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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and the governor’s office to ensure the passage of several pieces of pro-public education legislation during the 2021-22 legislative session in Springfield. This legislation will mean stronger K-12 schools and stronger community colleges and universities for our students, and it will help us address the growing teacher and education support staff shortages in our state. “We are about to end our second full school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. These have been the hardest years of most of our educators’ careers and are also likely the most difficult two years of our students’ learning careers. Our lawmakers recognized that. They acknowledged that not with mere words, but with action. We thank you for standing by our teachers, support staff, students and communities,” IEA President Kathi Griffin said. “This legislative session brought positive

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SPRINGFIELD — Each year in mid-April families are encouraged to have the often-difficult conversation with loved ones about health care decision-making. Putting your wishes in writing is one of the most important things you can do to ensure you remain in control of health care decisions, yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 70% of Americans do not have an advance care plan. Medical providers at HSHS Illinois hospitals remind everyone that discussions around advance directives, living wills and naming a health care power of attorney are critical. Decisions made now can help mitigate potential struggles down the road for your family and health care providers. National Healthcare Decisions Day was founded in 2008 to encourage families to discuss health care decision-making sooner, rather than later. The day reminds families to make end-of-life health care decisions known. Many families begin their discussions in private and then meet with a doctor to

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ROCHESTER - Ray Bruzan and his wife Pam have lived for over 50 years in one of the Orange Judd historic homes of Rochester, Illinois. Once they both retired, Ray and Pam began to research the history of Rochester, Illinois. Spearheading the creation of The Orange Judd Historic Walking Tour Guide to Rochester's historic homes in 2015 led directly to more detailed investigations of the people and events that make up the history of their adopted Rochester community. It's those people and events that now appear in the Bruzan’s book, Cotton, Violins & Shots in the Night / A Timeline Visit to Rochester, Illinois. The Bruzans have researched and authored seven books based on the history of Rochester Township, and they have contributed to the study of Sangamon County. Two of their writings have received awards of excellence from the Illinois State Historical Society. Have Violin, Will Travel-The Louis Persinger Story by Raymond Bruzan offers a historic journey as he explores the

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THE CONVERSATION - After following a white rabbit down a hole in the ground and changing sizes several times, Alice finds herself wondering “Who in the world am I?” This scene, from Lewis Carroll’s “ Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ,” might resonate with you: In a world that’s constantly changing, it can be challenging to find your authentic self. I am a social psychologist , and over the past few years, my colleagues and I have been conducting research to better understand what it means to be authentic. Our findings provide some valuable insights that not only shed light on what is meant by authenticity – a somewhat vague term whose definition has been debated – but can also offer some tips for how to tap into your true self. What is authenticity? In “ Sincerity and Authenticity ,” literary critic and professor Lionel Trilling described how society in past centuries was held together by the commitment of

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SPRINGFIELD – Every pet owner wants to make sure their beloved companion animal is healthy and receives appropriate and humane healthcare essential to long life. The connections people have with their pets are vital links to unconditional love, support, and overall well-being. April is Healthy Pet Month and the member veterinarians and certified veterinarian technicians of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) want to remind pet owners of the importance of preventative and annual health care for any companion pet or food animal. “Veterinarians are the vital connection between a pet owner and their beloved companion animal,” says Devon Hague, DVM, ISVMA President, Clinical Associate Professor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Service Head, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois. “A veterinarian dedicates themselves to using scientific knowledge and skills to promote public health and

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URBANA – Culinary herbs are a favorite of many gardeners. They are easy to grow as they require little care, have few insect and disease problems, and generally prefer moderate fertility levels. In addition, they add fragrance and beauty to the garden. Many herbs such as lavender, sage, and purple basil, are very ornamental and combine nicely in flower or vegetable gardens. “Now is the time to plan what herbs you will plant this spring,” says Jennifer Fishburn, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “First consider what herbs you use in food dishes, then consider which herb plants will add texture, color, and fragrance to your garden.” Seeds and plants can be mail ordered and most can be purchased locally. Herbs such as dill, cilantro, and basil are easy to grow from seed. Lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme are easily grown from purchased plants. “Mint and oregano are easy to divide, so ask a fellow gardener for a start of their

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the recipients of the 2022 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $2.5 million was awarded to 104 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. "All communities deserve safety, and this program helps ensure our smaller and rural fire districts aren't left behind when it comes to the tools they need to do their jobs," said Governor JB Pritzker. "I'm proud to be able to provide more than 100 districts with new lifesaving equipment. It's another way we can demonstrate our gratitude for all that they do to help their neighbors live safely." This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for fire departments and not-for profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary

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Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that the Illinois State Archives has placed more than 21,000 historic photographs from the Eddie Winfred “Doc” Helm Photo Collection online. The photos are from the 1940s to the 1980s. “Doc Helm served as the state photographer from 1941 to 1992 and he took photos of historic and day-to-day events at the state Capitol in Springfield and throughout the state,” said White. “However, because the Archives only had the negatives of these photos, the collection has rarely been seen. This new online collection will change that.” White, who serves as the State Archivist and the State Librarian, said the Illinois State Archives received a $60,000 grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) in 2020 to scan the photographs, and create a finding aid for them and place them online for public use. The photos are now on the Illinois Digital Archives website which is operated

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by Howard Manly Jackie Robinson was more than an athlete. Seventy-five years have now passed since Robinson became the first Black man to play for a professional white baseball team. Major League Baseball is celebrating the seminal moment that occurred on April 15, 1947, when Robinson, wearing No. 42, strode on the field as a Brooklyn Dodger. But as historian Chris Lamb of IUPUI points out, “those celebrations will fall short if they don’t address how Robinson confronted white supremacy with class and dignity … when his own minor league manager once asked, ‘Do you really think a nigra is a human being?’” Robinson’s life was focused on achieving racial equality in America — and he paid a price. In one 1953 sports magazine article headlined “Why They Boo Jackie Robinson,” he was described as “combative” and “emotional.” A Cleveland paper called him a “rabble-rouser” who was on a “soapbox.”

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GODFREY – The Nature Institute is excited to offer a family event for members diligently supporting the organization’s mission. Family Fun Day, scheduled for April 30 from 10 a.m. - to 12 p.m., invites families to play games together, meet animal ambassadors from Treehouse Wildlife Center, and grab an ice cream sundae. This event is a thank you to the people that continue to support TNI’s mission of fostering awareness and appreciation of the natural world through education, restoration, and preservation. As a non-profit, TNI is supported solely through funding provided by memberships, generous donations, program fees, and grants. If you’re interested in becoming a member, information can be found at www.TheNatureInstitute.org . Memberships start as low as $30. The Nature Institute, located at 2213 South Levis Lane in Godfrey, IL, will host activities available starting at 10 a.m. Self-led activities and Minute-to-Win-It games can be discovered throughout

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St. Louis Union Station is celebrating the St. Louis Blues this Saturday, April 16 with a rally day on the Purina Performance Plaza before the game. Beloved Blues mascot "Louie" will be on the plaza and in the St. Louis Wheel Park for hugs, high fives, and photos from 10 to 11 a.m. The Charles Glenn Band, a favorite of Blues fans, will perform in the Plaza from noon until 2 p.m. The Blues will play the Minnesota Wild at 2 p.m. at Enterprise Center next door to Union Station on Saturday. The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station will be open beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday and the St. Louis Wheel, carousel, and mini-golf course will open at 10 a.m. Union Station's restaurants, including Soda Fountain -- famous for its Freak Shake milkshakes -- and Train Shed will open for lunch and dinner, beginning at 11 a.m. The Fire & Light Show on the Union Station lake will play throughout the afternoon beginning at noon. St. Louis Union Station is located at 201 S. 18th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103

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ALTON - JCPenney celebrated 120 years in business with discounts, a new ad campaign, and a new JCPenney-inspired character on Friday. The JCPenney store within the Alton Square Mall joined in on the festivities with a big birthday party from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday. The event featured live musical entertainment from DJ DK Gray as well as special furry guests from 5As Animal Shelter. Alton JCPenney store General Manager Libby Mark said the Alton store is “very community-oriented.” “We have repeat customers that are very loyal to us,” she said. “We pull a lot of people from the St. Louis area for our fine jewelry department. I am new in my position here but this store is very loved by the community. When I reached out to the community everybody was aboard. We have the best customer service here. Some of the employees have been here for 25 years. We try very hard with every customer that comes in our store." The company is also kicking off its “Shopping

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WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, April 18, 2022, at 4PM ET, Congresswoman Robin Kelly will host “The Future of Black Maternal Health,” a virtual event marking the fifth annual Black Maternal Health Week. Congresswoman Kelly will be joined by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and members of the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance (BWCA). “We know that the Black maternal mortality crisis is worsening, and the number of Black women experiencing severe morbidities and other pregnancy-related complications are growing. We have made progress during the past two years in advancing policies to save the lives of Black mommas, but there is still a long way to go,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “I am looking forward to talking with Administrator Brooks LaSure about what’s next for maternal health policy, and to hearing from members of the Black Women’s Congressional Alliance, who have both worked on maternal

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ALTON - Construction workers and plumbers are bringing the new McDonald’s on Broadway to life. The McDonald’s structure was destroyed in a devastating fire that occurred on June 18, 2021. Approximately a year later, likely by the summer of 2022, a brand new McDonald’s will be put in its place by owner Dick Bold. Bold, an extraordinary community citizen and owner of multiple areas of McDonald’s retained all the employees on Broadway at other local McDonald’s immediately after the fire. Many of those workers who were at McDonald’s on Broadway will return home to their jobs when it opens again. Luke Gruchala of Huber Plumbing and Heating said the company’s employees were busy installing pipes to bring water to the new McDonald’s on Friday, and soon they will be doing plumbing work inside. “Ostmann is the general contractor and they have most of the walls and framing completed,” he said. “We've had a lot of rain days,

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ALTON - Mississippi Valley Christian School participated in the Illinois Association of Christian Schools’ Academic and Fine Arts Competition on March 17-18. Sixteen students entered a variety of categories, all receiving Excellent and Superior honors. Olivia Allen was awarded third place in photography; Ava Felt was awarded runner-up in calligraphy; Gray Sapp was awarded runner-up in Bible testing. Jonah Feuerhak (Bible testing), Thomas Kunz, Timothy Vaughn, and the MVCS Acting group were declared state champions. The MVCS state champions advanced to the National American Association of Christian School Competition held at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, on April 5-7, 2002. The national competition included approximately 1,800 students from 28 states representing over 170 schools. MVCS students Thomas Kunz, son of Tim and Jeannie Kunz of Brighton, IL, placed first in the nation in Accounting testing; and Timothy Vaughn, son of Mark and Jennifer Vaughn of Bunker Hill,

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Princeton Review has named Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Nursing (SON) as one of the best in the country for its online Master of Science in Nursing program, marking the first time the SON has been included on the list . “Online nursing school master’s programs have become as rigorous as their on-campus counterparts,” PrincetonReview.com states. “For many nursing graduate school candidates, an online degree might even be the smarter choice. Online programs offer flexibility, affordability, access to innovative technologies, students from a diversity of career backgrounds, and global opportunities.” The SON offers online master’s degree programs in nurse educator (NE) and healthcare and nursing administration (HCNA). “The nurse educator program provides a challenging sequence of courses to assure that graduates are prepared to be successful in an initial role in academic or hospital-based

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ILLINOIS – Today, the Postal Service issued four new Presorted Standard stamps featuring patriotic rural scenes. These Flags on Barns stamps are intended for business mail and are sold in self-adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000. The flag is a symbol of endurance and hope, and barns reflect farming culture that allowed the country to grow and thrive. Together, these two iconic images depict the best of rural America. Painted flags can be found on barns in almost every region of the United States. People have many reasons for painting flags on barns, houses and other structures, including patriotism, encouragement in times of national crisis, public acknowledgement of the heroics of local veterans and first responders or simple enjoyment of the beauty of Old Glory adorning a vintage building. Some painted barns have even become tourist attractions, drawing visitors from around the United States and from other countries. Illustrator Stephanie Bower used pencil and watercolors

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SPRINGFIELD – Youth turkey hunters harvested a preliminary total of 1,258 birds during the 2022 Illinois youth turkey season on March 26-27 and April 2-3. In 2021, a total of 1,304 turkeys were taken. The record total was set in 2020 when 1,733 turkeys were harvested. This year, a total of 5,032 youth turkey permits were issued, compared to 5,589 in 2020. The top five counties for harvest during the 2022 youth season were Jefferson (54), Randolph (45), Marion (44), Adams (36), and Pope (30). The following table shows Illinois youth turkey season preliminary harvest figures by county, with numbers from 2022 and 2021. County 2022 2021 ADAMS 36 25 ALEXANDER 8 15 BOND 13 15 BOONE 6 7 BROWN 10 10 BUREAU 16 14 CALHOUN 19 17 CARROLL 7 4 CASS 20 17 CHAMPAIGN 0 2 CHRISTIAN 3 5 CLARK 21 18 CLAY 27 22 CLINTON 19 8 C

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced a new app that provides audible route navigation for oversize/overweight loads and a tamp plate that ensures proper compaction of road patches have taken the top prizes in its fifth annual Innovative Ideas Contest. The contest rewards employees for innovative problem-solving that improves safety and efficiency while saving taxpayer dollars. “This year’s contest has once again produced a bounty of innovations from creative employees throughout the state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “With an eye toward ingenuity, this contest is yet another example of how our team is always looking to improve the services we provide to the people of Illinois.” Ideas in two tracks – Operations and Technical – were submitted to IDOT’s internal selection committee. Projects were evaluated by size and scope of the problem, creativity in finding solutions,

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Public Health Director Urges Illinoisans to Monitor Local COVID-19 Case Counts and to Protect Themselves by Remaining Up-to-date on Vaccinations SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued a warning today that COVID-19 case rates are slowly rising in many areas of the state and that members of the public should be paying close attention to conditions in their local communities and staying up-to-date on their vaccination status. “While hospitalizations and deaths tied to COVID-19 remain stable at this time, we are seeing a slow increase in cases in many areas of the State,” said Acting IDPH Director Amaal Tokars. “This is a reminder that we all need to remain vigilant and remain up to date on our vaccination status. This is especially important for those who are at higher risk for serious outcomes.” Tokars stressed that vaccination is the most effective tool we have to fight the virus – and that it is easy to find a

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