Investment Will Fund 54 Community Projects, Including Bike Paths, Walking Trails, Beautification and Support More Than 400 Jobs

CHICAGO - January 30, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann  Schneider today announced a nearly $50 million investment in community transportation projects throughout Illinois. The latest round of funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) will support more than 400 jobs through 54 projects, including bike paths, walking trails, historic preservation and streetscape beautification projects in communities across Illinois. The ITEP is a federally-funded, competitive program that encourages transportation-related enhancement projects in a variety of categories.

"This major investment in community transportation projects throughout Illinois will help improve the quality of life for everyone," Governor Quinn said. "These projects will create hundreds of jobs while preserving our heritage, beautifying communities and creating new transportation options across our state for pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. I want to thank our Congressional delegation for securing the funds so that we can reinvest them back into our cities, towns and counties."

"Over the years, funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure has improved street safety and quality of living in Illinois communities," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). "Incorporating bike paths, bike lanes and sidewalks into the transportation system encourages physical activity and healthy lifestyles by providing a safe place to walk, jog and bike close to home.  And today's announcement by Governor Quinn ensures that these federal funds will be spent creating jobs in Illinois communities."

"Trails and bikeways make Illinois communities better places to live," Ed Barsotti, executive director, League of Illinois Bicyclists said. "For over a decade, Governor Quinn has worked for better bicycling and walking conditions for Illinois residents. He recognizes this as one part of many solutions, for problems we face with health care costs, transportation equity and safety. Today's grants will help communities across Illinois build these popular and important facilities."

The ITEP program is designed to promote and develop alternative transportation options, including bike and pedestrian travel, along with streetscape beautification. The federal funds are awarded competitively, and any local or state government with taxing authority is eligible to apply. Local matching funds are required, and work must begin on the projects within three years.

"We are very excited to help move these very important projects forward," Secretary Schneider said. "This community-based program will expand travel options, improve safety and enhance the quality of life of residents throughout Illinois."

For the current round of funding, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) received 328 applications requesting ITEP federal funding totaling nearly $327 million. Beginning this year, IDOT will move this program to be awarded annually instead of every two years.

A full list of projects is attached. For more information, please visit www.dot.state.il.us/opp/itep.html.

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January 30, 2013 - Pittsburgh, PA. - A forum, funded by The John Merck Fund, will take place in San Antonio,
Texas as an important part of the International Annual Conference of the Learning Disabilities Association of
America at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Hotel on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 PM. The session, "Brain
Food: How Nutrition, Chemical Exposures and Genetics Interact, and Steps Schools Can Take to Protect and
Nurture Children's Development" is open to the public.

The important session will focus on the ways nutrition, chemical exposures, and genetic makeup can interact to
affect brain development and learning. Toxicologist, food and nutrition expert and special education teacher,
Renee Dufault, will speak on the latest scientific insights on how food ingredients and chemicals can interact
and lead to adverse health effects. A panel of educators and administrators from the San Antonio area will
respond to the presentation and discuss steps schools and parents can take to help protect and nourish young
minds.

The 50th Annual LDA Conference, February 13 - 16, 2013, presents 200 sessions that address early childhood
issues, school and career subjects as well as the latest research in best practices that concern children and adults
with learning disabilities, their parents, teachers and other professionals who support them. Hundreds of
teachers, parents and administrators from Texas and across America will gather conference week to share ideas,
new methods and products (Exhibit Hall). This is a conference where parents, teachers and researchers work
together.

On Saturday morning, February 16, "Finding Your Future: Career Opportunities" will bring mini-sessions and
exhibitors with information on postsecondary education and training to young adults with learning disabilities.
Families will be able to talk to top experts in high school to college transition and look at options and get
information that will help in the planning process.

LDA is a non-profit organization of parents, professionals and adults with learning disabilities providing
support, information, and advocacy on behalf of individuals with learning disabilities.

For further information go to www.ldaamerica.org/conference/index.asp

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CHICAGO, ILL - Yesterday, President Obama stated his plans to fix the "broken immigration" process here in the United States, calling for "commonsense" immigration reform. While we applaud the bipartisan efforts by our U.S. Senators and the President, the concern is that special interests will prevail and Congress will veto the legislation.

In response, GAMALIEL'S Executive Director Ana Garcia-Ashley and Salvadore C. Cerna, President of Civil Rights for Immigrants, have issued the following statement:

"As former immigrants, in a nation built by immigrants, we are inspired to hear our President reveal his core principles for immigration reform that will pave the way to legal citizenship for 11 million people who currently live in the shadows of American life, but we welcome the announcement with circumspection and watchfulness.

 

After all, it has been more than ten years waiting for this news to arrive. Now that it is finally here, it seems surreal because it has been a decade of immigrant bashing, political jargon, broken promises and shredded dreams.

 

As the process moves forward, we will look to President Obama for true leadership, and to our Congress to repair a wrong that is way overdue. We need immigration reform that places working individuals, as well as families first; one that will preserve human dignity, protect civil rights and accomplish legal citizenship in a timely and just manner.    

Time and time again, independent polls show that the public, by and large, supports comprehensive immigration reform that holds employers accountable, stops the exploitation of the vulnerable and pays a living wage. We want Congress to take note that their efforts will be monitored closely by GAMALIEL and others like us.

 

To this end, GAMALIEL will kick off its "Dream For All" campaign on February 6, 2013 in dozens of cities around the country.  Together, GAMALIEL, community leaders, elected officials and clergy will gather to speak out in support of comprehensive reform now.  We will remain vigilant and demand a comprehensive, legal and fair process conducted in a timely manner."

 

God Bless,

 

Ana Garcia-Ashley                                Salvadore C. Cerna

Executive Director                                President of Civil Rights for Immigrants

Gamaliel                       Gamaliel

Gamaliel is a national network of non-partisan, faith-based organizations in 17 U.S. states, South Africa and the United Kingdom that organizes to empower ordinary people to effectively participate in the political, environmental, social and economic decisions affecting their lives. Gamaliel's diverse members apply their faith and values to the pursuit of equal opportunity for all, shared abundance, and stronger, more prosperous communities. Gamaliel is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

FAYETTE, IA (01/29/2013)(readMedia)-- Upper Iowa University names its 2012 Fall Dean's List. To be honored, the undergraduate must have earned a minimum 3.50 GPA for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student.

Shaun Eberhart, of Charlotte, IA

Haylie Franklin, of Muscatine, IA

Gary Mayfield, of Davenport, IA

Stephanie Ries, of Clinton, IA

Colbey Vance, of Port Byron, IL

Bridget Barrette, of DeWitt, IA

Shawn Cotton, of LeClaire, IA

Jann Hebrank, of Park View, IA

William Stellmach, of Davenport, IA

Christian Wirth, of Bettendorf, IA

Ericka Carpenter, of Wheatland, IA

Pamela Frost, of Delmar, IA

Jessica Buntemeyer, of Davenport, IA

Tiffany Jones, of Davenport, IA

Alyssa Lenning, of Davenport, IA

Brittany McCubbin, of Davenport, IA

Celia Porth, of DeWitt, IA

Prakash Sapkota, of Davenport, IA

Kathryn Troendle, of Bettendorf, IA

Richard Troendle, of Bettendorf, IA

James Yackley, of Devenport, IA

Leann Zinn, of Davenport, IA

For more information about Upper Iowa University, go to www.uiu.edu.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to about 6,200 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

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