Police will be Out in Force Across Illinois to Keep Roads Safe, Cracking Down on Impaired Drivers and Enforcing Seat Belt Laws

CHICAGO - November 21, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today reminded Thanksgiving holiday travelers to think of safety first while traveling on the state's busy roadways this weekend. Millions of drivers are expected on state highways over this Thanksgiving holiday and Illinois transportation and law enforcement officials are mounting a statewide crackdown to bust impaired drivers and make sure drivers and passengers are buckling up on every trip.

"Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be with family and friends and take stock of our blessings," Governor Quinn said. "But it's also a time when roadways can be more dangerous. That's why everyone who is traveling during the holiday week should remember to buckle up each time, and never, ever allow an impaired driver to get behind the wheel."

The statewide "Drive to Survive" crackdown, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Division of Traffic Safety, involves Illinois State Police (ISP) and nearly 300 local law enforcement agencies across Illinois. The campaign focuses on the deadly nighttime hours when data shows more vehicle occupants die in crashes than during any other time of day. Due to this trend, late night motorists throughout Illinois will see roadside safety checks, seat belt enforcement zones and other police saturation patrols looking for seat belt law violators and drunk drivers.

Traffic safety officials are also concerned about the high number of people who die unbuckled during nighttime hours. Studies show that an average of less than one-third of occupant fatalities are restrained properly using seat belts between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. During daytime hours, seat belt usage increases substantially, with 62 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities properly restrained. This lack of belt use means far too many people are dying on Illinois roadways, particularly during nighttime hours when alcohol often is involved.

IDOT and the Illinois Tollway are also reminding drivers to focus on the road at all times and that it's illegal to text or check email while driving in Illinois.

During the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday eight people died in traffic crashes on Illinois roadways over the five day period and 839 were injured. Of the eight individuals who were killed, four died in crashes where at least one driver had been drinking.

Statewide, year to date, 854 people have died on Illinois roadways, according to a provisional count maintained by IDOT.

For more information about IDOT's traffic safety enforcement campaigns and safety data, please visit http://www.trafficsafety.illinois.gov./.

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Increased access to education would improve provider training

 

SPRINGFIELD - November 20, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon joined state Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) and state Rep. Lisa Dugan (D-Bradley) today to issue recommendations that will help improve rural emergency medical services. The recommendations were generated after 17 hearings of the Illinois House of Representatives' Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Task Force were held last year.

"During an emergency, every second counts," Simon said. "Rural Illinois residents may travel up to 30 miles or more to reach the appropriate hospital. It is important that emergency medical technicians and paramedics who are treating patients during long transports are well-trained and have access to the best technology. I would like to thank the Task Force members for their hard work as we move forward with implementing some of these recommendations."

Lt. Governor Simon testified in Galesburg in favor of increasing the availability of high-quality online training for EMTs and paramedics to improve employee and volunteer retention. Emergency medical service providers are required to complete 120 hours of continuing education every four years to renew their license. Currently, only 25 percent of that can be completed online, but the Task Force agreed with Simon that the offering should be increased. The Task Force also recommended that evaluation of that training should be based on performance, rather than only the hours completed.

"While the work of this current Task Force has been completed, the job is not finished. As our communities continue to grow and change and technology continues to advance we must continue to reach out to local emergency responders to make sure they have the tools they need to keep local families safe," Moffitt said.

"It was an enlightening and enjoyable experience working with EMS personnel throughout the state of Illinois and Rep. Moffitt. I look with anticipation to the state moving forward to recognize and address the EMS needs throughout this state, so they can continue to provide a valuable service for the people of the state of Illinois," Dugan said.

The Task Force also discussed the implementation of new federal EMS educational standards so that emergency medical technicians who have obtained licenses in Illinois are able to use them in other states. Additionally, the recommendations included a proposal to simplify licensing for ambulances. Rather than renewing licenses annually, if implemented, providers could obtain licenses lasting two to four years contingent on annual state inspections.

Lt. Governor Simon is the chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. Enhancing EMS is a part of the council's strategic plan for rural Illinois.

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Don't miss the chance to see blues and jazz singer Maggie Brown live in concert at the Davenport Public Library! She will be performing at the Eastern Avenue Branch (6000 Eastern Avenue) on Monday, November 26 at 6:30 p.m. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Based in Chicago, Maggie Brown is a talented singer and performer who infuses her music with history and storytelling. She describes her style as "edutainment" and strives to use music to educate and uplift people. This performance is being sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society. For more information, please visit the Mississippi Valley Blues Society website at http://www.mvbs.org/index.php/education/115-bits-maggie-brown-2012.  For more information about other programs offered at any of the Davenport public libraries, visit www.davenportlibrary.com.

 

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AGENDA
SCOTT COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORITY

Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
(Conference Room 638, 6th Floor, Scott County Administrative Center,
600 West Fourth Street, Davenport, Iowa)

1.  Roll Call: Barber, Drummond, Scheibe

2.  Pledge of Allegiance

3.  Approval of Minutes

4.  Approval of resolution providing for the sale and issuance of Jail Facilities Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2012 (Scott County, Iowa Unlimited Tax Lease Obligations) and approving the execution and delivery of an Official Statement, a first Amendment to Lease Purchase Agreement and a First Supplemental Indenture and other matters related thereto.

5.  Other items of interest

6.  Discussion of scheduling future meetings:  Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.

7.  Adjourn

Festive dance and enticements top off this annual holiday celebration

GALENA, Ill. - This year's annual Mistletoe Ball will be bittersweet, as it will be the last of a grand tradition begun 31 years ago. Sponsored by the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society, the Saturday, December 1 event will feature a dessert and dance at historic Turner Hall from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

"The Mistletoe Ball has seen many evolutions over the years," said Nancy Breed, executive director of the Historical Society. "Recent year's full orchestra, catered dinner events have seen a decline in attendance, so the committee decided it was time to bid a fond farewell to an old friend. December is always a difficult time to hold an event due to weather concerns. We are looking at some exciting new ideas for a more inclusive event next summer."

As this year's event does not include dinner, ball-goers are encouraged dine at one of several fine Galena restaurants which are partnering with the event: Fried Green Tomatoes and the Log Cabin (both offering a free shuttle to Turner Hall), One Eleven Main, Vinny Vanucchi's and the Goldmoor Inn. Or you can park near the Old Train Depot and catch the free shuttle from there.

The popular Fever River String Band will have the honor of playing the last Mistletoe dance, filling the seasonally-decorated hall with a mix of contemporary and period dance music.

Scrumptious holiday desserts catered by Fried Green Tomatoes will be a welcome interlude to dancing. A cash bar will be available including a specialty concoction entitled 'A Very Merry Martini.'

A live auction of several high-value items will create excitement during the festive evening. Wonderful offering such as a two-day Mississippi River Cruise on the Twilight and a gourmet Scandinavian dinner for eight are sure to be hotly contested. Absentee bids will be accepted at the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum, 211 S. Bench St., Galena, until Noon on December 1.

Two 40-minute sessions of period dance during the Ball will be aided by an optional afternoon dance lesson. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., also at Turner Hall, professional dance masters John and Elaine Masciale will provide instruction for simple dances that will be used during the Ball. Ball ticket holders will be charged $2 per person for the class; $5 to the public. No reservations are necessary for the afternoon instruction.

Tickets for the Mistletoe Ball dessert and dance are $35 per person and may be purchased on a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover by calling 815.777.9129, or by sending a check payable to the Galena Historical Society at 211 S. Bench St., Galena, IL 61036. Period dress and holiday attire are both appropriate. Reservations are encouraged.

For more details about the elegant grand finale of the Mistletoe Ball hosted by the Galena - Jo Daviess County Historical Society, visit www.galenahistorymuseum.org or call 815.777.9129.  Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.galena.org or by calling 877.464.2536. While in town, visit the CVB's Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center at 101 Bouthillier St. (corner of Park Avenue) for on-site assistance and countywide information.

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Students Staged the Musical "Into the Woods"

SEWARD, NE (11/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Naomi Iltis of Le Claire, Iowa, took part in staging the theatre department at Concordia University, Nebraska's presention "Into the Woods," a musical production depicting troubled fairy tale creatures, based on the works of the Brothers Grimm. The musical was performed Nov. 2-3 and Nov. 9-11 in the Weller Hall Auditorium. Iltis served on the Production Crew.

"Into the Woods," written by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, follows the stories of several fairy tale creatures including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack from "Jack and the Beanstock" and Rapunzel. The stories weave with the tale of a baker and his wife on their quest to start a family as they discover they've been cursed by an evil witch.

(DES MOINES) - Today, Gov. Branstad appointed Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger as judge to the 5C Judicial District.

Ebinger received her law degree from Yale Law School and is currently serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Iowa.  Ebigner was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Reis.

The counties in the Fifth District are Adair, Adams, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Guthrie, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Polk, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Warren and Wayne.

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MACERICH MALLS ANGEL TREES VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

Quad Cities, USA - Volunteers to operate the Angel Tree tables are desperately needed. Shifts are available, and sign up is easy on www.ringbells.org. The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program is once again helping area families by collecting toys for children this holiday season. This annual holiday program provides new toys for approximately 3,000 children whose families are having a
hard time adding Christmas gifts to their budget.

On Black Friday, November 25, Macerich Malls will again partner with The Salvation Army to collect new, unwrapped toys inside the malls at the "Angel Trees." Hours will be 10am - 8pm Monday through Saturday, and 12pm - 5pm on Sunday.

Paper angel tags listing the age, gender and toy ideas are available at these locations: Younkers Court in SouthPark Mall, Moline, and JCPenney Court in NorthPark Mall, Davenport.

Holly Nomura, Development Director for the Quad Cities, states, "The Salvation Army offers so many ways to feel connected during the holiday season, this may be the right opportunity for people who would rather be indoors."

More about the QUAD CITIES Angel Trees

• Over 3,000 children will be served again this year because of our community's generosity.

• Gifts for 11-and 12-year-olds are especially needed.

• When a child of poverty receives a toy Christmas morning, the parents regain hope and the child has a happy memory to build on.

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(DES MOINES) - The Iowa Department of Management today released the following costs associated with the collective bargaining proposal put forth by the State Police Officers Council (SPOC). If the SPOC proposal were extended to all state employees, the costs from all funding sources would be as follows:

 

Overall:

 

Year 1 (FY'14): $156,974,189 million increase

Year 2 (FY '15): $159,247,448 million increase

 

Across-the-Board salary increases:

 

Year 1 (FY'14): $68,872,823 million increase

Year 2 (FY '15): $72,119,828 million increase

 

Step salary increases (4.5% average salary increase):

 

Year 1 (FY'14): $47,630,162 million increase

Year 2 (FY '15): $45,340,401 million increase

 

Benefits (Health care, retirement, etc.)

 

Year 1 (FY'14): $39,471,204 million increase

Year 2 (FY '15): $41,787,219 million increase

 

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