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LeadingAge IL Honors Glen Carbon Woman With Rising Star Award

3 years 3 months ago
GLEN CARBON - LeadingAge Illinois honored Lutheran Senior Services’ Gayle Hantak with the 2022 Rising Star Award recently. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary performance through a strong work ethic, commitment, initiative, leadership and the ability to be a team player in their first 24 months on the job. As the Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator for Memory Care at Meridian Village, a Lutheran Senior Services Life Plan Community, Hantak is dedicated to enriching the lives of residents living with dementia. She gets to know each person as an individual, focusing on their abilities and interests and encouraging them to be active in ways that are meaningful to them, from singing to gardening and more. For example, last Christmas she planned a special performance for Memory Care residents and their families by having residents learn to sign and sing a song. It was a meaningful experience for all involved. She creates an environment of continuous

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Governor Pritzker Announces Over $50 Million In Grants For Essential Infrastructure Projects

3 years 3 months ago
CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $50.7 million in new infrastructure grants awarded to 34 communities, counties, and localities across Illinois for critical infrastructure projects including bridge replacement, water treatment upgrades, road construction projects and more. State funds will be met with $72.1 million in matching commitments for capital projects, which brings the total investment to nearly $123 million. This funding is made possible by the Rebuild Illinois Public Infrastructure (RIPI) Capital Program, part of Governor Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan capital program, Rebuild Illinois, and a key priority outlined in Illinois’ 5-year economic plan, a blueprint to create economic growth. RIPI is one of several infrastructure programs created by the state to provide investment in aging infrastructure, as well as job opportunities for communities. In total, the Rebuild

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GCS Awards Nicole R. Thorp Scholarship

3 years 3 months ago
O'FALLON - GCS Credit Union has recently awarded the $2,000 Nicole R. Thorp Scholarship to Ryan Merrill from O’Fallon Township High School. GCS was looking for applicants who receive good grades, have an opinion on effective money habits and who are actively involved in school and the community. Nicole R. Thorp, who the scholarship is named after, was a big believer in helping out where needed. Ryan is ranked number thirty-two in his class, played soccer for OTHS, and is an Eagle Scout of Troop 555. Ryan will be attending Brigham Young University in Idaho. Candidates were also required to submit an essay on three principles they believe should guide a new college student’s money habits. Ryan believes, “I first need to make sure all other obligations and dues are paid before spending money on my wants. Material things come and go, but college students should understand that a place to live, the ability to attend college, and bad credit scores will be crucial i

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Belt-Supported Laws Prioritize Law Enforcement Officials

3 years 3 months ago
EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt supported a number of measures signed into law aimed at helping law enforcement – including mental health support, pay increases, retention incentives, retirement assistance, day care help and other benefits. “Law enforcement officials protect our communities,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I was proud to vote for these laws that offer support and ensure that police officers have the tools and training to do their job.” Among the new laws Belt supports are House Bill 3863, which creates the Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Fund to assist departments through the hiring and training processes and improve retention strategies. He also supported House Bill 1568, which permits employees of Sheriff’s Departments and Department of Corrections security employees and parole agents who are honorably retiring in good standing to purchase any badge previously issued to the employee by the employer and

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Gov. Pritzker Signs Landmark Equity-driven Nursing Home Rate Reform Legislation To Improve Care For Seniors

3 years 3 months ago
CHICAGO — Governor Pritzker today signed historic and equity-focused nursing home rate form legislation (HB246) that will improve care for nursing home residents across Illinois. The legislation holds facility owners accountable by tying new funding to improving care for vulnerable Illinoisans. The reform principles include increased funding that is tied to staffing levels, a proven predictor of improved health outcomes for residents; a new pay scale for certified nursing assistants that increases wages based on years of experience; and funding connected to improving key quality measures. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services first introduced these reforms in March 2021, and they were also included in the Governor’s budget for this fiscal year. Illinois will become the first state to implement this reform model, as well as the first to incentivize better nursing home staffing at this magnitude. For the first time in Illinois, there will be a direct

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City Of St. Louis Department Of Human Services Begins Free Summer Food Program At 30+ Sites

3 years 3 months ago
ST. LOUIS - Today, the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services begins its free summer food program, Schools Out Cafe. A partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Schools Out Cafe brings together city and community resources to connect children to available food from over the summer at city recreation centers and local nonprofits at more than 30 locations across the city. “Good nutrition for our children is a year-round goal,” said Department of Human Services Director Yusef Scoggin. “The Department of Humans Services is committed to helping make sure children don’t go hungry this summer with Schools Out Cafe.” One meal per child is available both at breakfast and lunch. Parents or guardians may visit any site at any time, but attending the same site will help staff coordinate. The program runs from May 31, 2022, to August 19, 2022, and a list of the 31 sites and hours can be found on the City’s website .

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The Hype About Hemp

3 years 3 months ago
First, there was flax. Then chia. Now the latest food craze is hemp. It is a nutritional powerhouse and you can find it on your local supermarket shelves in the form of seeds, milk, and powder. Hemp contains all of the essential fatty and amino acids required by the human body. The seeds are an excellent source of protein, minerals, and dietary fiber. Hemp is actually a variety of the cannabis plant and is grown commercially for its many uses including use as food, paper, textiles, rope, fuel, building materials, and even a fuel alternative. It’s probably one of the most useful plants on earth. Hemp cultivation dates back more than 10,000 years and hemp has been utilized for hundreds of products from food to fuel to fiber. The 2018 farm bill reclassified industrial hemp as a commodity crop, which made it legal. This opened up a world of possibilities. Hemp has the power to transform the environment and strengthen local economies while having a positive impact on the environment

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