State Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-33rd) of St. Charles is taking on a larger GOP leadership role in the current Illinois Senate.

McConnaughay takes on larger GOP role in state senate 

State Sen. Karen McConnaughay (R-33rd) of St. Charles will serve as the Senate Republican whip as part of Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno’s leadership team for the 100th General Assembly. She also has been reappointed to the position of Republican spokesperson for the Illinois Senate’s Transportation Committee, continuing the role she held during the 99th General Assembly.

As the Caucus Whip, McConnaughay is responsible for rallying members for floor votes and ensuring the Republican Caucus is fairly represented in the Illinois Senate. The new position will come without additional compensation or cost to taxpayers.

She has served as Republican spokesperson for the Transportation Committee since 2015. In addition to making policy decisions relating to transportation infrastructure and safety, the committee oversees state transportation concerns pertaining to rules, regulations and licensure matters.

Along with her leadership role on the transportation committee, McConnaughay also will serve on the following committees: Education, Gaming, Revenue, Energy and Appropriations II.

COUNTY 

College of Dupage develops new early childhood degree 

The new Early Childhood Administration degree at College of DuPage will provide students with a direct route to the Gateways Illinois Director Credential Level 1, making COD one of the first schools in the state to develop such a degree.

The required coursework will prepare students for direct entry into the field and give them the desired Gateways Illinois Director Credential Level 1 that will set them apart from other job applicants.

Because of recent and upcoming changes in requirements for child care directors mandated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the organization that licenses child care centers, COD created the new degree to help students gain the Gateways credential once they complete their coursework. Students who complete the program and have the credential are ready to work as child care center directors, assistant directors and preschool and child care program administrators.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market is strong for early childhood administration careers, with a projected job growth of 14 percent through 2022. The Illinois Career Information System projects a 15.3 percent growth for this field in DuPage County.

For more information, visit www.cod.edu/programs/ecec, email counseling@cod.edu or call (630) 942-2259.

Area school districts rated for excellence 

Data compiler Niche.com recently released its 2017 list of the best school districts throughout the country and in each state. To compile its lists, Niche analyzed academic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with test scores, college data and ratings collected from millions of Niche users. DuPage County’s rankings in Illinois’ top 25 districts follow.

No. 4: Hinsdale Township High School District 86, Hinsdale

No. 6: Naperville Community Unit School District 203, Naperville

No. 7. Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204, Aurora

No. 9: Community Unit School District 200, Wheaton

No. 13: Elmhurst School District 205, Elmhurst

No. 15: Community High School District 99, Downers Grove

No. 21. Community Unit School District 202, Lisle

No. 23: Community Unit School District 201, Westmont

The highest ranking DuPage County school district on the national list is Township High School District 86, Hinsdale, which came in at No. 21.

Go to k12.niche.com to see all national and state rankings and to read about how the rankings were computed.

GLEN ELLYN

New firetrucks getting ready for duty 

The Glen Ellyn Fire Company has two new fire engines.

The engines, built in Minnesota, will become the fire company’s frontline lead engines, replacing the current engines which are more than 10 years old. Both are being outfitted with radios and other equipment. Firefighters will be trained on the new engines before they officially go into service.

ELMHURST 

City gives local café financial boost 

A local café will open a roasting and retail space, thanks to money from the city of Elmhurst. Brewpoint Coffee – which has been operating since 2014 at 124 W. Park Ave. – received $60,000 in tax increment financing (TIF) assistance to help improve the facade of and build out the property at 563-601 N. York St. The TIF assistance will be part of the estimated $405,000 project to bring the new space up to code, including a new facade, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms, proper plumbing fixtures and equipment for a retail cafe, and other life safety upgrades.

The building owners will add $130,000, and the business will kick in $200,000, according to city documents. The eventual improvements are estimated to reach upwards of $3 million in revenue and 50 employees. Currently, the business serves an average of 330 customers each day and brings in $1,600 per day in revenue.

The council plan also includes a “clawback” provision, including retail sales reimbursement and payback if the business is sold or moved within five years. The financing was approved by a 10-3 vote Jan. 17, with one council member absent.

STATE 

State has shortage of substitute teachers 

If you are looking for a part-time job, you may want to consider being a substitute teacher. Illinois has a shortage of substitute teachers.

According to a recent study conducted by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, or IARSS, schools across the state are unable to cover more than 3,000 teacher absences per week — 18 percent of total absences and 600 classrooms per day.

On average, the study found, Illinois school districts are looking to cover more than 16,500 teacher absences each week with substitutes. The IARSS surveyed around 400 school districts on the subject, including 101 districts in an area encompassing DuPage, Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, Grundy and Will counties, which sees around 8,900 teacher absences per week, according to the study. That’s more than anywhere else in Illinois.

As one measure to combat the shortage, earlier this month, the governor signed legislation that will lower fees to get substitute licenses.