New Laws Make Repeat Offenses a Felony and Require School Policies on Teen Dating Violence

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed new laws designed to crack down on domestic violence in Illinois by increasing penalties for repeat offenders and by requiring school districts to adopt policies regarding teen dating violence. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States, with an estimated one out of four women victimized at some point in their lives. These actions are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve public safety across Illinois.

"Whether in her home or out in public, every woman has the right to be and feel safe," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will help us fight domestic violence across Illinois and make our state a safer place."

House Bill 958, sponsored by State Representative Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) and State Senator Pat McGuire (D-Joliet), increases the penalties for domestic violence by classifying domestic violence as a felony if the defendant has a prior domestic violence conviction. The felony classification is more severe if the defendant has more than one prior conviction, with a sentence of up to 14 years for four or more convictions. Currently many domestic violence cases are considered as misdemeanors. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.

"Domestic violence impacts more than 100,000 people in Illinois each year," Representative McAsey said. "We must continue working to provide protections from dangerous criminals. This new law forces repeat domestic abusers to be held accountable by increasing penalties for each violent act."

"This law sends domestic abusers a strong message that the more often they do harm, the more time they'll spend in jail," Senator McGuire said.

In addition, House Bill 3379, sponsored by State Representative Silvana Tabares (D-Chicago) and State Senator Iris Martinez (D-Chicago), requires school boards to adopt a policy on teen dating violence. The policy must establish procedures for school employee response when they become aware of teen dating violence, and schools must educate students about dating violence. The law takes effect immediately.

Governor Quinn also today signed House Bill 3300, sponsored by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora) and State Senator Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), which protects domestic violence victims who are covered by their abusers' insurance policies. The law allows insurance companies to communicate with the victims in ways that do not divulge personal information or current addresses to their abusers. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.

Lastly, Governor Quinn also signed House Bill 3236, which extends the reporting deadline for the Task Force to Eradicate Domestic Violence to April 1, 2014. The task force is developing a statewide prevention program aimed at adolescent violence. The law takes effect immediately.

Production Features 16-Piece Orchestra and Stars Broadway Veteran Kristen Behrendt DeGrazia and International Opera and Theater Performer John Muriello

The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate its second birthday with a special benefit production of Cole Porter's Broadway hit Anything Goes.

On an ocean journey from New York to England, unlikely romance, comic mistaken identities, dancing sailors, good old-fashioned blackmail, eminently hummable songs, and unlikely happy endings come together for a fast-paced, fun, classic musical theater event.

This minimally-staged production features a 16-piece orchestra, placing the emphasis on Porter's unforgettable music including It's De-Lovely, Friendship, I Get a Kick Out of You, You're the Top, and the title number. There will also be special dance numbers courtesy of Leslie Nolte and Nolte Academy. This production is directed by Josh Sazon, with music direction by Edward Kottick.

The Center will serve birthday cake to the audience following each performance.

Tickets ($22; $17 for students/seniors 55+; $12 for children 10 and under) are available by phone at 319.248.9370, online at coralvillearts.org, and in person at the CCPA box office (1301 5^th Street) and Coralville Rec Center (1506 8^th Street).  Special premium sponsor tickets ($50) are available for the August 23 performance and include premium seating, program recognition, and a pre-show reception at the Luxe Zone.  Patrons should call 319.248.9370 or visit the box office for those tickets.

This production is sponsored by Hills Bank.

Performers include Kristen Behrendt DeGrazia as Reno Sweeey, John Muriello as Moonface Martin, Megan Keiser as Hope, Joe Mosher as Billy Crocker, Megan O'Brien as Erma, and Ken Van Egdon as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.  Brett Bordon, Trista Carlson, Jon Cryer, Jean Grewe, Emily Hill, Brian Lawler, Susan Manuel , Mike Nelson , Christine Pernetti, Glen Schmitz, Jerry Stamp, Raiden Takeuchi, Rex VanDorpeAudrey , Wagner, Teresa Wagner, Lisa Warren and Sheila Wayson round out the ensemble.

The orchestra includes Adam Balling, Dan Berkowitz, Melissa Brobston, Bill Colby, Laura Kastens, Laura LaComble, John Lake, William Laubengayer, Paul McNally, Ron Mirr, Tom Nelson, Nathan Platte, Suzanne Smith, Brad Thayer, Beth Villhauer, and Paul Weach.

Kristen Behrendt DeGrazia is a supporter of and frequent performer with Corridor area theatre. She has performed in 5 seasons of Iowa Summer Rep and many productions with Riverside Theatre.  Before moving to Iowa City, Kristen performed with various theatres in Chicago and spent 5 years performing on Broadway in musicals including Sunset Boulevard, Side Show and Les Misérables. She also toured the nation playing the role of Fantine in Les Mis. Kristen holds a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan. Her favorite role (in which she co-stars with husband, Jordan DeGrazia) is that of Mom to Mason, Maia and Tess.

John Muriello has carried on a varied performing career in opera, operetta, musical theatre and concert work.  Stage credits include Tartuffe in Kirk Mechem's Tartuffe, the Lecturer in Argento's A Water Bird Talk, Ko-Ko in The Mikado, Marcello in La Bohème, Voltaire in Candide, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, and Sir Toby Belch in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Muriello has concertized in London at The Wigmore Hall and in Moscow at the Moscow Conservatory, as well as throughout the lower forty-eight.  Concert and oratorio solo credits include Mendelssohn's Elijah, Vaughan William's Five Mystical Songs, Orff's Carmina Burana, and the Brahms Requiem. Muriello has performed with several contemporary music festivals, at the Union of Composers Autumn Festival in Moscow, the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada, at the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, and James Madison University. He has worked with the Skylight Opera Theatre, Opera Carolina, Lyric Opera Cleveland, L'Opera Français de New York, Ohio Light Opera, Seaside Music Theatre, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, and La Gran Scena Opera di New York (as Miss Sylvia Bills, America's most beloved retired diva).  Muriello's directing credits include H.M.S. Pinafore for Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, and The Fantasticks, She Loves Me and A Little Night Music for the University of Iowa School of Music.

Owned and operated by the City of Coralville, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to enriching the community and contributing to the vitality of Coralville by offering an accessible, affordable venue for a variety of performances, presentations, and public and private events.  The 472 seat theater opened August 26, 2011 and has hosted performances from City Circle Acting Company, Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Dan Knight, Lola Astanova, Lorie Line, Judy Carmichael, Jim McDonough, Nolte Academy of Dance, and many others.  Coralville schools are also able to use the Center free of charge up to three times per year; 16 school events took place at the Center in the 2012-2013 school year. The Center was named 2012 Member of the Year by the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

CARBONDALE - After convening listening posts in three Illinois defense communities, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today announced her office will continue soliciting input from residents and military families across the state. To extend her reach, Simon launched an online survey for individuals to share the issues facing communities that neighbor military bases or are home to National Guard and reserve units.

The community and virtual listening posts come as communities around the Metro East, Quad Cities and North Chicago areas struggle with the economic impact of sequestration and the possibility of future cuts.

"The listening posts enabled us to talk with residents, business owners, military families and others about how the state can help make their communities even better places to live and work," said Simon. "It is important that residents who weren't able to attend these meetings have a way to be heard, so I encourage people to participate in this survey. Together we can make Illinois the best state for military families."

The survey, which is being administered in partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA), will close Friday, Sept. 6. The brief online survey includes questions pertaining to business climate, education, workforce training and quality of life, and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

The Lt. Governor's Office will work with the IIRA to compile the survey data with information from the three listening posts held in the Metro East, Quad Cities and North Chicago, where she met with military families, employees of the U.S. Department of Defense, veterans, employers and educators this spring and summer. Though the communities surrounding Scott Air Force Base, Rock Island Arsenal and Naval Station Great Lakes are different, each share concerns on issues such economic development and education opportunities for children.

Simon will then present the findings to the Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC), which she chairs. The IMBSEDC coordinates the state's activities and communications relating to current and former military bases in Illinois, and provides advice and recommendations for base retention, realignment and reuse. 

The survey can be found here.

Family fun, polka music, wiener dog racing, and German-style food headline this event

GALENA, Ill. - Get your polka dancing shoes on and your wiener dog in tip-top racing shape for the 7th annual Galena Oktoberfest taking place on October 5. This event takes place at Depot Park, 99 Bouthillier St., just east of the Galena River near the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Park Avenue; from noon to 10 p.m. Galena Oktoberfest is hosted by the Galena Lions Club and all of the proceeds are donated to help individuals with sight and sound needs, as well as to support community projects.

People of all ages enjoy Galena Oktoberfest, as it features non-stop live music by three bands,  polka dancing and lessons, wiener dog races and parade, a beer stein endurance contest, a bean bag tournament, bounce houses and activities for the kids, and of course plenty of German-style food, soda, and beer. The day begins at noon with a cannon blast and the ceremonial tapping of the keg, followed by the popular wiener dog races. Online pre-registration is encouraged for both the wiener dog races and the bean bag tournament.

The big white tent provides plenty of seating and shade for eating and dancing. Take a spin on the dance floor and let Jennifer Mulcahey, of Ballroom by Jennifer, teach you how to polka. Back-to-back bands include two polka bands, the Jim Busta Band from Spring Grove, Minn. and The Goodtime Dutchmen from Kewaskum, Wisc., and local, up-beat favorite The Lonely Goats from Dubuque, Iowa.

Gate tickets to Galena Oktoberfest are $5 for adults and teens, children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free near the festival site. Festival goers can also take a ride on the free trolley that will be shuttling visitors from the Galena's historic Main Street to the festival.

For more information about Galena Oktoberfest and the Galena Lions Club, go to www.galenaoktoberfest.com or call 815.331.0180. Visit Galena Oktoberfest on Facebook for updates and to find out 'Where in the World is Otto?' Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or by calling 877.464.2536. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. for on-site assistance and countywide information.