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Monday, August 1, 2016
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Student represents peers in IBHE
Celis to focus on representation and affordability Leah Nicolini Staff writer
DeKalb | Stephanie Torres Celis,
junior public health major, is Latino, female and a community college graduate, which she believes will make her perspective unique to the Illinois Board of Higher Education this fall.
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Usually we talk about African Americans and Latinos not being well represented. What about adding Native American students [to that conversation]?” Stephanie Torres Celis IBHE student member
Celis is one of two student representatives to sit on the IBHE which is responsible for developing a plan to guide Illinois’ higher educational development, recommending budgets to the Governor and General Assembly, maintaining relevant data, among other things, according to the IBHE’s website. “Usually we talk about African Americans and Latinos not being well represented,” Celis said. “What about adding Native American students [to that conversation]? There’s so many different groups, it almost
becomes difficult to talk about. Because we have so many groups to talk about, we spread ourselves thin.” As a student representative, Celis is responsible for serving as a bridge between the IBHE and the student body by giving insight on students needs. She plans on representing the student body of the state by communicating frequently with the student leadership of public and private universities and colleges like the Student Association at NIU. The College of Dupage graduate sat on the Illinois Community College Board as a student representative during Fiscal Year 2015-16 and said she became aware of states issues during her term. Her experience encouraged her to apply for the IBHE student member position. Celis was selected by the recognized advisory committee of students of the board. Justin Provo, economics major at Roosevelt UniJustin Provo versity, was also Non-traditional selected as the student member non-traditional student member, according to the IBHE’s website. “I found that it was very important to become more involved with our immediate community to make an impact,” Celis said. “When I was told that the position was opening up, I decided to take a chance and see if I
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IBHE events
Date: Sept. 27 Place: St. Xavier University, Chicago Date: Dec. 13 Place: Harper College, Palatine could bring a new perspective. It’s a nice opportunity for leadership development and to learn more about the state and civic engagement.” Celis believes college affordability is an important topic to bring to the board because it can determine whether or not a student will attend college which Celis said shouldn’t be an obstacle to students. In light of the state budget impasse, she thinks affordability is very relevant. The year-long budget impasse arose from a standstill between Illinois lawmakers to pass the Fiscal Year 2016 budget which includes money for state funded institutions like NIU. In preparation for the position, Celis spoke with SA Senate Speaker Christine Wang about NIU’s student government and resources on campus. “I know that leaders like Wang are a great resource,” Celis said. “That’s what they’re there to do; that’s their job. If [students] feel comfortable, they can reach out to me. It’s always nice to hear different perspectives.” Celis is arranging student advisory meetings where student leaders
Courtesy of the Illinois Board of Higher Education
Stephanie Torres Celis, junior public health major, will represent students in the Illinois Board of Higher Education this fall.
on campus can attend and discuss topics to be brought to the board. Call the Student Association at 815-753-0486 to set up an
appointment to talk to a student representative. Email s.torrescelis@ gmail.com to talk to Celis about upcoming student advisory meetings.
Rauner looks to ease weed possession fines The Associated Press
Springfield | Gov. Bruce Rauner
is working with the Illinois State Police on how to handle a proposal to make marijuana possession in small amounts punishable only with fines under a bill he appears poised to sign. The legislation, which also sets a standard for what’s considered too high to drive, includes stronger provisions the Republican governor suggested to lawmakers last year as a condition for signing off on removing jail time for having 10 grams or less of pot. A chief sponsor of this year’s bill, Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat, said the Rauner administration has assured her he will sign the bill but is waiting until next month to give law enforcement time to prepare for its implementation.
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Courtesy of AP Exchange
Part of the review process is working with the Illinois State Police to ensure that the law can be implemented in the best interests of the public.” Catherine Kelly Spokeswoman for Gov. Rauner
The bill comes as many states reconsider whether jail is the most appropriate punishment for petty pot offenses. If signed, Illinois would be the 17th state — and third largest — to treat possession of marijuana in small amounts as a civil offense rather than a criminal one, according to the Marijuana Policy Project,
A marijuana plant grows at the Ataraxia medical marijuana cultivation center in Albion.
which tracks legislation on the topic nationally. New York and California are among the states that have made the change. Rauner has indicated support for reducing penalties for marijuana offenses, but his spokeswoman said in a statement he’s still reviewing the bill. “Part of the review process is working with the Illinois State Police to ensure that the law can be implemented in the best interests of the public,” Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said. The state police declined to comment. Lawmakers sent Rauner the bill June 16 and he has 60 days from
that date to take action. The proposal passed with bipartisan support, but some in law enforcement have reservations. Greg Sullivan, the executive director of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, said the bill doesn’t differentiate between minors and adults who are caught with small amounts of pot, and that the new approach may not bring proper attention to problem use by minors. “As long as someone can afford the fines, guess what, I may never know it as a parent. I’ve got a problem with that,” Sullivan said. Opponents are also concerned
that reducing penalties for marijuana possession sends a message that it isn’t harmful. But about 100 Illinois communities, including Chicago, already give police discretion to issue citations instead of making arrests for having small amounts of the drug. Lawmakers said they want to promote consistency in how minor marijuana offenses are handled. “We have a system where, where you live or what you look like determines whether you get a ticket,” said Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago, another bill sponsor. The legislation would also require municipalities to purge
citation records for possession every six months, unless local governments decide against it. Supporters of the bill argue people shouldn’t be saddled with lifelong criminal records for minor offenses that make it difficult to find employment or housing. When Rauner vetoed last year’s legislation, he said in a letter to lawmakers that the existing penalties for petty marijuana offenses are “too severe” and that “criminal prosecution of cannabis possession is also a drain on public resources.” He wrote that he supports “the fundamental purposes” of the initiative. He said he would sign the proposal if sponsors made changes he wanted. In the bill he vetoed, lawmakers wanted possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana to be a civil offense punishable with a fine between $55 and $125. Rauner wanted he threshold to be lower — 10 grams or less — and the fines higher — between $100 and $200. Rauner recommended the DUI standard for marijuana should be 5 nanograms of THC, marijuana’s intoxicating chemical, in a driver’s blood within two hours of consumption. Lawmakers initially proposed that the standard be 15 nanograms. Currently, any trace of marijuana is enough to be considered impaired, but pot advocates have long criticized zero-tolerance states’ approach because marijuana can stay in a person’s system for several weeks. The bill now on Rauner’s desk has included all of his suggestions.