'Building Blocks' Pilot Program Will Rehabilitate Vacant Properties,
Increasing Affordable Housing and Stabilizing Neighborhoods

BERWYN - February 3, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn was joined today by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and six Cook County mayors to announce a new initiative to return vacant, foreclosed properties to productive use. An initiative laid out in the Governor's State of the State address earlier this week, the Illinois Building Blocks Pilot Program will rehabilitate vacant properties and increase affordable housing in the communities of Berwyn, Chicago Heights, Maywood, Park Forest, Riverdale and South Holland.

In the pilot phase of the program announced today, a $55 million joint commitment from the state of Illinois and Cook County will help the six communities stabilize neighborhoods, protect property values, preserve the existing local tax base and increase affordable housing stock. The localities selected for the pilot have been among those hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis.

"The Illinois Building Blocks Pilot Program is a strategic effort to help stabilize communities struggling with the foreclosure crisis," Governor Quinn said. "By turning vacant properties into affordable housing, we're assisting existing homeowners, strengthening hard-hit neighborhoods and boosting affordable homeownership options for working families."

Abandoned properties burden communities by creating blight, attracting crime and reducing the local tax rolls. On average, homes located the same block as a foreclosed property can drop $8,000 to $10,000 in value.

Returning properties to productive use benefits communities by creating jobs and increasing local revenue from property taxes and real estate taxes. Communities also benefit from increased consumer spending by contractors, as well as residents furnishing their new homes. The increase in affordable housing stock helps families starting out or starting again, and promotes economic growth.

"I am excited to partner with Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois in this joint effort to stem the tide of the foreclosure crisis in our underserved communities, and revitalize Cook County's neighborhoods," Cook County President Preckwinkle said. "We must continue to focus on a regional economic development strategy that more effectively leverages our resources to spur economic growth, and the Building Blocks program is a step in the right direction."

The Illinois Building Blocks Program, administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), has three components:

  • Financing to rehabilitate vacant properties to prepare them for productive use and for sale;
  • Assistance to homeowners to purchase homes in pilot communities; and
  • Support for existing homeowners in the communities to prevent additional foreclosures.

The rehabilitation component includes $40 million from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and  $10 million from Cook County to facilitate the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant properties within the targeted areas. As the rehabbed homes are sold, funds are replenished into the revolving fund to purchase and rehabilitate additional properties. The pilot program could rehabilitate at least 500 properties in the six communities.

The second component provides $5 million in assistance for homeowners to purchase vacant properties, including those rehabilitated in the pilot project. Grants of $10,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance are available for up to 500 homebuyers purchasing vacant properties. The program also includes affordable first position mortgages for qualified buyers in order to make the cost of purchasing vacant homes in the communities as affordable as possible. The pilot also permits a lower FICO score threshold, so that a greater number of potential homebuyers can qualify for loans.

The Illinois Building Blocks Program will also help current homeowners in the six communities by providing tools to prevent foreclosure. The efforts will build on the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (KeepYourHomeIllinois.org), launched in the Governor's State of the State address. Programs in the six communities will include free one-on-one foreclosure counseling, loan modifications, and access to financial assistance to homeowners who have trouble paying their mortgage payments due to unemployment or under-employment

The Illinois Building Blocks Pilot Program builds upon existing efforts already under way in many of these communities, particularly federally-funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) development.  Under Governor Quinn, Illinois has committed $58 million in NSP funding and is already restoring nearly 450 foreclosed or vacant housing units in Illinois, creating an estimated 580 jobs.

"With the highest inventory of foreclosed homes in the nation, the Chicago region requires a focused foreclosure response like the Illinois Building Blocks Pilot Program," said Mary Kenney, IHDA Executive Director. "This program represents a multifaceted approach and is an important part of Governor Quinn's overall housing strategy to address the economic, public safety and quality of life issues caused by abandoned and foreclosed properties."

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (www.ihda.org) is an independent, self-supporting bonding authority that finances the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout Illinois. Since 1967, IHDA has allocated more than $10.6 billion to finance more than 215,000 affordable housing units for the residents of Illinois.

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New Statewide Program Connects Families Facing
Foreclosure with Resources to Help Keep Their Homes

CHICAGO - February 1, 2012. As part of his commitment to affordable housing and foreclosure prevention, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the launch of the statewide Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) in his State of the State address. A multi-agency effort coordinated by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the IFPN connects struggling homeowners with all available assistance, resources and knowledge to help them keep their homes.

"Helping families stay in their homes is essential in keeping our communities strong and our economic recovery moving forward," Governor Quinn said. "The Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network will connect families with the resources they need to keep their homes, and get back on their feet."

The IFPN gathers all assistance and resources available to homeowners to ensure that families facing foreclosure can access the assistance they need in one stop. The IFPN provides access to counseling services, legal advice, mortgage payment assistance programs, foreclosure preven­tion events and tips on how to avoid mortgage fraud.

The IFPN's resources are available 24-hours a day online at KeepYourHomeIllinois.org, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at the IFPN's free hotline 1-855-446-6300.

Foreclosures adversely impact too many Illinois families and communities. Illinois is consistently ranked among the top 10 states with the highest number of foreclosures. In 2011, 103,003 homes in Illinois received a foreclosure filing, or one in every 51 homes - ranking the state eighth in the country, according to RealtyTrac.

The Chicago area has been especially affected, with the city of Chicago ranking second in the nation in number of foreclosures. The Chicago area has the nation's largest inventory of foreclosed homes. According to RealtyTrac's inventory records, as of December 2011, there were 96,996 properties that were bank-owned or in some stage of foreclosure in the Chicago metro area.

Foreclosure not only impacts a family that loses their home, but has a ripple effect that destabilizes communities and negatively affects the economy at large. Abandoned properties hurt communities by creating blight, attracting crime and reducing the local tax rolls. On average, homes located the same block as a foreclosed property can drop $8,000 to $10,000 in value, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Banks with too many foreclosures on their books limit lending, stifling business growth and consumer spending, which slows economic growth.

The Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network bundles together key foreclosure assistance resources in a centralized location to make it easier for people to find the help they need more quickly, including:

 

  • Qualified, HUD-certified housing counselors, free of charge, throughout the state.
  • Legal clinics that offer foreclosure prevention legal services free of charge.
  • Financial assistance from the Illinois Hardest Hit program, which provides up to $25,000 in mortgage assistance to qualified homeowners having trouble making mortgage payments due to unemployment or under-employment.
  • Targeted foreclosure mitigation events, including the Mortgage Relief Project, with one-on-one counseling, and access to loan servicers who can discuss loan modifications and work out agreements on the spot.
  • Additional information on refinancing options, loan modification options, federal and state resources, including Home Affordable Refinance Program, Home Affordable Modification Program and other programs.
  • Advice on how to avoid mortgage fraud, job search opportunities, financial planning and other counseling services.
  • Additional information on refinancing options, loan modification options, federal and state resources.

 

"Services like counseling are critical to help people keep their homes," said Mary Kenney, Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority. "A national report recently found foreclosure counseling nearly doubles chances of mortgage modification and reduces likelihood of re-default by at least 67 percent."

Under Governor Quinn, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) partnered to establish this free, one-stop resource of state agencies and nonprofit organizations to help Illinois residents access resources so that they can remain in their homes.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (www.ihda.org) is an independent, self-supporting bonding authority that finances the creation and preservation of affordable housing throughout Illinois. Since 1967, IHDA has allocated more than $10.6 billion to finance more than 215,000 affordable housing units for the residents of Illinois. IHDA sells bonds independently, based on its own good credit, to finance affordable housing in Illinois.

 

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New Law Will Continue Program to Track Pseudoephedrine Purchases

CHICAGO - January 19, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will help law enforcement officials stop meth production. Senate Bill 73 makes permanent a pilot program initially created to electronically track pseudoephedrine purchases that could be used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

"This program is a valuable tool that helps us prevent meth from getting into our communities by stopping production," said Governor Quinn. "Tracking the sales of items commonly used to manufacture meth has enabled us to nip production in the bud, and it is important to continue this program."

The Methamphetamine Precursor Tracking Act took effect in 2009 and required pharmacies to track purchases of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine online through the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx). Under SB 73, initiated by Attorney General Lisa Madigan and sponsored by Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) and Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Sparta), the tracking program becomes permanent. Pharmacies will also block purchases of more than 7.5 grams of pseudoephedrine made within 30 days and purchases of 3.6 grams of pseudoephedrine made in a 24-hour time span.

"Unfortunately, meth production is starting to increase again across the state," Attorney General Madigan said.  "We have found that the PSE tracking system is the best tool law enforcement has to identify criminals who illegally buy cold pills for cooking meth."

Since its implementation, the program has effectively blocked more than 103,319 boxes - or 230,330 grams - of pseudoephedrine from being used for methamphetamine production in communities throughout Illinois. Additionally NPLEx has assisted the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Teams locate and seize 155 methamphetamine laboratories and make 231 methamphetamine arrests.

"The Illinois State Police have dedicated dozens of trained officers to investigate meth-related crimes and clandestine drug lab sites, which has resulted in the reduction of meth labs seized," said Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau. "We are confident that the new statute will continue to help law enforcement track and monitor illegal PSE-based products in Illinois, detect criminal activity and prevent meth labs from forming."

"The production of meth is a serious concern around the state, particularly in our rural communities," said Sen. Haine. "I would like to thank Governor Quinn for signing this law to continue tracking PSE products that can be used to manufacture meth."


"We must do everything we can to keep dangerous drugs like meth out of our communities," Rep. Costello said. "This new law gives us an edge on shutting down meth labs by helping us find the individuals who are making frequent purchases of meth-making products."

The legislation passed the Illinois General Assembly unanimously and goes into effect immediately.

 

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Rebalancing Plan Will Increase Community Care Options for
People with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions

SPRINGFIELD - January 19, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a plan to rebalance the state's approach to care for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions. Called the Active Community Care Transition (ACCT) plan, the initiative will increase the number of people with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions living in community care settings across Illinois. Under the first phase of the plan, residents of Jacksonville Developmental Center (JDC) in Jacksonville, IL and patients of Tinley Park Mental Health Center (MHC) in Tinley Park, IL will be transitioned to community settings and the facilities eventually closed.

"My administration is committed to increasing community care options and improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and mental health conditions," Governor Quinn said. "The approach we are taking will allow for the safe transition of care for some of our most vulnerable citizens to community care settings. I want to thank the members of the public, the General Assembly and advocates who worked with my administration to meet this challenge and help our state move forward."

Rebalancing Background

In November, the Quinn administration announced its intention to rebalance Illinois' use of institutionalization for the care of people with developmental disabilities. Illinois lags behind the rest of the nation in the utilization of person-centered, community-based care, which has been demonstrated to allow people with developmental disabilities to lead more active, dynamic lives.

Community settings allow individuals to receive the care they need - including 24-hour care - in their hometown and even their family home. Community care can also be significantly less costly than institution-based care. The ACCT also dovetails with the administration's recent settlement of a series of court cases related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring the expansion of community care settings.

The administration has worked collaboratively with the General Assembly on this initiative, receiving valuable input from members of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) following public hearings in October and November. The General Assembly also worked with the administration to reallocate funds to allow continued operation of all state facilities through the end of Fiscal Year 2012 (June 30, 2012).

In December, the administration created a bipartisan and bicameral working group, with members appointed by the four legislative leaders, to seek input on the rebalancing and closure process. Incorporating their input, the administration developed a series of objective criteria to determine the facilities that will transition to closure, including ability to recruit staff, economic impact, certification status and physical condition. As different issues affect the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Mental Health, 10 criteria were developed for the former, 18 for the latter.

The ACCT is a policy decision that also has positive fiscal benefits for the state. In addition to improving quality of life for hundreds of individuals across the state, the move is expected to save the state of Illinois $19.8 million annually, and allow for alternative uses of some of the state's costliest facilities.

Transition Plan Development and Implementation

To accomplish the plan safely and effectively, the administration brought on Mark Doyle as the state's Transition of Care Project Manager in October. Mr. Doyle has 33 years of experience in the disability community and has worked in several states to expand community care options and move away from institutionalization. Mr. Doyle is nationally known for his work in the area of community integration and inclusion of people with disabilities in all areas of life. He is highly recognized for his involvement in providing technical assistance to states, community provider agencies, schools and parent groups to create successful community integration.

Mr. Doyle, working alongside senior members of the administration and the Department of Human Services (DHS), developed the ACCT, which includes a comprehensive plan to build additional community capacity and infrastructure for care, as well as a grant to hire nationally-recognized Community Resource Associates (CRA) to conduct independent needs evaluations of each resident of state facilities to ensure they have the resources they need for a successful transition to community care.

The ACCT calls for a "person-centered approach", meaning that individuals and their families will be a significant part of designing the program that best fits their needs and desires. In accordance with the 'money follows the person approach' to rebalancing, after evaluations, each transitioning resident will receive an individualized budget based on their particular support needs. Those with more challenging needs will receive more funds for their care with the average anticipated budget of $7,000 a month per person. The smaller community care options will also allow the state to utilize federal funding for this purpose, reducing state costs.

While there are numerous community care settings currently available in Illinois, the increase in the number of individuals using community care will require the state to develop new settings and options. Unlike state institutions, which may be hundreds of miles from an individual's hometown, individuals and families will have the choice of community in which their care options are developed. Options will also be available for community care at home, if the individual and their family desires.

The ACCT will also utilize both family-to-family and individual-to-individual mentoring strategies, so that individuals and families will know what to expect and have a support system in place during and after transition. For interested individual and families, the state is also establishing microboards and cooperatives to guide and develop person-centered services options. The administration will work closely with the Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperative in educating individuals and families as well as providing the technical assistance for those interested in that option.

Division of Developmental Disabilities - Jacksonville Developmental Center

In DHS' Division of Developmental Disabilities, a total of 600 individuals will transition into community settings over the next two and a half years, allowing DHS to close up to four state institutions, the first of which will be JDC. Working with the individual, parents and guardians, residents at JDC will be evaluated to determine their needs and their individualized and appropriate community care option. A good match between the individual's needs and community care option is essential to ensure a successful transition.

"Community-based care is about quality of life," director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Kevin Casey said. "Through this careful, deliberate process, Illinois will improve quality of life for hundreds of people with developmental disabilities, while realizing significant savings through the closure of a costly state facility."

One of the advantages of community care is its much lower cost compared to institution-based care. For people with developmental disabilities, the state spends on average, between $150,000 and $210,000 per person per year in a state facility, versus the $45,000 to $84,000 per year average in community care.

Matching individuals with both existing and new providers, the ACCT calls for 20 residents a month to move from JDC into community care settings. JDC is anticipated to complete transitions in time for an early October 2012 closure.

 

Division of Mental Health - Tinley Park MHC

In the Division of Mental Health (DMH), Tinley Park MHC will be phased out, with an increase in capacity at community providers and hospitals in the area for those with acute mental health conditions. Tinley Park MHC currently serves only acute-care patients, whose treatment periods usually last between 24 hours and 21 days. Admissions will be halted, allowing all patients to complete their course of treatment before the anticipated early July 2012 closure. Patients with challenges that require ongoing care will be transitioned to care at community providers or hospitals.

Aside from forensic patients remanded into state custody by the courts, state-run mental health facilities primarily serve acute care patients who do not have access to health insurance or Medicaid. As the Affordable Care Act continues going into effect, many people currently without access to health coverage will attain it, reducing the number of beds needed in state-run psychiatric hospitals and mental health facilities. The DMH, however, is actively securing additional beds at community providers and hospitals in the area surrounding Tinley Park MHC to ensure that services in the area are not interrupted.

"The health and safety of those with mental health conditions is our primary concern," director of the Division of Mental Health Dr. Lorrie Jones said. "This transition will allow us to expand our community and hospital partners while ensuring continued care for those with mental health challenges."

Closure of Facilities

While improving quality of life is the fundamental purpose of the ACCT, closure of state facilities is expected to save the state of Illinois significant annualized costs. Facilities chosen for closure were evaluated based on 10 objective criteria developed by the administration, with input from members of the legislative workgroup. The first phase of this transition will allow the state to close JDC and Tinley Park MHC, two of the state's oldest, most inefficient, and costliest facilities to run.

JDC currently costs the state approximately $27.9 million per year to run. After accounting for state costs under community care, Illinois will realize approximately $11.7 million per year in savings, after $16.2 million in community investment. Tinley Park MHC would cost $20.6 million to run in FY 2013. Savings following the closure of Tinley MHC are expected to be approximately $8.1 million after a $9.8 million reinvestment in community services for individuals with mental health challenges.

The physical condition of the facilities was a vital criterion in considering which facilities to transition to closure. Parts of JDC date from the 1850s, and the coal boiler at the facility spends $1.2 million in coal per year, or about $7,000 per resident to heat per year. Of the 8 buildings at Tinley Park MHC, only 5 are operational. The facility was decertified by the federal government in 2009, with recertification unlikely. The Tinley Park facility also shares a campus with the previously closed Howe Developmental Center, preventing the sale of prime real estate for development in Chicago's south suburbs.

Economic impact was also a criterion in evaluating facilities for transition to closure. The administration realizes that the closure of state facilities will have an economic impact on Jacksonville, Tinley Park and their surrounding communities. However, an Economic Impact Index examination demonstrated that the impacts on Jacksonville and Tinley Park were among the lowest of communities with state facilities.

The JDC currently employs 379 and Tinley Park MHC employs 175 people. Many of these jobs, however, will be absorbed into the local communities. As part of the ACCT development, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) ran a survey of employers in the counties surrounding each state facility for job openings with titles matching those at each site (i.e., registered nurse openings in the Jacksonville area). As of January 9, 2012:

  • 95 matching job titles matching 679 openings existed in the counties surrounding the JDC, and
  • 295 matching job titles matching 14,015 openings existed in the counties surrounding Tinley Park MHC.

The development of community care in these areas will also result in additional job creation in these areas.

The administration will provide regular updates to families, communities, unions, advocates and legislators on the first phase of the ACCT, as well as announcements later in the year for phase two and beyond as Illinois continues its transition to increased community care options.

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Increase to Earned Income Credit and Personal Exemption
to Help Working Families and Stimulate Local Economies

CHICAGO - January 10, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed major legislation to increase tax relief for working families across Illinois. Senate Bill 400 doubles the state's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over two years, saving low-income workers an extra $105 million per year. The new law also benefits all Illinois taxpayers by improving the value of the personal exemption and indexing it to inflation. Throughout the fall veto session, Governor Quinn insisted that tax relief for working families be part of the package.

"One of the best ways to stimulate the local economy is to put more money in the pockets of working families," Governor Quinn said. "This law is a win for workers, a win for families and a win for employers that will support job growth across Illinois for years to come."

Senate Bill 400 provides the largest increase in Illinois' EITC since its inception in 2000, by phasing in a 5 percent increase over two years. The bill boosts the state's EITC from its current level at 5 percent of federal EITC, to 7.5 percent in tax year 2012 and 10 percent of federal EITC in tax year 2013. More than 2.5 million state residents benefited from the Illinois EITC in 2010.

Under the new law, a single mother with one child, earning minimum wage ($12,800 a year), will save $154 on her taxes. A married couple with three children earning $30,000 a year will save $199 on their taxes this year.

Uniquely pro-growth and pro-family, EITC is available only to those with earned income and provides incentive to work as well as much-needed tax relief to the lowest-income families. EITC also boosts local economies through increased consumer demand. A 2006 Brookings Institution study found that every dollar a family saves through this tax credit translates into $1.58 of activity in local economies.

SB 400 was sponsored by Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) and House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago.)

"The tax relief contained in Senate Bill 400 will benefit every person who files a tax return in Illinois," Sen. Hutchinson said. "Working families for too long have had to deal with increasing expenses and stagnant wages. This legislation is an opportunity to provide meaningful tax relief."

"A fair tax policy should help low-income working families, and our expansion of the state's EITC will do just that," Rep. Currie said. "This credit rewards work, and will help families keep a roof over their head and food on the table."

Senate Bill 400 also improves the value of the standard personal exemption for all taxpayers in Illinois and ties its continued growth to the rate of inflation. The personal exemption will increase by $50 (to $2,050) in tax year 2012, and the value of the exemption will be indexed to the cost of living adjustment each tax year thereafter. The personal exemption change benefits all taxpayers, regardless of income.

Senate Bill 400 goes into effect June 1.

How to Benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

To benefit from Illinois' EITC, also known as the Earned Income Credit (EIC), taxpayers must include it on their tax returns. The not-for-profit Center for Economic Progress (CEP) estimates that between 10 and 20 percent of eligible taxpayers did not file for EITC last year.

To help working families achieve the maximum savings on their taxes, the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) partners with the CEP Tax Counseling Project to provide free tax preparation assistance at tax assistance centers across the state. The services are provided free of charge to families making less than $50,000 annually and to individuals with yearly incomes under $25,000. More than 28,000 Illinois taxpayers filed returns through the program in the 2010 tax season, with more than $50 million in state and federal tax refunds returned to clients.

DHS also funds the Tax Assistance Program (TAP) which has 23 locations in Chicago and the suburbs. TAP recruits tax professionals to volunteer to assist low-income families. DHS also works with its clients and those who found jobs and have left DHS programs to educate them about tax preparation programs and ways to ensure they receive the maximum refund on their tax returns.

For more information on the Tax Counseling Project, contact the Center for Economic Progress in Chicago at 312-630-0273, or call the toll-free statewide number at 888-827-8511. For information on the Tax Assistance Program call 312-409-1555 or 312-409-4318 (Spanish).  Details are also available on the IDHS website at www.dhs.state.il.us and the Department of Revenue website at www.revenue.state.il.us.

 

Information about filing federal taxes on-line can be found at www.irs.gov.

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Business Association Aids U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation

CHICAGO - December 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today thanked the Illinois Retail Merchant Association (IRMA) for its efforts in organizing Illinois businesses to help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program deliver toys for thousands of needy children this holiday season.

"On behalf of the people of Illinois, I want offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, CVS, Dominick's, Macy's, McDonald's, Sears, Target, Walgreens and Walmart for helping Toys for Tots in its time of need," said Governor Quinn. "Thanks to their efforts, children all over the Chicagoland area will have a happy holiday. It is a great day in Illinois when we all work together to do good things."

Following today's reports of a Toys for Tots donor having financial difficulties, IRMA worked with representatives of some of Illinois' biggest retailers to make sure that Toys for Tots has the resources it needs to be able to serve thousands more children. All told, support from IRMA members to the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation of Chicago has exceeded $36,000.

"Our members are proud to help 'Toys for Tots' during this time of need to make sure children have a joyful Christmas. 'Toys for Tots' helps the needy and disadvantaged children, and we're happy our Members can help Santa deliver a few more gifts this year," said David Vite, President/CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

"On behalf of the Chicago Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, we would like to thank Governor Quinn and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association for their combined efforts in raising $36,000 for the Official Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Thank you, and remember "Every Child Deserves a Christmas," said SSgt. Chad Falkos of the United States Marine Corps.

For more information about Toys for Tots and how to support their mission throughout the year, visit www.chicago-il.toysfortots.org.

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CHICAGO - December 20, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the settlement of the last of the Olmstead class action lawsuits.

"I have made community care a priority of my administration, and our long-term goal is to rebalance Illinois' approach towards older adults and persons with disabilities by expanding choices for those who want to live in the community.

"An important step in this process was settling the three Olmstead class action lawsuits, which had been pending for many years. I committed to resolving these lawsuits when I took office, and today's decree allows Illinois to move forward and increase opportunities and independence for our state's elders and residents with disabilities.

"With these settlements and our other rebalancing initiatives underway, Illinois is well on its way to assuring older adults and people with disabilities care and treatment in the most community-integrated settings appropriate for their conditions. We are moving in the right direction on community and home-based care, and I look forward to continuing this effort."

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SPRINGFIELD - December 12, 2011. Governor Quinn today issued a statement in support of an economic growth and tax reform package currently before the General Assembly.

"I commend the House, Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, Leader Tom Cross, Rep. John Bradley and Rep. David Harris for their bipartisan and diligent work to pass a package that will bring much-needed relief to working families in Illinois and help employers put more people back to work."

"Before veto session, we brought the leaders to the table with the goal of delivering help for both hard-working families and employers. This package meets those standards and is a win for the people of Illinois."

"Investing in working families is good for Illinois. The Earned Income Tax Credit will put more money in the pockets of everyday working people, which in turn allows them to invest that money back into their local communities. Improving the value of the standard personal exemption will provide relief to those trying to make ends meet. Investing in employers is also good for Illinois, and this package is targeted to spur job creation and economic development all over the state."

"I encourage the Senate to take swift action tomorrow."

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SPRINGFIELD - November 28, 2011. The Office of Governor Quinn today issued a statement after reaching an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2012 budget with legislative leaders.

"After working closely with the General Assembly this veto session, we have reached a bipartisan budget agreement that achieves the goal of keeping the seven state facilities slated for closure open throughout this fiscal year using existing state resources."

"Reallocation will allow us to move towards the Administration's long-term goal of more thoughtful, properly supported and successful community care transitions. We thank Senate President John Cullerton, Senate Leader Christine Radogno, House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Leader Tom Cross, and their staff members for their bipartisan cooperation and hard work."

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CHICAGO - November 24, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the passing of former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley.

"Tonight, the State of Illinois lost a great treasure. Maggie Daley was a woman for all seasons who treated Chicago residents like family and served up hope and inspiration wherever she went.

"The ever-gracious Maggie was devoted to her family and her faith. Maggie had a servant's heart, especially for children. Through her founding and leadership of After School Matters, she lifted up thousands of Chicago teenagers with opportunities to discover their potential and find their path to a meaningful life.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Daley family. The people of Chicago and Illinois now mourn a great loss, but we remember the legacy of grace and compassion that Maggie left."

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