IVCC covering students’ MAP grants

Hundreds of students and their parents can breathe easier today thanks to a decision made by administrators at Illinois Valley Community College.

Because of the state budget crisis, money isn’t available for tuition help to IVCC students who were supposed to get state-funded MAP grants. However IVCC is covering the lost grant money for spring semester students, just as they did for the fall semester.

IVCC President Jerry Corcoran says students shouldn’t suffer from a problem not of their own making. He’s concerned the college may not get any state funding until next year.

MAP grants can cover up to $1,700 of a student’s tuition. Covering the grants costs IVCC about $300,000 a semester.

Streator counterfeiter heading to boot camp instead of prison

A Streator man who was accused of making counterfeit money in Streator is headed to boot camp.

Damone Chandler was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday in La Salle County, but instead of serving time, was recommended to serve a term at a boot camp facility for young offenders.

Chandler was arrested in June in Streator after police raided a home and found fake $5, $20 and $50 bills on Chandler, as well as materials to make counterfeit money.

If Chandler successfully finishes his term at the boot camp, he could be out in a few months.

Former Dwight prison to be used as firefighter training center

The former Dwight Correctional Center will soon be in use again, but instead of housing female prisoners, the former state prison will welcome in firefighters.

The Dwight Fire Protection District recently entered into a five-year agreement with the state to turn the prison into a firefighter training center.

Over the last six months, the fire department met with several fire academies to set up a partnership that could use the former prison. An agreement was eventually reached with the Romeoville Fire Academy, who will utilize the prison as a fire training center and allow Dwight firefighters to use the academy for free.

It will be the first fire training academy of its kind in Livingston County when it opens in early 2016.

The former Dwight Correctional Center closed in March 2013.