04 Sep 2014

Governor Quinn Kicks-Off 2014-2015 School Year

By Dave Blanchette

Governor Visits Students on their First Day; Announces State is Moving Ahead with 'Seal of Biliteracy' Program

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today visited students at two Chicago Public Schools on their first day of school to wish all students in Illinois a happy and healthy year of learning. The Governor visited Vanderpoel Elementary Magnet School and Schmid Elementary School on the south side of Chicago. Today's events are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to give every child in Illinois the opportunity for a high-quality education.

"As we kick-off a new year of learning, I wish all our students across Illinois a happy and healthy school year," Governor Quinn said. "There's no more important investment than an investment in our children's education. As we work to try to bring classroom funding to the highest levels in Illinois history, it's important to give thanks to all our teachers who are helping to make a difference across our state."

Governor Quinn also announced today that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is moving forward with an initiative that aims to promote mastery of two or more languages. The state is among the first in the country to allow school districts to award a State Seal of Biliteracy to students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in one or more languages, in addition to English. The seal will be placed on a student's academic transcript and diploma.

"Language skills are increasingly valuable in today's global economy," State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch said. "The seal will help promote and acknowledge the great value and many benefits that come with being multilingual and multicultural."

Illinois was the third state to pass legislation offering a Seal of Biliteracy, joining California and New York. States such as New Mexico, Washington and Louisiana are among those that have since passed legislation offering the seal as well. Illinois education officials hope the seal will inspire students to pursue biliteracy, recognize students who excel in language skills, and provide evidence of these achievements to future employers and college admissions offices.

"We hope the opportunity to earn this credential will be another tool to encourage schools to offer foreign language earlier in students' education, ideally before high school," Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico said. "Even with the rigorous process proposed for earning this credential, we expect thousands of Illinois students will attain it within a few years."

School districts will use the language proficiency standards established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy program, which is optional for districts. The proposed rules also include standards for proficiency in American Sign Language, which is defined in the law as a foreign language for purposes of qualifying for the State Seal of Biliteracy.

In the 2012-13 school year, Illinois enrolled more than 200,000 English Learner (EL) students, nearly 10 percent of the state's more than 2 million public school students. While the majority of EL students attend schools in Chicago and the collar counties and speak Spanish, EL students in Illinois speak more than 160 languages in addition to English.

Governor Quinn is committed to investing in education across Illinois and making sure that every child has the opportunity for success.

This past week Governor Quinn announced a $10 million state investment in the Safe Passage program for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The investment will expand the program by increasing routes to 93 schools currently in the program and adding 27 new schools. These schools are attended by more than 65,000 elementary and high school students. The Safe Passage program places trained employees along designated routes to and from Chicago's public schools to monitor student safety and notify school and law enforcement officials of any possible threats.

Governor Quinn is committed to properly funding education in Illinois in order to give every child the opportunity for success. The Governor's budget blueprint includes a historic $6 billion increase in classroom spending over the next five years, doubling the investment in college scholarships for students in need and increasing access to higher education through dual enrollment and early college programs. Over the next five years, the Governor's plan would bring classroom funding to the highest levels in Illinois history.

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28 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Opens State-of-the-Art Police Forensic Laboratory in Belleville

By Dave Blanchette

New State Police Building Provides Forensic Capability for Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies

BELLEVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by state and local officials to open a new State Police Metro-East Forensic Science Laboratory in Belleville. The facility will provide the Illinois State Police (ISP) and police agencies throughout the region with enhanced crime-solving abilities. The event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure the safety of all people in every community across Illinois.

"Our law enforcement agencies must have the best resources available to investigate crimes and arrest offenders," Governor Quinn said. "This facility gives local authorities access to the very latest tools and technology to help them conduct investigations more efficiently and effectively while protecting the safety of the people of Illinois."

The 64,000 square-foot, $41.6 million forensic laboratory, funded by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, includes state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for crime scene services, trace chemistry, drug chemistry, polygraph, latent prints, firearms and forensic biology/DNA testing.

The facility is located on land purchased in 2007 from Lindenwood University. The construction project was administered by the Capital Development Board, which oversees all non-road state-funded construction projects.

"The new forensic lab will meet the infrastructure requirements of today's highly technical scientific equipment and serve our most important clients - the victims and their families," Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau said.

For more than two decades, the Illinois State Police had leased 15,000 square feet of renovated office space as its laboratory in Fairview Heights. The rented space could no longer accommodate the agency's technological changes, casework growth and staffing needs.

"This lab will give police and prosecutors better tools to advance justice and avoid improperly arresting and convicting innocent people," State Senate Majority Leader James F. Clayborne (D-Belleville) said. "This project is thanks to a fruitful partnership between the state and Lindenwood's Belleville campus, which will improve educational opportunities for its students."

"This new facility will make it easier for Illinois' police officers to do their jobs," State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) said. "The state-of-the-art technology will also provide the most effective tools in assisting local and state investigators and ensuring public safety."

The Metro-East Forensic Science Laboratory project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which is supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.

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22 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Assist Victims of Human Trafficking

By Dave Blanchette

Law Establishes Fund to Provide Services for Victims of Human Trafficking

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to establish a fund that will help provide specialized services to victims of human trafficking and prostitution. The fund will use previously collected fines from criminal offenses to provide targeted services to survivors, including community based drop-in centers and emergency housing. The legislation is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect and improve the health and well-being of the people of Illinois.

"While we must do everything we can to prevent horrible offenses such as human-trafficking, it is our duty to ensure all people are protected and cared for," Governor Quinn said. "Victims of these crimes often have no place to go and suffer from unimaginable distress. This fund will help provide specialized treatment to these individuals and ensure they have a safe place to rest and recover."

"DHS is pleased to continue working with our partners on the fight against human trafficking," Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler said. "This bill rightfully focuses its attention on helping people who are being exploited for profit and against their will every day in Illinois. It is a step in the right direction in our joint effort to support victims, especially child victims, of human trafficking."

"While Illinois has been a national leader in transforming our community's response to prostitution and human trafficking, we lag far behind in offering specialized services to these survivors," Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) Policy Director Lynne Johnson said. "This new legislation will create important opportunities to collect fines from offenders in order to help pay for new services. We look forward to working with Governor Quinn and the Illinois Department of Human Services to fund meaningful community-based programs for survivors."

Senate Bill 3558, sponsored by State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) and State Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago), establishes the Specialized Services for Survivors of Human Trafficking Fund to assist survivors of human trafficking and prostitution. The law reallocates collected criminal fines and fees to establish a specialized fund for survivors of the sex trade. The funds will be managed by the DHS and will provide targeted key services such as community based drop-in centers, emergency housing, long-term safe housing and more. The law is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

"People who have been enslaved by sex traffickers are now finally going to be lawfully protected and given every opportunity to heal and move forward with their lives," Senator Hutchinson said.

"This important initiative is designed to target resources where they are needed most," Representative Williams said. "We must attack human trafficking from all angles until we can eliminate this scourge on our society which destroys lives every day."

Governor Quinn has worked to help and assist victims of human trafficking since taking office. In 2011, the Governor signed legislation to give victims of human trafficking who have been charged with prostitution an opportunity to clear their names. Previously, wrongful convictions had limited victims' access to housing, employment, education, immigration status and parental rights.

In 2012, the Governor signed legislation to help law enforcement agencies crack down on human traffickers. The law strengthened prosecutors' ability to go after traffickers and also offered greater protection and help for survivors.

Last year, the Governor signed a law to help victims of human trafficking who have been "branded" by a tattoo recover from physical and psychological abuse.

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22 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Announces $26 Million for Construction Projects in Northwest Illinois

By Dave Blanchette

Will Create Jobs and Economic Growth in Bureau, Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Rock Island, Stark, Warren and Whiteside Counties

OTTAWA - Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $26 million for construction projects in Bureau, Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, Lee, Rock Island, Stark, Warren and Whiteside Counties. The investments will create jobs and improve transportation safety and efficiency throughout Northwest Illinois. Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"These investments across Northwest Illinois are putting people to work, creating jobs that will help drive the local economy," Governor Quinn said. "They are also helping to repair and maintain Illinois' infrastructure to improve safety and efficiency throughout the region."

Today's announcement follows last week's news that Illinois' unemployment rate declined in July to 6.8 percent from June's 7.1 percent. During July, 11,200 new private sector jobs were added, including 3,900 manufacturing jobs. The state's unemployment rate has fallen steadily since July 2013, when it stood at 9.2 percent, and has completed its steepest 12-month decline of 2.4 percentage points since August 1984. Since February 2010, Illinois has added 263,100 private sector jobs.

Construction payrolls are up by 8,500 jobs since the beginning of the year, nearly four times as strong as the gain posted for this same period in 2013. Specialty trade contractors' payrolls posted healthy gains for the third straight month, fueled in large part by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program.

The projects below will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Bureau County

U.S. Route 34 will be resurfaced in Bureau County from 3200 E to 3320 E Road for $718,710 by Advanced Asphalt Company of Princeton.

A bridge carrying 470 Street over I-80 will be cleaned and painted for $274,832 by Thomas Industrial Coatings, Inc. of Pevely, Missouri, the lowest of five bidders.

11.85 miles of Illinois Route 40 will receive intermittent milling and resurfacing from north of I-80 to Illinois Route 92 for $280,076 by Advanced Asphalt Company of Princeton, the lower of two bidders.

U.S. 34 will receive 4.8 miles of resurfacing from 6th Street in Princeton to the eastern city limits of Dover for $1,287,701 by Advanced Asphalt Company of Princeton.

Bureau and LaSalle Counties

Various routes in Bureau and LaSalle Counties will receive intermittent milling, resurfacing and striping for $668,725 by Advanced Asphalt Company of Princeton.

Fulton, Henderson, Knox and Warren Counties

Bridge painting will be done on Illinois Route 17 over I-39 in Marshall County, on Illinois Route 116 over Spoon River on the west side of London Mills in Fulton County, on Illinois Route 94 over the Henderson Creek Overflow south of Bald Bluff in Henderson County, on Lincoln Park Drive over U.S. 35 in Knox County and on U.S. 67 over Middle Henderson Creek 10 miles north of Monmouth in Warren County for $823,882 by ERA Valdivia Contractors, Inc. of Chicago, the lowest of six bidders.

Knox and Warren Counties

U.S. 34/ Illinois Route 110 will receive 7 miles of patching from one mile west of Cameron Road to Main St. for $330,678 by Midwest Bridge and Crane, Inc. of Good Hope, the lower of two bidders.

Henry County

Grange Road will receive 1.97 miles of resurfacing from Illinois Route 92 to Sand Road for $328,657 by Valley Construction Company of Rock Island, the lowest of four bidders.

Knox County

Main Street in Galesburg will receive resurfacing and pavement marking from Soangetaha Road to State Street for $163,011 by Gunther Construction of Galesburg.

Improvements will be done at the intersection of Illinois Route 97 and 1st Street in Maquon for $173,176 by Gunther Construction of Galesburg, the lower of two bidders.

U.S. 150 will receive 1.6 miles of patching and resurfacing from Home Boulevard to north of North Lake Storey Road, interconnect installation, guardrail removal and replacement, and renovation on Lake Storey Bridge for $1,593,420 by Gunther Construction of Galesburg, the lowest of three bidders.

LaSalle County

A bridge carrying Interstate 39 over a service road and conveyor 0.43 miles south of U.S. 6 will be cleaned and painted for $80,766 by Thomas Industrial Coatings, Inc. of Pevely, Missouri, the lowest of five bidders.

Illinois Route 23 will receive intermittent resurfacing north and south of Streator for $265,841 by H.J. Eppel & Co., Inc of Pontiac, the lower of two bidders.

Illinois Route 71 will receive 3.76 miles of shoulder widening, rumble strips and signing from Illinois Route 89 to E. 275th Road through Cedar Point for $785,985 by Advanced Asphalt Company of Princeton.

I-80 will receive 3.95 miles of milling and resurfacing from Fox River Bridge in Ottawa to just west of CH 15/Marseilles interchange for $8,495,025 by D Construction, Inc. of Coal City, the lower of two bidders.

I-39 will receive pavement patching from the Marshall County line to the Lee County line for $408,408 by G. M. Sipes Construction, Inc. of Rushville.

1.29 miles of work on base course widening, leveling, pipe culverts, shoulders and pavement markings will be done from 100 feet south of North 4425th Road to 75 feet north of 4550th Road for $539,625 by D Construction of Coal City, the lower of two bidders.

Lee County

Illinois Route 2 will receive 0.73 miles of resurfacing from east of River St. to Ottawa Avenue in Dixon for $420,542 by Martin & Company Excavating of Oregon, the lowest of three bidders.

Four bridges carrying I-39 over Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company Railroad and over Steward Creek will be partially cleaned and painted for $356,847 by Eagle Painting & Maintenance Co., Inc. of Lansing, the lowest of five bidders.

Two bridges carrying I-39 over U.S. 30 will be cleaned and painted for $731,637 by Three Star Painting, Inc. of Merrillville, Indiana, the lowest of four bidders.

Rock Island County

3rd Avenue will receive reconstruction from 19th St. to 23rd St. in Moline for $6,902,871 by McCarthy Improvement Company of Davenport, Iowa, the lower of two bidders.

Stark County

Removal of wingwalls and pipe, and removal and replacement of culvert will be done 1.5 miles west of Speer over the tributary to Mud Run Creek for $370,126 by Stark Excavating, Inc. of Bloomington, the lowest of three bidders.

Whiteside County

Two bridges carrying Avenue G over the Rock River in Sterling will have substructure repairs made and joint replacement done for $427,205 by Kovilic Construction Company, Inc. of Franklin Park, the lowest of four bidders.

The projects are part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.

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12 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Continues Commitment to Highway Construction Projects in Quad Cities Area

By Dave Blanchette

Visits Ongoing I-74/280 Project and Outlines New Quad Cities Area Construction Projects Included in $1.1 Billion Capital Construction Bill

COAL VALLEY - Governor Pat Quinn today visited the site of a major road project and announced upcoming Quad Cities-area projects that are part of the state's new $1.1 billion capital construction bill. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and build a 21st-century infrastructure that will drive Illinois' economy forward.

"With major construction projects across our state we are continuing to put people to work maintaining and improving our world-class transportation system," Governor Quinn said. "This highway project and the many other ongoing projects in the Quad Cities area are creating jobs, enhancing safety and improving efficiency in a major economic corridor of our state."

"We are grateful for Governor Quinn's commitment to improving our state's infrastructure and recognizing the many benefits that come with funding transportation projects," Acting Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Erica Borggren said. "This infrastructure project, when complete, will significantly enhance safety and improve travel for motorists on a stretch of roadway that is very important to this region."

Governor Quinn visited the site of a $17.7 million bridge replacement and resurfacing project just east of the Interstate 74/280 interchange. The project includes resurfacing 12 miles of the interstate and replacement of the bridges over Coal Creek. Half of both the east and westbound bridge work is complete, and the resurfacing work is nearly 60 percent done with completion expected in November. McCarthy Improvement Company is the contractor for the work, which started in June 2013. The project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which is supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.

Other ongoing Quad City projects that are a part of Illinois Jobs Now! include the $16.2 million John Deere Road reconstruction and fly-over bridge, $6.2 million Route 92 widening and resurfacing, $3.8 million Route 6 bridge reconstruction and the $3.3 million U.S. 67 Centennial Bridge structure repairs.

Governor Quinn signed into law last month a new $1.1 billion capital construction program to supplement the work that has been done under Illinois Jobs Now! Quad City regional projects funded as part of this new construction bill include $31 million to resurface 30 miles of Interstate 80 in Henry County; $16.8 million to resurface Interstate 74/Illinois 110/Interstate 80 in Henry County; and $4 million to resurface 14.3 miles of Illinois 40 from Milledgeville to Sterling in Carroll and Whiteside Counties.

"The Quad Cities act as a large gateway to the western United States and see a lot of shipping traffic every year," State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) said. "This project will not only update and maintain our existing infrastructure for future travel, but also put many residents in the area to work."

"The Illinois Jobs Now! program created by Governor Quinn and funded through our efforts in the Illinois General Assembly has made critically needed improvements to our roads and highways in northwest Illinois," State Representative Patrick Verschoore (D-Milan) said. "Not only am I proud of the fact we are creating jobs through this effort, but we are making needed infrastructure improvements to help our businesses and industries in the region grow long term."

"For too long, the roads here in western Illinois have deteriorated," State Representative Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) said. "These improvements to roads in Henry, Carroll and Whiteside Counties are a vital component to creating jobs and developing our local economy."

The $1.1 billion for more than 210 road and bridge projects statewide will create an estimated 14,300 construction jobs.

In addition to funding $1 billion in projects in the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) FY2015-2020 Multi-Year Program, the new capital construction program includes $100 million for municipal and township governments to improve infrastructure at the local level. The funding, distributed and overseen by IDOT, will help communities throughout Illinois combat potholes and make other critical infrastructure repairs.

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11 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Statement on 49th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

By Dave Blanchette
CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn issued today a statement on the 49th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965:

"Forty nine years ago today, President Johnson signed one of the most important bills in our nation's history. The Voting Rights Act guarantees that everyone, regardless of race, is treated fairly when they head to the polls.

"In a democracy, it is essential to make your voice heard, and voting is the best way to do that. The Voting Rights Act amplified the voices of millions of people previously left out of the democratic process.

"By protecting the right to vote, the Voting Rights Act strengthened our democracy. It is important that we continue to fight for citizens' rights at the ballot box."

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01 Aug 2014

Governor Quinn Announces $16.8 Million for Construction Projects in Quad Cities Area

By Dave Blanchette

Investments Will Create Jobs and Drive Local Economy Forward

ROCK ISLAND - Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $16.8 million for construction projects in Rock Island and Whiteside Counties. Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"With these investments we are making our transportation system stronger, safer and more efficient," Governor Quinn said. "The investments are also creating jobs and generating future economic development in the Quad Cities area."

The projects will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Rock Island and Whiteside Counties

Milling, patching and resurfacing will be done along I-88 from half a mile west of the I-80/Illinois 92 interchange to just northeast of the 122nd Avenue/Fargo Road overpass. Advanced Asphalt Company of Princeton was the lower of two bidders at $15,584,118.

Rock Island County

Signs will be removed and installed at various locations throughout the county for $271,941 by Western Remac, Inc. of Woodridge, the lowest of three bidders.

Whiteside County

Illinois Route 2 westbound from 19th to 9th Avenue in Sterling will be milled and resurfaced for $459,655 by Civil Constructors, Inc. of Freeport, the lower of two bidders.

The structural steel on the I-88 bridges over Moline Road will be cleaned and painted for $276,958 by Eagle Painting & Maintenance Co., Inc. of Lansing, the lowest of six bidders.

The westbound lane of Illinois Route 2 at 45th Avenue northeast of Sterling will be milled and patched for $78,644 by G.M. Sipes Construction, Inc. of Rushville, the lowest of four bidders.

U.S. Route 30 at Jackson Street in Morrison will be milled and resurfaced for $164,540 by Martin & Company Excavating of Oregon, the lower of two bidders.

The projects are part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.

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31 Jul 2014

Governor Quinn Signs Law to Expand Health and Wellness Services in Communities Across Illinois

By Dave Blanchette

New Steps Will Help Expand Access and Quality of Healthcare

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law to expand health and wellness services in communities throughout Illinois. The law provides certification standards for community health workers to help bridge a vital link between healthcare providers and the unique needs of Illinois' communities. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect and improve the health of the people of Illinois.

"Community health workers are trusted frontline public health professionals who have a close understanding of their communities' needs," Governor Quinn said. "This new law recognizes the vital role these professionals play in the health care system, and helps ensure the best possible delivery and quality of services in neighborhoods across our state."

"With more people now able to access healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, if workforce shortages are not addressed, it could limit access to services and quality healthcare for all Illinoisans," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. "Illinois is already experiencing workforce shortages with many safety net and rural health providers being challenged to deliver adequate care for those in their communities. Community health workers can help fill this void, connect people to services and higher-level health providers, which can ultimately increase the health of the state."

House Bill 5412, sponsored by State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and State Senator David Koehler (D-Peoria), defines "community health worker" and creates the Illinois Community Health Worker Advisory Board to recommend certification requirements for these healthcare professionals to ensure quality care for Illinois' residents. This 15-member volunteer board comprised of current community health workers, physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals will recommend rules to standardize the criteria and process to become a certified community health worker. These workers do not provide any direct care or treatment that requires a license, but can be invaluable for linking specific health and wellness services to residents of individual communities.

The legislation was recommended in the Illinois Alliance for Health Innovation Plan in January. The Alliance was a state-led group of health policy leaders, providers, insurers and stakeholders assembled by the administration of Governor Quinn. The plan recognized the important contribution community health workers make to our healthcare system and recommended the legislation to ensure these workers all meet the same standards to provide the best services to Illinois residents. The law is effective immediately.

"This new law will help people in the community by creating a path for these workers to become respected members of the healthcare team," Representative Gabel said. "Their role is critical because they help implement the patient's healthcare plan, and help patients better understand their conditions to achieve a path of good health."

"Community health workers have become an increasingly important part of our healthcare system," Senator Koehler said. "It will help both the people working in these important jobs and the public to give community health workers legal recognition and to establish training requirements."

Governor Quinn is committed to helping to ensure all people have access to quality healthcare in Illinois, especially those in underserved communities.

In May Governor Quinn announced a $14.5 million investment to build and renovate community health centers to help meet the healthcare demand in underserved communities throughout Illinois. A total of $30.5 million in funding from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program has been distributed since 2011 to community health centers. These centers fill a void by providing care for those whom other providers often do not serve, including the low income, uninsured or homeless; or those with HIV/AIDS, substance abuse problems or special medical needs.

The Governor also signed The Community Health Center Construction Act in 2009 to provide funding to repair outdated buildings, convert vacant commercial space, build new health center facilities and purchase new equipment for additional healthcare services.

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29 Jul 2014

Governor Quinn Statement on Eid al-Fitr

By Dave Blanchette

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan:

"Today, Muslims across Illinois and the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the 'festival of the breaking of the fast,' which signifies a commitment to compassion, hope and generosity.

"I was honored to host a traditional 'Iftar' meal at the Executive Mansion for Illinois' Muslim American community leaders on July 2, continuing a new tradition I was proud to start last year.

"Now, after the sacrifice and reflection of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is a time for community. This is a day to focus on service to others and a time to act generously to those in need.

"To all of those breaking the fast, 'Eid Mubarak!'"

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28 Jul 2014

Governor Quinn's Statement on the Unpatriotic Corporate Tax Inversion Loophole

By Dave Blanchette

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement in favor of legislation supported by President Barack Obama to close the corporate tax inversion loophole:

"Big corporations should not be allowed to exploit the tax code to avoid paying their fair share. Members of the House and Senate supporting closure of this loophole are right - corporations should not be allowed to shirk their own responsibilities while passing on the burden to everyday taxpayers.

"These corporations benefit from America's world-class infrastructure, education system, skilled workforce and competitive economy - not to mention U.S. customers. Yet they're looking to renounce their citizenship and shortchange America and the everyday people who helped them grow and thrive.

"I urge Congress to take swift action on the President's proposal to end this abuse and close this unpatriotic loophole. It's the right thing to do."

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