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Host: Rob Davis filled in. Greg is travelling & Jeff is in Portugal
Greeters: Jim Bowman & Jackie Maxwell
Thought: Carol Wells
Shenanigans: Beth DeWall. Explained how pecans imported from the US have become hot. She will look for them on her trip to China in a few weeks.
Set-Up: Gil Gilbert
Attendance: Art Beck
Treasurer: Buck Crist
Scribe: John Bowman
Visiting Rotarians: Dick from Evanston
Guests: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Bob Meeder reminded people to sign up for the Installation Brunch on Sunday June 30. You can get more information on our club website.
Jim Bowman asked if we should have a booth at Summerfest on July 12. Last year a Shelter Box Tent was set up but that is hard to do. Walter says people stop by for candy but do not learn anything about Rotary. Susan Fisher has checked with noon club – they also want to scale down.
Walter said all but one person from the North Shore team at the special Olympics received a medal.
Theresa Nissen has been picked to be in Evanston House walk on June 30. She says you can attend the installation brunch and still make it to the walk.
John Glasgow said his wife called and told him the smoke alarm had gone off at their house. She was two hours away so John started home and on his way received a call from the fire department saying they were at the house and, fortunately, it was a false alarm. John said he is amazed by the technology and feels his house is safer.
Townsend Albright said the recent storm caused storm damage in his basement and he is looking for carpenters to replace damaged dry wall, etc. If you have a good contractor or carpenter please let Townsend know.
A group photo of the WHRC taken 15 years ago was passed around. Many people recognized themselves and others such as Karen Kline and Mary Tamm.
Good News/Bad News
Buck happily announced he was at his last Rotary board meeting yesterday and his boat is on the pad in the harbor. Better yet, his daughter is returning to Wilmette with grandchildren. Thanks for your service, Buck!
PROGRAM: Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon.
Lt. Gov. Simon was happy to explain she has been a member of the Rotary Club in Carbondale for more than 5 years. She joined because her two daughters both participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
Sheila’s older daughter, Reilly, visited Brazil for her youth exchange. Sheila’s younger daughter, Brennan, visited Brazil while Reilly was there. Sheila said her favorite story was when her younger (under drinking age) daughter showed her driver’s license and pointed out the name “Jesse White” to the unsuspecting foreign establishment. At least Brennan was creative.
Sheila’s younger daughter, Brennan, went to Southern Italy for her youth exchange. It was a slow start as Brennan learned Italian but then she picked up, did well in school, and performed in the high school musical. 18
Both daughters stay in touch with their host families via Skype.
LT. Governor Simon is a longtime advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Her office started a clinic to pair lawyers willing to do pro bono work with survivors of domestic abuse. Survivors and lawyers may not be located in the same geography so her office developed a process to allow lawyers one area to talk to survivors in another area over Skype. Questions of divorce, ownership of items purchased jointly such as cars, washing machines, etc. can be discussed with a lawyer and the survivor can move on with their life.
John Wertymer described meeting Sheila’s father, Paul Simon, when John was helping develop Thorn Creek Woods in Park Forest. Paul Simon was wearing his trade mark dark suit and tie but still walked through woods on 100 degree day.
The Lt. Governor was asked to comment on the Illinois pension crisis. She responded that the last session was very disappointing – it failed on pension reform and marriage equality. Two plans are proposed – she hopes compromise can be made. Next year we may spend more on pensions than education. Illinois need to do something – doing nothing is the worst choice.
Walter Reed asked why politicians do not act. He noted the number of state workers do not represent enough votes to control an election so asked if financial contributions the reason politicians do not act. The Lt. Governor said the problem is with the Illinois State Constitution which prohibits a reduction in benefits. She explained any legislation would ultimately need to be ruled on by the State Supreme Court.
George Vandervoort asked if Illinois should change the constitution. Lt. Gov. Simon said that is an option but someone needs to lead the effort.
The Lt. Governor said that Dan Biss has moved the pension conversation forward by proposing package.
John Glasgow asked if retirement benefits be taxed. Lt. Gov Simon said that is being looked at but nothing is solid yet. It may be appropriate to tax retirement benefits above a certain level.
Rob Davis asked what is typical day? Lt. Gov Simon said when her Chief of Staff, Kathryn Phillps, came to pick her up this morning the car battery died which is the reason she was late. She is in Springfield when the legislature is in session. All over the state otherwise. She has visited all higher education schools in the state. There are 48 community colleges in Illinois. Enrollments are good but not graduations. Financial barriers are big but math is the biggest barrier. High schools only require 3 years students get to college and cannot do the work. The Lt. Governor is working to develop programs to improve math skills.
John Bowman asked where there are good news resources to understand the issues. The response was that there is no single source but try to become a smart consumer of information across a wide number of sources.
Susan Fisher asked if Sheila has had contact with former State Senator Barak Obama? Sheila Simon said she visited David Axelrod at the White House and was excited to be invited to visit Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
Buck Crist asked how community college might interface with for profit business and/or start using remote classroom technology. The Lt. Governor responded that some for profit businesses are only out to fleece students and make money. Some for profit schools are good and come up with good approaches such as scheduling classes when enough students are interested rather than using the semester system. Online classes can be good. Her daughters believe a blended course (part online part in person) is the same as a classroom course.
NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM: State Senator Daniel Biss
NEXT MEETING CLUB DUTIES:
Greeters: Keith Dronen and Ben Chung
Thought: Rob Davis
Shenanigans: Abby Romanek
Set-Up: Gil Gilbert
Attendance: Jim Griffith
Scribe: John Kessler |
