Why is keeping the Art Program at SIC important? SIC has a mission and vision. Southeastern Illinois College enhances lifelong learning by providing quality accessible educational programs, cultural enrichment opportunities, and support for economic development. Our Vision is to be the catalyst for academic excellence, community service, and economic growth in the communities we serve. I’ve heard SIC referred to as a Beacon on the hill. I think that is an excellent example of what SIC is to the communities that are in the SIC district. That beacon is composed of the classes and educational programs we offer. I’ve watched the economic downturn and low enrollment numbers cause the cutting or reduction of multiple programs and classes. The institutional goals of SIC call for a “general education program that creates a foundation for further study and enlightened citizenship.” Art doesn't just teach art; it teaches problem-solving skills, visual literacy, and creativity. It gives them skills to survive in an unpredictable world. With the itinerant nature of employment, the predominance of digital interfaces, and demands of a shifting and unknown work environment, imagination is needed more than ever. You might argue that SIC students will be able to find other classes to satisfy their humanities requirements for associate degrees. While that might be true of some students, there will be many who will find another school or will simply forego college altogether if they do not have access to art classes here at home. The hands-on skills are vital to those seeking vocational paths. If the SIC board votes to cut the SIC Art program the entire southeastern portion of Illinois is affected. It is a rural area but these students deserve access to visual art education here at SIC. For many, SIC is their ONLY option right out of high school especially in this economically depressed region of the state. The administration has cited the financial impact of COVID and low enrollment. I understand this pandemic has caused distress in everyone's lives. This is exactly why we should be committed to providing access to the skills that are essential for thriving and driving growth here in the SIC district. You might be under the impression that a college without an art program will save money by cutting the expense of a faculty salary and the additional expenses related to an art program. This is absolutely untrue and was proven by research conducted by Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC), in Dixon, Illinois, in 2016. This research demonstrated that the drop in enrollment due to the termination of their art program caused an even greater loss in tuition and fees that was financially detrimental to the institution and much higher than a faculty salary and related art department expenses. This research initiated their search for a new art instructor who was hired in the fall of 2016. We need to express to the administration and board that cutting more programs for students is only going to lead to even less enrollment. The amount of cost-saving now IS detrimental to the future of the students and communities we serve and the mission of the institution. SIC needs a Visual Art program.

With the advancement of patents and and increased desire for both non profit and for profit companies to create changes to the weather for desires in wanting more tourism, more water for both need and recreation such as golfing and water sports including fishing and boating events. To be advanced in our modern technology we need to look at the future of this incredible state not just for now but generations of our families here in the future. Also providing guests who visit a sense of additional health concerns from our great state.

On November 5, 2020 alert civic watchdogs discovered that a person had been using LAUSD Superintendent Beutner’s name and photo. The impostor retweeted social-networking messages from an organization known as Speak Up supporting school board candidates. As “Austin Beutner,” she retweeted support for two candidates running for school board in the November 3, 2020 election. However, when her fraud was revealed, she claimed it was a prank aimed at a friend, but there is no evidence in her online behavior of an innocent mistake. The impostor volunteers with Speak Up, an organization created to promote California Charter School Association-backed candidates for LAUSD school board. On November 6, Superintendent Beutner released a statement that he had been impersonated and that he had not issued any tweets of support for the two candidates, Marilyn Koziatek or Tanya Ortiz Franklin. LAUSD has not yet indicated that they are investigating the matter. Nor has LAUSD indicated that they have asked the L.A. County Registrar Clerk Recorder to investigate the fake account, how the impersonation violated state law, and if it influenced the school board elections. Impersonating a public official appears to violate state penal code (in law for a decade, since enactment of SB 1411 in 2010) protecting Californians against impersonation on the internet. The Superintendent and the LAUSD Counsel are obligated to investigate and verify if SB 1411 has been violated. A person is deemed impersonated "if another person would reasonably believe, or did reasonably believe, that the defendant was or is the person who was impersonated." Impersonation under the law "shall include opening an email account or an account or profile on a social networking Internet Web site in another person's name." The penalties for this illegal impersonation can include "a fine [of] ...one thousand dollars ($1,000), or... imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year." CALL TO ACTION We the undersigned urge the following: -- Superintendent Beutner and the LAUSD Counsel should investigate violations involving false representation, fraud, and breaches of public trust stemming from this illegal act of impersonation -- Superintendent Beutner and the LAUSD Counsel should probe any further communication or coordination of the impostor with other LAUSD officials and school district decision makers to assess further impacts such communication or coordination might have had, or continue to have, on district policy or decisions

Our first priority should be keeping everyone as safe as possible, from Covid and from expected violence. Secondly, most Americans believe that expending our human and monetary resources for this event is inappropriate and distasteful in light of what we have been through. We did it beautifully for the convention, why not now? Holding a traditional ceremony is not what the American people want or need.

In light of the tragic and wholly anti-democratic events of January 6, 2021, the creation of this Day of Democracy would help us ensure that actions such as the siege of the US Capitol Building will never be repeated, and that the ideals of democracy continue to be the core values upon which we build a more just, compassionate, and unified nation for all.

The assault on January 6th, 2021 to our Nation's congress and our Capitol Building was an aberration, and a direct threat to our democracy. This violent attack was instigated by Mr. Trump and Mr. Trump Jr.. The rioters attempted to destroy the institutions that make us the strongest democracy in the world. These rioters displayed Neo-nazi, racist, and fascist symbols. As more footage of the incident is brought to light, we all are witnessing the violent nature of the groups that forced themselves into The People's House. A police officer was murdered and four other people died in this violent event. It is one of the darkest days in the history of our country. We must make sure that his name is not glorified in any way, because if we do not act we will have normalized the behavior Mr. Trump and his rioting mob of followers displayed. We Chicagoans and Americans ask you to do what is in your power to remove the sign that is now a stain to a city we are proud to call home. Thank you.

What more evidence do we need than watching him place the stickers? See the video: - https://abc7news.com/society/bay-area-resident-confronts-man-putting-up-swastika-stickers/8262638/ Charge this individual with vandalism, trespassing and hate crimes. Bring him to court, in front of a jury of his peers. These threatening hateful acts belong adjudicated by the criminal justice system. Her explanation is unacceptable: “In this case, documentation of the acts did serve our community as it shed light on the conduct and let the individual know that such behavior does not represent our county." A vandal who sprays graffiti on private property is arrested, charged and fined. This act placing swastika’s stating “we are everywhere” on private property is both vandalism and perhaps a hate crime. Frugoli does our Marin community and Noah Mohan a huge disservice by deciding there is “insufficient evidence” to charge this person. If there is doubt, let the jury weigh in. The DA plans to hold a forum to “stop hate crimes and hateful behavior.” This person needs to be accountable and punished for these unacceptable actions. Restorative Justice would be an option, of course. More than ever, now, we need legal public actions to challenge hateful threatening gestures, not forums. Demand DA Frugoli explain her thought process AND prosecute.

As long as a large national platform like Parler is allowed to spread incendiary rhetoric, attacks on our government and country are likely.

~~~Español abajo At the beginning of the school year there was an agreement to close schools if the positivity rate reached a certain number. There is no limit now and we are the highest positivity rate since the pandemic started. This is a public health emergency for everyone: 1. Students being back in schools will continue to spread the virus contrary to Covid-19 prevention measures 2. U-46 is the second largest school district in the state of Illinois which translates into a super spreader situation if students go back to schools 3. Cleaning staff, bus drivers, support staff, teachers, nurses, their families and communities beyond Elgin are also being put at risk 4. We can wait a bit longer now that there is a vaccine and come back to school safely 5. This is at the tail end of the holiday season where people spent time in groups 6. The money being spent on complying with safety measures could be spent on remote socio-emotional support for students 7. Community members of color have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19 8. Students and staff are individually responsible to self-certify. This did not go well back when the schools were hybrid. The safety measures are not being followed leading to safety concerns 9. Families have not been asked for input since August, 2020 Al comienzo del año escolar se acordó cerrar las escuelas si la tasa de positividad alcanzaba cierto número. Ahora no hay límite y tenemos la tasa de positividad más alta desde que comenzó la pandemia. Este es una emergencia de salud pública para todos: 1. Los estudiantes que regresen a la escuela continuarán propagando el virus en contra de las medidas de prevención contra el Covid-19 2. U-46 es el segundo distrito escolar más grande del estado de Illinois, lo que se traduce en una situación de gran difusión de Covid-19 si los estudiantes regresan a las escuelas 3. Pone en riesgo al personal de limpieza, los conductores de autobuses, el personal de apoyo, los maestros, las enfermeras, sus familias y comunidades mas allá de la ciudad de Elgin también corren peligro 4. Podemos esperar un poco más ahora que hay una vacuna y regresar a la escuela sanos y salvos 5. Estamos al final de la temporada navideña, donde las personas pasaron tiempo en grupos 6. El dinero que se gasta en el cumplimiento de las medidas de salud y seguridad podría destinarse al apoyo socio-emocional a distancia para los estudiantes 7. Los miembros de la comunidad afroamericana y latina se han visto afectados de manera desproporcionada por Covid-19 8. Los estudiantes y el personal son responsables individualmente de autocertificarse. Esto no fue un procedimiento exitoso cuando las escuelas estaban en el plan híbrido de aprendizaje. No se siguen las medidas de seguridad, lo que genera problemas de salud 9. A las familias no se les ha pedido su opinión desde agosto de 2020

Thousands of residents work from home (regardless of Covid). Our children are learning from home. Elderly, impaired, and infants are home all day trying to rest. It has become impossible to concentrate on any given day of the week as leaf blowers are used every day at all hours of the day! We have also ceased to hear birds for much of the day, animals run in fear, kids cease playing outside, you can't even walk your dog any longer without being blasted with NOISE & POLLUTION!

Students are already beyond stressed with remote learning and adding more screen time is doing nothing for them. The people in charge don’t know the reality. All this will causing is a decline in mental health for all students.

This is a show that brings happiness to people’s life. We learn so much from the show and it needs to be back up!!!!