More updates! I’m so slow at this, sorry!
Keith Jensen ’74 has become a shareholder and principal of the law firm Burnside, Johnson, Connor & Jensen, P.C. “The law firm of Burnside, Johnston, Connor & Jensen, P.C., formerly Burnside, Johnston & Connor, P.C., has announced that Keith Jensen has become a shareholder and principal of the firm.
Jensen did his undergraduate work at Illinois Wesleyan and graduated from Washington University School of Law in 1976. He thereafter served as an assistant state’s attorney in both Madison and St. Clair counties before becoming a special prosecutor for Fayette, Bond and Cumberland counties.” From the Leader Union newspaper.
Susan Alford ’74 has passed away on April 4, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Susan was born in Elgin, Il on December 19th, 1951. She graduated from St. Charles High School in 1970, and from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1974 with a degree in Elementary Education. Her freshman year at Illinois Wesleyan, Susan met Fred Alford. Susan and Fred married on June 30th, 1974 and enjoyed 40 wonderful years together. Susan enjoyed teaching 4th grade for many years, and later completed a Master’s Degree and certification in teaching elementary school English Language Learners. Sue was a member of the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, and active in church groups, book club, and PEO. For many years Susan did creative hand-crafted projects and shared her talents with others. She loved to garden, read and spend time with her family and friends. Sue was a wonderful hostess and always made guests feel welcome in her home. She loved her children dearly.
From Alice Arnold, some good news! This spring I received a Woman of Distinction award. The attached newsletter reads, “Alice Arnold (art education) was named one of ten Women of Distinction by the ECU Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women. The honor recognizes women who demonstrate outstanding leadership, mentoring; and commitment to diversity, empowerment, equality, equi
ty and/or social justice. The awards are made every other year.
“photo by Jay Clark (cropped)”
Steve Wannemacher ’73, vice chairman of the board of Heritage Enterprises, is among nursing home representatives who criticize the unexpected doubling of state funding cuts.
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois nursing home operators say they are shouldering a larger-than-expected share of cuts designed to balance the state’s current year budget.
At a press conference in the Capitol Tuesday, a coalition of nursing home companies said they had thought the fiscal year 2015 budget fix approved by lawmakers in March would cut $25.5 million of their state funding.
On Thursday, however, they learned that figure had more than doubled to $55 million — an amount they’ll have to absorb in the final two months of the fiscal year.
The operators are unsure how they’ll deal with the reductions.
“We can’t turn our business on a dime. It’s not like we make widgets. We have people in beds,” said Steve Wannemacher, vice chairman of the board of Bloomington-based Heritage Enterprises, which operates 35 facilities serving 3,000 residents.
More cool stuff! Over the last two years, David Newberg (’75) and Karle Koritz (’99) have worked together to tackle many issues facing DeWitt County – Newberg as a member of the DeWitt County Board and Koritz as the DeWitt County State’s Attorney. In December 2014, Koritz was appointed Circuit Judge and Newberg was elected Chairman of the DeWitt County Board by his fellow board members. In just four short months, Newberg helmed the Board through difficult negotiations to settle one of the most controversial issues facing Central Illinois over the last 7 years – the protection of the Mahomet Aquifer. “Thanks in large part to David’s leadership and passion,” Judge Koritz writes, “there will be no hazardous PCB waste stored over the Mahomet Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for over 750,000 citizens in Central Illinois.” The DeWitt County Board and Clinton Landfill, Inc. agreed in April to restructure their host agreement in exchange for the Landfill permanently withdrawing their permit applications seeking to store hazardous PCB waste over the Mahomet Aquifer. The deal concludes almost a decade of contentious litigation involving the Attorney General’s Office, the Governor’s office, the EPA, the DeWitt County Board, the Landfill, and dozens of municipalities and environmental protection groups.
David Newberg (’75), Joni (Blue) Newberg (’75), Katy (McCain) Koritz (’01), and Karle Koritz (’99).
Finally, on a more personal note. I can’t remember how long I have been doing this, seems like forever! I think since the 80’s or so. Memory isn’t what it used to be, but I remember doing it on an older version of WordPerfect and having to try and e-mail it to the Alumni Office. It’s been fun. But I think it is about time to give it up after all these years. If anyone would love to take it over let me know! If not I’ll continue doing it but wouldn’t mind giving it up. Hope everyone has a great summer! I’m off to Disney World to visit some of the students Black Hawk College has doing Internships down there. Well, and taking a vacation too! 🙂 Bruce Storey, Class of ’75