Congratulations to LLCC Model Illinois government students, taught by Dr. John Vinzant, professor of political science, who fared well at the 39th annual MIG simulation March 2-5 at the Illinois State Capitol. Five students won individual awards and eight were elected to leadership positions.

Outstanding Office of Management and Budget (OMB) analyst: Jason Edwards

Outstanding House Committee Chair: Mason Gordon

Outstanding Senate Committeeperson: Zach Fedor

Outstanding Senate Committee Chair: Gordon Davis

Outstanding Lobbyist: Silas Tockey

The following were elected to positions:

Dustin Bumgardner – Senate  Committee Person

Collin Cisco – House Committee Person

Dylan Cobb – House Committee Person

Noah Danner – House Minority Leader

Andrew Jarmer – House Committee Person

Dominic Lograsso – Senate Committee Person

Kourtney McAllister – Senate Committee Person

Elizabeth Roehrs – House staff; House Speaker for 2017-18

The LLCC Student Radiographers Association is hosting a Cubs/Cardinals Baseball Tickets Raffle in A. Lincoln Commons today and tomorrow. Tickets are on sale today, Tuesday, March 14 from 9 a.m.-noon  and on Wednesday, March 15 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The ticket price is $1 per ticket or 10 tickets for $12. The drawing for the raffle will be held on March 24 at noon. Game Day is Tuesday, April 4 at 7:15 p.m. at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Seats are Section 146, Row 5, Seats 5 & 6! Proceeds will go to the LLCC Radiographers Club (Association).

GradFest will be held Wednesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 16 in A. Lincoln Commons from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Summer 2016 and fall 2016 graduates and potential spring and summer 2017 graduates are all eligible to participate in Commencement 2017 on May 12, 2017.  Students will be able to purchase their caps, gown and tassel for only $20 at GradFest. 

After GradFest, students can purchase cap, gown and tassel from the LLCC Bookstore – in-person or online.

Revised travel policy and procedures went into effect on 03/01/17. The new policy and procedures can be viewed on the Portal in the Board Policy, Section 6.13.  The changes were required to bring us into compliance with Illinois Public Act 99-604, Local Government Travel Expense Control Act, as well as IRS guidelines for mileage reimbursements.

There is a new Travel Form for Faculty & Staff available in the Finance Department. This form is in effect for all travel on or after March 1, 2017.  Please return old forms to Accounts Payable.  If you submitted a pre-travel form on the old form for travel after March 1^st, please contact Jill Whitney or Cheryl Sneed. Any new travel reimbursement request for travel after March 1, 2017 must be submitted on the new form.  If you have any other questions regarding the new travel form please contact Cheryl Sneed or Jill Whitney.

The Mileage Report form for mileage reimbursement has also been updated to reflect the changes in our travel policy and procedures. The new form is available in the Finance Department or a PDF version is on the Finance Department Portal page in Accounts Payable Documents.  A fillable form will be available on the portal soon.  The new Mileage Report form is for mileage on or after March 1^st.  If you have any questions regarding the Mileage Report form please contact Cheryl Sneed or Jill Whitney.

Please note that the reimbursement rate for travel in a personal vehicle is now dependent upon the request of and the availability of a college-owned vehicle (see the Guidelines for Travel and Mileage Reimbursement General Guidelines for details and exceptions). The link to the Vehicle Request form is on the Finance Department Portal page.  Please refer any questions regarding the Vehicle Request form to either Rachel Patarozzi or Sarah Goodman.

We understand that there will be questions as we get accustomed to the new procedures. The Finance Department is here to assist you.

The LLCC-Beardstown Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems class, taught by adjunct faculty Mark Lahr, volunteered to assist with the 2017 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics March 4 at Lake Springfield. Although the students did not plunge into the cold water themselves, they parked cars, set up changing areas and handed out towels to participants coming out of the water, along with other assigned duties.

Mark was interviewed by WLDS/WEAI radio March 3 about the class’s activity.

 On Feb. 24, special guests to the class were Retired Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Diane Vanderkooy and State Global Messenger Ben Simpson. Ben, who is a Special Olympics athlete, gave a brief presentation on how Special Olympics has made a huge impact on his life, including building his self-confidence and helping him become comfortable with public speaking. He also shared how weightlifting has helped him maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

 The LLCC students received Special Olympics T-shirts and hats, and were treated to lunch on the day of the plunge for their help with the event. More information on the 2017 Polar Plunge is available at www.PlungeIllinois.com.

A Spring Concert jointly presented by the LLCC Choir, directed by See Tsai Chan, and UIS Chorus will be held Friday, March 24 from noon to 1 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons.

The program will include a wide variety of musical styles, ranging from opera,  jazz, spirituals, to folk songs and much more.

Congratulations to Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy, (center) who was surprised yesterday during an Ag Club meeting as the Teacher of the Month by Hy-Vee and 104.5 WFMB! He was nominated for the award by ag student April Leinberger who wrote in her nomination, “He is a great and caring professor who takes a lot of time out of his day and personal life to tend to students and help as the Ag Club director. He is a very respected teacher.”

Please accept our thanks to everyone who contributed and for your continued support in making this year’s African-American History Month a success.  The assistance you provided was much appreciated.