CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Illinois to discuss his recent executive action to start to fix our nation's immigration system :

"I applaud President Obama's initiative in taking key steps to fix our broken immigration system.

"Our President understands that we are a nation of immigrants and it is our diversity that has made our country so great.

"No family should live in fear of unjust separation from their loved ones especially in our country and especially in Illinois.

"In Illinois we want everyone to have an opportunity for success. That includes access to education, healthcare and employment. Our Welcoming Centers are just one of the many ways that we are helping immigrants get access to the simple rights they deserve.

"We are a diverse state in a diverse nation and passing comprehensive immigration reform is the moral and compassionate thing to do for the millions of individuals across our country."

The Governor today greeted President Obama at O'Hare International Airport and attended his roundtable with community leaders and his speech on immigration reform at the Copernicus Community Center in Chicago.

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Send a care package for $15

Our mission is strong. It is strong because you honor the Military each day when you assemble packages, hand-make scarves and bracelets, organize collection drives and write letters from home.

Our mission is important. It is important because-- together--we show our Troops that we remember and appreciate them.

Our dedicated supporters, including YOU, have made a tremendous impact on the morale of our service members over the past 12 years.  Since March 2003, we have sent 1,155,198 Operation Gratitude Care Packages, touching countless lives.

However, the need is still great.  Why?

Because there are more than 150,000 American service members deployed far from home and loved ones, most in harm's way.

Because we are still sending packages to Iraq and Afghanistan.  We are sending to Liberia.  We are sending to Korea.  We are sending to ships throughout international waters.  Plus, we are sending packages to tens of thousands of Veterans and New Recruits here at home.

All of our heroes need a reminder that the American people are thinking of them and appreciate their service.

Whether you knit a warm scarf, write a letter, donate care package items, give $15 to send one package, $45 to send three packages, or send a package every month of the year for $180, we need your help.

As we begin to celebrate the holiday season, I hope you will take this opportunity to visit www.OperationGratitude.com and support our continuing mission to serve those who serve.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our brave men and women in uniform.

Fondly,

Carolyn Blashek
Founder, Operation Gratitude

Monticello, IA–This is the 26th year Camp Courageous, which began serving campers with special needs in 1972, has been making fruitcakes. Over 75 locations sell these delicious fruitcakes. Posters are generally displayed in the windows of participating businesses or one can go online to get the latest location updates at www.campcourageous.org.

These scrumptious one-pound cakes sell for $10.00. They do not contain citron or alcohol and make wonderful holiday gifts. They need to be stored, sliced and served frozen. Fruitcakes will be sold at various outlets from November through December. The cakes are also available at Camp Courageous or can be ordered online at the camp website. Camp will ship anywhere in the United States.

Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities. The camp was built and continues to run on donations, without government support, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fundraisers. The camp will serve nearly 7,000 individuals with special needs this year.

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As you and your family review options for Medicare Part D prior to the Dec. 7, 2014 enrollment deadline, please consider coverage of any drugs related to Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

Of particular note is a change to the availability of the Alzheimer's drug Namenda. The company that produces Namenda will cease production of one version of Namenda (Namenda IR tablets, usually taken twice per day) in January 2015.

While supplies of Namenda IR may be available at local pharmacies for a period of time after the company stops distribution in January, it is anticipated that individuals on this prescription will have to switch to another version of Namenda (XR = extended release once per day capsules). In addition, it is our understanding that a generic version of Namenda IR may be available as early as mid-2015; however, an official date has not been shared.

As with any prescription change, please have a conversation with your physician regarding options and next steps for you or your family members.

For more information regarding Medicare Part D, please visit our website.