Lt. Governor backs findings and recommendations of education committee

CARBONDALE - Feb. 3, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today issued the following statement supporting education funding reform recommendations released by Sen. Andy Manar's (D-Bunker Hill) Education Funding Advisory Committee (EFAC).

"These recommendations could lead to one of the most important pieces of legislation the General Assembly will see this year. We have the potential to right the wrongs in our education funding formula and direct funding toward the students who need it most, no matter where they live.

"By creating a single funding formula, increasing transparency about how school funds are being spent, and prioritizing resources, we can take important steps toward a sustainable and equitable education system.

"I appreciate the efforts of Sen. Manar and this committee and look forward to working with legislators and the governor to pass these important changes."

Simon serves as the state's point person on education reform. In this capacity, Simon is working to increase the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees or certificates to 60 percent by 2025. As chair of the 25-member Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Simon is also working to improve the delivery of state services and education opportunities to rural Illinois. A copy of the final EFAC report can be found here.

MOLINE, Ill. (February 3, 2014) - - Quad City Mallards goaltender Thomas Heemskerk has joined the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Heat on a professional tryout agreement, the Mallards announced today.

Heemskerk, 23, leads the Central Hockey League in goals against average (2.36) and save percentage (.923) and is tied for third in shutouts (2).  The 6' 0", 210-pound Chilliwack, British Columbia native has suffered just one regulation loss this season, going 10-1-4 in 15 games.  Heemskerk is unbeaten in regulation in his last six games, a stretch during which he has posted a 5-0-1 record, a 1.48 goals against average, a .947 save percentage and two shutouts.

This is Heemskerk's fourth AHL call-up this season.  The third year netminder returned to the Mallards a week ago after 12 days with the Worcester Sharks during which he did not see any gave action.  He joined the Iowa Wild for a pair of stints as a back-up earlier in the campaign.

Heemskerk played for Worcester each of the last two seasons.  Over two games last year with the San Jose Sharks' top affiliate, Heemskerk turned aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced in 67 minutes, turning in a 1.79 goals against average and a .931 save percentage.  In four games with Worcester in 2011-12, he went 0-1-0 with a 2.14 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Heemskerk spent the bulk of his first two campaigns in the ECHL.  Last year he went 14-17-3 with a 3.10 goals against average and a .906 save percentage in 38 games with the San Francisco Bulls.  Heemskerk began his professional career in 2011-12 with the ECHL's Stockton Thunder, for whom he posted a record of 13-12-0 along with a 3.27 goals against average and a .893 save percentage in 25 games.

Heemskerk turned pro after four years in the major junior Western Hockey League. In his final WHL season, he finished second in the league in minutes (3,841), third in saves (2041) and fifth in wins (36) while recording a 2.94 goals against average, a .908 save percentage and a pair of shutouts in 65 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The 2010-11 season was the second straight campaign during which Heemskerk landed among the league leaders. In 2009-10, while tending goal for the Everett Silvertips, he topped the Western League in save percentage (.927), finished third in goals against average (2.34) and was tied for seventh in shutouts (4) while going 24-12-4 in 42 games. Heemskerk's efforts helped the Silvertips earn a share of the United States Division title. Heemskerk joined Everett midway through the 2008-09 season after spending his first year and a half in the WHL with the Kootenay Ice.

The Mallards next play at home Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Allen Americans.  That game is a Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's.  If the Mallards win Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the Mallards' next Wednesday home game courtesy of T.G.I. Friday's.  After the game fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's in Moline for a postgame party.

Give blood and help save lives

PEORIA, Ill. (Feb. 3, 2014) ? Like a hospital emergency room, the American Red Cross must be prepared to provide blood for patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. It's the blood already on the shelves and readily available that can be lifesaving for people like Chris Salinas.

Chris was a horse trainer who was seriously injured in an accident when a horse pinned him to the pavement. He and his family said they credit the multiple blood transfusions he received with helping him recover.

Type O negative blood is especially needed right now. O negative is the universal blood type and can potentially be transfused to patients with any type. To make an appointment to donate blood and help ensure the shelves are stocked for patients in need, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Carroll County

Feb. 21 from 12-5 p.m. at Carroll County Farm Bureau, 811 S. Clay St. in Mount Carroll, Ill.

Clinton County

Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LyondellBasell, 3400 Anamosa Road in Clinton, Iowa

Henry County

Feb. 18 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kewanee Hospital, 1051 W. South St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Feb. 18 from 12-5 p.m. at Kewanee Hospital, 1051 W. South St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wethersfield High School Key Club, 439 Willard St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Black Hawk College East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Road in Galva, Ill.

Mercer County

Feb. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

Scott County

Feb. 19 from 3-7 p.m. at Davenport Central High School, 1120 W. Main St. in Davenport, Iowa

Whiteside County

Feb. 19 from 2-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Feb. 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Robert Fulton Community Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Feb. 27 from 4-7 p.m. at American Red Cross, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.®

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Red Cross is supported in part through generous financial donations from the United Way. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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From approximately April 2011 to approximately December 2012, Ye, Jian, Li, Shaoming, Lin, Yong, Wang, Hongwei, and Wang, Lei allegedly conspired to steal the intellectual property of several United States-based seed manufacturing companies and transport the intellectual property to the People's Republic of China.  These individuals have been charged with conspiracy to steal trade secrets and federal warrants have been issued for their arrest in the United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa.

This information was shared on our Twitter account.  To follow us on Twitter, please visit @USAO_SDIA