CHICAGO - July 28, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today continued his commitment to protecting Illinois seniors by signing several new laws to protect senior citizens in Illinois. The new laws will promote safety, increase oversight and accountability for caregivers and help authorities identify and respond to reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

"Our seniors deserve our respect and protection against those who would take advantage of them," Governor Quinn said. "Safeguarding seniors from exploitation and abuse will make our state stronger."

House Bill 5653, sponsored by Rep. Emily McAsey (D-Lockport) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields), allows a prosecutor to ask a court to freeze a defendant's assets if he or she is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person. This is an initiative of AARP Illinois, which has advocated for greater protection against elderly financial exploitation committed by family and non-family members. This new law will help prevent defendants from spending stolen money or using stolen money to mount an expensive legal defense that would make it more difficult for victims to collect proper restitution. The legislation passed the General Assembly unanimously and goes into effect Jan. 1.

House Bill 5266, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) and Sen. John Millner (R-Carol Stream), allows law enforcement and fire departments access to reports of elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or self-neglect compiled by senior service providers. Under current law, law enforcement cannot access this information without a specific instance of abuse or suspected abuse that has been reported to them. Senior services providers will now be able to proactively work with law enforcement in advance of visits like well-being checks or emergency calls, to inform them of circumstances that suggest evidence of elder crime or neglect. The legislation passed the General Assembly unanimously and goes into effect Jan. 1.

House Bill 3986, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) and Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Chicago), allows the Illinois Department on Aging to receive reports of elder abuse or neglect from senior service providers via the internet. This legislation will make it easier for the state and law enforcement to receive and act on reports of elder abuse and neglect. The same laws governing the use of confidential information will still apply to online reporting. The new takes effect immediately.

House Bill 5098, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello, II (D-Sparta) and Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton), further expands the state's efforts to recognize and respond to crimes against the elderly by requiring probation officers' training to include courses on how to recognize and appropriately respond to crimes against the elderly. The law is effective Jan. 1.

House Bill 5009, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), will help nursing home patients found outside of their facility to be safely assisted and returned to their residence. This legislation requires nursing home residents' identification wristlets to include their facility's telephone number. The law is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 3204, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and Rep. Emily McAsey (D-Lockport), changes the Illinois Power of Attorney Act by specifying that certain financial agreements and contracts do not interfere with a person's primary power of attorney. This bill is an initiative of the Corporate Fiduciaries Association of Illinois to address the difficulties banks, attorneys and trust officers frequently encounter when handling multiple powers of attorney. A previous version of this legislation was vetoed by Governor Quinn because it did not contain enough protections for the elderly. This alternative legislation was negotiated by AARP Illinois, the Department on Aging, the Corporate Fiduciaries Association of Illinois, the Illinois Bankers Association and the Illinois Credit Union League. It takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 3690, sponsored by Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) and Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), requires the state budget to take into account the costs of achieving the goals of Illinois' long-term care rebalancing initiative by providing new definitions of populations that need varying levels of care. The legislation is an initiative of the Health Care Council of Illinois and will provide guidance to agencies under the governor charged with providing long-term care to vulnerable demographics including frail older adults. The law passed the General Assembly unanimously and takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 680, sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and Rep. Esther Golar (D-Chicago), will further protect the elderly and other vulnerable populations by creating additional requirements for safe lifting of residents with limited mobility in nursing homes and healthcare facilities. The law will require the training of nurses and other care providers on safe lifting techniques and equipment that will reduce risk for fragile residents and give them more input on how they are lifted. The law passed the General Assembly unanimously and takes effect Jan. 1.

Senate Bill 3499, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston) and Rep. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), reduces litigation costs for the Department of Public Health and nursing care facilities by clarifying the conditions under which they can waive their right to contest state fines. The law provides that any facility can only waive the right to contest the state's penalty by paying a settlement amount of 65% of the fine within 10 days of receiving the penalty notice. This legislation is an initiative of the Healthcare Council of Illinois (HCCI), which sought to streamline the process by which state fines against nursing homes may be offset by the federal fines also levied against violators. The law is effective immediately.

Senate Bill 3420, sponsored by Sen. Mike Jacobs (East Moline) and Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), allows the owners of nursing homes to serve as representatives of residents to whom they are related. Current law allows other employees of nursing homes who are related to residents this same ability. The law is effective immediately.

House Bill 5134, sponsored by Rep. Michael Unes (R-East Peoria) and Sen. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria), amends the Nursing Home Care Act to formalize the informal dispute process between the Department of Public Health and nursing care facilities that occurs during state licensing and review. The law passed the General Assembly unanimously and takes effect immediately.

Senate Bill 3171, sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan (D-Quincy) and Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington), brings Illinois law into compliance with federal law regarding the release of health records of the deceased. The new legislation allows the executor of the estate of a deceased person who holds their power of attorney to receive their medical records or designate another to receive them. If an executor does not exist and no one holds power of attorney over an estate, the legislation allows medical records to be released to a personal representative of the deceased who meets certain conditions under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law was passed by the General Assembly unanimously in consultation with the federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Illinois State Bar Association. It takes effect immediately.

 

###

Washington, D.C. - Following several developments today, Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) issued the following joint statement:

"As everyone knows well, this isn't a new issue - it's been around for 10 years.  Neither Republicans nor Democrats were able to solve it when they held both the White House and Congress.

"Unfortunately, today's developments do nothing to move Thomson closer to opening.  Chairman Wolf's action today is a disappointing setback.  Yet again, decisions affecting the opening of the prison are taking place in Washington and completely removed from the economic realities in Illinois and Iowa and our constituents' needs for good jobs.

"This is just more of the typical Washington DC, business as usual political blame game.  We are working together to find whatever avenue we can to get the job done for our region.

"No one says it will be easy; there are many hurdles to overcome on both sides of the aisle, in both chambers of Congress, and at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.  But the bottom line is we will continue to work together to reach across the divide, find a solution, and bring these jobs to our region."

###

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2012 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new flexibility and assistance in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's major conservation programs to get much-needed help to livestock producers as the most wide-spread drought in seven decades intensifies in the United States. Vilsack also announced plans to encourage crop insurance companies to provide a short grace period for farmers on unpaid insurance premiums, as some farming families can be expected to struggle to make ends meet at the close of the crop year.

"President Obama and I are committed to getting help to producers as soon as possible and sustaining the success of America's rural communities through these difficult times," said Vilsack. "Beginning today, USDA will open opportunities for haying and grazing on lands enrolled in conservation programs while providing additional financial and technical assistance to help landowners through this drought. And we will deliver greater peace of mind to farmers dealing with this worsening drought by encouraging crop insurance companies to work with farmers through this challenging period. As severe weather and natural disasters continue to threaten the livelihoods of thousands of our farming families, we want you and your communities to know that USDA stands with you."

The assistance announced uses the Secretary of Agriculture's existing authority to help create and encourage flexibility within four USDA programs: the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and the Federal Crop Insurance Program.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

To assist farmers and ranchers affected by drought, Vilsack is using his discretionary authority to allow additional acres under CRP to be used for haying or grazing under emergency conditions. CRP is a voluntary program that provides producers annual rental payments on their land in exchange for planting resource conserving crops on cropland to help prevent erosion, provide wildlife habitat and improve the environment. CRP acres can already be used for emergency haying and grazing during natural disasters to provide much needed feed to livestock. Given the widespread nature of this drought, forage for livestock is already substantially reduced. The action today will allow lands that are not yet classified as "under severe drought" but that are "abnormally dry" to be used for haying and grazing. This will increase available forage for livestock. Haying and grazing will only be allowed following the local primary nesting season, which has already passed in most areas. Especially sensitive lands such as wetlands, stream buffers and rare habitats will not be eligible.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

To assist farmers and ranchers affected by drought, Vilsack is using his discretionary authority to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers by allowing them to modify current EQIP contracts to allow for prescribed grazing, livestock watering facilities, water conservation and other conservation activities to address drought conditions. EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers on their land to address natural resource concerns on agricultural and forest land. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will work closely with producers to modify existing EQIP contracts to ensure successful implementation of planned conservation practices. Where conservation activities have failed because of drought, NRCS will look for opportunities to work with farmers and ranchers to re-apply those activities. In the short term, funding will be targeted towards hardest hit drought areas.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

To assist farmers and ranchers affected by drought, Vilsack is using his discretionary authority to authorize haying and grazing of WRP easement areas in drought-affected areas where such haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. WRP is a voluntary conservation easement program that provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers to restore and protect valuable wetland resources on their property. For producers with land currently enrolled in WRP, NRCS has expedited its Compatible Use Authorization (CUA) process to allow for haying and grazing. The compatible use authorization process offers NRCS and affected producers with the management flexibility to address short-term resource conditions in a manner that promotes both the health of the land and the viability of the overall farming operation.

Federal Crop Insurance Program

To help producers who may have cash flow problems due to natural disasters, USDA will encourage crop insurance companies to voluntarily forego charging interest on unpaid crop insurance premiums for an extra 30 days, to November 1, 2012, for spring crops. Policy holders who are unable to pay their premiums in a timely manner accrue an interest penalty of 1.25 percent per month until payment is made. In an attempt to help producers through this difficult time, Vilsack sent a letter to crop insurance companies asking them to voluntarily defer the accrual of any interest on unpaid spring crop premiums by producers until November. In turn, to assist the crop insurance companies, USDA will not require crop insurance companies to pay uncollected producer premiums until one month later.

Thus far in 2012, USDA has designated 1,297 counties across 29 states as disaster areas, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans. Increasingly hot and dry conditions from California to Delaware have damaged or slowed the maturation of crops such as corn and soybeans, as well as pasture- and range-land. Vilsack has instructed USDA subcabinet leaders to travel to affected areas to augment ongoing assistance from state-level USDA staff and provide guidance on the department's existing disaster resources. To deliver assistance to those who need it most, the Secretary recently reduced the interest rate for emergency loans from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent, while lowering the reduction in the annual rental payment to producers on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing from 25 percent to 10 percent. Vilsack has also simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.

USDA agencies have been working for weeks with state and local officials, as well as individuals, businesses, farmers and ranchers, as they begin the process of helping to get people back on their feet. USDA offers a variety of resources for states and individuals affected by the recent disasters. For additional information and updates about USDA's efforts, please visit www.usda.gov/drought.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers. A strong farm safety net is important to sustain the success of American agriculture. USDA's crop insurance program currently insures 264 million acres, 1.14 million policies, and $110 billion worth of liability on about 500,000 farms. In response to tighter financial markets, USDA has expanded the availability of farm credit, helping struggling farmers refinance loans. In the past 3 years, USDA provided 103,000 loans to family farmers totaling $14.6 billion. Over 50 percent of the loans went to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

McCotter to overhaul investigations of abuse and neglect cases; Governor also names Acting Inspector General

CHICAGO - July 27, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the appointment of Michael McCotter as Special Investigator of the Office of the Inspector General of the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). McCotter, a 40-year law enforcement veteran, will be charged with reforming the investigative operations of the Inspector General's office. Governor Quinn also named Daniel Dyslin as Acting Inspector General for DHS until a permanent replacement is named. Today's actions follow an executive order issued by the governor earlier this month to strengthen protections for adults with disabilities.

 

"Michael McCotter will bring his strong law enforcement experience and dedication to reform to this mission," Governor Quinn said. "His appointment underscores my commitment to ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and respect, and that any abuse and neglect suffered by citizens with disabilities is rooted out quickly and punished appropriately."

 

DHS Secretary Michelle R. B. Saddler will work with McCotter, the governor, members of the General Assembly and stakeholders to explore and institute future reforms that safeguard the lives and rights of people with disabilities.

As Special Investigator, McCotter will review investigative procedures to ensure that abuse and neglect reports are investigated swiftly and that confirmed cases are referred to the appropriate authorities with strong supporting evidence. He will also review the policies of the office to better address and fulfill the office's mission of protecting people with disabilities. McCotter was previously appointed by Governor Quinn as chief public safety officer for the Illinois Department of Corrections and has served in several senior positions at the Chicago Police Department, including chief of patrol, deputy chief of detectives, commander of special events and district commander. He has had professional training with the FBI, United States Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, among other law enforcement agencies.

In addition to appointing McCotter, Governor Quinn named Daniel Dyslin as Acting Inspector General for DHS. Dyslin has been serving as a Senior Deputy General Counsel at DHS and has a strong background as an attorney and advocate for people with disabilities.

 

"We will work swiftly to investigate suspected neglect and abuses and work with law enforcement to put a stop to such actions," Saddler said. "Today's action strengthens our efforts to ensure people with disabilities receive the highest quality of care and are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."

 

###

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Due to extremely dry conditions in eastern Iowa,
including at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, the August 4 fireworks
display scheduled to conclude the Hoover's Hometown Days celebration has
been cancelled. Hoover's Hometown Days is the annual celebration of the
birth of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States.

Long-term weather conditions in the area required park superintendent Pete
Swisher to make the cancellation decision. The fireworks launch location is
directly adjacent to the national park's tallgrass prairie, grassland
highly susceptible to fires during dry periods.  "It would be irresponsible
and pose a significant fire safety risk to allow the fireworks show to
proceed as planned given these drought conditions," Swisher stated.

Swisher considered several factors before making the determination,
including the current weather conditions, recommendations from National
Park Service wildland fire specialists, and burn bans within both Cedar and
Johnson counties.  Swisher also said he has been consulting with West
Branch city officials and the West Branch Fire Department about the
potential need to cancel the display.

"I hope people will consider coming to the Presidential Library and
Museum's east lawn area to enjoy the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band and laser
light show as this year's celebration closes," Swisher said.  The laser
light show represents a new attraction this year not previously a part of
the Hoover's Hometown Days celebration, and will be synchronized with music
performed by the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential
Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are
open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please
allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go online at
www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.


Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa  52358

319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Herbert-Hoover-National-Historic-Site/141181735922424

CHICAGO - July 27, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 1981

An Act Concerning: Local Government

The law provides there shall be no township collector elected in counties having a population of more than 2 million inhabitants. Instead, the township assessor shall be the ex-officio township collector, performing all the collector's duties.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3216

An Act Concerning: State Government

The law amends the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation ("P3") Act which authorizes and provides a framework for P3 transportation projects.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3325

An Act Concerning: Children

The law removes language in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act relating to a report that was to be delivered to the General Assembly in January 1991.

Several studies and surveys show that many men, regardless of religious piety, share a curiosity in internet pornography:

• 54 percent of pastors said they viewed porn within the past year in a recent Pastors.com survey

• 50 percent of men viewed pornography within one week of attending a marital fidelity event, including Promise Keepers, the survey revealed

• 47 percent of religious respondents said porn is a problem in their home, reveals a Focus on the Family poll

• Every second, 28,258 internet users view pornography, according to worldwide porn industry stats. The majority are men

"Here is more evidence that too many of us - including 'religious' people - are looking for answers outside ourselves. We have a growing spiritual void in North America, and the ripple effect ranges from pornography to drug abuse to domestic violence as people struggle to fill the void," says Dennis Bank, author of Sanctiprize (www.sanctiprize.com).

"Psychology, medications and these other pain relievers do nothing to get to the root of the problem, which is our need to get back to the inherent wholeness we were born with."

If highly religious men have an advantage over those who are less religious, it's not much, he says. Beyond pornography, there are pressures that may make pastors and other religious leaders especially vulnerable to sexual temptation, says Bank, a nondenominational minister. They include :

• Leadership is often a lonely job. More than half of the pastors answered that they feel privileged to be a church leader, but they're also easily discouraged and lonely, according to a LifeWay Research survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors.

• They have a position of power. As the authority on religious leadership in their spiritual community, followers seek a pastor's guidance and influence. Some followers become attracted to the pastor because of his position and may seek sexual affection.

• A lack of accountability. Ministers tend to have a great amount of flexibility in their schedule, and they are trusted figures in their church. For smaller and more isolated congregations, these factors are especially strong.

• No one to share pressures and struggles with. Most of a pastor's inner circle of friends tends to be members of his church, and these struggles may be of a sexual nature. For fear of losing trust, he may act out a fantasy rather than tell someone about it.

• They feed off the approval of others. The nature of the job will attract some who have a strong need for constant approval from others. For that reason, sexual advances from a misguided church member may feel very affirming.

There are plenty of mixed messages in churches these days, Bank says.

"The problem is not that we Christians just haven't found the right gimmick yet - gimmicks are part of the problem," he says. "The problem is we have become distracted from the inherent goodness that God has given us all. What society needs is a spiritual enema!"

About Dennis Bank

Dennis Bank is a former officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and former businessman. He completed Calvary Chapel Bible School's study program and attended the University of Saskatchewan, Acts Seminary (British Columbia) and the Royal Mounted Police Academy. He is currently an unaffiliated, non-denominational minister who offers seminars on reconciliation and healing.


Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced a total of $1,073,514 for advanced biofuel producers in Iowa.  The funding is being provided through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels.

"Investments in alternative energy sources, such as biofuels, help create jobs here in Iowa and pave the way to America's energy independence by reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Loebsack.  "I am pleased this funding will go to producers that are on the cutting edge of these groundbreaking technologies."

Under the USDA Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of biofuels a recipient produces from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch.  Examples of eligible materials include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard waste material; vegetable oil; and animal fat.  The program supports the research, investment and infrastructure necessary to build a biofuels industry that creates jobs and broadens the range of materials used to produce renewable fuel.

Details of the funding are below.

·         Clinton County Bio Energy, LLC: $64,382 for biofuel from waste products

·         Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC in Washington: $135,510 for biofuel from waste products

·         Renewable Energy Group, Inc. based in Ames, and with facilities in Newton and Danville among others: $873,622 for biodiesel transesterification

###
The Scott County has moved the date of its Public Hearing originally scheduled on August 2, 2012, 5:30 p.m. to August 28, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.  This is only a date change.  The time and location remains the same.  Please see the attached media release.

New Employment Advisory Council to Promote
More Diversity in State Government

CHICAGO - July 27, 2012. As part of his ongoing efforts to promote diversity in state government, Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law creating the Asian-American Employment Plan Advisory Council. The council will focus on ways to encourage and assist Asian-Americans seeking employment in state government. The governor was joined by numerous legislators, community leaders and representatives from the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community and the Asian American Policy Network.

"Illinois is a place where people of all cultures and backgrounds should feel welcome," Governor Quinn said. "This new employment council will help ensure that Asian-Americans know about and have access to opportunities."

House Bill 4510, sponsored by Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago) and Sen. Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago), creates the Asian-American Employment Plan Advisory Council, which will study the barriers Asian-Americans who seek state employment face and propose solutions that can foster diversity and opportunity. The unpaid, 11-member council will be appointed by the governor and comprised of experts on employment access and Asian-American issues.

"Illinois is a diverse state and we must make sure our agencies reflect that diversity," Rep. Acevedo said. "As the Asian-American community continues to grow, it is important that they have the same opportunities and representation in state government that other groups have. I believe this new law will help to ensure that Asian-American constituents in my district and across the state are being properly served."

"Asian-Americans make up nearly five percent of Illinois' population, but only about two and a half percent of state employees," said Senator Muñoz, a member of the Senate Executive Committee.  "This new law will help to encourage more equity in state hiring and help improve services for Illinois' growing American communities."

The new law also directs the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) to prepare an Asian-American Employment Plan in conjunction with the new council. The report will analyze the percentage of Asian-American employment in all levels of state government and be submitted to the governor and the General Assembly with recommendations for how individual agencies can increase the Asian-American community's representation in the state workforce. This legislation passed the General Assembly unanimously and is effective immediately.

"I am thrilled to have been a part of the process of getting this legislation passed," said Theresa Mah, co-founder of the Asian American Policy Network. "The passage of this bill represents an important victory for the Asian-American community in our state and its implementation will make a huge difference in improving equity, accountability and service delivery for all Illinois residents. This legislation could not have been passed without the help of the Asian-American community along with a multiracial coalition of Black and Latino advocates supporting us."

"The signing of this bill is yet another milestone in the Asian-American community's civic engagement efforts leading to full participation and full integration of Asian-Americans into society-at-large," said CW Chan, Chair of the Coalition for a Better Chinese Community. "The legislative process leading to the passage of the bill also demonstrates an increased understanding and support for our community's needs and experiences, thanks in part to advocacy work by many organizations, particularly during the redistricting process, in which CBCAC was fortunate to have played a significant role."

Today's ceremony in Chicago's Chinatown follows Governor Quinn's approval of the Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2011, which protects the voting rights of racial and language minority groups in Illinois. The Act helps prevent a community's electoral identity from being weakened by being divided into multiple legislative districts.

###

Pages