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$100 Million Illinois Century Network Construction Brings Ultra-Fast Access to Communities Across 55 Counties

NORMAL - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the completion of a nearly $100 million, four-year project to install more than 1,000 new miles of high-speed fiber-optic broadband infrastructure across 55 Illinois counties. Supported by the Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the project created nearly 700 jobs expanding access to high-speed broadband services for schools, libraries, hospitals and internet providers throughout Illinois. The network is part of the Governor's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"High-speed internet access is a proven economic engine," Governor Quinn said. "This expansion of Illinois' broadband backbone will create jobs and drive economic growth for generations to come."

"Investing in technology strengthens our public education system," Illinois State University Board Chairman Rocky Donahue said. "I want to thank Governor Quinn for his vision, leadership and partnership with ISU on this project."

To finish the project, engineers, equipment operators, technicians, splicers, laborers and electricians worked together to bury more than 1,000 miles of new fiber optic cable, and "light up" about 750 miles of existing "dark" fiber. All told, about 1,800 miles of fiber-optic cable are now in use across Illinois because of this project.

The new network directly connects approximately 400 anchor institutions, including community colleges, universities, libraries, health facilities, K-12 schools and public safety agencies. Local internet providers can connect to the network to extend Internet service into communities with few or nonexistent high-speed options.

Students throughout the state are already benefiting from faster access to online learning tools made available through the ICN investment.

"Our Internet speed is 25 times faster than before, with plenty of room for future growth," Iroquois West Community Unit School District #10 Information Technology Director Brian Eggemeyer said. "The ICN's increased capacity will have a positive impact on every student in our district for years to come."

The project was funded by a $62 million competitive award from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which was made possible by a $24 million commitment from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and nearly $10 million in other university, local and private resources.

The 55 Illinois counties included in the new broadband network are Adams, Bond, Brown, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Cook, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Iroquois, Jasper, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Lawrence, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Richland, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, St. Clair, Tazewell, Vermilion, Will and Woodford.

The project was coordinated by the Illinois Broadband Opportunity Partnership (IBOP), a statewide consortium of public and private sector partners organized by Governor Quinn and led by Illinois State University's Central Illinois Regional Broadband Network (CIRBN) and the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS).

Governor Quinn has invested more than $71 million in broadband infrastructure throughout the state as part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. This investment has leveraged more than $250 million in additional federal and private funding. Through these projects, more than 3,000 miles of fiber optic cable have been installed across Illinois.

Urges U.S. EPA to Reconsider Decision to Lower Renewable Fuel Standard; Cites Economic and Clean Air Benefits

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that he is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider a decision that would cause decreased production of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The U.S. EPA wants to reduce the volume of renewable fuels that must be used in the nation's retail fuel supply. This decision could impact Illinois farmers who grow renewable fuel crops like corn and soybeans, and it could also affect the air we breathe since renewable fuels create less air pollution. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"Illinois farmers benefit because they produce the materials needed for renewable fuels, and less dependence on foreign energy sources means consumers have a more stable and economical source of fuel," Governor Quinn said. "We also help the environment through the cleaner air we get when less petroleum is burned."

Governor Quinn submitted a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy urging that the agency's proposed new Renewable Fuel Standard rule be reconsidered. The letter accompanied comments from several Illinois state agencies about the benefits of renewable fuel production to the state and the nation's economic and physical well-being. Governor Quinn also submitted a letter to the U.S. EPA as the new chairman of the Governors' Biofuels Coalition, a bipartisan group of the nation's governors pushing for biofuel development and use.

Biofuels have an economic impact of $5.3 billion in Illinois according to the Illinois Renewable Fuels Association. The Illinois ethanol industry is third in the nation with 14 ethanol plants providing 4,000 jobs that produce enough ethanol to displace 35 percent of the state's petroleum usage. Illinois has five plants that produce about 200 million gallons of biodiesel. The export of Illinois dried distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, topped $1 billion in 2013, more than 20 percent ahead of the previous year; Illinois soy meal exports for fuel production were more than $215 million last year, up 40 percent.

"The claim that the Renewable Fuel Standard eliminates a source of livestock feed is a misconception," Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. "The fact is that one of the by-products of ethanol production is a ready-made livestock feed called dried distillers grains. Research demonstrates these grains have a higher protein concentration than even pre-ethanol corn, making them a more efficient animal feed. The bottom line is that renewable fuels like ethanol are good for the environment, good for economy and good for agriculture."

The use of renewable fuels has also helped improve air quality. Since ethanol contains oxygen, it contributes to the cleaner, more efficient combustion of gasoline, reducing carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30 percent. Ethanol is also a key to increasing octane in gasoline blends, a critical element in achieving the new Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency standards of 54.5 miles per gallon in 2025.

"Illinois supports the continued use of biofuels as a direct benefit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this country," Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "Reducing the use of biofuels will result in added greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and will contradict the climate change policies currently in place."

The Quinn Administration has taken the lead in the use of renewable fuels, converting much of the state's vehicle fleet to Flex Fuel Vehicles and providing incentives for retailers to dispense biofuels. The state also offers an Alternative Fuel Vehicle rebate program, providing rebates for nearly 12,500 vehicle purchases since the program began in 1999.

Monumental Bridge Will Improve Safety and Reduce Traffic Congestion

EAST ST. LOUIS - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and a number of local officials to open the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. The monumental $695 million bridge provides a better and safer way for millions of motorists to cross the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois' economy forward.

"The team spirit and diverse participation that went into the planning and construction of this magnificent structure is a fitting tribute to Stan Musial and the veterans after whom it is named," Governor Quinn said. "This is the first new bridge connecting downtown St. Louis and southwestern Illinois that has been built in more than four decades, and it will be a catalyst for business development and job creation for the future."

"This is more than a bridge - it is a road to opportunity for the thousands of people in Illinois and Missouri who have long deserved a faster and safer way to get to work and home again," Transportation Secretary Foxx said. "Last week, President Obama said that 'first-class jobs gravitate to first-class infrastructure,' and there is no bigger example than this first-class bridge of how transportation investments can help businesses and residents alike."

"The new bridge will mean more jobs and more economic opportunity on both sides of the Mississippi," Senator Durbin said. "I was proud to support federal funding for the bridge in Washington and proud to join Senator McCaskill in introducing legislation to name the bridge after both our brave veterans and one of my earliest childhood heroes, Stan 'The Man' Musial. I look forward to the economic boost this bridge will bring to both Illinois and Missouri."

"One-hundred and forty years after the Eads Bridge first linked Missouri and Illinois, the I-70 Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge is the latest span to bring commerce and travelers across the Mississippi River at this nexus of our country," Governor Nixon said. "This is a milestone for trade and transportation that will help this region, and our two states, continue to grow."

The Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge is one mile north of the Martin Luther King Bridge. It has two traffic lanes in each direction with room to expand to three lanes, and carries Interstate 70 traffic between Illinois and Missouri, connecting I-70 at the I-55/I-64/I-70 interchange on the Illinois side to I-70 near Cass Avenue in Missouri. Construction began in the summer of 2009. The project, a joint effort by the Illinois and Missouri departments of transportation, has created or supported more than 9,000 jobs.

Illinois contributed $347 million toward the bridge construction, with Missouri contributing $41 million and the federal government contributing $307 million. Part of Illinois' commitment came from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program.

"We are excited to open the new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge to traffic," Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider said. "Thanks to the hard work of our diverse group of trade workers, contractors and consulting engineers who made this project happen, motorists on both sides of the river will have a safer, less congested and faster commute. We are proud of the partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation and we sincerely appreciate Governor Pat Quinn's unwavering support for this important project as part of our vision to transform Transportation for Tomorrow."

A diverse group of trade workers, contractors, and engineers have worked on the project since it began in 2009. The 24 percent minority workforce participation on the Illinois-funded part of the project is nearly 10 percent higher than the goal set by the Federal Highway Administration and sets a record for construction projects in the Metro East area.

The new bridge and its carefully planned alignment will provide economic benefits to the Metro East area of Illinois. For example, a new interchange was constructed at the relocated Illinois Route 3 that will open the National Stockyards area for redevelopment.

The work in Illinois required the largest archaeological dig in the country from 2009-12. More than 6,000 archaeological features were investigated, and in 2011 the Federal Highway Administration Environmental Excellence Award was presented to the Illinois Department of Transportation for their efforts relating to archaeology in the area. The discoveries made during the project greatly enhanced the knowledge of the civilization that flourished at nearby Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Illinois' only World Heritage Site. The new bridge will make it easier for motorists on the Missouri side of the river to visit Cahokia Mounds.

The existing Poplar Street Bridge carried combined traffic for Interstates 55, 64 and 70 and averages 120,000 vehicles daily. By 2030, the Poplar Street Bridge would have carried more than 150,000 vehicles daily if the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge had not been built. The new I-70 bridge and the Poplar Street Bridge, which will continue to carry I-55/64 traffic, will mean much less congestion and fewer accidents and will greatly enhance traffic flow between Illinois and Missouri.

The Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

Residents Should Use Extreme Caution and Travel Only if Necessary; Check on Neighbors

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced measures being taken by Illinois state agencies to prepare for the additional snowfall that is forecast for the next several days. He also urged residents to follow recommended winter safety procedures, including being careful when shoveling and checking on neighbors during the snowy weather. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to keeping all Illinois residents safe and warm this winter.

"Our public safety workers have been up to the task to keep people safe during this extreme winter weather," Governor Quinn said. "As we prepare for another round of snow, I urge all motorists to drive with extreme caution and pay careful attention to others on the road."

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway have their crews working around the clock to keep roads clear and passable. Motorists are urged to drive defensively and safely, travel only if absolutely necessary, slow down and buckle up. In addition, a new state law prohibits motorists from talking on all but hands-free mobile phones while driving.

Other roadway safety tips to remember:

·         Don't crowd snowplows - an operator's field of vision is restricted.

·         Allow extra time for travel during the winter months.

·         Watch out for black ice on roads that appear clear but can be treacherous. Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady areas - all are prone to black ice, which is often invisible.

·         Pull over and dial *999 for emergency roadway assistance.

Check travel and road conditions routinely before any trip. You can get road condition information by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368), Illinois Tollway information by calling 1-800-TOLL-FYI or online at www.gettingaroundillinois.com and click on the "winter road conditions" icon.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will continue to monitor the winter weather conditions throughout Illinois and stands ready to activate emergency state resources if necessary. IEMA also advises every household to have a disaster preparedness kit that will help residents stay safe for at least three days. The kits should include a battery-powered NOAA weather radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, non-perishable food, water, a first-aid kit, extra medications and special items needed for babies, disabled or elderly family members and pets.

If you must travel, IEMA and IDOT recommend you equip your vehicle with an emergency supply kit to keep you safe in case you are stranded along the road. A vehicle preparedness kit should include a cell phone and charger, flashlight, extra batteries, first-aid kit, snack foods and water, blankets, extra warm clothing, gloves and hats, sand or kitty litter, shovel, windshield scraper, booster cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid and a tool kit. Always keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to help prevent the vehicle's fuel line from freezing.

Before you depart, check weather and road conditions along your route and provide your planned route to a family member or friend. If conditions are dangerous, postpone travel until road conditions improve. IEMA and the National Weather Service have developed a Winter Weather Preparedness Guide that contains many more tips about winter weather safety. The guide is available at the Ready Illinois website at Ready.Illinois.Gov.

Residents are urged to take advantage of the state's warming centers. These include the Illinois Tollway Oases, which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On weekdays, Illinois Department of Human Services offices throughout the state are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To find a warming center near you, call the IDHS hotline at (800) 843-6154 or visit KeepWarm.Illinois.gov.

The Illinois Department on Aging is encouraging relatives and friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens living alone. Older people are more susceptible to the cold, so seniors should set their thermostats above 65 degrees. Those particularly vulnerable are older people who take certain medications, drink alcohol, lack proper nutrition, or who have conditions such as arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Tips to staying safe and warm in winter conditions:

·         Dress in layers, both indoors and outdoors.

·         Keep active. Make a list of exercises and activities to do indoors when you can't get out.

·         Eat well and drink 10 glasses of water daily; stock up on non-perishable food supplies, just in case.

·         Keep extra medications in the house. If this is not possible, make arrangements to have someone pick up and deliver your medications.

·         Do not shovel snow or walk in deep snow. Plan now for someone else to shovel the snow. The strain from the cold and hard labor could cause a heart attack; sweating can lead to a chill and even hypothermia.

Additionally, shoveling snow is hard work and you should not shovel snow unless you are in good physical condition. Cold weather itself, without any physical exertion, puts an extra strain on your heart. Know your limits when shoveling snow. Rest frequently and pace yourself. If you become breathless, stop, go indoors and warm up before continuing. If you experience chest or arm pain or numbness, stop immediately and go indoors.