10 Mar 2015

Branstad, Reynolds, Department of Education announce Iowa Financial Literacy Summit

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - A great education includes knowing how to make smart, responsible financial decisions. As part of a statewide effort to improve students' financial literacy skills, Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today announced they will host an Iowa Financial Literacy Summit this spring and encouraged Iowans to get involved. The summit will be held on May 5 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

"Financial skills are essential, which is why they are included in our state's academic standards," Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck said. "Still, we must do more to help students understand the power of being financially literate."

The summit is open to all Iowans, including middle and high school students, parents, and educators. The event will include speeches from Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and Jack Kosakowski, chief executive officer of Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

"We know our children need to be financially literate in order to have a bright future," Branstad said. "We also know that financial literacy is critical for our state's economic future. Many Iowans, including educators, financial services experts, and elected officials have expressed concerns about the status of financial literacy in Iowa."

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said she witnessed the importance of financial literacy as a former Clarke County treasurer.

"I saw how far too many Iowans struggle to understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to issues like tax payments and license fees," Reynolds said. "Success in the 21st century requires being financially literate."

Further details about the summit will be announced later this month. Tickets are available through April 21. To register, go to: https://www.educateiowa.gov/event/iowa-financial-literacy-summit

The summit will be paid for with funding from the Iowa Department of Education, registration fees and generous support from the private sector. Registration for the day is $50, with room for about 500 attendees.

The summit is part of a broader effort to bolster financial literacy awareness and support. That effort started in January 2014, when Buck convened a work team in response to growing concerns about whether Iowa students are learning the financial literacy skills they need to succeed.

The work team, made up of Iowans representing K-12 education, financial services, higher education and the Iowa Department of Education, recommended a review of state financial literacy requirements for K-12 schools as well as a study of how school districts approach financial literacy education. The group also recommended more centralized resources for teachers and tapping financial literacy experts to provide professional development training.

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10 Mar 2015

Involving Kids in Family Vacation Planning

By Steve Burke

By Jason Alderman

Family vacations produce memories for a lifetime, but they can also teach kids great money lessons they'll need as adults.

Involving kids in planning family vacations not only helps them appreciate the overall benefits of travel, but offers an opportunity for even the youngest kids to learn lessons about budgeting, saving and essential money management they will encounter every day.

If you have trouble tearing your kids away from their smartphones, you might be in luck. The technology kids use can be very effective in budgeting, pricing and planning travel. Surfing travel destinations can teach kids a great deal about what travel really costs.

The first step in planning the family vacation should be creating a budget for the trip. Set a realistic dollar limit for the trip and be prepared to discuss why that limit exists. For example, if there is a home renovation project scheduled that particular year, explain how that affects the overall family budget and the resources for the trip. It's an important lesson in balancing fun and family priorities.

After these limits are discussed, work with kids to create a detailed budget for accommodations, transportation, food, special event tickets and souvenirs, particularly souvenirs kids might buy for themselves. For tips, check out (http://practicalmoneyskills.com/travel) for saving on and this online calculator (http://practicalmoneyskills.com/travelcalculator) to help plan.

Once the budget is set, point kids in the direction of certain travel websites to start and let them bring back as much information as they can on potential locations and costs.

Putting the kids in charge of travel planning gives them an opportunity to learn about trade-offs. For example, a cross-country trip that involves substantial transportation costs might contain a valuable lesson in finding affordable accommodations. Depending on the age of the children doing the research and how much advance time is available to plan the trip, they can also learn how traveling in season and out of season might help the budget. Many peak summer destinations become significantly more affordable if a family chooses to travel over the winter holidays.

Above all, trip planning can teach an important lesson in spending and savings. If children want to buy souvenirs or treats on the trip, that's an opportunity to have them set aside part of their allowance or chore money to pay for their special purchases on the trip. To get them started, help them save for their goal using this online calculator (http://practicalmoneyskills.com/savingforagoal).

Finally, once everyone is home, parents and kids might find it useful to discuss how the vacation went overall and what improvements can be applied next time. Encourage kids to start researching next year's destinations immediately so the money and activity conversation can begin even earlier.

Bottom line: Involving your children in family vacation planning allows them to see the world and to practice good budgeting, saving and spending habits.

10 Mar 2015

New Items on Nho's Menu

By Nho's Cafe
We now have Glass Noodle, Thai Tea and Vietnamese Coffee on the menu.
Glass Noodle is the cellophane noodle, (extremely thin noodle). It is made from starch and water, that's it. Like our other noodle dishes, you can choose your choice of protein or just vegetables (mushroom, cabbage, carrot, scallion).
Thai Iced Tea (sweet and creamy) and Vietnamese Iced Coffee (dark coffee with condensed milk) are so heavenly delicious stepping into Spring Season.
Our Special Dinner Menu will be updated very soon with Spring Season Produce, and we will update the entrees as well.  Stay Tuned :)
Nho's Cafe-3801 Rockingham Road, Davenport IA 52802.  Find us on Facebook or give us a call: 563-275-8905.
10 Mar 2015

Illinois National Guard Officer Becomes First Female General

By Illinois National Guard PAO

Tate-Nadeau will oversee Illinois National Guard's Domestic Operations

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/07/2015)(readMedia)-- March 7 Col. Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau made history when she was promoted to brigadier general, the first female in the Illinois National Guard to earn the rank. However, to her it is not about gender; it is about being the best.

"Being a leader transcends gender and everything else," she said. "I never wanted to be the best female officer. I wanted to be the best officer."

Maj. Gen. Daniel Krumrei, Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, promoted Tate-Nadeau of Chicago and formerly of Delavan, Illinois. She was joined by her family, friends and approximately 200 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen during the ceremony at Camp Lincoln's Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois. Tate-Nadeau's children, Lindsey and Gavin, and retired Maj. Gen. Randal Thomas, former Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, joined Krumrei to pin on her new rank.

Her goal of being the best officer looked a little different more than 30 years ago when Tate-Nadeau was enjoying her college years at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1984. At the time, she was studying business and was busy with her sorority when the Dean of Women recommended she take a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) course to improve her grade point average.

"After one course I found out I loved it and I was pretty good at it," she said. "I didn't realize she brought me on a course that was life changing for me. That one lady, caring about me, had such a dramatic impact on my life. If it hadn't been for her I never would have been introduced to the military, let alone 30 years of service."

She soon transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma, then graduated and earned her commission to second lieutenant in 1986 through its ROTC program.

Tate-Nadeau said her leadership style is rooted in the standard she learned from retired Col. Norman Aschenbrenner, her battalion commander while she was company commander for Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 44th Chemical Battalion in Sycamore, Illinois, from 1989 to 1991.

"He taught me there was only one standard, for the men and women who serve. Make a decision that is good for your Soldier or you're wrong and he was going to hold you, as an officer, accountable for that," she said.

A few years later, as a married mom working on her master's degree in hospital administration, she transitioned from a traditional, one-weekend a month Guardsman to a full-time Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldier in 1997.

Since then, Tate-Nadeau's subordinates have experienced her early-rooted leadership style first-hand.

Sgt. Maj. Mary Dixon of Chapin, Illinois, with the 108th Medical Battalion in Chicago, first worked with Tate-Nadeau at the Regional Training Institute in Springfield, Illinois, when Tate-Nadeau was the officer in charge from 2002 to 2003. Soon after, Dixon followed Tate-Nadeau to Macomb, Illinois, to help re-establish the previously deactivated 44th Chemical Battalion.

Dixon said she is still committed to Tate-Nadeau and her leadership.

"I would go anywhere she asked right now, almost without question," Dixon said. "I still feel that devotion. I would love to be on her team again."

Dixon adjusted her personal and professional schedules to attend the ceremony.

"It's not often we have the opportunity to witness an event like this and I really believe no one deserves this opportunity more than Colonel Tate-Nadeau," she said. "I was fortunate to work with her for years, and I wanted to be there to show my support."

Maj. Eric Davis of Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, with 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment in Chicago, worked with Tate-Nadeau from 2008 to 2009 when she was the Illinois Army National Guard's Director of Plans, Operations and Training.

He admitted she often pushed him to his limits, but said he never felt she set him up for failure. He also said the last thing he ever wanted to do was disappoint her.

"She's one of those people you don't want to let down because she's a good leader who will always have your back," Davis said. "You always knew where you stood...she chewed you when you needed it and gave you praise when you deserved it. I always felt she had my back."

Throughout her career, Tate-Nadeau held multiple positions, including various command and director-level positions such as Chief of the Joint Staff; Director of Plans, Operations and Training; 404th Chemical Brigade Deputy Commander; 44th Chemical Battalion Commander and 5th Civil Support Team Commander. She also deployed to Iraq with Multi-National Division (Central South) as the Chief of Operations, Plans and Public Information.

In her current assignment as the Illinois Army National Guard Assistant Adjutant General, the Adjutant General placed her in charge of domestic operations, overseeing Illinois National Guard homeland security response and programs such as the State Partnership Program with Poland. Prior to this position, she served a three-year tour as the National Guard Bureau Liaison Officer to the Israeli Home Front Command, in Ramla, Israel. In December 2014, Tate-Nadeau retired from the AGR program and transitioned back to a traditional Guardsman when she accepted a civilian position as the Region V Federal Emergency Management Agency Incident Management Assistance Team Leader in Chicago.

Out of all her positions in the Illinois National Guard, Tate-Nadeau admitted one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, positions was one she originally did not want. In September 2003, she was ready to work in operations while Thomas, then the Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, appointed her as the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Officer (PAO).

"I literally cried in a corner when I got it," she said. "It was the hardest job I've had...in the beginning of the war when we were taking so many casualties. However, it gave me an opportunity to tell the Soldiers' story and to give honor to the men and women who have died. The people I've served have stayed with me forever."

Her dream job in operations as the Illinois Army National Guard's Director of Plans, Operations and Training came in 2007, immediately following her PAO assignment.

With more than 30 years of military service and now a new full-time career, Tate-Nadeau said her greatest accomplishment is not her career. It is her children.

"The men and women I've served have been amazing, but the two people who have taken the brunt every time duty calls are those two kids," she said. "They're my biggest supporters and I could not have done it without them."

Along with her family, Tate-Nadeau said she is blessed with a group of friends who have helped her and her family throughout her career. She said her Delavan neighbors never hesitated to pick up Lindsey, now 24, and Gavin, now 18, from school or help with significant life events while she was deployed or travelling.

"It's kind of hard to do a military career without a whole team behind you helping you," she said. "I thank all those people in my life who allowed me to have my military career."

Throughout her career, Tate-Nadeau said it was never about being the best and brightest, but rather surrounding herself with the best and brightest. She also said it was never about ultimately wearing a star on her chest. It was about being her true self for her Soldiers.

"There is no cookie cutter way to leadership," she said. "You can only be who you are in your heart, because Soldiers know that."

10 Mar 2015

MALLARDS WEEKLY UPDATE: MARCH 9, 2015

By Brian Lavelle

THIS WEEK
Wednesday, March 11, 7:05 p.m.

iWireless Center, Moline
Missouri Mavericks vs. Quad City Mallards

Saturday, March 14, 7:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Wichita Thunder vs. Quad City Mallards

Sunday, March 15, 4:05 p.m.
iWireless Center, Moline
Missouri Mavericks vs. Quad City Mallards

 

LAST WEEK
Wednesday, March 4
Tulsa 2 Quad City 0

Friday, March 6

Quad City 3 Allen 2

Saturday, March 7

Allen 3 Quad City 2

Quad City
29-23-7, 65 points
2nd place, Central Division
Coach: Terry Ruskowski

Missouri
22-29-6, 50 points
6th place, Central Division
Coach: Richard Matvichuk

Wichita
27-21-8, 62 points

4th place, Central Division
Coach: Kevin McClelland

QUACK TRACKS
Splitsville

The Mallards last weekend split a pair of one-goal home games with the league-leading Allen Americans.  The Mallards defeated Allen 3-2 last Friday before falling by the same score one night later.

Second

The Mallards remain in second place in the ECHL's Central Division.  They are two points ahead of third place Rapid City, three points ahead of fourth place Wichita and five points ahead of fifth place Tulsa.  The top four teams in the division will qualify for the Kelly Cup playoffs.

 

Home Sweet Home

The Mallards have gone 1-2-1 over the first four games of an eight game homestand- their longest of the season.  Overall, the have won one of their last five home games (1-3-1).  Last Friday's victory halted a four-game (0-3-1) home winless streak.

Late Show
Kevin Baker scored the winning goal with just 12.8 seconds left in last Friday's game against Allen. 

Blanked

Last Wednesday night's 2-0 loss at the hands of the Oilers marked the fourth time the Mallards have been shut out this season.  This is the first time the Mallards have been blanked four times in a season since the 2010-11 campaign.  The Mallards last went goalless in more than four games in the same season when they were whitewashed six times during the 2005-06 United Hockey League campaign.

Hot Ticket
A total of 11,726 fans- 6,310 Friday night and 5,416 Saturday evening- watched the Mallards' games against the Americans last weekend, the best combined attendance for Mallard home games on consecutive nights this season.

Red Light District
The Mallards allowed three goals or fewer in their last six games and total of just 11 (non-shootout) goals during that stretch.  The Mallards rank fifth in the ECHL in goals against per game (2.6).  After scoring only five times in their three games last week, they now rank eighteenth in goals scored per game (2.9).

Special Teams

The Mallards have failed to convert their last 14 power plays.  The Mallards are tenth in the ECHL on the man advantage (17.3 percent).  They are tied for fifth in the league in penalty killing (85.2 percent).

Baked
Baker scored or assisted on each of the Mallards' five goals last weekend against Allen.  Baker scored twice- the third period game tier as well as the late winner- and picked up an assist last Friday and had a goal and an assist one night later.  Baker's last seven overall points (three goals and four assists) have come against Allen, dating back to a 4-2 loss to the Americans on February 25 during which he assisted on both Mallard goals.  Baker has had a hand in each of the Mallards' last eight goals (four goals and four assists) against Allen- a stretch that began when he scored the third period game winner in the Mallards' 2-1 victory on February 16 at the Allen Event Center- and in ten of the 11 goals the Flock scored in its five-game season series against the Americans.  He finished the season series as the top scorer (6-4-10) on either club.

Full Nelson
Logan Nelson has scored five goals- and added an assist- in his last five games and scored seven times in his last eight games.  He has totaled nine points (seven goals and two assists) in his last nine games.

Super Mario
With an assist last Saturday night, Mario Lamoureux reached 60 points for the second time in his three-year career.  Lamoureux ranks fourth in the ECHL in assists (43) and is tied for eighth in points.  Lamoureux is five points shy of the career high of 65 he set as a rookie with the Ontario Reign in 2013-13.

Between the Pipes
Parker Milner has given up a total of six goals while winning three of his last four starts.  Milner ranks fourth in the ECHL in goals against average (2.27) and save percentage (.921).

Milestones
Terry Ruskowski is closing in on 100 wins as Mallards coach.  Ruskowski has gone 96-72-23 since taking over behind the Quad City bench for the 2012-13 season.

Head to Head
The Mallards have gone 5-4-3 against the Mavericks this year and have posted a 2-1-2 home record against the Mavs.  All-time, the Mallards have turned in a 21-23-4 overall record against the Mavericks and have gone 9-10-2 on home ice against Missouri... The Mallards have gone 4-5-0 against the Thunder this season and 2-3-0 at home against Wichita.  All-time, the Mallards have gone 10-17-1 against the Thunder and 5-8-1 at the iWireless Center.

Ins and Outs
The Mallards sent forward Todd Fiddler to the Ontario Reign last Saturday to complete the trade that brought Mario Lamoureux to the Mallards in exchange for future considerations in October...Antti Pusa is on 21-day injured reserve retroactive to February 7... Pusa (out 15 games) and Johnny Rogic (21 games) have both been sidelined by upper body injuries.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Wednesday, March 11, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks

Four Tickets for $20; T.G.I. Friday's Postgame Party
Fans can get four tickets for just $20 for each Wednesday home game.  After Wednesday's game fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline for a postgame party.

Saturday, March 14, 7:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Wichita Thunder

Genesis Fan-Designed Game Worn Jersey Auction
The Mallards will wear special edition fan-designed jerseys in this Saturday night's game and after the game those jerseys will go up for bid in a live auction to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation.  The sweaters were created by Heath Morrison, the winner of the team's fan jersey design contest. 

Sunday, March 15, 4:05 p.m.- Mallards vs. Missouri Mavericks

Kids Day; Skate with the Mallards
Children 12 and under can get tickets for just $5 for every Mallards Sunday home game.  After Sunday's game fans can bring their skates and join the Mallards on the ice for a post-game skate.

IN THE COMMUNITY
Tuesday, March 10, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
United Way
Mallards players will team with the United Way to make their monthly visit to five area elementary schools to encourage and academic achievement and improved attendance among students.

Thursday, March 12, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tip-A-Mallard
Tip-A-Mallard returns to the Bier Stube in Moline and LeClaire Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Mallards players will wait tables with all tips going to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Friday, March 13, 1:00 p.m.
Winola Elementary School Jump Rope for Heart
Mascot Mo Mallard will help kick off the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart at Winola Elementary School in Viola, Illinois, Friday at 1:00 p.m.  Students who raise more than $50 in donations will receive a free ticket to the Mallards' Saturday, April 11 regular season finale against the Tulsa Oilers.

Friday, March 13, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Disc Replay
Fans can meet Mallards players at Disc Replay in the North Park Mall Friday.  Mallards will be signing autographs between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. at Disc Replay.

ON THE AIR
Fox Sports Radio 1230 is the radio home of Mallards Hockey Presented by Genesis Power Sports Performance.  Mallards games broadcast on AM 1230 also stream live online at www.wfxn.net.  A limited number of Mallards games will not air on Fox Sports Radio 1230 due to conflicts with University of Illinois basketball and football and Green Bay Packer football.  ECHL-TV pay-per-view video webcasts and free audio webcasts of all Mallards games are also available at myqcmallards.net.

TICKETS
Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets for all Mallards regular season contests are now available.  Fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com for more information about tickets.  Single game tickets are also available at the iWireless Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through www.ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Group Tickets
Groups of at least ten receive savings off the walk-up price and a host of group benefits.  Mallards group tickets are a great fit for youth organizations, friends, co-workers, family groups, religious groups, school functions and business events.  For more group ticket information, fans can contact the Mallards at (309) 277-1364 or info@myqcmallards.com.

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09 Mar 2015

WQPT/FOURTH WALL FILMS TO SCREEN "LETTERS HOME TO HERO STREET" MARCH 22

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, IL -- WQPT, QUAD CITIES PBS and Fourth Wall Films will screen their documentary, "Letters Home to Hero Street," at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at Hampton Grace United Methodist Church in Hampton, Illinois. The film screening is open free to the public.

 

The 30-minute film draws on the letters home from one of eight soldiers, who were lost to war, who lived on 2nd Street in Silvis, IL, which is now known as "Hero Street USA." Through the soldier's letters home to his family, the documentary provides a glimpse into the experiences of one of the heroes.

 

After the film, there will be an informal question-and-answer period.

 

The project was funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

 

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09 Mar 2015

Governor Bruce Rauner Announces Appointments

By Catherine Kelly

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner today announced appointments to the following boards and commissions: the Illinois Board of Education, Illinois Community College Board, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, the Illinois Court of Claims and the Illinois Civil Service Commission.

Name: Lazaro Lopez

Position: Chairman - Illinois Community College Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Lazaro Lopez, 47, of Hoffman Estates to become the next chairman of the Illinois Community College Board. Lopez is a well-respected leader in the education field and was named Illinois Principal of the Year in 2013.

Lopez is currently the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning of Township High School District 214 in Arlington Heights, which is the state's second-largest school district with more than 12,000 students. In this position he is responsible for the development and delivery of effective educational programs within the district's schools.

Prior to his work at the district level, Lopez was the principal of Wheeling High School. He oversaw the school's transition to a STEM-focused curriculum, which better prepares students for today's 21st century economy and world. Lopez held this position from 2007 to 2013.

Lopez is an army veteran, having served our country for three and a half years. He earned his associate's degree from the College of DuPage and a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University. He holds a master's degree from Roosevelt University and a doctorate in education from Aurora University.

Name: John Sanders

Position: Illinois State Board of Education

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected John Sanders, 52, of Marion to the Illinois State Board of Education. Sanders has served on the John A. Logan Community College Board of Trustees since 1997.

Sanders is a partner at Sanders & Sanders, which is a general practice law firm serving all of southern Illinois. The firm has also earned a premier reputation for its work in school law and has represented more than 40 different school districts throughout the region.

In addition to his legal work, Sanders has also served on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, the Association for Community College Trustees and the Illinois Community College Trustee Association.

Sanders earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Illinois and a law degree from Southern Illinois University.

Name: Arabel Alva Rosales

Position: Board of Directors - Chicago Transit Authority

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Arabel Alva Rosales to the Chicago Transit Authority Board of Directors. She is an entrepreneur, a leader in the Hispanic community and has 15 years of state government experience.

Currently, Rosales is the president and CEO of A. Alva Rosales & Associates, which is a technology firm specializing in project management, technology-based marketing and developing technology infrastructure.

Rosales served the State of Illinois in a number of different positions from 1990 to 2005. Most recently, she was a Commissioner on the Illinois Human Rights Commission. She was also the Director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Under former Governor Jim Edgar, she served as a Senior Policy Adviser on Urban Issues and as an Assistant to the Governor on Women's Issues and Hispanic Affairs.

Rosales earned her bachelor's degree from Mundelein College at Loyola University and a law degree from DePaul University. She also holds an executive certificate from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Name: Andre Youngblood

Position: Board of Directors - Chicago Transit Authority

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Andre Youngblood, 44, of South Holland to the Chicago Transit Authority Board of Directors. He brings 20 years of experience to the position.

Youngblood is currently the Commercial Insurance Director at Allianz Insurance Co. He manages a $30 million portfolio throughout the Midwest and is responsible for building relationships with key agency partners and profitability growth.

Prior to his work at Allianz, Youngblood worked for the Chubb Group of Insurance as a Commercial Marine Underwriter for three years. He also worked for State Farm Insurance as a Senior Claim Representative for two and a half years.

Youngblood earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California in African-American studies. He earned a master's degree in finance from DeVry University.

Name: Richard Burrow III

Position: Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Richard Burrow III, 59, of O'Fallon to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Burrow has a background in medical and business fields and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Burrow is currently the Executive Vice President and COO of the Shaw Management Corporation. He is responsible for transforming the organization from a family-owned small business into a thriving corporation. Prior to that, Burrow was the COO of Family Physicians of O'Fallon.

Burrow is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He retired in 1999 as the flight commander for the 375th Medical Operations Squadron. In that position he oversaw health care, preventative medicine and health promotion for more than 18,000 beneficiaries.

Burrow earned his bachelor's degree in nursing from Southern Illinois University, and he holds a master's degree in business management from Colorado Technical University. Burrow also attended Air Command and Staff College and Nursing Service Management within the Air Force.

Name: Mary Patricia Burns

Position: Judge - Illinois Court of Claims

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed Mary Burns as Judge of the Illinois Court of Claims. Burns has served in this capacity since July 2009.

 

Burns is president of Burke Burns & Pinelli law firm. She is a managing partner and practicing attorney. Previously, she was an associate at Burke & Smith Chartered. Burns also served as a law clerk for Judge James Murray, researching and writing opinions.

 

Currently, Burns serves as a board member for many service organizations including Mercy Hospital Foundation, Service Club of Chicago and Ronald McDonald Children's Charity of Chicago.

 

Burns earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, and earned her law degree from Loyola University School of Law.

 

 

Name: Fredrick Bates

Position: Chairman - Illinois Civil Service Commission

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Fredrick Bates to be Chairman of the Illinois Civil Service Commission. Bates has served as an administrative law judge for the Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings since August 2013.

Before becoming a judge, Bates was President of Bates Legal Group, which specializes in management labor and employment law. He was recognized by The Legal Network as one of the top lawyers in 2013.

His other work experience includes being an equity partner at Wildman Harold, et al., President of Albert, Bates, Whitehead, et al., equity partner at Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, and an associate at Seyfarth Shaw. He began his career as a judicial law clerk for Judge Donald Ross on the 8th Circuit United States Court of Appeals.

Bates received a bachelor's degree from Marquette University. He received his law degree from Creighton University School of Law in 1983.

 

 

Name: Garrett FitzGerald

Position: Commissioner - Illinois Civil Service Commission

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed Garrett FitzGerald as Commissioner of the Illinois Civil Service Commission. FitzGerald has served the people of Illinois as chairman of the ICSC since May 2011.

For almost nine years, FitzGerald has worked as the executive director for Northcenter Chamber of Commerce. His daily work has helped promote economic development and business growth in the Northcenter neighborhood. The growing chamber has more than 400 current members.

Prior to his work with the Chamber, FitzGerald worked as a policy analyst for the Chicago City Council under Alderman Eugene Schulter and as legislative staff to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

FitzGerald earned a bachelor's degree in political science from DePaul University.

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09 Mar 2015

U.S. Responds to Galena Train Derailment

By Phillippa Cannon

Chicago, Illinois (March 6, 2015) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is responding to the derailment of a BNSF freight train that occurred near Galena, Illinois on March 5th.  EPA is conducting air monitoring, taking water samples, assessing environmental damage and setting up booms to protect nearby waterways from oil leaking from the rail cars. So far, air monitors have detected airborne particles typically associated with fires but no chemicals.

EPA has established a command post near the scene of the incident and is serving as the Federal On Scene Coordinator for federal agencies involved in the emergency response and coordinating work with state and local agencies.

Updates on the EPA response will be posted on at: http://www2.epa.gov/il/galena-train-derailment

09 Mar 2015

WQPT BROADCAST SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW AVAILABLE

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT- Quad Cities PBS is pleased to offer a $500 Broadcast Scholarship to students pursuing a career in broadcasting. The annual award can be applied to tuition, books and fees.

 

Criteria to apply for the scholarship opportunity follow. You must:

 

•   be an accepted, or a currently enrolled, student at Western Illinois University in the broadcasting program;

•   reside in WQPT's viewing area or have recently graduated from a high school in the WQPT viewing area;

•   have earned an overall 2.5 GPA (grade point average); and

•   have a 3.0 or higher GPA in broadcasting courses taken at other institutions (not applicable to incoming college freshmen).

 

In addition, preference will be given to full-time students, although part-time students may apply.

 

For complete information and to download the application form online, visit wqpt.org/scholarship or call (309) 764-2400 or toll-free at (800 or 877) 413-2424. Applications will be accepted through April 18, 2014.

 

WQPT is a public media service of Western Illinois University-Quad Cities located in Moline, Illinois.

 

# # #

09 Mar 2015

Local students named to Dean's List at Washington University in St. Louis

By Melanie Walsh

ST. LOUIS, MO (03/06/2015)(readMedia)-- The following students were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at Washington University in St. Louis:

• Ryan Mitchell Kelly of Bettendorf, IA. Kelly is enrolled in the university's College of Arts & Sciences.

• Amanda Thuy Trang Phan of Bettendorf, IA. Phan is enrolled in the university's College of Arts & Sciences.

To qualify for the Dean's List in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

To qualify for the Dean's List in the Olin Business School, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

To qualify for the Dean's List in the College of Art, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

To qualify for the Dean's List in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 12 graded units.

To qualify for the Dean's List in the College of Architecture, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.

Washington University is counted among the world's leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 120 nations. The total student body is more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 3,400 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. Twenty-four Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research there.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

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