Seeking Outstanding Volunteers to be Honored at Executive Mansion

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn and the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service are accepting nominations for the Annual Governor's Volunteer Service Awards. These awards recognize individual volunteers in order to honor those who provide selfless service to the state and to highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service in the state of Illinois. Businesses which support community service will also be recognized. This program is a part of Governor Quinn's longstanding commitment to honoring volunteers and promoting volunteerism throughout Illinois.

"The heart of America is the heart of a volunteer," Governor Quinn said. "Our Volunteer Service Awards is one way of recognizing the volunteer stars whose energy and tireless compassion remind us how one person can truly make a difference. If you know of a special volunteer, I invite you to nominate them for this special award."

According to Volunteering in America, at least 2.73 million Illinois residents performed some volunteer activity or community service in 2012, an impact valued at $6.6 billion - enough money to purchase three space shuttles and the Chicago Cubs, with some money still left over.

Last year's Governor's Volunteer Service Awardees included West Central Region 7th-grader Sophia Marcolla, who organized "Picks for Pups" to help the Quincy Humane Society; James "Major" Adams, a WWII Veteran from Northeast Illinois who mentored countless youths at Chicago's Henry Horner Homes; Jackie Whitworth, an AmeriCorps VISTA in Freeport, who organized a community group for low income residents and an afterschool writing program for youth; Senior Corps member Ruth Hieronymos of Atlanta, Ill., who has been a Foster Grandparent in two second grade classrooms for eight years; and South Beloit's Finnegan's RV Center whose "Vets' Roll" project transports aging veterans to Washington, D.C., for the chance to visit the National Memorials that commemorate their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their fellow servicemembers.

Individual awards will be presented to one youth (18 years and under), one adult (19-54 years old) and one retiree/senior (55 years and older) in each of the Commission's five service regions across the state (Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central and Southern). National Service Awards will be presented to one AmeriCorps and one Senior Corps member in each of the five regions. One award will be provided to a for-profit business in each of the five service regions. Within each category, applications will be given special priority based on six areas: economic opportunity, education, environmental conservation, disaster preparedness and response, health, and veterans affairs.

Nominations are due to Serve Illinois by Jan. 31, 2014. Visit Serve.Illinois.gov for the nomination forms and more information. Recipients will be selected and notified by April 1, 2014. Governor Quinn and the Serve Illinois Commission will host a ceremony to honor recipients on April 28, 2014 at the Executive Mansion in Springfield.

The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40-member, bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor and administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs, including the Illinois AmeriCorps program.

"All citizens have an opportunity to recognize their ability and help strengthen their communities through voluntary service. Through Serve Illinois, we expand volunteerism throughout rural, suburban and urban Illinois, and involve people of all backgrounds, cultures and ages," Serve Illinois Executive Director Brandon Bodor said.

Project Will Include Drainage System Work

STERLING-ROCK FALLS - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $324,000 capital investment for a construction project at the Whiteside County Airport in Sterling-Rock Falls. The project is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward. The contract was awarded following a competitive bidding process and addresses a critical infrastructure need while creating construction jobs.

"Investments in airports like this one in Sterling-Rock Falls make them more efficient and safer while creating construction jobs," Governor Quinn said. "This project will continue to ensure that Illinois has a strong, 21st century infrastructure."

The drainage system servicing Runway 18/36, a critical safety feature at the airport. will be rehabilitated for $324,976 by Martin & Company Excavating of Oregon, the lowest of five bidders. The Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics will manage the project, which includes federal, state and local funding.

"By providing funds to make improvements at the Whiteside County Airport in Rock Falls, we are further enhancing the infrastructure throughout the 36th District," State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) said. "These funds will provide jobs and benefit the economy in Whiteside County."

"This is the sort of development that Whiteside County needs," State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) said. "As we improve our roads, airports and other vital transportation infrastructure, we improve our economy and our communities."

The state funds for the project come from Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which supports more than 439,000 jobs over six years. It is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

I-80 Rest Area Will Become State's First to Generate its Own Power

HAMPTON - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of $195,000 to construct a wind turbine to power a rest area along Interstate 80 in the Quad Cities. It will become the state's first rest area to generate its own power through wind energy. The project is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to moving the state toward energy independence using green technology.

"The best energy source is free, renewable and has little environmental impact - that perfectly describes wind energy," Governor Quinn said. "Producing our own energy at this well-used rest area will reduce operational costs and serve as a model for other rest areas in the state."

A wind turbine and associated equipment will be built at the Mississippi Rapids Rest Area along Interstate 80 northeast of Hampton, and should be operational in spring 2014. Located on a bluff just a short distance from the Mississippi River, the rest area is in an ideal location to take advantage of prevailing winds. The project, awarded to Laverdiere Construction, Inc. of Macomb for $195,682, will also include an informational kiosk so visitors can see the amount of power being generated to supply the 2,700-square-foot, two-story building's energy needs. The 40,000 KWH/yr produced by the wind turbine should supply enough electricity to completely power the rest area on most days. The project will be managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board, and the rest area is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"As the Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, I am proud that we are able to manufacture wind turbines and also put them to use on a local project where they will provide self-sustaining power to a Rock Island County rest area near Hampton," State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) said. "Bringing clean energy projects to the district will not only provide skilled labor jobs in the area, but also allow the state to reduce its costs while providing a necessary service along Interstate 80."

"This investment creates construction jobs, adds to our local energy infrastructure and helps lower utility costs for taxpayers," State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) said.

This 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.

Initiative Aims to Improve Water Quality, Control Erosion and Increase Yields

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the start of a three-year demonstration project by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to encourage the planting of environmentally-beneficial cover crops. The initiative's goal is to improve water quality in Illinois lakes and streams by reducing soil erosion and nutrient run-off from farm fields. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect the state's natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations, while boosting Illinois agriculture.

"Illinois is a leading agricultural state because of its ability to adopt sustainable farming practices that protect our valuable soil and water resources without sacrificing productivity," Governor Quinn said. "This project is a good example of the industry's commitment to our environment."

"The time is right for this initiative," Steve Chard, the Department of Agriculture's bureau chief of Land and Water Resources, added. "New plant varieties and new production techniques have been discovered that eliminate many of the problems that farmers who planted cover crops in the 1980s and 90s experienced."

Cover crops are plants seeded into agricultural fields, either within or outside of the regular growing season, with the primary purpose of improving or maintaining ecosystem quality. Cover crops, typically certain grasses or legumes, can enhance biodiversity; lead to less flooding, leaching, and runoff; create wildlife habitat; attract honey bees and other beneficial insects; improve soil quality; combat weeds; and break disease cycles. Cover crops appear to have a significant competitive advantage compared to the more traditional management practices that have been used to control soil erosion and nutrient run-off.

"Recent studies have shown that growing cover crops during the dormant season between annual row crops can provide the same environmental benefits on more acres for significantly less cost than practices like grassed waterways and terraces can," Chard said.

Cover crops also may offer production benefits.  A survey of Midwestern farmers last winter by USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program revealed higher corn and bean yields in fields where cover crops had been planted. The differences were significant, too, 10 percent for corn and 12 percent for beans.

Farmers are planting more cover crop acres, according to the survey. The total has increased each of the past five years, from an average of 116 acres in 2008 to 421 in 2013.

The department's demonstration project will attempt to capitalize on this renewed interest in cover crops and increase their adoption. Beginning this fall, 14 plots throughout the state will be planted in such crops either by aerially seeding into a standing crop of corn or soybeans or by drilling a cover crop seed mix into the soil after harvest. All of the plots are located adjacent to an interstate or state highway and were specifically chosen because of their high visibility.

Signs at each of the plots will direct passers-by to www.covercrops.illinois.gov, a website established as a "one-stop shop" for information about cover crops. The site will include a link to the Midwest Cover Crops Decision Tool, an interactive resource that provides specific information on which varieties of cover crops are best suited to meet a grower's objectives as well as the best dates for planting and management advice.

"The department encourages farmers to use the latest, best management practices in their operations," the Department of Agriculture's Laura Sova, division manager of Natural Resources for the department, said. "Best management practices are farming methods that assure optimum plant growth and minimize adverse environmental effects. Improving overall nutrient utilization is a key element in improving yields and profitability for farmers."

Partners in the project include local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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