Sue Sinclair is retiring as the Illinois Central College athletics director.(Photo courtesy of ICC)

 PEORIA

The city’s Police Department receives new accreditation

After three years of preparation and an extensive review process, the Peoria Police Department was awarded a CALEA Certificate of Accreditation in May during the spring 2019 CALEA Conference in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) was founded in 1979 by a joint effort of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriff’s Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.

CALEA Accreditation is the process of voluntarily complying with a set of professional standards dealing with policies and procedures. Only 5 percent of law enforcement agencies in the United States are CALEA Accredited.

The purpose of CALEA is to:

• Increase law enforcement agency capabilities to prevent and control crime
• Increase agency effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of law enforcement services
• Increase cooperation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies and with other agencies of the criminal justice system
• Increase citizen and employee confidence in the goals, objectives, policies, and practices of the agency.

CALEA Accreditation is beneficial to law enforcement giving the agency a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation.

Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which law enforcement agencies and citizens work together to prevent and control challenges confronting law enforcement and provides clear direction about community expectations.

 City to mark Flag Day with downtown ceremony

The city of Peoria’s Flag Day ceremony will be Friday, June 14, from 5 to 6 p.m., at Constitution Garden at 101 Morton St. in downtown Peoria.

At 6 p.m. participants will pause for the Pledge of Allegiance.  After the pledge, the American Legion Post 2, will hold a flag folding ceremony and a flag retirement ceremony.   Individuals with flags they wish to retire honorably can bring their flags that day.

Peoria City Councilman Sid Ruckriegel will MC the event, with Riverfront Museum CEO John Morris as the speaker.

Mayor hosts kickoff of summer youth program

Mayor Jim Ardis introduced the 2019 Mayor’s Youth Program on Monday, June 3 at the Gateway Building, 2nd floor located at 200 NE Water St. Bill Lewis, interim Public Works director, Sie Maroon, deputy director of Public Works, Thomas Welsh, executive director of high schools and Brent Baker, director of Workforce Solutions, were also featured speakers.

The program is a collaborative effort between the city of Peoria, Greater Peoria EDC and Peoria Public Schools.

This eight-week program, which runs from June 3 through July 26, is designed to provide opportunities for Peoria-area youth in the Public Service sector.

The program focuses on career pathway development and civic engagement by employing Peoria area youth to assist in infrastructure improvements, beautification, and clean-up projects throughout the city.

Participants will interact with various city departments while learning about operations and projects. Additional components of the program include life skills development, learning workshops, career pathway lectures, and business tours.

For more information, contact Andrea Klopfenstein or Janice Little at 309-494-8800.

REGIONAL

ICC athletics director retiring at end of month

ICC Athletics Director Sue Sinclair has elected to retire, effective June 30.

“During her nearly 30-year career at ICC, Sue has not only served as athletics director, but also as assistant athletics director, assistant softball coach, director of physical education, and head volleyball coach,” said Dean of Students Dr. Emily Points.

“Sue is such an integral part of the Athletic program that it is hard not to see this as a loss for ICC, but we are happy for Sue and her family. Sue’s legacy is found in the enduring contributions she has made through the leadership of the many students whose lives she has touched.”

Sinclair’s teams have enjoyed phenomenal successes throughout the years under her leadership, including two national championships for volleyball and softball. In total, she has coached 17 teams to qualify for Nationals, and 85 players have moved on to play at the next level (NCAA DI, DII, DIII, and NAIA).

Sinclair also has received many individual accolades, including her induction into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018, the 25 Women in Leadership Award in 2018, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Junior College/Community College Central Athletic Director of the Year 2005-06, and the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004, just to name a few.

“I am very grateful to ICC for the many opportunities I’ve had over the years while leading the athletic program and coaching these talented student athletes,” Sinclair said.

“While I elected to retire at this particular time due to family responsibilities, I am remaining in the area and have every intention of continuing to be active in the program as both a fan and volunteer. Once a Cougar, always a Cougar.”

ICC plans to appoint an interim athletic director prior to Sinclair’s retirement, with a search for a permanent replacement slated for the March-April timeframe. The college immediately will begin a search for the head volleyball coaching position.

STATE

EPA accepting applications for drug takeback program

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2020 Medication Takeback Program. The program will provide funding to communities or organizations for the safe disposal of opioids and other harmful medications collected from residents.

“To date, the Illinois EPA Medication Takeback Program has already removed 20 tons of unused medication in fiscal year 2019,” said Illinois EPA Director John J. Kim. “This program not only properly disposes of medication to protect our water resources, but it also assists communities in addressing the opioid crisis, and we look to do even more in the next fiscal year.”

For the FY19 program, there were 104 community partners in the Medication Takeback Program, and the Illinois EPA is seeking to expand upon those partnerships. Communities and organizations interested in being part of the Medication Takeback Program should complete and submit the application available online at https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/Documents/iepa/waste-management/waste-disposal/medication-disposal/medication-takeback-application.pdf. Applications must be submitted by Saturday, June 15 for collections beginning on July 1. Application Instructions are also available on the EPA website.