09 Dec 2015

Stefanini Hosts Facility Tour for Local High School Students

By Carla Ferber

Students from Moline High School received an inside look at Stefanini's Davenport facility and learned about how Stefanini helps its customers achieve its business goals

Davenport, IA December, 2015  - Stefanini ? recognized by IAOP as a Global Top Outsourcing Company, and a $1B global provider of IT outsourcing, applications management & consulting, and strategic staffing services, hosted a tour of its Davenport facility for 14 students from Moline High School. Students from Moline High school, one of the top schools in the region, toured Stefanini's facility in Davenport, IA on December 1st to see a "real" service desk in action, learn about a mature IT service organization, and gain insight into a career in IT.

During the outing, Stefanini representatives from each program provided an overview of their day-to-day regimen and educated students on the various career opportunities in the IT field. "Along with serving as an inside look at a mature IT service organization, the tour touched upon what skills recruiters look for when hiring IT resources and informed students of key topics regarding the IT industry such as the difference between insourcing vs. outsourcing," said Sean Nelson, Global Program Executive of Stefanini's Davenport facility.

The Moline High School students provide help desk services for their school as part of their Student Technology Integration class. On the Moline High School Help Desk website, students and teachers are given the option to open a ticket to request assistance for issues relating to hardware repair, WiFi, and log-in information. To obtain a position as a part of Moline's help desk staff, students must first go through an interview process and are expected to be knowledgeable in various operating systems.

The tour was an excellent opportunity for Stefanini to engage with the neighboring community of Moline and recruit qualified candidates from the area once they have graduated from school.

About Stefanini

Stefanini is a global IT outsourcing services company with locations in 35 countries across the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Since 1987, Stefanini has been providing onshore, nearshore and offshore IT services, including application development services, IT infrastructure outsourcing (help desk support and desktop services), systems integration, consulting, and strategic staffing to Fortune 1000 enterprises around the world. Clients benefit from Stefanini's financial stability, sustained year-over-year growth, and zero net debt. The corporate global headquarters is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil with European headquarters in Brussels and North American headquarters in metropolitan Detroit. Further information is available at the company's website, www.stefanini.com.
09 Dec 2015

St. James Living Nativity Dec. 19-20

By Sharon Wren

St. James Lutheran Church's "Living Nativity" takes place in the church parking lot on Saturday, December 19 from 5-7 p.m. and Sunday, December 20 from 4-6 p.m. St. James is located at 1705 Oak Street in Bettendorf, just up the hill from K&K Hardware. Please enter from Oak Street.

Congregation members will present the Christmas Story every 30 minutes, featuring live animals, and carolers will sing seasonal music. The public can walk through the parking lot to view the Nativity. Nonperishable donations for the St. James Food Pantry and winter clothing for the St. James Clothes Closet will be collected. A soup supper will be served in the church fellowship hall from 6-7 p.m. on Sunday, December 20.

For more information, call St. James at 355-4161, visit our webpage at stjamesbett.com or our Facebook page by searching for "St. James Bettendorf".
09 Dec 2015

IRS private debt collection contracts re-instated

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the re-instatement of private firms to collect tax debt for the IRS.  The provision was enacted as part of the five-year highway bill given final congressional approval and signed into law late last week.  The provision takes effect immediately and requires the IRS to enter into qualified tax collection contracts within three months.  The official revenue estimate from the non-partisan congressional Joint Committee on Taxation on the new provision is available here.

"The IRS allowed politics to trump its responsibility to collect unpaid taxes when it decided to prematurely discontinue the private debt collection program in 2009.  As we know from an estimate by the Joint Committee on Taxation, this meant leaving billions of dollars in uncollected taxes on the table.  This provision requires the IRS to once again use private contractors to collect overdue taxes that the IRS isn't attempting to collect.  These are taxes that are owed and not in dispute.   This provision provides the IRS with a tool to pursue these unpaid taxes while respecting taxpayer privacy and rights.  The IRS should implement this program without delay."
09 Dec 2015

Celebrate the Season With Chordbusters This Friday

By Meredith Dennis

For the third year in a row the Davenport Chordbusters will hold a concert to celebrate the season and benefit Churches United of the Quad City Area.  Come out December 11th to Heritage Church in Rock Island to "Celebrate the Holidays."  Everyone is welcome and admission is by free will donation.

"We are excited that once again Chordbusters are offering this opportunity, not only for the community to see a great holiday show, but also for Churches United to benefit," said Anne Wachal, executive director for Churches United.  "The holiday season is a time of giving and receiving and we think this is a great example of that."

The show starts at 7:00pm on Friday, December 11, 2015.  It will be held at Heritage Church, located at 4801 44th Street, Rock Island, and will feature special guests Bend of the River Chorus, Hersong, RiverBend Bronze, Crimson River, The Schraders, Jonathan Turner, QC Music Guild Youth Chorus and Laila Haley.

Churches United is a non-profit organization in the Quad Cities that serves the community through various ministries: including 26 food pantries, 3 hot meal sites, Winnie's Place, a shelter for women and children who are homeless or victims of domestic violence, and Winnie's Wishes, the resale shop which proceeds directly benefit Winnie's Place.  All money raised from the concert goes directly to help Churches United's Hunger Ministries.


For more information about the Chordbusters' show or about any other Churches United Events, contact Meredith Dennis, mdennis@cuqca.org or 563-676-9472.

09 Dec 2015

Students earn Promise Scholarship for Iowans from Cornell College

By Jamie Kelly

MOUNT VERNON, IA (12/08/2015)-- The following area students have been admitted to Cornell College for the Fall 2016 semester and earned the Promise Scholarship for Iowans.

Claire Campbell of De Witt (52742)

Josh Janes of Davenport (52803)

Amber Jerson of Bettendorf (52722)

Cornell College offers qualified Iowa high school students entering Cornell in Fall 2016 the Promise Scholarship for Iowans, worth at least $20,000 per student. The scholarship is renewable for four years, bringing the total value to at least $80,000.

In addition to the grant, Iowa students may qualify for up to $5,000 annually from the state's Iowa Tuition Grant to attend an Iowa private college. Cornell College is using the scholarship to support homegrown talent in the state of Iowa. Cornell's student body currently represents 45 states and 18 foreign countries, with 17 percent from Iowa.

Cornell is nationally recognized for its value, including by Kiplinger's, which included Cornell on its list of the 100 best values in private colleges for 2015, and the Fiske Guide to Colleges, which named Cornell College one of the 24 "Best Buys" among private colleges. Cornell is also one the "Colleges that Change Lives," a select group of schools recognized for their academic quality and the exceptional opportunities they offer.

For more information, visit www.cornellcollege.edu.

09 Dec 2015

Iowan testifying before Senate Judiciary Subcommittee

By Grassley Press
Iowan J. Wilson, representing the Iowa Brewers Guild, will testify before the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee this morning.  The hearing is entitled, "Ensuring Competition Remains on Tap: the AB InBev/SABMiller Merger and the State of Competition in the Beer Industry."  The hearing starts at 9 a.m. (CT), and can be seen LIVE at judiciary.senate.gov.

Here is Grassley's introduction.

Thank you for allowing me to introduce J. Wilson who is a constituent from my state.  Mr. Wilson has come all the way from Prescott, Iowa, to testify before us today.  He represents the Iowa Brewers Guild, which is an organization representing the interests of the Iowa craft brewing industry.  Mr. Wilson is a certified beer judge and an award-winning homebrewer.  He's a published author, and a freelance writer for several print and online publications.  I appreciate the Chairman inviting Mr. Wilson so he can give a small business perspective on the possible impacts of this proposed acquisition on the marketplace and, ultimately, on American consumers.

09 Dec 2015

SANTA'S HELPERS DONATE $8,650.10 TO LOCAL FAMILIES

By Rick Martin

QUAD CITIES, IA -Jaycees of the Quad Cities, a young professionals service organization shopped for a cause on Tuesday, December 2 in honor of Giving Tuesday. $8,000 was invested in nearly 100 local individuals, families, teens, seniors, and organizations.

Proceeds from the Jaycees events support this annual effort. This year was one of the largest yet.

More than 30 members assisted these great local agencies including Family Resources, Humility of Mary Housing, Center for Active Seniors and Winne's Place. These agencies were chosen based on their mission to support at-risk populations including teens, seniors and youth.

"Community needs are great but this year in particular Illinois based agencies are being hit hard with the budget impasse," said Jennifer Kincaid, President.

About Jaycees of the Quad Cities: Jaycees aim to build personal and professional relationships by working together on projects to strengthen and grow the Quad-Cities community. The Quad Cities Chapter is one of the oldest chapters in the state of Iowa and has grown to include young professionals from both sides of the Mississippi River. They pride themselves on blending social opportunities with service - like planning the annual Bridal Expo and the Brew Ha Ha that raise funds for charitable initiatives.

Individuals and groups interested in volunteering with Jaycees of the Quad Cities should contact info@jayceesqc.org or call (563) 484-0041.

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09 Dec 2015

MUNGER TO PRIORITIZE PAYMENTS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

By Rich Carter
MUNGER: LEGISLATION CLEARS WAY FOR SWIFT PAYMENT PROCESSING
Comptroller to expedite payments for domestic violence shelters
CHICAGO - Illinois Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger on Monday said legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor will allow her office to swiftly process payments for local governments, 911 emergency phone services, Lottery winners and domestic violence shelters.
Approved by the House last week, SB2039 unanimously passed the Senate Monday, and was signed by Governor Bruce Rauner.
"I have directed our staff to process payments for domestic violence shelters, local governments, 911 services and Lottery winners as soon we receive the necessary vouchers," Munger said. "Domestic violence shelters have entered their sixth month without payments and are turning away women and children. Local governments also provide critical services to our families and communities. I am committed to ensuring these organizations and local governments are paid promptly so they can avoid further hardship."
Munger noted that payments for local governments, 911 services, and the Lottery can be made swiftly because the necessary dollars are set aside in independent state funds dedicated to those purposes. However, domestic violence shelter payments come from the state's General Revenue Fund, which currently has a nearly $7 billion bill backlog. To provide relief to those social service organizations, Munger has directed that domestic violence shelter payments be prioritized and paid upon receipt of a voucher from a state agency.
Munger encouraged shelters and other vendors with payment questions to contact the Budget Hotline she established at 1-855-IL-ASK-US. She applauded the General Assembly and Governor for reaching an agreement on the newly authorized funding, and encouraged all involved to build on that momentum.
"This legislation shows what is possible when leaders come together and put Illinois first," Munger said. "I am hopeful that we will now take the next step by passing a comprehensive balanced budget with structural changes that allow us to grow our economy and put people back to work so that we can fund critical services."
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09 Dec 2015

Governor Takes Bill Action 12/07/2015

By Catherine Kelly

 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner took action today on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 2039

An Act Concerning Appropriations

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

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09 Dec 2015

Modern Woodmen knocks out hunger with national meal-packing campaign

By Michelle Opsahl

Two-year project donates 648,000 meals

 

67 meal-packing events.  2,300 Modern Woodmen volunteers. 648,000 meals.

Over the past two years, Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal financial services organization, has organized meal-packing events with employees and financial representatives throughout the country in an effort to address food insecurity in the United States.

In America, approximately 1 in 7 households experiences food insecurity. For American households with children, the statistic jumps to nearly 1 in 5. (USDA Economic Research Service, 2014)

"When we learned how many people in the United States experience hunger, we were stunned," says W. Kenny Massey, Modern Woodmen's president and CEO. "We knew we had to take action."

Modern Woodmen's Knock Out Hunger campaign began in 2014 at the organization's home office in Rock Island, Illinois. About 390 home office employees organized and participated in a meal-packing event, which produced 50,000 meals for River Bend Foodbank in Davenport, Iowa. The employees also collected more than 2,500 pounds of food, donated $15,609.49 to River Bend Foodbank and spent more than 965 hours volunteering for the cause.

The project was then introduced to regional directors of Modern Woodmen offices across the country during an annual conference last January. The regional directors, who packed and donated 50,000 meals with their families during the conference, were encouraged to organize meal-packing events with the financial representatives in their home states.

The response was incredible. The regional offices held 65 events. More than 1,700 financial representatives and family members volunteered, packing and donating 548,000 meals to nearly 250 community food pantries throughout the country.

"Our goal was to pack 500,000 meals this year," notes Massey. "Thanks to the overwhelming support of our employees and representatives, we knocked it out of the park."

"Our overall support and enthusiasm for this project was tremendous," he adds. "I can't wait to see what the next year will bring."

As a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment* products not to benefit stockholders, but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders - members, their families and their communities. This is accomplished through social, charitable and volunteer activities. In 2014, Modern Woodmen and its members provided more than $19 million and nearly 437,000 volunteer hours for community projects nationwide.

* Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America

-end-

For more information about Knock Out Hunger or Modern Woodmen, contact Michelle Opsahl, 309-793-5660, Michelle.Opsahl@modern-woodmen.org.

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