Governor Thanks Participating Schools for Working to Increase Diversity

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn hosted the state's private colleges and universities today at a Diversity & Inclusion in Higher Education Forum held on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday. The forum was held at the University of Chicago and sponsored by the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have the opportunity to follow their dreams and reach their full potential.

"I am proud to continue collaborating with these institutions of higher learning as they enhance diversity and inclusion on their campuses throughout Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Meaningful programs like this are helping us ensure a level playing field for everyone in Illinois. I thank these schools for honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by working to increase their diversity on campus."

Illinois private colleges and universities have received a total of $406 million over the past two years, and will receive about $94 million this year under Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program for needs on their campuses. This funding gives these institutions the opportunity to select diverse contractors and service providers while improving the campus environment for students and faculty.

Today's forum focused on ensuring that private colleges and universities had the tools they need to continue making strides toward promoting equal opportunity for all. Attendees heard success stories from other institutions, and several of the participating schools were recognized for their dedication toward the ideal of inclusion as envisioned by Dr. King, who said: "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

Many private Illinois colleges and universities have a good track record of promoting diversity and inclusion on their campuses. According to a recent assessment from U.S. News & World Report, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, DePaul University, The University of Chicago and Loyola University were among the top private institutions in the nation for diversity. They join Illinois public institutions like the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northern Illinois University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Southern Illinois University Carbondale as very highly rated for their diverse and inclusive curriculum, campuses, faculty and programs.

At least 110 million consumers were affected by the hack involving Target and Neiman Marcus retailers. Whether or not millions more will have their identities manipulated and finances ruined within the coming months due to more breaches of security at other stores is anyone's guess, says identity theft recovery expert Scott A. Merritt.

"By necessity, I became an expert on identity theft. My information was stolen in 2006, and in repairing the damage, I learned some not-so-obvious ways we can all protect against identity theft in the first place," says Merritt, CEO of Merritt & Associates (scottamerritt.com) and author of  "Identity Theft Do's and Don'ts."

Merritt's problems began quickly. While disputing financial charges and dealing with resulting business problems, in 2007 he was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested on a false outstanding felony warrant. He immediately knew why.

"I had to enlist my U.S. congressman and convince the state police, NCIC, FBI and Secret Service that I didn't commit the felonies. For a few years, I had to prove that the prints did not match the false record in question. After legal action, however, I was able to have this corrected."

Unfortunately, the millions affected by the recent hacks may be dealing with similar repercussions in the years ahead, he says.

Before you become a victim of identity theft, Merritt offers seven ways to guard against it.

• Understand how and where it happens. Identity theft is like being robbed when you are away from home; most thefts occur in places where you do business every day. Either a place of business is robbed, a bad employee acts improperly or a hacker breaches the office through the computer.

• Secure your wallet's information. Photocopy everything in your wallet: photos, credit cards (front and back), membership cards - everything. Put the copies in the order the cards are arranged in your wallet, staple the pictures and place them in a strong box or safe.

• Make sure your information is consistent. For all of your identity and financial documents, make absolutely sure, to the smallest detail, that all of your personal information is accurate and consistent! Discrepancies such as using your middle initial on some documents, and not others, or having different addresses, can wreck havoc in proving your identity, and can compromise your credit score.

• Secure your digital habits and data. Change your passwords at least twice a year on a non-scheduled basis - don't be predictable. Have a strong firewall if you shop online, and only access sites that are protected by a strong firewall and high industry standards. Access accounts of a financial nature only from your personal computer.

• Protect your banking information. While in the bank, keep account numbers and other data out of sight, and avoid stating account numbers, Social Security numbers and similar information out loud. When planning a bank visit, have items such as deposits and withdrawal slips prepared in advance.

• Account for your interactions with vendors. Every time you speak to someone with whom you do business, write down the time, date, name and the purpose or outcome of the call. If an identity theft occurs on the vendor's end, you will be able to reference these prior conversations effectively. Be sure to note any animosity or reluctance from the vendor.

• Don't carry around your birth certificate or Social Security card. Unless it's necessary, keep those vital items in a safe, or at least a firebox. If you know someone is going to need a copy of your tax returns or your driver's license, for example, make the copies ahead of time. This avoids the need for a firm's employee to leave the room with such information.

"Of course, you can greatly reduce being a victim of such recent hacks that occurred at the major retailers by using cash more often," he says. "But if you're going to use credit, use a card from a national bank or a national credit union and never a debit card, no exceptions."

About Scott A. Merritt

Scott A. Merritt is the CEO and sole stockholder of Merritt Ventures, Inc., doing business as Merritt & Associates and author of "Identity Theft Do's and Don'ts." He has more than a decade of experience in the real estate industry, financial planning, insurance, investment services, and has more than a decade in mortgage services, all under the umbrella of Merritt Ventures. Merritt holds a life, accident and health insurance license, and a principal associate real estate broker's license. He has an associate degree in pre-law, a bachelor's degree in business administration and a certificate in computer information systems. He has personally represented himself and won in court hundreds of times to, in part, clear his record from the ravages of identity theft.

January 25, 2014

4:00 p.m. until closing

Lady Di's Park View Inn

18109 - 270th St, Park View, Iowa

(near Long Grove)

Silent Auction, Raffles.