As children blossom into young men and women, most insist on planning and running their own lives. Parents worry about all the basic essentials for their kids' independent living, like housing, eating properly, staying warm, being careful at night and more. But most parents forget to teach their youngsters one of the most important lessons of all - financial responsibility. The resulting turmoil can spell disaster for a child's future.

Consider this: The average young adult amasses $45,000 in debt by the time they turn 29, according to a recent PNC Bank report.

"This generation of 20-somethings was raised during an economically-thriving period," says financial expert Mark Hansen, author of Success 101 for Teens (www.success101forteens.com). "Undisciplined spending habits, student and car loans, and a tough job market have stymied their financial growth. Perhaps the worst culprit is financial ignorance, but we can count this as a lesson for future 20-somethings."

For young people, organizing finances can be intimidating to the point of prohibitive, he says.

"We need to have a curriculum in schools, from kindergarten through 12th grade, that ensures our kids graduate with financially literacy," he says. "From balancing a checkbook to understanding what it means to pay - and earn - interest, kids need basic money management skills to survive in the world, and most aren't getting them."

Hansen says all teens should know and practice so they can control their financial destinies:

• Saving for dreams - the three-envelope method: Use the first envelope for your day-to-day expenses: gas or lunch money. Pause before blowing this money at the movie theater or a fast-food restaurant! Envelope No. 2 is for short-term goals, which might be clothing or a new laptop. The third envelope is for long-term goals such as a car, college or a "future millionaire club" fund.

• How to create a budget: A budget lets us know what's possible, and not possible, with money. There are six steps to creating a budget. 1. List all of your expenses. 2. List all income. 3. List monthly expenses. 4. Add up these lists separately. 5. Tweak your budget so you can meet your expenses with money left over for savings. 6. Review your budget every week.

• How to set and follow through on goals: First, figure out what your current finances are, then determine what they will be in the future -- one year out, then two years out, then four years later, etc. How will you get to your one- or two-year goal? You need a plan, and most of the time that means either earning more money, spending less, or a combination of the two. Finally, you have to stick to your plan in order for it to work.

• Understanding interest rates, such as credit cards: Interest is a fee paid for using someone else's money. Simple interest is straightforward: 5 percent accrued in your bank account with $100 yields $5 in interest at the end of the year. Compound interest, however, means ever-increasing amounts. This is crucial to understanding debt you may take on from lenders. Know what you are borrowing, and the terms thereof. Just as your money can work for you in a bank account, money borrowed can work against you if it is not paid back in a timely manner.

• How to write checks and balance a checkbook: These days, it's easier than ever to review accounts online, which automatically tracks exchanges. HOWEVER, banks do make mistakes, which is why it's wise to track your accounts independently. Ask. Don't be embarrassed. Banks are putting a premium on service and want to establish a positive relationship with young customers.  If you have a question, speak to someone at the bank. As you take control of your money, you'll also take control of your life.

About Mark Hansen

A successful businessman, a former Palm Beach County, Fla., elected school board member and motivational speaker, Mark has dedicated his life to helping young people overcome obstacles and deal with the challenges of daily living. Struck by a car and nearly killed as a child, Mark fought back through positive actions and reactions to all that he had to overcome. As a result, he relates to teens in a very special way.  Through books such as, "Success 101 for Teens: Dollars and Sense for a Winning Financial Life," and seminars, Mark Hansen is driven to make an impact on teens and young adults and to empower them to rise above and triumph over life's obstacles.

"I'm excited to designate Moline as an official Main Street community. This means access to technical assistance and training on economic development. The designation will compliment what the Moline Centre Main Street program has already done to revitalize this historic part of Moline," Simon said.

Moline Centre, which is housed in the City of Moline's Economic Development Department, is the only Illinois Main Street program that operates within a unit of local government. The program is funded through Moline's two downtown Special Service Area (SSA) taxing districts and manages the maintenance contracts for the SSA.

The taxing districts generate revenue to provide downtown businesses with public way maintenance, marketing and promotional materials, as well as financing for rehabilitation projects through a façade improvement program that has provided over $300,000 to 21 projects since 2006. Moline Centre hopes to compliment this service with architectural design services in cooperation with Illinois Main Street and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

"Moline is honored to have been selected for participation in the Illinois Main Street Program," said Moline Centre Coordinator Pam Owens. "Our group has worked very hard to meet the criteria set by the Illinois Main Street Program, and I want to thank all of our volunteers and staff for their efforts. With their continued energy and dedication, we will keep moving forward, and make Downtown Moline Centre a thriving part of our community."

The designation ceremony took place in front of the City of Mills mural which features a depiction of downtown Moline in 1850. The Downtown Commercial Historic District, which is located in the larger of the two SSAs, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was home to John Deere's first factory. The manufacturer of agricultural machinery remains headquartered in Moline and is celebrating 175 years in business.

Moline joins Rock Island, which has been a Main Street community since 1996. The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District implements the program in conjunction with two other organizations - Development Association of Rock Island and Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation - under the umbrella of Renaissance Rock Island.

"The Illinois Main Street program is a great resource to access for revitalization efforts of downtown," said Brian Hollenback, President of Renaissance Rock Island. "Those resources help us develop and utilize design standards for renovation efforts that are crucial to preserving, revitalizing and telling the story of downtown Rock Island."

Illinois Main Street is administered by the Office of Regional Economic Development at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and offers its designated communities technical assistance and training in how to revitalize traditional downtowns, neighborhood business districts, and urban corridors. The program is part of the National Main Street Program at the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center.

Simon announced in March that the Illinois Main Street Program is once again accepting applications from communities interested in becoming part of the program. Communities interested in obtaining more information can visit www.illinoismainstreet.org.

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Lifelink International Adoption's Haitian adoption program is now operational. The agency is working with Haiti-based Three Angels Children's Relief to place orphaned and relinquished children for adoption from Haiti. "We are thrilled to resume placing children for adoption from Haiti and are now working hard to find loving families for the children brought into care," explained Lifelink Director of Adoptions Pat Radley.

Three Angels has been committed to placing orphaned and relinquished children from Haiti since 2003 and has facilitated the placement of more than 100 children with families. "The goal of Three Angels Children's Relief is to provide hope to the children of Haiti," said Three Angels Marketing Director Shannon Hoffmann. Their orphanage is licensed by IBESR, the Haitian social service authority. The children receive dedicated 24-hour care with assigned nannies to encourage healthy attachments.

Haitian adoptions were temporarily suspended after the devastating earthquake that ravaged the country in January 2010. The Haitian government reported that an estimated 316,000 people died during the tragedy and another 1,000,000 were left homeless. While Haiti continues to move forward with rebuilding, it has reinstated international adoptions in order to find loving homes for the many children left without families.

Haitian children available for adoption are infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. They are all screened for HIV, Hepatitis, TB and sickle cell. Each child receives regular check-ups and has access to the Three Angels medical clinic as well as the Bernard Mevs Hospital in Port au Prince. Boys and girls are available for adoption, as well as twins and sibling groups.

Those individuals eligible to adopt from Haiti include married couples and single women between 35-50 years of age for a healthy child and 55 years old for a child with special needs. Only one parent needs to be 35, and age exceptions can be made if there is medical proof of infertility. Married couples are also required to have been married for at least ten years. Haiti prefers childless applicants or families with adopted children, but IBESR will allow families with biological children to adopt with presidential dispensation. Families are required to take two short trips to Haiti as part of the adoption process, which can take from 12 to 24 months.

Three Angels has four children, all less than three months of age that have been brought into care since April 2012. Individuals interested in learning more about the availability of these children and the requirements for adopting through Haiti can visit www.lifelinkadoption.org or call 630-521-8281.

Lifelink International Adoption (license #508312), a ministry of Lutheran Child and Family Services, has established and maintained a reputation for the quality individualized service  it provides to all applicant families, the  expertise and professionalism of  its staff and  its commitment to be available throughout the adoption journey and beyond.  It serves families and children in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Lifelink has direct placement programs with China, Haiti, Hong Kong, Philippines and Korea, as well as cooperative programs with Poland and other countries. The organization is accredited by the Council on Accreditation as well as the Hague and is a member of the Joint Council on International Children's Services.

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SPRINGFIELD - May 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the passage of SB 3241, which provides up to a $5,000 tax credit to employers of post-9/11 Veterans.

"I salute the members of the General Assembly for passing the Hiring Veterans Tax Credit, an important initiative I proposed during my State of the State address to increase jobs for Veterans in Illinois.

"The men and women who have defended our democracy overseas should not have to fight for jobs when they return home. The Hiring Veterans Tax Credit will empower businesses to hire our Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Veterans are loyal, hard-working and know how to accomplish a mission, and this legislation will help alleviate unemployment among our returning servicemembers. This credit is also a boost for small businesses in Illinois.

"Sponsors Sen. John Sullivan, Rep. Jerry Costello and all the co-sponsors, thank you for your leadership in passing the Hiring Veterans Tax Credit.

"It is fitting that the day after Memorial Day, a day designated to honor our Veterans and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, Illinois took this solid step to help them find employment when they come home."