CHICAGO - Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka launched a new mobile application this morning on social media that will put taxpayer and vendor payment information right at their fingertips.

Topinka explained Illinois Pays during a video release announcement today.  

"Illinois Pays gives you quick and easy access to the latest news and announcements from the Comptroller's Office," said Topinka.  "It also allows vendors to set up the app to view the most recent payments we have deposited in their bank accounts."

This new FREE mobile application is available now at the Apple and Google Play stores.

IL Pays is part of Topinka's ongoing effort to make state government more transparent and accessible to taxpayers. In launching the Ledger, she enabled residents to click their way through everything from the state's daily bill backlog numbers to state agency budgets and employee salaries. She then launched the Warehouse, a comprehensive database that puts Local Government financial information and tens of thousands of records at a single location for taxpayer review. Earlier this year, Topinka's office included an insert in tax refund envelopes providing residents with state spending and bill backlog information in addition to making tax refund information easily accessible at the Comptroller's MyRefund website.

"It is important that we do everything possible to ensure that state and local government finances are transparent and easy to find," added Topinka.  "And as I've said before, we're not finished yet. So stay tuned."

This year's corn yields are on track for big yields and the soybean outcome still could change, as revealed in the latest Farm Futures producer survey.

ST. CHARLES, ILL., 7:30 A.M., CDT, (08/05/2014) ? Farmers are gearing up to harvest record corn and soybean crops this fall, if weather holds for the rest of the growing season, according to results of the latest Farm Futures survey.

Bin buster potential is high
Corn production could hit 14.331 billion bushels this fall; nearly 3% more than the bin buster they grew in 2013. Average yields of 171.06 bushels per acre (bpa) appear possible nationwide, also a record, after a summer marked by cool temperatures.

Soybeans also appear on track for records, though output could still be trimmed by late summer dryness - or driven higher if conditions moderate into fall. Farm Futures projects yields of 46.07 bpa on average, for a crop of 3.857 billion bushels.

"Soybean yields are still uncertain, with a lot of variance still possible in how the crop will wind up," said Bryce Knorr, Farm Futures senior market analyst. "Drying conditions headed into August are a concern from eastern Kentucky and Tennessee up through Missouri, Iowa and parts of the Dakotas."

Below average precipitation in the second half of July doesn't appear to be harming corn potential, thanks to mild, if not cool conditions in the Midwest that reduced moisture needs for the crop. "Our survey shows potential for larger corn yields if an extended period of grain fill allows kernels to gain weight," Knorr said.

Commodity price indications
Prices of both crops should be headed lower if yield potential holds. "Cheaper corn should encourage some additional demand, but ending stocks on Aug. 31, 2015 could still rise toward 2 billion bushels. That could send the average cash price for the crop under $3.75, with futures prices already below that level. Farmers should get some downside protection from the new farm program, but it may take production problems in other growing regions to stabilize prices," said Knorr.

Soybean inventories should also grow in the year ahead, starting to approach a burdensome level of 400 million bushels. That could push the average cash price for the crop below $10, even with robust export sales.

"Preseason bookings are off to a record start, and better economic growth in China could boost our exports significantly," Knorr said. "But stocks may still be huge a year from now, especially if growers in Brazil follow through with plans to increase production there."

Farm Futures surveyed more than 1,325 growers by email July 21 to Aug. 4. USDA makes its first estimate of 2014 corn and soybean production based on surveys of farmers and their fields Aug. 12.

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement regarding the passing of James Brady:

"Jim Brady had a heart full of grace. Few people have overcome as much adversity as Jim, and yet this native son of Centralia refused to let his injuries get in the way of his passion for serving others and trying to make the world a better place.

"After surviving a shooting while serving as President Ronald Reagan's Press Secretary in 1981, Jim went on to campaign against gun violence. The "Brady Bill" was landmark legislation requiring background checks to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands. As the nation watched, the bill was signed into law in 1993 and has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives.

"For their commitment to public safety, I will always be grateful to Jim and his wife Sarah for their tireless efforts to raise awareness against gun violence.

"Jim was courageous in his convictions and never shied away from doing what he thought was right. People throughout the world will continue to look to Jim's example whenever they need inspiration.

"I join the people of Illinois and America in remembering our neighbor and friend, James Brady. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they find comfort in his purpose-filled life."

CHICAGO – To speak out in favor of equal rights for the disabled and raise awareness of the barriers they face, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit Access Living Aug. 5.

The organization advocates on behalf of those with physical, psychiatric and cognitive disabilities in matters of housing, education, and access to health care. Access Living is participating in the Disability Visibility Project, a year-long campaign organized by StoryCorps to raise awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities in advance of the 25^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act next summer.

"As we approach a quarter century under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it's important to look at how far we've come, but also how much more we need to do to ensure equality and protection for people with disabilities," Simon said. "I applaud Access Living's work in helping people who have disabilities overcome the barriers to information, services and advocacy they face."

Among other initiatives, Access Living is helping the elderly and people with disabilities living in nursing homes return to their own homes under the expansion of managed care outlined in the federal Affordable Care Act.

The organization's legal department also advocates for tenants and property owners with disabilities.

Simon will visit with organization officers and tour the Access Living facility Tuesday.

DATE: Aug. 5, 2014

TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Access Living, 115 West Chicago Ave., Chicago