Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Aaron Schock (IL-18) led a group of 21 Members of Congress in calling on the President to include support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) in its 2014 budget.  This program supports navigation infrastructure improvements and ecological restoration on the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS).   The UMRS is the only river basin in the United States recognized by an act of Congress as both a nationally significant commercial navigation system and river ecosystem.

"Ensuring that the locks and dams on the UMRS are capable of providing effective traffic flow is critically important to the competitiveness of our agriculture and manufacturing industries, and ultimately the consumer," the Congressmen wrote in a letter to the President.  "NESP has a real opportunity to be a model for constructing navigation infrastructure, and we look forward to this potential being realized for the benefit of the region and the nation.  We are hopeful that you will recognize the importance of NESP to the economy and ecosystem along the UMRS in your FY14 budget."

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

Illinois' First Women Business Owners Symposium on March 29

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn announced today that the state of Illinois is launching a new initiative to support the growth of women-owned businesses as a driving force in the Illinois economy. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will host the state's first Women Business Owners Symposium (WBOS) at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on March 29, coinciding with Women's History Month.

The event will bring together business leaders, lenders and technology experts to showcase the knowledge and opportunities available to help women-owned firms expand in Illinois.

"Women entrepreneurs are one of our state's key job creation engines," Governor Quinn said. "Our goal is to help women find the economic resources necessary to expand their companies and provide more employment for our state."

Three out of 10 firms in Illinois are owned by women generating a total of $53.4 billion in sales, according to Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) based on U.S. Census data.

The daylong event?which is free and open for women looking to start or expand a business?includes keynote speakers Ruth Ann Gillis, president, Exelon Business Services Co.,  and Judith A. Roussel, director, Illinois district of the U.S. Small Business Association.

Panel discussions at the event will focus on capital funding and financial growth, technology and infrastructure, new markets (private and public), and state agencies and programs. Attendees will also hear first-hand experiences of women who have built their own companies.

Topics of discussion will range from how to gain access to capital, how to get a foot in the door of large corporations, where to find free technology support, how to get certified for government contracts and how to use the U.S. Census Bureau web site for market research.

"We are committed to connecting experts and resources to firms owned and run by women as there is a great opportunity for these entrepreneurs to create jobs and keep Illinois competitive," said DCEO Director Adam Pollet. "Women-owned firms are making a powerful impact on our economy."

The list of panelists include Wendy Lewis, senior vice president, diversity and strategic alliances, Major League Baseball; Pat Harris, global chief diversity officer, McDonald's Corp.; Marsha Serlin, CEO, United Scrap & Metal Co.; Katrina Markoff, CEO and founder, Vosges Haut-Chocolat; Joanne Tica-Steiger, director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses; Sona Wang, founder and managing director, Ceres Venture Fund LP; Maria A. Colangelo, vice president, Wintrust Bank; Poonam Gupta-Krishnan, CEO, Iyka Enterprises Inc.; Kristin Barrett, vice president, Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center Project 1871, and Rita Haake, program manager, College of DuPage Center for Entrepreneurship.

Directors of four state agencies (DCEO, Transportation, Tollway, Veteran Affairs) and officials from three federal agencies (SBA, Census, Commerce) will discuss how to find business support and outline government projects that are fully funded and seeking contractors. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon and Deputy Gov. Cristal Thomas will open the event.

There is also an exhibit hall, one-on-one counseling and free on-site daycare.

"We want women business owners to know they aren't alone," said Carol E. Bell, deputy director of Women's Business Development. "The state is a great resource. Providing these business leaders with support helps them evolve, develop and expand, which in turn leads to more jobs, stronger communities and a better state economy for everyone."

WBOS will be held 8:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday March 29 at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL  60608. To register or to find out more information, visit http://www.ildceo.net/WBOS. Registration is allowed on site the day of the event. Attendees who pre-register are invited to a free breakfast at 8 a.m.in the Roosevelt Corridor sponsored by Verizon Wireless.

For more on why Illinois is the right place for business, visit http://illinoisbiz.biz.

--Winning Entries in the Bandage Art Contest Featured in New Line of Bandages ...

With 100% of Profits Donated to Help Fight Pediatric Cancer --

New York, March 2013-- Hundreds of children throughout the country have shared their messages of hope and inspiration for kids battling cancer - through a unique opportunity to create their very own line of Ouchies bandages.  After reviewing the hundreds of entries, and after thousands of people cast their votes for their favorite design via Facebook, the winners of the "Ouchies for Others" Pediatric Cancer Bandage Art Contest have been selected  - with five winning entries about to see their designs featured on a new line of Ouchies Bandages to be available this Summer.

The winners of the "Ouchies for Others" Pediatric Cancer Bandage Art Contest are:

• Amber Moosvi, Age 17, Des Plaines, Illinois

o   Name of artwork: "Broken Bear"

o   Story behind artwork: The picture that I made represents two things. The Teddy Bear with a bandage and the feel better soon balloon represents that I'm not completely better but soon I will be because my broken bear has a bandage.  The stars represent all of the people who support me in my battle with Brain Cancer. I couldn't fit everyone because I have so many people supporting me and I appreciate them so much.

• Sammy Smith, Age 13, Sandusky, Ohio

o   Name of artwork: "You're Almost There"

o   Story behind the artwork: Just remember that every time you get a poke or surgery that you are one step closer!  That's what keeps me going!

• Tenia Richardson, Age 9, Michigan

o   Name of Artwork: "Love is Cure"

o   Story behind the artwork: I believe with enough love you can cure anything to make a brighter day.

• Laura Vargas, Age 10, San Antonio, Texas

o   Name of Artwork: "You Can Be Pain Free"

o   Story behind the artwork:  I wanted to do this because I had cancer myself so I wanted other kids not to let themselves down and show them that you can have fun during cancer treatment and never give your hopes up and look cool with my bandage.

• Erin Lisk, Age 12, Howell, New Jersey

o   Name of Artwork:  "Never Give Up"

o   Story behind the artwork:  My Mom had cancer and even though it was painful, she never gave up.  Now she is happy and healthy.

Through the "Ouchies for Others" program, Ouchies gives 100% of profits from the sale of this unique line of bandages to varied not-for-profit organizations.  All profits from the sale of these new bandages will be going to benefit the important work being done by three national pediatric cancer organizations: The Childhood Leukemia Foundation, Cookies for Kids' Cancer and the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

More than 400 children submitted their designs for the "Ouchies for Others" contest, which gave them the opportunity to tell their own story about the fight against pediatric cancer or anything else uplifting - with the chance to have their designs featured in the new "Ouchies for Others" bandages and tin.  Some offered words of encouragement and a message to "Stay Strong."  Others drew intricate, colorful designs geared to make others smile.  A few know exactly what it's like for a child to have cancer because they have battled the disease themselves -- and many others know someone who has been impacted by childhood cancer and wanted to do whatever they can to help.  Each entry told its own special story - and deciding on a winner wasn't easy.

"We wanted to give children the opportunity to help other kids in need, whether its an encouraging word, uplifting picture or story," says Ian Madover, CEO of Ouchies, who developed the "Ouchies for Others" program as a way to raise awareness, and funds, for not-for-profit organizations serving the needs of children.  "Kids with cancer get pricked many times a day and we thought it only makes sense to put the two together."

All contest entries can be viewed online at www.ouchiesonline.com/bandage-art-contest.  The five winning entries were selected based on a panel of judges voting from a pool of 25 finalists that had received the most "likes" on Ouchies' Facebook page.

"We are thrilled that so many children entered our contest, and were truly touched by the beautiful designs and stories they created and shared with us," says Jennifer Saporta, Director of Sales & Marketing at Ouchies. "The 'Ouchies for Others' program has given us the unique opportunity to work with amazing organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children with cancer. We are beyond honored to be able to partner with them and help to increase their tremendous efforts in the fight against pediatric cancer."

For more information on Ouchies for Others and the Bandage Art Contest, visit www.ouchiesonline.com. For more information on the partner organizations, or to make a donation, visit The Childhood Leukemia Foundation (www.clf4kids.org), Cookies 4 Kids' Cancer (www.cookiesforkidscancer.org), and The American Childhood Cancer Organization (www.acco.org).

Cathy Carton is an avid crafter and an experienced seamstress. She enjoys spending her free time working on new craft ideas and sitting at her sewing machine. Whether she's creating kitchen towels, placements, table runners or American Girl doll clothes, many of her craft ideas come from a passion to decorate her home for the holidays in new and unique ways. "This shop does a wonderful job of showcasing work like mine. I am so happy to have the opportunity to work with Peaceful River.  They really are a great find." says Cathy Carton.

Owner, Sheila Bosworth, is looking forward to the gallery opening. "Cathy is not only talented at what she does, but she truly loves being an artist. We are excited to have the opportunity to feature her work". Peaceful River Trading Co. offers a place for local artists and crafters to display and sell their creations.

Peaceful River brings visitors back to a simpler time and is housed in a beautiful, circa-1916 bank building, formerly the home of McCausland State Bank. They carry many items from arts and crafts to antiques, gifts, and collectibles. Peaceful River Trading Co. is open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday through Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.  McCausland is located about 20 miles northeast of Davenport, just off Utica Ridge Road on F33 and 5 minutes north of Scott County Park.  Explore Peaceful River Trading Co. at www.peacefulrivertradingco.com.