llinois is 4th State to Honor Civil Rights Trailblazer

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed January 30 "Fred Korematsu Day" across Illinois to honor the civil rights activist whose challenge of the Japanese American internment in World War II became a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case. Illinois is the fourth state to recognize Korematsu, following Hawaii, California and Utah. It is the first such honorary day named for an Asian American in the United States.

"Fred Korematsu once said, 'Protest, but not with violence. Don't be afraid to speak up. One person can make a difference, even if it takes forty years.' These are words to live by," Governor Quinn said. "Fred Korematsu was a heroic figure whose tenacity and commitment to making the world a better place for everyone."

Korematsu was born in Oakland, California on Jan. 30, 1919, attended public schools where he joined the tennis and swim teams, worked in the family nursery and - in 1940 - registered for the draft in hopes of joining the U.S. Navy. Health issues prevented a Navy career but he was hired as a welder in the Navy shipyards in Oakland, a job he lost after the Pearl Harbor attack.

His life changed with the Executive Order by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to "intern" 120,000 Americans of Japanese origin in camps throughout the West Coast. Korematsu refused to go, had plastic surgery to change his appearance and created an alias, "Clyde Sarah." He was arrested in May 1942 and jailed. When approached by the American Civil Liberties Union, Korematsu agreed to let his case test the constitutionality of the camps. His case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court andKorematsu v. United States became a landmark case.          

When President Bill Clinton gave Korematsu the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, he called Korematsu a quiet, brave American who took an extraordinary stand. President Clinton said, "In the long history of our country's constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stand for millions of souls...today we add the name of Fred Korematsu."          

Korematsu's courage was hailed by civil rights activists.

"I appreciate Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recognizing my father's activism and promoting his legacy," Karen Korematsu, Executive Director of the not-for-profit Fred Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights & Education, said. "My dream is some day to see a federally recognized 'Fred Korematsu Day' that would remind us -  especially onJanuary 30 - that our civil liberties and the Constitution are afforded to all Americans regardless of race, color and creed."

"The case of Fred Korematsu is a lesson for all Americans about the fragile nature of individual rights and the danger this can pose to our fundamental belief about equal justice as expressed in our Constitution," Japanese American Citizens League Midwest Director William Yoshino said. "During World War II, our nation succumbed to racism and wartime hysteria in detaining and confining all Japanese Americans residing on the West Coast. It was a tragic lesson we must heed when similar situations of national security arise today and in the future."

When fear - instead of fact - guides government decisions, we all lose," South Asian American Policy & Research Institute Executive Director Ami Gandhi said. "Whether it is in the realm of local law enforcement, national security, or immigration, data-driven policies will keep all of us more safe and secure. We thank Governor Quinn and the Japanese American Citizens League for reminding us all to guard against fear and prejudice."

"Fred Korematsu was a champion of human rights and civil liberties. His bold and noble stand in refusing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II enshrines him in the same civil rights pantheon as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez," Illinois Human Rights Commission Chairman Martin Castro said. "Mr. Korematsu's struggle against a denial of rights and liberty over 70 years ago remains relevant today to ensure that we not repeat in this century the mistakes of the last."   

In addition to being officially honored by Illinois and three other states, Fred Korematsu is today honored with three different schools in California being named after him. He is also featured in the Oakland, California "Champions for Humanity" sculpture, alongside Dr. King, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi.

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Bishop Has Served as Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Since 2011; Previously Served at DCFS for More than a Decade

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today appointed Arthur Bishop as the director of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Bishop has led the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) as director since 2011 and previously served DCFS for more than a decade. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure the safety of all people and children in every community across Illinois. 

"Arthur Bishop is a long-standing public servant who has dedicated his professional career to helping Illinois families," Governor Quinn said. "I am confident that he will carry out the mission of the department by making the safety and well-being of children across the state priority number one. I thank acting Director Denise Gonzales for her commitment to protecting children and stepping up to ensure a smooth transition."

Arthur Bishop brings more than 35 years of experience in the fields of child welfare, community mental health and substance abuse with extensive work in human services administration. Bishop first joined DCFS in 1995 as a caseworker after working at several social service agencies in Chicago. While at DCFS, Bishop later served as a field service administrator and eventually moved up to Deputy Director of Field Operations. Bishop served in this role for ten years before being named Director of the IDJJ in August of 2010. 

"I appreciate this new undertaking from Governor Quinn and for the continued opportunity to serve our state," Bishop said. "Every child deserves a safe environment and there is no greater responsibility than keeping our children out of harm's way. I am eager to work with department staff to ensure we carry out the mission of protecting and serving the youngest residents of our state."

As Deputy Director of Field Operations at DCFS, Bishop had primary oversight and development of two of the department's major initiatives including Family Advocacy Centers and Fatherhood Programs. Bishop, an ordained minister, also represented DCFS on the Governor's Taskforce on the Condition of African American Males. Under Bishop's tenure as Director of the IDJJ, the population of youth in state facilities dropped to under 900 as of January 1, 2014. Historically, the average population was 1,500.

At the IDJJ Bishop championed partnerships with city and state resources. Under his leadership, the department was recognized by the MacArthur Foundation, receiving the "Models for Change: Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice" Champions for Change Award. He also co-chairs the Illinois Juvenile Justice Leadership Council.

Mr. Bishop holds a master's degree in Human Services Administration from Spertus College in Chicago, and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights.

IDJJ Chief of Staff Era Laudermilk will become Acting Director effective immediately.

Governor Quinn today also made a number of key appointments to the state's boards and commissions, including Beth Fiorini of Rock Falls to the State Board of Health; Brad Cole of Carbondale to the Human Rights Commission; and Michael Perry of Wilmette to the Workforce Investment Board. Today's announcement continues the Governor's commitment to making Illinois government more accountable, transparent and effective.   

As a result of Governor Quinn's efforts to make the executive appointment process more accessible and transparent, residents who are interested in serving on boards and commissions can now apply online. For more information on all of the state's boards and commissions, or to apply to serve on a board, please visitAppointments.Illinois.gov.

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(Rock Island, IL): Celebrate Valentine's Day as a family with two free family events coming at the Rock Island Public Library.

The library will offer a "Knight in Shining Armor" Valentine's Day Party, to complement the children's  Midwinter Knight's Read winter reading challenge. The 2:00 pm party on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch Library, 3059 30th Street, is part of expanded Saturday programming offered to meet the needs of families with work or scheduling conflicts during the week. The event will repeat at 6:00 pm on Monday, Feb. 3 at the Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.

Among other activities, children will make a knight's shield and valentine cards and play valentine bingo. "This is more than a storytime," said Children's Librarian Ranell Dennis. "It's a one-stop event with games, several stories and multiple crafts that beat cabin fever with some free family time at the library. And beyond fun, events like these foster a lifelong love of reading and learning." She noted that reading together helps children build vocabulary, verbal ability and comprehension skills that directly relate to improved reading, writing and learning.

"The library is a perfect place to begin learning literacy skills that will last a lifetime," she added.

Each Super Saturday starts with a early childhood storytime at 11:00 am, with the all ages party connected to a different holiday or theme following at 2:00 pm. Additional Super Saturday parties include a St. Patrick's Day party on Saturday, March 8 at the Southwest Branch; an April showers frog party on Saturday, April 19 at the 30/31 Branch, and a yellow-brick road Wizard of Oz party on Saturday, May 17 at the Main Library Children's Room, 401 19th Street. The Saturday storytime is at the same location as each month's party.

For more events at Rock Island Public Libraries, visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow the library on Facebook or Twitter, or call 309-732-7323.

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

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ROMEOVILLE, IL (01/24/2014)(readMedia)-- Lewis University announces Dean's List honorees.These following students were among those honored on the Lewis University Dean's List for fall semester 2013.

East Moline resident Brandon Busch was studying Chemistry at Lewis University.

Erie resident Kimberly Teats was studying Biology at Lewis University.

East Moline resident Jake Dopler was studying Finance at Lewis University.

Rock Falls resident Jennifer Beck was studying Elementary Education at Lewis University.

To be eligible for this honor, students must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit with a grade point average of 3.5 out of a possible 4.0 and with no "D" or "F" grades.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,600 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http://www.lewisu.edu for further information.