(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today extended the disaster declaration allowing for more propane transport during harvest. The extension is 7 days, through Nov. 14.

Today's proclamation language is below:

WHEREAS,   a proclamation of disaster emergency was issued on October 24, 2013, as a result of the propane shortage being felt throughout the State of Iowa; and

WHEREAS,   effects of the shortage continue and the circumstances and reasons for issuance of the proclamation remain and continue; and

WHEREAS, strict compliance with Iowa Code section 321.449 pertaining to hours of service for drivers of commercial motor vehicles subject to the conditions stated in the October 24, 2013 proclamation will continue to prevent, hinder, or delay timely transportation and delivery of propane throughout the State of Iowa.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TERRY E. BRANSTAD, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by the Iowa Constitution Art. IV, §§ 1, 8 and Iowa Code § 29C.6(1), and all other applicable laws, do hereby extend a State of Disaster Emergency for the entire state of Iowa originally proclaimed on October 24, 2013 for an additional seven days.  All terms and conditions of the proclamation of October 24, 2013 are hereby included by reference and shall apply as if fully set forth in this proclamation.

This extension of the original proclamation shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on November 8, 2013, shall continue for seven (7) days, and shall expire on November 14, 2013 at 11:59 p.m., unless sooner terminated or extended in writing by me.

Signing Ceremony to Take Place November 20 at UIC Forum 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Quinn today announced that he will sign historic legislation in the days ahead that will make Illinois the 15th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality. The signing ceremony will take place at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Forum on November 20, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.

"Marriage equality is coming to Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "I look forward to signing this landmark legislation on November 20 and celebrating a big step forward with the people of Illinois."

The legislation, which was approved by the Illinois House this week in a historic vote, will permit all couples in Illinois to receive the rights and protections of marriage. As part of his agenda to ensure Illinois embraces all people, Governor Quinn made marriage equality a top legislative priority this year, featuring it in his 2013 State of the State address.

For the second year in a row, UIC was recently named among the nation's top 25 campuses for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. UIC is the only institution in Illinois among the top 25 campuses. The UIC Forum is located at 725 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago‚ IL 60608.

UIC houses the historic Hull House, now a museum, which opened Chicago's doors to the world's immigrants and became the national center for innovative social and educational programs. In the fall of 2013, the university experienced record-breaking enrollment of 27,589. For the second year in a row in fiscal year 2013 more than 3,800 baccalaureate degrees were awarded, and more graduate and professional degrees were awarded than last year as well.

This momentous celebration will be free of charge and open to the public. For more information, including how to attend this historic event, please visit Equality.Illinois.gov.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/07/2013)(readMedia)-- The Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield will be open Veterans Day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learning about the heritage of the Illinois National Guard from1723 to the present day is a great way to honor Illinois Veterans.

WHO:

• The Illinois State Military Museum

WHAT:

• Open for visitors on Veterans Day

WHEN: Monday November 11, 2013 at 09:00AM Central Time (US & Canada)

WHERE:Illinois State Military Museum
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd
Springfield, Illinois 62702

NOTES:

• Admission and parking are free

For additional information, please contact the Illinois State Military Museum at 217-761-3910.

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Q:       Why is National Adoption Month observed in November?

A:        During this season of thanksgiving, millions of American households open their homes to friends and family from near and far.  We come together to celebrate cherished traditions that have been handed down for generations.  Hospitality, hearth and harvest come to mind as families gather at the table and give thanks.  As Americans make plans for the holiday feast, we can quibble about giblets in the gravy or whether to roast, deep fry or brine the turkey.  Each family enjoys its own unique traditions and family favorites on the Thanksgiving menu.  When it's all said and done, there's really no place like home.  That's why it's especially fitting to commemorate National Adoption Month in November.  Tens of thousands of foster children in America long to have a permanent place setting at their very own family's table on Thanksgiving Day and every other day of the year.  Last year, nearly 400,000 children lived in the U.S. foster care system.  Of those, nearly 102,000 awaited adoption.  More than 26,000 aged out of the system before ever securing a permanent place to call home.  Since 1990, National Adoption Month has helped to raise awareness for children awaiting adoption and appreciation for those who have answered the call to serve as foster or adoptive parents.  So many of us look forward to celebrating the homecoming of friends and family on Thanksgiving Day.  Just consider the hope-filled anticipation of a child longing to be welcomed home for good to a forever family.

Q:       What can be done to help more children awaiting adoption to find a permanent, loving home?

A: As co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I've worked to raise public awareness and educate policymakers about the challenges facing foster youth, especially those who age out of the system with no long-term support structure in place.  Children and adolescents need stability, certainty and constancy in their lives.  A permanent, loving home provides the most nurturing foundation to help youth reach their fullest potential in society.  We should acknowledge foster youth throughout the year, not just November, and give thanks to parents who heed the call to adopt a child.  And, we can always do more to ensure that children who await adoption get the assistance they need, including support to stay in school and sustain their education.  Earlier this year, I introduced the Foster Youth Stamp Act of 2013 that would provide for the issuance and sale of a postal stamp by the U.S. Postal Service.  Revenue generated from the stamp would support state-based programs, including the Adoption Opportunities Program - which seeks permanent outcomes for foster care youth through adoption, guardianship or kinship care - and the State Court Improvement Program - which seeks to improve legal representation for youth and addresses caseloads and the court's role in achieving safe, stable, permanent homes for children in foster care.

Q:       What other legislative provisions have you championed to promote adoption?

A: As an outspoken advocate for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" at the policymaking tables in Washington, I believe these founding principles apply especially to vulnerable children in our society.  I've worked with Iowa families, foster youth, child welfare advocates, court representatives and social workers to help identify financial, legal and bureaucratic roadblocks that make it difficult for kids to find a permanent, loving home through adoption, guardianship or reunification with their birth family.  Through congressional hearings and legislation, I've worked to raise awareness about the stability that adoption can bring to a child in need of a loving home as well as the public good adoption brings to society.

•         In 1997, I worked to advance the Adoption and Safe Families Act that is credited with doubling adoptions from foster care in many states.

•         As then-chairman of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, I secured an expansion of federal tax credit assistance in the 2001 tax law that increased qualified expenses for adoption from $5,000 to $10,000.  Today the tax credit is indexed for inflation and was made a permanent provision of the federal tax code earlier this year. Adoptive parents this year may apply $12,970 in qualified adoption expenses to their 2013 federal tax return.

•         In 2006, congressional hearings in the Senate Finance Committee led to the passage of the Child and Family Services Improvement Act that improved programs designed to help troubled families and increased caseworker visits for foster care youth.

•         In 2008, I authored the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions law which increased federal incentives for states to move children from foster care to adoptive homes; made it easier for children to be adopted by relatives; made children with special needs eligible for federal adoption assistance; and, established new educational opportunities for youth who age out of foster care at age 18.

Q:       What is National Adoption Day?

A:        Since 2000, 44,500 families have finalized adoptions on National Adoption Day. Organizers single out the Saturday before Thanksgiving to raise public awareness and honor adoptive families across the country.  As Iowans count our blessings and celebrate family on Thanksgiving Day, let's remember the children in our communities who dream to find a family to call their own once and for all.  Have you, a family member, friend or neighbor considered adoption?  On behalf of the thousands of foster children whose single-most important wish upon the turkey's wishbone would be to take a seat at their very own family's Thanksgiving table, I encourage you to prayerfully consider the call if you're in a position to do so.