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McHenry County News DISPLAY ADVERTISING & CLASSIFIEDS: 815-654-4850 • CIRCULATION: 815-654-4854 • E-MAIL: McHenryNews@RVPublishing.com
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 49
11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115
THURSDAY, NOV. 29, 2018
Heritage Quilters name winner of ‘Forever Poppies’ quilt
Wendy Lauen, of McHenry, is this year’s winner of Heritage Quilters’ “Forever Poppies” quilt. SUBMITTED PHOTO McHenry County News
Wendy Lauen, of McHenry, is this year’s winner of Heritage Quilters’ “Forever Poppies” quilt. Bo McConnell, a relative of the World War I veterans honored in the dedication, selected the winning ticket during the Nov. 7 afternoon quilt program. Lauen is not a quilter like her motherin-law, nor has she purchased a quilt raffle ticket in the past. Nevertheless, she was thrilled to have won and very appreciative of the colorful quilt’s message of peace. The “rolling stone” pattern originated in 1780s’ New England. It features a ninepatch with cream, several greens, and a showy black and red poppy fabric at the center. The handsewn quilt, made by the McHenry County Historical Society’s Heritage Quilters, was dedicated to Harold and Ethel (Jansen) McConnell of Woodstock. Ethyl enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps in January 1918. Deployed later in that year, she was discharged in April 1918. Harold had enlisted in the USNG [National Guard] as a private in Headquarters Troop, 33rd Division. He departed for France in May 1918 aboard the USS Mt Vernon. That ship later was torpedoed with loss of life, but it did make it back to port for repairs. Harold served in the trenches of France and was subjected to gas attacks. He recovered, but later fell ill during the Spanish flu pandemic which swept across the world. It was later calculated that this deadly flu killed 5 percent of the world’s population. Harold survived and later married Ethel married in April 1920. Work already is well underway on the 2019 raffle quilt. It features a selection of post Civil War-era reproduction fabrics fashioned into two blocks – an old favorite 9-patch, which was used widely in the 1800s – and a horizontal rectangle using a constant print. Strips of these blocks are set apart by a sashing of black, and a print fussy-cut to produce period visual interest. For more information, visit www.gothistory.org. Thanks to everyone who supported the historical society by buying a ticket.
Unemployment rate up slightly in most metros; Jobs increase in 10 areas Unemployment rates increased over-the-year in October in 12 of Illinois’s metropolitan areas and decreased in two, according to preliminary data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in ten of the metropolitan areas. “The unemployment rate increased over the year in most metro areas across the state,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “The increases were mostly due to more people reentering the job market and not immediately securing a job.” Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+5.7 percent, +2,700), the Quad Cities (+2.0 percent, + 3,700), and Lake (+1.8 percent, +7,400). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.8 percent or +29,400). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Carbondale-Marion (-0.7 percent, -400), Springfield (-0.4 percent, -400), and Peoria (-0.1 percent, -100). Bloomington was unchanged. The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (11 of 14), Professional and Business Services (11 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (9 of 14), Education and Health Services (9 of 14), Mining and Construction (8 of 14), and Wholesale Trade (8 of 14). Not seasonally adjusted data compares October 2018 with October
2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.2 percent in October 2018 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in October 2018 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits. Over the Year Change Boone County 4.6%, 4.4%, 0.2 Winnebago County 5.3%, 4.8%, 0.5 Cities Belvidere City 5.3%, 4.9%, 0.4 Rockford City 6.3%, 5.6%, 0.7 McHenry County 3.4%, 4.2%, -0.8 Help Wanted Area employers advertised for 4,700 positions in October and approximately 80 percent sought fulltime employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board. It is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as construction, typically do not advertise job openings. Rockford MSA The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.2 percent in October 2018 from 4.7 percent in October 2017. For the month of Oc-
tober 2018, the estimated number of people unemployed in the labor force was 8,800. Total nonfarm employment increased +1,200 compared to October 2017. Manufacturing (+1,000), Retail Trade (+400), and Leisure-Hospitality (+300) sectors recorded the largest payroll gains compared to one year ago. Professional-Business Services (-800) and Government (-200) recorded the largest employment declines over-the-year. Ogle County The not seasonally adjusted unem-
ployment rate increased to 4.4 percent in October 2018 from 4.0 percent in October 2017. For the month of October 2018, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 1,150. Total nonfarm employment increased +150 over the year. The Construction (+125) and LeisureHospitality (+75) sectors added the most jobs over the year. The Financial Activities (-75) and Manufacturing (-50) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago. Stephenson County The not seasonally adjusted un-
employment rate increased to 4.4 percent in October 2018 from 3.7 percent in October 2017. For the month of October 2018, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 1,000. Total nonfarm employment increased +125 over the year. Professional-Business Services (+100) and Construction (+50) added the most jobs from October 2017. The Manufacturing (-25) sector recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.
D155 teacher, research team receive national recognition Shannon Levitt, a Crystal Lake Central High School teacher, and a 10-member team made up of Illinois teachers, were national finalists for Most Actionable Research at the “Eddies” for their published work on school discipline reform and restorative discipline tactics. The “Eddies” is an Oscar-type awards celebration that recognizes those who have made efforts to advance policy and advocacy efforts on behalf of students. “I can’t think of another staff member that I could be more happy for. Shannon’s relentless determination to assist students in any way possible is truly appreciated and is deserving of this type of award,” said Steve Olson, superintendent. As a member of the Illinois Teaching Policy Fellowship in 2017-2018, Shannon Levitt, worked with the research team to develop the report,
“From Zero to 100: Teachers’ Views on Implementation of Discipline Reform.” The cohort collaborated with the Illinois Education Association to survey400 teachers across the state regarding their perceptions amd attitudesof disciple reform measures in direct response to Illinois State legislation on discipline reform (Senate Bill 100). After two years of collecting and analyzing data, the research team published the report and presented their research to state policy makers, wrote five published op-eds and presented their work at four statewide conferences. Levitt was one the lead authors on the report. “It is an honor to have our work publicly recognized for ‘moving the policy needle’ both at the state and national level. Discipline reform is
on the minds of educators, policy makers, parents, students, law enforcement professionals; therefore, this work is important to discuss with all stakeholders involved,” said Shannon Levitt, Crystal Lake Central teacher. She completed her fellowship in June, and will continue to focus her efforts on teacher leadership in the classroom. “I am thrilled to show my AP® Research students, through the fruits of our laborious research project in the discipline of education, that research does not exist in an academic bubble; good research is innovative, progressive, and can make a real difference in our world,” said Levitt. Shannon Levitt has been working at District 155 for seventeen years. She teaches AP® Research, Senior AVID, and English 101.