COURTS
Chief Judge Ann Callis announced today that the Illinois Criminal justice Authority has awarded Madison County an Adult Redeploy Illinois grant in the amount of $250,000. Adult Redeploy Illinois was created by the Crime Reduction Act to offer financial incentives to local jurisdictions that expand or design community-based services in exchange for reducing the number of nonviolent offenders sent to the state prison system. Probation and Court Services Department Director Judy Dallas said the money will allow the department to re-hire an officer and provide more services to veterans, mentally ill offenders and people with substance abuse problems. The probation department and the courts will work with the State's Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, the Circuit Clerk's office, the Madison County Veterans' Assistance Commission, Chestnut Health Systems, TASC Inc. and Jewell Psychological Services. The redeploy funds will be used throughout the entire alternative court system (Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court).
HEALTH CARE
• The Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, which serves the Metro East, has been awarded a $443,054 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to a press release from U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello. The funds will be used to provide health care services.
• LawrenceShipley and his staff from Dr. Shipley's Weight Loss Centers, Pam Shipley, Janet Drennan and Susie Hagopian attended a training in Chicago for Ideal Protein, a weight loss program. The training is part of the Centers' focus on securing the trust of patients so they know they are receiving the latest and newest treatments for their health and weight loss. Call 618-931-2004 for the Granite City office or 618-656-3533 for the Edwardsville office.
CONSTRUCTION
Paric, a St. Louis contractor and construction management firm, has promoted two staff members, David Dutko, of Glen Carbon, and Andy Riva, of Maryville.
Dutko has been promoted to project manager. He joined Paric in 2002 as a project engineer and had been promoted previously to senior project engineer. He earned a bachelor's degree in construction engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Riva has been promoted to project estimator. After serving an internship at Paric, he joined the company as an estimator in 2009. He earned a bachelor's degree in construction management at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
ANIMALS
Susan Fishbein was recently certified as an Evaluator in the new Canine Life and Social Skills program. Fishbein provides dog training, behavior counseling and pre-adoption consulting as Good Dog Spot LLC in St. Louis and St. Charles counties in Missouri and Madison County.
CLASS is an educational program designed to promote training focusing on the use of positive reinforcement and to strengthen relationships between humans and their canine companions.
Her website at www.good-dog-spot.com.
GOVERNMENT
Collinsville Area Recreation District commissioner Andrew Carruthers recently attended the Illinois Association of Park Districts' 2011 Boot Camp in Collinsville.
The association offers the seminar to elected officials and professionals in the field of parks, recreation and conservation from across the state.
Carruthers was elected to the CARD board in April 2011.
ARCHITECTURE
Louer Facility Planning Inc. is pleased to announce that Chris Chappel has joined the company as project manager. He has more than 11 years in the architectural design and construction industry. In his new role, Chappel will oversee and manage projects from inception to completion.
Louer Facility Planning is a commercial furniture and interior design firm that provides furnishings, space planning and finish selections for education, government, healthcare, corporate, and financial environments. Its office and showroom is located in Collinsville, at 1604 Eastport Plaza Drive, Suite 100.
LEGAL
Edward J. Blake Jr., of the law firm of Blake and Allen P.C., has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer by the Leading Lawyers Network. The law firm has offices in Belleville, Collinsville, Edwardsville and Waterloo.
EDUCATION
Educational board game company SimplyFun consultant Kimberly Johnson, in Collinsville, has several original games and products to help children learn math skills and other skills. Johnson can be contacted at 618-616-8248 or visiting simplyfun.com.
