16 Jun 2015

Administration Initiates Additional Management Steps to Prepare for Madigan-Cullerton Budget

By Catherine Kelly

Steps to Save Additional $420 Million

Cancel Funding for Legislative Earmarks

Freeze Non-Transportation Capital Projects

House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their caucuses two weeks ago finished passing a budget with a $4 billion hole.

Since that time, Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton have refused to pass real, compromise reforms that will grow the economy, pay down the debt and end the era of wasteful spending and broken budgets while implementing parliamentary maneuvers to keep the governor from acting on the budget bills.

In preparation for the possibility of having no budget on July 1, or a budget with a $4 billion hole, the Administration is initiating its second round of steps to responsibly manage the state's finances. However, the options available to the Administration remain limited because the Madigan-Cullerton budget includes no reforms.

"Governor Rauner has compromised repeatedly, but Speaker Madigan and the politicians he controls continue to block any real reform," Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said. "It's deeply troubling to see that Speaker Madigan remains committed to sacrificing the middle class in order to protect the political class."

More steps will be announced as they are finalized.

 

 

Statewide

 

Action Initiated 

 

·         Notify all State of Illinois vendors to prepare for the potential of a longer delay in receiving payments for goods and services provided to the State.

 

Effective July 1, 2015

 

·         Suspend capital projects, including construction at state facilities, schools and colleges.

·         Suspend all capital grants for legislators' earmarks and non-bonded or "pay as you go" capital projects.

·         This freeze does not include road and other Department of Transportation projects.

·         Significantly reduce use of outside legal counsel by eliminating and/or reducing legal contracts.

 

Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Action Initiated

·         Reinstate timely re-determinations of Medicaid eligibility.

·         Roll back rates for ambulance services and renal care services to SMART-Act levels.

·         Reduce managed care capitation rates.

·         Discontinue special Medicaid payments to some hospitals.

·         Increase eligibility threshold (Determination of Need Score) to a level more consistent with national eligibility levels.

·         Achieve cost savings using new procurement strategy for purchasing durable medical equipment.

 

Department of Natural Resources

 

Effective September 1, 2015

 

·         Suspend operations at the World Shooting Recreational Complex (WSRC) near Sparta.  The site will become closed to the public and not available for events.

o   All events scheduled through August 2015, including the Grand American, will not be impacted by this action.

Department of Agriculture

Effective July 1, 2015

 

·         Suspend funding to county fairs for premiums and fairground rehabilitation projects.

·         Suspend funding for agricultural extension and 4-H clubs for premiums at agricultural shows.

·         Suspend funding for premiums for Agricultural Education Fairs.

·         Suspend funding for the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.

·         Suspend funding to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

 

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Effective July 1, 2015

·         Suspend funding to Choose Chicago for tourism promotion.

 

Department of State Police

Effective July 1, 2015

·         Suspend FY16 initiative to purchase new forensic equipment.

Office of State Fire Marshal

Effective July 1, 2015

·         Suspend funding for the Chicago Fire Department training program.

·         Suspend reimbursements for fire department training to other local governments.

·         Suspend funding for small fire-fighting and ambulance equipment grants.

Criminal Justice Information Authority

Effective July 1, 2015

·         Suspend the following legislative earmarks:

o   YouthBuild grants;

o   Bullying Prevention grants;

o   Franklin County Methamphetamine Pilot Program; and

o   South Suburban Major Crimes Taskforce.

·         Suspend statewide funding for Operation CeaseFire.

·         Suspend funding for Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention grants. 

 

Department of Human Services

Effective July 1, 2015

  • Suspend funding for Community Services for juvenile delinquency program serving youth and young adults administered by the Chicago Area Project.
  • Suspend funding for Immigrant Integration Services.  Access to the Department's programs will continue through local offices.
  • Suspend funding for Welcoming Centers. Access to the Department's programs will continue through local offices.
  • Suspend funding for the Youth Employment legislative earmark.

Department of Public Health

Effective July 1, 2015

  • Suspend funding for Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV.
  • Suspend funding to the Tobacco Quitline.

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Effective July 1, 2015

  • Reduce funding for state-funded job training programs and suspend funding to legislative earmarks for job training.  This does not impact the Department's federal job training funds.
  • Suspend funding for all coal programs at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, including discontinuing subsidies to coal companies.
  • Suspend funding for the Renewable Energy Program.  This does not impact the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards program.
  • Suspend funding for the Energy Efficiency Program.

 

Department of Transportation

 

Effective July 1, 2015 

·         Reduce funding for Amtrak.

·         Suspend state add-on payment to PACE.

·         Suspend state subsidy for Regional Transportation Authority Reduced Fares grant.

 

Department of Revenue

 

Effective July 1, 2015

·         Reduce funding for the following housing programs administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority:

o   Multifamily Finance Program;

o   Reduce Homebuyer Acquisition Rehabilitation Program; and

o   Reduce Homeowner Emergency Repair Program.

Department of Veteran's Affairs

Effective July 1, 2015

·         Delay opening of Chicago Veterans' Home.

 

 

 

 

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16 Jun 2015

Summer Performers This Week at Rock Island Library

By Lisa Lockheart
Rock Island, IL: Kids and families can meet some of the heroes of Niabi Zoo and rock out to the music of an award-winning children's performer next week with free "Every Hero Has a Story" activities at the Rock Island Public Library. Events include :

Who's New at the (Niabi) Zoo? - 11:00 am to noon , Monday, June 15, Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road, Rock Island. Meet some of the stars at Niabi Zoo with a live animal presentation by a Niabi zookeeper. What is each animal's superpower? How does the zoo keep the animals in top shape? Learn more with a free family presentation.

Jeanie B! Music & Dance Show - 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Thursday, June 18, Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Jeanie B! is a Chicago-based singer, songwriter and pre-school music teacher who has won acclaim for her fun, entertaining and educational kids music. Her "heroes" show puts a spotlight on real-life heroes with a playful and interactive look at the different kinds of heroes in our lives. Audiences will help Jeanie write a superhero song, and kids will get their creative juices flowing while singing, playing, and saying thank you for heroes.

Jeanie B! is the creator of several award-winning CD music releases. Titles include an upcoming release, I Love Music, along with Sugar Buzz (2011), Joy (2008), Mommy Knows Best (2006) and I'm a Kid (2005). When not performing at one of more than 150 concerts per year, she teaches music to pre-school and special needs children at five Chicagoland area schools.

Activities are free and open to the public, and are part of the Every Hero Has a Story and Escape the Ordinary summer education offered until July 18. The reading incentive contests and more than 60 free events are designed to help keep children, teens and adults active, productive and learning over the summer. More than a century of research shows that students who don't read and learn over the summer score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.

For more information, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, pick up a summer reading guide,  call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter

 

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16 Jun 2015

MODERN WOODMEN PARK COMPETING IN BALLPARK DIGEST'S "BEST OF THE BALLPARKS"

By Rick Martin
Venue voted the Best Minor League Ballpark in 2013 is in a bracket for fans to vote on all 30 Class-A ballparks
DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 12, 2015) - Voted the Best Minor League Ballpark two summers ago, the Quad Cities' River Bandits home, Modern Woodmen Park, is now in the "Best of the Ballparks" contest on BallparkDigest.com. The website is having fans vote to decide in a bracketed competition the best ballpark at each minor league level.
All voting takes place on BallparkDigest.com, an industry leader in news about ballparks and baseball business. Modern Woodmen Park is the No. 2-seeded ballpark in the Class-A contest, so it will be against either Lansing's Cooley Law School Stadium or Bowling Green Ballpark in a round of voting kicking off Saturday at 9 a.m.
Ballpark Digest has recognized Modern Woodmen Park four times in the last seven seasons for Best Ballpark Improvement, most recently in 2014 for the addition of the first Ferris wheel inside a minor league ballpark.
"We are thrilled to have Modern Woodmen Park again recognized by Ballpark Digest, which is the most respected publication in the baseball industry," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Modern Woodmen Park is a unique venue - for baseball, entertainment and year-round events - because of our great partnership with the City of Davenport and the tremendous support we receive throughout the Quad Cities community, and we encourage everyone to vote for Modern Woodmen Park on BallparkDigest.com."
In 2013, readers of USA TODAY and 10Best.com, voted Modern Woodmen Park as the Best Minor League Ballpark in an online contest. The ballpark, which opened in 1931 as Davenport Municipal Stadium and was known as John O'Donnell Stadium from 1971 to 2007, is the oldest stadium used continuously by a current Minor League Baseball team for more than 50 years. The current Midwest League franchise has played in it continuously since 1960, and nearly eight million fans have passed through its gates in that time.
"Modern Woodmen Park combines historical charm, unmatched scenic location, exciting improvements, and above all, affordable, family-friendly entertainment," said River Bandits general manager Andrew Chesser. "The continual recognition of the River Bandits and Modern Woodmen Park is truly a celebration of the Quad Cities."
The River Bandits and Modern Woodmen Park have also been recognized several times nationally in recent seasons. The River Bandits' home cap was voted the best in all of Class-A baseball, and  in a Sporting News contest, the team's name was voted as one of the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball. The team's logo was also recently voted among the top eight - and the best in the Midwest League - in Baseball America's Logo Mania. In May,  Modern Woodmen Park's R.I.A. Federal Credit Union Hon. Lane Evans Patriot Seats were voted the No. 2 Best Seats at any minor league ballpark in the country - and the top view of any ballpark at the Class-A and short season level - by fans on MiLB.com.
16 Jun 2015

MARQUETTE UNIV. SPRING DEAN'S LIST

By Amanda Gottheardt
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (June 12, 2015) - The students listed below have been named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws its more than 11,500 students from all 50 states and more than 75 different countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu.

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from Bettendorf, IA:

Anna Aquino, Master of Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant Studies
Olivia Garman, Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology
Alexa Hackfort, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations
William Herzberg, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

from Davenport, IA:

Emmaline Jurgena, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Austin Lower, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations
16 Jun 2015

Hayden King of Milan named to Aurora University Dean's List

By Sara Meers

AURORA, IL (06/12/2015)(readMedia)-- Hayden King of Milan, IL earned high honors on the Aurora University Dean's List during the spring 2015 semester.

King joins more than 900 other AU students who were honored for their academic success. The Dean's List recognizes students who have earned a 3.6 GPA or higher. Students recognized with high honors have earned a perfect 4.0.

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning, annually educating approximately 5,000 degree-seeking students at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The university has a long tradition of preparing students for lives of service and leadership, and using its resources and expertise to meet the needs of the community. In addition to its main campus and the Orchard Center in Aurora, Illinois, AU offers programs online, at its George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and at the Woodstock Center in downtown Woodstock, Illinois. Learn more at aurora.edu.

16 Jun 2015

Grassley Fall Internships Available, Applications Due July 15

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that fall internships for college-age Iowans are available, and applications are due July 15.

Internships are available in Grassley's Washington, D.C., office as well as his offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo.  The semester-long internship will run from August 18 through December 18.

Interns assist staff members with administrative, legislative and communications work, including that of Grassley's staff on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where he serves as Chairman.  An internship allows for a wide range of learning experience and exposure for students on Capitol Hill.  A firsthand account of a Grassley internship can be read here.

Grassley said he encourages young Iowans who are interested in learning more about the government to apply.  "Interning in a congressional office is a good way for college students and new graduates to learn more about the legislative branch of the federal government while gaining valuable work experience.  Internships in my offices are available to students in all areas of study," Grassley said.

Application forms are available on Grassley's website and in Grassley's offices in Iowa.  Due to security-related delays in postal mail delivery to U.S. Senate office buildings, internship applications should be emailed to intern_applications@grassley.senate.gov or faxed to 202-224-5136.  For additional information, email intern_applications@grassley.senate.gov or call 202-224-3744.

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16 Jun 2015

USDA Begins Accepting Applications from States for $100 Million Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2015 - Following an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 29, 2015, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced that all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. may now apply for up to $100 million in grants under the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). The funding is to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available to American consumers. The Farm Service Agency will administer BIP.

USDA continues to aggressively pursue investments in American-grown renewable energy to create new markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers, help Americans save money on their energy bills, support America's clean energy economy, cut carbon pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil and costly fossil fuels. A typical gas pump delivers fuel with 10 percent ethanol, which limits the amount of renewable energy most consumers can purchase at the pump.

Through BIP, USDA will award competitive grants, matched by states, to expand the infrastructure for distribution of higher blends of renewable fuel. These competitive grants are available to assist states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. with infrastructure funding. States that offer funding equal to or greater than that provided by the federal government will receive higher consideration for grant funds. States may work with private entities to enhance their offer.

CCC funds must be used to pay a portion of the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps and related infrastructure dedicated to the distribution of higher ethanol blends, for example E15 and E85, at vehicle fueling locations. The matching contributions may be used for these items or for related costs such as additional infrastructure to support pumps, marketing, education, data collection, program evaluation and administrative costs.

This new investment seeks to double the number of fuel pumps capable of supplying higher blends of renewable fuel to consumers. This will expand markets for farmers, support rural economic growth and the jobs that come with it, and ultimately give consumers more choices at the pump.

Applications must be submitted by July 15, 2015, using www.grants.gov. To locate, search by funding opportunity number "USDA-FSA-2015-22."

16 Jun 2015

L&D15 Art Exhibit: Brett Whitacre of The Legendary Shack Shakers: July 25 - Aug 24

By David Balluff
ARTIST/MUSICIAN BRETT WHITACRE TO EXHIBIT AT L&D15 - JULY 25 - AUGUST 24
OPENING RECEPTION SAT. JULY 25, 7 - 10pm
L&D15 is very pleased to announce that artist and drummer for The Legendary Shack Shakers, Brett Whitacre, will be exhibiting at their gallery/boutique beginning on July 25th.
Opening the same day as the Bix Race and the final dip in Davenport, L&D15 thinks Brett Whitacre's Maximum Wage artist reception is going to draw art lovers downtown that evening. "Brett is going to be here, and we are hoping that by having our event concurrently with all these other great events in the downtown, that we can encourage locals and visitors alike to walk around downtown and have a good time," explains L&D15 co-owner David Balluff.
Brett Whitacre is a self taught and colorblind artist living and working in Northern Illinois. He has been producing works using a reverse glass painting technique for 12 years. Upon moving to Chicago in 2001, he began walking, biking, and driving the alleyways of the city seeking various discarded materials to use as a canvas. Pre-digital televisions, hard shell luggage, and storm windows were his favorite finds. Settling on his love for the crispness and pristine of paint on glass, found window panes became his main focus. Brett's work today is on windows but also tempered glass panels for a more modern feel. The subject matter varies greatly as his interests are broad. When asked why he paints what he does, he'll say "All these things are really cool...I like em".
Notable exhibitions:
2009 Rockford International Airport
2010 Nashville TN Plow Haus Gallery
2011 Copenhagen DK  Mute Comp Gallery
2013 Lansing Art Gallery, Lansing MI
2014 Sycamore IL  Fargo Hotel Gallery
L&D15 brings a new style of retail to the Quad Cities, featuring clothing, accessories and housewares created by local and international artists and designers. The store is located at 520 West 2nd Street in downtown Davenport, open daily from 10am - 7pm.
For more information, please visit http://www.landd15.com
16 Jun 2015

2nd Fiddle Sale is Next Week June 17-20!

By Q C S O

Preview Party June 17 - Sale Continues June 18-20

Plan to attend the Preview Party on June 17 ($10) and schedule to attend our 32nd Annual 2nd Fiddle Sale - the Quad Cities biggest and best rummage sale.  June 18-20 are FREE days.  Sale will be held again at the former Moline Public Library.

16 Jun 2015

Smiddy Offers State Assistance During Evening Appointments for Working Families

By Paul Ferrero
HILLSDALE, Ill -To accommodate working families with busy schedules who may have questions about state programs or suggestions for legislation , state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is offering working families evening appointments at his district office.
"Being accessible to my constituents is a priority for me, and I want all families to have the opportunity to share their thoughts on state government and access the state resources available through this office," Smiddy said. "Often, working families have many commitments that may prevent them from meeting during business hours, and I want the services of my office to available to all of my constituents."
Currently Smiddy's district office, located at 201 N. Main St., Unit 2 in Port Byron, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and walk-ins are welcome during this time.  Smiddy regularly attends community events and his office provides services for residents including helping them access state programs and benefits and providing information about his policy positions.  To request an evening appointment, please call Smiddy's full time constituent service office at 309-848-9098 or email RepSmiddy@gmail.com.
"My office can be a resource to many people, and I hope the addition of these evening appointments will help make that resource more accessible to residents," Smiddy said. "I want everyone to know where to turn for help navigating the red tape of state bureaucracy and to find out about helpful state and local programs."
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