13 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Signs Laws to Honor Vets and Fallen Heroes

By Nafia Khan

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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13 Aug 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DISCUSS MIDDLE-CLASS ECONOMIC SECURITY IN DUBUQUE AND DAVENPORT, IOWA

By Randy Stalsberg

CHICAGO-- On Wednesday, August 15, President Obama will end his three day bus tour through Iowa with grassroots events in Dubuque and Davenport.  First Lady Michelle Obama will be joining the President at both grassroots events. The President will discuss the choice in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to create an economy built to last and restore middle-class economic security.

President Obama has a vision for an economy built from the middle out, not the top down.  During his first term, President Obama has already cut taxes for a typical Iowa family by about $3,600.  This has helped Iowa families afford to send their children to college, buy their first home, pay for health care and child care. The centerpiece of the Romney-Ryan economic proposals is a $5 trillion tax plan that independent economists have confirmed would raise taxes on middle class families with children by an average of more than $2,000 in order to pay for tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.

Grassroots Event with President Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama in Davenport, Iowa:

Estimated Event Time: 5:25PM CDT

Where: Village of East Davenport

Intersection of East 11th and Christie Streets

Members of the media interested in covering the President's events in Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa must RSVP for EACH STOP by 9:00AM EDT / 8:00AM CDT Tuesday, August 14, 2012. No late submissions will be considered.

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13 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action Saturday, August 11, 2012

By William Palmisano

SPRINGFIELD -August 11, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

 

Bill No.: SB 3800

An Act Concerning: Education

Allows Illinois Student Assistance Commission to administer wage garnishments on any employee in order to recover student loan debt owned or serviced by the Commission. Also allows for the employee having their wages deducted to have the opportunity to contest the loan obligation.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

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13 Aug 2012

Xstream Cleanup Results: VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP OVER 47,000 LBS OF MATERIAL

By Erin Vorac
QUAD CITIES?Volunteers at the ninth annual Xstream Cleanup on Saturday, August 11 removed approximately 47,407 pounds of debris from area waterways and illegal dumpsites. Cleanups were held at 43 locations in Bettendorf, Buffalo, Davenport, LeClaire, McCausland and Lost Grove Lake, in Iowa; Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, in Illinois.

· 1,476 volunteers worked a total of 4,226 hours and collectively gathered 1,499 bags of trash, 658 tires, 16 appliances, 16 bicycles, 22 pieces of furniture, 37 televisions and 16 mattresses. This was the equivalent of 28,840 pounds of trash, 15,744 pounds of tires, 1,200 pounds of appliances, 368 pounds of bicycles, 330 pounds of televisions and 925 pounds of mattresses for a grand total of 47,407 pounds. In addition, volunteers removed 46,060 pounds of material from Living Lands and Waters' barge. The material was hand sorted by volunteers and 30,000 pounds were recycled.
Additional items found, not reflected in the pounds above, included:
· Construction-related items: wire fencing, wood, metal, construction debris, road construction sign, barricade, tarp, barrels, chain link fence.
· Weaponry: partial gun, knife, BB gun, handgun without the barrel (turned into police), holster & bullets.
· Children's-related items: slippy slide, kiddie pools, bounce house, stroller, scooter, Batman belt, basketball, soccer ball, goal post.
· Automotive-related items: car parts, car bumper, windshield, 25 car batteries, car fender, tire rim, motorcycle front end, engine block.
· Home-related items: box spring, bed frame, kitchen sink, carpet, toilet, bathroom sink, vacuum cleaner, grill, grill cover, lawn chair, futon.
· Miscellaneous items: wedding dress, backpack, high heels, jewelry, a concrete elephant, moonshine parts, purse and several drivers' licenses, wallet with driver's license, dollar bill, check, cash register.
In addition, this year the following locations worked on beautification efforts:

· Greenvalley Nature Preserve in Moline: chipped 10 yards of European Buckthorn.
· Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport: removed one 50 foot long by 15 foot wide trailer of brush from the prairie.
· Nahant Marsh in Davenport: removed seven 12 foot trailers of brush from the prairie.
Photos of several cleanup sites can be viewed on-line at www.xstreamcleanup.org. 

This event was sponsored by the following:

Presenting Sponsors: Group O and Riverboat Development Authority.
Platinum Sponsors: Alcoa, iLivehere® and Living Lands & Waters.
Gold Sponsors: Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Iowa American Water, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency and The Moline Foundation.
Silver Sponsors: Alter Metal Recycling, DHL Global Forwarding, Independent Insurance Agents of Scott County, McCarthy-Bush Corporation, Oystar Packaging Technologies, Quad City Conservation Alliance, Radish magazine, Sears Seating and Wallace's Garden Center.
Bronze Sponsors: Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Downtown Davenport Partnership, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection, Mel Foster Company, Midas Auto Systems Experts and THE National Bank.
Logistics Sponsors: Cities of Bettendorf, Buffalo, Davenport, LeClaire, McCausland, Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis. Allied Waste, Bi-State Regional Commission, Keep Rock Island Beautiful, Partners of Scott County Watersheds, River Roots Live and Waste Commission of Scott County.

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13 Aug 2012

Ticket Distribution Information for Davenport Grassroots Event with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

By Randy Stalsberg

UPDATE!  August 13, 2012  12:45PM

Tickets are no longer available for the Wednesday event with the President and First Lady in Davenport.  All tickets have been distributed.

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Location: Village of East Davenport - the intersection of East 11th St and Christie St

Doors Open: 3 PM CST on Wednesday, August 15

Ticket Distribution Information for Members of the Public: The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entrance. Tickets are limited to one per person and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets will be available starting at 12 PM on Sunday, August 12th at the following locations:

Davenport OFA Office

1706 Brady St. #204

Davenport, IA 52803
13 Aug 2012

Texas Hold'em Tournament

By Dan

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy of East Moline is hosting a 500 seat Texas Hold'em Tournament on September 9, 2012 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Hall, 800 17th Street, Silvis.

The entry fee is $80.00 ($60.00 to prize pool and $20.00 to Grace)

The tournament features two session of 250 players. The first session is at 12 noon and the second session is at 5PM. Projected Prize pool is $30,000, with first prize $10,000 guaranteed. The top 30 from each session will play at 9:45 for the money. The tourney will pay to the top 42 players.

Advance registration is highly recommended. Players may register at www.qcpoker.com. Pre-registering may be done on the website. The event will have a cash bar and food will also be available. Please direct questions to info@qcpoker.com or call the school at (309)755-9771.

13 Aug 2012

OBAMA CAMPAIGN STATEMENT ON ROMNEY VICE PRESIDENTIAL PICK

By Randy Stalsberg

CHICAGO - Obama for America Campaign Manager Jim Messina released the following statement in response to Mitt Romney picking Congressman Paul Ryan to be his presumptive nominee for vice president:

"In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy. The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney, proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid. His plan also would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes."

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13 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Marches in Bud Billiken Parade, Continues Push for Pension Reform

By Nafia Khan

CHICAGO - August 11, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today marched in the annual Bud Billiken parade and continued his push for public pension reform. Walking alongside hundreds of youth and students, the governor called for a school system and pension system that are built to last for future generations.

The Governor has summoned the General Assembly to a Special Session on Friday, August 17, to focus on pension reform.

"As I march up Doctor Martin Luther King Drive and see all these bright, smiling faces, the importance of bold action on pension reform is crystal clear," Governor Quinn said. "Education is being squeezed out by fast-rising pension costs. We owe it to our kids marching here today and across Illinois to reform our pension system, so they have the education they deserve."

Last week, Governor Quinn's Office of Management & Budget released a study showing that without comprehensive pension reform, Illinois will spend more on pensions than education by FY 2016. The State's 2013 budget is $33.7 billion, with 15 percent going to pensions alone. Each day, Illinois' unfunded pension liability grows by $12.6 million. The Governor has proposed a pension reform plan - which is expected to save taxpayers $65 to $85 billion - that eliminates the unfunded liability over the next 30 years and stabilizes the system.

For legislators' contact information and details on Governor Quinn's pension reform plan, visit SaveOurState.illinois.gov.

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13 Aug 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action Friday, August 10, 2012

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - August 10, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 3766

An Act Concerning: Public Utilities

Amends the Public Utilities Act to void any previously approved sourcing agreements by the ICC as it relates to the Chicago Clean Energy (CCE) project, and seeks to address several contested issues in the current docket case (11-0710) including the debt ratio, the projected annual output, and the cost recovery percentages.

Action: Vetoed

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13 Aug 2012

Film showing in Davenport

By Kelly Lao
Davenport, IA- The German American Heritage Center will host Bob King of the Classic Film Society as he introduces us to a classic 16mm film, "The State of Scott" on Saturday, August 18th at 2pm. The showing will be at the Center, located at 712 W. 2nd St. Davenport, IA. The admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 5-17. Members are free. This program is part of our celebration of beer during our exhibition Suds! which runs through October 28th.

The "Free and Independent State of Scott" celebrations had their roots in the Iowa temperance movement of the late 1880s. Davenport did not support the state's efforts to pass a prohibition amendment, due to the large number of taverns and breweries in Scott County. The Kohler and Lange Brewery of Davenport filed suit when prohibition was passed in 1882, overturning the amendment on a technicality.

Seventy years later, the Davenport Chamber of Commerce decided to hold 'State of Scott' celebrations as part of a three year program to promote the city to both residents and tourists. These celebrations, which were held in 1946, 1947, and 1948, included parades, fireworks, beauty contests, and even the election of a 'Governor' and the appointment of 'Senators" from Scott County towns. The "State of Scott" film depicts these activities as well as views of the city from another time. For more information on this program contact Kelly at kelly.lao@gahc.org or 563-322-8844.

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