Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill sponsored by Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova) eliminating the General Assembly Scholarship program in Illinois. For 52 years the program provided full tuition waivers for each State Representative to award to students in their home legislative districts to use at the State school of their choice.

 

"These were waivers, not scholarships," Morthland said. "Estimates suggest this unfunded mandate placed a $12 to $14 million burden annually on Illinois universities while the state already owes them tens of millions in overdue bills. In 2011, 1,327 tuition waivers were awarded in Illinois, costing approximately $13.5 million which was then passed on to tuition paying students. In these tough economic times, students and universities cannot afford to absorb this cost."

 

Recent investigations have uncovered a number of instances where General Assembly scholarships went to ineligible family members, campaign contributors and students outside of the legislative district.

 

"There has been too much misuse and fraud tied to legislative scholarships. Reform attempts didn't work and we continued to see instances of abuse. Eliminating these scholarships was the right thing to do."

 

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Farmers in 98 of 102 Illinois Counties Now Eligible for Federal Drought Relief

CHICAGO - August 1, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared 98 of 102 Illinois counties as disaster areas. Approval of Governor Quinn's latest request means federal disaster assistance is now available to help farmers in an additional 50 drought-stricken Illinois counties.

"While harvest has yet to begin, we already see that the drought has caused considerable crop damage," Governor Quinn said. "This declaration means farmers across Illinois who are suffering production losses can now qualify for federal assistance."

A combination of extremely hot and dry weather has stunted crop development across the state, especially in corn, which received inadequate moisture to pollinate. According to the Illinois State Water Survey, precipitation throughout Illinois averaged just 12.6 inches from January to June, making the first half of 2012 the sixth-driest on record. In addition, every month this year has had above normal temperatures, and the statewide average of 52.8 degrees for the first six months of the year is the warmest on record.

"As Illinois continues to suffer from severe drought conditions, this disaster declaration will give farmers and producers across our state access to critically needed resources to help them through the growing season," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). "I will continue to work with United States Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, Governor Quinn and the State of Illinois to identify other opportunities for federal assistance that will help minimize the impact of current drought conditions on Illinois farm families."

"Today's announcement demonstrates the essential need for expanding assistance to Illinois' farmers suffering from this summer's extreme drought," said a spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). "Access to low-interest loans and other emergency assistance programs will benefit the state's agricultural counties and provide farmers additional protection from crop damage."

"The yield losses being projected could cause farmers cash flow problems," Illinois Department of Agriculture Acting Director Bob Flider said. "The low-interest, emergency loans this declaration triggers would help them recover.  They can be used to pay not only production expenses, but also family living expenses."

Topsoil moisture in Illinois currently is rated as 85 percent being very short and 15 percent being short of moisture. Conditions are most critical in southern Illinois, where the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies the drought as "exceptional," its highest designation.

Farmers who believe they may be eligible for the assistance should contact their county Farm Service Agency offices. Loan applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and applicant's repayment ability.

In addition to approval of the disaster declaration, Governor Quinn is urging Congress to pass an extension of the federal Farm Bill that includes funding for disaster programs before its August recess. In a letter sent yesterday from the Midwest Governor's Association to Secretary Vilsack and leaders of Congress, Governor Quinn and governors from three states also ask the federal government to temporarily waive audits of high-dollar crop insurance claims and to develop a comprehensive plan to open up as much federal land as possible for emergency grazing and haying.

For more information on drought assistance, please visit Drought.Illinois.gov.

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Would you like protection from anxiety and the harmful effects of stress in your life? 
Mary Jo Ricketson -- nurse, teacher, certified yoga instructor and personal trainer -- shows readers the way in her new book Moving Meditation (www.thegoodwithin.com).

"We all have within us the potential to experience peace and optimal well-being," she says. "To be safe from all distress we must learn to live in the present moment, for the present moment holds the key to our potential I call the Good Within."

The body is always present, grounded in the present moment by gravity, she says.  The daily practice of exercises in Moving Meditation disciplines the mind to stay at home in the space of the body, safe from all distress.

"We're not free from stress - that's not possible or desirable," Ricketson says. "But we're able to choose a response to the stress from a state of mind-body that is grounded, centered and strong. We learn to think and move from a space of open heart and open mind and become response-able -- able to respond to the stress in ways that promote life and optimal well-being."

For many people, she says, living in the present moment is like living in a foreign land. Research over the past 10 years shows that for most people, up to 90 percent of their thoughts are fixed on the past with regret or remorse, or racing ahead to the future with worry and anxiety.

"Discomfort, tension and disease all stem from the inability of the mind-body to respond to stress in ways that are life-giving rather than self-defeating," Ricketson says. "We forfeit our opportunity to respond effectively when the mind is not fully present to the body in times of distress. When the mind is not present to its own being in the space of the body, we cannot expect to be present for others."

When the mind is absent, people experience a feeling of abandonment, which triggers a stress response. Through the autonomic nervous system, the body purposefully creates tension, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate and other physiological changes. This is how the body gets us to "come to our senses," Ricketson says.

In training, she reminds her clients to "come home"-- to call the mind home so that they can respond in the most effective way possible.

When people learn to discipline the mind to stay fully present in the body, they are most able to meet the challenges they face in ways that decrease stress and promote life. They gain confidence and strength in their ability to let stress work for them rather than against them.  Peace and well-being follow this conscious union of mind and body, Ricketson says.

"It is in this space of conscious union that we meet God," she says. "Through our training of mind and body, we can learn to be with God here on Earth.  Conscious now of God's presence, we come to know and feel all we are made to be.  You are made to know peace and well-being.  It is within you.  Practice being present and you will see the Good Within come to life."

About Mary Jo Ricketson

Mary Jo Ricketson has studied human health and well-being for decades, earning a bachelor of science in nursing and a master's in education. In 1999, she opened the Center for Mind-Body Training, which offers classes, seminars and personal training. She offers yoga training in her studio, at schools, and in corporate settings. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and two children.

Rock Island, IL, July 20, 2012 -- Mr. Robert Donohoo has completed his training at Marriage and Family Counseling Service. During his 18 month advanced residency in marriage and family therapy, he worked with William Hiebert, Executive Director and Dr. Derek Ball, Director of the Hiebert Institute, as a full-time resident staff member at Marriage and Family Counseling Service.

Mr. Donohoo remains in the community and is employed as a family therapist with the Veterans Administration in their Moline office. Mr Dohonoo is one of several hundred new family therapists that have recently been hired by the Veterans Administration as part of a new program. The Veterans Administration is employing hundreds of marriage and family therapists to deal with returning veterans and their various personal and relationship issues that service abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought about. During his residency, Mr. Donohoo passed the national marriage and family therapy examination and became Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois The residency program was established in 1980 for the purpose of providing specialized training in marital and family therapy for a twelve-month period.

During his internship, Mr. Donohoo received supervision by the senior staff of Marriage and Family Counseling Service and provided over 1000 hours of clinical experience working with a variety of presenting issues. Following the completion of the internship at Marriage and Family Counseling Service, residents complete the basic requirement for becoming a full clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a licensed marriage and family therapist in Illinois.

Marriage and Family Counseling Service is a community sponsored counseling and education program sponsored by the United Way of the Quad City area, fee income and gifts. The agency has served the Quad City Area for 37 years, offering high quality therapy to individuals, couples and families from Rock Island and Scott Counties and the surrounding areas. Therapy services are offered on a "sliding scale" which means that fees are based on the clients' income. Many types of insurance coverage are also accepted.

Marriage and Family Counseling Service is located at 1800 Third Avenue, Suite 512, Rock Island, with services available to all residents of the Quad City area.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, today, issued statements on the USDA disaster designation of 42 Iowa counties as primary natural disaster areas due to the recent drought.

On July 16, Gov. Branstad sent a letter to Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting a drought disaster declaration for impacted Iowa counties. The letter to Sec. Vilsack can be viewed here.

Gov. Branstad released the following statement:

"In response to my letter, the Lt. Governor and I would like to thank Secretary Vilsack for the USDA's recent drought declaration of several Iowa counties.  This drought has had a significant impact on Iowa agriculture and the farmers who work hard every day to feed a growing world population.  This disaster designation will provide affected Iowans with additional resources during these difficult times."

Lt. Gov. Reynolds released the following statement:

"One thing that I know for certain is that Iowa farmers have the tenacity, resilience, resolve and fortitude to withstand these challenging times. The Governor and I stand with all Iowans as we work together to respond swiftly to these drought conditions."

 

# # #

Continues call for action on Farm Bill and Disaster Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement after learning that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack had issued a disaster declaration to assist Iowa farmers who have suffered losses from the ongoing drought impacting the Midwest.   The counties identified in this declaration have experienced a drought intensity value of at least severe for eight or more consecutive weeks, with some counties experiencing extreme drought conditions at some point.  Harkin is a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.

"The ongoing drought continues to inflict hardship on farmers in Iowa and across the Midwest," said Harkin.  "With today's announcement, farmers in eligible counties may apply and qualify for low-interest loans and other disaster assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency, and farmers in all Iowa counties will be allowed expanded haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres.  I welcome today's actions and thank Secretary Vilsack for responding to our severe drought problems in Iowa."

In Washington, Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for issuing an agriculture disaster declaration for 42 counties that have seen extensive damage to crops and livestock from the recent drought.  Last week, Loebsack introduced the Agriculture Disaster Assistance Act to help farmers and livestock producers with drought losses beyond insurance until a new farm bill is signed into law.

"I have been walking the rows with farmers to hear firsthand about the damage the recent heat and lack of rain has done to their crops and livestock.  I applaud the USDA for their decision and will continue advocating for the farmers and rural areas who have been greatly impacted.

"USDA has moved to help Iowa farmers - now Congress needs to act and stop playing politics.  As Iowans continue to struggle to recover, our rural areas and farmers need certainty during these tough times. They need Congress to pass a long-term farm bill and extend access to agriculture disaster assistance, not take votes for the appearance of action and then leave for August recess.  Unfortunately, with disaster programs already expired and the farm bill is about to expire - it is now more important than ever for Congress to get to work instead of going on vacation while the fields wither."

Specifically, the counties of Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Davis, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama, Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne.

Benefits are also available for the contiguous counties of Allamakee, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Floyd, Franklin, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Warren, Washington, Webster, Winneshiek and Wright.

 

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New law makes Illinois one of the first states to prevent employers from demanding social network passwords

CHICAGO - August 1, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law protecting current and prospective employees' right to privacy in the fast-growing world of social media. House Bill 3782 makes it illegal for an employer to request an employee's or job candidate's social network account information, such as username or password, in order to gain access to their account or profile. Illinois is the second state to enact such a law.

"Members of the workforce should not be punished for information their employers don't legally have the right to have," Governor Quinn said. "As use of social media continues to expand, this new law will protect workers and their right to personal privacy."

Sponsored by Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), HB 3782 prevents employers from screening potential job candidates or reprimanding current employees based on information from their social network accounts that would otherwise be private. The new law protects workers' privacy and their choice to make certain information from their social network accounts private.

"Employers certainly aren't allowed to ask for the keys to an employee's home to nose around there, and I believe that same expectation of personal privacy and personal space should be extended to a social networking account," said Leader Radogno, who pointed out employers are not allowed to ask employees or job applicants about age, sex, race, or sexual orientation?all information that could be easily gleaned from a social networking site. "This law will not only protect employees' reasonable rights to privacy on the Web, but will shield employers from unexpected legal action."

The law's definition of social networking sites does not include email, and it does not prevent employers from obtaining information in the public domain about current or prospective employees.

"Social networking accounts are places where we document the personal and private aspects of our lives, and employers have realized they can get answers to questions they are already prohibited from asking by gaining unfettered access to our accounts," Ford said. "This legislation may protect employers from future lawsuits as much as it protects employees and jobseekers."

The law is effective Jan. 1.

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FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC
Fans of Ne-Yo, Stefano and Nelly Furtado - Listen Up! Win a Trip to See Your Fave

NorthPark and SouthPark Malls are partnering with three top artists to give away an exciting concert getaway.  It's "Your Music, Your Choice." If you win, you can pick who you want to see: Ne-Yo, Stefano or Nelly Furtado.

The process is simple. Guest 18 years of age and older can enter for a chance to win by visiting www.mallsweepstakes.com
between August 1st and September 3rd.  The winning shopper and the guest of his or her choice will receive roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations to the concert or artist event of their choice.

Guests must enter online only by visiting www.mallsweepstakes.com for a chance to win.  We encourage our loyal shoppers to pick out the perfect concert attire and stop by NorthPark and SouthPark Malls as we prepare for back-to-school sales and events.

NorthPark Mall
320 W Kimberly Rd
Davenport,
563.391.6773


SouthPark Mall
4500 16th Street
Moline, IL 61265
309.797.8450

Guests can explore our retailer mix and get the most up-to-date information by
visiting
il.com

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad is ordering all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, until 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, 2012 for Sgt. Michael E. Ristau., 25, originally of Cascade.

Sgt. Ristau was killed in Afghanistan, while serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, on July 13, when the vehicle he was riding in was attacked by an improvised explosive device.

The governor's directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor's executive order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

Ristau is survived by his wife, Elizabeth L. and sons, Hyle Ristau, of Tacoma, Wash., and Bradley Ristau, of Tennessee; his parents, Randy L. and Suzanne M. Ristau, of Cascade; sister Halie Ristau of Cascade; and brothers Christopher Powers of Dubuque, Iowa and Jesse Carrier of Bolivar, Mo.; grandmother Gertrude Meyer of East Dubuque, Ill. and grandfather Vernon Thomas, of Dubuque; father-in-law and mother-in-law Dan and Karen Lemley of Tacoma; and brother-in-law Collin Lemley of Tacoma.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 4 at 11 a.m. at the Cascade City Park.

The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of the funeral will be presented to Sgt. Ristau's family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring him.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/01/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced today that the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan has reduced its fees by over 20%. "This marks the fourth time in five years that College Savings Iowa has been able to reduce its fees," said Treasurer Fitzgerald. "This means more money stays in the account where it belongs, making it a great value for Iowans saving for future college expenses." The price reduction, effective August 1, 2012, will bring the annual asset-based fees of the plan's portfolios down from 0.34% to 0.28%.

"The plan's new lower costs will enable participants to put more of their investment returns toward the right place: their children's education," Fitzgerald said. "College Savings Iowa continues to share the benefits of its growth by lowering expenses, which is a testament to the commitment of the Plan to deliver well-managed college savings investments at low costs to Iowans."

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,975 per beneficiary from their 2012 adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.* Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-999-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

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