30 Jan 2012

Illinois to host Lt. Governors' conference

By Kathryn Phillips

Half-million dollars projected in revenue

CHICAGO - January 27, 2011. The nation's "seconds-in-command" will convene in Chicago this summer at a conference expected to generate more than a half-million dollars in revenue for the state.

Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced today that she will host the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) annual meeting July 18-20 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago. The NLGA estimates the meeting will generate $612,000 in hotel, food, entertainment, transportation and other expenditures in Illinois.

"More than 200 people are expected to attend the conference, including many of the nation's lieutenant governors," said NLGA Director Julia Hurst. "The meeting will focus on issues impacting the economy, and the people of the states and territories, from education to energy, health care and more."

Lt. Governor Simon is seeking Illinois businesses to sponsor conference sessions to "showcase the best that Illinois has to offer." Chicago was selected to commemorate the NLGA's 50th anniversary as it was the site of the inaugural annual meeting in 1962 when Samuel Shapiro was the Illinois Lieutenant Governor.

"The association is delighted to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the very city in which it was founded - Chicago," said NLGA Chair and Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy. "We thank Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon for hosting this bi-partisan group, and we look forward to the energy that she and the Windy City will add to our gathering."

The NLGA is a nonprofit, professional organization for elected officials who are first in line of succession to the governors in the United States and five territorial jurisdictions. Since 2000, at least 20 lieutenant governors have succeeded governors, including former Lt. Governor and current Governor Pat Quinn.

"We welcome the opportunity to host these influential policymakers and generate tourism dollars for our state," said Simon, the NLGA Midwest Regional Chair.

For more information on NLGA, see www.nlga.us or contact 859-283-1400. To inquire about sponsorship, contact 312-814-5240.

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30 Jan 2012

Charity Texas Hold'Em Tournament & Sponsors' Gala Benefits The Arc

By Rick Martin
The Arc of the Quad Cities Area will hold its "Texas Hold 'Em Tournament & Sponsors' Gala" on Saturday, February 4, 2012. The tournament will be held in the Event Center at Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island. $60 buy-in with $30 re-buy limited to the first hour of play.

The Arc's Texas Hold'Em Tournament features two sessions with limited capacity - the first at 12 pm and the second at 5 pm. Total prize purse is a function of paid registrants. Grand Prize is a Seat at the World Series of Poker plus a Travel Voucher! Each session will play to 10 winners and the 20 finalists will compete in the Final Round beginning at 9 pm.

Advance registration is highly recommended as seating is limited to 200 players each session. The 12 pm session is filling up quickly. Players can pre-register through The Arc of the Quad Cities Area's Facebook event, online at www.arcqca.org/store, or by phone at 309-786-6474 x171. The registration table opens one hour prior to play.

Founded in 1952, The Arc of the Quad Cities Area serves more than 325 individuals with developmental and other disabilities daily. The Arc promotes living and working in partnership with the community to support individuals with developmental and other disabilities, through a variety of support services.

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4016 9th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201
309-786-6474
www.arcqca.org
30 Jan 2012

An America built to last

By OFA IA Press
In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out a blueprint for an America built to last, where the same rules apply from top to bottom.

For background and video of the speech click here:

http://my.barackobama.com/sotu-inv
30 Jan 2012

"Rebuilding the Middle Class: What Washington Can Learn from Iowa"

By Rick Martin

Statement of Senator Harkin (D-IA)

At the HELP Committee Field Hearing:

"Rebuilding the Middle Class: What Washington Can Learn from Iowa"

*As Prepared for Delivery*

"Thank you all for being here today. Last May, this Committee, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, held the first in a series of hearings to examine the state of America's middle class. In addition, last summer, my state staff visited all of Iowa's 99 counties to hear directly from middle class Iowans.

"As these events have made clear, our once-great middle class has been severely shaken. A strong America is built on a strong middle class, which means good jobs, steadily improving wages and benefits, economic security in our golden years, and hope for the future. Yet today, more and more people are struggling just to make ends meet. Their jobs are insecure, their savings and pensions have shrunk, and they are profoundly worried about the future. At the same time, income and wealth inequality are at extremes not seen since immediately before the Great Depression.

"For this reason, it is clear to me that the foremost economic challenge we face today is fostering the recovery of our middle class. I was very pleased to hear President Obama echo this view in his State of the Union address and during his recent visit to Cedar Rapids. As the President made clear, the basic bargain that built the middle class - if you work hard and play by the rules, you will be able to get ahead and give your children a better life - has broken down for too many people.

"For this reason, I am pleased to be here at the Blong Technology Center today to learn about how the Quad Cities is confronting these challenges head on. The Quad Cities, and eastern Iowa more broadly, have experienced tremendous economic changes in recent decades. In response, communities have pursued smart, creative economic development strategies to attract businesses that will grow their middle class. I hope to learn more today about the public-private partnerships, like those at Eastern Iowa Community College, that bring together local government, education and job-training programs, workers, and private-sector employers to create good jobs in the community.

"I also look forward to hearing more about the role that manufacturing has played in your local economy. This community knows very well that much of our manufacturing base has been sent overseas, while improvements in technology have made it possible for companies to produce more and more with fewer and fewer employees.

"Manufacturing, however, remains vitally important to this region. Indeed, as a nation, we cannot rebuild our economy and our middle class without rebuilding our manufacturing base. Washington needs to hear from communities like yours, those that are preserving and growing their manufacturing sectors, about how to encourage companies to keep and create good manufacturing jobs here in America.

"Last June, I invited Amanda Greubel, from just up the road in DeWitt, to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in Washington. Amanda, who, I'm pleased to say, is able to join us again today, said this to the Committee: 'I hold out great hope that this is not the end of this discussion, that you will return to your offices and your states and you will continue to ask everyday Americans like me what they really need.' Well, Amanda, that is why we are here today - and that is why, in the year ahead, this Committee intends to continue to put rebuilding the middle class at the center of its agenda. We will hold hearings in Washington to give a voice to hard-working middle class Americans, and we will champion legislation that will strengthen our economy, create jobs, and help middle class families.

"Simply put: there can be no real economic recovery without the recovery of the middle class. I look forward to hearing from our panels today about how we can move forward aggressively on this front.

"The middle class is the backbone of this country and it is time that Congress showed the backbone to not only defend it, but grow it."

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30 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Announces Key Appointment

By Katelyn Tye

Andrew Boron to Lead Department of Insurance

CHICAGO - January 27, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a top appointment to his executive cabinet by naming Andrew Boron as director of the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI). Today's action is the latest in a series of appointments Governor Quinn will make as he continues to fulfill his commitment to creating jobs, economic development and increasing efficiency and accountability in all areas of state government.

"Andrew Boron brings a wide range of experience to the Department of Insurance, and I am confident his strong leadership will enhance the essential regulatory and consumer protections DOI provides," Governor Quinn said. "I want to thank the acting directors for their excellent work while we conducted this nationwide search."

In addition to its regulatory obligations, DOI was instrumental in last year's workers' compensation overhaul, expected to save businesses $500 million a year, while protecting essential protections for injured workers. The agency is also instrumental in implementing the Affordable Care Act, and will manage the state's health insurance exchange.

Mr. Boron brings a career of insurance, governmental and private sector experience to DOI. He returns to state government after working as vice president and counsel at the ACE Group, where he served as primary liaison to the Departments of Insurance in nine states, including Illinois. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the Illinois Toll Highway Authority between 2009 and 2010. Boron began his career at CNA Financial, serving as counsel and then director of state government relations.

Mr. Boron holds a bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin and a juris doctorate from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1998. Boron is married and has two children.

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30 Jan 2012

Lekar Named Chief Judge of First Judicial District

By Iowa Judicial Branch
Des Moines, January 27, 2012 ?The Iowa Supreme Court has appointed District Judge Kellyann M. Lekar, Waterloo, as Chief Judge of the First Judicial District. Judge Lekar succeeds Judge Thomas N. Bower who was appointed by Governor Branstad to the Iowa Court of Appeals.

"Judge Lekar has proven leadership abilities," Chief Justice Cady said. "She has a strong work ethic, involvement in several innovative court projects and an excellent working relationship with judges and staff. I'm confident she will make an effective chief judge. "

Judge Lekar was born in Waterloo. She earned her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1990 and her law degree from the University of Iowa in 1993. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Lekar was in private practice in Waterloo until her appointment to the bench in 2005. She is co-chair of the First Judicial District Family Law Mediation Committee and a member of the district's public outreach committee. She is also a state delegate to the American Bar Association's National Council of State Trial Judges a member of the American Bar Association, Courts and Community Committee of the Iowa Judges Association, the Iowa State Bar Association Jury Instructions Committee, and the Black Hawk County and Iowa State Bar Associations.

"I am pleased to have an opportunity to serve the First Judicial District as Chief Judge," she said. "As a native of Waterloo, I am proud to serve and represent northeast Iowa in this position. The judges and staff of the First Judicial District are hardworking, innovative and dedicated and I am privileged to work with them on a daily basis. Together we will strive to provide excellent judicial branch services to the citizens of the First Judicial District."

As chief judge, Judge Lekar will supervise all judicial officers and court employees in the district, supervise the performance of administrative and judicial business in the district, set the times and places of holding court, designate presiding judges, and serve on the judicial council, which advises the supreme court on administrative matters affecting the trial courts. In addition, she will continue to preside over cases.

The First Judicial District is located in northeast Iowa and comprises 11 counties: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Howard, and Winneshiek. The district has 14 district judges, six district associate judges, three associate juvenile judges, four senior judges, 20 part-time magistrates, and 204 employees, with an operating budget for the current fiscal year of approximately $16,501,993. A total of 99,309 cases were filed in the First Judicial District last year.

 

# # #

30 Jan 2012

On Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, IRS and Partners Launch Outreach Campaign to Low- and Moderate-Income Workers

By Christopher Miller
Iowa Residents Received $414 Million Last Year

IRS YouTube Videos:  Earned Income Tax Credit:  English | Spanish | ASL

Podcast: Earned Income Tax Credit

MILWAUKEE, January 27, 2012 – The Internal Revenue Service and community partners nationwide today launched their annual outreach campaign aimed at helping millions of Americans who earned $49,078 or less take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

In Iowa last year, around 207,000 families received approximately $414 million in EITC with an average being being $1999.

Today, Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, local officials and community organizations across the nation are holding news conferences and sponsoring other events highlighting the benefits of this key work incentive for low-and moderate-income workers and working families.

"The EITC provides a financial boost for millions of hard-working Americans. But people can easily overlook this important credit, especially if their financial situation has changed. The IRS reminds taxpayers to look into this valuable credit to see if they qualify," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.

The outreach campaign is necessary because one-third of the eligible population changes annually as their financial, marital and parental statuses change.

"Although an estimated four out of five eligible workers and families get the credit, one in five still miss out on it, either because they don't claim it, or don't file a return at all," said Christopher Miller, IRS spokesperson for Iowa. "That's why it's important to continue to raise awareness."

The EITC varies by income, family size and filing status. People can see if they qualify by visiting IRS.gov and answering a few questions using the EITC Assistant. In tax year 2010, almost 26.8 million eligible workers and families received over $59.5 billion total in EITC. The average EITC amount last year was around $2,200.

Workers who earned $49,078 or less from wages, self-employment or farm income last year could receive larger refunds if they qualify for the EITC. That could mean up to $464 in EITC for people without children, and a maximum credit of up to $5,751 for those with three or more qualifying children. Unlike most deductions and credits, the EITC is refundable. In other words, eligible people may get a refund from the IRS even if they owe no tax.

How to Claim the EITC

To get the EITC, workers must file a tax return, even if they are not required to file, and specifically claim the credit. Those eligible for the EITC have free options to file a tax return to claim the credit:

·        Free File on IRS.gov Free brand-name tax software walks people through a question and answer format to help them prepare their returns and claim every credit and deduction for which they are eligible. The program also allows people to file electronically for free, giving them access to all their money often in as little as ten days.

·        Free tax preparation sites EITC-eligible workers can seek free tax preparation at more than 12,000 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To locate the nearest VITA site, people can call the IRS at 800-906-9887. Taxpayers can also find VITA/TCE sites by calling their community's 211 or 311 line for local services.

·        IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers EITC-eligible workers can seek free assistance in IRS locations across the country. Locations are listed online at www.IRS.gov. Hours and services offered vary by location and should be checked before visiting.

More information on EITC and detailed eligibility rules are available at www.irs.gov/eitc.

-30-

30 Jan 2012

Grassley Urges Washington to Stay Focused on Getting People Back to Work

By Grassley Press

During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses the need for job-generating tax policy, spending reductions, regulatory relief, trade agreements, and energy development, as well as respect for the checks and balances that have helped to define America's system of government for 235 years.

 

Click here for audio.

Here is the text of the address:

I held meeting with Iowans in 36 counties this month.  People at the grass roots are looking for leadership.  13 million unemployed workers need to know that Washington can take action to help get people back to work and move the country in the right direction.

Workers, employers and entrepreneurs need an environment where the economy can improve and jobs can be created.

Taxes, especially tax certainty, are a major factor.  One of the biggest tax increases in history will happen at the end of this year if Congress and the President don't stop it.  Small businesses, where most new jobs are created, would be hit hard

Government spending needs to be reduced.  The problem isn't that taxes are too low, it's that Washington spends too much.  Massive federal debt gets in the way of economic growth.  So does the heavy hand of government regulation, and it must be lifted.

American workers also need new export markets for the goods and services they manufacture.  They need an energetic and enthusiastic effort to establish new international trade relationships for the United States.

The economy benefits from affordable energy, so domestic production has got to be a priority and a reality.  Even so, President Obama is denying the Keystone XL pipeline project.  This infrastructure project would create as many as 20,000 jobs.  The President's position works against creating jobs and getting people back to work.

Since 2009, President Obama's big spending stimulus and government intervention has failed in terms of job creation, economic growth and fiscal responsibility. We need a new direction.

On top of that, President Obama seems determined to test and even exceed the powers of his office.  America has a system of checks and balances that's generally worked for more than two centuries.  The President's interest in putting the executive branch above the other branches of government is unconstitutional and counter-productive.  It's something Americans rejected 235 years ago.

Today, finding common ground with the elected representatives of Congress would be more productive than trying to govern by edict from the Oval Office.

 

30 Jan 2012

MRDC Releases Windmill Rye Whiskey

By Ryan Burchett

Le Claire, Iowa, January 26, 2012 - The gang at Mississippi River Distilling Company has been busy again distilling up another seasonal whiskey.  Windmill Rye Whiskey will be available to purchase and taste on Friday, February 3 at the distillery and local retailers.  MRDC encourages spirit connoisseurs and rye novices to explore the spiciness and earthy qualities of rye in this whiskey.

Locally grown rye from Reynolds, Illinois was taken to De Immigrant Windmill in Fulton, Illinois for milling.  This authentic Dutch windmill, which sits right on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, is just 20 miles upriver from the distillery.  Each seasonal spirit MRDC produces is a product of partnering with other local businesses and using local products.

"The power of nature churned the rye into a flour that was then returned to our distillery for fermentation.  The spirit is 100% rye and was aged over charred oak and then finished in used bourbon barrels," remarks owner/distiller Ryan Burchett.  "It was really a pleasure to work with the volunteer millers in Fulton.  They were so eager to take part in this unique venture.  They even came out and helped us bottle it!"

The whiskey has a very unique flavor and finish that is quite different than the typical rye whiskey.  "Most rye whiskey is blended with corn."  Said distiller Garrett Burchett.  "We like to let people experience the complexities of the grain, so this one is 100% rye.  Just as you'd expect from a rye bread, this spirit is a little heavier and more complicated.  We've been amazed at how it opens and evolves in the glass in between sips.  It's been a lot of fun to hear all the different flavors people are pulling out of it."

As with each of their seasonal spirits, the rye whiskey will be a limited release.  Distillers and volunteers bottled approximately 3,200 bottles.  Windmill Rye Whiskey will also be specially featured at MRDC's First Friday event on Friday, February 3 from 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Fans of MRDC spirits should also mark your calendars now for the next big release, Cody Road Bourbon Whiskey.  The second release of this much sought after spirit will be Friday, March 2, with distillery doors opening at 10 a.m.  The first release in December saw 120 bottles sell out at the distillery within four hours with the rest of the 1,000 bottle batch selling out in just 3 days at retailers.

Mississippi River Distilling Company is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 PM Sundays.  Free tours are offered to the public daily on the hour from 12 to 4 PM or by appointment.  The tour takes visitors through the entire distilling process and end in the Grand Tasting Room with free samples of products for those patrons over 21 years of age.

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30 Jan 2012

Use Tax Season to Organize for the Future

By Ginny Grimsley
Financial Planner Shares Tips for a 21st-Century Filing System

Jane was not looking forward to going through her parents' belongings to get their house ready to sell. Their health had been failing for some time and they finally agreed to move to a retirement community. Now that they were both comfortably moved into their new apartment, it was up to Jane to get rid of the things they no longer needed.

Her parents had lived in the same house for more than 50 years, so Jane expected to find things that should have been tossed out years ago.  But she was amazed to discover 50 years of tax returns and bank statements carefully stored in boxes in the attic. Her parents had saved all their financial records!

Many people are confused about what records they need to keep and for how long. They hold onto tax returns, bank records, brokerage statements and other financial information simply because they don't know if they'll need it again. Like Jane's parents, the documents get packed in boxes that eventually take over valuable living or storage space.

Financial planner Rick Rodgers, author of The New Three-Legged Stool: A Tax Efficient Approach To Retirement Planning (www.TheNewThreeLeggedStool.com), says tax time is a great time to get organized.

"Most people are going through their records to get ready to file their return," he says. "This is the time to get smart about what you need to keep and then set up a system to store it efficiently going forward."

Rodgers suggests these five steps to help you effectively organize your finances for 2012 and beyond:

1. Out with the old - Discard the records you no longer need: Tax returns older than seven years; bank records and credit card statements that are not related to the tax returns you're keeping; brokerage statements that aren't related to purchases of current holdings. Be sure to shred all your old documents before throwing them out.

2. Go digital - Convert the documents you plan to save into digital images that are stored on your hard drive. Invest in a good scanner and scan as you go through your paperwork, shredding and tossing the hard copies as you go. On your computer, file by tax year, so your 2011 folder will contain your tax return for 2011 and all pertinent bank records and receipts. Organize the previous six years the same way. Next year you can delete the oldest folder when you add the 2012 folder.

3. Save a forest - All of the financial institutions you deal with would prefer to send your statements electronically. Stop receiving paper statements. Instead, download your statements electronically and store them in your new filing system.  Most banks and credit card companies keep at least a year's worth of statements available.  You need to download these files only once a year to complete the year's file.

4. Save backups in case of emergency - Make backup copies of your files on a CD. Choose a CD-R (recordable) as opposed to a CD-RW (rewriteable), because CD-R cannot accidentally be overwritten. Depending on your computer operating system, you may be able to continue adding data to a CD-R each year, until the CD is full. However, some operating systems won't allow that, so you'll need a new CD for each year.

5. Go paperless - Your new electronic filing system can be expanded to include all your financial records, from car maintenance receipts to pay stubs.  Wills and insurance policies can also be scanned and stored but, of course, keep the originals of those in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe.

Gone are the days of saving your financial documents in box and shoving it into the attic.  Technology advances have made organizing your personal finances easier with minimal cost.  Make 2012 the year you get organized by moving your finances into a 21st century filing system.

About Rick Rodgers

Certified Financial Planner Rick Rodgers is president of Rodgers & Associates, "The Retirement Specialists," in Lancaster, Pa. He's a Certified Retirement Counselor and member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers. Rodgers has been featured on national radio and TV shows, including "FOX Business News" and "The 700 Club," and is available to speak at conferences and corporate events (www.rodgersspeaks.com).

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