State Representative Naomi Jakobsson will host an ice cream social Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Douglas Park, to meet with constituents, talk about issues and share ice cream. All residents are invited.

“Friends, family and ice cream are staples of summertime,” Jakobsson said in a release. “Please join me in Douglas Park to share some ice cream and discuss state issues.”

For more information about the ice cream social, or for other ways to contact Representative Jakobsson, call her district office at (217) 373-5000.

State senator seeks opinions on proposed lottery bill

State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) is looking for residents’ opinions concerning a proposal by Governor Blagojevich to sell or lease the state lottery to pay for rising pension debt.

Rutherford is asking Illinois residents to complete an online survey on his legislative Web site danrutherford.com to indicate their support or opposition of lottery privatization. Residents can reach the survey by going to the site and clicking under “Governor gambles on education.”

According to a press release from the senator, the Blagojevich Administration estimates that a sale of the state lottery could bring in a one-time cash infusion of $10 billion, which would be used to pay down the state’s pension debt. The Speaker of the House has publicly stated that he would like to hold a vote on the proposal as early as this weekend, according to the press release.

University adviser named principal of local elementary school

Director of the Office of Clinical Experiences Jennifer Heinhorst-Busby will soon have a different title – principal.

Champaign Unit 4 school district named Heinhorst-Busby to the post at Dr. Howard Elementary School. At her current job at the University, she is responsible for coordinating student teaching placements for 660 students each year at the College of Education.

Heinhorst-Busby is working toward an Ed.D in Educational Organization and Leadership at the University. She begins her new position on August 1.

Carle implements electronic records to keep track of patient care

Paper is a thing of the past at Carle Foundation Hospital, at least when it comes to medical records. The hospital is launching an electronic medical record system this month that will allow doctors, nurses and other staff to document patients’ care via computer.

The new system will streamline things like medication management and help prevent errors around the hospital.

Compiled by Jenette Sturges