Moline, IL - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) will be hosting a reception in honor of the 2012 Congressional Art Competition on Saturday, May 5 at the Augustana College Art Museum in Rock Island.  This is the annual Congressional Art Show's 30th year, and Schilling has invited high schools from across the district to participate.

"The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity to highlight our area's talented young people," Schilling said. "I look forward to seeing their skill and creativity on display at this weekend's reception."

Each high school in the 17th District has been offered the opportunity to submit up to five pieces of artwork for display at Saturday's art show.  A total of three votes will determine the winners.  Two local art experts will be the core judges, with the third vote cast by a compilation of votes cast by the reception's attendees.  The first place finisher will have his or her piece displayed for the next year in a corridor of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC along with winning pieces from other congressional districts around the country.  Sponsored by the Congressional Institute, the first place finisher and one guest will receive a free flight to Washington, DC to attend the 2012 Congressional Art Competition Reception on Capitol Hill and see their work on display.  The remaining four artists may select to have their pieces featured in Schilling's district offices for the remainder of the year.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 as a way to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of our country's youth. Since it was launched, more than 650,000 students have participated nationwide.

The Augustana College Art Museum is located at the front of Centennial Hall, at the northwest corner of the intersection of 7th Avenue and 38th Street in Rock Island.  Interested students or parents can contact Claudia Ridenour with questions at (309) 757-7630.

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Washington, DC - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) today voted in favor of a bill to prevent a scheduled July 1 hike in interest rates on Stafford student loans.  Under a 2007 law, the interest rate on these subsidized loans to undergraduate students was decreased from 6.8% to 3.4% through June 30, at which time under the law the interest rates will increase.  Without Congressional action, these interest rates will return to previous levels and double on July 1.

"As a parent, the increasing cost of tuition and students' mounting debt are serious problems to me," Schilling said.  "Also serious is the fact that once kids graduate from college, they enter a tough job market where about half of them are left jobless or are underemployed, in addition to starting out thousands of dollars in the hole.  Washington should work to ensure that all Americans, including these young men and women, have the opportunity to succeed, and that our economy is growing and creating new jobs for them to pursue."

To pay for the $6 billion, one-year extension, H.R. 4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act, cuts from a program in the Administration's health care reform law that has been criticized as a 'slush fund' with little oversight or purpose.  Already signed into law is bipartisan legislation that takes money from the fund, and President Obama's Fiscal Year 2013 budget also proposed cutting it by more than $4 billion.  Schilling joined 214 Republicans and Democrats in supporting low interest rates for students.

"This bill will keep student loan rates low without raising taxes on the folks we are asking to lead us into economic recovery and give these kids jobs," Schilling said.  "I urge the Senate to act on this, and to move on the more than 25 House-passed jobs bills sitting in the Senate that will cut wasteful spending and help businesses grow and hire new employees, providing more hope for our unemployed friends, neighbors, and recent graduates."

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Washington, DC – Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) has announced the schedule of upcoming mobile office hours. His staff will travel throughout the 17th Congressional District to meet with constituents and address any questions or concerns they may have. No appointments are necessary. A field representative will be available in the following locations at the following times:

May 2, 2012
Monmouth City Hall- Council Chambers
100 East Broadway
Monmouth, IL 61462
9:00am - 12:00pm

Albany City Hall
102 S Main St.
Albany, IL 61230
1:00pm - 4:00pm

May 16, 2012
Oquawka Village Hall
507 Schuyler St.
Oquawka, IL 61469
9:00am - 12:00pm

Aledo City Hall - Council Chambers
120 North College Ave
Aledo, IL 61231
9:00am - 1:00pm

May 23, 2012
Kewanee City Hall
401 East Third Street
Kewanee, IL  61443
9:00am - 4:00pm

Constituents are also encouraged to visit the Moline, Galesburg, Canton, and Rock Falls offices during normal office hours:

Moline District Office
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
3000 41st St., Suite B
Moline, IL 61265
P: (309) 757-7630

Galesburg District Office
Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 8:30am to 5:00pm
Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce
185 South Kellogg St.
Galesburg, IL 61401
P: (309) 343-2220

Canton District Office
Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30am - 5:00pm
8 South Main St., Suite 200
Canton, IL 61520
P: (309) 649-3307

Rock Falls District Office
Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 9:00am - 4:00pm
1600 First Ave., Suite A
Rock Falls, IL 61071
P: (815) 548-9440

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Washington, DC - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) today sent a letter to Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Ann L. Schneider, requesting information as to where on the Department's priority list the I-74 Bridge resides, the criteria being used to prioritize Illinois' infrastructure needs, and a meeting to discuss how the project can move forward.  

IDOT has confirmed that funding for its portion of the I-74 Bridge project's construction has not been set aside.  Further, recent reports indicate that the Iowa Department of Transportation, due to IDOT's lack of commitment to the project, is contemplating pulling back the funding they have secured, putting the Bridge's planned construction in Fiscal Year 2016 in jeopardy.

"I understand that Illinois received $1.475 billion in federal funds in Fiscal Year 2011, and that projects totaling millions of dollars around the state, especially in the Chicago area, continue to be funded." Schilling wrote.  "This suggests the state is capable of moving forward on projects it deems a priority; however it is hard to imagine a higher priority than a bridge that is functionally obsolete and handles 70,000 vehicle crossings per day when it was built for 48,000 such crossings.

"I understand that the planning processes between Illinois and Iowa are different.  However, in order for this project to come to fruition, a timeline is necessary for the respective Departments of Transportation, contractors, and the communities being impacted.  Because of these concerns I would appreciate an update on the current budget that IDOT has for the I-74 Bridge and the current shortfall on the project."

[Text of today's letter below]

Secretary Schneider,

Thank you for responding to my letter regarding the prioritization of the I-74 Bridge project.  I also appreciate that the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge was listed as a priority for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) through your fiscal year 2013 Illinois Federal Fiscal Year Priorities Book.  I strongly support this large project that will create construction jobs, reduce traffic backups, improve air quality, and relieve congestion, and I appreciate that you are working with Iowa towards its finalization.  This project will bring much needed safety to that river crossing.

I respectfully request to know specifically where on your priority list this vital project resides, as well as the criteria being used to determine these priorities.  Recent news reports suggest that Illinois might not have money programmed for the I-74 Bridge Project.  If accurate, this could result in the Iowa Department of Transportation retracting its portion of the project funding and applying it elsewhere.  This would add further uncertainty to the completion date of this project, which is on your priority list.  

Furthermore, I understand that Illinois received $1.475 billion in federal funds in Fiscal Year 2011, and that projects totaling millions of dollars around the state, especially in the Chicago area, continue to be funded.  This suggests the state is capable of moving forward on projects it deems a priority; however it is hard to imagine a higher priority than a bridge that is functionally obsolete and handles 70,000 vehicle crossings per day when it was built for 48,000 such crossings.

I understand that the planning processes between Illinois and Iowa are different.  However, in order for this project to come to fruition, a timeline is necessary for the respective Departments of Transportation, contractors, and the communities being impacted.  Because of these concerns I would appreciate an update on the current budget that IDOT has for the I-74 Bridge and the current shortfall on the project.  

I would also like to request a meeting to discuss how we can move forward together.  This bridge is an important addition to our local community, region, and state.  By working together we can ensure that the people of Illinois can safely have their needs met and encourage growth in our local and state economy.

Again, thank you for your time and consideration.  I will continue to advocate for a long-term transportation bill that will provide the certainty needed to most effectively build America's infrastructure.  I look forward to continuing our work to reinvest in the necessary infrastructure for our state to be safe and thrive.

Sincerely,
Bobby Schilling
Member of Congress

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