17 Jun 2014

Lt. Governor Sheila Simon visits Murphysboro kitchen to spread the word about free summer lunches for kids

By Ken Lowe

MURPHYSBORO - Saying no child should go hungry, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon visited a new site in Murphysboro on Monday that provides free lunches to kids over the summer months. The Illinois Coalition for Community Services administers sites throughout the state that serve up free, hot meals to anybody under the age of 18 during the summer months, when families can't rely on free or reduced price school lunches.

"School is out, but hunger doesn't take a vacation," Simon said. "With more of these Summer Food Programs available than ever before in Illinois, we want to let kids know that there's a hot meal and a safe place to play during the summer."

After the meals, staff members provide educational and recreational activities for kids. Guests in the past have included local fire departments and Sheriff's officers, nutrition experts, or just people who can help kids get a game of chess or pick-up basketball started.

The program is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. The number of available meal providers has expanded greatly over the past few years in response to a dramatic increase in need. The program had 12 sites statewide in 2011 and will be operating 52 this summer, said Garret Selinger, ICCS project director. Eighteen of those kitchens are opening for the first time in 2014.

The new Murphysboro site is operated by a local group, Supporting People In Need, a not-for-profit organization that provides disaster relief and aid to the needy. The Murphysboro kitchen serves lunch from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with activities until 2 p.m.

Some other Summer Food Program sites this summer include Beardstown, Cairo, Carrier Mills, Carthage, Collinsville, Cuba, Elizabethtown, Girard, Havana, Hillsboro, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, Kankakee, Metropolis, Olive Branch, Peoria, Princeton, Riverton, Sandoval, Shawneetown, Springfield, Taylorville and Weldon.

For information on other Summer Food Program kitchens throughout the state, contact the Illinois Coalition for Community Services at 217-522-2378.

 

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13 Jun 2014

Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and Louisiana Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne call for comprehensive strategy to save Mississippi River

By Ken Lowe
Washington D.C. - June 11, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon joined government, industry and environmental leaders in Washington today to call for a comprehensive and cooperative approach to Mississippi River governance and sustainability.
"Everyone has a stake in seeing the Mississippi River remains viable," said Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, chair of the state's Mississippi River Coordinating Council. "We believe the best way to accomplish that is to build on existing public-private partnerships and develop a multi-state governance structure that allows for the integration of the river's diverse users."
Simon spoke at the final The Big River Works forum dedicated to the future of the Mississippi River and convened by the America's WETLAND Foundation. Chaired by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Louisiana Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, The Big River Works Initiative brought together leaders from government, the environment, industry and communities at five regional forums since 2012 to create a cooperative path forward for Mississippi watershed sustainability.
More than 400 participants attended the leadership forums held along the river in cities from Minneapolis to New Orleans. The findings revealed a number of common concerns and beliefs among the river's many users. Representatives from every level of government, business and industry agreed the Mississippi River system must be managed as a single ecosystem, or it will continue to deteriorate, jeopardizing the benefits it provides nationwide.
The Big River Works forums generated four overarching recommendations released today in the nation's Capitol:
  • Develop a comprehensive approach to Mississippi River health and sustainability
  • Encourage cooperative action for Mississippi River system health and sustainability
  • Coordinate a national approach to Mississippi Watershed governance
  • Engage the public to build political will
"These aims represent consensus thinking developed through research, focus groups, interviews and months of conversations," said R. King Milling, chairman of the AWF. "They are ambitious, but so is the scope of action necessary to maintain the long-term health and productivity of the Mississippi River and its delta. We are running out of time."
For more information visit www.americaswetland.com or www.bigriverworks.org.
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