Center will Increase Year-Round Recreational Opportunities for Chicago's South Side and Create Jobs

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by city officials, community leaders and representatives of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs to break ground on the new Pullman Community Center. Designed to be a center of community life, the facility will be a home to meetings, exhibitions and sporting events in Chicago's south side. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive economic development in every part of Illinois.

"Today's groundbreaking is an investment in the future of Chicago's youth and the future of the Pullman and Roseland areas," Governor Quinn said. "It's places like the Pullman Community Center that give our children a space to develop their talents and stay off the streets year-round. This center will be an important anchor for Chicago's south side for many years to come."

The $15 million, 138,000-square-foot Pullman Community Center will be located on a 12-acre parcel of land at 104th Street and Woodland Avenue. The center will also provide the community with three full-sized indoor multi-sport fields, making it the only facility on southeast side of Chicago to offer year-round play. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity provided a $4.9 million investment for the center.

Approximately $9 million of the $15 million in funding for the development has been secured with investments by Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI) and grants from the state of Illinois, U.S. Bank, Major League Baseball and the National Football League. The center will also employ as many as 100 full and part-time employees.

"Pullman and the Calumet basin that surround it reveal a great story of vision and tenacity. Old and new residents have successfully worked to reclaim and revitalize housing, attract manufacturing and retail while protecting the environmental riches that make the area unique," Alderman Anthony Beale said. "We are thrilled that Governor Quinn, the Bears and the Cubs recognize the great progress made here and together are investing in the center to ensure we continue that trajectory into the future."

"It is appropriate that Pullman is the site of the city's premier indoor/outdoor year round community and sports facility. In 1880 George Pullman founded the community as a model of work, education and cultural life. 134 years later, we're again creating a complete community but doing it better, with the people who live here," CNI President David Doig said. "Together this community is rebuilding the housing, attracting the companies, strengthening education, retail and transportation. This Center celebrates what we have accomplished and paves the way for the future."

Directs State Agencies to Redouble Efforts to Protect Public and Workers

Encourages Public to Increase Vigilance Following I-55 Tragedy

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today directed the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway and Illinois State Police to explore additional highway safety measures in the wake of last week's tragedy that claimed five lives in an Interstate 55 work zone near Channahon. The Governor also urged the public to do their part to help crack down on reckless and inattentive driving in work zones throughout Illinois.

"I was deeply saddened and alarmed by the senseless tragedy on I-55 last week," Governor Quinn said. "Our state police and construction workers are performing dangerous jobs in work zones, and we must take every step necessary to protect them and all drivers. I am directing the state's agencies take any additional steps necessary to further improve the extensive safety measures that are in place so that inattentive or reckless drivers do not cause more harm."

At the Des Plaines River bridge project over I-55, the site of last week's accident, IDOT has installed rumble strips approaching the work zone. In conjunction with the Tollway and Illinois State Police, IDOT has developed public service announcements that utilize the overhead message boards on state highways to encourage motorists to stay vigilant and notify law enforcement if they spot dangerous drivers. Finally, even more Illinois State Police troopers have been added to the patrols around the I-55 work zone.

These new safety measures build upon strong protections already in place at the I-55 work zone, including extended work zone speed limits, speed indicator boards, extra Illinois State Police presence, signs alerting drivers of upcoming construction 20 miles from the project and a Smart Traffic Monitoring system to provide motorists real-time updates on travel times and backups.

State programs are also being expanded that allow state troopers to be hired by IDOT for special patrols in work zones. At the Des Plaines River bridge project, these additional patrols have resulted in more than 4,000 citations for speeding and nearly 300 for distracted driving.

Governor Quinn has directed the three state agencies to meet with federal agencies and industry partners about the recent accidents and to help prevent future crashes. The state continues to work with federal lawmakers to strengthen laws regarding continuous hours driven by truckers and to expand the use of electronic logs to track the number of hours they are on the road.

"We at IDOT remain committed to ensuring the protection of all workers and motorists in work zones - and we are redoubling our efforts in light of last week's horrific events on I-55," Acting Transportation Secretary Erica Borggren said. "While we have some of the nation's best safety measures for work zones, we must take this opportunity to see what more we can do. We also want to urge the public to help by paying attention to signs, staying off their handheld devices while driving and heeding to our ongoing message for work zone safety: See orange. Slow down. Save lives."

Speed and inattentiveness are major contributing factors to work-zone crashes. All motorists need to be especially careful when driving through work zones. Roadway conditions can change quickly and motorists need to be able to react appropriately. Traffic can be slowed down or stopped well outside of the actual work area. Narrowed and closed lanes, uneven pavement and heavy equipment operating next to lanes of traffic will require reductions in speed to ensure safe travel. Motorists are advised to remain alert for distracted and fatigued drivers and to notify authorities if they observe unsafe driving.

"We are committed to making construction work zones as safe as possible and urge drivers to slow down, stay alert and be prepared for changing conditions," Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said. "With the largest capital program in the history of the Illinois Tollway in full swing, we have also committed the funds necessary to increase the number of Illinois State Police District 15 troopers assigned to the Tollway to provide additional assistance in construction work zones and throughout the system."

"The traffic laws are clear and ISP troopers will be in these designated areas working to identify motorists who disobey work zone speed limits and other applicable laws," Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau said. "We will continue to work hand in hand with our agency partners on a daily basis to continue to raise the awareness of road safety to reduce traffic crashes and prevent loss of life."

Under regulations that took effect in 2004, fines for speeding in work zones are $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders, regardless of the presence of workers. If workers are present, motorists can lose their driver's license for 90 days if they get a second violation. This year, speed-indicator boards are being deployed on all interstate projects with lane closures, after a significant reduction in work-zone speeds in areas where the boards were used under a pilot program last year.

Illinois averages more than 7,000 crashes in work zones every year. In 2013, there were 28 work zone-related fatalities, including one worker. In 2012, there were 19 fatal work zone crashes, involving fatalities to 13 drivers, three passengers and three pedestrians, two of which were construction workers. Last January, an Illinois Tollway maintenance worker died while attempting to help a semi-truck that was stalled on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88). An Illinois State Police Trooper was also critically injured. In 2013, another Trooper was killed in a tragic accident on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

Congressman submits remarks in the Congressional Record in conjunction with Johnson County Celebration

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today submitted remarks in the Congressional Record to celebrate the 24^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?thanking those involved in this year's Johnson County ADA Celebration?an event that brings together Iowans from all walks of life and recognizes that all people have unique skills, talents and abilities.

"More than two decades ago, my hero, Tom Harkin spearheaded this legislation that would change the attitudes of so many," Braley's remarks read. "Expanding access and opportunities for people with disabilities is something we must work to improve every day. There are obstacles that, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, have been all but eliminated and I look forward to seeing even more progress."

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990?prohibiting the discrimination of persons with disabilities?was championed through Congress by Senator Tom Harkin and signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Braley's full remarks can be read HERE.

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Expand the Holocaust and Genocide Commission; Commission Works to Increase Public Awareness Through Educational Programs, Events and Outreach

SKOKIE - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to expand the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission, increasing its ability to reach even more people across Illinois with its important message. The commission works with Holocaust survivors to increase public awareness of the Holocaust and other genocides through educational programs, events and outreach efforts. The Governor signed the legislation at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie as part of his agenda to ensure Illinois embraces all people.

"It is important that we never forget the millions of lives lost not only in the Holocaust, but all terrible acts of genocide throughout history," Governor Quinn said. "The Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission works to ensure tolerance among our future generations. I urge all residents to strive to overcome hate and indifference through learning and acceptance."

Senate Bill 3129, sponsored by State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) and State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), increases the number of commission members from 18 to 22, and ensures that one of them is a student. Under Governor Quinn's leadership, the Holocaust and Genocide Commission was created in July 2010. Members consist of Holocaust and other genocide survivors, liberators and other volunteers to share their knowledge and experiences in order to increase public awareness. The commission also holds events to memorialize the Holocaust and other genocides. The new law takes effect immediately.

"This law allows the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission to continue educating Illinois residents about crimes against humanity," Senator Silverstein said. "We must never forget this tragedy. We must work together to prevent genocide from ever happening."

"Today, Governor Quinn signs into law a bill that will protect the future of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission," Representative Feigenholtz said. "This legislation enables the Commission to keep promoting awareness and understanding of one of the darkest eras of human history."

Illinois was the first state in the nation to mandate public elementary schools and high schools include a study of Holocaust history in its curriculum.

In 2011, Governor Quinn visited Israel to further develop ties between Illinois and Israel, and signed legislation requiring anyone convicted of a hate crime to enroll in an educational program discouraging hate crimes. In April 2013, the Governor proclaimed April 24 as Jan Karski Day to honor a hero of the Polish Underground during World War II who was lauded for risking his life to expose the horrors of the Holocaust to the world. Karski was later a professor at Georgetown University where a young Pat Quinn was among his students at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service.

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Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Friday, July 25, 2014**

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 4505

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Creates a new license through the Illinois Department of Agriculture for individuals who store, filter, process or distribute used cooking grease for reuse or recycling.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

Bill No.: HB 4522

An Act Concerning: Education

Reduces number of contiguous school districts needed to jointly operate a science and mathematics school through a college or university.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5692

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Creates an advisory committee to assist in the design and implementation of a program for the electronic verification of motor vehicle liability insurance.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 0336

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Creates the Community Stabilization Assessment Freeze Pilot Program.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jan. 1, 2015

Bill No.: SB 2791

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Clarifies the powers of a designated railroad police force.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

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Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Ensure Quality Distance Learning and Online Education Programs; Also Signs Legislation to Streamline School Financial Processes and Extend Task Force on Civic Education

CHAMPAIGN - Governor Pat Quinn today visited the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to sign a law to help boost the quality of distance and online learning programs across Illinois and other states. The Governor also signed laws to streamline higher education financial processes and to extend the Task Force on Civic Education. Today's actions are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure that everyone in Illinois has the opportunity for a high quality education.

"Attending college online is an important educational option more people around the world are pursuing," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois' higher education institutions have found a willing and world-wide audience for these types of course offerings. This new law makes sure the educational programming offered online out of Illinois maintains the same high quality standards in order to help ensure all students receive a high quality education, regardless of where they live."

Senate Bill 3441, sponsored by State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Crest Hill) and State Representative Robert Pritchard (R-Sycamore), authorizes the Illinois Board of Higher Education to make agreements with other states to guarantee distance learning programs maintain common standards and that completed course work is recognized by institutions in each state. The agreements will also establish a mechanism for handling complaints and refunds across states and institutions. The new law is effective January 1, 2015.

"Governor Quinn's action fulfills the legislature's goal to make high-quality, affordable online higher education available to Illinois residents," Senator McGuire said. "This new law shows what cooperation between Democrats and Republicans and among Midwestern states can accomplish?lower costs for governments, and expanded opportunities for our 21st century workforce."

"Distance learning allows students to take courses that may not be offered where they are attending college or at times that are more convenient for them," Representative Pritchard said. "This legislation offers consumer protections that the courses will be recognized by institutions of higher education, and assures refunds will be made if the student takes the appropriate steps to cancel the course."

The new law will allow Illinois to join other members of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact to make distance education courses more accessible to students across state lines while also making it easier for states to regulate and institutions to participate in interstate distance education. The Midwestern Compact will interact with other regional compacts across the country.  Any public college, university or independent institution can participate and seek accreditation, a designation that will indicate the institution has the "seal of approval" from the participating states for its distance learning programs.

Last year through the University of Illinois, 323,857 students from around the world enrolled in online offerings through the Massive Open Online Courses including nontraditional students, professionals looking to build specific competencies and many other lifelong learners.

By providing a broad range of affordable, flexible options, online learning has great potential to help many people across Illinois meet their education and careers goals. With nearly one in ten community college students taking a class online each year, online learning is becoming an increasingly popular option.

Governor Quinn today also signed two bills sponsored by State Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D-Urbana). Senate Bill 230, co-sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), increases efficiency by saving schools time and money by removing an extra step in the public university vouchering process. Senate Bill 2728, co-sponsored by State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park), allows the Task Force on Civic Education to complete its mission by extending the life of the task force and setting a new date for its final report. Both laws are effective immediately.

Governor Quinn has made support for higher education in Illinois a top priority. At his direction, distance learning is just one of the many strategies Illinois has pursued as part of a comprehensive plan to make postsecondary attainment more accessible to all students. Illinois is engaged in a number of innovative approaches to bolstering college completion including early college credit opportunities.

In Fiscal Year 2012, almost 8,900 dual credit courses were offered through Illinois community colleges, providing opportunities for approximately 88,000 high school students during the past year. The dual credit system has seen tremendous growth with a nearly 125 percent increase in dual credit students served annually since 2004.

As a result of these and other initiatives, Illinois' college completion rate, which is above the national average, has grown to 43 percent under Governor Quinn's administration.

In addition to supporting expanded access to early college credit and career certificates, Governor Quinn has been a steadfast supporter of the Monetary Award Program (MAP) which enables more than 140,000 low income students to pursue higher education each year. He has proposed doubling the funds available for the plan over the next five years to provide 21,000 more students each year with an opportunity to attend college that would not otherwise be available.