09 Dec 2015

Springfield Battalion returns from Afghanistan

By Illinois National Guard

SPRINGFIELD, IL (12/04/2015)(readMedia)-- A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for approximately one dozen Soldiers who deployed to Afghanistan in February. The ceremony for the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion based in Springfield, Illinois will be Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m. at Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Springfield, Ill.

The battalion assisted planning, supervising and executing logistics within Afghanistan and assisting with the drawdown of U.S. Forces and equipment.

09 Dec 2015

Highway bill enacted, Grassley welcomes predictability for road, bridge planning

By Grassley Press

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on a bipartisan highway bill that Congress passed this week and that the President signed into law.

"It was important for Congress to get back to regular business on transportation funding, and I was glad to help pass a five-year highway bill.  The Republican majority deserves credit for getting this done.  While there are things I would have changed in the bill, Iowa and other states need predictability in policy so they can plan transportation projects.  It's hard to get roads and bridges built when funding isn't predictable.  More needs to be done to address the long-term health of the Highway Trust Fund, but the bill I voted for continues in the right direction of providing certainty for those planning state and local projects.  This creates the environment for more jobs, enhanced safety, and the expedited completion of projects."
08 Dec 2015

Hopping in a Winter Wonderland!

By Micaela Booth

(ROCK ISLAND, IL - December 4, 2015) - The District, MidCoast Fine Arts, The ARTery & Quad City Arts present Gallery Hop! on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 6 to 10 p.m. Gallery Hop! is a fun, festive and free art open house unique to downtown Rock Island. Local and regional artists are showcased, and some provide demonstrations in venues throughout downtown Rock Island.

The "Hop Stops" stretch all the way from 16th Street to 25th Street and from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue! Locations will include coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. This unique group of Hop Stops allows guests to grab a quick bite to eat, have a drink, or shop for other items, all while being at Gallery Hop! Jewelry, photography, woodwork, glass, paintings, drawings, sculpture, live music, and more will be featured. Gallery Hop! is a great opportunity to check those art lovers off of your holiday shopping list. Brand new Hop Stops include : Gentry Boutique (218 18th Street), Colman Florist (1623 2nd Avenue), and Soi 2 (1825 2nd Avenue). Make sure to hop your way to the Hop Stops that are off the beaten path as to not miss anything! The Quad City Botanical Center located at 2525 4th Avenue will host three different Gallery Hop! artists, have complementary coffee and cocoa, and "Quilt Tales" will be on exhibit as well. "Quilt Tales" includes over 30 Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild members' quilts.

There will be maps and game cards at each "Hop Stop." The map will include a list of all of the stops and their exhibiting artist(s), and the game cards will include Gallery Hop! BINGO. To play Gallery Hop! BINGO just visit at least five locations, have the artist sign off, and make a straight line on your card. Completed cards can be turned in at MidCoast Fine Arts/The ARTery or Quad City Arts. The winner gets a prize basket full of fun gifts from The District including: a $50 gift certificate to Gentry Boutique, a drum from Teranga house of Africa, a Icon's Martini tasting party certificate, a $25 gift certificate to Colman Florist, a $10 gift certificate to The Original Huckleberry's Great Pizza and Calzones, and more! The winner will be randomly drawn and notified the week of 12/14/2015.

Visual arts, galleries & studios:

• Quad City Arts: Barbara Bianchi (mixed media), Zora Murff (photography), Joseph Madrigal (sculpture), and demonstrations by the Mississippi Valley Woodcarvers

• MidCoast Gallery West: Carolyn Krueger, Lisa Mahar, Laura Weinberg

• The ARTery: Karl Adlon (astro-photography), Michael Johns & Friends (pottery)

• DeSoto Arts Center: Quad Cities Wood Turners Club



Performing arts, theaters, film studio, & live music venues:

? Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse: "A Wonderful Life" Reservations required.

? The Establishment: ComedySportz- Live comedy improv show starting at 7 p.m. Rated "E" for everyone.

? Rock Island Brewing Co: Bongzilla, show at 9 p.m., $15 advance tickets

? The Speakeasy: Manny Lopez Big Band, Doors at 5 p.m. $16 cover at door

? The District Theatre: "A Christmas Carol" Reservations may be required.

 

Alternative venues - restaurants, shops, and entertainment establishments:

? The Shoppes on 2nd: Lisa Francescon (photography), Judy Heath & Teri Luke (watercolors), and Sally Gierke (ceramics with demonstrations), Spellbound will offer 10% off everything during Gallery Hop

? Skeleton Key Art & Antiques: John VandeWalle (metal sculpture), Bill Marsoun (paintings) & 60+ local artists, craftspeople & antique dealers.

? Blue Cat Brew Pub: Anthony Burton (paintings & wire wrapped pendants)

? Daiquiri Factory: Svetlana Pulliam (jewelry & clothing)

? Icons Martini: Ron Thomas (acrylic watercolor & pencil drawings), and Janelle Kerns with As You Wish Custom Designs (stained glass)

? Theo's Java Club: Ginger Herbst (Sister Hip Hats), Leslie Schenkel (lampwork beads, jewelry)

? NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Foundation: Yoyo y Yo (acoustic music) & Bling 4 Cancer jewelry

? Teranga House of Africa: (incense, oils and gifts of diversity)

? Vivian's Vintage Varieties: Various artists (antiques & jewelry)

? Navarro Canoe Co: Bruce & Sue Peterson (Rock Island handcrafted works of art canoes), and David James Genac (photography)

? The Original Huckleberry's Great Pizza & Calzones- Connie (Corcoran) Wilson, author of Christmas Cats

? Roosters Sports Bar & Grill- Roberta Osmers (photography)

? Gentry Boutique: Sue Sambdman (Rock River Photography), Gentry Boutique will offer refreshments and hors d'oeuvres and 20% off all purchases

? Hickey Brother's Cigar Store and Hookah Lounge: Phil Force (metal sculpture), Lara Grossman (photography)

? Colman Florist: Steve Braudt (drawing, graphite & ink on mat board), Colman Florist will offer 25% off Christmas themed ornaments, containers, and silks (excludes FTD and Teleflora Holiday Containers)

? Steve's Old Time Tap: Pat Petersen (Conversation Pieces Jewelry)

? dphilms: Lori A. Granato (acrylic on canvas), Louis Granato III (photography), and Jay Stratton (refined & distinctive wood works)

? Soi 2: Jesse Mumm (ceramics)

? Quad City Botanical Center: Kimberly Miller (Celestial by Design body painting), Marjorie Franklin (photography), Jerri Crabtree-Frisk (paintings), and "Quilt Tales" exhibit Public art:

? MidCoast Fine Arts - Art 'N Alley installations, Quad City Arts' sculpture program, and several murals.

Gallery Hop! is presented by The District, MidCoast Fine Arts, Quad City Arts & The ARTery, and is sponsored by the Dispatch-Argus, WHBF, and River Cities' Reader.

The event is free. For more information and to print a map of participating locations, please visit www.ridistrict.com.

The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District (The District) is a 501(c) 6 not-for-profit organization established in 1992 by local downtown merchants. The District's mission is to establish and manage downtown Rock Island as a creative and innovative experience by focusing on the development of the arts and quality special event management. It features retail shops, excellent restaurants, live entertainment, dinner theater, art galleries and several entertainment venues. Rock Island is located on the Mississippi River, three hours west of Chicago in an area known as the Quad-Cities which straddles the river and the Illinois/Iowa border. It is at the intersection of Interstate highways 74, 88 and 80 and is served by Quad City International Airport in Moline, IL.

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08 Dec 2015

Governor Announces Appointments 12/08/2015

By Catherine Kelly

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has appointed a new Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Education and arbitrators to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

 

Name: Kelley Washington
Position: Executive Director - Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Kelley Washington as the Executive Director in the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. She will work to strengthen early childhood education in Illinois through Race to the Top grants; preschool expansion; and Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting. In addition, she will work with state agencies to ensure alignment of early childhood development within current transformation efforts.

Most recently, Washington worked as the Chief of Staff to Illinois Secretary of Education Beth Purvis where she assisted with strategic planning initiatives. Her background includes consulting, business, and human resources management, which will help elevate the work of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. She is also a member of the Eli and Edythe Board Residency Program. The program is part of the Eli and Edythe Board Foundation, which works to increase student success and outcomes in urban public schools. She previously worked at Accenture and General Mills.

Washington earned her bachelor's degree from Duke University and her master's degree from the University of Michigan. ?

 

Name: Paul Cellini
Position: Arbitrator - Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Paul Cellini as an arbitrator to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Cellini brings 20 years of experience in workers' comp law in the public and private sectors to the position.

Currently, Cellini works for the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission as an attorney. He reviews records of cases that have been appealed and makes recommendations to the three-member commission panel. He has also worked for Travelers Insurance where he focused on workers' comp claims on behalf of the company.

Cellini is a graduate of the University of Illinois. He earned his law degree from The John Marshall Law School. He lives in Chicago.

 

Name: Gary Gale
Position: Arbitrator - Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Gary Gale as an arbitrator to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Gale is the former Executive Director of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and brings nearly 35 years of experience in workers' comp law to the position.

Gale has worked on behalf of employers and employees in workers' comp cases. Currently, Gale is an attorney at Maciorowski, Sackmann & Ulrich, LLP. From 1999 to 2001, he was the Executive Director of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, where he supervised the agency's judicial division, monitoring work flow and the arbitrators.

Gale holds a bachelor's degree from Case Western University, a master's degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from the Chicago Kent College of Law. He lives in Elk Grove Village.

 

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08 Dec 2015

Join the Bald Eagles in the Quad Cities

By QCCVB

Plan a trip to see these majestic birds roosting in trees along the Mississippi River. Bald Eagle Days is January 8-10, 2016, at the QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave., Rock Island, Ill. Hours: Fri. 4-8 pm, Sat. 10 am-8 pm, and Sun. 10 am-5 pm. It is the largest event in the Midwest dedicated to the United States' national symbol of freedom. Thousands turn out for the annual event which includes: live eagle programs, Pella Wildlife Company Wolves, rock-climbing wall, exhibits, and activities.

Bob Motz has been hosting bald eagle safaris for more than 20 years, and has welcomed people from across the globe. During the Eagle Safaris, high-powered spotting scopes, connected to the car window, provide excellent viewing. The spotting scopes are powerful enough to see the gold of the eagle's eye, the nostrils in its beak, and the black talons extending from its toes.

The tours are 2 to 3 hours in length and run a flat rate of $20.00 per hour whether its 1 or 4 people. You can reserve a safari for family, friends with a maximum of four people. Larger groups come each winter in buses, for which the charge is $40.00 per hour. And, yes, he does guarantee eagle sightings or your money back! To make a reservation for an Eagle Safari, contact Bob Motz at (309) 269-3922 or eaglemotz@aol.com.

In 2007 the bald eagle, America's national symbol, flew off the Endangered Species Act's "threatened" list. In the winter, the bald eagles flock to the Quad Cities from mid-December through mid-February. Why do eagles like the Quad Cities? The bald eagles migrate south along the Mississippi River each winter as waters freeze in the northern U.S. and Canada. Eagles feed mainly on fish and need open waters to feed. Waters below Locks and Dams do not completely freeze over in the winter and allow eagles prime feeding opportunities. Plus the Quad Cities has many wooded river bluffs that allow eagles a prime habitat for perching & evening roosts. Click here for eagle watching tips and etiquette.

08 Dec 2015

Rivermont Senior Named a 2016-17 Illinois State Scholar

By Jill Weitzel

Rivermont Collegiate is proud to announce that Senior Thomas Rodgers has been named a 2016-17 Illinois State Scholar based on a combination of his six semester grade point average, standardized test scores, and state of residence. Congratulations Tom!

Located in Bettendorf, Iowa, Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for Preschool through 12th Grade. Visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or call 563-359-1366.

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08 Dec 2015

Governor Takes Bill Action 12/04/2015

By Catherine Kelly

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

 

Bill No.: HB 1285

An Act Concerning Employment

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate, except that changes to Sections 602 and 611 of the Unemployment Insurance Act take effect January 3, 2016

 

Bill No.: HB 1365

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

Bill No.: HB 3213 

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediate

 

 

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08 Dec 2015

Working To Reform & Extend Job-Creating Foreign Investment Program

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - The job-creating immigrant investor visa program, known as the EB-5 Regional Center program, is set to expire in just one week if Congress does not move to reauthorize it.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) are urging Congressional leaders to support a bipartisan, bicameral proposal that would provide much-needed reforms to the program and reauthorize it for four years.

"The EB-5 program is not working how it was intended to by Congress.  The EB-5 program has serious vulnerabilities, is loaded with fraud and abuse, and isn't nearly the job-creator it has been purported to be.  We need to be sure that the EB-5 Regional Center program is not only creating economic stimulus and jobs in areas that need it the most, but also not jeopardizing the nation's security or harming U.S. investors," Grassley said.  "The program needs an overhaul with the common sense reforms that we've put together in a bipartisan, bicameral way.  The status quo is unacceptable."

"The EB-5 Regional Center program has generated investment and created jobs in distressed communities, but the program is facing some pressing challenges. Reports of rampant fraud and abuse raise serious concerns and threaten the program's mission. The incentives Congress established to spur investment in high unemployment and rural communities are also routinely abused, undermining a core objective of the program," Leahy said. "The Regional Center should be reauthorized, but only if reformed.  There is now bipartisan consensus around these reforms, and we cannot squander this opportunity."

Since launching in 1993, this program has generated capital investment and created jobs across the country.  But the program has also experienced significant problems in recent years, underscoring the need for Congress to restore the program to one that transforms local economies in impoverished areas as well as rural states.

To improve the program and ensure its reauthorization, Grassley and Leahy on Friday released the text of a carefully-crafted compromise with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and House Immigration Subcommittee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The proposal modifies legislation the lawmakers unveiled earlier this year to bolster the Department of Homeland Security's authorities to administer the program, and provide investors with greater protections and more information about their investments.

Additionally, the bipartisan proposal increases transparency and oversight and provides DHS the ability to proactively investigate fraud, both in the United States and abroad, using a dedicated fund paid for by certain program participants. It raises the amount of investment required and helps to restore the program to its original intent, by ensuring that much of the capital generated and jobs created occur in rural areas and areas with high unemployment.

The bipartisan compromise has the support of Invest in the USA (IIUSA), by far the largest association of regional centers and EB-5 stakeholders, as well as the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

An outline of the bipartisan proposal can be found here.  Text of legislation can also be found here.

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08 Dec 2015

Smiddy Urges Safe Holiday Shopping

By Paul Ferrero
PORT BYRON, Ill. - To avoid putting families' finances and children at risk while shopping this season, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is encouraging residents to consult the Illinois Attorney General's annual Safe Shopping Guide.
"As people prepare for the holidays, criminals also are more active, looking for opportunities to steal shoppers' personal information," Smiddy said. "As the shopping process and the gifts themselves become more technologically advanced, it's important everyone be proactive in guarding against identity theft and ensuring gifts are safe."
Smiddy is urging residents to consult Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Safe Shopping Guide before purchasing or giving gifts this year. The free annual guide includes lists of toys or gifts that may be harmful to children or have been recalled, tips for keeping your identity safe when buying gifts online or using credit or debit cards, and guides to ensuring technological gifts are secure when used in the home. The Safe Shopping Guide is available to the public online at http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/2015_Safe_Shopping_Guide.pdf.
"Each giving season, we're excited to bring home the latest treasures for our loved ones, but we all have to do our part to make sure our gifts are safe," Smiddy said. "Please take a moment this holiday season to consult the Safe Shopping Guide and ensure the holiday season is a safe and happy one."
For more information, please contact Smiddy's constituent service office at (309)-848-9098.
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08 Dec 2015

Grassley, Cantwell Introduce Biodiesel Tax Reform, Extension Act, Urge Inclusion in Tax Extenders Package Under Discussion

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington today introduced legislation to reform and extend the biodiesel tax credit.  The legislation is similar to the provision that passed out of the Finance Committee in July.

"This provision should be included in the tax extenders package under discussion," Grassley said.  "Converting to a production credit would improve the biodiesel incentive in many ways.  It would make the biodiesel incentive easier to administer.  Also, a credit for domestic production would ensure that we're incentivizing a domestic industry rather than subsidizing imported biofuels.  The goal is to meet the country's biodiesel needs and support domestic producers at the same time.  And it would save money over the current biodiesel tax incentive."

"Investing in America's clean energy economy is the smart thing to do for our environment and America's energy security," Cantwell said. "The biodiesel tax credit has been an extremely successful energy tax policy, allowing biodiesel to become America's first advanced biofuel. Since the credit was created in 2005, 8.2 billion gallons of biodiesel have replaced traditional diesel, the equivalent of removing nearly 16 million vehicles from our roadways. This bill gives businesses the certainty they need to invest in biodiesel, create jobs here in America, and continue the development of affordable, domestic alternatives to fossil fuels."

The senators' Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 would modify the biodiesel fuel blenders credit to a domestic production credit and extend the credit through 2018.

The change would offer numerous benefits, Grassley and Cantwell said.  The blenders credit can be difficult to administer, because the blending of the fuel can occur at many different stages of the fuel distribution.  This can make it difficult to ensure that only fuel that qualifies for the credit claims the incentive.  It has been susceptible to abuse because of this.

A credit for domestic production would ensure that the United States is incentivizing the domestic industry rather than subsidizing imported biofuels.  It's projected that imports from Argentina, Singapore, the European Union, South Korea and others could exceed 1.5 billion gallons over this year and next.   In many cases, foreign biodiesel is already heavily subsidized, so U.S. taxpayers should not be providing a subsidy to such imports.

Grassley and Cantwell said modifying the credit would have little to no impact on the consumer.  Much of the credit would continue to be passed on to the blender and ultimately, the consumer.  Additionally, the U.S. biodiesel industry is currently operating at only 60 percent of capacity.  The domestic biodiesel industry has the capacity and access to affordable feedstocks to meet the demand of U.S. consumers, the senators said.

The Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 would allow the nation to continue enjoying the significant benefits of biodiesel since Congress created the biodiesel tax incentive in 2005.  As a result of this incentive, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and consumer interest, biodiesel is providing significant benefits to the nation.  Domestic biodiesel production supports tens of thousands of jobs.  Replacing traditional diesel with biodiesel reduces emissions and creates cleaner air.  Homegrown biodiesel improves U.S. energy security by diversifying  transportation fuels and reducing dependence on foreign oil.  Biodiesel itself is a diverse fuel that can be produced from a wide array of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean and other plant oils, and animal fats.

The text of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 is available here.

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