03 Apr 2015

Christian Care Offers Challenge Match 2015

By Ann Ring

Rock Island, IL - What was perceived as bad news has turned to good. Although the Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation has suspended its annual $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger campaign this year, a fundraiser that Christian Care counts on, a local anonymous donor has come forward to help replace that loss.

"One of our loyal donors has committed to match gifts up to $8,000 if received by May 31," said CEO Elaine M. Winter. "This means that your donation of $25, $50, or $100 will really be $50, $100, or $200. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to double our gifts so the needy in the Quad Cities may benefit throughout the year."

Monetary contributions can be mailed to Christian Care, PO Box 4176, Rock Island, IL 61204-4176.  In addition to financial gifts, Christian Care can always use paper products such as bath tissue and paper towels, gently used clothing, new underwear, and personal care items such as razors and toiletries.

Christian Care is transforming the lives of homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illness. Its two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to those in need. Its services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the goal of nourishing the bodies, minds, hearts and souls of the men, women and children who come seeking a new way of life. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care crisis hotline any hour of the day or night at (309) 788-2273.
03 Apr 2015

Governor Announces Appointments to Illinois Enterprise Zone

By Catherine Kelly

CHIAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner has made the following appointments to the Illinois Enterprise Zone.  

Name: Jovita Carranza  

Position: Board Member - Illinois Enterprise Zone Board  

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Jovita Carranza to become the Illinois Enterprise Zone. Carranza has extensive experience developing businesses in both public and private sectors.  

Carranza was a Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration from 2006 to 2009. She was responsible for the agency's turnaround, built an executive development program now used by 200 small businesses in 10 states and oversaw 80 national field offices. President George W. Bush appointed her to the position, and she was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.  

Currently, Carranza is the President and Founder of The JCR Group, which provides business development services to companies and non-governmental organizations. Previously, she was the Vice President of Airline Operations and was the highest ranking Latina in the company.  

Carranza earned her M.B.A. from the University of Miami. She lives in Skokie.  

Name: Lawrence W. Falbe  

Position: Board Member - Illinois Enterprise Zone Board

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Larry Falbe to the Illinois Enterprise Zone. His 20 years of experience in site selection and environmental law make him uniquely qualified for the position. Falbe's extensive planning experience and public service include eight years on the Lake County Regional Plan Commission, and he currently serves as a member of the METRA Citizens Advisory Board, among numerous other boards and community leadership positions.

 

Currently, Falbe is a Chicago-based environmental and energy attorney at the national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP.  His practice focuses on environmental transactional support, Brownfields issues, environmental regulations and litigation, energy development and facility siting. Falbe has worked extensively with Illinois state agencies like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

 

Falbe is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Augustana College, Illinois, and earned his law degree from DePaul University College of Law.  He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Wisconsin, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous Federal District Courts. Falbe is also a former adjunct professor of environmental law at Northwestern University.  He currently lives in Mettawa, in Lake County Illinois, where he previously served as a Village Trustee.

 

 

Name: Larry Ivory

Position: Board Member - Illinois Enterprise Zone Board

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Larry Ivory to the Illinois Enterprise Zone. Ivory's experience as a member of the Business Enterprise Program Council and his business background make him qualified for the position.

 

Currently, Ivory is the President and CEO of the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce, which promotes job creation and growth of African-American businesses. Ivory oversees the daily operations of the organization while promoting its mission across the state. He was the Chamber's Chairman from 1997-2002. Ivory is also a board member of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Vice President for Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.

 

Ivory previously worked for Salomon Smith Barney Holdings Inc. as the Vice President of Investment Services from 1998 to 2004. He also was a Senior Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch from 1991 to 1998.

 

Ivory is a veteran of the U.S. Marines. He graduated from Saddleback College and currently lives in Peoria.

 

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03 Apr 2015

Gov. Rauner File Writs of Special Election

By Catherine Kelly

Dates Likely to Change Under Federal Consent Decree

   

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner today issued writs of election as required by law to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of former U.S. Representative Aaron Schock.  

The writs include election dates compliant with the 115-day timeline required by Illinois law, but the dates will be modified after the state enters into a consent decree to comply with the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.  

The Administration expects the actual dates for the Special Primary Election and Special Election each will be delayed several weeks from the dates indicated in the writs of election. Governor Rauner will issue amended writs of election with the revised election dates after the consent decree is entered.  

As prescribed by Illinois law, the first day for candidates of established political parties to file original nomination papers with the State Board of Elections will be Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The last day to file nomination papers will be Monday, April 20, 2015. Those dates will not be modified by the consent decree.  

The writs are attached to this release. 

Additional Background

For years, the Illinois Election Code has prescribed a timeline for conducting special elections for U.S. Representative that is not compliant with federal law. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is intended to protect the voting rights of citizens residing abroad, including in particular military men and women stationed overseas. Illinois law, however, does not provide sufficient time for ballots to be mailed abroad.

For that reason, the State of Illinois entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2013 to bring the State temporarily into compliance with UOCAVA for the last special election for U.S. Representative. Governor Rauner, Attorney General Madigan, and the Illinois State Board of Elections are now working cooperatively with the Department of Justice to enter into a similar consent decree for the special election caused by former Rep. Schock's resignation.

This problem has persisted without a permanent solution for too long. Governor Rauner is working with the General Assembly leadership to pass legislation to protect the voting rights of our military men and women serving overseas, while still providing that any vacancy is filled as expeditiously as possible to ensure full representation in Congress for the people of Illinois.

Current Writs

·         Special Primary Election will be June 8 (excepted to be delayed until late June or early July)
·         Special Election will be July 24 (expected to be delayed until late August)

 

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03 Apr 2015

Gov. Branstad signs 14 bills into law

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

(DES MOINES)  -  Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today signed the following bills into law:  

   

House File 131: an Act concerning the definition of beer for purposes of beer brewers and wholesalers.  

   

House File 202: an Act relating to licensure of retired volunteer dentists and dental hygienists.  

   

House File 266: an Act regarding disposal of yard waste in landfills operating a methane collection system.  

 

House File 371: an Act relating to allowable disclosures of radon testing results.

House File 372: an Act relating to court appointed special advocates and the confidentiality of information regarding a child receiving foster care.

House File 445: an Act relating to payment of costs for educational services for children residing in certain psychiatric hospitals or institutions.

Senate File 130: an Act making changes to certain limitations within the National Guard Educational Assistance Program. 

Senate File 131:  an Act relating to information the Board of Educational Examiners is required to review regarding applicants for license renewal.

Senate File 134: an Act concerning bonding requirements for a wine direct shipper license.

Senate File 150:  an Act increasing the criminal penalty for a sexually violent predator who escapes or attempts to escape from custody.

Senate File 198: an Act relating to the regulation of certified public accountants and certified public accounting firms.

Senate File 223: an Act relating to support of the poor by certain relatives.

Senate File 323: an Act concerning lottery games and revenue for support of veterans.

Senate File 440: an Act relating to interstate contracts for substance abuse and mental health care and treatment.

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01 Apr 2015

GOING TO THE RIVER TO PRAY: QUAD CITIES STANDING UNITED AGAINST HATE

By Rev. Rich Hendricks

Our young people being recruited to join hate groups and terrorists like ISIS.  People believing that all Muslims are the enemy.  It is time to stand united against hate.


Too many local shootings and acts of violence.  Acts of anti-semitism alarmingly rising in the United States.  Hate mail and threats in Iowa and discriminatory laws against LGBT people nationwide becoming rampant.  It is time to stand united against hate.


"Religious freedom" being used as a false mantra to cloak fear, hate and prejudice.  Immigrants and people of color living in fear for their lives.  It is time to stand united against hate.


Good people who used to understand the concept of separation of church and state, being led down the path of enthroning some people's definition of Christianity as our state religion.  It is time to stand united against hate.


On Monday, April 6th at 7:00 pm at the Metro Community Church of the Quad Cities, 2930 W Locust, Davenport, there will be an organizing meeting for an event to be held later in August: "Going to the River to Pray: The Quad Cities Standing United Against Hate."

We as a community are not powerless against hate.  Now is the time to stand united to remind ourselves and to show the world that the power of love is greater than the forces of evil in our world.'

Any individuals or groups that support this simple premise are invited to come and help plan this summer's event.


For more information contact Rev. Rich Hendricks at 563.324.8281.





MCC QC - where you and your spiritual journey are welcome
01 Apr 2015

Smiddy Advances Bill to Limit State Vehicles to North American Made

By Paul Ferraro
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - To limit state dollars going overseas, state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, advanced a bill out of committee requiring all new state vehicles be assembled in North America on March 25.
"Illinois should lead by example to keep jobs from being shipped abroad and purchase only those vehicles assembled by North American workers," Smiddy said. "This legislation will encourage the momentum of the automotive industry in North America and put more of the highly-skilled automotive workers on the job right here at home."
House Bill 3438 requires every vehicle the state buys or leases to be assembled in North America. The Smiddy legislation would not require discontinued use of any vehicles currently in the state's fleet. Instead, all future vehicles the state buys or leases must be assembled in North America under the bill. Smiddy has worked with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the United Automobile Workers (UAW) to develop this legislation. Smiddy passed a similar measure last session in the House which was never voted upon in the Senate.
"Every day, corporations make decisions about where to send their dollars, and the state needs to be just as vigilant with its investments to ensure our tax dollars do not largely support jobs overseas," Smiddy said. "I'll continue to work with businesses and labor groups alike to find ways to keep good, well-paying jobs from moving abroad."
House Bill 3438 passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee and now awaits consideration by the full House.
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01 Apr 2015

LAUNCH OF "CANS FOR PETS" ALUMINUM RECYCLING INITIATIVE TOPS QUARTER-MILLION CANS COLLECTED TO BENEFIT ANIMAL SHELTERS

By Rick Martin

PRC and Alcoa Foundation's green campaign expanded pilot phase to benefit animals in five states; 300,000 cans collected to date

"Cans for Pets" - an initiative encouraging individuals to aid shelter animals through responsible recycling - has reached the milestone of collecting 300,000 aluminum pet food cans thanks to the support of pet lovers across the United States.  The program, funded by Alcoa Foundation and coordinated by the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), has offered a 5 cent donation to a local animal shelter for every aluminum pet food can recycled through the program.   

Since its launch in Pennsylvania in 2012, the pilot program has expanded to benefit animals at shelters in Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee and Texas and raised more than $15,000 to provide medical care, food and adoption support.  By recycling aluminum, individuals supporting Cans for Pets have made it a win-win model, helping homeless animals while benefitting the environment.  

 

"Thanks to the hands-on support of community members willing to collect and recycle their empty pet food cans, PRC has facilitated the recycling of more than 300,000 aluminum cans during the past 30 months," according to PRC Western Regional Director Justin Stockdale.

 

"As this extremely successful pilot program draws to a close, we're excited to see Cans for Pets become a sustainable effort, which was the primary goal from the beginning," he said.  "Many of our founding partners will continue to collect aluminum pet food cans to generate revenue through local recycling programs.  And it's such an easy fundraiser to establish and manage that we expect the concept to catch on at many other animal shelters throughout the country in the months and years to come."

 

Shelters participating in the Cans for Pet pilot program were Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Lancaster County SPCA in Lancaster, Pa.; Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville, Ind.; Warrick Humane Society in Newburgh, Ind.; Humane Society of Scott County in Davenport, Iowa; Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville, Tenn.; and San Antonio Humane Society in San Antonio, Texas.

01 Apr 2015

Molly Williams from Milan, Illinois to Appear in Buena Vista University Theatre Production of "Into the Woods"

By Jill Heisterkamp

STORM LAKE, IA (03/31/2015)(readMedia)-- The Buena Vista University (BVU) theatre department is presenting "Into the Woods" by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, onApril 24-25 and May 1-2 at 7:30 p.m., and April 26 at 2 p.m. at Anderson Auditorium on the BVU campus.

Molly Williams is a member of the cast as Lucinda. Williams is a sophomore social work major at BVU.

BVU's production of "Into the Woods" will be directed by Dr. Bethany Larson, associate professor of theatre, with technical direction by David Grant Walker, assistant professor of theatre, and musical direction by Dr. Merrin Guice, assistant professor of vocal music.

"Into the Woods" is a musical that brings together some classic fairytale stories including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and more. Each of the characters wishes for their life to be different and venture into the woods to get their wish. However, as the show progresses, they begin to learn the consequences of their wishes coming true.

Tickets for the show will be available starting April 13 and can be reserved online at www.bvu.edu/tickets or by calling the BVU Theatre Hotline at 712.749.2211. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens and may be picked up at the door before the performance.

About Buena Vista University

Founded in 1891, Buena Vista University offers 43 majors and 15 pre-professional programs that blend liberal arts with real-world applications, preparing students for lifelong success. Its quality academic programs, faculty, facilities, and technology result in 94 percent of BVU's recent graduates being employed or enrolled in graduate/professional schools within six months of graduation, based on a 97 percent survey response rate. Generous merit and need-based financial aid programs, and support for academic travel, research, and internships, make BVU an affordable option for all students and, combined with its academic programs, has led U.S. News & World Report to rank BVU as the third best value school among Midwest Regional Colleges and to an A stable rating from Standard & Poor's. Visit www.bvu.edu.

01 Apr 2015

Rock Island Library Teen Programs Cover Art, Science, Gaming and Superheroes in April

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: Rock Island Public Library will offer the following free fun and education programs for teens in April:

A Sharpie Mug craft program at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2 in the 30/31 Branch bookstore, 3059 30th Street. Teens will use Sharpie-brand permanent markers to add designs to a white mug, and then bake them at home to set the design. Bookish mug ideas will be available, or teens can create their own designs. Materials will be supplied. Event is open to teens ages 12 to 18.

Rock Island's Teen Science Cafe, 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 9 at the Main Library, 401 19th Street, will include a choice of hands-on science project fun, from constructing and operating a LEGO Mindstorms rolling robot to making robots or motorized plastic fans from recycled trash with kits supplied by the library. The event is free is open to teens ages 12 to 18.

Teen Superhero fans should follow book signal to the Main Library for a Superhero Night on Thursday, April 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Teens ages 12 to 18 will watch a superhero movie, play superhero trivia, enjoy snacks and make some superhero buttons to take home, in preparation for the library's teen summer reading theme, "Every Hero Has a Story." Summer reading events start May 30.

On Thursday, April 23, the library holds its monthly Teen Gaming Night at 5:45 pm at the Main Library. Teens ages 12 to 18 can play the library's XBox 360 and Wii video games or with board games. Snacks will be provided.

For more upcoming library events, visit library locations or the website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow Rock Island Library on Facebook or Twitter or call 309-732-READ (7323).

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01 Apr 2015

Branstad, Reynolds applaud Iowa Senate's passage of anti-bullying legislation

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today applauded the Iowa State Senate for passing Senate File 345, a bill that works to prevent bullying in Iowa schools. The bill passed with bipartisan support, 43-7.  

"I am pleased that the Iowa Senate today joined Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and me in calling for ending bullying in Iowa," said Branstad. "Every child in Iowa deserves to go to school in a safe and respectful learning environment. The passage of Senate File 345 will give schools the tools they need to prevent bulling. I'm hopeful that the bill will receive support in the Iowa House and come to my desk for final approval." 

 

"As a mother and grandmother, I know it's critically important for Iowa to protect our children from bullying," said Reynolds. "The simple truth is that bullying is hurtful, and does not support and promote a healthy learning environment." 

A recent poll showed that Iowans strongly support anti-bullying measures. The poll conducted in February of 2015 showed 73 percent of Iowans support it, while 23 percent oppose it.

 

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