NEW GRANT TO HELP TRAIN WORKERS FOR JOBS IN MANUFACTURING

 

NEW GRANT TO HELP TRAIN WORKERS FOR JOBS IN MANUFACTURING

The Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance, in partnership with the City of Rockford, has been awarded a $1.2 million dollar grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide
accelerated training in manufacturing tailored to the specific needs of area employers.
The Accelerated Training for Illinois Manufacturing (ATIM) grant covers four counties in northern Illinois, Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson and DeKalb Counties, integrating classroom/lab-based and work-based training for 133 participants.
“Manufacturing companies in the northern Illinois region need trained workers as soon as possible,” said Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. “This program will allow participants to build on the skills they already have to get into the workforce more quickly.”
The grant will target several high-demand areas in manufacturing, including:

• Mechanical Engineering Technicians
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• A & P Mechanics
• Assemblers

“Training providers and employers were involved in the application process for this grant,” added Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance Chairman Paul Callighan. “The program will include bridge programs, work experience assignments and internships, as well as on-the-job training contracts.”
According to Illinois DCEO, the three key elements of the program include:

• responding directly to regional demand to fill current manufacturing vacancies and near-term projected job postings through unprecedented levels of employer involvement;
• providing industry-recognized skill training and education along with On-the-Job Training opportunities so employers know trainees are ready for work on day one; and
• better integrating services from multiple programs to get people trained rapidly in the skills employers want and to provide the opportunity to land good paying jobs.

Partners involved in the program include economic development and industry organizations, local community colleges, community-based organizations and numerous employers.
Applications to participate in this program are being accepted on-line. There is a link to the application available at The Workforce Connection website at www.theworkforceconnection.org
Manufacturing employers interested in participating in the program should contact Pamela Fettes at The Workforce Connection. pfettes@theworkforceconnection.org
Media contact: John Strandin, Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance 815-395-6688
jstrandin@theworkforceconnection.org

rvpnews | BDR Public Meetings

 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11

City/County Coordinating Committee meets 6:30 p.m., County Board Room.

MONDAY, DEC. 16

Belvidere Community Unit School District #100 meets 6 p.m., District Central office.

Belvidere City Council meets 7 p.m., City Council Chambers.

North Boone Board of Education meets 6:30 p.m., 6248 North Boone School Road, Poplar Grove.

TUESDAY, DEC. 17

Belvidere Township Board meets 5 p.m., Township Board Room.

Belvidere-Boone County Regional Planning Commission meeting CANCELLED.

Boone County Regional Planning Commission meeting CANCELLED.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18

Boone County Board meets 6:45 p.m., County Board Room.

Boone County Conservation District Board meets 5 p.m., BCCD office.

Boone County Historical Museum District Board meets 4 p.m., 311 Whitney Blvd., Belvidere.

THURSDAY, DEC. 19

Community Building Complex Committee meets 5 p.m., Community Building Meeting Room.

MONDAY, DEC. 23

Village of Poplar Grove Administration Committee meets 6:30 p.m., Poplar Grove Village Hall.

MONDAY, DEC. 30

Boone County Board of Health meets at noon, County Health Dept.

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U of I Extension Boone County office to close for the holidays - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

By RRSTAR.COM STAFF REPORTS
Posted Dec. 11, 2013 @ 12:00 pm

BELVIDERE — The University of Illinois Extension Boone County office, 205 Cadillac Court, Unit 3, will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1.

The office will reopen on Jan. 2 with regular office hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For information: 815-544-3710.

U of I Extension Boone County office to close for the holidays - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Boone County risks $20K to generate thousands in new income for jail - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Jennifer Wheeler

If the average daily federal prisoner count remains at 18, the new rate would generate an additional $92,000 in revenue annually, boosting the county’s total revenue from federal prisoner housing to $519,000.

“We have so many revenues that never recovered from the recession. This is a way to get nontraditional revenue in the system,” County Administrator Ken Terrinoni said.

The Boone County Board agreed Nov. 20 to pay Summerill $40,000 to negotiate a deal — $20,000 up front and an additional $20,000 once both the U.S. Marshals Service and County Board agree to a contract. The deal was contingent upon favorable experiences from past clients, which Terrinoni said Monday were positive.

County officials were willing to risk the initial $20,000 during a lean budget year. The County Board passed a balanced budget Nov. 20 but leaders were prevented from purchasing new squad cars and hiring an additional public defender.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Boone County risks $20K to generate thousands in new income for jail - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Belvidere Daily Republican: Boone County Health Department Meeting for December

Dec. 9, 2013

By Bob Balgemann

Reporter

 

Flexibility sought on health department hiring

BELVIDERE - The Boone County Board of Health wants to be better informed about happenings in the health department.

Department administrator Cynthia Frank doesn't mind that, but she doesn't want her hands to be tied when trying to fill existing vacancies.

That conflict brought debate during the board's Dec. 2 meeting. Member Allen Sisson told Frank she had not provided sufficient details when nine employees were slated to receive pay raises from 13.9 to 55.7 percent.

Frank disagreed.

"You were given the information,” she said. “Maybe I didn't go into enough detail."

The wish for more information prompted the board to meet privately in October, to review its decision of the previous month to approve those increases. In addition, the board was criticized by some county board members for allowing the raises.

Sisson wanted to be sure that didn't happen again.

With that in mind, the health board's finance committee recommended approval of four motions during its Nov. 19 meeting, three of which applied directly to its being better informed.

Two of the four motions brought discussion at the Dec. 2 board meeting.

Most of the debate centered on wanting information associated with the hiring process, though lingering unhappiness with the large salary increases was voiced

Sisson said the pay raise incident was "a classic case of bait and switch. The board was the scapegoat; the board knew about it after the fact. You (Frank) did not tell us the complete story. Shame on you."

But Bill Hatfield, director of environmental health, said some of the board's comments were "completely inaccurate." He said all of the information concerning the pay increases was presented at a finance committee meeting. It was in committee members' packets.

"The question is whether the board of health wants to run (health department) operations?" he asked. "Cindy should be able to replace people as long as the budget is not affected."

Still, Sisson insisted, "I want to know what's happening with existing staff."

Board member Kathleen Taylor said members had to know how the money was spent in a department they oversee.

"I don't appreciate being knocked by the county board all the time," she said. "We just want to know what's going on.”

A motion was passed, 9-0, stating that while the board would not be directly involved in the hiring process it would be informed beforehand when a position is being filled and how much that person is going to be paid.

Capital expenditures

Minimal debate accompanied the motion stating all capital expenditures must be approved by the board.

Frank questioned what would happen should there be an emergency, such as the air conditioning system going out?

Sisson said the intent was for the full board to know what's happening so there is no miscommunication. If an emergency arises, he said the full board should meet to consider it.

But Frank said it's not always possible to get a quorum.

And Hatfield said contacting board members by telephone would run afoul of the Open Meetings Act. He once again questioned board involvement with the day-to-day operation of the health department. The administrator, while communicating with the board chairman, handles emergencies.

"Otherwise, board of health officers need to be here every day," he said.

An amendment to the original motion, allowing the administrator to handle emergencies while communicating with the board chairman, was approved 9-0. Then the original motion passed, 9-0.

No discussion accompanied the other two motions.

One was to present the full board with a balanced budget, which was done. The other stated all salary increases must be approved by the full board with all of the details having been presented. Both passed, 9-0.

Click on the following to see the latest BDR stories:  rvpnews | Belvidere Daily Republican

Accountants collect food for the pantry

Belvidere Daily Republican

New business signs, seals and delivers

December 05, 2013

BEVIDERE – A new business venture in Belvidere arrived just in time for the holidays.

Wayne and Martha Carpenter have opened Pack It-Ship It-Print It at 900 Belvidere Rd., to fill the void left by the departed UPS Store. Within a month of UPS heading out of town, the Carpenter’s store opened its doors, Aug. 27.

Wayne Carpenter said the venture was developed to provide services to people and businesses in the Belvidere area, giving them an option other than traveling a longer distance to ship packages.

“We created the name and opened so that the residents of Belvidere, Poplar Grove, Marengo, Kingston and Garden Prairie would not have to drive to Rockford or Huntley for their shipping needs,” he said. “And it’s a location to do copies, faxing, laminating and packaging supplies.”

The Carpenters are leasing the space on Belvidere Road and are relying on previous experience in the customer service industry to guide the business. Wayne is a former director of hospitality services in the commercial cleaning industry, specializing in housekeeping services for hotels and resorts.

“We transferred numerous times to run and rebuild regions to include Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and Madison (Wis.) after starting in the Schaumburg office,” he said. “All with a strong emphasis on customer service.”

Martha – a native of Medellin, Colombia – provides a valuable asset, giving the business a bilingual feature, allowing the location to cater to different nationalities and help avoid miscommunications in an industry of exact addresses. She spent many years in the banking industry, working primarily from Crystal Lake. The couple said she will continue to operate their commercial cleaning operation.

The Carpenters say the location can provide services for UPS, FedEx Ground and FedEx Express and to entice locals to ship their holiday packages through the Belvidere location, they’re offering an incentive. From now through Dec. 21, customers can register for a $100 Wal-Mart gift card.

The store also is offering other holiday-related items, such as Christmas cards and gift boxes.

“We want our new business to be a 100 percent convenience for everyone in Boone County and the surrounding areas,” he said.

 

Appeal denied for accused killer

December 05, 2013

BELVIDERE – The first-degree murder charge of a Capron man will stand after the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on the appeal.

Aaron Null was convicted in December 2010, of murdering his wife, Brynn Null. The crime occurred on Nov. 17, 2002, when Brynn disappeared and her body was never found. According to Illinois State Police, Brynn was last seen alive with her husband, on Nov. 16, 2002. The ISP investigation discovered a “significant amount of forensic evidence” that included blood stains in the couple’s bedroom. Police say a large blood stain was found on the couple’s bed, which they say was “soaked into the inner mattress” of the bed.

In addition, ISP said they found blood splatter on the bedroom walls and ceiling, then later determined the splatter originated from the mattress. A bloody towel was apparently discovered in the trunk of Aaron Null’s vehicle. ISP said DNA tests revealed the blood found on the mattress, walls, ceiling and towel belonged to Brynn Null.

According to the Boone County State’s Attorney office, evidence was also presented that Aaron Null physically attacked his wife on at least eight prior occasions and that she sought help during the attacks.

Aaron Null was convicted and sentenced to 50 years in prison, of which he has served three.

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