Governor's Clean Water Initiative Helped Draw World's Largest Water Pump Manufacturer to Illinois

DOWNERS GROVE - As part of his agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward, Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by Grundfos officials to break ground on the global water pump manufacturer's new North American headquarters in Downers Grove, Illinois. Denmark-based Grundfos, the world's largest water pump producer, will create 40 new jobs at the headquarters. The Illinois Clean Water Initiative - which was launched by Governor Quinn in 2012 to overhaul the state's water infrastructure - was cited by the company as a key reason why they chose Illinois.

"I am pleased that Grundfos has chosen Illinois as the location for their North American headquarters," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois continues to be one of the best places to do business in the world. My Clean Water Initiative has made Illinois a hub for water technology and even more attractive for international businesses like Grundfos. Today's announcement will grow our economy and create jobs."

Governor Quinn and Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully joined Grundfos executives Jes Munk Hansen, Grundfos North America president and Søren Sorensen, Grundfos Group Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Grundfos North American Board, to kick-off construction by using sledgehammers to knock down a wall in the existing structure. Grundfos already employs about 100 people at its Aurora location, and the new headquarters will add an additional 40 jobs over the next several years.

Grundfos representatives recently participated in the governor's trade mission to Mexico, along with other Illinois water technology firms. The Mexican market for water technologies is estimated to grow three percent during 2013, and Grundfos may benefit from heightened Mexican demand and the country's strong economic ties with Illinois. In addition, Grundfos is pursuing LEED certification at its new 10,871 square-foot facility, which will utilize Energy Star-rated equipment and the latest technology in lighting and controls, as well as sustainable building materials for the office's furniture, flooring and fixtures.

"The Chicago area is emerging as an important hub for the water industry, and is one of the reasons why we're establishing our North American headquarters here," Hansen said. "The State of Illinois has shown commitment to water infrastructure, most recently through a $1 billion initiative to upgrade water infrastructure across the state, and we anticipate playing a major role in the further development of critical water initiatives in the state and around the country."

Governor Quinn launched the $1 billion Illinois Clean Water Initiative in his 2012 State of the State Address to help local governments facing a critical need to overhaul aging drinking water and wastewater treatment plants and distribution and collection systems. The initiative is funded with annual federal grants, funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and additional principal and interest from loan repayments. No new state tax dollars are used. According to the U.S. EPA, it is estimated that total water infrastructure needs in Illinois over the next 20 years will total $32 billion, including $17 billion in wastewater projects and $15 billion in drinking water projects. To learn more about Governor Quinn's Illinois Clean Water Initiative, please visit CleanWater.Illinois.gov.

With an annual production of more than 16 million pumps, Denmark-based Grundfos is a global leader in advanced pump solutions and a trendsetter in water technology. The company specializes in circulator pumps for heating and air conditioning as well as centrifugal pumps for industrial applications, water supply, sewage and dosing. Grundfos also manufactures standard and submersible motors and state-of-the-art electronics for monitoring and controlling pumps. This year, the company celebrates its 40th anniversary in the United States, where it employs nearly 1,300 people. Grundfos North America maintains operations in Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, Indiana, Canada and Mexico.

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Rock Island, IL -Christian Care, a local nonprofit charity that provides shelter for homeless men and for women and children who have experienced domestic violence, now offers a support group called Understanding Suicide: ASAP (Awareness, Support, Action, Prevention). The group has been formed to serve individuals who have contemplated or attempted suicide, those coping with the suicide of a loved one and those concerned about a loved one.

The Understanding Suicide group will meet the first and third Wednesday of every month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Christian Care's Rescue Mission located at 2209 3rd Ave in Rock Island. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17 th at 4:00 p.m. Although a mental health professional will facilitate the group, this is not a therapy group.

The group's goal is to provide education, resources, support and an opportunity to share and process thoughts and feelings related to suicide. Participants will be able to share experiences related to suicide, learn suicide's warning signs, understand the process for helping at-risk individuals, and provide information and knowledge about preventing suicide. For more information about this group, call Sharon De Frieze at (309) 737-4658 or visit Christian Care's website at www.christiancareqc.org. For those in danger, call Christian Care's Crisis Hotline at (309) 788-2273.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Eastern Iowa Community College in Davenport has been awarded $26,518 from the Department of Transportation's National Summer Transportation Institute Program (NSTI). The funding will be used to promote awareness of educational and career opportunities among disadvantaged and at-risk middle and high school students around the country. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee that funds the DOT.

"Job training and educational programs like NSTI provide resources that help prepare young Iowans for good jobs in high-demand industries.  This is an investment that provides opportunity and promotes job growth for local communities," said Harkin.  "I congratulate Eastern Iowa Community College on this award and look forward to the progress these classes will bring."

Specifically, Eastern Iowa Community College will use the funds to host educational classes focusing on transportation careers for Quad Cities area high school students.

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RANTOUL, IL (04/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Illinois National Guard (ILNG) Soldiers and Airmen searched a collapsed building, extracted victims and decontaminated mass casualties during the three-day Prairie North 2013 exercise in Rantoul, April 11 to 13.

The ILNG Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and High Explosive Response Force Package (CERFP) team along with 15 local and state agencies conducted a full-scale exercise to better communicate and enhance their training for a potential manmade or natural disaster.

"There was a lot of hands-on training," said Pvt. Kyle Eldridge of St. Louis, a medic with the 445th Chemical Company out of Shiloh, Ill.

During the exercise, Eldridge cleaned and decontaminated the simulated casualties after they were extracted from the collapsed building.

"(The training) could potentially save a lot of lives," said Eldridge.

Sgt. 1st Class Mike Markham, a noncommissioned officer in charge for CERFP with Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield, Ill., said he was there to support the Soldiers and Airmen when they had questions during the training scenario and to make sure everyone was safe.

Markham of Chatham said he watched over the search and rescue teams as they climbed through the demolished building looking for casualties. He said the scenario included casualties with a range of issues from simulated arm and leg injuries to fatalities.

"The training is very realistic," said Markham. "I don't think we could get a better training area. This is what they would call a dynamic pile. If you mess up you may pay for it."

With approximately 200 Soldiers and Airmen, the ILNG CERFP team helps ensure the Governor and Adjutant General have the means to mitigate risks associated with search and extraction, mass decontamination, and medical triage and stabilization to the casualties.

Capt. Scotty A. Duranceau, a clinical nurse with the 126th Medical Group at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Ill., said his training focused on mass casualty triage treatment. He said his group assessed all patients before sending them on to the next station for further help.

"We stage for all events so we are ready in case a real situation occurs," said Duranceau of St. Louis. "I believe it keeps us honed in on our skills, especially those life support skills."

Duranceau said Illinois is properly preparing for a disaster by conducting these mock training exercises. He said the ILNG is ready to fill any void the civilian sector may need in the event of an emergency.

"It's a great opportunity for us to put that footwork into the local population so they can see we are there and can use us," said Duranceau.

It shows Illinois citizens there is one line of force and they are all there to accomplish the same goal, "get the people the care they need and to get them better," he said.

The CERFP used this exercise as the final preparation for an upcoming external evaluation.