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Written by Grassley Press
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Tuesday, 25 October 2011 13:27 |
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Friday, Oct. 21, 2011
WASHINGTON – In an effort to ensure greater accountability in the Justice Department’s distribution of money to grant recipients, Sen. Chuck Grassley offered an amendment to the appropriations bill being debated in the United States Senate that would include an 11-point accountability plan for federal grants administered by the Department of Justice. The amendment offered Thursday was defeated by a vote of 46 to 54 on mostly party lines. Grassley said he will continue to pursue the measure, despite the special interests that worked hard to defeat his amendment and protect their continued stream of federal funds.
“We have non-partisan audits showing that taxpayer money is being abused and wasted in federal grant programs.” Grassley said. “We need transparency, accountability, and performance from both the Justice Department and individual grantees who are trusted with federal dollars. It’s a shame we’re wasting taxpayer dollars like this when we can immediately do something to begin to remedy the problem.
“And it’s a shame that something this basic fell on partisan lines when this shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but it just goes to show that reforms to Washington’s spending addiction will be hard to come by, given the continued power special interests have. It also reinforces the need for the Deficit Committee to come up with big and bold ideas. The outcome also tells me I need to continue to educate my fellow members about the problems that come from granting money without enough accountability and to consider whether it’s fair to grant taxpayer money to non-profit groups as long as they have their own money parked offshore to avoid federal taxes.”
Grassley said the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the national umbrella group for hundreds of clubs around the country, continued receiving tax dollars while using off-shore tax shelters, paying generous executive compensation and lobbyists’ fees, and simultaneously closing clubs due to an alleged lack of funds. “I support the mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs. The local clubs help thousands of children every year,” Grassley said. “However, given our current fiscal crisis, I can’t support federal taxpayer dollars being awarded as grants to those who hold millions of dollars in rainy day funds off-shore. My amendment doesn’t prohibit charities from investing offshore. It just says they can’t get federal grants if they invest offshore to avoid taxes on their investment income. When organizations have funding and resources available to them, it’s not clear why they shouldn’t be dipping into those rainy day funds before seeking federal money.”
A nearly identical version of the accountability package was included as part of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act Reauthorization Act voted out of the Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan basis just last week. Select pieces were previously approved as part of the Second Chance Act reauthorization this past July.
Grassley also submitted last week a similar plan, along with several other ideas, to the Deficit Reduction Committee. Grassley’s letter can be found here.
Grassley’s 11-point accountability plan:
o required the OIG to audit 10 percent of grantees,
o required mandatory exclusion for those with negative audit findings unremedied after 6 months, with priority placed to those with no past negative audit findings,
o required reimbursement for funds awarded erroneously to grant recipients that should have been excluded,
o required a mandatory 25 percent match with no less than 60 percent of the 25 percent constituting cash,
o prohibited non-profits that hold money off-shore for purposes of avoiding unrelated business income tax from receiving federal grants,
o capped administrative expenses at 8 percent, limited conference expenditures, prohibited grantees’ lobbying, and
o required the Office of Justice Programs Assistant Attorney General to certify to Congress annual compliance with these provisions.
Grassley said an audit of the Government Accountability Office of nine Trafficking Victims Protection Act grants over the last five years found fraud in all nine grants, including more than $1.4 million in questioned costs on a $1.7 million grant.
Violence Against Women Act grants were also susceptible to fraud; 21 of 22 randomly selected grants over 10 years revealed significant fraud and abuse, including one audit where 93 percent of grant funds were questioned by the Inspector General.
So far in 2011, the Inspector General has audited 21 grant recipients with grant funding totaling $54 million and has questioned the use of more than 26 percent of these grant dollars. If the random audits the Inspector General has conducted were extrapolated to all 3,467 grants DOJ has awarded in 2011, totaling more than $2 billion, that would mean more than $500 million of grants administered could have questionable costs. “That’s just an extrapolation but it reinforces the need for a higher percentage of grants to be audited, as my amendment would require,” Grassley said.
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Written by Andrew Mason
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Tuesday, 25 October 2011 13:26 |
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Labor Agreements Solidify Chicago’s Position as Most Customer-Friendly Convention and Trade Show Venue in the Country
CHICAGO – October 21, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced agreements with two McCormick Place labor groups that will preserve Chicago’s status as the country’s premier convention destination. These agreements, forged under the leadership of Governor Quinn and Mayor Emanuel in strong partnership with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and Teamsters Local 727, solidify the reforms enacted last year and end the uncertainty surrounding Illinois’ vital convention industry.
“McCormick Place is a cornerstone of Illinois' economy, and we weren't going to stop working with our labor partners until we delivered the reforms needed to bring more shows and jobs to our state," Governor Quinn said. “These historic reforms will save exhibitors money by giving them the flexibility they need and help to attract even more shows to Illinois, while making sure the many hard-working men and women who support McCormick Place stay on the job.”
“McCormick Place is a major economic engine for the City of Chicago, bringing more than 3 million visitors to the city every year,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I am grateful that labor is our partner in implementing these reforms that will keep thousands of Chicagoans working, save exhibitors money and ensure our city remains a competitive destination and leader in the convention and tradeshow industry.”
Settlements reached with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and Teamsters Local 727 will end their federal lawsuits challenging some of the reform measures passed into law in 2010. Those reforms were hailed by industry groups who have pushed for years for measures that would keep Chicago competitive with other convention cities.
Under the agreements, the major reforms passed in 2010 will remain intact. The Exhibitors’ Bill of Rights allows show managers and exhibitors to perform their own work in any size booth, using their own ladders or hand tools, cordless tools and power tools. Exhibitors will also be allowed to operate, load and unload their own vehicles at McCormick Place. Additionally, work will also now be able to be done by two-person work crews instead of the three-person crews required prior to the reforms.
MPEA Trustee Jim Reilly says the agreement will help ensure that Chicago keeps pace with its key competitors. “We made changes last year in direct response to what our customers demanded. Now, working in partnership with labor, we have overcome some of the biggest obstacles to our efforts to lure new shows to the city. It is especially gratifying that all of the elements of the Chicago Trade Show industry – the City, the State, the Carpenters, the Teamsters and Freeman and GES - came together and generously contributed to reaching this historic settlement.”
Other reforms, including reduced parking rates, lower food and beverage pricing, enhanced menu options, and free Wi-Fi access, will remain. Show organizers will also be allowed to choose electrical service providers from a list of approved vendors that will lead to cost savings through competitive pricing. In addition, the city of Chicago will complement an existing state program by committing resources to a promotional campaign that will highlight the new competitive measures reached in this agreement with the goal of attracting even more shows to McCormick Place.
“Throughout this process, our goal has been to ensure that McCormick Place continues to set the standard for convention excellence,” said Frank Libby, President of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. “This agreement will help our members stay on the job and keep Chicago’s trade show industry healthy for years to come.”
“Our members remain committed to keeping McCormick Place a sought-after venue for conventions from around the country,” said John Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. “This agreement clears the way for McPier to continue to grow its business.”
“These agreements demonstrate the commitment from the men and women of organized labor to keep Chicago a premiere convention destination,” said Chicago Federation of Labor President Jorge Ramirez. “By working in a collaborative way, we were able to take steps that will benefit the city of the Chicago and the entire region.”
"This is an extremely important sign that all of the key parties involved understand the importance of the trade show industry in Chicago and how critical this agreement is to a successful future,” said Peter Eelman, Vice President-Exhibitions and Communications for The Association for Manufacturing Technology. “Earlier this year, the Mayor and the Governor committed to the trade show community that the positive changes introduced last year would be sustained, and we are pleased to see that all parties have come together to deliver on that commitment."
McCormick Place is the cornerstone of Illinois’ Convention and Tourism industry, supporting 66,000 jobs and generating $8 billion in spending each year. It acts as a magnet for Chicago, attracting millions of business leaders from around the globe who stay in hotels, dine out, shop and experience the city’s world-class culture and entertainment.
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Written by EEA Communications
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Tuesday, 25 October 2011 12:57 |
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EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (Oct. 20, 2011) - An area pilot has now given more than 100 young people a free demonstration airplane ride as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program, which is introducing a new generation to the world of flight.
Among the more than 45,000 pilots around the world who have donated their time and aircraft to the effort is Stephen Beert of Blue Grass, IA.
All pilots in the Young Eagles program explain the safe operation of airplanes and principles of flight before the short trips. Young Eagles flights are provided by volunteer EAA-member pilots in aircraft ranging from the newest airplanes to vintage biplanes. Such interesting aircraft as gliders, helicopters, and even hot air balloons and blimps have also been used for Young Eagles flights.
Since 1992, the EAA Young Eagles program has flown more than 1.6 million young people free of charge. Recent research shows that these young people are five times more likely to become pilots than non-Young Eagles. They also already comprise more than seven percent of the nation's pilot population under age 35, as nearly 20,000 pilots are former Young Eagles participants.
Participating young people become official Young Eagles with the flight, with the names of the pilots and the participants are also included in the "World's Largest Logbook" that is on permanent display in the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis., and online through the Young Eagles website.
A Young Eagles flight is the first step in EAA's Flight Plan, which helps young people move from an initial flight toward the full potential of aviation. Among the menu of Flight Plan activities available is a free EAA student membership, free access to Sporty's Online Pilot Training Course, a free flight lesson, and reimbursement for the costs of a successful FAA written test in addition to more than $300,000 in scholarships and awards available to young people each year.
Visit www.youngeagles.org for more information.
EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world's most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA's 170,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.
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Written by Katelyn Tye
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Tuesday, 25 October 2011 12:55 |
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Funding Would Boost Early Childhood Services Statewide and Ensure Better Coordination and Excellence
SPRINGFIELD – October 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn announced today that Illinois submitted an application to the federal “Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Fund,” which is worth $70 million in early childhood education funding and would significantly improve the coordination and quality of early childhood services in Illinois. The application was submitted to the federal Department of Education as part of the $500 million dollar competition. As a large state, Illinois would be eligible for up to a $70 million award.
Illinois’ comprehensive application aims to build on Governor Pat Quinn’s strong emphasis on early childhood education by developing a more unified approach to supporting young children and their families. The funds would help ensure that Illinois children enter kindergarten with the necessary skills and knowledge for success.
“The best long-term economic plan Illinois can have is a solid education system that prepares our children for a 21st century workforce,” Governor Quinn said. “This proposal gives our state an opportunity to increase access to quality early learning and development programs and to help serve many more children from low income families in high quality programs.”
The collaborative multi-agency grant requests funds to expand and intensify initiatives the Illinois State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services currently fund in communities of high need. Home visiting, child screening and assessment, and family support services would be enhanced based on the latest best practice to positively impact the development of children early in life. The U.S. Department of Education will announce awards later this year for states that are leading the way with ambitious, achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive early learning education reform.
The Illinois State Board of Education has proposed new Early Childhood rules that would require any school district that offers kindergarten- half or full day- to administer the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey, or KIDS, starting in the 2014-15 school year.
KIDS will provide comprehensive information about children’s developmental competencies over time and inform whether Illinois’ kindergarteners have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in school. Additionally, ISBE proposes to share information about its preschool programs in a rating system already used for childcare programs registered through the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Board will review public comment and make a final decision on these proposals next spring.
“Investing in early childhood programs and collaborating with other state agencies to benefit young children is one of the most cost-effective strategies for improving education and our economy,’’ said State Board of Education Chairman Gery Chico. “I’m confident that Illinois’ history as a state with strong early childhood programming makes us a perfect candidate to earn this grant and develop practices that can be used in Illinois and replicated around the nation.’’
IDHS currently administers the voluntary Quality Counts Quality Rating System for child care centers and homes operating full day. The Governor's office and state agencies listed above will work together over the next four years to dramatically expand the rating system to include part and full day, school and center-based early learning and development programs and all licensed child care. Part day programs will include Illinois' Preschool for All programs and federally funded Head Start programs. The expanded 5 Star system will have state facility requirements and quality criteria that must be met for programs to be at a Star Level.
If Illinois is successful in receiving the grant, funds will support extensive professional development resources and coaching opportunities for early learning and development program providers to aid them in achieving higher Star levels.
Illinois’ “Early Learning Challenge Fund” application is designed to provide consistency and ensure improvement in the quality of programs offered through state funds by focusing on educational and developmental components, family support and staff competency. Through greater inter-agency collaboration, Illinois aims to offer a coordinated system of high-quality early learning and development services available, particularly for children and families considered to be at risk.
For more information about the Illinois Early Learning Council and to view Illinois’ application, visit www2.illinois.gov/earlychildhood/Pages/EarlyLearningChallenge.aspx
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Written by Craig Cooper
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Tuesday, 25 October 2011 12:53 |
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Twice As Many Child Pedestrians Are Killed While Walking on Halloween
Quad Cities – Safe Kids Quad Cities shares the newest research report on Halloween safety to Quad Cities area; a key finding showing that only one third of parents talk to their children annually about Halloween safety. This is a first-of-its kind study on Halloween-safety, which was commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct a poll of 935 parents with children ages 12 and younger to assess their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to Halloween safety.
“Given children’s limited attention spans, repeated and consistent messages about safe behaviors are key to preventing injuries,” says Keene Hart. “By following the basic safety tips provided by Safe Kids, Halloween can be a fun and safe night for children of all ages.”
On average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to other days of the year. On this potentially dangerous night of the year for child pedestrians, Safe Kids Quad Cities strongly recommends that parents prepare children to behave safely and for drivers to take extra precautions.
While most of the parent participants in the study have talked to their children about Halloween safety at some point, many have not made it an annual conversation. Safe Kids Quad Cities urges parents to engage in repeated discussions with each child, every year to reinforce safety messages and safe behaviors because of the risks they face on Halloween.
According to the study, 40 percent of parents allow their child to use one or more unsafe item on Halloween such as a mask, loosing fitting clothing, and / or a sharp object – any of which could contribute to falls, burns or pedestrian injuries. These are preventable hazards that could be avoided by following Safe Kids Quad Cities safety tips.
Another key finding of this report shows twelve percent of children five years of age or younger are permitted to trick-or-treat alone. Not only should these young children be accompanied by an adult, but it is also recommended by Safe Kids that no child under 12 years of age spend Halloween night navigating the streets unsupervised. This recommendation was made to protect children who often lack the maturity and cognitive ability to make appropriate decisions to accurately judge speeds and distance.
“It is alarming to hear that children ages five years and younger are trick-or-treating without adult supervision,” added Keene Hart. “If they are old enough and mature enough to trick-or-treat without an adult, parents should make sure children go out in groups and stick to a predetermined route with good lighting.”
In preparation for Halloween, Safe Kids Quad Cities will team up with Walk This Way program sponsor FedEx to provide kids with reflective materials to promote visibility, including zipper tags that can be attached to costumes and trick-or-treat bags, as well as important safety information to children, parents, and drivers. The Halloween study was made possible through funding provided by FedEx.
To ensure a safer celebration of Halloween, Safe Kids Quad Cities and FedEx recommend the following tips to parents and caregivers:
Trick-or-Treating Safety:
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Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
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Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
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Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
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Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, choose light colored costumes that fit properly and avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects.
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Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded, torn, or unwrapped.
What Drivers Need to Know:
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Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on early in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.
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Remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
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Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
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