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UIS Faculty Authorize Strike

Members of the University of Illinois-Springfield United faculty voted today to authorize a strike.

The IFT Local 4000 and the the UIS Administration have been in collective bargaining for more than a year.

According to a press release from the union, their contract with the university expired in August of last year. The union says it intends to file an intent-to-strike notice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board tomorrow, with a possible strike beginning as early as May 2nd.

According to the union, faculty union members earn 20% less than educators at other Illinois institutions and they have not received a cost of living raise in two years. The union has also accused the administration of over hiring on administrative positions, saying the school has “bloated management.”

UIS currently receives 4% of the the University of Illinois system budget, according to the union.

UIS interim Chancellor Karen Whitney issued the following statement this evening about the notice to strike: “The University has learned that the UIS United Faculty, which represents 134 tenured and tenure-track faculty, has announced a vote to authorize a strike and plans to file an intent-to-strike notice with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) tomorrow, April 21. While we are disappointed, holding a strike authorization vote is not uncommon in the negotiation process. It gives the union the option to call for a strike, once all the legal requirements and timelines are met, but doesn’t necessarily mean a strike will occur. The University will continue to negotiate in good faith.

“We know that our students, faculty and staff are counting on us to work tirelessly to bring this to a successful conclusion as soon as possible. Our next scheduled bargaining sessions are April 22, 25 and 27, and the parties are currently discussing additional dates. We greatly value and appreciate our faculty, and we are committed to the academic success of our students. I am hopeful that we will be able to reach a fair, sustainable and fiscally responsible agreement-at the bargaining table-with which both parties can be satisfied.”

A request for comment from union representatives have not yet been returned.

Davis Files Amicus Brief Over Biden Administration WOTUS Revamp

13th District Congressman Rodney Davis has joined in a fight over new definitions of the Waters of the United States rules.

Last week, Davis filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule.

Davis said in the brief that Congress never intended to give the Environmental Protection Agency jurisdiction “over every ditch, puddle, or stream. Davis called the Biden Administration’s new definition of WOTUS an overreach and called the repeal and rewriting of the rule confusing to the agricultural community. Davis called the Biden Administration’s rule “a one-size-fits all approach” that he called unworkable.

Environmental groups have largely praised the undoing of the Trump-era rules, while most of the agricultural community in the Midwest have largely panned it. The EPA is expected to deliver a complete definition of WOTUS within the coming months.

Jacksonville Salvation Army Recognized For New Client Choice Food Pantry

The Jacksonville Salvation Army has received two awards for their new client choice food pantry.

Captain Chris Clarke says that the Jacksonville Salvation Army has been working with the University of Illinois Extension Office to help obtain a complete shopping experience for the clients of the food pantry: “People can go through with a shopping cart and shop aisles full of food. We have glass-door refrigerators and freezers for meat and dairy items. We always have produce and bakery items, as well. We encourage people to choose healthy items as often as they can. We also want to have an assortment of items so people can choose items that fit their dietary restrictions or just have a choice of foods that they like.”

Clarke says that their Client Choice pantry along with the work with the Extension Office has earned them Gold Level Status from the U of I Extension: “With the Gold Standard Award, there is a set of requirements to receive it. We are one of only a couple food pantries in the whole state to have received that status. It has to do with a lot of things. It has to do with client choice. It has to do with providing healthy options, and also having sections for people with various dietary restrictions, cultural food needs, and those type of things.”

The Salvation Army was also recently recognized with the Healthy Pantry Initiatives Award for the State of Illinois at the recent Hunger and Health Regional Conference held in Springfield on March 17th. This award recognizes one food pantry that demonstrates excellence in healthy pantry initiatives. Clarke says their pantry always carries fresh produce options and vegetables, canned or otherwise. He says encouraging clients to eat healthy goes beyond that: “We have signage throughout our food pantry telling people about the recommendations are for a healthy types of foods that you should eat. We are also doing food classes as well as other educational classes about living a healthy lifestyle and just ways to improve people’s overall lifestyle.”

The Salvation Army Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 1pm-3pm. Additional evening hours are available the last Wednesday of each month from 5pm – 7pm. Anyone needing food can come. The Salvation Army’s Food Pantry expects to distribute 400,000 pounds of food and 15,000 personal care items to area residents this year. Area social workers and area emergency & first responders can access the food pantry at anytime for emergency food needs for their clients.

Clarke says the food pantry’s success has been due in part to volunteers and donations from the community as well as cooperation with Prairieland United Way, The Central Illinois Food Bank, Walmart, County Market and Aldi’s.

Those wishing to donate to or volunteer at the Salvation Army can call 217-245-7124 or visit them in person at 331 West Douglas Avenue in Jacksonville.

FDA Investigating Illnesses Linked to Lucky Charms Cereal

A popular General Mills breakfast cereal is under investigation by the federal government.

You may want to let Lucky the leprechaun keep his Lucky Charms. The FDA said Monday that it was looking into reports of thousands of people becoming ill with gastrointestinal problems after eating the “magically delicious” treat.

According to the New York Times, more than 3,000 people submitted reports on iwaspoisoned.com after consuming the cereal. Several reports on the site detailed bouts of diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain and vomiting after consumption. The F.D.A. said in a statement yesterday that it had received more than 100 submissions related to Lucky Charms this year through its own reporting system for adverse events and product complaints.

A spokesperson for General Mills said Monday that internal investigations had “not found any evidence of consumer illness linked to the consumption of Lucky Charms.” The cereal’s Twitter account also shared similar messages Monday. General Mills has encouraged consumers to share their concerns directly with the company.

Virden Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s Office has announced the arrest of a Virden man for disseminating child pornography.

34 year old Jacob R. Rogers was charged in Macoupin County Circuit Court with 3 counts of dissemination of child pornography, each a Class X felony punishable by 6-30 years in prison, and 6 counts of possession of child pornography, each a Class 2 felony punishable by 3-7 years in prison. Rogers’ bond was set at $500,000 with 10% to apply, and his next court date is scheduled for May 3rd. The case will be jointly prosecuted by Raoul’s office and Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison.

Rogers has since posted bond and been released, according to the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office.

Raoul’s investigators, with the assistance of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virden Police Department, conducted a search of a residence on Thursday, April 14th on East Lincoln Avenue in Virden, and arrested Rogers after discovering evidence of child pornography.

The arrest is part of Attorney General Raoul’s work to investigate and prosecute child pornographers in Illinois through the work of the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Ambrose Awarded UIUC Research Internship

Lincoln Land Community College student Kayleigh Ambrose of Jacksonville has been chosen as one of 10 students to participate in a summer research internship at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

Ambrose will participate in the Phenotypic Plasticity Research Experience for Community College Students. The internship is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation and will include a boot camp on topics ranging from specific laboratory methods to research ethics.

Students will then join a research immersion program in phenotypic plasticity, the phenomenon of a single genotype producing multiple phenotypes depending on environment. Ambrose will then present findings at LLCC as well as at an undergraduate research symposium at UIUC. Ambrose will be awarded a $6,000 stipend along with food, housing and travel allowances for the 10-week program.

Following LLCC, Ambrose plans to transfer to UIUC to pursue a biology major followed by graduate school on the east coast.

Ambrose joins fellow Jacksonville resident Becky Rose, who was chosen to participate in the same research internship in 2019.

Davis Presents Congressional Proclamation to 173rd Airborne in Springfield

3th District Congressman Rodney Davis spoke last week to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Association in Springfield. Known as the “Sky Soldiers” from their actions in Vietnam, the group was being honored with an honorary week named after them due to a proclamation from Congress.

87th District State Representative Tim Butler was also on hand for the ceremony.

The ceremony was supposed to take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery but was moved to American Legion Post 32 in Springfield due to inclement weather. The ceremony was supposed to encompass the presentation of a recently placed memorial at the cemetery to preserve the memory of all fallen Sky Soldiers of the 503rd Infantry Regiment.

Davis says he’s always proud to speak to the nation’s veterans and honor their sacrifice and service to the country. Davis says its because of actions of veterans of all wars in all branches of service that the nation gets to enjoy freedoms that it sometimes takes for granted.

Davis says that he got to hear stories from Vietnam veterans at the ceremony as well as veterans from Operation: Iraqi Freedom and Operation: Enduring Freedom. Today, the 173rd Airborne Brigade serves as the Army’s Contingency Response Force and currently is deployed in Italy.

Davis urges anyone who is in the area to go to Camp Butler National Cemetery to pay respects and see the monument. He says the reason the monument is a rock is because the 503rd Infantry Regiment is nicknamed “The Rock.” The nickname is derived from the World War II Battle of Corregidor in 1945. Under heavy fire from enemy Japanese troops on the island fortress, the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team, descended upon “The Rock fortress” and liberated the island. The unit was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions and has been called by the nickname ever since.

For more information about the 173rd Airborne Brigade and its history and the association. Visit skysoldier.net.

U.S. Supreme Court Denies Spire Appeal of Permit Being Vacated By Lower Court

The U.S. Supreme Court has left the future of a West Central Illinois natural gas pipeline in doubt. Yesterday, the court declined to hear an appeal from the owners of the Spire STL Pipeline without comment. The appeal comes after a lower court ruled in June that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had not adequately demonstrated a need for the project, vacating the pipeline’s operational permit.

The Spire STL Pipeline runs from southern Scott County all the way to the Metro East. The pipeline’s existence has raised eyebrows since its construction more than 4 years ago. Landowners have claimed that the pipeline company did not adequately take care of topsoil and topography during and after construction along the pipeline’s right of way, causing extreme environmental issues from affecting crops to creating erosion and run off.

The Environmental Defense Fund sued in 2020, raising questions whether the pipeline was approved by the federal government without an adequate review. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found what they called “serious flaws” in FERC’s approval of the project.

The case continues to play out with the federal government. Last year, FERC issued a temporary operational certificate to Spire. FERC, now under new leadership in the Biden Administration, now is reviewing the pipeline’s appeal for operations.

Spire leadership told the Associated Press yesterday that they are confident FERC regulators will see the benefits of having the pipeline operational to provide energy that they characterized as reliable and affordable to the greater St. Louis area. FERC has not announced a timeline on their decision.

Jacksonville Fire Answers Call at West Morton Avenue Laundromat

The Jacksonville Fire Department was called out for an indoor fire at a business yesterday in the late afternoon.

An emergency dispatch came into the department at approximately 4:31 yesterday to Monqui Suds Laundromat & Dry Cleaning in the 900 block of West Morton Avenue.

Crews responded to the scene in a matter of minutes. Smoke could be seen billowing from inside the business upon arrival.

A commercial dryer and contents had caught fire. According to a report from Jacksonville Fire Chief Doug Sills, fire fighters were able to contain the blaze to a single machine and its contents. Estimated damage was totaled around $8,000. Fire fighters were on scene until approximately 5:05PM.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

New Berlin School District Voters Will See Referendum For Buildings on June Primary Ballot

Sangamon and Morgan County voters who live in the boundaries of the New Berlin School District will have a referendum on the June primary ballot.

It’s the second referendum from the district in two years. The first referendum failed in March 2020, in which voters were asked if they wished the district to pursue $39.5 million bond to help get a new building for the junior/senior high school.

Superintendent Jill Larson says the upcoming referendum has had more community involvement and input this time around: “In June, we had 40 community members – parents and staff – that began meeting during the summer, and we met 7 times. We went through pros and cons of what we needed and what was the best fit for our community. We had about 25 ideas. We narrowed them down to 5. Then, we narrowed them down to 2 through this process. That group of people was called the Pretzel Facilities Task Force. Then, we had 4 community engagement meetings, as well, to engage with the community. We included also an opinion survey that we did in June and July 2021. One of the big items was that the community wanted to keep the Pretzel Dome, and so we have kept that. The rest of the plan would include a renovation and new up to about 70%, but all classrooms would be new. We would keep part of the Jr. High circle and the Dome, but then we would build new.”

Larson says the cost of the total project would be $31.5 million. Voters will decide on $23.5 million in bonds to be issued by the district. Larson says the other $8 million will come from the district’s share of the School Facilities Sales Tax that was approved in Sangamon County in 2018.

Larson says what’s notable about this referendum from the 2020 failed referendum is one thing: “We are only asking the voters to approve $23.5 million, and the last referendum was for $39.5 million and there was also going to be an increase to the taxpayers. So, with this $23.5 million, there is 0 tax rate increase. The tax rate stays the same.”

Larson says that the district partnered with BLDD to complete an analysis of the current building and found that sections of the building were in significant need of updates that would incur great amounts of money. Larson says portions of the building have not seen updates since 1970: “It’s been 52 years since anyone has touched that building. Parts of that building were built in 1919, 1939, 1954, 1958, 1962, and then the last portion was built in 1970. It’s got a lot of issues. We did take a team of teachers to tour other districts. One of them was Pleasant Plains. One of them was Athens, and one was Tri Valley. Just the difference on what teachers could do in their classrooms [was obvious]. The lighting, the heating & air [are problematic]. We still have window units in that building. Thirteen units were just installed when I came to the district in 2020, so some of our classrooms didn’t have any air conditioning.”

Larson says that the cafeteria is also too small. Larson says the new building will help the district continue to execute its long range plans of updating all of its facilities. She says this particular vote is important because it will go towards maintaining a great learning environment as students move from the newer elementary school into their junior high and high school years.

An informational meeting will be held tomorrow night at 6:30PM at Loami Village Hall about benefits, financing, and the upcoming referendum.