Lifelong Public Advocate to Help Protect Illinois Consumers; 

New Leaders Named at Illinois Schools for the Deaf and Visually Impaired

CHICAGO - February 8, 2013. Following an announcement made in his recent State of the State address, Governor Pat Quinn today appointed lifelong public advocate Miguel del Valle to the Illinois Commerce Commission. The governor also announced the appointment of Janice Smith-Warshaw as superintendent of the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) and Serena Preston as superintendent of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI). Today's appointments continue the governor's commitment to making state government more accountable, transparent and effective.

"Miguel del Valle has devoted his life to serving others across Illinois, and he will be a strong voice for consumers on the Illinois Commerce Commission," Governor Pat Quinn said. "The extensive experience Janice Smith-Warshaw and Serena Preston will bring to two of our most important schools will help ensure students at ISD and ISVI achieve their full potential."

Miguel del Valle previously served one term as City Clerk of Chicago and was the first Hispanic elected to the Illinois State Senate, where he represented his constituents for 20 years and held chairmanships of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and the Senate Executive committee. He is the co-founder of the Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees and the Illinois Latino Advisory Council on Higher Education. Because of his work to improve education for all Illinois students, he was appointed by Governor Quinn to chair the Illinois P-20 Council in 2009. He holds a Master's degree in Education and Guidance from Northeastern University.

Janice Smith-Warshaw will become the first deaf superintendent of ISD since the school opened in 1839. She has served at the California School for the Deaf, Riverside since 2000, where she has risen from elementary teacher to principal and now as curriculum supervisor for the school, which serves students ages three to 21. She has also taught at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington D.C. and the Delaware School for the Deaf. She holds a Master's Degree in Deaf Education from McDaniel College and is a doctoral candidate in Leadership for Educational Justice at the University of Redlands.

Serena Preston, of Jacksonville, Illinois, has served as Acting Superintendent of ISVI since February, 2012, where she has overseen all school operations and been a strong voice for improving education for students with special needs. During the past 16 years, she has worked as ISVI as a vocational principal, behavior specialist and high school math teacher. She holds a Master's Degree in Special Education from Illinois State University and a Bachelor's degree in Learning Disability's and Social Emotional Disorders from MacMurray College in Jacksonville. She is an extensively licensed Illinois educator and is an active member of the community, serving as superintendent of the 4-H county fair show for 22 years, as well as vice chair of the Jacksonville Area Transition Planning Council.

For more information about Illinois' boards and commissions or to apply for a position, visit appointments.illinois.gov.    

Law Will Allow All Motorists to Be Properly Licensed and Insured

CHICAGO - January 27, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by legislators, community leaders and public safety advocates to sign into law a bill that will help ensure every Illinois motorist is properly licensed to drive. An estimated 250,000 immigrant motorists are on Illinois roads today, and these unlicensed drivers present a serious, but preventable safety risk to all Illinois drivers. Governor Quinn was an early supporter of this key legislation, which is part of his agenda to improve traffic safety in Illinois and lead the nation in welcoming and including our immigrant population.

"Driving means taking responsibility for your safety and the safety of others on the road," Governor Quinn said. "Despite the stalemate on immigration reform in Washington D.C., Illinois is moving forward. This common sense law will help everybody, regardless of their background, learn the rules of the road, pass a driving test and get insurance. As a result, our roads will be safer, we will create more access to job opportunities and our economic growth will be strengthened."

Senate Bill 957, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago), allows the Secretary of State to issue temporary driver's licenses to applicants who have resided in Illinois for more than a year but who are not eligible for a social security number. In order to receive a temporary license, an applicant must pass a driving safety test and carry auto insurance. The driver's license cannot be used as official identification and can be revoked if a license-holder is found not carrying insurance.

"I congratulate the communities, organizations and the legislators who joined this strong coalition for highway safety. I want to thank Governor Quinn for signing this bill to make our roads safer by ensuring that all drivers are trained, tested and insured," said President Cullerton, the chief Senate sponsor of the bill.

"This legislation is long overdue and is a step towards making our roads safer and providing insurance to all drivers," Rep. Acevedo said.

According to the Illinois Highway Safety Coalition, unlicensed, uninsured drivers are involved in almost 80,000 accidents in Illinois each year, resulting in $660 million in damage. Unlicensed immigrant drivers cost $64 million in damage claims alone. If half of the estimated 250,000 unlicensed immigrants are properly licensed and insured, Illinois insurance policy holders would save an estimated $46 million a year in premiums. Nationwide, unlicensed motorists are five times likelier to be involved in a fatal crash than licensed drivers.

"Now that this legislation has passed the General Assembly and Governor Quinn has signed it into law, it is my office's responsibility to implement it in a way that improves road safety and underscores the importance of license integrity and security," Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said. "At its core, this law will make the roads safer for everyone.  I want to reassure the public that my office will implement this law, in approximately 10 months, thoughtfully, efficiently and effectively. We will ensure that the TVDL is a safe and secure document. This law will improve road safety and will guarantee that more drivers will purchase and maintain auto insurance."

"Today is a proud day for our immigrant community, who have been fighting for driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants for the last 13 years," ICIRR's CEO Lawrence Benito said. "The signing of today's law sends a clear signal - our country is ready to unite in a bipartisan manner to pass a humane immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship."

Studies have shown immigrants who can drive legally are more likely to work, spend and contribute to the economy. Having a driver's license provides greater access to job opportunities and drives business activity and growth. This legislation passed the General Assembly with strong bipartisan majorities and the support of minority leadership in both chambers.

"As Congress continues to debate immigration policy and reform, today in Illinois we take a monumental step to recognize the needs of many hard-working immigrants already living here and contributing so much to our great state," said House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego). "This new law provides Illinois residents the ability to go to work, take their kids to school or the doctor. It will also make the roads safer for all residents. We must continue to work together to unite around common principles and ways to help keep families together."

"We have been placed in this situation due to the inaction of the federal government," said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). "We can be proud of our work together to step up and address the issue here in Illinois. It is the right time for this important public safety issue to move forward."

"Individuals who are already driving to work, school and worship services will be able to do so without fear of unnecessary and costly incarceration," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. "Requiring all drivers, regardless of their immigration status, to be trained, tested, licensed and insured will make our roads safer and ease the burden on Cook County courts and the jail. I commend Governor Quinn and leaders in the General Assembly for ushering through this common sense legislation."

"Today we are setting a model for the country on bipartisan cooperation on immigration and I am proud to be a part of the signing of this bill that will allow every resident, regardless of legal status, to enjoy the rights and responsibilities that come with a driver's license," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "We have taken an important step to do what is right and sensible for immigrants in the state of Illinois. I commend the sponsors - Senate President John Cullerton,  House Assistant Majority Leader Edward Acevedo - as well as the other Legislative Leaders for working together in a bipartisan fashion to get this done, and Secretary of State Jesse White for his leaderships ensuring all Illinois drivers, including undocumented drivers, get trained, licensed and insured."

To ensure adequate time for responsible implementation, Senate Bill 957 goes into effect 10 months from today. For more information about the law and a list of lawmakers, faith, labor and community groups who support it, visit www.HighwaySafetyCoalition.org.

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Reminds Public It's Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot

CHICAGO - January 14, 2013. With Illinois and the nation facing a severe flu season and hospitals treating a surge of patients, Governor Pat Quinn and public health officials today urged the public to obtain a vaccination shot, the best protection against the seasonal flu.

"We are facing a very serious flu season both in Illinois and across the country," Governor Quinn said. "We want everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their families, friends and co-workers. We know that more than 60 percent of the public fails to take the important step of getting a flu shot. If you have not had a flu shot this season, now's the time."

The Governor also reminded Illinois residents that hygiene is also essential to fighting the flu. By washing your hands frequently and covering up when you cough, you can help protect yourself and those around you. And, when you do catch the flu, stay home and let it run its course.

Illinois is one of 24 states that are now reporting higher than normal flu activity this season. The number of flu-related intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalizations so far this year is 368, with 27 flu-related ICU deaths.  The majority of hospitalizations and deaths are of people in their 50s and older. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) expects to see an increase in the number of hospitalizations and deaths as more health care providers report cases from previous weeks as well as current cases.

Public health officials note that the flu season imposes a financial cost each year across the nation. CDC projects the total economic burden of each flu season to be $87.1 billion - which includes direct medical costs of $10.4 billion and lost income due to illness or death estimated at $16.3 billion each year. While hospitalization costs are important contributors, lost productivity from missed work days and lost lives comprise the bulk of the economic burden of influenza.

"We are definitely experiencing a severe flu season," said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "However, we have seen severe flu seasons before. IDPH and health care professionals around the state are doing everything in our power to raise awareness and reduce the number of people who become ill.

The strain of flu that is predominately circulating in Illinois and the country has historically been a more severe strain causing more hospitalizations and deaths.

Common symptoms of flu include sore throat, high fever, cough, body aches and fatigue. The IDPH recommends contacting a health professional before going to an emergency department if you are experiencing flu symptoms. The majority of people suffering from the flu simply need to stay home, rest, use over-the-counter remedies as needed and let the flu run its course. Several hospital emergency departments have recently had to refer patients with such symptoms to other hospitals as they were at capacity. Typically, only people with severe respiratory illness who have trouble breathing need to visit a hospital emergency department.

For those who still need to obtain a flu shot, you can visit www.idph.state.il.us and enter your zip code in the Flu Vaccine Finder. Although flu vaccine is still widely available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that some doctors' offices and pharmacies are facing shortages. Be sure to call ahead before going to get a vaccination.  Currently manufacturers project producing 135 million doses of flu vaccine this season. At this time, the CDC is indicating there are no known issues with the production of antivirals, such as Tamiflu. However, some areas across the country may experience a shortage because of high demand and pharmacies reordering at the same time.

The vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. The flu season normally runs through March and sometimes later. The estimated effectiveness of the vaccine is 62 percent. If you have been vaccinated, but still get the flu, the vaccine can reduce the amount of time you're sick and the severity of symptoms. By getting vaccinated, you can also help protect infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases who are at greatest risk for complications due to the flu.

For more information about the seasonal flu shot, visit www.idph.state.il.us/flu/, www.flu.gov, or www.walgreens.com/flu.

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Events Celebrate 2.4 Million Returning Veterans Since 9/11, Boost Efforts to Support Servicemembers Transitioning to Civilian Life

CHICAGO - December 14, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined with Erica Borggren, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, and Illinois servicemembers to celebrate Chicago Welcome Home the Heroes Weekend, which will mark the one-year anniversary of the end of combat operations in Iraq. The two-day event will honor the 2.4 million Veterans who have served in the military since September 11th, 2001 and raise awareness of programs designed to help them successfully transition to civilian life. Governor Quinn has fought to improve life for Illinois Veterans throughout his career with a variety of initiatives.

"These brave men and women have sacrificed greatly to preserve our freedom," Governor Quinn said. "Now that they're back on American soil after honorably serving our country, it's our duty to give them the support they need to successfully transition into civilian life."

The two days of events begin with the Reading of the Fallen Ceremony at 9:11 a.m. in the plaza outside the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, where volunteers read the names of the more than 6,600 servicemen and women who lost their lives protecting our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. This ceremony is dedicated to Gold Star families who have lost their sons or daughters in combat.

On Saturday, the Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes parade will honor the entire military community and will be followed by a Veterans Resources Reception at the Chicago Cultural Center.

"This weekend's homecoming celebration and recognition of our fallen is an important thanks to those who have served since 9/11," Director Borggren said. "It is also a reminder and part of Illinois' much broader, everyday commitment to serving those who have served as they transition home and encounter challenges related to Post Traumatic Stress, employment, housing, and education."

As part of this special weekend, Governor Quinn is also reminding Illinois Veterans that a new statewide, public-private partnership has been launched to improve support for servicemembers, Veterans and their families. Illinois Joining Forces seeks to increase collaboration and communication among not-for-profit organizations and public agencies serving Veterans at the local, state and federal levels.

Through IJF, participating organizations work together to address gaps in services in job training and placement, healthcare, education and housing, actively refer Veterans and service members in need of assistance, and offer better navigation of available resources and service to the public. For more information, visit www.IllinoisJoiningForces.org.

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 and helped enact the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund Act, which established 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 expenses they struggle to afford because a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.

To learn more about Chicago Welcome Home Heroes and other ways you can support our Veterans, visit www.chicagowelcomeshometheheroes.org and www.OperationHomefront.org.