Urges Republican Leaders and Legislators to Rise to Occasion, Vote for Nekritz Proposal to Eliminate Unfunded Liability

CHICAGO - August 16, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn issued the following statement on Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair.

"Today, as Illinois republicans rally at the State Fair, I urge them to rise to the occasion to pass comprehensive pension reform in Illinois.

"At the end of the spring session, republican leaders, who have long advocated for fiscal responsibility, supported a similar proposal that is now being sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz. To ease republican concerns, we have extended the phase-in period to allow school districts and universities to assume their own negotiated salary costs over 12 years. This extended phase-in period will ensure that school districts and universities are responsible for their compensation packages, while preventing property tax increases.

"The statutorily-required pension payments guaranteed under the 1995 ramp make it very clear:  inaction on pension reform is the greatest threat to property taxpayers.

"This fiscal year, the General Assembly cut education by $210 million. These cuts impact our students, while placing tremendous pressure on our school districts, universities and property taxpayers.

"Universities have indicated, in a public letter, that they support the Nekritz proposal and are willing to accept the phased-in cost realignment.

"Without comprehensive pension reform, Illinois is on track to spend more on pensions than education by fiscal year 2016. This is an unsustainable path that will not only shortchange our children when it comes to quality education, but also make the problem worse. Illinois' unfunded liability will grow to $92 billion next year without bold action.

"Tomorrow, republicans and democrats have an opportunity to be honest with the taxpayers of our state. I urge them to put politics aside, rescue Illinois from empty promises that led to skyrocketing pension costs and pass comprehensive pension reform."

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CHICAGO - August 15, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement following the announcement by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack declaring the remaining two Illinois counties, DuPage and Will, as eligible for drought relief.

"Illinois' hard-working farmers are the backbone of our economy," Governor Quinn said.  "I am grateful Secretary Vilsack granted my request to declare the entire state an agriculture disaster area to help our farmers recover from this devastating drought."  I thank Senator Durbin and Secretary Vilsack for their commitment to helping our impacted farming communities."

As record drought conditions impacted the entire state of Illinois Governor Quinn worked with Senator Durbin, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to request a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for every county in Illinois. Today's announcement makes all 102 Illinois counties eligible for federal disaster assistance through the US Dept. of Agriculture.

For more information, please visit Drought.Illinois.gov.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Ribbons were awarded in the FFA Photography competition judged prior to the start of the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results follow:

Black and White/Toned

1) Marshal Wilz, Eddyville

2) Amanda Ratliff, Eddyville

3) Matthew Noland, Adair

4) Caitlin Reed, Fremont

5) Tayler Foster, Riverside

Color

1) Katrina Van Ringelestein, Fremont

2) Alaina Martensen, Onslow

3) Morgan Diedrich, DeWitt

4) Amanda Ratliff, Eddyville

5) Anna Brooks, Blue Grass

Animals, Birds and Wildlife

1) Alexandra Cleverley, Newton

2) Sierra Kaufman, Chelsea

3) Hannah Fisher, Coggon

4) Lynn Koenigsfeld, Reinbeck

5) Alex Foust, Bernard

Still Life Compositions

1) Shelby McKinney, Lytton

2) Felicia Summers, Olin

3) Maria Finan, Knoxville

4) Maria Finan, Knoxville

5) Christina Dittmer, Lacona

Iowa Landscape

1) Hannah Fisher, Coggon

2) Allie Renner, Independence

3) Courtney Hughs, Knoxville

4) Travis George, Slater

5) Cynthanee Heeren, Anamosa

Landscape Outside Iowa

1) Eli Joslyn, Muscatine

2) Abby Pothoven, Knoxville

3) Joe Gast, Story City

4) Kristen Lowe, Dysart

5) Greigh Olson, Sumner

Plants

1) Bridget Bouska, Waucoma

2) Anna Krug, Newhall

3) Mandalyn Martin, Moulton

4) Mandalyn Martin, Moulton

5) Quinn Ruth, Adair

FFA

1) Christina Dittmer, Lacona

2) Sarah Doese, Fairbank

3) Savannah Wilz, Eddyville

4) Hannah Fisher, Coggon

5) Kayleigh Koch, Hawkeye

Supervised Agricultural Experience

1) Levi Collins, Knoxville

2) Hunter Wilz, Eddyville

3) Matthew Noland, Adair

4) Lane Vanderhart, Knoxville

5) Sean Owens, Oskaloosa

Agricultural Photo Essay

1) Dakota Nelson, Anamosa

2) Mckenna Davenport, Adair

3) Danielle Delange, Albia

4) Katrina Van Ringelestein, Fremont

5) Bret Cunningham, Dike

Contemporary/Creative

1) Macy Lanser, Lynnville

2) Alexandra Cleverley, Newton

3) Gabi Martens, Wyoming

4) Cassie Rosauer, Walker

5) Benjamin Zelle, Waverly

Theme Class

1) Alison Schrage, Waverly

2) Brittany Shaw, Newton

3) Kelcey Loges, Farmington

4) Austin Henningsen, Griswold

5) Alexandra Cleverley, Newton

State Advisor's Choice: Katherine Newhouse, State Center

State Executive Secretary/Treasurer's Choice: Emma Christensen, Shenandoah

Best of Show Grand Champion: Alison Schrage, Waverly

Best of Show Reserve Champion: Hannah Fisher, Coggon

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Top dairies competed for honors in the Brown Swiss Dairy Cattle show judged Saturday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

Kruses Swiss Farm of Earlville showed the Grand Champion Female. The Reserve Champion Female belonged to Onword Swiss of Oelwein. The dairy also earned second place in both the Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor contests.

Lee-Anns Swiss of DeWitt collected top honors in the Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder contests.

The Premier Breeder Award is given to the competitor who earns the most points for animals bred and exhibited by the entrant or others during the day's show. The Premier Exhibitor Award is given to the exhibitor who accumulates the most points based upon the day's placings.

Complete results below (name, hometown and animal identification):

Junior Heifer Calf: March 1 to May 31, 2012

1) Schulte Bros, Watkins, Schulte Bros Big Faith-ET, 3/4/2012, Pending

2) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Kb Tressel Tea Et, 3/20/2012, 68140071

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Apache Leigh, 3/6/2012, 68141698

4) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Galaxy Callaway, 3/1/2012, 68141690

5) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Lolly London, 3/26/2012, 68141288

6) Zachary Briggs, Albia, High Point P Clover, 3/7/2012, 68139996

Intermediate Heifer Calf: Dec. 1, 2011 to Feb. 29, 2012

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Joey Sugar, 12/20/2011, 68137482

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Cadillac Wishful, 1/2/2012, 68138359

3) Schulte Bros, Watkins, Schulte Bros Park Ranger-ET, 12/6/2011, Pending

4) Doug Fairbanks, Anamosa, Wapsi-Ana Total Topper, 12/2/2011, 68136701

5) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Jo-lane Wonderment Juju, 12/21/2011, 69812262

6) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Cadillac Graffiti, 1/4/2012, 68138360

7) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Dragon Razz, 12/10/2011, 68141917

8) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M J-Joey, 1/6/2012, 68139691

9) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Mo-Jo Jitter, 12/14/2011, 68139690

10) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Dyn Bubbles, 12/11/2011, 68141904

11) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Cassidy Cindy, 12/21/2011, 6841286

12) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres SP Dollar-ET, 1/10/2012, 68139332

13) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Cotton Candy B, 1/5/2012, Johann Pete Rose-ET

14) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Royal-Lind Rythm Mix Up, 12/1/2011, 68141747

15) Goodman Dairy Farm, Rose Hill, Dande Supreme Pearl, 1/21/2012, 68142219

16) Darryl Banowetz, Charlotte, Browns Guccis Gotcha, 12/4/2011, 68137799

17) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Wallst Rory, 12/1/2011, 68139759

18) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Usa Galaxy Tinkerbell, 12/1/2011, 68139959

Senior Heifer Calf: Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2011

1) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Dargon Villy, 10/22/2011, 68139175

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge Tot Apple-ET, 9/5/2011, 68137267

3) Doug Fairbanks, Anamosa, Wapsi-Ana Total Bam Bam, 9/19/2011, 68136697

4) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Verdict Vela, 11/2/2011, 68139179

5) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres GX Tulip-ET, 9/7/2011, 68135210

6) Cedar Way Farm, Waverly, Cedar Way W Mint Mischief, 11/3/2011, 68138802

7) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City, Viking Valley Alloy Misti, 9/2/2011, 68136338

8) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Wonderment Jacie-ET, 10/20/2011, 68136120

9) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Custard, 9/6/2011, 68141915

10) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Daytona Drama, 9/21/2011, 68136430

11) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Jo-lane Wonder Mayflower-ET, 9/30/2011, 69812240

12) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Scenic Ridge Zeus Maylynn, 9/19/2011, 68139960

12) Darryl Banowetz, Charlotte, Wapsi-Ana Total Fallon, 12/30/2011, 68136695

14) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City, Amber Rae Poseidons Sally, 9/25/2011, 68134448

15) Dandee Swiss, Dewitt, Dandee Agenda Flicka, 9/1/2011, 68137578

16) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Blend Tanniversary, 9/1/2011, 68139758

17) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shorts Drivers Lana, 10/12/2011, 68138865

Summer Yearling Heifer: June 1 to Aug. 31, 2011

1) Twin-Elms-Vu, Readlyn, Siegerts Stanford Breena, 6/23/2011, 68133262

2) Cedar Way Farm, Waverly, Cedar Way Austin Marvel, 8/3/2011, 68138803

3) Overmann Farm, Earlville, Overmann Victor G Claire, 9/26/2011, 68135006

4) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Pit-Crew Wonder Penelope-ET, 6/2/2011, 68135749

5) Schulte Bros, Watkins, Schulte Bros Park Avenue, 7/5/2011, 68140826

6) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Kruses LJ Four M Sandra, 6/4/2011, 68133122

7) Goodman Dairy Farm, Rose Hill, Sun-Made HP Enver Pippa-ET, 6/1/2011, 68132693

8) Canoe Ridge Dairy, Decorah, Hilltop Acres Col Katrina, 6/15/2011, 68135599

9) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, FickCuddles Comfy, 7/5/2011, 68136425

10) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Candance Candid, 6/4/2011, 68138424

11) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Zeus Paula, 7/18/2011, 68138816

12) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Bestman Richetta, 7/10/2011, 68139760

Junior Yearling Heifer: March 1 to May 31, 2011

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge PS Faith-ET, 3/3/2011, 68152606

2) Arthurcreek Holsteins, Sumner, Arthur Creek Wonder Nelly, 5/15/2011, 68140064

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Wonder Mint Vivid-ET, 3/10/2011, 68131301

4) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Victor Cathy-ET, 4/8/2011, 68131148

5) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Corina-ET, 3/5/2011, 68130361

6) Blue Skies Swiss and Holsteins, Hillsboro, Four-M James Jewell, 4/20/2011, 68131129

7) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Solution Jenna-ET, 3/1/2011, 68129788

8) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge T Fancy-ET, 4/28/2011, 68137264

9) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Top Acres M W Sunny, 3/2/2011, 68130958

10) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Conquest Nanana, 3/11/2011, 68132594

Winter Yearling Heifer: Dec.1, 2010 to Feb. 28, 2011

1) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Butterscotch, 1/27/2011, 68130357

2) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Bck Zip Cara -ET, 12/16/2010, 68139545

3) Ashley Baumler, Fort Atkinson, Onword Austin Vintage, 12/1/2010, 68129181

4) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Power Jem, 2/15/2011, 68137571

5) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Usa Jetway Silverbells, 12/12/2010, 68126592

6) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Zeus Roxan, 2/14/2011, 68137572

7) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Dean Grinch, 12/20/2010, 68132596

8) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores P Rose Reath, 12/22/2010, 68132595

Senior Yearling Heifer (Not in Milk): Sept.1 to Nov. 30, 2010

1) James Roth, Milford, Neb., Uhing Vigor Deka, 10/9/2010, 68127513 Tat#699

2) Edgebrook Jerseys, Montour, Edgebrook Zues Ivory, 9/12/2010, 681132419

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, CIE Lee-Anns Total Treat, 10/10/2010, 68127750

4) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres W Gaiety, 9/1/2010, 68125206

5) Ally Bierschenk, Van Horne, Biercrest Wonder Britanny, 9/5/2010

6) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Mandel Juice-ET, 10/2/2010, 68128823

7) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Wapsi-ana Total Future, 9/14/2010, 68126446

8) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, Spring Acres Welcome Price, 9/26/2010, 68126911

9) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City, Dandee Agenda Tipsy, 9/5/2010, 68124544

Junior Best Three Females

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

2) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar

3) Schulte Bros, Watkins

4) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville

5) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

6) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth

7) Ficks Swiss, Boyden

8) Shortys Swiss, Sibley

9) DeVore Dairy, Wilton

Junior 2-Year-Old Cow: March 1-Aug. 31, 2010

1) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Gln Dignity -ET, 5/19/2010, 68125189

2) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Paris Perfume, 3/9/2010, 68120229

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Tucker Mason, 6/29/2010, 68121724

4) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Daveco Premium Solo-ET, 4/30/2010, 68128246

5) Ryan Bousquet, South Sioux City, Neb., Telleen Charles Cecilia, 3/16/2010, 68124557

6) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores P Rose Natasha, 3/15/2010, 68122066

Senior 2-Year-Old Cow: Sept. 1, 2009 to Feb. 28, 2010

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Four-M Firefly, 12/21/2009, 68117645

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Quicksilver Wonder Bently-ET, 12/12/2009, 68118996

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Legacy Callie-ET, 9/19/2009, 68117513

4) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Olsons Maghams Vigor Maybe-ET, 9/4/2009, 68114049

5) Ryan Bousquet, South Sioux City, Neb., Lee-Anns Parker Crystal, 12/1/2009, 68117511

6) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Long Acres Victor Bliss, 10/15/2009, 68133442

7) Canoe Ridge Dairy, Decorah, Hilltop Acres Danielle, 9/5/2009, 68117196

8) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Carmel Clover, 2/21/2010, 68120226

Junior 3-Year-Old Cow: March 1 to Aug. 31, 2009

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Victor Kiss-ET, 4/20/2009, 68111769

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Fjel-Mar Legacy Foxxy-ET, 3/1/2009, 68113239

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Griffin Talent, 6/1/2009, 68117497

4) Goodman Dairy Farm, Rose Hill, Oak Forest Mint Jan, 6/3/2009, 68113310

5) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Jeepers-ET, 3/14/2009, 68112896

Senior 3-Year-Old Cow: Sept. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Braiden Glitter, 12/3/2008, 68108056

2) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Vic Candycane-ET, 12/15/2008, 68112614

Cow 4 Years Old: Sept. 1, 2007 to Aug. 31, 2008

1) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Queen Elizabeth-ET, 2/20/2008, 68102921

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Madison Victory, 9/15/2007, 961233

3) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Snow Valley Vigor Priceless, 9/2/2007, 68130539

4) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses River Jamaica-ET, 1/10/2008, 961097

5) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Victor Rena, 7/18/2008, 68111510

6) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, Hilltop Acres Noodle, 10/28/2007, 958960

Cow 5 Years Old: Sept. 1, 2006 to Aug. 31, 2007

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns BellStar Licorice, 6/2/2007, 961237

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Fastrack VI- ET, 10/17/2006, 954971

3) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres EN Della- ET, 6/15/2007, 960659

4) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Onword Seattle Visual, 5/21/2007, 954981

5) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Scenic Ridge Agenda Mayme, 7/12/2007, 960034

Aged Cow: Before Sept. 1, 2006

1) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Diablo Adeline, 1/4/2006, 948551

2) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, R Kruses Vision Jackie-ET, 3/17/2006, 948865

3) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Lilly Lizzie, 2/4/2006, 946556

4) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Victory Volley, 4/28/2006, 948883

5) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Onword Denver Vinegarette, 5/21/2005, 939656

6) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Telleen Keg Jane, 7/27/2006, 952367

7) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Hollywd Miliza, 9/30/2003, 931093

Best Three Head

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

4) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar

5) Ficks Swiss, Boyden

6) DeVore Dairy, Wilton

Best Four Head

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

4) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar

5) Ficks Swiss, Boyden

6) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona

7) DeVore Dairy, Wilton

8) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt

Junior Champion Female: Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Joey Sugar, 12/21/2011, 6841286

Reserve Junior Champion Female: Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge PS Faith-ET, 3/5/2011, 68130361

Intermediate Champion Female: Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Four-M Firefly, 12/21/2009, 68117645

Reserve Intermediate Champion Female: Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Braiden Glitter, 12/3/2008, 6810856

Senior Champion Female: Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Diablo Adeline, 1/4/2006, 948551

Reserve Senior Champion Female: Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Queen Elizabeth, 2/20/2008, 68102921

Grand Champion Female: Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Four-M Firefly, 12/21/2009, 68117645

Reserve Grand Champion Female: Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Diablo Adeline, 1/4/2006, 948551

Premier Exhibitor

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

Premier Breeder

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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