Community News
LLCC and Memorial Health System announce plans to address nursing shortage
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LLCC to accept 90 additional nursing students per year; renovate building for new nursing center
SPRINGFIELD – Officials of Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) and Memorial Health System (MHS) today announced a nursing education partnership to address the regional nursing shortage. With support from MHS, LLCC will admit 90 additional students per year to the college’s associate degree nursing program, for a total of 215 new nursing students annually.
MHS will provide approximately $6.1 million in funding to allow LLCC to renovate the west wing of Montgomery Hall on the LLCC campus for a new nursing center, purchase state-of-the-art equipment and hire additional faculty and staff to recruit, advise and teach nursing students.
“This partnership between Lincoln Land Community College and Memorial Health System aligns with both of our missions: to improve the lives and health of the people in the communities we serve, and to be responsive to community needs,” said Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., president of LLCC.
“This region, along with all of Illinois, faces a severe shortage of nurses,” she continued. “With this support, LLCC will increase the number of new students accepted into our nursing program and produce more registered nurses to serve the health care facilities of our communities.”
“LLCC has been supplying quality nurses to Memorial Health System since the early 1970s,” said Ed Curtis, MHS president and CEO. “MHS has provided these nurses with fulfilling careers in an excellent work environment, with numerous opportunities for professional advancement. Multiple Magnet and Pathway designations at MHS hospitals provide local nurse graduates a practice environment that has committed to raising the bar of nursing excellence, again and again. We are excited to now expand our partnership with LLCC to address the regional nursing shortage and meet the needs of the patients and communities we serve.”
Dr. Warren noted that the quality of the LLCC Nursing program is outstanding, with completion and national certification pass rates far above national averages. “The demand from students wishing to enter our excellent, affordable nursing program has grown steadily since its inception.”
The renovation of approximately 12,000 square feet of Montgomery Hall will provide the physical space needed to enhance LLCC’s nursing skills and simulation labs, expand classrooms and accommodate increased incoming class sizes. Initial phases of design and planning are underway with construction to follow and anticipated occupancy in May 2021.
Dr. Warren and Mr. Curtis, who both started their careers as nurses, encouraged all students to consider a career in health care and to continue to make central Illinois their home. “A vast majority of LLCC nursing graduates remain in the district to work and live,” said Mr. Curtis. “We want to continue to keep these nursing graduates in the area by providing the tools, support and opportunities to learn and grow, and enjoy long, rewarding professions.”
He also noted the timeliness of the announcement, in that 2020 has been designated as the Year of the Nurse by the World Health Organization.
LLCC Nursing student Haley Caise commented, “I am so excited about this announcement. This is an amazing collaboration of two organizations that are near to my heart. Lincoln Land Community College offers an incredible education and value. Now, thanks to Memorial Health System’s support, more aspiring LLCC nursing students will have additional resources available to them to help them reach their dreams.”
Members of the LLCC Board of Trustees, MHS Board of Directors, LLCC Foundation Board of Directors and Memorial Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors; LLCC nursing students, faculty and staff were among those attending today’s press conference.
LLCC’s associate degree nursing (ADN) program provides training and clinical experience for a career as a registered professional nurse (RN). Students interested in enrolling in the LLCC ADN program can learn more at www.llcc.edu/associate-degree-nursing or by calling 217-786-2445.
LLCC also offers programs in practical nursing (LPN), LPN to ADN transition, and nurse assistant (CNA). Other LLCC health professions programs include occupational therapy assistant, radiography, medical coding, surgical technology, respiratory care, neurodiagnostic technology, emergency services, fire science and exercise/sports science. More information is available at www.llcc.edu/health-professions.
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Community News
County marks 250th Anniversary of Declaration with reading and archive projects at Spring Festival on May 23
The Macoupin County Historical Society (MCHS) is hosting the first in a series of local celebrations & activities on May 23, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at the Spring festival highlighting the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The public is encouraged to attend a reading of the Declaration aloud at the Red Barn Pavillion.
Following the reading, participants and the public will be encouraged to have a conversation about what’s important to them, their families and to America examining the past and looking at the future.
Attendees may also enter a Birthday Wish for America & sign the America @ 250 Macoupin County Time Capsule book. The book will become a permanent archive of the Macoupin County Historical Society.
Individuals, families, & friends can also be a part of “Community Conversations” recorded by Illinois Voices 250, a Story Telling group affiliated with Illinois Humanities. The recordings will take place in all 102 counties in Illinois. Illinois Voices 250 will be on site most of the day at the Historical Society Spring Festival. The stores recorded will be digitalized and become a permanent part of the Library of Congress.
Those interested in participating are welcome to bring family and friends into a casual conversation about their life story. Both projects were made possible through a grant from Illinois Humanities to Carlinville Winning Communities, a local non profit organization that supports activities in the community. It’s a very successful partnership between Carlinville Winning Communities, Illinois Humanities and the Macoupin County Historical Society, said Mary Tinder, who is coordinating the activities.
This year, 2026, is also a time to “Bring Back the Strawberries”, a specialty desert from the Red Barn Kitchen. For many years, strawberry shortcake was the signature desert at the festivals. The MCHS Board of Directors and Red Barn Kitchen Crew chose this historic occasion to put them back on the menu.
“Fifty Years of Festivals” has helped finance operations for MCHS and we are working towards another fifty years, said board member Patty Ambrose, Vendor and Outreach Coordinator for MCHS. These activities are free, open to the public and accessible. The two-day festival is May 23, 24, 2026 at the Macoupin County Historical Society, 900 West Breckenridge Street, Carlinville, Il.
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Community News
Benld prepares to celebrate 72nd annual Italian American Days over Memorial Day weekend
A beloved community tradition returns this Memorial Day weekend as the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days brings three days of food, music, and family fun to Benld City Park from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24.
Hosted by the Italian Club of Benld, the long-running festival celebrates the area’s rich Italian heritage while welcoming visitors from across the region for a full slate of activities.
Festivalgoers can expect a wide variety of homemade Italian favorites served throughout the weekend, including salami and meatball sandwiches, tortellini soup, bagna cauda, and cannoli. A daily fish fry featuring cod and whiting will also be available, along with classic festival fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian beef, and carnival treats. Beer, wine, and soda will be available for purchase.
In addition to the food, the event will feature carnival rides provided by Conner Family Amusement, Inc., with unlimited ride sessions offered throughout the weekend. Bingo will be held nightly at 7:00 p.m., and festival-themed shirts will be available for purchase.
Live music and dancing will take center stage each evening. Friday night entertainment includes a performance by Flip the Frog from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., with the park open from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday highlights include the Italian Club Car Show, with registration from 8:00 a.m. to noon and judging beginning at noon. The park opens at 11:00 a.m., and live music will feature Pat Jones in the afternoon followed by Borderline in the evening.
Sunday kicks off with the “Meatballs on the Run” 5K at 9:00 a.m., sponsored by the Gillespie Cross Country Boosters. You can sign-up to participate online here. The day continues with free spaghetti served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a bocce ball tournament beginning at noon, and a full lineup of live music throughout the day, including performances by Unbroken, Syner-Gee, and B&B Strings.
Connors Family Amusements will provide carnival armbands for $30. Armbands will be valid Friday (May 22) from 6:00 to 10 :00 p.m. and again on Saturday (May 23rd) and Sunday (May 24th) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m, Advanced armband sales will be available from May 4th through May 21st at the Frank Bertetti Public Library and Benld City Hall for $25. Debit and Credit Cards will NOT be accepted.
Organizers note that no outside beverages are permitted in the park or at club events.
With its mix of tradition, entertainment, and community spirit, the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days promises to once again be a highlight of the summer season in Macoupin County. For more information and updates, follow the festival on Facebook at Benld Italian American Days.
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Gillespie will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, May 11 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 7101336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available
through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.
For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 7475401. Donors who last gave blood on or before March 16, 2026, are eligible to give at this drive.
Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood products and services to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as researchers and resource sharing partners across the country.
