New Law Strengthens Task Force Devoted to Fighting Heroin

ROMEOVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to fight heroin use in communities across Illinois. The new law will expand the scope of a special task force created last year to study heroin use in Illinois and make recommendations to increase awareness and prevention. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to strengthen drug prevention efforts and save lives.

"Heroin is a deadly substance that destroys lives," Governor Quinn said. "The health and safety of all residents across the state must be a priority. This legislation will help ensure we have the tools to fight heroin use across Illinois."

House Bill 4542, sponsored by State Representative Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) and State Senator Thomas Cullerton (D-Villa Park), expands the age range to be studied by the Young Adult Heroin Use Task Force to students in grades six through 12. Governor Quinn signed legislation in August 2013 to create the Young Adult Heroin Use Task Force to address the growing problem of heroin use in Illinois high schools. The new law expands the study to younger students.

Ongoing research has found that heroin use not only affects high school students in Illinois, but also children as young as 11 years old. The task force is to investigate the youth heroin use epidemic and recommend further state action. The new law is effective immediately.

"This devastating drug is hurting younger and younger students," Senator Cullerton said. "We need to accurately understand the scope of the heroin problem as we work to fix it."

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, the Governor implemented improvements in the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) with the primary goals of improving clinical care and reducing the unnecessary use of controlled substances prescribed by physicians. This past year the PMP's effectiveness was enhanced by joining the national network of PMPs that allows clinicians in Illinois to check their potential patients' use of controlled substances within Illinois and 15 other states. Since the inception of the PMP in 2008, there has been a 66 percent reduction in the number of individuals who "doctor shop" in order to obtain controlled prescription medicines.

LECLAIRE, Iowa - The cities of LeClaire, Iowa and Port Byron, Illinois are preparing for their unique 3-day event that is unlike any festival anywhere else in the USA. It's called Tug Fest and runs August 7-9.

Tug Fest includes live bands, carnival rides, great food, a grand parade, 5K run and the greatest fireworks spectacular in the two-state area. What makes Tug Fest truly unique is the fact that it is the only Tug-of-War event in the country that spans two states and crosses the Mississippi River. LeClaire, Iowa's theme this year is "Defending Our Eagle", a salute to our U.S. Military, and "Tug for a Cause" proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

On the August 9th from 12:30-3:00 PM, barge traffic and pleasure boats will yield the right of way to a 2,400 foot long, 680 pound rope that stretches across the river between the two towns. Eleven teams from each side compete against each other trying to gain advantage by pulling in the most feet of rope within 3 minutes. The town with the most winning teams receives the coveted "Alabaster Eagle in Flight" trophy and bragging rights for that year.

This year's festival kicks off on Thursday, August 7th with Family Night and free admission to the LeClaire Levee area. For $20 you will receive a wristband for unlimited carnival rides that evening. Friday, August 8th is the grand parade and fireworks spectacular, and Saturday, August 9th is all about tugging. Illinois leads the competition with 16 winning years over Iowa's 11. Admission to the LeClaire Levee is $5 on Friday and Saturday.

For more information and a complete Tug Fest schedule, please visit: www.tugfest.com

Situated at the intersection of I-80 and Hwy. 67 just north of the Quad Cities, LeClaire offers a complete shopping and dining experience. Relax along the scenic streets of this historic river town that exudes turn-of-the-century charm. LeClaire has great events including First Friday, weekly Farmer's Market, car shows, and the Tug Fest in August. Attractions include the Buffalo Bill Museum, Antique Archaeology - "Home of the American Pickers", Wide River Winery and The Mississippi River Distilling Co. Nature lovers enjoy the scenery at Lock and Dam #14 - bald eagles in the winter and pelicans during the spring and fall. For more information: www.visitleclaire.com

URBANDALE, Aug. 5, 2014 - Dave Duncan, CEO of the Iowa Communications Alliance ("the Alliance") announced that Kevin Condon will serve as the Alliance's Director of Public Affairs.  Condon will lead the Alliance's state and federal advocacy initiatives, public affairs, communications, and media efforts.

"We're pleased to have Kevin join our team.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in public policy, communications, and rural economic development."  Duncan said.  "We believe Kevin will be a great advocate for the rural communications industry."

Prior to joining the Alliance, Condon was Director of Government Relations at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, advocating for the state's largest business group.  As part of ABI's public policy team he was also responsible for communications, policy development, regulatory affairs and media relations.  Prior to that, Condon worked for United States Senator Tom Harkin in a variety of roles on Capitol Hill in Washington DC and most recently as the Senator's Business and Economic Development Liaison in Des Moines, IA where he became involved in many projects that received federal investment through the USDA Rural Development programs.  Condon has also served as the Government Relations Representative for the National Farmers Union in Washington DC advocating for the economic and social well-being of rural Americans. Condon grew up on a farm in Webster County where his parents continue to belong to the Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association.

"I am looking forward to this opportunity that will allow me to help the Alliance support Iowa's companies and cooperatives that provide critical communications access to their customers and their communities. People like my parents and the area I grew up in depend upon Alliance members to stay connected. It means a great deal to me personally to be able to help further the efforts of this great organization."

Established in 2014, the Iowa Communications Alliance is the voice of Iowa's rural communications industry.  The Alliance provides educational opportunities to members, promotes economic growth and stability of members and the communities they serve, and advocates in matters of state and federal public and regulatory policy.

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."