Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 147 No. 15
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Unemployment continues its drop Putnam County drops to 6.6 percent By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
It’s going to be a much merrier Christmas this year for many Illinois residents than it was last year. October unemployment
rates fell for the seventh consecutive month and are at six- or seven-year lows in most sections of the state, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. “October’s data reflect a strengthening of local economies. In each area, more people describe themselves as working and employers in most metros
report larger payrolls than one year ago,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “IllinoisJobLink.com remains an important tool to find employment, especially for those who typically did not need a resume.” The October unemployment rate clocked in at 6.6 percent for this October, well below the October 2013 rate of 9.1 percent. However, monthto-month improvement has slowed, with barely
one-tenth of a percentage point change since September; and with some areas losing jobs due to work slowdowns, it is possible the increase can be attributed to the holiday season and the hiring of seasonal help in retail outlets. The good news continues for Putnam County. The latest figures show a massive drop in the unemployment rate to 6.6 percent from 9.3; the first
time since early 2010 the county has been close to the state average. Locally, as always, the situation is still not as rosy. While unemployment has continued its downward trek, the rest of the Illinois Valley area still lags behind the rest of the state with only metropolitan Peoria logging a higher rate. LaSalle County unemployment figures weigh in at 7.9 percent with Bureau County fol-
lowing at 7.6 following last October’s 11.1 and 8.8 percent respectively. Peoria’s jobless rate is 8.1 percent. National unemployment remains lower than Illinois. U.S. unemployment stands at 5.8 percent. Traditionally, Illinois records higher unemployment figures, with the jobless rate being lower than the national average only six times since recording began.
Putnam County Schools vs. the state of Illinois By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
Editor’s note: This is the second story in a twopart series regarding the Putnam County Schools’ state report card. GRANVILLE — The Putnam County School District Illinois Report Card fell slightly below the state’s average as far as scores in reading and mathematics. However, looking at other sections of the district’s report paints a clearer picture as to how the school is functioning and why. School spending may play an important role in the school’s achievements. The per student instructional spending at PCHS has decreased steadily over the last four years, while state
averages have climbed. PCHS spends $5,806 per student; the state average is $7,094 per student. Operational expenses per student are also lower with the district spending an average of $9,872 per student compared to the state’s $12,045. The website also provides information on the educators at Putnam County High School, and the disparity continues. The total percentage of Putnam County teachers with a bachelor’s degree was 58.2, while 41.8 percent have earned their master’s degrees. In comparison, the numbers are completely reversed for the state with an average of 41.1 percent of teachers
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PCR photo/Dixie Schroeder
Ringing in the season Debbie Doyle (left), Nancy O’Connor, Nita O’Neil, Linda Litherland and Dana Lewis practice as part of the United Methodist Church’s Hand Bell Choir. The Hand Bell Choir annual Christmas music performance will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 14. The United Methodist Church’s vocal choir will also be performing. Director of the Hand Bell Choir is Kirsten Augspols, and the director of the vocal choir is Cathy Phillips. There will be a potluck dinner provided by church members immediately after the concert. The public is invited to attend.
Passing the Special Olympics torch DePaepe steps down as director By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
PERU — Since the beginning of the Special Olympics in LaSalle, Putnam, Bureau, Marshall, Henry, Stark and Grundy counties, the name Cheryl DePaepe has been nearly synonymous with the organization. That era is coming to an end. Vol. 147 No. 15 One Section - 16 Pages
© The Putnam County Record
DePaepe is stepping down as director of the local Special Olympics organization, a position she’s held since the idea started 43 years ago. In fact, she started the chapter. “I started teaching — after graduating from college — in Putnam County in 1971, actually in the Hennepin building,” DePaepe said. “I had a junior high cross-categorical special education program. We received a letter saying there was a Special
Olympics program in Illinois, and did we want to get involved? “I brought it to my administration; I brought it to my students and my parents. They were interested, and we went to our first Special Olympics games in Chicago in 1973. We’ve been involved ever since then.” After participating in the Chicago games, DePaepe said it was decided it would be a good idea to host games locally, and the idea of a “Special Sports
Jamboree” was born. In 1977, the group was invited to the Special Olympics offices in Bloomington to see if there was interest in starting a Special Olympics chapter. From these small acorns do giant trees grow ... Stepping into the director’s position is Allison Nichols, but while DePaepe is stepping down, she makes it clear she’s not leaving just yet. “I’m cutting back to part time and taking on a little bit of a different role,” she
said. “Allison is replacing me as the area director. She and I have been working together to transition, and I will be available to continue with that as long as she needs. I’ll take on more of a consultant/ mentorship role with the state Special Olympics office.” DePaepe retired from teaching 10 years ago and became a full-time director then. Now, she’s helping Nichols get accustomed to her new role and has a lot of faith in things
continuing as they have. “I was working over at JFK as a teacher’s aide in the special education room. I left that position for this one,” Nichols said. “My degree is actually a corporate organizational communications degree, so between my degree — and I also worked at Lou’s LaGrotto helping set up the Concerts for a Cause — and my work at the school, I think this is a culmination of all I’ve
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