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

Bill No.: HB 227

An Act Concerning Transportation

Action: Veto

Effective Date: Immediate

Note: Veto Message Below

Bill No.: HB 2495

An Act Concerning Safety

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: HB 3234

An Act Concerning Wildlife

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: HB 3674

An Act Concerning Wildlife

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: HB 3692

An Act Concerning Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: HB 4029

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 125

An Act Concerning Agriculture

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 376

An Act Concerning Local Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 379

An Act Concerning Local Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 563

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: SB 691

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 806

An Act Concerning Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 1408

An Act Concerning Safety

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: SB 1444

An Act Concerning Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 1466

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 1684

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Bill No.: SB 1735

An Act Concerning Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 1846

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Bill No.: SB 1947

An Act Concerning State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediate

Veto Message for HB 227:

To the Honorable Members of The Illinois House of Representatives, 99th General Assembly:

Today I veto House Bill 227 from the 99th General Assembly.

Current law requires a person using a non-powered watercraft to obtain a water usage stamp from the Department of Natural Resources, which is available for $6 per year. This bill would exempt "a non-resident operating a non-powered watercraft while engaged in a paddling event or race."

Tourism is an important economic driver for Illinois, and I appreciate non-residents who come to Illinois to enjoy sporting events. The Department of Natural Resources has committed to working with event organizers to ensure that the organizers are able to sell stamps to participants on the day of the race.

While we work to make compliance more convenient and efficient, I do not support exempting one particular group of non-residents, particularly when Illinois residents are not being exempted.

Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 227, entitled "AN ACT concerning transportation", with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

Bruce Rauner

GOVERNOR

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WEST BRANCH, IOWA– On Saturday, September 5 join a park ranger for a campfire talk about prairie animals past and present. The multisensory family program will include pelts, sounds, photography from American prairies. The campfire program is free and begins at 7:30 p.m. on the village green at the intersection of Parkside Drive and Main Street in historic downtown West Branch.  Visitors and their families are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and toasting sticks and marshmallows.

Then on Labor Day Monday, September 7 a park ranger leads visitors through the reconstructed 81-acre tallgrass prairie at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Learn how and why the National Park Service is reconstructing this endangered habitat as part of the landscape commemorating Herbert Hoover's life.

The walk begins at the tallgrass prairie observation deck by the gravesite parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. The walk is less than a mile and lasts about 60 minutes. Bring water, dress for the weather, and wear comfortable walking shoes. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent are also recommended.

On Saturday, September 26, help collect and distribute native plants in the tallgrass prairie at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. All ages are welcome. Participating volunteers will be rewarded with a coupon for free entry into their favorite federal public land areas that have entrance fees. Contact Denise Collar or Adam Prato at (319) 643-2541 if you are interested.

Meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. for an orientation and to get signed up. Work will be from 9:00 a.m. to about 1:00 p.m. Please dress for the weather, and wear comfortable work clothes.  Long pants and closed toe shoes are required.  Bring a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, long sleeved shirt, insect repellent, a snack, and a shopping bag (paper or plastic) or ice cream pail for seed collection.  The park has work gloves and other required tools.

This year the National Park Service launched its "Find Your Park" campaign which begins a two year celebration commemorating its first 100 years of preservation and service to the public. "Find Your Park" is aimed at getting people out to experience all their national parks have to offer and to share their favorite stories about National Parks. Visit www.findyourpark.com to learn more.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

CHICAGO (08/07/2015)(readMedia)-- Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Hacker of Rock Falls, Illinois, was recognized as the 2014 Transportation Corps Reserve Component Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year July 31 at the Transportation School at Fort Lee, Virginia.

Hacker was recognized for his distinguished service, significant contributions and performance in support of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.

He has worked in the Transportation Corps for 15 years and now serves as the readiness NCO for the Illinois National Guard's 1644th Transportation Company, based in Rock Falls, Illinois.

Hacker said he believes the award is representative of his entire career not only form his efforts, but also from leaders and Soldiers he has worked with over the years.

"This accomplishment is not just what I did," said Hacker. "It a culmination of the commissioned and noncommissioned leaders I've served under, the Soldiers I've lead and worked with down to my first squad leader, who showed me what being an transportation NCO meant. This award represents who I am because of good leadership and Soldiers."

Hacker said he plans to continue his military career and hopes to keep advancing.

"As an active guard reserve Soldier, I plan to stay in transportation," said Hacker. "My ultimate goal is to move up to battalion as an operations NCO."

Hacker was nominated by his commanders, who submit a packet detailing his distinguished service, significant contributions and performance in support of the U.S. Army Transportation Corps.

Capt. Linden Allen of Ann Arbor, Michigan, commander of the 1644th Trans. Co. said Hacker is a highly dedicated NCO.

"Hacker sets the standard for the Illinois National Guard and the Army as a whole," said Allen.

Maj. Shaun Nokes, of Quincy, Illinois, the executive officer with the 1144th Transportation Battalion based in Delavan, Illinois, said during the last four years the reserve component officers or NCOs of the year who have been recognized have come from the ranks and subordinate units of the 1144th.

"The Illinois National Guard Transportation Corps is filled with some of the best of the best in the field," said Nokes. "It's these distinguished leaders who will continue to train and guide our future generations of transportation Soldiers out there on the roads spearheading logistics."