06 Apr 2015

Governor Announces More Appointments

By Catherine Kelly

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has selected the Co-Chairs of the Early Learning Council in the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development and appointed members to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.

Name: Beth Purvis

Position: Co-Chair - Early Learning Council

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected his Secretary of Education, Dr. Beth Purvis, to serve as a Co-Chair of the Early Learning Council. Dr. Purvis has more than 22 years of experience in various levels of education. Most recently, Dr. Purvis was the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago International Charter School. She was also an assistant professor of special education and associate director of the Child and Family Development Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Name: Phyllis Glink

Position: Co-Chair - Early Learning Council

 

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Phyllis Glink to serve as a Co-Chair of the Early Learning Council. Glink is currently the Executive Director of the Irving Harris Foundation, which focuses on investments to early-childhood education and children and family welfare, among other issues. She is an advocate for the well-being of infants, toddlers, and pregnant women, focusing on early intervention through increasing non-profit advocacy, government involvement and public understanding. Glink has also served on the Illinois Department of Human Services Advisory Council on Childcare.

 

 

 

Name: Andrea Waintroob

Position: Chairman - Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has named Andrea Waintroob the chairman of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. She brings more than 35 years of experience in negotiating labor contracts with private and public sector employers.

Waintroob has negotiated and settled more than 50 collective bargaining agreements for educational employers in the State of Illinois as well as cities and other public entities. She is currently Of Counsel at Franczek Radelet and was one of its founding partners. Prior to her work at Franczek Radelet, she was a partner at Vedder Price, representing public school districts in labor and employment negotiations.

In addition to her work as an attorney, she is also a lecturer at the University of Chicago in both the law and business schools. She has taught courses on public sector labor relations and government regulation of the employment relationship.

Waintroob is a graduate of Brown University and earned her law degree at the University of Chicago. She lives in Deerfield.

 

Name: Judy Biggert

Position: Board Member - Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed former U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Her experiences in Congress and at the state and local level bring a unique perspective to the board.

Biggert represented the southwestern suburbs in Congress from 1999-2013. She served on the Education and the Workforce Committee, including subcommittees on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, and Higher Education and Workforce Training. She also served on the Financial Services Committee, and was the Chairwoman of the Insurance Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee.

Before serving in Congress, Biggert served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999. She also was a member of the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 from 1978 to 1985, and served as its president from 1983 to 1985.

Biggert is an attorney and graduated from Northwestern University's School of Law. She earned her bachelor's degree from Stanford University. She lives in Hinsdale.

 

Name: Michael Prueter

Position: Board Member - Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed Michael Prueter to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. He has served on the board since 2010.

Prior to serving on the board, Prueter served as government liaison for a number of corporations and trade associations where he negotiated labor contracts with local and national food service vendors. He also served on a national legislative policy board in Washington, D.C. for several years.

Prueter has several years of business experience in the banking and financial services industry. He also worked as a staff member in the Illinois House and Illinois Senate.

Prueter received his bachelor's degree and an MBA from Columbia State University. He lives in Naperville.

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06 Apr 2015

Financial Literacy Nights for Kids Offered during Money Smart Week Quad Cities

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: Rock Island Library will host one of two Financial Literacy Nights for children as part of Money Smart Week Quad Cities, April 18 to 25.

A Scout Night for Financial Literacy for youth in Grades 2 through 5 will be offered at the Rock Island Main Library from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 21. Financial professionals from banks and credit unions will deliver hands-on lessons on money, budgeting and smart purchasing, distinguishing between needs and wants, coin, bill counting and making change, using credit cards, paying bills on time, how insurance works and other practical money management skills. The Main Library is located at 401 19th Street, Rock island.

A second event, for older Scouts in Grades 6 to 12, will be offered from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 23, at Genesis East Medical Center auditorium, 1236 East Rusholme Street, Davenport. The workshops will offer more advanced lessons in budgeting, investing and stocks, credit awareness and insurance, and planning for college financial aid. The skills learned will help attendees work toward requirements for the Boy Scout personal management merit badge, and for Girl Scouts Senior  buying power and Financing My Future financial literacy badges.

Both free financial literacy events are open to other youth groups, as well as Boy and Girl Scouts.

Boy Scout leaders and parents should register through the Boy Scout office with Mia Carr at 563-388-7233, or mia.carr@scouting.org. Girl Scout leaders and parents should register with Ashley Arnold at Girl Scouts: 309-788-0833, or AshleyA@girlscoutstoday.org.

All others should contact the Rock Island Library at 309-732-7360. RSVPs are requested by April 14.

Money Smart Week is an annual program of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, www.moneysmartweek.org.

For more information about Rock Island Library services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ (7323) or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

06 Apr 2015

A Corporate, Bottom-Line Attitude Has Altered How Medicine Is Practiced

By Ginny Grimsley
The Prescription Could Be An Injection
Of Humanity, Physician Says

The changes in medical care over the last five decades have been dramatic.

Technological and scientific advances gave patients access to a level of medical diagnosis and care previously undreamed of.

During this time, Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act provided more people with the opportunity to take advantage of that care.

Yet despite all that extraordinary progress something is missing, says J. Joseph Marr, author of the book "Fall From Grace: A Physician's Retrospective on the Past Fifty Years of Medicine and the Impact of Social Change." (www.jjmarr.com)

The role of the physician as healer and patient confidant has degenerated to manager of a health care team. The personal interaction of physician and patient has largely disappeared as well.

The problem as Marr sees it is this: The entry of corporate for-profit health care destroyed the soul of medicine; it destroyed the doctor-patient relationship through its demands for brief patient encounters; and, most important, changed the focus of medicine from patient care to quarterly earnings.

"The tragedy in the past half century is that the astounding improvements in technology have cost us the human touch," he says. "That's almost completely because of corporate business practices in the health-care and insurance industries."

The system is not going to change, Marr says, but the medical community could improve it by injecting more humanity into the system.

"The interaction between a person with a medical problem and the physician who attempts to heal that person is one of the most human and personal of relationships," he says. "But it does not lend itself to accounting ledgers, quarterly earnings postings and visits per hour."

Marr says there are several ways the medical community can try to make a difference:

•  Shine the light on misinformation. Physicians can educate the public to counter direct advertising about drugs and talk show misinformation. This would require a conscious change in attitude and a rededication to the physician-patient relationship that once existed, Marr says. This attitude change would communicate itself quickly to the patient. What was once a brief, impersonal office visit would become more personal, even if still brief.

•  Create a relationship. Physicians can put that attitude change into practice with an extra question about family, some advice beyond drugs or surgical procedures, and the kinds of human inquiries that we all appreciate, but are largely absent from current patient encounters. "Physicians still are shocked by what has occurred and cowed by the pronouncements that come from the corporate philistines in charge of health care," Marr says.

•  Speak up. Most people recognize the high cost of care as a very serious problem for the country. Physicians, individually and collectively, must speak out against these costs and advocate measures to mitigate them, Marr says. A demonstration by the medical profession that it is as appalled by the changes in health care as is the general public would go far toward restoring the public trust in physicians, he says.

"Fifty years ago we physicians were accustomed to speaking out against injustice and expressing our opinions openly," Marr says. "When did we become so passive and pliable? Are we as concerned about money and perquisites as those in the corporate suites? Let us hope not and begin to behave accordingly."

About J. Joseph Marr, MD

J. Joseph Marr, MD is a retired academic physician and pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Xavier University in Ohio, and his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Marr has been a member of Boards of Directors of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. He is the author of more than 200 academic publications; authored and edited six books; and published short stories, essays, and poems. He lives near Denver, Colorado.

06 Apr 2015

BE MORE - BECOME A WQPT/PBS AMBASSADOR

By Rick Martin

MOLINE, ILLINOIS -- If you enjoy public television and volunteerism, then becoming a WQPT/PBS Ambassador may be just the thing for you. 

 

The WQPT/PBS Ambassador program is an opportunity for college students to represent public television at a variety of events throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Ambassadors are highly trained extensions of the WQPT volunteer force, representing the station at fairs, community and fundraising events and on television. According to WQPT Director Mary Pruess, serving as an ambassador is also a way for students to fulfill their schools volunteerism requirements, while making a difference in the community. 

 

For more information and to apply by May 1, visit wqpt.org/involved, or call (309) 796-2424.  

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

 

 

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06 Apr 2015

Nova Singers Presents: Lullabies and Folksongs

By Samantha Bowman

Nova Singers, under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, presents two performances of Lullabies and Folksongs Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College, 500 South Prairie, in Galesburg, and Sunday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street, Davenport.

Nova Singers will be joined by harpist Erin Freund for a delightful evening of music for harp and voices. Soak up the romantic harmonies of Brahms' Four Songs for women's voices, harp, and 2 horns, and the nostalgia and charm of familiar English and American folksongs arranged by Cecilia McDowall, Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. Everyone will love Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies featuring harp, guitar and marimba.

Artistic Director Laura Lane says, "The harp makes this one of the most unusual programs we've ever done! The sound of the harp with a small choir like Nova Singers is extraordinarily beautiful.  I'm especially excited about Conrad Susa's exquisite set of carols and lullabies from Spain and South America:  the melodies are tuneful and memorable and the harmonies simple and sort-of romantic, with just enough spice to keep you wanting more.  My favorite thing about them, though, is that, in addition to the choir and harp, Susa adds guitar and marimba!  The combination of these three instruments with the voices is striking and elegant.  I also love that we feature the women's voices on some songs and the men's voices on others--the audience always loves that! Folks will also enjoy hearing all the soloists who are featured throughout the program. And the songs themselves are so much fun! The men are singing some of my favorite folk songs, including Gentle Annie and Fergus and Molly."

Dr. Erin Freund is a versatile harpist, equally at home performing solo music, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire.  Dr. Freund is a frequent recitalist and embraces the challenge of performing virtuosic solo repertoire, spanning ancient and modern works that display the full capabilities of the harp.  Teaching is at the core of her musical life as a musician.  Dr. Freund is a part-time Assistant Professor of music at Augustana College where she teaches both private harp lessons in her studio, and sections of Music Appreciation in the classroom.  Dr. Freund is a registered Suzuki harp teacher, and has served on the faculty of Indiana University South Bend's Raclin School of the Arts, as well as the Music Institute of Chicago.

Nova Singers, a professional vocal ensemble under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, hopes to share our musical soul with you.  Nova Singers is known for the beauty and charm of our sound, and for the intimacy and playfulness of the concert experience for our audience members.

Tickets will be available at the door or online at www.novasingers.com. Admission is $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Students are admitted free of charge. For information about tickets, recordings, or other Nova Singers events, call 309-341-7038, or e-mail nova@knox.edu or like our Facebook page.

 

Lullabies and Folksongs is sponsored by G&M Distributors.  Nova Singers' 2014-2015 season is partially funded by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the Galesburg Community Foundation. This project is also supported with Quad City Arts Dollar$ funds, provided by Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, the Doris and Victor Day Foundation, and Deere and Company.
06 Apr 2015

Illinois National Guard acknowledges NATO's 66th anniversary

By Adriana Schroeder, Illinois National Guard Command Historian

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/03/2015)(readMedia)-- April 4 marks the 66th anniversary of the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, better known as NATO. Originally designed as a mechanism to deter Soviet aggression, NATO existed for more than 40 years before its first military operation. The Illinois National Guard has been a consistent contributor to NATO military missions over the last 23 years.

NATO aircraft enforced a no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina beginning Nov. 22, 1992 during Operation Deny Flight. The Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing (ARW), then based at O'Hare Air Reserve Station in Chicago, now at Scott Air Force Base, supported the operation with three separate deployments ending in February 1996.

In 1996, the 933rd Military Police Company was the first of a test group of National Guard units to perform a home station mobilization in November 1996, which eliminated the need to deploy to an active duty base for mobilization training. The 933rd deployed to Support Operation Endeavour, NATO's first peacekeeping operation.

The Illinois National Guard continuously supported NATO missions in the Balkans from 1996 to 2011. Detachment 1 of the 708th Medical Company, the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, the 44th Rear Area Operations Center, and the 106th Aviation Battalion all deployed in support of various NATO missions along with several individuals who augmented units from other states supporting missions in the Balkans.

Over the past decade, the NATO mission in Afghanistan has received considerable international attention and a consistent amount of support from the Illinois National Guard including the largest single overseas deployment of troops from Illinois since WWII when the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Urbana, Illinois, deployed to Afghanistan in September 2008.

More recently, the 126th ARW supported a NATO mission in Libya, providing air-refueling operations in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the air campaign, in March 2011.

In 2012, Illinois National Guard supported NATO, but this time within the borders of the U.S. as NATO held its 25th Summit in Chicago on May 20-21. Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen augmented the Department of State staff to provide support to visiting delegations. The support included reception services as the delegates arrived, transportation and international media support as well as ceremonial support during several state dinners in the Chicago area.

In July 1993, the Illinois National Guard forged a partnership with the Republic of Poland, a member of NATO since 1999. The partnership was originally created to assist Poland with military transformation and acceptance into NATO. The partnership includes over 330 bilateral events focused on interagency cooperation and interoperability. In addition to joint training, since 2007, the two forces have participated in 14 NATO driven co-deployments to Afghanistan.

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06 Apr 2015

Iowa State Fair to Debut Mural Painting Contest

By Gary Slater

DES MOINES, IA (04/03/2015)(readMedia)-- The 2015 Iowa State Fair, set August 13-23, will feature a custom mural designed and painted by a local artist. Individuals are invited to submit their own designs for the 12x16-ft. mural, which will be completed throughout the Fair in the Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center.

To enter, submit an entry form along with a detailed rendering of your proposed design. For full consideration, applicants must also send an exhibition record, three to five samples of previous work and at least two professional references. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Iowa State Fair website: http://www.iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions/art/. All entries must be received or e-mailed to jcannon@iowastatefair.org by May 1.

The selected design will be chosen June 1. The winner will receive a $2,500 stipend, up to $500 in reimbursement for supplies and an invitation to plain the mural on-site during the Fair.

Send entries to:

Jen Cannon, Competitive Events Director

Iowa State Fair

PO Box 57130

Des Moines, Iowa 50317-0003

Or e-mail all materials to jcannon@iowastatefair.org

For questions about the contest, contact Jen Cannon at 515-262-3111, ext.245 or jcannon@iowastatefair.org.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at www.iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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06 Apr 2015

"Digitization and the Future of Media. In What Form Will Newspapers Survive?" Lecture-April 8

By Tami S. Seitz

Siddiqi Selected as WIU 2015 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer; Lecture Set for April 8 at WIU-QC

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - The Western Illinois University 2015 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, Mohammad Ahmadullah Siddiqi, will present "Digitization and the Future of Media. In What Form Will Newspapers Survive?" at  3 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Riverfront Hall, room 103-104 (Moline).

In this lecture, Siddiqi, professor of journalism and public relations in the WIU Department of English and Journalism, will share the results of his studies on the impact of digitization on media content, readership and formats.

"Websites, blogging and various social media platforms are taking over the roles played by the traditional media," Siddiqi explained. "More people now receive their news, as well as entertainment, from YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Advertising revenue for traditional media is shrinking and the 'shape' of newspapers is changing," he said.

In his lecture, Siddiqi will emphasize the need for revising the journalism curriculum and teaching students about the new technologies, social media journalism and multimedia skills.

"The traditional newspaper audience exists far beyond those who buy print copies, and newspapers still serve an important function in our society," he added.

Siddiqi also said that technological developments, even unforeseen ones, are going to challenge newspapers to be more innovative in providing the in-depth news and views to their audiences. 

Siddiqi joined Western's faculty in 1987. In 2006, he became the director of Western's journalism program and served as chair for the English and journalism department (2009-10). 

During his time at WIU, Siddiqi has garnered several awards and honors, including: the President's Award of Excellence in Diversity (2013); the College of Arts and Sciences' Outstanding Service Award (2013); an award for Excellence in Multicultural Teaching (2011); and the President's Faculty Excellence Award for Outstanding Scholarly Work (1992). 

In 2014, Siddiqi was inducted into the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Hall of Fame at Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) for his service to humanity and his spiritual guidance and mentorship. He has also served as the president of the Islamic Center of Macomb for more than two decades.

Siddiqi has published three books, numerous book chapters and more than one dozen articles in refereed journals. He serves on the editorial advisory boards of the Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research (U.K.); Journal of Media Studies (Pakistan); and Journal of the Global Communication Research Association. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America; a lifelong member, and executive committee member, of the International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR); a member of the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR); and a member of, as well as the treasurer for, the World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations (WCMIR). 

Siddiqi has lectured and conducted media workshops, delivered keynote addresses and presented papers in national and international conferences and conventions of professional associations of journalism and public relations. He has travelled to many countries, including most European countries, most nations in the Middle East, almost all of the countries in Asia and about half dozen countries in Africa. 

Siddiqi received his bachelor's degree (1970) and master's degree (1973), both in physics, from the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. He earned a master's degree in mass communication from University of Illinois-Chicago (1984) and his doctorate in international communication from Temple University (1987).

06 Apr 2015

ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) Workshop May 2

By Chris Young

Course Name: Using Children's Nonfiction in PreK-2nd Grade Science

Location: Western Illinois University Moline Campus, Moline

Date: May 2, 2015

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join us for this workshop dedicated to showing early childhood educators (grades prekindergarten through three) how you can use children's nonfiction to help your students learn about Illinois fish and wildlife while meeting Common Core State Standards that emphasize nonfiction. We'll investigate field guides and incorporate resources from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as well. Poetry from "science poets" will be discussed, and we'll demonstrate how children can make an informational book, using observations and the field guides. Led by Dr. Jean Mendoza of the University of Illinois' Illinois Early Learning Project, you'll take away resources, ideas and experiences that can be incorporated instantly into your curriculum. This workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program from the IDNR. Register at https://www.enticeworkshops.com. Professional Development Hours are available.
06 Apr 2015

Hy-Vee's Private Label Canned Tuna Among Top Five Responsibly Sourced Brands

By Rick Martin

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (April 3, 2015) – Hy-Vee, Inc.'s private label canned tuna ranked fifth in Greenpeace USA's recent Tuna Shopping Guide, which analyzed 14 well-known canned tuna brands across the United States.

Hy-Vee Select Responsible Choice skipjack and albacore tuna were recognized as ocean safe products because of their pole and line or pole and troll fishing methods, which have minimal impact on other species. The analysis also noted the grocery chain's recent strides with its Seafood Procurement Policy and the availability of information on Hy-Vee's responsible seafood efforts.

"We are dedicated to delivering a high-quality seafood selection to our Midwest customers. To accomplish this, we believe we must also play an integral role in keeping our oceans healthy," said Nate Stewart, vice president of perishables at Hy-Vee. "We look forward to continuing to improve our responsible seafood efforts."

Greenpeace scored the brands in categories including traceability, fishing methods used, product labeling and consumer education, and support for marine reserves and promoting industry change. Through this scoring process, it found that only 20 percent of the canned tuna sold in the United States comes from sources that engage in responsible and nondestructive fishing practices.

Hy-Vee's Seafood Procurement Policy includes the Responsible Choice labeling initiative, which informs customers about the company's efforts to provide seafood from environmentally responsible sources. The policy was created to help Hy-Vee sell seafood that is not only safe for consumption, but that is also harvested or raised in a manner providing for its long-term viability while minimizing damage to the environment and other sea life.

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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 235 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $8.7 billion annually. Hy-Vee ranks among the top 25 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States. Supermarket News, the authoritative voice of the food industry, has honored the company with a Whole Health Enterprise Award for its leadership in providing services and programs that promote a healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit www.hy-vee.com.

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