01 Oct 2012

Grassley Questions Deputy Attorney General About Reno ATF/US Attorney Rift

By Grassley Press

Friday, September 28, 2012

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley is asking Deputy Attorney General James Cole about his office's knowledge about the falling-out between the Reno, NV offices for the U.S. Attorney and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

In a letter sent late last night, Grassley wrote, and provided documents, that ATF agents in Reno notified the Office of Professional Responsibility nearly one year ago, yet the breakdown between the two offices continued.

"It appears the ATF and the US Attorney's Office may finally be stepping up to resolve the problem in Reno, but we need to learn how it got to this point.  It's inexcusable that it festered for more than a year," Grassley said.

Here's a copy of the text of Grassley's letter.  A signed copy can be found here.

 

September 27, 2012

Via Electronic Transmission

The Honorable James M. Cole

Deputy Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

 

Dear Deputy Attorney General Cole:

As you may be aware, I recently contacted both Nevada U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Acting Director B. Todd Jones about allegations from whistleblowers that a breakdown in relations had occurred between ATF and the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) in Reno, Nevada.[1] I have not yet received a briefing from either of their offices.

The alleged breakdown is illustrated in a declination memorandum from the Reno USAO, which indicates that as of September 29, 2011, the Reno USAO categorically refused to accept any cases submitted by Reno ATF.  The declination memo states, "We are willing to consider your cases again when your management addresses and resolves the issues at hand."[2] Apparently as a consequence, ATF's Reno Field Office has only opened one case in 2012, as the attached chart indicates.[3]

I have since obtained documents from whistleblowers which indicate that these issues were raised with ATF headquarters and the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) almost a year ago.  According to one document, ATF agents in Reno notified ATF's Internal Affairs Division of the issue on October 13, 2011.[4] According to a second document, an ATF agent in Reno notified OPR on October 25, 2011.[5] As you may know, because of ATF and the Reno USAO's inability to resolve these issues, three ATF line agents and a supervisor were transferred out of Reno in April 2012.

In light of these facts, I am seeking to understand whether Justice Department management was also notified of the problems between ATF and the USAO in Reno, and if so, what actions were taken to rectify these issues.  Your office, the Office of the Deputy Attorney General (ODAG), is responsible for overseeing both ATF and U.S. Attorneys.  Therefore, please answer the following questions:

 

1)      Was anyone in ODAG notified in any way of these problems prior to my letters to ATF and U.S. Attorney Bogden on September 17, 2012?

a.      If so, when were individuals in ODAG first notified?

b.      What actions did they take to inquire into the situation?

c.       What actions did they take to address the situation?

2)     Were you aware of these problems prior to my letters to ATF and U.S. Attorney Bogden on September 17, 2012?

a.      If so, when were you first notified?

b.      What actions did you take to inquire into the situation?

c.       What actions did you take to address the situation?

3)     Was anyone in the Office of the Attorney General notified in any way of these problems prior to my letters to ATF and U.S. Attorney Bogden on September 17, 2012?

a.      If so, when were they first notified?

b.      What actions did they take to inquire into the situation?

c.       What actions did they take to address the situation?

Please also provide the following documents:

4)     All emails pertaining to anyone at Justice Department headquarters becoming aware of these issues prior to my letters to ATF and U.S. Attorney Bogden on September 17, 2012.

5)     All emails pertaining to anyone at Justice Department headquarters responding to these issues prior to my letters to ATF and U.S. Attorney Bogden on September 17, 2012.

Please provide a response and produce these documents by Thursday, October 11, 2012.  If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Brian Downey or Tristan Leavitt of my staff at (202) 224-5225.

 

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
Ranking Member

 

Attachments

cc:       The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General

U.S. Department of Justice

B. Todd Jones, Acting Director

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

[1] Letter from Senator Grassley to U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada Daniel G. Bogden (Sep. 17, 2012) (Attachment 1); Letter from Senator Grassley to ATF Acting Director B. Todd Jones (Sep. 17, 2012) (Attachment 2).

2 Letter from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami to ATF Special Agent (Sep. 29, 2011) (Attachment 3).

3 "Cases Initiated by Program Area," ATF Reno Field Office (Attachment 4).

4 Memorandum from ATF Internal Affairs Division to ATF Assistant Director for the Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations, "Request to Close Investigation" (Feb. 10, 2012) (Attachment 5).

5 Letter from Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility to ATF Special Agent (Dec. 12, 2011) (Attachment 6).


[1] Letter from Senator Grassley to U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada Daniel G. Bogden (Sep. 17, 2012) (Attachment 1); Letter from Senator Grassley to ATF Acting Director B. Todd Jones (Sep. 17, 2012) (Attachment 2).

[2] Letter from Assistant U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami to ATF Special Agent (Sep. 29, 2011) (Attachment 3).

[3] "Cases Initiated by Program Area," ATF Reno Field Office (Attachment 4).

[4] Memorandum from ATF Internal Affairs Division to ATF Assistant Director for the Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations, "Request to Close Investigation" (Feb. 10, 2012) (Attachment 5).

[5] Letter from Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility to ATF Special Agent (Dec. 12, 2011) (Attachment 6).
01 Oct 2012

Grassroots Gaming Expo 2012

By Josh Bolinger
Entering it's second year, again being held at the Bridge View Center in
Ottumwa, Iowa, the goal of Grassroots Gaming Expo is to promote gaming in
a positive light by giving people the opportunity to experience gaming in
all forms, from it's inception up to present day, while encouraging
positive social interaction.

The Grassroots Gaming Expo is a three day gaming event that celebrates not
only video gaming, but also pinball, tabletop and card games as well as
film. There will be a little bit of everything for everyone at The
Grassroots Gaming Expo. This years expo will feature several firsts.  A
Kansas City based company, Gaming Consoles Worldwide will be releasing
their new handheld console, the GCW Zero, to the public for the first
time.  It will also be the first time the public will be able to play
Busterball, an iOS title being developed by the local company, Full Sea
Productions.  Twin Galaxies International (the official scorekeeper for
the video game industry) will be premiering 14 new trading cards in their
Video Game Trading Card set.  Many of the new cards feature celebrities of
the gaming industry that will be in attendance.  There will also be a
world premiere trailer for the film, Dungeons & Dragons: A Documentary,
which covers the history of one of the worlds most popular and
revolutionary games.

Grassroots Gaming Expo 2012 will also include many of the things that made
it successful last year.  There will be an even bigger BYOC (Bring Your
Own Computer/Console) area, over two dozen tournaments including arcade,
classic console, modern console, PC and new for this year will be a Rock,
Paper, Scissors tournament!  There will be 60+ console and arcade games on
free play the whole weekend along with more than a dozen gaming related
films.  All day Sunday (Oct. 14) will be Family Fun Day, which will
include games and activities geared towards younger children with a focus
on family participation.

As you can see, there something for everyone at the Grassroots Gaming Expo
2012.

This event is being organized and ran by Liz and Josh Bolinger, who have
several years
experience planning and running successful gaming events including
Grassroots Gaming Expo 2011 and the International Video Game Hall Of Fame
And Museum's Launch Party in 2009, which had over 3,500 attendees.

This years expo is scheduled for October 12-14, 2012 at the Bridge View
Center in Ottumwa, Iowa.  It will be open from 10am to 10pm on Friday and
Saturday the 12th and 13th, and 10am to 5pm on Sunday the 14th.  Weekend
passes for the event are available for $20 online at
www.GrassrootsGamingExpo.com.  Single day passes are also availble online
or at the door.
01 Oct 2012

Rock Island Library Offers More Ways for Adults to Learn this Fall

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: Learning isn't just for schoolchildren. Beyond the thousands of books, DVDs and other resources at Rock Island Public Library locations, fall brings plenty of ways for adults to learn something new with free programs on genealogy, technology and job searching.

Learn More About Who You Are:

With the help of two new genealogy programs at the Rock Island Main Library, participants can learn how to find out more their family ties. On Tuesday, Oct. 2, the Rock Island County Genealogical Society presents Genealogy: Getting Started, for an introductory look at how to start a family tree. On Wednesday, Oct. 17, the library and the Genealogical Society will offer Genealogy: Online Resources, for a look at how to use computerized research databases, such as Ancestry.com and Heritage Quest. Both programs start at 6:00 pm in the Main Library Community Room at 401 19th Street. No registration is required.

 

Learn More About Using and Buying Technology:

If you're discovering the world of digital books, the Rock Island Library offers OverDrive, which contains a large number of eBooks, and a small number of eAudiobooks; and OneClickdigital, which contains more than 3,500 eAudiobook titles that can be checked out for free. The library will offer a demonstration on using OverDrive at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 10 and Wednesday, Nov. 14, both  at the Rock Island Southwest Branch Library, 9010 Ridgewood Road. No registration is required. Time is provided for questions and one-on-one help after each demo.

If you're considering a purchase of new technology (or putting some devices on your gift list), the library will offer a showcase of what to look for in a new computer, eReader, tablet or cell phone, and an overview of their compatibility with library products, such as OverDrive, OneClickdigital and Mango online languages. All three products offer mobile apps to help patrons use them on mobile devices. Technology Basics will be offered at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 16 in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street.

Learn more about social media, with Facebook and Twitter: What You Want to Know, at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Library employees will answer some common about the features of both Facebook and Twitter, and how people use them to build connections with others.

 

Learn More About Finding and Landing a Job:

In a crowded job market, knowing how to present knowing how to present yourself can be the edge you need to stand out in the crowd. The Rock Island Library Reference and Information department will host two free programs to help you do just that:

Getting That Job: Tips on Making the Cut will be presented from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Participants will hear tips from a panel of experts on how to fill out the application, what to avoid on a resume, and what to do during an interview. No registration is required.

Getting That Job: Resume Tips will be presented from 11:00 am to noon on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Participants will hear tips and suggestions for putting together a resume. Registration is required for this course, as computers are limited. To sign up, call 309-732-7341.

 

Both programs will be presented in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street.

 

For more computer tip workshops and other hands-on demos for adults at the Rock Island Library, visit the library calendar at www.rockislandlandlibrary, call 309-732-7341 or follow the library on Facebook.

01 Oct 2012

Wed., Oct. 3 - Rep. Loebsack at Bettendorf Rotary Club

By Glenn Kass
The Bettendorf Rotary Club will be hosting Rep. Dave Loebsack from Iowa's 2nd District at the next regular meeting Wed., Oct. 3rd. His challenger John Archer spoke recently at the club and is also a member. Living the creed of Rotary's "Four-Way Test" which includes, 'Is it fair to all concerned," the BRC club board extended an invitation to Rep. Loebsack which was accepted.

A point up is below. If you are planning to attend, please contact Glenn Kass, BRC Publicity Chair, at (309) 269-3634, or reply to this email by Tuesday, Oct. 2nd at 5:00 PM. As always, thank you for any coverage you can provide.

  • WHO - Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com)
  • WHAT - Hosting Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa's 2nd District
  • WHEN - Wednesday, Oct. 3rd - Noon meeting (11:30 AM room opens)
  • WHERE - Fortune Garden restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Rd. (just down from Duck Creek Plaza)
  • WHY - To address the club with information about Rep. Loebsack's campaign for Congress.
01 Oct 2012

Grassley, Upton Seek HHS Answers on Questionable Grants for Health Care Exchanges

By Grassley Press

Leaders Concerned With Reports of Taxpayer Dollars Paying for the Inclusion of Health Law Promotion in Network TV Shows

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan today asked the Department of Health and Human Services to explain waste and what appears to be inadequate or non-existent oversight of the open-ended federal checks awarded to states to establish health care exchanges through the President's health care law.  More than $1 billion has been awarded to date, and revelations of questionable expenses, such as a public relations contract in California to promote the health care exchanges on primetime network television shows, continue to surface.

Grassley and Upton expressed concern over an unlimited budget and little or no restrictions and accountability for federal dollars to help states establish health care exchanges under the new federal health care law, especially in light of looming mandatory budget cuts of $1.2 trillion.  News reports have detailed the state of California's contract with a public relations firm to "tap major network TV shows like 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Modern Family' to sell Americans on the health care law."

"HHS has failed to provide substantive guidance to states on how the money is to be used," Grassley and Upton wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  "Unsurprisingly given these facts, news reports have shown how states have engaged in questionable contracts with taxpayer dollars. ... Ensuring proper use of American taxpayer dollars is of the upmost importance, and we trust that you share our concerns."

Grassley is ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.  Upton is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The text of their letter is available here.

 

-30-

01 Oct 2012

50 Years After Silent Spring: Conservation of the Midwest Driftless Area

By U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
September 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, which warned of the dangers of DDT and helped launch the environmental movement.
Fifty years after Rachel Carson raised a red flag about the extensive use of pesticides and their impacts, contaminants are so pervasive in our natural environment that any evaluation of threats to a species or ecosystem almost always includes some analysis of contaminants.   A look at the work being done on the Midwest's Driftless Area paints a picture of the role that contaminants can play in efforts to assess and protect vulnerable ecosystems and species and the measures that researchers take to tease out contaminants as a factor affecting plants and animals.

The Driftless Area, located at the corners of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa, is a regional limestone plateau of bluffs and steep stream valleys.  Continental glaciers during the most recent Ice Ages mostly flowed around and not over this plateau.  Vegetation in the Driftless Area was tundra-like during Ice Ages, but as the glaciers retreated, boreal forests invaded the former tundra.  Then, as the climate warmed, boreal forests gave way to the temperate forests and grasslands that we now see.

Within the Driftless Area is a network of rocky bluff habitats.  Due to some unique geologic features of these bluffs, the soil surface temperature is in the 40° F to 50° F range, even during the heat of the summer.  These cold producing areas are called "algific" slopes.  The slopes replicate a boreal forest-like condition, and some plants and animals that lived around the Driftless Area during the Ice Age or in boreal forests continue to survive here on these cold air slopes.  Disjunct populations of white pine, Canada yew and golden saxifrage are some of the plants found on algific slopes.  There are also federally listed endangered and state-listed endangered landsnail species (i.e., Iowa Pleistocene snail, Iowa Pleistocene vertigo, Minnesota Pleistocene succineid, and Briarton Pleistocene snail) that were thought to have gone extinct after the Ice Age glaciers retreated, but were discovered living in the Driftless Area.

A work group of technical staff from government agencies, universities, and non-government organizations was formed to study algific slope ecosystems in the Driftless Area of Iowa.  Researchers expect that lessons learned will not only help conserve these unique biological assemblages of climate relict species, but will provide information to help us conserve other systems with similar threats.  One of the research activities will be evaluation of the level of environmental contaminants in these habitats and how that affects ecosystem functions and the rare species.

A concern of the work group is that algific slope assemblages are vulnerable to global climate change.  The cause of modern global climate change is related to emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.  In addition to carbon dioxide, these emissions can also contain the contaminants mercury and selenium, along with nutrients such as nitrogen compounds.  The deposition of contaminants and nutrients from fossil fuel emissions can harm sensitive plants and animals that call the algific slopes their home.  While many of these species survived during past interglacial warming periods, our modern landscape is so fragmented by farms, cities and roads that species may not be able to disperse and survive like they did during the past.

Algific slopes have very thin layers of soil formed by decomposition of plants and leaf litter over hundreds of years.  Decomposition is aided by landsnails, and therefore they provide an important ecological service for this ecosystem.  Input of contaminants and nutrients from atmospheric deposition can detrimentally change the natural chemical cycling that helped shape these ecosystems and expose landsnails to toxic contaminants.  For example, nutrient enrichment caused by deposition of nitrogen compounds can allow invasive plants to outcompete native species, species that adapted to the thin soils and low availability of nutrients.  Acidification of the slopes from carbon dioxide deposition can increase the toxicity of some contaminants.  In addition, pesticides sprayed from aircraft on neighboring crop fields have the potential to drift onto the algific slopes, exposing plants and animals to more toxic chemicals.

After identifying potential sources of contaminants, avenues of exposure and impacts, contaminants biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are establishing methods to understand the effects of excess carbon and nutrients in these rare habitats and to determine the sensitivity of the climate relict species to modern-day contaminants.  Technical teams are also developing protocols to monitor temperatures, biological diversity, and contaminant accumulation.

Rachel Carson was a Fish and Wildlife Service employee and the Service's Environmental Contaminants program continues in her footsteps.  It's unfortunate, but environmental contaminants are found in almost all natural environments, even those habitats in remote areas many miles from pollution sources.  The Service's Environmental Contaminants specialists work to identify those of most serious concern to fish, wildlife and plants; the extent of their effects, and how those effects can be mitigated.  Contaminants investigations of the algific slopes of the Driftless Area will help conserve those ecosystems and provide lessons learned for conserving other systems with changes related to global climate change.

Rachel Carson worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1936 to 1952 and is recognized as one of the world's foremost leaders in conservation. Her work as an educator, scientist and writer revolutionized America's interest in environmental issues. In addition to sounding the warning about DDT in "Silent Spring," she is remembered for her passion for the oceans and coasts, her inspiration as one of the first female scientists and government leaders, and her overall footprint on the history of conservation.  To learn more, visit http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/es/ec/SilentSpring/

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq
By Michael Coffey
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Rock Island, Illinois
01 Oct 2012

Sign up Now for Intersession Workshops for Children at Rock Island Public Library Events for Teens and Adults, Too!

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Library is offering a number of free events to keep children, teens and even adults occupied during the Rock Island/Milan schools intersession break in October.

Parents or caregivers can sign their children up for several free workshops from Oct. 10 to 17:

Art with Gloria Pop-up Book Workshop: Wednesday, October 10, 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Participants will make a pop-up book in this workshop for children in 3rd through 8th grades. This workshop is sponsored by a donation from Artists Unlimited, and is taught by art instructor Gloria Burlingame.

Tech Tools: Animoto Workshop: Thursday, Oct. 11. Children in 3rd grades and up may sign up for either the 3:30 to 5:00 pm or the 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm workshop in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street. Participants will create professional videos using their own pictures, video clips and music. Images, music and video should be brought in on a portable flash drive.

Magic Workshops with Rick Eugene. Participants have a choice of two dates and locations: Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 pm, in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street or Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 pm, in the Rock Island Southwest Branch Community Room, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Children from second grades on up will learn how to do magic tricks with professional magician Rick Eugene.

To register for any of the above events, call the Rock Island Library Children's Department at 309-732-7360.

In other events during intersession, the Children's Department will offer day and evening storytimes, a free Friday movie, a weekday Lego time and a Saturday Lego time and science "STEMtiviity" event:

  • Evening Storytimes: 6:00 pm, Oct. 8 at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street, and Oct. 15 at the Southwest Branch;
  • Morning Storytimes: 10:30 am, Oct. 9 at 30/31 Branch; Friday, Oct. 12 at the Main Library;
  • Friday Fest Family Movie, 1:00 pm, Friday, Oct. 12, Main Library;
  • Wednesday Lego Time: 4:00 pm, Oct. 17 at the 30/31 Branch;
  • Saturday Lego Time: 10:30 am, Southwest Branch
  • Saturday "STEMtivity:" 11:30 am, Southwest Branch. Why do things float? Explore this topic with a fun, hands-on project around concepts in STEM (science, technology, engineering or math.)

In events for other ages, the library's Young Adult Department will offer Teen Trivia from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm on Oct. 9 at the Rock Island Southwest Branch. On Oct. 18, the library will celebrate the Teen Read Week theme of "It came from the library!" with a free murder mystery party for ages 12 to 18. The murder mystery party is from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, and features chances to play a murder mystery game, enjoy snacks, and win prizes. Teen Read Week dares teens to "read for the fun of it," from Oct. 14-20, 2012.

And in events for adults during the first part of October, the library will host the Knit for Peace group at 6:00 pm on Oct. 9 at the Main Library, offer a demo on downloading free eBooks from OverDrive at 6:00 pm on Oct. 10 at the Southwest Branch, hold a "Technology Basics" product showcase with tips on what to look for when buying tablets, eReaders, and cell phones at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Main Library, and present a computer genealogy workshop at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 17, also at the Main Library. No registration is required for any of these free events for adults.

For more information on the 35 events offered for all ages at the Rock Island Library in October, visit the library calendar at www.rockislandlandlibrary, call 309-732-7323 (READ), sign up for an email newsletter, or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.

 

End

01 Oct 2012

Governor Quinn, Senator Durbin Announce $1 Million Federal Grant to Increase Exports in Illinois

By Erin Wilson

STEP grant will expand access to global markets for Illinois small businesses

CHICAGO - September 28, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced that Illinois will receive a $1.07 million federal grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration's State Trade and Export Promotion Program (STEP) to increase trade and investment in the state. Today's announcement will help the state meet Governor Quinn's goal to double exports by 2014 and comes on the heels of his six-day trade mission to Brazil where he met with government and business leaders to strengthen bilateral cooperation in manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnology and education.

"We want to help small and mid-sized businesses in Illinois gain access to the world's fastest growing markets," Governor Quinn said. "As Illinois companies compete on a global stage, this program provides a stepping stone to increase their sales overseas and fuel job growth at home."

"This funding will provide assistance and guidance to Illinois' successful small businesses that are trying to expand overseas, which will allow them to grow their business and create jobs right here at home," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). "It will also give small businesses that are already exporting the opportunity to take advantage of the financial and technical resources they need to generate more revenue and growth."

The STEP program is a three-year pilot trade and export initiative authorized by the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Funding will be used to raise the dollar of export sales in Illinois by providing high-impact financial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses. STEP funding will also go towards foreign market trade missions for small and medium-sized businesses. For the first time, funding will also assist Illinois' small and medium sized businesses with the ability to achieve the critical product compliance certifications required for exporting. It is estimated that the STEP grant will enable the state to provide assistance to more than 150 companies.

Last year, Illinois was awarded its first STEP grant of $1.2 million. The competitive funding allowed Illinois to assist more than 120 companies, one-third of which were either new to exporting or new to the market. The companies reported to the state that the pilot program is helping them generate combined more than $150 million in sales in the first year. One-third of the STEP companies qualify as minority, women or veteran-owned businesses or are located in a rural part of the state.

On-Call Surgical Services LLC, located in Zion, Illinois, participated in a group trade mission to "Promote 2011" in Yaounde, Cameroon December 3-11, 2011.  During the show, they met with three companies who signed orders on-site totaling $150,000 and have estimated additional sales of $500,000 within the next 12 months. On-call recruits, manages, trains and staffs human capital in the health care and information technology industries.  Additionally, they distribute medical, surgical and life science products and equipment.

"The state's trade mission to Cameroon provided the opportunity for 'face-time' with potential customers and opened our eyes to new market opportunities outside of the U.S. to grow our business," said Ronnell Showell, CEO, On-Call Surgical Services LLC. "Since then, we have established business partners and are working on securing medical equipment through Cameroon Government Tender. This opportunity was very profitable in networking and cultural experience, but moreover has been a dream come true. Thanks to the entire staff at the DCEO Office of Trade and Investment, it would have been difficult for us to break into this market if it hadn't been for the OTI-STEP assistance."

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) will administer Illinois' STEP grant. The STEP program last year was implemented with the strong support and assistance of state and federal partners including:  the US Small Business Administration, the US Department of Commerce and Illinois' Small Business Development Center's network of 11 International Trade Centers that are located throughout the state, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  Illinois ranks in the top ten in terms of the amount of STEP funds awarded by state.

Building on his commitment to increase foreign trade and market Illinois goods overseas, this week Governor Quinn led a delegation of officials from Illinois businesses, educational institutions, and state and local governments on an economic trade mission in Brazil. The mission included stops in São Paulo, Brasilia and Recife, where Governor Quinn presided over the signing of several memorandums of understanding as part of the Doing Business with Illinois program, which is designed to establish global ties in manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnology and education.

Illinois is the fifth largest exporting state in the U.S., with exports totaling over $64.8 billion in 2011. Illinois increased exports by nearly 30 percent over 2010, adding an additional $14.8 billion. Illinois ranks first in the Midwest for exports and foreign direct investment.

For more information on Illinois trade opportunities, visit DCEO's trade site at exports.illinois.gov.

 

###


01 Oct 2012

Diana Anghel Awarded Scholarship to Attend Lake Forest College

By Lindsey Nemcek

LAKE FOREST, IL (09/28/2012)(readMedia)-- Lake Forest College welcomed 485 new and transfer students from 35 states and 40 countries this year. Diana Anghel, of Moline, IL, joined the Forester community this fall and is expected to graduate in 2016. Anghel was awarded an In-State Scholarship, given to well-qualified Illinois high school graduates and the Forester Reid Music Scholarship.

Anghel attended Moline Senior High School in Moline, IL.

Lake Forest College is a national liberal arts institution located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The College has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries. For more information visit www.lakeforest.edu.

01 Oct 2012

Iowa's Reagan Dinner October 24

By A. J. Spiker

I am pleased to announce our annual Ronald Reagan Dinner is confirmed for October 24th with our featured speakers Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus!

Click here to reserve your tickets.

Doors open at 6 pm on October 24th and the program begins at 7 pm.

We've also invited top Iowa Republicans including Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds, and Senator Grassley. And we'll be announcing more exciting speakers soon!

Iowa State Fairgrounds - Elwell Family Center
3000 E Grand Ave 
Des Moines, IA 50317

All proceeds will be used to help strengthen our Party and support our candidates this fall.

If you can't attend, please consider making a donation to ensure Republican Victory.

We're also offering FREE tickets to our top volunteers across the state so be sure to contact your local Victory office for details on getting a free ticket.

I hope to see you there!

To Victory,

A.J. Spiker
Chairman Republican Party of Iowa

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