U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Plans to Start Blasting Rock Pinnacles at Thebes; Coast Guard is Preparing Navigation Plan

CHICAGO - December 16, 2012 - Governor Pat Quinn today hailed the quick action by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin the removal of rock pinnacles near Thebes, south of Cape Girardeau, that pose a threat to barge traffic on the Mississippi River. The move comes following Governor Quinn's request last month as concerns mounted about the low levels of water on the Mississippi due to the 2012 drought. The governor also praised the leadership of Senator Dick Durbin who helped marshal federal resources to keep the waterway open.

"Keeping the Mississippi River open to commercial traffic is critically important for the economy of the state of Illinois and the entire upper Midwest," Governor Quinn said. "On behalf of the many Illinois businesses and residents who rely on the Mississippi, I want to thank the Army Corps of Engineers and Senator Durbin for their strong partnership throughout this process. We will continue taking every step necessary to help people and businesses across the state through this unprecedented drought."

The Corps has indicated that two contractors are scheduled to begin removal of the rock pinnacles at Thebes as soon as this week. The contractors started moving equipment to the area last week. On Friday, the Corps held a pre-construction meeting with the contractors to finalize plans for rock blasting and removal, as well as development of a navigation impact schedule.

In response to a November 14 letter from Governor Quinn that raised related concerns about river navigation, the U.S. Coast Guard is developing plans to manage the flow of barge traffic during the rock removal period. The Coast Guard is establishing a mobile command post to provide on-site monitoring and assistance of barge traffic control issues.

The Corps and the Coast Guard estimated that the lowest river levels should occur near December 26th, when the river is expected to hit a record low level in the mid-Mississippi River region. After the Corps removes the rock pinnacles at Thebes and the Grand Tower area, they will continue with dredging activities intended to support safe and navigable channels as much as possible.

As the Mississippi River levels have been dropping, Governor Quinn has taken quick action to bring together stakeholders and ensure that necessary steps are taken to preserve its economic vitality. The Quinn administration has been meeting regularly with representatives from the agricultural, transportation and energy industries, as well as working with the federal government to take every step necessary to maintain navigation on the Mississippi River. Governor Quinn has also ordered a number of Illinois state agencies - including the departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Natural Resources and Transportation - to stand ready to assist the effort in any way possible.

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CHICAGO - December 15, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed "Game of Change Day" in Illinois in honor of the historic 1963 basketball game between Loyola University of Chicago and Mississippi State University that broke racial boundaries.

 

WHEREAS, on March 15, 1963, basketball teams from Mississippi State University and Loyola University of Chicago met in what became known as the "Game of Change"; and,

WHEREAS, Mississippi State basketball teams had won Southeastern Conference titles in 1959, 1961 and 1962, but were barred from the NCAA tournament due to an unwritten law preventing Mississippi schools from competing against teams with black players; and,

WHEREAS, following a 21-5 season in 1962-63, the dream of Mississippi State players to compete in the NCAA tournament was quietly supported by University President Dean Colvard and basketball Coach James "Babe" McCarthy; and,

WHEREAS, despite threats of school funding cuts, Klan violence and a court injunction to prevent them from leaving the state, twelve daring Mississippi State players and their coaches fled under dark of night in order to play Loyola; and,

WHEREAS, Loyola University Coach George Ireland - whose 100th birthday we'll observe next year - built a team comprised of four black starting players which led the nation in scoring with 91.8 points per game en route to a 24-2 record; and,

WHEREAS, on game day, as the Mississippi State players took the floor - with none of their fans in attendance - they heard their fight song being performed by the Loyola band in a gesture of sportsmanship; and,

WHEREAS, the pre-game handshake between Loyola captain Jerry Harkness and Mississippi State captain Joe Dan Gold became a poignant symbol of the end of segregation in college sports; and,

WHEREAS, the civil rights movement grew because brave individuals put themselves at risk for the greater good, such as those who participated in the Montgomery bus boycott, the Freedom Rides, Selma's "Bloody Sunday", the integration of Little Rock High School and the 1963 "Game of Change"; and,

WHEREAS, the "Game of Change" showed how sports is a positive force for social change and how one person - or two basketball teams - can truly make a difference; and,

THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim December 15, 2012 as GAME OF CHANGE DAY in Illinois in recognition of the courage of participants in what was much more than a game 50 years ago.

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Now through December 21st - Online Voting for the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Annual Awards. Each Chamber Member is invited to vote. Winners and Nominees of the Annual Awards will be announced at the Chamber Annual Dinner that will be Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Steventon's Go to http://www.leclairechamber.com/design/chamber-vote.html to vote. Thank you in advance for your participation!
WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS!
Asbury United Methodist Church - 1809 Mississippi Blvd. , Bettendorf , IA. Rev. Dr. Kerrin Kirkpatrick.  563-355-5218. Asbury is a place of vital worship and exciting ministry. Our Sunday traditional service at 8:30 am and contemporary service at 11:00 am are filled with wonderful music that lifts praise and centers us in prayer. Sunday school for all ages is at 9:45 am.
Nate Bird has also joined the Chamber.  Welcome Nate!
CALENDAR
Now through December 22 - The Sweet Life will be open on Fridays & Saturdays from 11-4 until Christmas offering all kinds of treats such as cupcakes, cake pops, brownies and cookies as well as sweet gifts for the holidays!
Now through January 6th - Enright's LeClaire Super Car Wash - "Holiday Token Sale "7 tokens for $20 - each token has a value of $6.00. Tokens Make Great Gifts! Stock up for Winter!
Now through the Holidays - Faithful Pilot - Let Chef Robert and his culinary team take care of your next get together. No party is too large or too small. Holiday gathering, retirement, birthday, or just inviting friends over, we want to take care of it for you. Contact Emily 563-289-4156.
Now through the Holidays - Crane and Pelican Whole pies for the Holidays: Pumpkin, Pecan, Apple, Chocolate Cream pies, and Pineapple Rum Upside down cake. Order at (563)289-8774 or at the restaurant. Must be picked up on Saturday 12/22.

December 15th: Family Night at the Rec Center The LeClaire RecCenter, 429 N. 3rd Street (Corner of 3rd Street and Ferry) 5:30-8:00 p.m. $2.00 per person. 3 years old and under free. Games and Crafts at 5:30, Open Gym starts at 6:30. Soup, Pizza $2 per slice, other concessions available.  Come have Holiday Fun at the Rec Center !
December 18th - Who says you can't have a free lunch? The First Presbyterian Church in LeClaire offers free lunch to anyone in LeClaire once a month. Anyone, any age, regardless of need is invited. 11:30-12:30 at the LeClaire Civic Center
December 18th - Crane & Pelican Café - Dinner Featuring the Music of "Quartrio" Beginning at 5:00 p.m. Quartrio is a String Quartet will perform background music throughout dinner plus a formal concert after the 4 course meal. Details and reservations: www.craneandpelican.com
December 31st - Faithful Pilot - New Years Eve 2012 - Seating available 5, 7, and 9pm - 563.289.4156. And, from 11pm-1am, Chef Robert and his culinary team are preparing some bites for you to ring in the New Year. $15 per guest with champagne toast.
December 31st - Crane and Pelican Café - 3 Seatings for New Year's Eve 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. $49.95 for 3 courses including a glass of ChampagneDetails and Menu at http://www.craneandpelican.com/
SAVE THE DATE
January 8th - Chamber Networking Luncheon - Crane and Pelican - noon
January 26th - Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner - Steventon's
FYI
The River Cities' Reader Annual Best of the QC Survey Vote online at http://www.rcreader.com/best-of-qc/survey.php?sid=72 now to February 1, 2013. There are fifty questions, but you only have to answer 15 or more to make your ballot count.  Results will be published in the Spring of 2013. Pass this link along and vote for your favorite area eating and drinking establishments!
SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND
Meals for Seniors at the First Presbyterian Church, LeClaire every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon. Good food and a time to visit with others. Please call 563-289-3646 and make a reservation 2 days in advance.
Trivia Nights in LeClaire at the LeClaire Civic Center
2013 Trivia Nights:
January 12th - LeClaire Community Library
February 9th Coe Noack Memorial Scholarship
April 6th - LeClaire Little League
April 27th - Civic Club
May - LeClaire Lions TBD
June 8th - Buffalo Bill Museum
LeClaire Trivia Nights have raised over $95,000 for local non-profit organizations! Thank you for your continued support!
LeClaire Park Board Special Events Calendar (clip and save)
Spring 2013 - Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt ( Hollyhock Park )
Spring 2013 - Cinco de Mayo
French Market Days 2013 -May 18th, plant exchange, sale benefiting Parks Dept.
Summer 2013 - City-Wide Water Explosion ( Hollyhock Park )
Summer 2013 - Bike Parade & Decorating
Summer 2013 - Tug Fest
www.LeClaireChamber.com and visit the Chamber on FaceBook!

DAVENPORT, IA–Waste Commission of Scott County facilities will close at noon Monday, Dec. 24 and will remain closed Tuesday, Dec. 25. Facilities will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26. Facilities also will close at noon Monday, Dec. 31 and will remain closed Tuesday, Jan. 1. Facilities will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Facilities include the following:

  • Scott Area Recycling Center, 5640 Carey Avenue, Davenport
  • Scott Area Landfill, 11555 110th Avenue, Davenport
  • Scott Area Household Hazardous Material Facilities, Davenport and Buffalo
  • Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th Street, Davenport

Waste Commission of Scott County is an inter-governmental agency whose mission is to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management for Scott County. For more information about the Commission, please call (563) 381-1300 or visit www.wastecom.com.

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ST. LOUIS -- December 14, 2012 -- Here's a New Year's resolution that's fun to keep: resolve to visit St. Louis to enjoy what's new in 2013.

Each year brings big surprises to the St. Louis scene. During Lucky '13, visitors can experience new sights, sounds and events at some of the Gateway City's famed attractions.

Greet 2013 by saying buh-bye to 2012 at the artsy, family fun celebration called "First Night® Saint Louis." This year's theme, "A Traveling Circus," brings acrobats, clowns and jugglers to entertain revelers in St. Louis' Grand Center arts and entertainment district. The creative fete rings in the New Year on Monday, December 31 from 6 pm to midnight. Revelers of all ages can take in 60 performances at more than 12 venues, two free fantastic firework displays and free outdoor shows throughout the evening. Admission on site is $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Discount admission is available in advance for $10 and $5 at www.grandcenter.org.

The Gateway City's nightspots and hotels host spectacular New Year's Eve parties to greet 2K13. They're going to party like it's 1929 at the Fountain on Locust. The Art Deco-style dining and luxe dessert establishment presents a Speakeasy Spectacular and Prohibition Bootleggers' Ball. An over-the-top soiree, complete with an extravagant laser light show, lights up Three Sixty. Located atop the St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark, the sky-high venue features spectacular 360-degree views of Downtown St. Louis and was named one of the Top Ten Rooftop Bars in the World. You'll be "Puttin' on the Ritz" by dancing in the New Year at the Lobby Lounge party at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. For information about these events and special New Year's hotel packages throughout St. Louis, click on the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission's website at www.explorestlouis.com.

St. Louis' Forest Park is always a "go to" location for visitors and will have even more to offer in 2013. The New Year brings an expansion to the Saint Louis Art Museum, new habitats at the Saint Louis Zoo, and popular outdoor theatre offerings.

See more of the world-class collection at the Saint Louis Art Museum when its highly anticipated expansion opens with a two-day-long festival on June 29 and 30, 2013. New galleries, an underground parking facility, a café and restaurant are just the beginning of the 200,000 square foot addition. The $162 million project means visitors will now be able to view more works from the museum's collection that places it among the top 10 comprehensive art museums in the nation. Founded in 1879, the museum's existing building was designed by architect Cass Gilbert and used as the Fine Arts Palace for the 1904 World's Fair. Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is always free.

Also in Forest Park, you can now come face-to-face with some of the Saint Louis Zoo's most popular animal residents. Visitors can't get enough of the newest wet and wild exhibit, Sea Lion Sound. Rising over the central hub of the zoo in Forest Park, the 1.5-acre, $18 million habitat includes a 35-foot-long underwater viewing tunnel -- the first in North America -- where visitors will see the animals swimming around them. Marine mammal residents include 11 California sea lions and four harbor seals. An 811-seat arena offers shows where the marine mammals will display their natural swimming, diving, balancing and sliding behaviors daily during the summer and in weekend shows in the spring and fall. Daily sea lion feedings and keeper chats also get visitors close to the sleek and powerful animals. Admission to the Saint Louis Zoo is always free.

Spotlights shine in Forest Park when The Muny, the nation's largest outdoor theatre, kicks off its 95th summer season in 2013. The seven musicals, four of which are Muny premiere, included Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Nunsense, Shrek?The Musical, South Pacific, Monty Python's Spamalot and West Side Story. The massive park also is home to the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis which brings the comedy Twelfth Night to life this May 24 through June 16.  Free performances are held nightly, except Tuesdays, in Shakespeare Glen near the Saint Louis Art Museum.

During 2013, thrill seekers will pilgrimage to Six Flags St. Louis, a Mecca for Midwest rollercoasters, for the inaugural season of Boomerang.  The new, 125-feet-tall steel coaster will have brave riders twist, turn and shout during a 50 miles-per-hour, heart-pounding ride along 1,650 feet of twisting, corkscrew, looping track.  Boomerang is the ninth coaster at Six Flags St. Louis which is home to more roller coasters than any other theme park in Missouri.

The Magic School Bus® rolls into The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum and parks its Kicks Up A Storm exhibit there from February 9 through May 27, 2013. This electrifying exhibit features three interactive and hands-on Magic School Bus environments, in which parents and children will have a great time learning about different types of weather and weather prediction. Visitors will get an in-depth and behind the scenes look at scientific weather measurements, weather tools, maps, graphs and the various natural indicators we can use to understand and predict weather patterns.

For details on these events and everything that's happening in St. Louis during 2013, check out the detailed Calendar of Events at the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission's user-friendly website at www.explorestlouis.com.

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Follow St. Louis on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest information on what's happening in the Gateway City. www.facebook.com/ExploreStLouis; http://twitter.com/explorestlouis

 

EAST ALTON - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will join Senator Dick Durbin, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, business officials and local stakeholders to discuss the Corps' response to low water levels in the Mississippi River. The Army Corps will brief attendees on the Corps' efforts to keep commerce flowing on the river.
"The Mississippi River is a vital economic resource, allowing goods to be transported around the country. I look forward to hearing from federal officials and stakeholders on efforts to keep barge traffic moving and sustain the economy dependent on river commerce," Simon said.
Simon, chair of the state's Mississippi River Coordinating Council, has urged the Army Corps to take necessary steps to prevent the RIVER'S shutdown. According to the American Waterways Operators, a national trade association representing tugboat, towboat and barge owners and operators, a potential closure preventing barges from transporting goods would jeopardize $7 billion in products during December and January alone.
DATE: Monday, Dec. 17
TIME:   8:30-9:30 a.m. meeting (closed to press; b-roll opportunity during final five minutes);
9:45 a.m. press conference
PLACE: Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station at the National Great Rivers Research & Education Center, 1 Confluence Way, East Alton
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CHICAGO - December 14, 2012. Governor Quinn issued the following statement regarding today's tragic massacre in Connecticut:

"I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the horrific massacre that occurred today at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

"All of Illinois prays for the victims of this senseless violence and their families. May God bless the immortal souls of all those who lost their lives. In their remembrance, I have ordered all flags across Illinois to be flown at half-staff beginning today.

"We know firsthand from the tragedy that took place on February 14, 2008 in a classroom at Northern Illinois University that guns have no place in any school, at anytime, anywhere in Illinois or America.

"It is the foremost duty of government to protect public safety, especially the safety of children and students.

"As governor and as a parent, I intend to spearhead passage of strict laws that will protect our children and the people of Illinois from gun violence."

 

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Duluth, Minn. - National women's fashion retailer maurices is inviting customers and the community to support the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® program.

A network of 31 lodges located in 21 states and Puerto Rico, Hope Lodge provides a home away from home by offering free lodging and support to cancer patients receiving treatment far from home, as well as their caregivers.

maurices is proud to offer a fun new way to help raise awareness and funds for the Society's Hope Lodge program.

Now through December 20, customers can personalize and send a free photo postcard with the Ink Cards app to loved ones anywhere in the world. For each one created, maurices will contribute $1 to the Hope Lodge program, up to $50,000. For more information on creating a card today, customers are encouraged to visit mauricesmerry.com.

maurices will also support Hope Lodge through its seventh annual sale of a custom plush, this year named Hope the Hound. Designed exclusively for maurices, Hope the Hound retails for $6, of which a minimum of $3 from each sale will be donated to Hope Lodge. The cuddly plush is available online and at maurices' 840 locations now through January 31, or while supplies last.

Each year, Hope Lodge saves more than 41,000 patients and caregivers a combined $26 million in lodging expenses. The network of lodges has 970 patient rooms, and the average stay is four to six weeks.

Jessica Jeffers benefited from Hope Lodge in 2011 when she relapsed after treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Jeffers spent 62 days at Hope Lodge in Minneapolis, Minn., while receiving a stem cell transplant.

"Between the staff, volunteers and other patients Hope Lodge gave me such a supportive environment. It was the perfect place for me to process the emotions of my cancer relapse," said Jeffers.

Brad Hartmann, chief creative officer at maurices, said the company is honored to help thousands of other people just like Jessica who have been impacted by cancer. "We're excited to continue adding new and innovative programs while keeping holiday traditions, such as our custom plush, to support free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers. We are hoping to raise $250,000 to for this great cause."

In November, maurices was awarded the Excellence in Philanthropy Award from the American Cancer Society, which honors corporations that have provided $1 million or more to the Society in the previous calendar year through a combination of corporate contributions, in-kind support, cause marketing, sponsorships and event fundraising.

"We are very grateful maurices has stepped up to support the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program," said Roshini George, national vice president of health promotions for the American Cancer Society. "Its financial commitment and continued involvement will help contribute to our goal of saving lives from cancer and creating a world with more birthdays."

Follow this link to view and download a high-resolution photo of Hope the Hound and to tweet or share this news.

About maurices
maurices
, a brand of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ - ASNA), is the leading hometown specialty store and authority for the savvy, fashion-conscious girl with a twenty-something attitude. Today, maurices operates over 833 stores in 46 states and Canada. maurices stands for fashion, quality, value and customer service. Offering sizes 1-24, our styles are inspired by the girl in everyone, in every size. For store information and to shop online, visit maurices.com

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas ? At 10 a.m., CST, on Monday, December 17, 2012, attorneys for The Rutherford Institute will appear before the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio to argue for a preliminary injunction preventing school officials from expelling Andrea Hernandez until the case is decided. Hernandez, a sophomore in a science and engineering magnet school housed in John Jay High School, has refused to wear a school-mandated RFID tracking badge based on her sincere religious objections. The badges, part of the school's "Student Locator Project," include tiny Radio Frequency Identification ("RFID") chips that produce a radio signal, enabling school officials to track students' location on school property. School officials' initial attempt to kick Andrea out of the magnet school was thwarted when the Bexar County District Court granted a 14-day temporary restraining order, enabling Andrea to remain in school. After the case was moved to federal court at the urging of school officials, the Western District of Texas, San Antonio division, extended the TRO by another 14 days. In coming to Andrea's defense, Rutherford attorneys have alleged that the school's attempts to penalize, discriminate and retaliate against Andrea violate her rights under Texas' Religious Freedom Act and the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

"Oblivious to the impact on students' fundamental rights, school officials have embarked upon a crusade to achieve full student compliance with the profit-driven Student Locator Project by stigmatizing students who disapprove of the program and rewarding students who submit to it," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "Students have actually been offered gifts and pizza parties in exchange for submitting to the program, while students who refuse to wear the SmartID badge are forced to stand in separate lunch lines, denied participation in student government and activities, and prohibited from making certain commercial exchanges at school."

The Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, has launched a program, the "Student Locator Project," aimed ostensibly at increasing public funding for the district by increasing student attendance rates. As part of the pilot program, roughly 4,200 students at Jay High School and Jones Middle School are being required to wear "SmartID" card badges embedded with an RFID tracking chip which will make it possible for school officials to track students' whereabouts on campus at all times. School officials hope that by expanding the program to the district's 112 schools, they can secure up to $1.7 million in funding from the state government. Fifteen-year-old Andrea Hernandez has been penalized, discriminated against, and retaliated against by school officials for objecting to being forced to participate in the RFID program. For Hernandez, a Christian, the badges pose a significant religious freedom concern in addition to the obvious privacy issues. Andrea's religious objection derives from biblical teachings that equate accepting a personalized code?as a sign of submission to government authority and as a means of obtaining certain privileges from a secular ruling authority?with a form of idolatry or submission to a false god. Hernandez was informed that "there will be consequences for refusal to wear an ID card." For example, students who refuse to take part in the ID program won't be able to access essential services like the cafeteria and library, nor will they be able to purchase tickets to extracurricular activities. According to Hernandez, teachers are even requiring students to wear the IDs to use the bathroom. School officials offered to quietly remove the tracking chip from Andrea's card if the sophomore would agree to wear the new badge without the embedded RFID chip so as to give the appearance of participation in the Student Locator Project. Andrea refused the offer, believing that to wear the "mark" of the program would still compromise her religious beliefs. Affiliate attorney Jerri Lynn Ward is assisting The Rutherford Institute with Andrea's defense

Events Celebrate 2.4 Million Returning Veterans Since 9/11, Boost Efforts to Support Servicemembers Transitioning to Civilian Life

CHICAGO - December 14, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined with Erica Borggren, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, and Illinois servicemembers to celebrate Chicago Welcome Home the Heroes Weekend, which will mark the one-year anniversary of the end of combat operations in Iraq. The two-day event will honor the 2.4 million Veterans who have served in the military since September 11th, 2001 and raise awareness of programs designed to help them successfully transition to civilian life. Governor Quinn has fought to improve life for Illinois Veterans throughout his career with a variety of initiatives.

"These brave men and women have sacrificed greatly to preserve our freedom," Governor Quinn said. "Now that they're back on American soil after honorably serving our country, it's our duty to give them the support they need to successfully transition into civilian life."

The two days of events begin with the Reading of the Fallen Ceremony at 9:11 a.m. in the plaza outside the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, where volunteers read the names of the more than 6,600 servicemen and women who lost their lives protecting our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. This ceremony is dedicated to Gold Star families who have lost their sons or daughters in combat.

On Saturday, the Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes parade will honor the entire military community and will be followed by a Veterans Resources Reception at the Chicago Cultural Center.

"This weekend's homecoming celebration and recognition of our fallen is an important thanks to those who have served since 9/11," Director Borggren said. "It is also a reminder and part of Illinois' much broader, everyday commitment to serving those who have served as they transition home and encounter challenges related to Post Traumatic Stress, employment, housing, and education."

As part of this special weekend, Governor Quinn is also reminding Illinois Veterans that a new statewide, public-private partnership has been launched to improve support for servicemembers, Veterans and their families. Illinois Joining Forces seeks to increase collaboration and communication among not-for-profit organizations and public agencies serving Veterans at the local, state and federal levels.

Through IJF, participating organizations work together to address gaps in services in job training and placement, healthcare, education and housing, actively refer Veterans and service members in need of assistance, and offer better navigation of available resources and service to the public. For more information, visit www.IllinoisJoiningForces.org.

Governor Quinn has long made commitment to Veterans' affairs, servicemembers and their families one of his top priorities throughout his career in public service. He has led programs including the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program and the Veterans Cash lottery ticket, which has awarded more than $10 million to non-profit organizations across the state that provide health care and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, housing assistance, disability benefits and other services to Illinois Veterans.

As Lieutenant Governor, Governor Quinn championed and helped enact the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund Act, which established a fund to provide grants to families of Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who were called to active duty as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These grants help service members and their families with the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services and other expenses they struggle to afford because a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.

To learn more about Chicago Welcome Home Heroes and other ways you can support our Veterans, visit www.chicagowelcomeshometheheroes.org and www.OperationHomefront.org.

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