a one-off. This wasn’t an anomaly,” Bass said. "He continued to use campaign funds for his personal expenses up to the point where there was nothing left.”

McCann was indicted in early 2021, two years after he left public office after his failed third-party run for governor. He spent the next three years after charges were filed against him maintaining his innocence, refusing multiple plea agreements and eventually electing to represent himself at trial after burning through multiple court-appointed attorneys. Ultimately, however, McCann accepted legal representation after his sudden hospitalization on the eve of his already-delayed trial in February.

On Tuesday, attorney Jason Vincent asked Lawless for 12 months in prison – way below the sentencing guidelines that suggested an imprisonment of between 37 and 46 months. Bass had asked Lawless to give McCann the maximum 46 months.

Vincent argued that McCann had already “been disgraced through his own actions” and pointed to the number of pre-sentencing letters of support he’d received from McCann’s family, friends and even former constituents.

While Lawless said the show of support from McCann’s family was encouraging, the judge said she ultimately viewed his actions in the larger context of other public corruption cases.

“Greed coupled with the abuse of power has become expected of public servants,” she said.

In addition to his prison sentence, McCann was also ordered to pay $683,816.61 in restitution, which will be split between Local 150 and the Illinois Education Association, which gave to McCann for his campaigns prior to 2018.

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.

Road Closure

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
380 East (Bluff Road)
From City of Warsaw to 460 East/430 North
Adding Gravel for reclamation project.
 

Local Artists Featured in PubOn July 13, from 1-2 pm, the Quincy Art Center, located at 1515 Jersey St., will host a
special gallery discussion that is free and open to the public. Enjoy a captivating panel
discussion featuring local and regional Riverwork Project contributors alongside its
creator, Sun Smith-Forêt. This unique experience will highlight the remarkable efforts of
local artists that have joined over 70 individuals living along rivers who have contributed
to the Riverwork Project, a stunning display of over 300 feet of irregularly shaped quilts
adorning the gallery walls.
Ann Miller Titus of Quincy, Illinois, coordinated and combined the creative contributions
of the following participants into the Quincy/Hannibal Riverwork Project Panel now on
display at the Quincy Art Center. Featured participants from Quincy, Illinois include KJ
Jacoby, Carol Clay Mann, Dave Maas, Danielle [Thompson] Pope, and Chris Taylor.
Katie O’Neal from Payson, Illinois has also contributed to the project. Featured
participants from Hannibal, Missouri include Margaret Fessenden and Faye Dant,
Executive Director of Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center.
The Riverwork Project explores the profound connection between humanity and water
resources through intricate imagery and evocative text. Sun Smith-Forêt, the visionary
artist behind this project, is also the current featured artist at the Quincy Art Center. Her
sculpted vessels and paintings are exhibited alongside the quilts, creating a
comprehensive artistic experience.
Special panel guests and Riverwork advisors include Penelope Schmidt from Alton,
Illinois, an Independent Curator, Collector, Eco-Art Activist, Audubon Board Member,
and former New York City art gallery owner; Professor Laura Strand from Worden,
Illinois, the Textile Art Chair and Gallery Director at Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville (SIUE), working textile artist, and Riverwork Project Artist; and Libby
Reuter from Alton, Illinois, an Eco Artist, Author, and Lecturer on Watershed Cairns, a
10-year initiative marking and photographing the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and
Allegheny Rivers.lic Art Gallery Discussion

CONNABLE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORK

A major widening and resurfacing project on the Connable Road from 1800N to US Route 136 scheduled to begin the week of July 8, 2024. The work should be completed by late October,2024. Drivers can expect frequent lane closures with alternating one-way traffic directed byflaggers throughout the duration of the project. In addition, there will be several full roadclosures for short stretches during the beginning phases of the project that will require drivers to use an alternate route. Message boards will be utilized to inform the public of the specificdates and loca?ons of the full road closures. Drivers are asked to use caution and pay close attention to the construction signage when traveling in that area.

Illinois switching to ACT exams for state assessments

SPRINGFIELD – When Illinois high school students sit down to take their annual state assessments next year, they will take a different exam than in recent years.

The Illinois State Board of Education recently announced that starting next spring, it will use the ACT exam rather than the SAT.

Both are standardized tests that measure students’ proficiency in core subjects such as English language arts and math. Both are also commonly used for college admissions – although many colleges and universities have stopped requiring them – as well as scholarship applications.

Illinois, however, also uses them as part of the battery of tests schools administer each year to meet federal mandates under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Results of those tests are reported each year on the Illinois Report Card and are used to hold schools and districts accountable for meeting basic academic standards.

Illinois started using the SAT with Essay as the state assessment for 11th grade students in spring 2017. Two years later, it began using the PSAT 8/9 exam for 9th grade students and the PSAT 10 for high school sophomores.

At the time, according to ISBE, incorporating a college entrance exam into the state’s annual assessment program was considered a bonus because it gave nearly all graduating high school students a reportable score, paid for by the state, which they could then use for college and scholarship applications.

In recent years, though, many colleges and universities stopped requiring either the SAT or ACT as part of their application and admission processes. 

In 2021, Illinois lawmakers passed the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act requiring all public universities and community colleges to adopt a “test-optional” policy for admissions, meaning students could voluntarily choose whether to include them in their application package. But ISBE continued using the tests as part of its federally mandated statewide assessments.

The upcoming switch to the ACT exam came about through ISBE’s routine procurement process. The agency’s contract with the College Board, the nonprofit corporation that operates the SAT, was set to expire on June 30, prompting the agency to open a new bidding process.

The state board agreed to open the bidding process and solicit sealed proposals from testing companies at its regular monthly meeting in September 2023. The decision to award a six-year, $53 million contract to ACT was finalized in May.

Sandburg mourns passing of cross country coach Rodney Blue

Sandburg mourns the loss of cross country coach Rodney Blue, a Chargers alumnus who returned to lead the program to its most successful stretch ever, who died Tuesday at age 66.

Blue had served as the Chargers’ men’s and women’s cross country coach since 2015. He first joined the program as an assistant in 2011.

Under Blue’s direction, Sandburg sent a team or individual to the NJCAA national meet in each of the eight seasons it fielded a squad. In total, the Chargers sent seven teams (women in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, and men from 2021-23) and 11 individuals to the national meet with Blue as head coach. In 2021, both Chargers teams recorded program-bests at nationals, as the men’s team placed sixth and the women finished 22nd. The Chargers men's team also produced three All-Americans during Blue's tenure.

Blue was named Region 4 Coach of the Year five times in his career, and his teams won five region championships. Sandburg’s women’s team won the Region 4 title in 2019, the first time either Chargers cross country program had claimed a region championship. It added another Region 4 crown in 2022. This past season, the men’s team won its third consecutive region title.

In addition to his coaching role, Blue worked in the college’s fitness center as a fitness skills coach. He was a popular figure among students and other fitness center patrons for his welcoming smile, firm handshake and willingness to impart his wisdom on those who came to him for advice of all kinds.

“Beyond being a successful and outstanding coach, Coach Blue was a great person and a fantastic mentor, not just for our student-athletes but for our entire campus community,” athletic director Daniella Irle said. “Rodney was always a welcome face for everyone at Sandburg and had a special way of connecting with people. Our hearts go out to his family and the countless others he impacted throughout his coaching career and his life.”

Blue had years of coaching experience at the elementary, junior high and high school levels before becoming part of Sandburg’s staff. He spent 2008-2010 as the head coach of the Galesburg junior high cross country program, and his 2010 girls team recorded the only undefeated season in its history. As sprint coach for the Galesburg High School boys track and field team from 2008-09, Blue helped the Silver Streaks finish fourth in Class 2A at the 2009 state meet. Their 4x400-meter relay also set a school record and was the state runner-up that year.

Prior to his time coaching in the Galesburg area, Blue was an assistant at United Township High School in East Moline from 1999-2002, aiding the Panthers’ boys track teams as well as their boys and girls cross country programs. He also spent time as a coach at the elementary level in the Rock Island/Milan School District.

An accomplished runner in his own right, Blue held the 400-meter record at Galesburg High School for 20 years and finished 10th in the event at the 1976 state meet. He also helped set school records in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays during his high school career. Blue was inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Blue remained active on the track well into his later years, competing in masters events and the Quad Cities Senior Olympics. At the Senior Olympics in 2020, he took home gold in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter runs.

Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. July 12 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg, with the family present from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. July 13 at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg.

Blue is survived by his wife, Cindy; sons Rodney Jr. (Jill) and Drexler; a stepson, Jason (Traycie) Nigoza; a stepdaughter, Jami (Ryan) White; a guarddaughter, Marissa Wingo; and seven grandchildren.

Sandburg mourns passing of cross country coach Rodney Blue

Sandburg mourns the loss of cross country coach Rodney Blue, a Chargers alumnus who returned to lead the program to its most successful stretch ever, who died Tuesday at age 66.

Blue had served as the Chargers’ men’s and women’s cross country coach since 2015. He first joined the program as an assistant in 2011.

Under Blue’s direction, Sandburg sent a team or individual to the NJCAA national meet in each of the eight seasons it fielded a squad. In total, the Chargers sent seven teams (women in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, and men from 2021-23) and 11 individuals to the national meet with Blue as head coach. In 2021, both Chargers teams recorded program-bests at nationals, as the men’s team placed sixth and the women finished 22nd. The Chargers men's team also produced three All-Americans during Blue's tenure.

Blue was named Region 4 Coach of the Year five times in his career, and his teams won five region championships. Sandburg’s women’s team won the Region 4 title in 2019, the first time either Chargers cross country program had claimed a region championship. It added another Region 4 crown in 2022. This past season, the men’s team won its third consecutive region title.

In addition to his coaching role, Blue worked in the college’s fitness center as a fitness skills coach. He was a popular figure among students and other fitness center patrons for his welcoming smile, firm handshake and willingness to impart his wisdom on those who came to him for advice of all kinds.

“Beyond being a successful and outstanding coach, Coach Blue was a great person and a fantastic mentor, not just for our student-athletes but for our entire campus community,” athletic director Daniella Irle said. “Rodney was always a welcome face for everyone at Sandburg and had a special way of connecting with people. Our hearts go out to his family and the countless others he impacted throughout his coaching career and his life.”

Blue had years of coaching experience at the elementary, junior high and high school levels before becoming part of Sandburg’s staff. He spent 2008-2010 as the head coach of the Galesburg junior high cross country program, and his 2010 girls team recorded the only undefeated season in its history. As sprint coach for the Galesburg High School boys track and field team from 2008-09, Blue helped the Silver Streaks finish fourth in Class 2A at the 2009 state meet. Their 4x400-meter relay also set a school record and was the state runner-up that year.

Prior to his time coaching in the Galesburg area, Blue was an assistant at United Township High School in East Moline from 1999-2002, aiding the Panthers’ boys track teams as well as their boys and girls cross country programs. He also spent time as a coach at the elementary level in the Rock Island/Milan School District.

An accomplished runner in his own right, Blue held the 400-meter record at Galesburg High School for 20 years and finished 10th in the event at the 1976 state meet. He also helped set school records in the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays during his high school career. Blue was inducted into the GHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Blue remained active on the track well into his later years, competing in masters events and the Quad Cities Senior Olympics. At the Senior Olympics in 2020, he took home gold in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter runs.

Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. July 12 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg, with the family present from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. July 13 at Bethel Baptist Church in Galesburg.

Blue is survived by his wife, Cindy; sons Rodney Jr. (Jill) and Drexler; a stepson, Jason (Traycie) Nigoza; a stepdaughter, Jami (Ryan) White; a guarddaughter, Marissa Wingo; and seven grandchildren.

Brad Still candid talk with Chenille  Sherran , you can  hear her in person July 13th @  The Legacy Theater 

Don Obrien with the Better Business Bureau on

SENIOR SCAMS WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID THEM

Susan Starr invites EVERY ONE to GOLDEN POINT ICE CREAM SOCIAL JULY 13TH 

COME OUT AND SUPPORT SOME GREAT CAUSES WITH DELICIOUS HOMEMADE ICE CREAM, MAIDRITES AND ENTERTAINMENT JULY 13TH 

Golden Point Church 905 E. Co. Rd. 1800, Hamilton, IL 62341

Hancock County Economic Development- Sam Harnak 

FROM INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS, TO FOOD, EVEN LOCAL SHOPPING HANCOCK COUNTY HAS IT ALL

The Legacy Theater Board Member- Joy Swearingen - UPCOMING CONCERT WITH CHENILLE SHEERAN AT THE LEGACY THEATER JULY 13TH AT 7PM

U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to Illinois’ assault weapons ban, for now

One justice says he hopes high court will hear the matter once lower courts issue decisions

The Illinois ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines will remain in place, at least for now. 

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Tuesday it will not take up any of the pending challenges to the law until the cases have been fully heard in lower courts. 

Illinois lawmakers enacted the ban last year in response to a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park in 2022 that left seven people dead and dozens more injured.

A federal judge in southern Illinois put a temporary hold on the law in March of last year. But the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals later reversed that decision, allowing the law to remain in effect while various challenges are heard. 

The announcement by the Supreme Court leaves the appellate court’s order in place as challenges progress.

In a separate statement, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas said he doubts the law will withstand constitutional scrutiny, and he hopes the court will hear the case once the lower courts render final decisions. But he also said the high court should clarify what kinds of firearms are protected by the Second Amendment.

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. 

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION RECEIVES MATCHING GRANT FROM

MTC COMMUNICATIONS AND COBANK

Memorial Hospital Foundation has received a donation of $5,000, which was made
possible by the generosity of MTC Communications and CoBank’s Sharing Success Matching Grant Program. Giving back to the communities  they serve is of the utmost importance to MTC. Therefore, they are  proud to partner with CoBank’s Sharing Success Program  to make an even more meaningful impact by giving to local organizations such as Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Matching fundsfrom this opportunity will support the Foundation’s Strengthening Minds,
Building Futures campaign, which seeks to raise funds for Memorial Medical Clinic Mobile. This mobile clinic will allow mental health professional counselors to provide students with needed support, therapy, and resources,  on their school’s campus. The mobile unit is licensed to serve children ages 4 through 18 throughout the region. This added service will allow the team to address common challenges such as anxiety, depression, social/emotional difficulties, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, and much more. The team will also be licensed to assist schools with IEP education.
Jay Griswold, President/CEO at MTC Communications, states, “This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to empowering rural communities with innovative solutions and reliable connectivity. By supporting mental health services, we are investing in the well-being and future success of our communities.” 

Greta Wetzel, Executive Director of Memorial Hospital Foundation, states, “We are incredibly grateful for MTC and CoBank’s charitable contribution to this campaign. Their generosity and philanthropy make it possible for us to fulfill our mission of continuing to enhance health and wellness in our local communities.”
With this donation, MTC Communications and CoBank are proud to support this cause, ensuring  more individuals have access to the mental healthcare they need. To learn more about Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Strengthening Minds, Building Futures campaign, visit mhtlc.org/foundation or contact Greta Wetzel at gwetzel@mhtlc.org .

(From left to right) Rachel Kerns and Jay Griswold from MTC Communications present a $5,000 donation to representatives from Memorial Hospital Foundation: Greta Wetzel, Katelyn Murphy, and Colleen Wildrick. The donation will support the Foundation’s “Strengthening Minds, Building Futures” campaign, which seeks to raise funds for Memorial Medical Clinic Mobile. The mobile clinic will allow mental health professional counselors to provide students with needed support, therapy, and resources
directly on their school’s campus.

Register for the fall semester at Sandburg’s Take Charge enrollment events

t’s time to take charge of your future. Register for fall semester classes at Sandburg during one of our upcoming Take Charge enrollment days on the Galesburg campus.

Whether you still need to apply and complete placement testing or are ready to register for classes, our team of committed staff members can help you take your next step at Sandburg. Explore campus, learn about our wide selection of programs and more.

Sandburg Take Charge enrollment days

• July 15 — 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Aug. 2 — 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Aug. 12 — 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Check in anytime each day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunch and a Student Development fair will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., allowing you to meet with staff members on how to position yourself for success at Sandburg. For Aug. 2, Sandburg’s hours of operation will be extended until 6 p.m. to accommodate your busy schedule. A virtual option is also available for those who cannot attend in person.

Accuplacer testing sessions will be available at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with limited walk-ins available at each event. This free college placement test is required for new students. It evaluates an incoming student’s skill level in reading, writing and math and determines their placement level for courses at Sandburg.

Pre-registration for Take Charge enrollment days is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. To register or for more information, contact our Welcome Center at welcomecenter@sandburg.edu or 309.345.3500.

4-H FEDERATION OLIVIA JOHNSON- Come out to teh Hancock County 4H Fair Next WEEK

Carthage Public Library updates with Amy Gee and Tori Buckert

AREA AGENCY ON AGING GAY DICKERSON

LULUS BARGAIN DEN LEAH PATRICK JEFF PATRICK conversation with Still Talking in the Morning!

Welcome to Lou Lou's- Have we Got the Bargin for YOU!

LULUS BARGAIN DEN LEAH PATRICK JEFF PATRICK conversation with Still Talking in the Morning!

Welcome to Lou Lou's- Have we Got the Bargin for YOU!

Quincy Art Center Announces Open Call for Art Exhibit Celebrating
Connections

The Quincy Art Center is excited to announce an open call for its
upcoming art exhibit, themed "Connections" An open call is an invitation for artists and
collectors of all levels to submit their work for display in a public exhibition. Artists of all
mediums, as well as collectors of art, are invited to respond.

This exhibit is an opportunity for artists and collectors to contribute and engage with the
community through the creation and sharing of art. All responses to the theme "Connections" are welcome. Artists are encouraged to express themselves freely and creatively, regardless of  their preferred medium. Additionally, The Art Center is looking to include artworks from private collectors to provide a diverse and rich viewing experience.

To enrich the viewer’s experience and deepen the connection between the artist or collector and the audience, The Art Center is encouraging the inclusion of a written statement or story about the artwork and what about the piece represents “Connections,” for the artist or collector. These personal insights will help convey the inspiration and meaning behind each piece, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation.
Key Dates:
? Artwork Delivery: Wednesday – Saturday, August 7 – 10, between 11am – 6pm
? Opening Reception: Friday, August 23, from 7 – 9pm
Whether you are an emerging artist, an established creator, or a collector with a piece that speaks to the theme of connections, your contributions are vital to making this exhibit a success. 
For more information on how to submit your artwork and to read the full submission guidelines, please visit   (quincyartcenter.org).
The Art Center hopes many will join in celebrating the power of connections through art!

Hancock County Property Tax Bills to be mailed July 5^th

Hancock County Treasurer, Kris Pilkington, would like to inform property owners that Hancock County property tax bills will be mailed this week with due dates of Aug 16th and Sept 20th. Payments can be mailed to PO Box 248, paid in person at the Treasurer’s office, or paid at any Hancock County Bank. Payments can also be made with a credit card on line at hancockcounty-il.gov, or in the office. There will be a 2.25% processing fee for paying with a credit card. Payment stubs with bar codes must accompany any payment.! Any questions or concerns, please contact the Treasurer’s office at 217-357-3986.