CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to prohibit smoking on the campuses of all state-supported colleges and universities. The smoking ban takes effect July 1, 2015 and applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces on campuses. The Governor also signed a law to restrict the display of e-cigarettes. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect and improve the health and well-being of all people in every community across Illinois.

"Illinois' college students shouldn't be subject to unwanted cigarette smoke on the campuses they call home," Governor Quinn said. "We want all schools to be healthy, clean and productive places of learning for Illinois' bright young minds. This new law will improve the health of our students and encourage healthier lifestyles after college graduation."

Senate Bill 2202, sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) and State Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago), creates the Smoke Free Campus Act that prohibits all smoking on state-supported college and university campuses in Illinois beginning July 1, 2015.

"Smoke free policies have been proven to result in lower smoking prevalence rates.  That's one of the many reasons the American Lung Association is proud to have worked alongside state legislators on the Smoke Free Campus Act," American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest CEO Lew Bartfield said. "In addition, the new law will provide a healthy learning environment that promotes health and wellness for students, faculty, staff and visitors at all public colleges and universities in Illinois. The law not only minimizes toxic secondhand smoke exposure but also improves the campus environment by reducing smoking related litter. We applaud the Illinois State Legislature and Governor Pat Quinn for passing and signing the Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act."

"Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death," Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. "Smoke-free campuses make it more difficult for students and staff to smoke, thereby decreasing the number of people who smoke, and reducing the number of people who start."

Exceptions to the law are made for smoking inside privately owned vehicles traveling through campus and certain activities allowed under the Federal American Indian Religious Freedom Act.  A companion bill signed today by Governor Quinn, House Bill 3961, allows smoking on campus inside parked, non-state-owned vehicles. The Smoke Free Campus Act requires each institution to establish a community task force by December 31, 2014 to coordinate the implementation of the act.

Currently in Illinois, the following universities and colleges are smoke-free: Aurora University, Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, City Colleges of Chicago (7 colleges), College of DuPage, Danville Area Community College, Greenville College, Hannibal LaGrange University,  McHenry County College, Olivet Nazarene University, Rush University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,  University of Illinois at Chicago, Waubonsee Community College and  Wheaton College.

Additionally, there are current efforts to establish smoke-free/tobacco-free campuses at Southern Illinois University and Illinois State University. The other state-supported higher education institutions that would be mandated to become smoke-free include :  Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University and any community college subject to the Public Community College Act. Other states with colleges and universities that have 100 percent smoke-free policies include : California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

"A college education can put people ahead in life, but smoking can do just the opposite," Senator Link said. "This new law will clear the air on campuses statewide and help produce healthier graduates."

"This is a continuation of the efforts of Smoke Free Illinois to protect Illinoisans from the very significant danger of secondhand smoke," Representative Williams said. "This initiative will extend important public health protections to those studying, working and living at our public college and university campuses."

Governor Quinn today also signed House Bill 5868, sponsored by State Representative Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake) and State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago), which requires that alternative nicotine products such as e-cigarettes be displayed under the same restrictions as cigarettes. The products must be sold from behind a counter, in an age-restricted area or in a sealed case, and may not be dispensed from a self-service display. A previously passed law prohibits the sale of alternative nicotine items to those under 18 years of age. House Bill 5868 is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

"While many residents may use e-cigarettes to kick bad habits, these products have no place within arm's reach along the aisles of our pharmacies and grocery stores," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will ensure e-cigarettes are safely displayed behind the counter, where they belong."

Governor Quinn has long supported public health improvement measures in Illinois. Shortly after taking office in 2009 the Governor signed Senate Bill 2757, which strengthens enforcement of the Smoke Free Illinois Act by providing additional guidelines for writing citations.

In 2012, Governor Quinn signed into law a $1 per pack increase in the price of cigarettes, providing $350 million in revenue and dollar-for-dollar federal matching funds of $350 million for Medicaid. The American Cancer Society estimated the increase would prevent some 77,000 young people from smoking and prompt an additional 60,000 adults to quit. In 2013, Governor Quinn signed a law that bans the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.

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Iowa Youth Show the Best of the Best in 4-H Showmanship Competition

DES MOINES, IA (08/17/2014)(readMedia)-- Showmanship awards were given on Saturday and Sunday to the top 4-H exhibitors of beef, sheep, swine and meat goats at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Youth demonstrated their ability to present their livestock in the show ring and answered any questions the judge asked about their animals.

Outstanding exhibitors received purple ribbons, and top individuals were presented with belt buckles. The Showmanship contest is open to all 4-H exhibitors.

Complete results below:

BEEF

Champion 5-6 Grade - Makayla Houck, Prescott

Reserve Champion 5-6 Grade - Colin Henzen-DeCap, Dixon

Champion 7-8 Grade - Chloe Van Vliet, Otley

Reserve Champion 7-8 Grade - Grace Greiman, Goodell

Champion 9-10 Grade - Gracie Danner, West Liberty

Reserve Champion 9-10 Grade - Cassidy Becker, Diagonal

Champion 11-12 Grade - Ben Weis, McIntire

Reserve Champion 11-12 Grade - Reed McCormick, Pleasantville

SHEEP

Champion First Year - Marshall Meyer, Marengo

Reserve Champion First Year - Justin Rupnow, Nemaha

Champion Intermediate - Nicole Zuber, Marengo

Reserve Champion Intermediate - Karlyn Snider, Rhodes

Champion Senior - Kylee Silliman, Fremont

Reserve Champion Senior - Lexie Berry, Sac City

SWINE

Champion 5-6 Grade - Kylee Brown, Earlham

Reserve Champion 5-6 Grade - Dylan Cain, Chariton

Champion 7-8 Grade - Creigh Rourke, Iowa City

Reserve Champion 7-8 Grade - Jessica Frasher, Anamosa

Champion 9-12 Grade - Nick Bangert, Blue Grass

Reserve Champion 9-12 Grade - Kale Boysen, Morning Sun

MEAT GOAT

Champion 5-6 Grade - Haley Sweeting, Riverside

Reserve Champion 5-6 Grade - Taylor Decious, Tracy

Champion 7-8 Grade - Pearl Jones, Saint Charles

Reserve Champion 7-8 Grade - Erin Patterson, Gilman

Champion 9-12 Grade - Danielle Hoenig, Keokuk

Reserve Champion 9-12 Grade - Clayton Scurr, Grinnell

Five Records Set at 2014 Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions

DES MOINES, IA (08/16/2014)(readMedia)-- With a final swing of the gavel, the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA) raised $326,900 for the 16 exhibitors of 4-H and FFA Grand and Reserve Champions in the Sale of Champions Saturday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Five champion records were broken during the Sale.

The Grand Champion 4-H Market Heifer set a new record of $36,500, selling for $6,500 more than the record price set in 2010. The Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog sold for a record $36,000, besting the previous record of $31,000 set in 2012. The Reserve Grand Champion FFA Market Hog sold for a record-breaking $50,000, besting the previous 2008 record by an impressive $24,000. The Grand Champion FFA Market Meat Goat sold for a record $10,600, $3,100 more than the record price set in 2012. The Grand Champion 4-H Market Broiler Pen also set a record at $7,600, besting the previous 2012 record of $7,000.

Participants in the Sale of Champions were asked to find hometown supporters to set a floor price for bidding. The purchaser in the auction paid the difference between the floor price and the final sale price. Each participant in the Sale takes home a check for 80 percent of the animal's sale price. The IFAA keeps 20 percent to fund the scholarship program and cover Sale expenses. In addition to their sale earnings, the exhibitors of the Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, Grand Champion FFA Market Hog, Grand Champion 4-H Market Lamb and Grand Champion 4-H Breeding Heifer earn the use of a new aluminum livestock trailer for one year courtesy of Featherlite, Inc., of Cresco.

When added with the $231,550 of scholarships and performance and carcass awards presented prior to the Sale, the IFAA bestowed $558,450 on young livestock and poultry exhibitors during the day's event. Since the inception of the Sale of Champions in 1988, the IFAA has given out more than $6.5 million through Sale proceeds and scholarships to deserving youth participating in agricultural-related projects and interested in agricultural-related careers.

Young Judges Compete in Iowa State Fair Competition

DES MOINES, IA (08/17/2014)(readMedia)-- 4-H and FFA judging teams and individuals from across the state competed in the Youth Livestock Judging competition Sunday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results below:

TEAM

Junior

1) CGMS (Cole Moeller, West Point, Gavin Banderhorst, Prairie City, Mitchell Harken, Pleasantville, Shae Lynn Becker, Keota)

2) Benton County (Brock County, no hometown given, Brady Ortner, no hometown given, Will Schmidt, Watkins, Isaac Wiley, Walker)

3) Hancock County #1 (Andrew Baumgard, Garner, Brielle Smeby, Klemme, Erik Goll, Garner, Jade Pringnitz, Garner)

4) Pencils (Blake Moeller, West Point, Tanner Henningsen, Ames, Tate Boysen, Columbus Junction, Jake Schlutz, Letts)

5) Hancock County #2 (Jace Pringnitz, Garner, Joe Pringnitz, Garner, Andrew Furst, Garner)

Senior

1) Washington County (Macy Marek, Riverside, McKenna Brinning, Keota, Jack Carter, Washington, Logan Sieren, Keota)

2) Muscatine (Grace Seaba, no hometown given, Sam Burmeister, Muscatine, Cori Bates, Muscatine, Alyssa Scholz, Muscatine)

3) Carroll Area FFA (Jacob Wallace, Carroll, Matt Dentlinger, Arcadia, Ben Dentlinger, no hometown given, Tucker Vonnahme, no hometown given)

4) Scott County 4-H (Taylor Duckett, New Liberty, Evan Dietz, Walcott, Dylan Golinghorst, Walcott)

5) Davis County FFA (Baxter Knapp, Bloomfield, Nick Prevo, Ottumwa, Sam Knapp, no hometown given)

INDIVIDUAL

Junior

1) Shae Lynn Becker, Keota

2) Leremy Jackson, Unionville

3) Jack Willemsen, Pella

4) Tate Boysen, Columbus Junction

5) Gavin Branderhorst, Prairie City

6) Isaac Wiley, Walker

7) Blake Moeller, West Point

8) Cole Moeller, West Point

9) Brock County, no hometown given

10) Jade Pringnitz, Garner

11) Andrew Baumgard, Garner

12) Karragan Whitman, Calamus

13) Jake Pringnitz, Garner

14) Kale Whitman, Calamus

15) Nick Deppe, Maquoketa

16) Kylee Brown, Earlham

17) Erik Goll, Garner

18) Brielle Smeby, Klemme

19) Andrew Furst, Garner

20) Quinton Schwager, no hometown given

21) Mitchell Harken, Pleasantville

22) Brady Ortner, no hometown given

23) Jackson Sterle, Roland

24) Joe Pringnitz, Garner

25) Samuel Lane, Mediapolis

26) Will Schmidt, Watkins

27) Erik Beckman, Danville

28) Tanner Henningsen, Ames

29) Miranda Peters, no hometown given

30) Jake Schlutz, Letts

31) Riley Bruns, Calamus

32) Lauren Sieren, Keota

33) Ashley Kahler, Cambridge

34) Bryce Greiner, Keota

35) Olivia Marek, Riverside

36) Roy Carter, Washington

Senior

1) Macy Marek, Riverside

2) Anna Brooks, Blue Grass

3) Dylan Golinghorst, Walcott

4) McKenna Brinning, Keota

5) Sam Burmeister, Muscatine

6) Corina Bates, Muscatine

7) Taylor Duckett, New Liberty

8) Ben Dentlinger, no hometown given

9) Grace Seaba, no hometown given

10) Logan Sieren, Keota

11) Nick Prevo, Ottumwa

12) Trenton Kemp, no hometown given

13) Connor Conrad, Hillsboro

14) Tucker Vonnahme, Carroll

15) Jacob Sterle, Roland

16) Matt Dentlinger, Arcadia

17) Michael Peters, no hometown given

18) Tyler Wellman, West Point

19) Baxter Knapp, Bloomfield

20) Andrew Dornbier, Garner

21) Sam Knapp, no hometown given

22) Dale Schlutz, Letts

23) Caleb Weddle, no hometown given

24) Burke Surkrow, no hometown given

25) Evan Dietz, Walcott

26) Jacob Wallace, Carroll

27) Andrew Peters, no hometown given

28) McKenzie Von Rentzell, no hometown given

29) Jack Carter, Washington

30) Maddy Schroeder, no hometown given

31) Alyssa Scholz, Muscatine

32) Eileen Clausen, no hometown given

33) Sam Peters, no hometown given

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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Law Will Ensure Children Receive the Support and Care They Deserve

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to prohibit ATM fees on EPPICards, reloadable debit cards which are methods of receiving child support payments. The new law will ensure that children receive the support and care they deserve. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect consumers and support Illinois' families.

"Child support is intended to make sure that our state's youngest residents have access to the food, clothing and housing they need," Governor Quinn said. "Those funds should go towards care for the child, not bank fees. Protecting withdrawals on these cards means that parents can access the funds they are entitled to without burdensome fees."

Senate Bill 640 allows consumers to access these child support funds through an ATM without incurring additional fees. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) currently offers EPPICards to individuals receiving child support payments who do not use banking services, allowing individuals to access child support funds electronically. EPPICards help consumers avoid check cashing fees and provides protection from theft or fraud. The law is effective July 1, 2015.

"This measure protects families living paycheck to paycheck," State Senator Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge), sponsor of the legislation, said. "It keeps single parents who receive child support from paying unjust fees and enables them to get the money they rightfully deserve."

Governor Quinn has been a leader in protecting Illinois' consumers and making sure residents have access to their money without burdensome fees.  This month Governor Quinn signed legislation protecting users of employee payroll cards by limiting the fees that can be imposed on the cards, including a prohibition on fees for overdrafts, transaction history requests and purchases.

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Governor Quinn Signs Law to Coordinate Assistance to Illinois' Servicemembers

New Partnership Will Help Guide Support for Illinois' Servicemembers and their Families

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will help coordinate the donations and grants made by the public toward Illinois' veterans. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to support Illinois' military families.

"When it comes to supporting our veterans, Illinois is second to none," Governor Quinn said. "This law is just another way a grateful state can say 'thank you' to those who served. Now we can help ensure our servicemembers receive the support they deserve for all of the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms."

"We are grateful for Governor Quinn's leadership and support of our Illinois veterans and their families," Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Acting Director Rodrigo Garcia said. "The bill he's signed into law today is a strong initiative to continue helping us to help those who've served.  Senate Bill 3222 creates the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation and marks the next stage in our efforts to help so many deserving people across Illinois. We are also grateful to the sponsors and supporters of this important piece of legislation."

Senate Bill 3222, sponsored by State Senator Mike Hastings (D-Matteson), a West Point graduate and Iraq veteran, and State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (R-Litchfield), a veteran and a retired Illinois Air National Guard officer, represents the next step forward for Illinois Joining Forces. The law allows Illinois Joining Forces to be housed in a non-profit organization, the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation. The Foundation will help coordinate the "sea of goodwill" being offered to veterans and their families from numerous public and private sources. The new partnership allows the Illinois Joining Forces program to solicit, accept and disperse grants and donations on behalf of the state's veterans. This central coordination will ensure the most effective acceptance and distribution of assistance for veterans. The law is effective immediately.

"The Illinois Joining Forces Foundation is an outstanding way to show our veterans that we will honor and support them even after their services are inactive," Senator Hastings said. "When these men and women return to their homes, they should not have to go door to door to receive the services they may need and the foundation will provide an excellent one-stop-shop for them."

"With so many organizations available to assist our military service members, veterans and families, it can often be overwhelming to know where to turn for assistance," Representative Rosenthal said. "That is where the Illinois Joining Forces excels. By creating a one-stop shop to help our military find the assistance they need, the Foundation makes the process less daunting. Establishing the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation as a not-for-profit will allow for additional resources to be allocated towards their mission, services and programs."

Illinois Joining Forces has been recognized by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as an "innovative example" of expanding collaboration and information sharing at the local level. In Feb. 2014, IDVA received the Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs for its creation of Illinois joining forces. For more information on Illinois Joining Forces, visit www.illinoisjoiningforces.org

Governor Quinn has long been a leader for supporting Illinois' military families. He initiated the Illinois Veterans Grant and Illinois National Guard Grant, which cover tuition at all Illinois public universities and community colleges for eligible veterans and serving National Guard members. He also required colleges to post all benefits available to Illinois veterans and assign a staff member to serve as the point of contact for student-veterans who need information and assistance. In 2012, Governor Quinn and the Departments of Veterans and Military Affairs spearheaded the statewide public-private partnership, Illinois Joining Forces, which has been a model for other states to follow. Today's bill signing creates a foundation that will help further this organization's mission of assisting veterans.

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Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Keep Dangerous Substances Away from Illinois' Schools

Additional Laws Help Combat Drug Use and Possession by Illinois' Children

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed three new laws to fight the use and manufacture of illegal drugs in Illinois. The laws toughen penalties for meth manufacture near schools, add certain synthetic drugs to the Controlled Substances Act and prohibit anyone under 18 from purchasing or possessing any product containing the herbal drug Kratom. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to keep schools safe and protect the health of the people of Illinois.

"Dangerous substances have no place near our schools or children," Governor Quinn said. "These laws will help ensure that drugs stay away from these special places of learning. To those who choose to violate the law and manufacture the drug, today we are sending a strong message - these harmful drugs do not belong anywhere near our children."

House Bill 4093, sponsored by State Representative Daniel Beiser (D-Alton) and State Senator William Haine (D-Alton), increases the penalty for methamphetamine, or meth, manufacture if it occurs within 1,000 feet of any school property.

The offense is now classified as aggravated participation in methamphetamine manufacture, a Class X felony with tougher penalties than the Class 1 felony of participation in methamphetamine manufacture. The possible sentences for breaking the law are now a minimum of six years in prison, with up to 60 years possible, and fines up to $400,000 or the total street value of the drug. The new law is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

"I introduced House Bill 4093 after a very serious situation was brought to my attention by the South Roxana Police Department involving methamphetamine manufacture near a daycare," Representative Beiser said. "I was shocked to discover our current law had a loophole in its language regarding proximity to what constituted school property. House Bill 4093 closes this dangerous loophole. I want to thank the law enforcement community for bringing this to my attention so that we can work together to protect schoolchildren and prosecute those reckless criminals who would otherwise put them in harm's way."

"The evils of meth are all around us. It destroys individuals, families and neighborhoods," Senator Haine said. "Meth is a highly addictive and disruptive substance. There is no redeeming social value in the manufacture of meth."

Governor Quinn today also signed Senate Bill 3275, sponsored by State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-Addison), that adds the synthetic drugs 25-I, 25-C and 25-B to the listed of controlled substances which are illegal to manufacture, deliver or possess with the intent to distribute. These hallucinogenic substances have been available for purchase online and are linked to a number of serious or fatal reactions, particularly among high school students. The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2015.

The Governor also signed House Bill 5526, sponsored by Representative Reboletti and State Senator Michael Connelly (R-Naperville), which makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase or possess any product containing the herbal drug Kratom and also makes it illegal for anyone to sell or provide Kratom to a minor. This stimulant made from leaves indigenous to southeast Asia can mimic the effects of heroin or frequently abused pain killers in higher doses. The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2015.

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has worked toward a drug free Illinois. He signed the Emergency Medical Services Access law in 2012, which provides immunity to a person who, in good faith, seeks or obtains emergency medical assistance for someone experiencing an overdose. As part of the Drug Overdose Prevention Program, a life-saving law took effect in 2010 to allow non-medical persons to dispense a drug overdose antidote in an emergency to prevent a drug overdose from becoming fatal.

Additionally, in 2009, the Governor approved law enforcement tracking of online or over-the-counter drug purchases to reduce access to pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, ingredients involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine commonly found in over-the-counter allergy and cold medicines. The Methamphetamine Precursor Tracking Act made a pilot program to track purchase of methamphetamine ingredients permanent and makes it tougher for meth manufacturers to obtain their ingredients in Illinois.

The pilot program helped Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Teams locate and seize 155 meth labs and make 231 meth arrests. The federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reported that in calendar year 2012, Illinois had 801 clandestine methamphetamine lab incidents, the fifth highest in the country.