NEWS: Area schools receive statewide academic awards

Monday, 25 February 2013 16:37 Last Updated on Monday, 25 February 2013 16:47 Written by Administrator

QUINCY – Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville), Illinois State Board of Education State Superintendent Christopher Koch, Quincy Mayor John Spring and other officials presented seven area schools with annual awards for academic performance on Monday.

Representatives from each school attended an event at Dewey Elementary School in Quincy. Dewey has been recognized as a Spotlight School — an award for schools with outstanding academic performance despite having a high percentage of low-income students — for 10 straight years.

The two other awards, Academic Improvement and Academic Excellence, presented at Monday's event honor substantially improved academic performance and consistently high academic performance, respectively.

"I'm delighted to recognize these students, teachers and administrators for the remarkable work they do," Sullivan said. "To receive these awards given our difficult and challenging budget times is even more remarkable. It's important that we take time to show our appreciation for a job well done."

"The educators, parents and students of these fine schools should be very proud of this achievement, especially during a time when the state and many districts are facing added economic pressures with cuts to education," Koch said. "I'm thrilled to be with all of you today at Dewey where consistent hard work has paid off year after year."

"I see every day the outstanding work performed by the teachers and staff at Dewey School, and all Quincy schools," Spring said. "It's a team effort — students, parents, teachers, support staff and administrators all working together to improve the quality of education."

Sullivan also presented each school with an Illinois State Senate Recognition honoring their accomplishments. After the presentation, Sullivan, Koch and Spring visited with students and faculty.

Awarded schools

Spotlight Schools (high-poverty schools with high academic performance):
West Prairie South Elementary, Colchester
Nauvoo Elementary, Nauvoo
Dewey Elementary, Quincy

Academic Improvement (schools with significantly improved yearly performance):
Astoria Junior High School, Astoria
V.I.T. Senior High School, Table Grove

Academic Excellence (schools with very high academic performance over at least three years):
Macomb Junior High School, Macomb
West Prairie North Elementary, Good Hope

SULLIVAN: "I didn't choose history; it chose me"

Friday, 22 February 2013 16:01 Written by Administrator

Senator Sullivan on Wednesday talked with members of Western Illinois University's history honors society about the importance of a liberal arts education and how it shaped his career as a legislator:

"Here are the tools that I believe it gave me: The ability to gather and collect information, to take that information and investigate it and analyze it, to then think objectively and to express my findings."

PHOTO: Sullivan addresses WIU students

Thursday, 21 February 2013 16:05 Written by Administrator

Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) spoke to Western Illinois University's history honors society about the importance of a liberal arts education in public service Wednesday at WIU's Malpass Library. Sullivan earned his B.A. in history from Quincy College. (click to enlarge)

PHOTO: Sullivan as a witness

Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:53 Written by Administrator

Senator Sullivan speaks as a witness with Donna Ginther of the Health Care Council of Illinois about Senate Bill 1197 on Wednesday before the Senate Human Services Committee. (click to enlarge)

NEWS: New construction planned for Rushville DHS facility

Tuesday, 05 February 2013 16:58 Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 17:29 Written by Administrator

SPRINGFIELD – The Department of Human Services Treatment and Detention Facility in Rushville is about to undergo a $13 million expansion to alleviate overcrowding and bring new jobs to central Illinois.

The Rushville TDF is the only facility in the state that houses residents classified as Sexually Violent Persons, and it is currently over capacity. It was designed to house 482 detainees and is now housing 507. The first phase of the construction project, which is set to begin in late February or early March, will add rooms for 96 residents. In addition to easing overcrowding, the expansion will create new construction jobs.

Funding for the first phase of the expansion exists from a previous capital bill, and construction is slated for completion by August. A second phase of construction will provide facilities for an additional 192 detainees once funds and contracts are secured.

"The state's facilities in Rushville are in desperate need of expansion, and the jobs created by a construction project like this will undoubtedly help the region's economy," State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said.

Sullivan introduced legislation to help facilitate this expansion by allowing for the transfer and temporary housing of TDF residents during construction. Senate Bill 93, as introduced, will allow the DHS to house Sexually Violent Persons at Chester Mental Health Center during the Rushville construction project. If passed, DHS will set aside a section of the Chester facility for TDF residents.

Chester Mental Health Center is the state's maximum-security mental health center. It houses criminal defendants who were found not guilty by reason of insanity or are mentally unfit to stand trial. The Chester facility was chosen because it can meet residents' care and security needs until construction at TDF is complete. While housed at Chester Mental Health Center, the TDF residents will be segregated from the rest of the population.

"During construction of the Rushville TDF, we need to ensure the safety and treatment of residents and employees while at the same time protect the communities that house them," Sullivan said.

A Sexually Violent Person is someone convicted of a violent sex crime and has been found to have a mental disorder. They also are likely to commit future acts of sexual violence if released and are detained to protect the public as well as for treatment.

Senate Bill 93 has been referred to the Senate Human Services Committee.

SULLIVAN'S INAUGURATION TO THE ILLINOIS SENATE

NEWS

From the Illinois State Senate

State Senator John Sullivan, 47th Legislative District

For Immediate Release: January 9, 2013

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville), accompanied by his wife Joan and other family members, took the oath of office today to begin his fourth term representing the people of the 47th District in the Illinois State Senate. The inauguration ceremony, held on the Senate floor at the State Capitol in Springfield, marks the beginning of the 98th General Assembly.

"I'm honored to represent the residents of the 47th District, to be their voice in Springfield," Sen. Sullivan said. "My efforts to create good jobs, promote quality and affordable education and address the infrastructure needs of western Illinois will continue."

Sen. Sullivan, first elected to the Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2004, 2008 and most recently last fall, remains the Senate's only active farmer. He is known for his bipartisanship and support of the state's agricultural industry and the jobs it creates. The 47th District encompasses all or part of Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren Counties.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to confront the challenges our state faces and to make Illinois an even better place to live," Sen. Sullivan said. "I congratulate each of the 41 new members of the House and Senate, as well as the returning members, and I look forward to working with them to find solutions."

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