New displays show service of African-American Soldiers in the Illinois National Guard

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/31/2014)(readMedia)-- To recognize Black History Month, the Illinois State Military Museum has unveiled a new series of displays telling the story of the service of African American Soldiers in the Illinois National Guard in the Civil War and World War I.

"We've chosen to display artifacts from the Civil War and World War I to tell just a few of the stories of Illinois citizens that may not be well-known to the public or even our own National Guard personnel," said Bill Lear, Museum Curator. "African-Americans citizens have served in Illinois National Guard units throughout the state's history including the Civil War, Spanish-American War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and today's Global War on Terror. Displays like these help tell the complete story of the service of Illinois citizens and of the Illinois National Guard."

The centerpiece display in the museum lobby is the U.S. flag carried during the Civil War by the 29th U.S. Colored Troops (USCT), the only black regiment from Illinois. Originally called the First Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colored), the unit designation changed to the 29th USCT when it mustered into federal service on April 24, 1864 in Quincy, Ill.

The 29th USCT Soldiers saw their first action during the Siege of Petersburg at the Battle of the Crater in July 1864. They also fought at the Battle of Globe Tavern (August 1864), the Battle of Poplar Grove Church (September 1864), the Battle of Boydton Plank Road (October 1864), and ended the war on the Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865). The 29th lost three officers and 43 enlisted men killed in action and 188 enlisted men to disease.

The 29th USCT was one of 175 United States Colored Troop regiments. By the end of the war, African American Soldiers numbered nearly 179,000 and constituted 10 percent of the Union Army.

Other displays show equipment and personal items from the 8th Illinois Infantry was renamed the 370th Infantry for service in France during World War I. The 8th Illinois was an all-black unit whose history dates from 1878 and whose units ranged from Chicago to Metropolis, including companies in Springfield, Peoria, Quincy and Danville.

The displays feature 370th uniforms, collar brass showing the unit of assignment, and weapons a 370th Soldier would have used.

"These displays of ordinary items that average Soldiers used and wore can really help you feel a connection to them across the years," Lear said.

These temporary displays will be open through Feb. 28. In addition, the main exhibit gallery on the museum's second floor contains permanent displays that offer more information about the 8th Illinois' service in the Spanish-American War and World War II and the 8th Illinois descendent, the 178th Infantry Regiment.

Located two blocks north of the intersection of MacArthur Blvd. and North Grand Ave., the Illinois State Military Museum tells the story of the contributions of the Illinois National Guard to the state and the nation from 1723 to the 21st Century. The museum is open 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission and parking are free. For more information call (217) 761-3910.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced several events in Iowa this weekend.  A full list of his public events follows.

Friday, January 31st - Davenport

1:30 P.M.  Tour of the Humility of Mary Homeless Shelter

1016 W. 5th Street

Davenport

Senator Harkin will tour the Humility of Mary Homeless Shelter to learn about the services and support the shelter provides, and to gain further insight on the housing community in Davenport. In addition to emergency shelter, the Humility of Mary Homeless Shelter provides transitional and permanent supportive housing programs that help men and women experiencing homelessness to become more physically and mentally stable.

Saturday, February 1st - Dubuque

2:30 P.M.  Tour the University of Dubuque Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center

University of Dubuque

2000 University Ave.

Dubuque

Senator Harkin will join Jeffrey Bullock, President of the University of Dubuque, for a tour of the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center. The Wellness Center opened on campus in 2008 and includes a two-level fitness center, indoor track, and four multi-use courts for indoor sports. In his role as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS subcommittee), Harkin secured $476,000 for construction of the Wellness Center in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

Saturday, February 1^st -Dubuque

4:30 P.M. Tour the New Dubuque Regional Airport Terminal

Dubuque Regional Airport

Hwy 61

Dubuque

Senator Harkin will tour the new terminal of the Dubuque Regional Airport. The terminal is expected to be completed this summer and will improve the energy efficiency of the airport with the use of Geothermal technology and other energy efficient operations. Harkin has long supported the renovation to the Dubuque Regional Airport and worked to secure $9,141,000 for the new terminal.

Iowa Insurance Division Delivers a Motivational Money Message Using Educational Theatre

Minneapolis, MN (January 31, 2014) - Mad About Money II: Pay Yourself First returns to Iowa middle schools beginning February 3 to help students and their families create effective, life-long personal money habits.  Sponsored by the Iowa Insurance Division, the multimedia educational program is provided at no cost to participating schools.  The entertaining and inspiring program - featuring live, educational theatre performances by professional actors - also includes print and Internet curriculum for use in the classroom and at home.  The winter portion of the tour will travel to schools in counties throughout the state including:

All the characters in Mad About Money II: Pay Yourself First are play by two experienced improvisational actors who play eight different characters in the 40-minute program that's performed for the entire school.  Students learn important lessons about their money management and buying habits through four comical and informative sketches, including:

• Wages minus deductions equals take-home pay
• Saving and investing always have some risk involved
• Don't let advertisers make your decisions for you
• What is "opportunity cost?"

The program is produced by The National Theatre for Children (NTC), and while performances and educational content are completely scripted, the shows themselves are built to incorporate moments of improvisation.  At the beginning of each scene, actors solicit information from the audience that is then humorously integrated into the show.  "Using humor to illustrate a particular point about money management is really powerful with this age group," says Craig Goettsch of the Iowa Insurance Division. "That's why we keep bringing these NTC programs back year after year.  It's never too soon to begin good money habits, and we want to expose these ideas to as many Iowa students as possible."

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Encourages Residents to Report Suspected Price Gouging and Fraud to Attorney General Madigan

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a series of steps to provide additional relief for consumers during the ongoing propane emergency in Illinois. The actions, effective immediately, provide additional financial assistance to help families pay increased heating costs this winter, and address certain inspections which could slow down the delivery of propane to consumers. The Governor is also encouraging Illinois residents to report any suspected fraud that occur during this emergency to Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to helping keep Illinois residents warm and safe this winter.

"This winter has been particularly harsh on those with the fewest resources," Governor Quinn said. "These steps will ensure that families across Illinois won't be forced to decide between feeding their families and heating their homes. We also continue to clear the way for propane to be transported into Illinois as quickly and economically as possible."

"Millions of residents across Illinois rely on propane gas to heat their homes," Attorney General Madigan said. "Business operators seeking to profit by taking advantage of their customers during these record low temperatures should be on alert that we are on the lookout for potential violations of state law. Illinois residents who have concerns about their supplier should contact my office's Consumer Fraud Bureau to file a complaint."

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will offer an increase of $1,000 to each Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) eligible household for the purchase of propane to ensure uninterrupted delivery during this emergency. Over the next several days, DCEO will automatically credit the $1,000 increased benefit to the accounts of existing LIHEAP customers.

The increased benefit will also be available to all new eligible applicants that sign up for LIHEAP. It may take several days for the benefit to appear on DCEO's electronic system, so LIHEAP customers who check their status online are encouraged to be patient as the updates are applied to the system. This increase will at least double the typical annual energy subsidy for a household depending on their circumstances.

Also effective today, DCEO will temporarily waive the $75 Good Faith Effort fee for LIHEAP applicants using propane to heat their homes. This is a fee used during ordinary circumstances to ensure applicants are not abusing the system, but during times of economic hardship and rising prices can be an obstacle to participation in the program. Waiving this fee for LIHEAP eligible households using propane will ensure the greatest possible access to the program during this severe weather period.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures Bureau will not perform meter inspections on propane trucks during the ongoing emergency. This will allow these vehicles to more quickly deliver this vital heating fuel to those who need it. The inspections will resume when the emergency is over.

"I've instructed my department to do everything it can to help resolve this crisis," Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. "Temporarily suspending these inspections should allow deliveries of propane to reach their destinations as quickly as possible so consumers have access to fuel to heat their homes during this brutally cold weather."

Attorney General Madigan, working with other Attorneys General in states where propane prices recently spiked, has undertaken a review of propane supply and pricing issues to assess if any violations of state law have occurred. The Attorney General's office is also investigating several consumer complaints filed with her office by Illinois residents. Attorney General Madigan encourages consumers with complaints regarding propane to call her Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-243-0618 or email the Consumer Fraud Bureau at AG_Consumer@atg.state.il.us.

Earlier this week Governor Quinn announced emergency actions to address the short supply and high prices of liquefied propane gas and heating oil in Illinois. The actions make it quicker and easier to transport these fuels from other states into Illinois. He issued a disaster proclamation to allow Illinois licensed truckers to travel through other states to obtain these fuels and deliver them to Illinois without applying for additional licenses. In addition, the tax for out-of-state trucks that use Illinois roads is being temporarily suspended by the Illinois Department of Revenue for trucks that are delivering heating fuels to Illinois.

A higher than usual nationwide demand for the fuels is being caused by a much colder than normal winter that is gripping large parts of the nation, including areas that don't normally experience extreme cold. This is compounded by a wet harvest season that required an unusually heavy use of propane gas to dry grain.