GIFFORD - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon on Friday will survey tornado damage in the towns of Gifford and Brookport and call for donations to assist recovery going into the holiday season. Simon participated this week in the Help on the Homefront telethon that raised more than $786,000 for the American Red Cross, and more support is needed. As of Thursday, Governor Pat Quinn had declared 15 counties disaster areas, and teams are conducting assessments to seek federal assistance.

"The cleanup and rebuilding in these rural communities will not happen overnight, and we need to all lend a hand," said Simon. "I encourage everyone to dig into their pockets and help support the tremendous task ahead."

FRIDAY, NOV. 22

EVENT: Survey of Gifford storm recovery

TIME: 10:15 a.m.

LOCATION: Gifford Fire Station, 404 N. Main St., Gifford

EVENT: Survey of Brookport storm recovery

TIME: 3:45 p.m.

LOCATION: First Baptist Church, 700 Pell St., Brookport

SPRINGFIELD - As the 2013 fall legislative session gets underway, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will rally in support of marriage equality Tuesday. Simon will join marriage equality proponents in the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality.

"Tuesday marks the start of the fall veto session, and I am hopeful that it also marks the time that equality for all becomes the law of the land in Illinois," said Simon. "Illinois families have waited long enough."

The March on Springfield for Marriage Equality is part of a grassroots movement aimed at passage of Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), passed the Senate in February and is awaiting a vote in the House. Its passage would make Illinois the 14^th state in the nation to recognize marriage equality.

DATE: Tuesday, Oct. 22

TIME: Rally begins at 1 p.m.

LOCATION: Lincoln Statue, Illinois State Capitol, 401 S. Spring St., Springfield

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Illinois Main Street celebrates 20 years in Historic Downtown Pontiac

SPRINGFIELD - October 2, 2013. As the ambassador of Illinois Main Street, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today honored the recipients of the Lt. Governor's Award for Excellence at this year's Illinois Main Street conference. The program is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with the "Driving into the Future" conference taking place Oct. 1 - Oct. 3 in Historic Downtown Pontiac.

"For 20 years now Illinois Main Street has been helping support communities throughout Illinois," said Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. "I look forward to continuing to work to preserve these communities that often provide an important snapshot of our past and a vision for our future."

The conference, which is being hosted by Pontiac P.R.O.U.D. Main Street and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) - which administers the Illinois Main Street program - gives community and economic development professionals from around the state an opportunity to network, and learn about innovative new practices to rejuvenate Illinois' downtown business districts.

Simon honored individuals who have excelled in organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring of downtown commercial districts with the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence. Awards were also presented for Main Street Innovation, Business, Property Owner, Innovation and Volunteer of the Year.

Recipients included:

·         Batavia Main Street for its River Street: "Woonerf," which is a European concept for shared space

·         Chicago Six Corners Association: Renovation of the Grayland Theater Façade and Tuck Point

·         Pekin Main Street: Converting the Elks Lodge into the Fusion Building/Sabella St. Station

·         Pontiac P.R.O.U.D.: Restoration of the historic Livingston County Courthouse

·         Aledo Main Street: Digital promotion project

·         Batavia Main Street: Creation of the Batavia Main Street Award for local residents and businesses

·         Jacksonville Main Street: 2013 Diamonds and Ice Masquerade Ball

·         Main Street Libertyville: Membership drive to promote local merchants

·         Chicago Six Corners Association: Six Corners BBQ Fest

·         Downtown Crystal Lake: 20^th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival

·         Jacksonville Main Street: Art Fair on the Square

·         Main Street Orion: Band shell 100^th birthday celebration

·         Aledo Main Street: New Business Springboard

·         Batavia Main Street: Artisan Collective

·         Chicago Six Corners Association: Revitalizing vacant storefronts and streetscapes

·         Jacksonville Main Street: Creation of a Downtown Business Alliance

·         Volunteer of the Year: Meek Family, Jacksonville Main Street

·         Outstanding Main Street Business: Green Town Tavern, Waukegan Main Street

·         Outstanding Main Street Innovation: ShopDowntownQuincy.com

·         Outstanding Main Street Property Owner: Austin Properties, Quincy

Over the past 20 years, Illinois Main Street communities have created 9,300 jobs, opened over 1,200 new businesses, and represent public and private investment of over $750 million. In Illinois, 42 communities hold the Illinois Main Street designation.

Additional conference highlights include a 20^th anniversary celebration featuring Illinois products, walking tours of Historic Downtown Pontiac, the Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence Gala and a proclamation from Governor Pat Quinn in honor of Illinois Main Street's 20^th anniversary.

This year's keynote speaker is Valecia Crisafulli, who served as the first state director of the Illinois Main Street Program and most recently as the CEO of the National Main Street Center. The center works with a nationwide network of communities to encourage preservation-based economic revitalization, and has participated in the renewal of more than 2,000 older commercial districts during its 30-year history.

Click here for more information about Illinois Main Street.

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Thousands in defense and military communities facing furloughs

SPRINGFIELD - October 1, 2013. As chair of the Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC), Lt. Governor Sheila Simon urged Congress to end the stalemate that has resulted in a federal government shutdown. Illinois is home to three military bases that employ thousands of civilian workers who are now facing furloughs, and river cities such as Peoria are facing new risks..

As the battle to end the government shutdown rages on in Washington, the effects are already being felt here in Illinois. The state's military bases employ military and civilian personnel that are a vital part of the state's economy and national defense.

"The men and women employed at Illinois' military installations serve our country and deserve the support of their government," said Simon. "I encourage members of Congress to think of these families that now worry about putting food on the table, and work toward a meaningful compromise."

Approximately 2,500 civilian employees at Naval Station Great Lakes, as well as two-thirds of Scott Air Force Base's 5,000 civilian workers are facing furloughs. At Rock Island Arsenal, around 3,000 civilian employees could be affected.

Throughout the summer, Simon's office convened listening posts in the Metro East, Quad Cities and North Chicago, all of which neighbor military installations and are already struggling with the economic impact of sequestration and the possibility of future cuts. In order to maximize participation, residents were also able to participate via an online survey, which received hundreds of responses.

The survey and listening posts were administered in partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA). More than 750 participants answered questions pertaining to business opportunities, education, workforce training and quality of life. Preliminary review of data has shown shared concerns related to the availability of jobs and the quality of education. Simon also heard from business owners who talked about the boost civilian and military personnel give local businesses, support that cannot be counted on now as thousands of workers face being furloughed.

In mid-October, Simon will present the findings to the IMBSEDC. The IMBSEDC coordinates the state's activities and communications relating to current and former military bases in Illinois, and provides advice and recommendations for base retention, realignment and reuse.

Simon also chairs the Mississippi, Illinois, and Wabash and Ohio River Coordinating Councils, which are charged with reviewing state and federal programs that impact the watersheds and working with local communities to raise awareness of and address watershed issues. As Simon convenes the quarterly meeting of the Illinois Rivers Coordinating Council later today in Peoria, federal Coast Guard reservists and civilian inspectors who work to protect the Illinois River are also being impacted by the furloughs. Officials have said they are coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure continued enforcement along the river.

Simon is encouraging residents to contact their elected officials here to demand an end to the shutdown.