Belleville News-Democrat
Gavin Becherer and Connor Braasch watch a 5 axis CNC machine carry out their commands as the build a part. The Southwestern Illinois College team are finalists in the Project MFGTM national competition. The event is a skilled trades competition for a chance to win prizes, scholarships and title of national champion.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the Belleville News-Democrat, a news partner of St. Louis Public Radio.
The new manufacturing academy at Southwestern Illinois College is expected to bring more manufacturers to the Metro East, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a press conference Friday.
An Illinois Manufacturers Association initiative to create advanced training academies has come to fruition after two years.
A $15 million investment through the Rebuild Illi
The governor’s office unveiled a 900-page energy overhaul bill Wednesday, accelerating a yearslong process which advocates hope will end in a comprehensive clean energy platform as the session nears its final month.
The stated goal of the bill is to drive Illinois to 100 percent “clean” energy by 2050. That, Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell said in an interview Wednesday, would include nuclear power as a major contributor. Another goal is to bring Illinois to 40 percent of its utility scale energy produced by renewables, such as wind and solar, by 2030. Right now, that number is around 8 percent.
The bill contains some of the provisions put forth in other legislation, raising the rate cap on ratepayer bills for renewable projects from about 2 percent to 3.75 percent; ending formulaic rate increases for utilities immediately; and prohibiting natural gas companies from assessing a surcharge on bills starting January 2022.
April 29, 2021
Photo Gov. J.B. Pritzker
OGLESBY – Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that the $15 million manufacturing academy investment for the state would be going to two community colleges downstate instead of IVCC. Despite strong support for the Central Illinois Manufacturing Academy with three other community colleges, Illinois Valley Community College’s proposal was not selected by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Awarded $7.5 million each were Southwestern Illinois College in the Metro East and Heartland Community College. The Bloomington area Heartland was selected in part due to its proximity to the factory for electric truck company Rivian.
“Although we are disappointed, the collegial process of pulling everyone and everything together was very worthwhile. I have no doubt parts of our plan will move forward one way or another,” IVCC President Jerry Corcoran said.