SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is offering tips to keep trick-or-treaters and their escorts safe during Halloween.

"Illinois' law enforcement officers want to make sure the only scares during Halloween season are the make-believe kind," said Illinois FOP President Chris Southwood. "By following some simple but effective safety tips, kids and their parents can have a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treating experience."

The FOP offers the following Halloween safety tips:

• Children should only go trick-or-treating with a responsible adult. Be sure to follow all local ordinances regarding trick-or-treating times, ages, and areas.

• If you can't accompany your younger children as they trick-or-treat, make sure at least one, and preferably more, responsible adults go with them. Set a curfew for the children and make sure they understand how important it is to arrive back home on time.

• Instruct children that they should never go into a stranger's house or car unless their parents or other trusted adults are with them and say it's OK. They should never go anywhere with stranger, and if a stranger tries to make them go somewhere they should scream as loudly as possible and run to safety as quickly as they can.

• Make sure kids know how to safely cross streets - look in both directions, and only use crosswalks or well-lit street corners. Tell them to not cut through back alleys and fields and to stay in well-lit areas with lots of people around.

• Know the route your children will take while trick-or-treating if you are not going with them. Have them check in at set times, either by phone or by stopping back by your residence.

• Make sure your children have costumes that are fire retardant, contain reflective strips or material, do not obstruct their vision or movement, and that any props that depict knives or other sharp objects are made of a dull, flexible material. Have at least one flashlight per group of trick-or-treaters. Try and make each child's costume unique in some way so they can be easily spotted.

• Serve your children a filling meal before they trick-or-treat so they won't be tempted to eat the treats before they get back home. Carefully examine all of the treats before you let your children handle or consume them.

• Several days before trick-or-treating, check the local and state sex offender websites to see if there are any sex offenders living in your area. If there are, make sure your children avoid those homes.

• Remind children that it is wrong to vandalize property or hurt animals.

• To lessen the chance of allergic reactions, try any makeup products on a small area of a child's arm several days before trick-or-treating to see if they have any reaction.

• If you cannot accompany them, having the children carry a cell phone lets them keep in touch and the phones also contain a GPS chip to help locate lost children.

• Drivers, don't use a cell phone or text while driving and do not drive if you are impaired. Pay close attention while driving, especially at crosswalks, intersections, the side of the road, and by parked cars. Drive below the posted speed limit in residential areas, do not pass vehicles that have stopped in the road, and pull off the road in a safe spot and turn on your emergency flashers when picking up or dropping off children.

The Fraternal Order of Police, founded in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. With a proud tradition of officers representing officers, the FOP is the most respected and most recognized police organization in the country. The Illinois FOP, chartered in 1963, is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing more than 32,000 active duty and retired police officers - more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide. Visit www.ilfop.org for more information.

On Wednesday, October 14, the day after the first Democratic presidential debate, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will campaign on behalf of Hillary Clinton in Iowa. Albright, the first woman to serve as Secretary of State, will speak at Hillary for Iowa organizing events in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, and West Des Moines.

At the events, Albright will discuss Hillary Clinton's commitment to fighting for women and families at home and around the world - a commitment the two have long shared. In 1995, then-First Lady Clinton and then-United Nations Ambassador MadeleineAlbright led the U.S. delegation to the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where Clinton proclaimed that "women's rights are human rights."

Albright will also discuss Clinton's work to elevate gender equality as a key pillar of U.S. foreign policy, advance women's economic empowerment, champion programs to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and spearhead public-private partnerships to improve the status of women and girls.

 

 

Wednesday, October 14

 

Sioux City Organizing Event

WHERE: Peirce Mansion, 2901 Jackson Street, Sioux City

WHEN: 8:45 AM

Public RSVP Here

 

Council Bluffs Organizing Event

WHERE: Dixie Quicks, 157 W Broadway, Council Bluffs

WHEN: 11:30 AM

Public RSVP Here

 

West Des Moines Organizing Event

WHERE: Home of Cyril and John Mandelbaum, 2630 S Woodridge Drive, West Des Moines

WHEN: 2:45 PM

Public RSVP Here

Amana- Pinkalicious, the Old Creamery's fall Theatre for Young Audiences show, opens October 17 and runs through November 7 on the Old Creamery's Main Stage!

This is the tale of Pinkalicious, who can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this pink predicament. By Elizabeth and Victoria Kann. Music by John Gregor. Lyrics by John Gregor, Elizabeth and Victoria Kann. Based on the book Pinkalicious by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann.

The cast includes Keegan Christopher, Travis Burbee, Lindsey Cline, Katie Colletta, and Jackie McCall.

Tickets are $10 per person. Seating is limited so reservations are highly recommended. Sponsored by Scheels of Coralville. Media Sponsors are KHAK and KDAT. Pinkalicious is Rated Theatre G.

Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

The Old Creamery Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. In 2015, the company is celebrating 44 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

Families can learn about 529 plans and be registered to win a $1,000 College Savings Account

DES MOINES, IA (10/12/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is encouraging Iowans with young children to start thinking about saving for their children's educational expenses. "Throughout the month of October, we are teaming up with daycares across the state to introduce our new 529 tutorial, College Savings Iowa InFocus, to parents," Fitzgerald said. "This interactive learning experience explains the benefits of saving for a loved one's higher education, while also registering families for a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account!" You do not have to have children in a daycare to participate, just visit Iowa529InFocus.com to complete the tutorial and see official rules.

"College Savings Iowa is also offering an additional $10 contribution to the first 500 people who complete the tutorial and open a College Savings Iowa account," Fitzgerald added. "This is a great way to begin and potentially boost your child's college savings!" The newly established accounts must have a minimum $25 contribution and be opened within the first seven days of tutorial completion to be eligible for the $10 contribution.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers have the additional benefit of being able to deduct contributions up to $3,163 per beneficiary account from their 2015 Iowa adjusted gross income.*

Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses, which includes tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad.**

. For more information about future giveaways and events find College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

**Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 1-888-672-9116, or visit CollegeSavingsIowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.