03 Jun 2015

Smiddy Votes to Preserve Critical Healthcare Services

By Robert Jackson Jr.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - In an effort to protect access to healthcare for the most vulnerable citizens in the 71st district, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is sponsoring legislation that will reduce spending and allow the state greater access to federal funds for Medicaid users.
"Residents of this state deserve first rate health insurance no matter their economic situation," Smiddy said. "This legislation will help reduce the state's continuing financial issues without sacrificing the healthcare resources for the thousands of Illinoisans that depend on Medicaid for their wellbeing."
Smiddy voted in favor of Senate Bill 788, which is estimated to save Illinois $106 million and secure additional federal dollars. The proposed bill will safeguards against fraud and abuse within the system while ensuring patients who qualify for Medicaid will be enrolled in managed care.
"Legislators supporting Senate Bill 788 enable hospitals to continue providing high quality health care services in communities across the state," Illinois Hospital Association President and CEO Maryjane Wurth said. "We appreciate their recognition that steps can be taken to control spending without sacrificing needed patient care."
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03 Jun 2015

Governor Announces New Director

By Catherine Kelly

Anne Melissa Dowling to lead Illinois Department of Insurance

 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he will appoint Anne Melissa Dowling, CFA, the Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI). Dowling brings nearly 30 years of insurance industry experience to the position. She spent 25 years in the private sector, and she has spent the last three-and-a-half years working in leadership positions for the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID).

Most recently, Dowling was the Acting Commissioner of the CID, and she joined the department as the Deputy Commissioner in 2011. Dowling led the day-to-day operations of all divisions of the agency. CID has jurisdiction over the largest life insurance industry in the United States, and the second-largest overall insurance industry in terms of total written premiums. In addition, Dowling also served as an active board member of Access Health CT, Connecticut's state-based public health insurance exchange, chairing the Advisory Committee on Essential Health Plan Benefit and Qualifications.

Prior to her regulatory work, Dowling was a senior vice president at MassMutual where she built the institutional insurance business to more than $12 billion in annual revenue and created an award-winning Women's Markets Initiative. She served as Chief Investment Officer at Connecticut Mutual and held positions in investments and treasury functions at Aetna and Travelers. She is and has been active in governance roles on numerous non-profit boards focusing on education and literacy as well as for-profit boards.

Dowling earned her bachelor's degree from Amherst College, and holds an MBA in finance from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University.

 

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03 Jun 2015

Courtney Wachal Named to Dean's List at Mount Union

By Joni Poorbaugh

ALLIANCE, OH (05/29/2015)(readMedia)-- Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, Iowa, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at the University of Mount Union.

To be eligible for Dean's List, students must have completed at least 12 credit hours of traditionally graded coursework while achieving a grade point average of 3.550 or better with no grade below a B.

University of Mount Union The University of Mount Union, founded in 1846, is a four-year, private institution grounded in the liberal arts tradition. The University is located in Alliance, OH, 80 miles of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Mount Union offers an array of broad-based and career-specific undergraduate and graduate programs to its 2,200 students who experience outstanding opportunities for success after graduation. Among members of the 2012 graduating class, 98% of those self-reporting started a degree-required career or were accepted to graduate school, all in an average of 20 days after graduation. The University is committed to providing a student-centered approach and an exceptional educational experience. For more information, visit mountunion.edu.

03 Jun 2015

Camp Courageous announces Board Elections

By Charlie Becker

The Camp Courageous Board of Directors announced the election of the following officers and members for the 2015-2016 term. The President of the Board of Directors is Margo Ahrendsen of Oxford Junction, IA.  Margo has been involved with Camp Courageous for about 25-years as an advocate and also as a parent of two campers.  Margo, and her husband, Monte, farm in the Oxford Junction area and she is active in a variety of organizations.

Officers:

President: Margo Ahrendsen, Farmer, Camper Parent, and Advocate, Oxford Junction, IA

President-Elect: Jim Zimmerman, Retiring Principal Sacred Heart, Monticello, IA

Secretary: Mary Van Houten, Banquet Manager, Kirkwood Hotel, Cedar Rapids IA

Treasurer: Randy Faulkner, Pres. Hawkeye Dry Ice, Cedar Rapids, IA

Those re-elected to a three-year term included:

Steve Carter, Branch Manager, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Cedar Rapids, IA

Randy Faulkner, Pres. Hawkeye Dry Ice, Cedar Rapids, IA

Larry Greco, Retired Cedar Rapids Police Department, Solon, IA

Kay Pitlik, Retired Special Educator/Advocate/ Cedar Rapids, IA

Mag Welter, Retired Special Educator, Monticello, IA

Winnie Williams, of Monticello, Retired Fawn Creek Homes, Anamosa, IA

Jim Zimmerman, Retiring Principal Sacred Heart, Monticello, IA

Other board members include :

Aaron Cook, Farmer, Winthrop, IA

Jim Foels, Farmer, Brooklyn, IA

Merlin Hulse, Retired Farmer, Tipton, IA

Mary Johnson, Retired, Rockwell Collins, Marion, IA

Jim Klinger, Retired, Cedar Memorial Funeral Homes, Cedar Rapids, IA

Trish Ohlson, GE Capital, Cedar Rapids, IA

Mary Van Houten, Banquet Manager, Kirkwood Hotel, Cedar Rapids IA

Dan Vorhies, Newton Sales, Monticello, IA

Chris Wiese, VP Sales LimoLink, Cedar Rapids, IA

Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with special needs. In its 41st year, Camp Courageous will serve nearly 7,000 campers with special needs. The camp is run on donations, without government assistance, without formal sponsorship, and without people paid to raise funds. What this means is everything that is donated to the camp goes directly to benefit the campers. Camp Courageous is available 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year, to meet the emergency needs of families.

Tours of the camp and programs about this unique facility are available by contacting the camp at 319/465-5916 or going to www.campcourageous.org

Camp Courageous™ is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization run on donations.

PO Box 418, 12007 190th St, Monticello IA 52310-0418 • 319-465-5916

02 Jun 2015

Carl D. Schillig Memorial Scholarship Fund Winners Announced

By Jamie Lang
BETTENDORF, IA - The Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund, Inc. has announced Claire Schwarz, Pleasant Valley High School, and Andrew Sass, Bettendorf High School, as the recipients of its 2015 Scholarship. Ms. Schwarz plans to Missouri State University in Springfield, MO and Mr. Sass will attend University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA.

The scholarship grants a $4,000 educational awarded to one Bettendorf and one Pleasant Valley High School student, each with at least a 2.3 grade point average and who exemplifies Carl's spirit through participation in a variety of school, community and church-related activities. To date, the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded 30 Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley High School students with educational scholarships.

About the recipients:

Ms. Schwarz has been a member of PV Cross Country and Track & Field for four years. She is a member of National Honor Society and an honor student all four years of high school. She is active in youth ministry at St. John Vianney Church and an active member of Young Life She will study Speech and Language Pathology at Missouri State University.

Mr. Sass has been a member of Bett Football, Wrestling & Soccer Teams for four years. He is a member of National Honor Society and an honor student all four years of high school. He has participated in volunteers projects at his church and was a student leader for the National Catholic Youth Conference. He plans to attend U of Northern Iowa and major in Physical Therapy.

About the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund, Inc.:

The Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund was established in 1995 by surviving members of Carl Schillig, who was killed at the age of 15 in a car-pedestrian accident. The scholarship was first awarded in 1998 to graduates of Pleasant Valley High School. In 2002, it was extended to graduates of Bettendorf High School. The fund provides a $4000 college scholarship to graduates of Pleasant Valley High School - which Carl attended - and Bettendorf High School graduates. With Carl's philanthropy as its inspiration, the nonprofit also distributes proceeds from the run to organizations in which Carl was active, including Bettendorf/Pleasant Valley Acquatics, Cornbelt Running Club, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

-end-
02 Jun 2015

Loebsack Welcomes Quad Cities Honor Flight to Washington

By Joe Hand
Veterans from WWII and Korean Wars view monuments built in their honor

Washington, D.C. - June 2, 2015 - Congressman Dave Loebsack today welcomed the Quad Cities Honor Flight to the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. The Quad Cities Honor Flight brings World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington to visit our nation's capital and Memorials built in their honor.

 "I look forward to welcoming each Honor Flight to our nation's capital so they can see the memorials that were built in their honor. Being able to welcome these veterans today was especially meaningful," said Loebsack. "We cannot thank these veterans enough for their service to our nation."

 The Honor Flights are all fully paid for, and the veterans are typically accompanied by volunteers who donate their time to ensure that the veterans have a safe trip. This group included 81 veterans. The Quad Cities Honor Flight left from the Quad City International Airport this morning and will return tonight.

 Loebsack is an avid supporter of our veterans. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, he has worked to improve care and benefits for our servicemembers and veterans, including expanding Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for the National Guard; expanding access to mental health care; helping our veterans find civilian jobs; and opening new Community Based Outpatient Clinics to improve access to VA services for Iowa veterans. He also co-introduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for servicemembers wounded in combat.

02 Jun 2015

Governor Branstad announces appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced appointments to Iowa's boards and commissions.

The following appointment is effective May 28, 2015, is unpaid, and is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

 

State Board of Educational Examiners:

Kathy Behrens, Carroll

 

The following individuals' appointments are effective May 28, 2015, are unpaid, and are not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation:

Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board

Debra Krebill, Marion

Southeast Regional STEM Advisory Board

Dana Klesner, Keokuk

Dependent Adult Protective Advisory Council

George Dorsey, West Des Moines

April Block, Des Moines

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02 Jun 2015

Senior Star at Elmore Place Hosts Dinner Seminar on Long-Term Care Insurance June 9

By Christina L. Maggio-Kellerstrass

Davenport insurance agent on hand to help understand long-term care coverage

 

 

DAVENPORT, IA (May 29, 2015) - Senior Star at Elmore Place will host an informative dinner seminar on long-term care insurance at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 at 4500 Elmore Avenue.

Local State Farm agent Matt Hayes will discuss important information about long-term care insurance and will help attendees understand if long term-care insurance is right for them and the reasons to consider this type of insurance.  Hayes will also share the misconceptions of purchasing long-term care insurance so participants have all the facts prior to making a decision as to whether or not this will meet the needs of their personal situation.

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP no later than June 7 by calling 563.359.0100.

For more information about Senior Star at Elmore Place or to schedule a tour, call 563.359.0100 or visit the website at www.seniorstar.com.

About Senior Star at Elmore Place

Senior Star at Elmore Place, a Senior Star community, features 236 modernly decorated apartments spanning across 20 acres of beautifully landscaped property with many customized amenities to offer its residents three distinctive living experiences:  independent living, assisted living and memory care.  For more information, visit www.seniorstar.com.

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02 Jun 2015

Free summer concert series in The District!

By Micaela Booth

Midweek Music is a free live lunchtime concert each Wednesday 6/3-8/26

(ROCK ISLAND, IL - May 29, 2015) - Renaissance Rock Island is pleased to present Midweek Music beginning Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Midweek Music is a free lunchtime concert series taking place on The Great River Plaza from 12-1 p.m. every Wednesday in June, July, and August.

Enjoy musical performances as you eat lunch outside on the beautiful Great River Plaza. Each Wednesday a local musician will entertain downtown Rock Island visitors during the lunch hour. To stay updated on who is performing check www.ridistrict.com or The District's Facebook and Twitter page (www.facebook.com/ridistrict, www.twitter.com/districtri). We encourage attendees to grab lunch from a downtown restaurant, and take it to go so you can enjoy the music on the plaza!

Midweek Music is presented by Renaissance Rock Island.

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

02 Jun 2015

Local students named to Central College dean's list

By Rachel Vogel

PELLA, IA (05/29/2015)(readMedia)-- The following students were named to the spring 2015 Central College dean's list:

Miranda Ebeling of Muscatine

Joseph Heath of Taylor Ridge

Melissa Ketcham of Muscatine

Sydney Lunardi of Bettendorf

Abby Saladino of Long Grove

Abbey Strajack of Davenport

The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.

Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service. Central continues to value its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America that began in 1916. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just two minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

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