Encourages Children of Illinois to Support Our Veterans and Servicemembers at Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

CHICAGO - November 30, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by local schoolchildren to light the state of Illinois' annual Christmas tree and launch the Illinois Heroes holiday card drive. Joined by Gold Star families, Governor Quinn encouraged families throughout Illinois to honor our heroes by making holiday cards for servicemembers at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany and in military hospitals across Illinois. Governor Quinn will personally deliver the cards during a visit to troops at LRMC later this year.

"This holiday season, we want to make sure our servicemembers who serve our country away from home receive a warm reminder of how much we love and support them," Governor Quinn said. "While great distances may separate us, they will always be in our hearts and prayers. We can never thank them enough for their sacrifices."

This year will mark the eighth time that Governor Quinn has visited Illinois troops and their families at LRMC. The center is the largest American hospital outside of the United States. For more information on how to participate in the Illinois Heroes holiday card drive, please visit OperationHomefront.org.

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) Director Erica Borggren and servicemembers from across the state also joined the governor at the tree lighting ceremony.

"Time away from loved ones is just one of the many sacrifices our servicemembers make to protect us," Director Borggren said. "While we want to do everything we can to support them every day, we know it means so much for a servicemember to receive a holiday card and know how much they are appreciated. As we gather with our loved ones to celebrate the holiday season, we encourage the people of Illinois to keep our servicemembers in their thoughts and prayers."

Also in attendance were members of the Gold Star Families, who hung ornaments in memory of their sons and daughters on the tree. The choir from LaSalle II Magnet School performed during the tree lighting ceremony and presented cards to Landstuhl.

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SPRINGFIELD - August 12, 2012. To celebrate "Veterans Day at the State Fair", Governor Pat Quinn today signed a package of new laws designed to honor our veterans and fallen heroes, including a measure to hire more veterans as Conservation Police. Today's action is the latest by Governor Quinn to improve services for veterans in Illinois.

"Supporting Illinois veterans is our sacred mission," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws enable us to hire more veterans, provide veterans with better medical and mental health treatment, and better honor the families of fallen heroes with special license plates."

Under House Bill 4983 - sponsored by Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago) and Sen. Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago) - the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) would be able to hire more veterans as Conservation Police through a waiver of their college degree requirement. Currently, applicants must have a four-year college degree or a two-year degree plus three years in a police force. Under this new law, any service member who was honorably discharged may have that requirement waived.

The IDNR Conservation Police enforce fishing and wildlife laws, patrol Illinois waterways and state parks, and hunt down violators of the state's poaching and endangered species laws. The starting salary is $43,956. While the college requirement is waived under this new law, which goes into effect immediately, applicants must still meet other requirements, such as a 300-yard swimming test. There are currently 136 Conservation Police officers and the IDNR hopes to hire more in coming months. All 15 cadets currently in training are veterans.

"Our Conservation Police face poachers, intoxicated boaters and criminals every day. They need to be tough and smart," said IDNR Director Marc Miller. "Anyone who has been honorably discharged after serving in a hot spot such as Iraq is exactly the kind of person we need on the front-lines here."

Governor Quinn also signed House Bill 5006 - sponsored by Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago) and Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) - to double the number of days allotted for military service-related hospital visits by certain state employees from two days annually to four days, and ensures that these days won't count as sick days. Proposed by Secretary of State Jesse White and backed by the VFW, the bill passed both chambers unanimously and takes effect immediately.

Governor Quinn also signed House Bill 4926, sponsored by Rep. Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) and Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), to help veterans who incur post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health challenges. The new law - effective immediately - improves the functioning of the courts by increasing access to treatment records of veterans in the criminal justice system, and bolstering the role of caseworkers and "peer recovery coaches." An initiative of Mental Health America of Illinois (MHAI), the new law identifies veterans who have been charged with crimes and may have substance abuse or mental health problems, and makes sure their treatment is part of any adjudication

"We greatly appreciate the support of Governor Quinn for this legislation," said Carol Gall, MHAI Executive Director. "This will reduce recidivism and save taxpayers money." For a century, MHAI has been advocating for persons with mental and emotional disorders.

Also signed today was House Bill 4982 - sponsored by Rep. Patrick Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Cicero) - to honor such fallen heroes as firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty by expanding the number of family members eligible for special license plates. Currently, only surviving spouses are entitled to the plates. The new law - proposed by Secretary of State White - allows parents and other relatives of the fallen hero to display the special plates. The bill takes effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

Improving life for veterans has long been a priority for Governor Quinn, who has called for the hiring of 100,000 veterans by 2020. Veterans and their families have free admission to the State Fair and other activities today. Earlier this week, the governor announced the Illinois Hiring Heroes Consortium designed to help veterans find employment. In 2011, Governor Quinn launched the Welcome Home Heroes program to promote homeownership for Illinois Veterans, active military personnel, reservists and Illinois National Guard members. As Lieutenant Governor, Quinn championed the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund Act, which established a fund to provide grants helping service members and their families with the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services and other expenses they struggle to afford because a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.

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"Family Fun for Everyone" Fair Showcases Food, Entertainment, Illinois Produce and Livestock

SPRINGFIELD - August 10, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today officially opened the 2012 Illinois State Fair, "Family Fun for Everyone." Today's ribbon cutting at the fairground's main gate marks the start of the 10-day celebration that features food, racing, music, carnival rides and a wide variety of family-friendly activities.

"The state fair is an Illinois staple, with something for everyone, whether you are young or just young at heart," Governor Quinn said. "I hope everyone comes to Springfield to sample the sights and sounds of the fair."

The state fair began 159 years ago as a way for Illinois farmers to showcase their labor. The fair continues to feature Illinois livestock, as well as produce and other Illinois products at the Farmers Market Tent. Visitors can also enjoy auto racing, horse shows and harness racing in addition to the carnival rides.

Along with the Grandstand concert lineup, the fair also features a wide variety of free entertainment - from high diving to musical acts - on 14 stages throughout the fairgrounds. Also this year, the Chicago cast of the highly acclaimed "Million Dollar Quartet" will give a free performance along with the group New Odyssey at the Grandstand. The Broadway musical is based on the recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

Fairgoers will also have the opportunity to learn about state government and the state programs that are helping grow Illinois' economy. Many of the state's agencies and departments, as well as other constitutional officers, will have tents at the fair where people can obtain information about state services and programs.

Governor Quinn will also cut the ribbon on the Governor's Tent at the fair today, officially opening the tent to fairgoers. The tent features displays about Governor Quinn's programs and initiatives that are aimed at creating and supporting high quality jobs throughout Illinois. The Governor's Tent will also feature an interactive simulated coal mine, a corn crib dig pit and an artistic, accurate, museum quality 4-ft world globe designed by Chicago artist Matt Binns. The tent is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily during the fair.

For a complete listing of daily activities at the 2012 Illinois State Fair, "Family Fun for Everyone," please visit statefair.illinois.gov or call (217) 782-6661. The state fair runs from Aug. 9 - 19, 2012.

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New Law to Pave the Way for "Parent Academies" in Illinois

CHICAGO - August 9, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law designed to strengthen bilingual education in Illinois. The law authorizes the Illinois Advisory Council on Bilingual Education to study and make recommendations on the state of bilingual education in Illinois, as well as the role of parents of students whose first language is not English. Today's action at the Inter-American Magnet School paves the way for the possible implementation of "parent academies" and is the governor's latest to further improve education in Illinois.

"School is challenging enough for students and parents alike without having to struggle with a new language," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will keep Illinois on the cutting edge of bilingual education programs to ensure that every student is ready for the workforce."

Sponsored by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) and Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago), House Bill 3819 requires the Advisory Council to evaluate the success rate of bilingual programs, examine innovative initiatives such as "parent academies" and "cultural competency programs", and submit a report to the State Superintendent of Education, Governor and General Assembly by Jan. 1, 2013.

According to an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) study, there were 183,000 Illinois students in 2010 for whom English was not a first language, nearly 10 percent of the entire student population. Spanish-speakers comprise 80 percent of those enrolled in English language programs; rounding out the top ten are Polish, Urdu, Arabic, Tagalog, Korean, Cantonese/Mandarin, Gujarati, Vietnamese and Russian. While most live in Chicago, there are growing numbers of non-English speaking students in Elgin, Cicero, Aurora and Waukegan.

The Advisory Council on Bilingual Education, which was created in 1992 to propose recommendations to ISBE, will examine the feasibility of "parent academies" through which parents learn about standardized testing, homework completion strategies and student-teacher relationships. Some states offer free two-hour workshops for parents that cover "conditions for learning", such as school safety, home supportiveness and nutrition. In urban areas, the "parent academy" approach has successfully addressed the specific needs of single parents and immigrant families.

"Parents of non-English speaking students want - and need - to feel a greater stake in navigating their child's education. This new law opens the door to such innovations as 'parent academies' to accomplish that," said Rep. Chapa LaVia, who Chairs the Illinois House Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations Committee.

"We are always looking for ways to help all students maximize their academic potential. This new law will help," said Sen. Martinez.

The bill was supported by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), and passed unanimously in both chambers. The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2013.