Governor JB Pritzker joined local and state leaders today to announce the grand opening of the South Central Illinois (SCI) Training & Innovation Center - bolstered by $8.6 million in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The regional training center will provide career and technical training for school districts in Montgomery and Macoupin counties. 

Former State Senator Andy Manar, now a Deputy Governor, saluted Governor Pritzker for improving school funding and making SCI a possibility.  Litchfield Mayor Steve Dougherty called today's event a great example of the regional thinking in Litchfield and elsehwere. 

"It's an exciting time for jobs and economic growth across Downstate Illinois and for the first time, students here in South-Central Illinois will have access to 21st century career paths that can begin upon high school graduation," said Governor JB Pritzker. "These are the types of strategic investments that build our workers' skills to take the jobs available right now in high growth industries of the future. And most importantly, this puts Illinois at the forefront of economic progress in the nation." 

Be prepared for some issues if you have to make a scheduled or unscheduled visit to HSHS Hospitals like St. Francis in Litchfield, Holy Family in Greenville, St. Joseph's in Highland, St. Joseph's in Breese and St. John's in Springfield as well as any other HSHS Hospital.  They are experiencing technical difficulties and have released a statement.

HSHS is experiencing a systemwide outage of clinical and administrative applications. Providers in our hospitals and clinics are following our normal downtime procedures so we can continue to care for our patients, which is our top priority. 

We also are experiencing outages to phones and the internet. We are working diligently to restore services and to establish alternative communications mechanisms. 

We will provide updates as we learn more. 

Extreme heat continues to impact the region.  Taylor Springs will be opening a cooling center. Contact Harry Jackson (217-313-6187) or Kane Harrell (217-556-6073) for additional details

The Hillsboro Police and Fire Board is establishing a 2 year hiring list for full time and part-time police officer for the Hillsboro Police Department with an immediate open position. Applicants must be 21 years of age at the time of hire. Applicants who have a minimum of 35 hours of college credit hours or previous military or law enforcement experience will be given preference. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and be open to a background investigation. Applicants who are already certified as a full/part time police officer will be given preference during the hiring process. The applicant must be able to pass a physical exam, written exam, and oral interview stage. Those who wish to apply may obtain an application from Hillsboro City Hall or online at hillsboroillinois.net. Applications and/or Resumes must be turned in by 4pm on Friday, August 25 th , 2023 to Hillsboro City Hall or to the Hillsboro Police Department. Any questions regarding the opening please contact Chief Randy Leetham at 217-532- 6120 or by email leetham@hillsboropd.net. 

Wage Range: $23.25/hr. once off probation to $23.50/hr depending on experienced service. Hillsboro Police Department does offer a lateral transfer incentive. 

Benefits: Great health insurance for employee + family, retirement, vacation time, sick time, other benefit time. 

2023.7.21 - IDPH Announces $10 Million Program to Provide Air Purifiers to Improve Air Quality in Day Care Centers (illinois.gov)

IDPH Announces $10 Million Program to Provide Air Purifiers to Improve Air Quality in Day Care Centers

School Facilities with Clean Air Record Fewer Sick Students and Improved Academic Performance 

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that the state is offering more than 20,000 HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers at no cost to Day Care Centers in Illinois to help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. To receive air purifiers, plus a three-year supply of filters, Day Care providers must fill out an online request form by July 31. The federally funded offer is open to all licensed Illinois Day Care providers outside Chicago.

“The health and well-being of our youngest children is a key priority for my administration,” Governor Pritzker said.  “By providing resources to maintain good air quality in our Day Care Centers, we can keep kids and staff healthy, prevent absences and also improve children’s ability to learn and gain essential skills.”

IDPH is coordinating the $10 million investment with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which licenses Day Care Centers in Illinois. SHIELD Illinois, the non-profit University of Illinois program established in 2020 as a response to the pandemic, is assisting IDPH by managing customer service and delivery of the units. The effort is the third phase  of a previously announced IDPH program to provide HEPA air purifiers to K-12 schools throughout Illinois and to Head Start Programs in Illinois.  It is funded through the CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control (ELC) Reopening Schools program.

In May, the CDC released new guidelines for indoor ventilation that set a specific target for the first time. The new guidelines call for at least five air changes per hour, meaning the equivalent of all the air in a room is replaced five or more times within an hour.

“I have devoted much of my career to protecting and promoting the health of children,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, a pediatrician.  “The last few years have highlighted the importance of good ventilation in preventing the indoor transmission of viruses and keeping children and adults safe from respiratory illnesses.  These HEPA air purifiers are an important investment in our children’s present and future.  I am very excited that IDPH is partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services to provide tools to keep very young kids served by our Day Care Centers healthy to develop, learn, and grow.”

“As we have seen particularly in the last few years, air quality is critically important to health. The more our young leaners are in school surrounded by peers and engaging with each other, the better it is for them on so many levels including socially, mentally and of course educationally,” said Illinois DCFS Director Marc D. Smith.  “We are grateful that this program eases what could be an additional financial burden for our day cares while providing health benefits to our children and staff.”

IDPH is launching an enrollment process that allows Day Care Centers to submit orders for portable HEPA air purifiers. Grantees will generally be eligible for one small unit for each classroom, with a limited number of larger units available for sites that serve large numbers of students.

Studies show that cleaner air can reduce absentee rates, and improve students’ abilities to think, learn, read and solve math problems.

Last year IDPH issued ventilation guidance to educate the community on the impact of ventilation systems and to provide information about low cost and DIY interventions for ventilation upgrades.