During the annual Thanksgiving Day festivities, State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald knows his office has a bounty of its own and the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt could provide one more reason to give thanks. "I encourage everyone to visit GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov to look for their lost treasure," said Fitzgerald. "Those who take the time to search the list may find they have one more thing to be thankful for. Anyone may find money they never knew they were owed."

State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald reminds Iowans to explore IAble accounts as a way for people living with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses and achieve a better life experience. Signed into Iowa law in 2015, IAble allows families the opportunity to plan for the future financial well-being of a loved one with a disability on a tax-deferred basis, without the individual losing eligibility for certain assistance programs, such as SSI or Medicaid.

State Treasurer Fitzgerald encourages Iowans to join the celebration with over $20,000 in giveaways

DES MOINES, IA (03/13/2014)(readMedia)-- April 15 is right around the corner! When you file your Iowa state income tax return, don't forget to support the Iowa State Fair by participating in the Corndog Tax Checkoff and show your love for the Fair. From funnel cakes, to ferris wheels, food on a stick and free entertainment, premier livestock events, expansive art exhibits and the country's largest state fair food department, the Iowa State Fair has something for everyone!

Look for the State Fairgrounds Renovation Checkoff on line 58b of Iowa Tax Form 1040 or on line 14 of Iowa Tax Form 1040A and check off $1 (or more!) to help preserve the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. Your gift is either deducted from your refund or added to the amount due. Contributions to the Corndog Checkoff are fully tax-deductible.

The Corndog Checkoff is a simple way to support your Iowa State Fair! Every dollar donated to the Checkoff is directly allocated to capital improvements. The Corndog Checkoff has raised over $1.7 million, and has supplemented restoration projects from the Grandstand to the newly air conditioned Cultural Center. In addition, funds generated by the Checkoff have helped improve the campgrounds, parking areas, sidewalks and restrooms.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated over $95 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information on the Corndog Tax Checkoff, please contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at (800) 450-3732 or email bluerf@blueribbonfoundation.org.

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ROCK ISLAND, IL (01/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Nearly 900 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2011 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Christopher Atha from Bettendorf, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Katelyn Benge from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Allie Bierhaus from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Elementary Education/Spanish.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Elizabeth Kuster from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Creative Writing.

Muna Omar from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Anthony TouVelle from Bettendorf, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Anna Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Junior majoring in History.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Business Administration-Finance/Accounting.

Moselle Singh from Le Claire, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Anthropology.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Biology.

Gaetano Iaccarino from Davenport, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Music General/Anthropology.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Business Administration-Advising/Accounting.

James Wiebler from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Accounting/Business Administration-Finance.

Alannah Golden from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Elementary Education.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Richard Rector from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Ingrid Schneider from Davenport, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Alexander Wenskunas from Davenport, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Political Science.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Zain Dada from Davenport, Iowa, a Senior majoring in Biology/French.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Classics.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Pre-Medicine/Biology.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, Iowa, a Junior majoring in Accounting/Economics/Business Administration-Finance.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, Iowa, a Sophomore majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine.

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Pre-Teaching English.

Leo Anderson from Rock Island, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Angela Bahls from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Commmunication Sciences and Disorders/Psychology.

Nicholas Cummins from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Biology.

Tonnie Farwell from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Accounting.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Anna Letendre from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Business Administration-Marketing/Psychology.

Nathaniel McDowell from Rock Island, Ill., a Senior majoring in English/Philosophy/Classics.

Amie Rogers from Rock Island, Ill., a Junior majoring in Art.

Rosalie Starenko from Rock Island, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, Ill., a Senior majoring in Psychology.

Elaine Guthrie from Coal Valley, Ill., a Senior majoring in Biology.

Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, Ill., a Senior majoring in French/Africana Studies/Classics.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Brandy Blakeney from East Moline, Ill., a Junior majoring in Mathematics/Scandinavian.

Michael Kautz from East Moline, Ill., a Junior majoring in Accounting/Business Administration-Finance.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in English.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, Ill., a Junior majoring in Pre-Medicine/Biology.

Lindsey Sikorski from East Moline, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, Ill., a Junior majoring in Psychology.

Micaela Terronez from East Moline, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Kelsey Winter from East Moline, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Samantha Ott from Milan, Ill., a Senior majoring in Sociology-Social Welfare.

Laurel Williams from Milan, Ill., a Senior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders/English.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine/Psychology.

Kayla Ferguson from Orion, Ill., a Junior majoring in Creative Writing.

Alyssa Zwicker from Orion, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Psychology.

Courtney Brown from Port Byron, Ill., a Senior majoring in Biology.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, Ill., a Junior majoring in Neuroscience.

Tyler Richards from Port Byron, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Spanish.

Jacob McManus from Reynolds, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Alexandra Jones from Sherrard, Ill., a Sophomore majoring in Biology.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, Ill., a Senior majoring in Business Administration-Marketing/Communication Studies.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, Ill., a Junior majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Rebecca Anderson from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a Senior majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine.

Jessica Scheckel from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a Junior majoring in Biology/Psychology.

Nathan Woeber from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a Senior majoring in Psychology/Political Science.

Sarah Riedel from Long Grove, Iowa, a First Year majoring in Augie Ages Undecided.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers nearly 90 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of approximately 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

ALBANY, NY (09/20/2011)(readMedia)-- The following Quad Cities area students have graduated from Excelsior College:

Ramon I. De La Fuente, a resident of Bettendorf, IA, has earned a Bachelor of Science.

Amanda Maria Sansone, a resident of Davenport, IA, has earned a Bachelor of Science.

Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.

DES MOINES, IA (08/02/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today that once again the state of Iowa has maintained the highest credit rating possible. "Fitch Ratings affirmed that Iowa is a Triple A state," Fitzgerald said. "Additionally, they upgraded Iowa's school infrastructure and Vision Iowa fund bonds to AA from AA-."

According to Fitch's report, "The state has a careful and conservative approach to financial operations and has consistently achieved budgetary balance and maintenance of sizeable reserves despite revenue declines associated with the recent downturn."

"The experts say that Iowa is among the elite states," Fitzgerald stated. "They continue to recognize the first-rate fiscal management and strong economy of our state and we can stand out as a model to other states."

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GALESBURG, IL (06/06/2011)(readMedia)--

 WHO:

• Illinois National Guard and the Yellow Ribbon program

WHAT:

• Yellow Ribbon Reintegration event for servicemembers targets veterans of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, but is open to all branches and all conflicts/wars.

• Event offers resources for servicemembers and their families following deployment.

WHEN/WHERE:

• June 11 Carl Sandburg College; 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd. Galesburg 8 a.m.-9 a.m. registration; 9 a.m-4:30 p.m. event

WHY:

• Approximately 450 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers recently returned from a one-year deployment to Sinai, Egypt helping enforce a 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

• The Illinois National Guard's goal is to ensure every returning Soldier and Airman receives the training and care they need for a successful reintegration to citizen-Soldier.

• Representatives from several different agencies will be available. Some agencies attending include TRICARE (medical and dental insurance), Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Internal Revenue Service and Veteran's Health Administration. There will also be several workshops providing guidance and information on issues like marriage after deployment, finances, challenges Soldiers face reuniting with their children and using college education benefits. Counselors will also be available for private consultations.

• Recent statistics indicate only half of veterans that need help actually seek help.

• Approximately 35% of Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are married.

• Department of Defense (DoD) statistics reveal a 3.5% divorce rate for Army Soldiers following deployment, a statistic that has risen each of the last three years.

• Reintegration is a process that does not happen overnight. It can take several months for a servicemember to feel whole again following a deployment. This is why the Illinois National Guard is dedicated to helping its troops when they return from overseas.

• The Illinois National Guard was one of the first states in the country to start a reintegration program for their servicemembers, with the program growing exponentially since 2007.

• Reintegration events are held in all parts of Illinois so servicemembers do not have to travel far to get valuable information.

• Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are required to go to two events after they return from overseas.

• Events are open to any servicemember of any branch who recently returned from deployment or veterans that served in previous conflicts/wars and still need assistance.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/03/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois National Guard sent one CH-47 Chinook helicopter with five crew members from Company B, 2nd Battalion 238th Aviation based in Peoria to help the South Dakota National Guard battle flood waters on June 3.

"Our Soldiers and Airmen are always prepared and willing to help our neighbors," said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Rising floodwater is something that we completely understand here in Illinois."

Approximately 1,000 South Dakota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have been helping to hold back the flood waters in the upper plains state for nearly a week. The Illinois National Guard Aircraft and crew will sling load one-ton sandbags to secure the levy along the Missouri River near Sioux City, Iowa.

Soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion 238th Aviation were among the 550 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who helped to battle the floods in southern Illinois in April and May of this year.

For more information contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569 or at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil.

DES MOINES, IA (06/21/2010)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today that once again Moody's and Standard and Poor's have affirmed that Iowa has the highest credit rating possible. "We met with both companies last week and both affirmed that Iowa is a Triple A state." Fitzgerald noted.

According to Moody's report, "The State of Iowa, while not entirely immune to the current economic downturn, has fared relatively well compared to similarly rated states. Iowa's financial position has strengthened in recent years allowing the state to be better prepared for the sudden economic shift."

"The experts agree that Iowa is in a good financial position." Fitzgerald stated, "They continue to recognize the first-rate fiscal management and strong economy of our state and we can stand out as a model to other states. Only seven other states have AAA ratings across the board."

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