"Serve Illinois" Website Offers More Than 70,000 Volunteer Opportunities"

CHICAGO- January 14, 2011 Governor Pat Quinn today joined the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission in encouraging Illinois residents to take part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service this Monday, January 17th. This year's theme is "A Day On, Not a Day Off."

"During this day of service, people of all ages and backgrounds will come together to improve lives and move our nation closer to the 'Beloved Community' envisioned by Dr. King," said Governor Quinn. "Through volunteerism, we work together to strengthen communities and put people to work."

Persons interested in giving back to their community can visit Serve.Illinois.gov to connect with more than 70,000 volunteer opportunities throughout Illinois. Website visitors can search based on location or area of interest, and even generate results for ongoing, one-time or web-based volunteer opportunities.

"Volunteerism helps everyone, and everyone can serve in a variety of ways" said IDHS Secretary Michelle R. B. Saddler. "Research shows that communities with higher rates of volunteerism have reduced crime and higher educational achievement rates. Similar studies have shown that those engaged in their communities on a regular basis live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives."

Visit Serve.Illinois.gov to find a volunteer opportunity, as well as information regarding the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The website is a joint project of IDHS and the Serve Illinois Commission.

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Rock Island County is pleases to announce that our newly designed website has launched!  Visitors will find a new look, site navigation, department menus, search, and an email alert registration at www.rockislandcounty.org.

After months of updating, the user friendly menus are in place.  These menus provide a great deal of information to our citizens.  Questions regarding the website design should be directed to our GIS Director, Josh Boudi at 558-3760, or Sue Adams at 558-3761.

Nicholas Skaggs of Davenport, IA graduated from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Arts degree during the 2010 Winter Commencement cermony.

Trent Carlson, Bachelor of Science, Business Economics and Kevan Kadavy, Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences, both of Davenport, along with Matthew Noe, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Tara Vandygriff, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, both of Rock Island, were named to the Dean's List at Marquette University, Milwaukee, for the Fall 2010 term.  Also, Andrew Czachowski of Bettendorf has graduated from Marquette University with a Master of Arts degree in English.

Adam Ryan Eaker, School of Engineering & Computer Science; Blake Matthew Rauba, Hankamer School of Business, both of Moline, IL, were named to the Dean's Academic Honors List at Baylor University, Waco, TX.

The following local students have been named to the President's List at Drake University, Des Moines. This academic honor is achieved by earning a grade point average of 4.0 during the Fall 2010 semester at Drake.

Kelsey Berneking of Bettendorf, IA, Kelsey Brandt of Bettendorf, IA, Lauren Brandt of Bettendorf, IA, Amanda Cleppe of Bettendorf, IA, Jared Dammann of Bettendorf, IA, Caitlin Pryor of Bettendorf, IA, Abby Sheehan of Bettendorf, IA, Chelsea Rink of Davenport, IA, Erika Sevigny of Davenport, IA, Stephanie Merrick of Eldridge, IA, Jordan Porter of Eldridge, IA, James VanEchaute of Moline, IL, Claire Vandercar of Port Byron, IL, and Marshall Phares of Princeton, IA.

The following local students have been named to the Dean's List at Drake University. This academic honor is achieved by earning a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher during the Fall 2010 semester at Drake.

Caitlin Araujo of Bettendorf, IA, Stuart Bildner of Bettendorf, IA, Leah Christensen of Bettendorf, IA, Bret Larson of Bettendorf, IA, Erika Milas of Bettendorf, IA, Elizabeth Shoemaker of Bettendorf, IA, Kathryn Hamilton of Blue Grass, IA, Evan Clark of Davenport, IA, Scott Copeland of Davenport, IA, Alise Farrell of Davenport, IA, Luke Hansen of Davenport, IA, Eric Hartmann of Davenport, IA, Kristin Stopulos of Davenport, IA, Taylor Bender of Eldridge, IA, Karmen Rocker of Hillsdale, IL, Taylor Odegard of Le Claire, IA, Kayla Pearson of Milan, IL, Christine Hoegner of Moline, IL, Andrew Olson of Moline, IL, Hailey Shelton of Moline, IL, Ryan Hendricks of Rock Island, IL, and Sarah VanLandegen of Rock Island, IL.

The following area students graduated from Creighton University, Omaha, NE during the winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010.

Chris Cameron of Davenport earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Diane Ferry of Eldridge earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Adminsitration degree.

Tate Kapple, a resident of Parnell, Iowa, made the Dean's List for the fall 2010 semester at the University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.

Dr. Nancy Erickson, vice president for academic affairs at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, has announced the names of students who have qualified for the 2010 fall semester Dean's List. Local students achieving this honor are:

Brittany Kahler, a Senior majoring in Studio Art from Marengo, IA

Ayla Serrano, a Sophomore majoring in Life Science from Rock Island, IL

Sarah Voss, a Freshman majoring in Physical Education from Marengo, IA

DES MOINES, IA (01/13/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants every second and third grade teacher in the state to take advantage of the free pencils being offered through Prepare for the Basics. This no-cost program, which provides pencils for students to use during the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, supplied almost 13,500 students with pencils during the 2008-09 school year. "Any teacher interested in participating in the program has until April 1st to submit their requests," stated Fitzgerald. "I really hope all teachers take advantage of this program. It is a small gesture of appreciation for all that they do."

The Prepare for the Basics program also provides information to families about College Savings Iowa, the state's 529 plan that is designed to give them an affordable way to save money for college. "Families who begin saving early are better prepared to meet the educational needs of their children. Any little bit that can be saved now will offset what has to be borrowed in the future," stated Fitzgerald.

College Savings Iowa lets anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - invest for college on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,865 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2011.* Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.** For more information about College Savings Iowa, go to www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

Teachers who would like to take part in the Prepare for the Basics program can register online by visiting www.treasurer.state.ia.us and clicking on the financial literacy tab. Materials should be requested at least two weeks prior to testing to ensure timely arrival and will be delivered directly to the participating schools. Supplies are limited, so early registration is advised.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

** Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax on the earnings, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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