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Illinois receives $4.1 million in grants for rural education, health care

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (KFVS) – Illinois is receiving $4.1 million in grants from the USDA for education and health care in rural areas.

“The DLT program gives communities the technological access they need to bring educational and medical professionals together to provide the best care possible in rural Illinois.” Illinois State Director Douglas Wilson said. “These projects enhance the quality of life for rural residents by improving their economic opportunities, community infrastructure, environmental health, and the sustainability of agricultural production. Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to be a strong partner to rural communities.”

USDA is funding 116 projects through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program throughout the United States.

It will help health care and education institutions buy the equipment and software necessary to deploy distance-learning and telemedicine services to rural residents.

In the Heartland, the Shawnee

October 9, 2020

Black lawmakers seek to revamp social studies education in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — Leaders of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus are urging a complete overhaul of the state’s social studies curriculum to ensure that contributions of Black Americans and other minorities are properly included in history education.

“Something has to happen in this space, where we’re all learning about each other, all of us,” Sen. Kimberly Lightford, a Maywood Democrat, said during a virtual committee hearing. “I’m not saying that we have to teach a special chapter that just teaches Black history. That is a myth. It should be taught throughout.”

Tuesday’s joint meeting of the Senate Education and Higher Education committees focused on racial equity in education and workforce development, one of four “pillars” that make up the caucus’s legislative agenda for the upcoming fall veto session.

During that hearing, lawmakers heard from several education officials, including Maurice Swinney, chief equity officer for Chicago Public Schools. CPS is currently in

October 8, 2020

FrontlineCo Launches Online Training Platform to Help Illinois Businesses Comply With New Sexual Harassment Prevention Education Requirements

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – October 1, 2020 – ( Newswire.com )

Under the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (WTA), employers with one or more employees are required to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to all employees by Dec. 31, 2020. FrontlineCo, an association management firm with offices in Chicago and Springfield, has developed an online education and tracking tool to assist businesses without a dedicated human resources department remain compliant with sexual harassment prevention laws.

To combat rising cases of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) issued a set of minimum standard training requirements that every employer must follow to ensure proper preventative measures are in place. Employers can provide their own internal training or use a third-party vendor, but they must meet minimum statutory requirements as established by IDHR:

an explanation of sexual harassment consistent with the IHRA;

examples of conduct that

October 1, 2020

D211 Post: Hoffman Estates Teacher Named Illinois Special Education Teacher Of The Year

September 29, 2020

Hoffman Estates High School Special Education teacher Katie McGarvey has been named the 2021 Illinois Special Education Teacher of the Year. McGarvey was told of her selection during a meeting between with Principal Michael Alther, District 211 Superintendent Dr. Lisa Small, and representatives from the Illinois State Board of Education September 21.

As part of this year’s Teacher of the Year program, the Illinois State Board of Education added three new categories including Bilingual Teacher of the Year, Early Childhood Teacher of the Year, and Special Education Teacher of the year. With these additions, McGarvey became the state’s first Special Education Teacher of the Year recipient.

McGarvey said she was shocked when she was notified that she had been selected.

“I am so honored to have been selected,” McGarvey said. “This was incredibly unexpected. I am glad to have the opportunity to represent Hoffman Estates and District

October 1, 2020

Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) Expands Footprint in Illinois With Opening of the High Road School of Peoria

PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the opening of the High Road School of Peoria (325 W. Romeo B Garrett Avenue, Peoria, IL). The new school marks the second High Road location serving districts across Illinois. Due to COVID-19, classes at the High Road School of Peoria began remotely, with plans for students to resume in-person learning later this fall.

The High Road School of Peoria delivers customized education services for students in grades K-12 (aged 5-21) whose needs cannot be adequately addressed in the traditional classroom. The school’s programs are designed to improve behaviors that impede academic achievement, build transferable life skills, generate positive outcomes, and move students toward a return to

September 30, 2020

Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation awards more than $255,000 to improve children’s oral health

Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, awarded more than $255,000 to 16 nonprofit and community organizations through its community grants program. These organizations work to improve children’s oral health across the state.

“Many Illinoisans face considerable barriers to getting the oral health care they need. These disparities continue to grow, especially with the ongoing pandemic,” said Lora Vitek, executive director of the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation. “Through our community grants program, we’re working to help eliminate these barriers by partnering with organizations across our state who work tirelessly to ensure Illinois children have access to quality health care.”

Since 2012, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation has provided more than $1.25 million through its community grants program to organizations that expand access to oral health care and education. The following organizations are Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s 2020 community grants program recipients:

September 18, 2020