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Tuesday, October 11, 2016
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SBDC set to close at year’s end IVCC’s Small Business Development Center will soon lose funding By Dave Cook dcook@bcrnews.com
OGLESBY — For more than 30 years, Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have assisted the cultivation of new ventures with both credited and non-credited courses, technical help and coordination of services with IVCC and other agencies working to assist in the creation of small businesses. After Dec. 31, entrepreneurs will have to seek assistance
elsewhere. In 2015, IVCC supported costs of approximately $50,000 and has since decided to eliminate their financial responsibilities to the SBDC at the end of 2016. The college funded a one-year grant to allow for the transition of the SBDC to another agency to serve as the grantee. An IVCC spokesperson said, “The college has no plan to get involved with another entity for possibly becoming the grantee. Keep in mind, IVCC chose to support the program for one more year rather than shutting
Seeking greener pastures
it down immediately, so the transition to a new grantee could be seamless.” Furthermore, the administration recommended the termination of the employment relationship of the Director of the SBDC, Beverly Malooley, and business specialist Gina Czubachowski at the end of the year. The IVCC spokesperson added, “We are uncertain how this will affect small business owners.” Malooley did not return phone calls/ emails to Shaw Media. Comment on this story at www. bcrnews.com.
Starved Rock Country Alliance looks to lend a hand to small business start-ups and entrepreneurs. See our story on Page 4.
Seeing ‘Shadows’ of yesteryear ...
Walnut Public Library wants to develop outdoor reading area By Shannon Serpette sserpette@bcrnews.com
WALNUT — Walnut Public Library wants to give its patrons another place to enjoy the written word — a green space behind the library. Library Director Michele McAlvey would like to turn the unused parking space behind the library into a green space, which could be used for reading or a number of other things, such as a picnic spot. “We are looking to turn an unused, weed-infested, eyesore space into a lush green space people will want to come to sit and read for a while, take a rest while out walking in a pleasant quiet space,” she said. “We would have some story hours outside, and maybe even a few summer evenings where we
could show some movies. The ideas we have are numerous.” The library is working with Elite Landscape from Princeton, and it has been decided the library should work on the project over a multi-phase, multi-year stretch. “Phase 1 would handle a drain issue with rain water run-off. We need to landscape the area behind the block retaining wall facing Main Street. The cost for this alone will be around $2,000. We have already received $250 towards our green space and would like to ask our village residents if they would like to help financially towards our goal,” McAlvey said. “Much of Phase 2 will be more labor intensive,
Walnut Page 4
BCR photo/Mike Vaughn
The Shadows of the Blue and Gray Civil War re-enactment marched into City-County Park on Saturday and Sunday, giving event-goers a glimpse into the past. The history lesson included a host of activities, including battles, press conferences, a dance, food and a visit from President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln (pictured above, center), also known as Max and Donna Daniels, who were appearing for the last time at the event. See more photos on Page 2.
Home Bound Healthcare owner pleads guilty
By Lyle Ganther lganther@bcrnews.com
Home Bound Healthcare Inc., with branch offices in Princeton and Peru, is still in business after its owner recently admitted in federal court to paying illegal kickbacks to get referrals of elderly patients on Medicare. Romy Macasaet Jr., 47, of Homewood pleaded guilty on Sept. 14 to one count of violating the anti-kickback statue. The conviction is punishable by up to five years in prison. U.S. District Judge Samuel Der-Veghlayan set sentencing at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15, 2017. Macasaet paid kickbacks to medical directors to obtain referrals of Medicare beneficiaries to his company, one of the largest home health care and hospice companies in Illinois. He admitted in his plea agreement he paid
$789,237 in bribe payments to about 20 medical directors between December 2006 and September 2014. As a result of these payments, Home Bound improperly sought and received Medicare reimbursements totaling several million dollars. Macasaet and Home Bound also agreed to pay the United States $6.8 million to resolve civil false claim and anti-kickback allegations, per the terms of the settlement agreement. As part of the civil settlement, Macasaet agreed to immediately resign his employment with Home Bound and refrain from seeking future employment with the company. When contacted by the Bureau County Republican, people answering the phone at Princeton and Peru Home Bound offices indicated they were still in business and said any further comments about the situation need-
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ed to be referred to attorney Shelly Kulwin of Kulwin, Masciopinto and Kulwin LLP of Chicago. Kulwin did not return several phone calls to the BCR. According to the Home Bound Healthcare website, the agency serves clients in several counties, including Bureau, Putnam, Lee, Marshall, Henry, Stark, Whiteside and LaSalle counties. The website states Home Bound Healthcare provides “skilled care services — in-home nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy. Skilled caregivers for clients returning from hospitalization or rehabilitation or those with more chronic conditions. As a Medicare-certified home health agency, approved skilled services are provided with no out-of-pocket expenses to patient, for those who qualify.” Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.
Economical lab services and diagnostic testing, including digital x-rays, are also offered on-site. These services are available to anyone, regardless of your doctor’s practice or hospital affiliation.
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