"Portrait of a Soldier" Memorial Exhibit on Display at Illinois Tollway Oases Through Independence Day

 

HINSDALE - May 27, 2012.  To commemorate Memorial Day, Governor Pat Quinn today joined officials from the Illinois Tollway to unveil the "Portrait of a Soldier" memorial exhibit at the Hinsdale Oasis and announce the summer exhibit schedule at multiple Tollway Oases in Northern Illinois. Currently, the exhibit features a series of hand-drawn portraits of 288 of the 300 Illinois men and women who have fallen in service to our country since September 11, 2001.

 

"With 'Portrait of a Soldier,' we pay a special tribute to our state's brave servicemembers who gave their lives to protect our freedom," Governor Quinn said.  "From Memorial Day to Independence Day, visitors to Illinois Tollway Oases will have the opportunity to view the faces and read the names of our state's true heroes who remain in our hearts every day."

 

The exhibit, on display at the Hinsdale Oasis Friday, May 25 through Sunday, June 3, will then travel to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis through Sunday, June 10. The exhibit will also be on display at the Des Plaines, DeKalb, Belvidere and Lake Forest Oases, ending shortly after July 4.

 

"We are honored to display the portraits of Illinois' remarkable men and women whose bravery serves as an inspiration to us all," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.  "We invite Tollway customers to see this poignant exhibit and join us in commemorating the lives - the sacrifice - of our servicemembers."

 

Governor Quinn founded the "Portrait of a Soldier" memorial exhibit to honor fallen servicemembers in 2004, when artist Cameron Schilling of Mattoon drew the first portrait of Army Spc. Charles Neeley, also of Mattoon, after he was killed in Iraq.  In October 2005, while a student at Eastern Illinois University, Schilling committed to drawing a portrait of every Illinois servicemember who has fallen during the Global War on Terror.

 

"Memorial Day is a great opportunity to reflect on and express thanks for the sacrifice that thousands upon thousands of military men and women have made in serving our country," said Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Borggren. "This sacred day also reminds us of our shared obligation to honor and remember our fallen heroes and their families."

 

Governor Quinn has long made commitment to veterans' affairs, servicemembers and their families one of his top priorities throughout his career in public service.  He has led programs including the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program and the Veterans Cash lottery ticket, which has awarded more than $10 million to non-profit organizations across the state that provide health care and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, housing assistance, disability benefits and other services to Illinois Veterans.

 

As Lieutenant Governor, Governor Quinn championed the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund Act, establishing a fund to provide grants to families of Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who were called to active duty as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These grants help service members and their families with the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services and other expense they struggle to afford because a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.

 

Governor Quinn launched "Operation Home Front" while he was Illinois State Treasurer to give National Guard members and reservists a tool informing them about their rights during the Gulf War. Today, the Governor has expanded Operation Home Front to be a place where active servicemembers and veterans can learn about the resources available to them and their families, and a place for the public to learn about different ways they can support our troops.

Portrait of a Soldier Memorial Exhibit Schedule

 

Sunday, May 27 - Sunday, June 3                Hinsdale Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

Monday, June 4 - Sunday, June 10              Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis (South Holland), Tri-State Tollway (I-294/80)

Monday, June 11 - Sunday, June 17            Des Plaines Oasis, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

Monday, June 18 - Sunday, June 24            DeKalb Oasis, Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)

Monday, June 25 - Sunday, July 1                Belvidere Oasis, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

Monday, July 2 - Sunday, July 8                    Lake Forest Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-94)

 

NOTE: Beginning June 4 -- the exhibit will open at noon on Mondays at each oasis, and for the rest of the week during the dates listed above, will remain open 24/7.

For more information on the "Portrait of A Soldier" exhibit or to view the portraits online, please visit www.OperationHomefront.org.

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).  More than 1.4 million vehicles use the Tollway system every day.

SPRINGFIELD - May 23, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding United States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's announcement that he will step down.

"I thank Patrick Fitzgerald for all the hard work he and the U.S. Attorney's office have done to root out and prosecute corruption in Illinois."

"He has made Illinois a more ethical state by bringing justice to those who betrayed the public's trust.

"On behalf of the people of Illinois, I hope his successor will live up to the high standard he has set for all public officials."

 

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Governor to Meet with World Leaders During NATO;

Summit will Increase Illinois' Trade and Export Opportunities

 

CHICAGO - May 18, 2012. Just before the start of the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois exports rose more than 17 percent in the first quarter of 2012 to its highest point in more than a decade. The announcement also follows the successful reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, backed by Governor Quinn, to finance exports for hundreds of Illinois companies. These developments keep the state on track to meet the Governor's aggressive goal of doubling exports by 2014.

 

During the NATO Summit, Governor Quinn will also meet with world leaders to bolster trade relations for Illinois.

 

"We want to welcome the world to Illinois and continue to make more of our goods and services available around the globe," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois' long-term economic growth depends on our ability to compete in the global economy. These latest export numbers prove that our work to create jobs and grow our economy is paying off."

 

Illinois continues to rank first in the Midwest for exports and foreign direct investment and was the sixth largest U.S. exporting state in 2011.

 

During the 2012 NATO summit, Governor Quinn will work to increase trade opportunities with visiting nations and meet with several heads of state to bolster Illinois' international relations. Expanding global trade partnerships is critical to Illinois' continued economic growth. In the first quarter of 2012, Illinois exports grew to $17.2 billion - up from $14.7 billion in the same time period last year - representing the state's highest quarterly export figure in more than a decade. A rise in sales of industrial machinery, petroleum and coal products, autos and auto parts, and chemicals fueled the gains. Additionally, emerging markets, including China and Brazil, purchased Illinois products to construct roads and factories.

 

"Exports are a key growth engine for the state. We are focused on making sure Illinois competes with the world by developing long-term strategies to target emerging markets and new business opportunities," Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Acting Director David Vaught said. "Illinois is well positioned to take advantage of the national rise in exports as our state has the airports, major train lines and interstate highways to make it easy to move goods from factories to international markets."

 

In 2011, Governor Quinn announced an aggressive plan to double Illinois exports by the end of 2014. To help reach that goal, the Governor established the Illinois Export Advisory Council earlier this year. The Council, chaired by Navistar Chairman and CEO Daniel C. Ustian, is working to increase exports by providing recommendations on the state and federal policies and programs. The Council consists of 21 top Illinois CEOs and private sector leaders that drive international trade for Illinois.

 

Governor Quinn also applauded recent Congressional action to reauthorize funding for the U.S. Export-Import Bank and raise the limit on the bank's loan portfolio. In recent months, the Governor and the Export Advisory Council have urged Congress to pass a four-year reauthorization of funding for the bank, which has financed exports since the Depression. Without Congressional action, the bank faced the possibility of shutting down by the end of this month when its legal authorization was set to expire. Over the past five years, the Export-Import bank has assisted more than 280 Illinois companies, 67 percent of which are the small- and medium-sized businesses that are crucial to Illinois' economic growth.

 

The NATO Summit is expected to provide an additional economic boost as visitors and leaders from around the world visit and patronize Chicago businesses. The European Union is one of Illinois' key trading partners. European companies' investments in Illinois are the largest from any region in the world, with countries such as the U.K., Germany and France serving as top investors. Countries within the European Union have 723 firms with 3,476 locations in Illinois, employing more than 183,137 Illinoisans. Some of those companies include Siemans Industry, T-Mobile USA, Deutsch Bank, Philips Electronics, Chrysler-FIAT SPA and Volvo Group of North America.

 

Governor Quinn is committed to showcasing Illinois on the world stage and recruiting new business to our state. The Governor recently traveled to Washington D.C. where he met with Brazil President Rousseff and nine governors from Brazil to focus on trade relations. The Governor will also lead a trade mission to Brazil later this year.

 

In March, Governor Quinn traveled to Belgium on an economic trade mission where he met with key business and economic leaders from countries within the European Union, which has resulted in a global corporate headquarters' move to Illinois. Also in March, Governor Quinn attended the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) trade show, which is the leading foodservices and hospitality event in Canada, to promote Illinois' foodservices industry, as well as tourism and life sciences industries. The Governor led a trade mission to China last fall that resulted in $370 million in new business agreements for Illinois-based companies.

 

Illinois unemployment rate dropped to 8.7 percent, marking eight consecutive months of falling unemployment and the lowest rate in three years. Over the last three months, Illinois has averaged approximately 6,300 new jobs each month. Illinois' job picture shows a growing economy, in part because of rising exports.

 

Export figures are based on U.S. Census Bureau data provided by the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research, an international trade data center. More information about Illinois trade and business opportunities can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website at www.illinoisbiz.biz.

 

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Opening Ceremonies Bring More than 3,000 Athletes to Soldier Field

CHICAGO - May 8, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today welcomed Special Olympics Spring Games athletes to Solider Field, the birthplace of the Special Olympics. The opening ceremonies will kick off three days of track and field events for more than 3,000 athletes. At the event, Governor Quinn emphasized his commitment to improve life for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Illinois and protect special education by repairing the pension and Medicaid systems this year.

"We are so proud of our Special Olympics athletes, who have helped make America a better country with their competitive spirit and talents," Governor Quinn said. "All people should feel they can reach their potential in Illinois. That's why we will continue to increase community care options for people with disabilities and we will take the necessary steps to protect funding for special education."

Governor Quinn recently proposed bold plans to stabilize Illinois' pension and Medicaid systems to preserve funding for programs such as special education. After decades of fiscal mismanagement, the Governor's plans protect special education by repairing the pension and Medicaid systems this year by making the two programs sustainable - alleviating pressures on other areas of the budget, such as education and public safety.

Last month, the Governor received the Arc of Illinois 2012 President's Award for his leadership to improve life for people with developmental disabilities by rebalancing Illinois' approach to providing care. In November, Governor Quinn announced his commitment 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. Community-based care has been proven to empower people with developmental disabilities to lead more active, dynamic lives.

The rebalancing initiative calls for a "person-centered approach," meaning individuals and their families will be a significant part of designing the program that best fits their needs and desires. Working with parents and guardians, individuals will be evaluated to determine their needs, desires and the best community care setting. As a result of the governor's rebalancing initiative, people with developmental disabilities are in the process of transitioning into community settings over the next two years.

The first Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field on July 20, 1968, with 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competing in aquatics and athletics. The city of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and the Eunice and the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation launched the now-renowned program 44 years ago. More than 5,000 registered Special Olympics athletes live in the city of Chicago and there are more than 20,000 athletes in Illinois. Special Olympics training and competition programs are offered in more than 180 countries with more than 3.7 million athletes.

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