This week, Nov. 1-7, 2015, is National Apprenticeship Week! New apprenticeships are emerging every day, preparing workers at all levels with the skills and training necessary to compete and thrive in today's economy.
With over 445,000 active apprenticeships across the country, these affordable and critical work experiences are offering many people a way forward to higher wages and a satisfying career.

Follow the links below to find more information on local apprenticeship opportunities.

- http://www.afterschoolmatters.org/
- http://www.ccc.edu/…/…/Pages/Dawson-Technical-Institute.aspx

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the Illinois Finance Authority are pleased to announce that applications for the Ambulance Revolving Loan Program are now being accepted.

This program provides 10-year, zero-percent or low-interest loans of up to $100,000 for the purchase of ambulances to units of local government that provide ambulance services and not-for-profit ambulance service providers. (For-profit ambulance service providers are not eligible for this program.)

Applications must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2015.

Application materials can be found at http://www.sfm.illinois.gov/Fire-Service/Grants-and-Loans/Ambulance-Loan-Program.

Any questions regarding the Ambulance Revolving Loan Program or the application may be directed to Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Division of Special Projects, at (217) 785-4717.

Last week, dozens of interested area residents and local government officials had the opportunity to listen to tax and budget specialist Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability provide an unbiased briefing for attendees regarding how our state got into this fiscal crisis and how we can best get work together to get ourselves out of it.
Attendees also had an opportunity to ask questions and receive informative, research-based answers concerning one of the most pressing and complex issues we face today.