31 Oct 2014

AFL-CIO Endorses Senator Mike Jacobs

By Reena Tandon

"We can't afford to have candidates in office who don't support our values. Anderson is on record saying he favors turning Illinois into a right to work state and opposes giving public employees the right to strike- now he says he's changed his mind," -Michael Carrigan-President, Illinois AFL-CIO.

 

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) received the endorsement of the Illinois AFL-CIO in the 2014 General Election.

Jacobs is facing Republican Neil Anderson who has openly supported right to work laws in Illinois.

"We are proud to support Mike Jacobs this November. He has and continues to be a constant advocate for labor issues," said Michael Carrigan, President of Illinois AFL-CIO.

"Right-to-work" laws are designed to bust agreements between labor unions and employers. These laws would devastate our communities, cut wages and force local businesses to close their doors.

"We can't afford to have candidates in office who don't support our values. Anderson is on record saying he favors turning Illinois into a right to work state and opposes giving public employees the right to strike- now he says he's changed his mind," Carrigan said. "We can't afford to wait for the next time Neil Anderson will "change" his mind.

The Illinois AFL-CIO represents 1,500 local unions and nearly one million union women and men in Illinois.

"I'm grateful for the AFL-CIO's support this November and look forward to continuing to work with them for years to come," said Jacobs. "If we want to continue to grow as a state, we need keep working with employers and employees to find a balance to sustain economic development opportunities in our region."

Illinois AFL-CIO: The Illinois AFL-CIO represents nearly 900,000 union members and is the voice of all working families in the state. Our power lies with the many and diverse people we represent in a multitude of workplaces and in our ability to affect change.

The State Federation helps improve the lives of working men and women by promoting the rights of workers to join a union and by making sure their voices are heard at the state capitol.

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28 Oct 2014

Wescott and Jacobs host successful Senior Fair in Rock Falls

By Reena Tandon
ROCK FALLS - On Wednesday, local seniors visited the Rock Falls Community Building for a Senior Fair hosted by Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott and State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline ) with assistance from the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, the Whiteside County Health Department, Walgreens and several other state agencies, non-profit senior service providers, the fair offered vital senior services and information in one convenient location.

"I'm happy we were able to bring this program to Rock Falls. We are able to bring the state to them through senior fairs throughout the district. It's like a one-stop-shop, said Jacobs. "I'm grateful to all the local organizations who donated their time and resources and look forward to meeting with more people in Rock Island."

Jacobs has hosted free senior resource fairs throughout the district in Fulton, East Moline and Sterling. An additional senior resource fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 28 at St. Anthony's Nursing and Rehab Center (767 30th St., Rock Island).

For more information visit- www.SenatorMikeJacobs.com or call 309-797-0001.
22 Sep 2014

Chamber and Jacobs host successful workshop for local businesses

By Reena Tandon

STERLING- In partnership with the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) hosted a workshop for local businesses.

"We appreciate the Senator's efforts to help bring state officials to the Sauk Valley to meet with employers one-on-one to discuss unemployment insurance issues," said Executive Director Kim Ewoldsen. "The Illinois Department of Employment Security has been a good partner to the Chamber and we work hard to provide our members with programs like this they can directly benefit from."

With instruction from IDES, local business people learned about available tax credits, the Illinois labor market and how best to navigate the unemployment insurance system.  The workshop also included role play activities based on actual cases and unemployment hearings.

"As we look for economic development opportunities, we need to build and strengthen our partnerships with local businesses," said Jacobs. "I'm happy we were able to provide local businesses with information on resources to hire new employees and in the process save money."

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19 Sep 2014

Jacobs announces district wide food and fund drive

By Reena Tandon
MOLINE- Currently, one in five children across the nation are struggling to meet their nutritional needs.  To raise awareness for Hunger Action Month, State Senator Mike Jacobs is hosting a district wide food and fund drive to benefit the Riverbend Foodbank September 15 through September 30.  

"I wanted to take an opportunity to raise awareness on this extremely important issue," said Jacobs.  "Children coming to school hungry are placed at an unfair disadvantage. If we want to continue to grow as a region, it's important for us to remember hunger isn't a seasonal issue but a yearlong battle for many."

Jacobs recognizes Riverbend Foodbank's need for donations does not end with the holiday season. Local food and fund drives are the key sources of food and funding in their effort to alleviate hunger in our community. To make a monetary donation visit www.riverbendfoodbank.org/donate.htm

 

Who: State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline)

 

What: State Senator Mike Jacobs is hosting a district wide food and fund drive to benefit the Riverbend Foodbank.

 

When: Starting, Monday, September 15 through Tuesday, September 30

 

At the following locations:

Senator Mike Jacobs' Moline District Office:

606 19th Street, Moline, IL 61265

Drop off hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

 

Representative Pat Verschoore's Office:

1504 3rd Ave., 2nd Floor, County Office Bldg, Rock Island, IL 61201

Drop off hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.)

 

Mayor Skip Lee, Sterling City Hall:

212 3rd Ave., Sterling, IL 61081

Drop off hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Fire Chief John Swan, Colona Fire Department

401 1st St, Colona, IL 61241

Drop off hours: September 15 and September 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

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12 Sep 2014

Jacobs announces Thomson Prison Job Fairs

By Reena Tandon

THOMSON- After State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) passed legislation last year to secure the transfer of the Thomson Prison to the Federal Government's Bureau of Prisons, it recently announced the agency's first phase of hiring 300 employees.

Next week, the Federal Bureau of Prisons will host three opportunities for area residents to participate in hiring events at AUSP Thomson. After the initial hiring, the agency will be working toward filling an additional 800 positions.

"The transfer of Thomson Prison brought in an initial $140 million to help us balance the state's budget and pay our backlog of bills.  Now with the reopening of the prison we can easily expect an additional 1,100 jobs in our region," said Jacobs. "These are good paying jobs for area residents. This is the type of economic development our region needs to continue to grow."

Last year, Jacobs worked to pass Senate Bill 30, which secured the transfer of Thomson Prison from the state to the federal government. The transfer meant the federal government could begin using the shuttered state facility.

The reopening of the Thomson Prison is estimated to generate more than $122 million annually through payroll and operating expenses. Additionally, local business sales are projected to net an additional $61 million in the area.

AUSP Thomson Job Fairs:

Location: AUSP Thomson (1100 One Mile Road, Thomson)

Date: September 16

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Date: September 17

Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Date: September 18

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on Thomson Prison job openings visit www.bop.gov/jobs

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