$730,000 in Investments Will Fund Environmental Projects Along Lake Michigan 

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced more than $730,000 in investments to support local environmental education projects along the Lake Michigan shoreline and in the Millennium Reserve-Calumet region. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"These important investments will protect and manage the incredible natural and cultural resources surrounding our beautiful Lake Michigan," Governor Quinn said. "They will also involve thousands of students and residents of nearby communities in creating a better environment for all."

The projects are part of the Illinois Coastal Management Program (ICMP), which was officially formed in 2012 at the direction of Governor Quinn to protect and manage the natural and cultural resources along the 63 miles of Illinois' Lake Michigan shoreline. The ICMP Coastal Grants announced today are investments of federal funds in environmental education projects that help achieve one or more of the environmental priorities within the Illinois Lake Michigan Coastal Zone. These priorities include habitat, ecosystems and natural area restoration; priority rivers, lakes and harbors; invasive species; public access and recreation; sustainable development; and economic development.

"These projects will help thousands of people to learn more and do more in support of protecting and restoring the natural resources of the Lake Michigan shoreline, and the waterways and natural areas within the Millennium Reserve Calumet Core on Chicago's south side," Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller said. The department administers the Illinois Coastal Management Program.

For more information on the Illinois Coastal Management Program, visit the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/cmp. Applications for the next round of grants for spring 2014 will be accepted from November 1 through December 16, 2013.

The Coastal Grant Program projects announced today include :

Expanding Youth Conservation Action in the Millennium Reserve - The Field Museum; $67,337

Through the "Expanding Young Conservation Action in the Millennium Reserve" project, the Field Museum will sustain and expand the scope and geography of its youth conservation action programming in the Illinois Coast Zone on Chicago's South Side, with a special focus on the Millennium Reserve in the Calumet region. It is expected that 15 trained educators and 300 students will be working on year-long conservation projects.

Calumet is My Back Yard - Chicago Public Schools; $100,000

Calumet is My Backyard program participants are approximately 600 high school students from 13 Chicago Public Schools  - many with their first experience in natural areas - working to restore and protect 12 natural areas within the Calumet Region, providing over 6,000 hours of stewardship work and scientific investigation annually. The students focus on waterways in the Illinois Coastal Zone, including Lake Calumet, the Calumet River, the Little Calumet River, and the Grand Calumet River.

Think Beyond the Banks: Education and Outreach - Friends of the Chicago River; $30,806.67

"Think! Beyond the Banks" is a one-year, renewable outreach campaign that links river health and education with real world, everyday actions that improve the Chicago River. The campaign combines elements of Friends' highly successful Chicago River Schools Network (CRSN) with new marketing materials and techniques to empower students to become river ambassadors within their schools, families and communities.

Experience Calumet Water Trails Community Workshops - City of Blue Island; $30,000

The City of Blue Island will hold a series of five workshops to raise awareness of Calumet area water trails, how water trails uniquely connect people to the ecological values of Calumet and to inspire stewardship activity.

Coastal Ambassadors Program - Chicago Park District; $96,371

The Chicago Park District (CPD) will create a new Coastal Ambassadors program to provide environmental education on coastal resources to thousands of children and families. Based on the successful Nature Oasis program in place at CPD, the team of educators will work with day campers, after school groups, families and other park customers through after school programs, field trips for day campers and family festivals.

Youth Outdoor Ambassadors - Forest Preserve District of Cook County; $99,115

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County will launch Youth Outdoor Ambassadors for the Calumet Region to facilitate youth and young adults having an active voice and role in the Forest Preserves.  The Ambassadors will identify which programs resonate with teens and how young people can become inspired to become lifelong advocates for nature.

Stormwater: From the Ground Up - League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund; $31,771.95

This project was born out of the April 18, 2013 storm in northeastern Illinois that caused widespread, destructive flooding.  Observing that most people did not understand how the storm sewer system worked, the Lake Michigan League of Women Voters will jointly conduct a campaign to educate citizens about problems associated with storm water runoff, emphasizing actions that individuals, communities and regions may take to prevent and alleviate flooding after rain events, with an emphasis on green infrastructure.

Lake Forest Ravine Education and Outreach Program - Lake Forest Open Lands Association; $74,036.70

The ravines of southern Lake Michigan play a critical role in protecting the water quality of the lake, preventing sediment runoff, protecting beaches, offering migrating birds a much-needed safe haven and protecting rare habitats native to this area. The Ravine Restoration and Outreach Program will create a comprehensive initiative to protect Lake Forest beaches and ravines, with education efforts and on-the-ground restoration.

AIS Outreach to Coastal Constituents - Illinois Natural History Survey; $38,500

Several aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have been introduced into Lake Michigan via pathways including recreational boating and fishing, and intentional and accidental releases of invasive organisms in trade. Because prevention of introductions of new AIS is more cost effective than control or management of already established populations, prevention efforts will be promoted to recreational water users and water gardening hobbyists.

The Ripple Effect: Building a Community that Cares About Our Great Lake - Park District of Highland Park; $48,393

The Park District of Highland Park will develop interpretive signage, outreach materials, and purchase specialized science equipment to be used at their new Lakefront Interpretive Center opening in the summer of 2014 on Lake Michigan. The effort will enhance visitor learning about near-shore, dune and ravine ecosystems.

Millennium Reserve Regional Atlas - Biodiversity Project; $98,900

The project includes researching, writing and designing a report that outlines the great biodiversity of the Millennium Reserve region, with the Millennium Reserve Regional Atlas providing a resource for community leaders, local residents and educators to better understand the geologic, natural and human history of this unique region.

William Tillman Maritime Education Program - Prologue, Inc.; $57,210

This new program offers environmental education, job training and service learning for low-income, at-risk young people ages 16-24. Located along the Little Calumet River in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood and adjacent to Altgeld Gardens, it is a counterpart to Prologue's new Tillman Maritime Academy, an alternative high school scheduled to open in fall 2014 for students who have struggled in traditional academic settings. The program will involve youth in a coastal and riparian setting working to gain employable skills and develop career pathways in maritime technology, waterway safety and conservation stewardship.

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McNeil Has Served as Director of Operations for Governor's Office Since 2009; Replaces Outgoing Malcolm Weems

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today appointed Simone McNeil as the acting director of the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), the state government's human resources, technology, management and procurement agency. McNeil has served as the Governor's Director of Operations since 2009. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to ensuring an efficient and responsive government for the people of Illinois.

"Simone McNeil is an innovative and capable public servant whose extensive experience will prove invaluable in her new position," Governor Quinn said. "I want to thank outgoing director Malcolm Weems for his dedicated service to the state, and we appreciate all that he has done at CMS."

Weems had served as CMS director since April 2012. He resigned to take a position in the private sector.

Simone McNeil brings a depth of management experience as a human resources professional with extensive work in budget management and staff oversight in state government, healthcare and private sector environments.

McNeil has served as Operations Director for the Office of Governor Pat Quinn since 2009, where she directed operations and managed a comprehensive human resources program. During her tenure as Operations Director, she made it a priority to analyze former human resources procedures in order to streamline processes and bring more efficiencies to the Governor's Office.

Previously, McNeil served as Operations Director under then-Lieutenant Governor Quinn where she maintained operations and human resources for all office employees; prepared the annual budget for submission to the General Assembly and managed and monitored federal and private foundation grants. While in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, McNeil also served as Ethics Officer for the administration, ensuring the compliance of state laws by all employees.

McNeil served as Human Resources Director for the Office of the State Treasurer where she oversaw the hiring process for all new employees, the administration of benefit plans and programs and participated in the negotiation of labor contracts for the state. In the field of healthcare, McNeil was the Human Resources Director for the Washington and Jane Smith Community where she maintained a human resources program for 350 health care professionals. She was also responsible for developing staff strategies that reduced all-staff turnover by 20 percent.

Having received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, McNeil's history in human resources also includes work at the Illinois Department of Public Aid as a personnel officer, and as a Human Resources Consultant for the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce in Chicago.

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services provides a broad range of programs and services to state agencies and the public. These include human resources and employee benefits, information technology and telecommunications, property and facilities management, procurement and business diversity, vehicle fleet management, and media and marketing.

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CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn issued the below statement regarding today's ruling by Judge Neil Cohen to allow legislators to receive their paychecks:

"I respectfully disagree with the judge's decision.

"On behalf of Illinois taxpayers, I intend to appeal the decision and seek a court stay that would prevent any legislative paychecks from being issued until this case is considered by a higher court.

"However, this case is about far more than just the Governor's constitutional authority to suspend the appropriations for legislative paychecks.

"The reason I suspended legislative paychecks in the first place - and refused to accept my own - is because Illinois taxpayers can't afford an endless cycle of promises, excuses, delays and inertia on the most critical challenge of our time.

"Illinois' pension crisis is costing taxpayers millions of dollars a day; robbing our children of the education and public safety services they desperately need; and holding our economy back from real recovery.

"I will not accept a paycheck until a comprehensive pension reform bill is on my desk, and neither should legislators.

"Nobody in Springfield should get paid until the pension reform job gets done."

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Total of 94 New Jobs Created in Northern Illinois

MACHESNEY PARK - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that several Rockford area businesses are expanding, creating 94 jobs in the manufacturing and health care industries in northern Illinois. Manufacturing firms Curtis Metal Finishing Company and HMC Products Inc. joined medical billing company Practice Velocity, LLC at its headquarters in Machesney Park to talk about the new facilities that will bring new jobs and economic growth to the region. The announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"These thriving businesses need additional space for their expanding workforce, and they recognize that there is no better place to grow than in Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "These expansions are creating good-paying jobs, providing work for the construction trade and attracting additional investment to the region."

Practice Velocity is investing $5 million to turn a vacant department store into office space, creating 75 new jobs as demand for its medical billing software and server capacity grows. The new jobs - which increase the company's workforce by 33 percent - will include software engineers, billing specialists, administrative personnel and other professionals. Practice Velocity currently employs 228 workers.

"In the 10 years we have called northern Illinois home, Practice Velocity has grown from just a handful of employees to a company of more than 200," Practice Velocity CEO David Stern, MD, CPC said. "We are excited about our company's future and how we can continue contributing to the economic growth of this community."

Curtis Metal Finishing, an applicator of industrial coatings, is adding 27,000 square feet of plant space to an existing 93,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on North Alpine Road in Machesney Park. The family-owned company is investing $4 million in the expansion, which includes cutting edge equipment for a new line of surface finishing materials. The expansion will create 14 new jobs, boosting the firm's Illinois workforce of 60 by 23 percent.

"We are committed to growing our business in Illinois," Curtis Metal Finishing Company Vice President and General Manager Kurt Hoensheid said. "We've been operating our business in Illinois for 20 years and rely on the region's skilled workforce and easy access to transportation to support our company as demand for our products grows."

HMC Products' expansion comes as the manufacturer of packaging machines needs more space to accommodate new orders. Currently the company is located in a 44,000-square-foot building in Eastrock Industrial Park and rents space in another building within the park. The company is moving into a new 90,000-square-foot facility at The Park 90 Corporate Center at the corner of Interstate 90 and Highway 173, adding five new jobs to its workforce of 34 employees - a 15 percent increase. Their total investment is $5 million and includes plant wide air conditioning, a new paint booth system, a new customer training room and an additional three acres of expansion potential.

"We are excited to grow in Illinois and be a part of the future growth of the Northern Illinois area," HMC Products President David Kreissler said. "The close proximity to I-90 and Rockford will assist attracting the highly skilled employees our company requires."

All three companies will be eligible for tax credits under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The tax credits, based on job creation, can be used against corporate income taxes to be paid for up to 10 years. Curtis Metal Finishing is also eligible for an Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) grant to keep its workforce trained in current technologies. Practice Velocity is also eligible for an ETIP grant, an Emerging Technologies grant and a loan through the federally funded Advantage Illinois program.

Under Governor Quinn's leadership, the state of Illinois has worked diligently to identify and recruit companies with the potential to bring jobs and economic growth to Illinois. The state has added 244,300 private sector jobs since January 2010, when job growth returned to Illinois following a two-year period of declines during the recession.

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for business, visit Illinoisbiz.biz.

About Practice Velocity LLC

Practice Velocity, LLC develops software for medical record keeping, practice management and organization, primarily for urgent care facilities. It was founded in 2002 by three urgent care physicians who realized there was a need for an electronic means of organizing patient flow, billing records and information storage. More than 850 clinics throughout the United States currently use Practice Velocity products. For more information, visit practicevelocity.com.

About Curtis Metal Finishing Co.

Curtis Metal Finishing Co. was formed in 1963 and continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Commercial Steel Treating Corp. Both companies service fastener manufactures in the automotive, military and construction industries throughout the Midwest. As one of the largest bulk metal finishing operations in the United States, Curtis specializes in the application of engineered coatings on fasteners and small stampings. For more information, visit curtismetal.com.

About HMC Products Inc.

HMC Products designs and manufactures packaging machinery, as well as case cutters for the distribution industry and ships their products worldwide. HMC's customers include companies in the snack food, food, cosmetic, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and household goods industries. In addition to office, inventory, engineering, and assembly staff, HMC employs skilled machinists to operate their 15 CNC machining centers as well as several conventional mills.  For more information, visit hmcproducts.com.

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