State-Funded Preservation Now Project to Create 500 Jobs in Chicago and Peoria 

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the state's Preservation Now program will finance the preservation of approximately 600 affordable rental units for seniors and people with disabilities in Chicago and Peoria. The project is expected to create more than 500 jobs and is part of the Governor's agenda to ensure quality affordable housing for working families, seniors and people with disabilities across Illinois.

"This project will preserve critical affordable housing options for hundreds of families while creating 500 jobs," Governor Quinn said. "Today it is more important than ever that we maintain reasonably priced rental homes for all residents, no matter what challenges are, and the Preservation Now program is key to making that happen."

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) administers the Preservation Now program to preserve affordable housing across the state. IHDA board members on Friday approved financing for the first two projects under the program: 478 apartments in four developments in Peoria and a 100-unit development in Chicago.

"Governor Quinn's commitment will safeguard the affordability of these developments by extending existing U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development project-based rental subsidies by an additional 20 years," IHDA Executive Director Mary Kenney said. "Under Governor Quinn, IHDA has provided more than $3 billion to create or preserve approximately 18,600 rental units across the state."

Work is expected to be completed by next fall.

Peoria Developments:

231-unit Parkview Estates - 2401 N. Gale Ave.

97-unit Reservoir Estates - 3336 W. Kiva Court

75-unit Hurlburt House - 818 W. Hurlburt St.

75-unit Schlarman House - 707 NE Madison Ave.

IHDA will provide approximately $30 million in low-interest loans and other financing to rehabilitate 478 units in four developments in Peoria. An estimated 400 construction and post-construction jobs will be created.

Developer Wallick Asset Management will replace roofs, windows, siding and exterior doors. Green and Energy Star upgrades include windows, doors, appliances, low-flow water devices, lights and flooring. Site improvements will provide new paving and striping, landscaping upgrades, upgraded recreational spaces and fencing repairs. The planned scope of work will dramatically upgrade these developments, preserving these affordable housing units and their vital rental subsidy.

Chicago Development:

Evergreen Towers I - 1333 N. Cleveland Ave.

IHDA will provide approximately $18 million in low-interest loans and other financing toward the acquisition and rehabilitation of Evergreen Towers, a 100-unit high-rise apartment building for seniors in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. An estimated 120 construction and post-construction jobs will be created.

In partnership with Voice of the People in Uptown and Near North Development Corp., developer Daveri Development Group will modernize the apartments with green and sustainable features designed to increase resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts and yield cost savings through a long-term reduction in operating expenses. Green features will include a photovoltaic solar system (PV), solar thermal water system, Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency lights in common areas, and low-flow plumbing.

The Preservation Now program aims to preserve project-based rental subsidy in existing developments by encouraging the acquisition and rehabilitation of properties by owners agreeing to extend the existing rental subsidy contracts related to the development. Approximately $245 million in project-based subsidy will be preserved over the next 20 years as a result of Preservation Now.

Preservation Now has made available Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other resources, which are anticipated to leverage up to $100 million in IHDA bond volume cap to support preservation efforts. Trust Fund revenue is generated from half of the state real estate transfer fee.

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DES MOINES, IA (10/18/2013)(readMedia)-- The ISEA is proud that one of our own, Jane Schmidt, has been selected as the 2014 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Jane is a tremendous educator who has dedicated her career to the success of every student in her care. She represents the best of the best in Iowa schools today with unending passion and commitment to continuous improvement. She truly embodies what we know is at the heart of our profession and what is taught in our schools.

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Iowa Insurance Division Continues to Inspire Students to Create Good Money Habits

Minneapolis, MN (October 18, 2013) - For the seventh year in a row, the Iowa Insurance Division will sponsor a unique, theatre-based program for middle schools throughout the state that will entertain and educate tens of thousands of students on the ways they can create good personal money habits.  Mad About Money II: Pay Yourself First! opens on October 21 and will play to 100 Iowa middle schools at no cost to the individual schools.  It is an entertaining and inspiring program - featuring live, educational theatre performances by professional actors - that also includes print and Internet curriculum for use in the classroom and at home.

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."

But the financial education doesn't stop with the end of the audience applause.  Following the performances, students return to their classrooms to complete print activities and digital classroom games that further reinforce the financial literacy concepts from the show. Combining live, educational theatre with interactive classroom activities and homework assignments enhances retention of the important lessons.  "Our goal is to help educate the future generation of earners, savers, spenders and investors," continues Mr. Goettsch.  "That's why we're offering Mad About Money free-of-charge to the schools.  The smarter they are with their money today, the better off we'll all be in the future."

The Mad About Money program and format was the focus of a study conducted by financial literacy researcher Dr. Lewis Mandell.  His study provided empirical evidence that NTC-style productions?live educational theatre combined with print and classroom activities - positively influence student attitudes on personal finance.  For a copy of Dr. Mandell's study, please contact NTC.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is having their 5th Annual "Treats in the Trunk" on Wednesday, October 30th from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Church Parking Lot. Children & Families are welcome to come; walk our parking lot by the Picnic Shelter; getting candy & treats from our members.

Haywagon rides will be offered and concessions sold by the Youth Group at minimal prices. (Chili, Hot dogs, Chili Dogs, Nachos, and canned pop).