New Research Facility will Support Innovation and Create 200 High-tech Illinois Jobs

BATAVIA - December 16, 2011. Officials from the administration of Governor Pat Quinn today announced $20 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding for the design and construction of a new accelerator research facility at Fermilab. Ground was broken today on the new facility, which will be part of Fermilab's Illinois Accelerator Research Center (IARC) complex. The complex will be a state-of-the-art facility for research, development and industrialization of particle accelerator technology, creating 200 high-tech jobs.

"In Illinois we understand the importance of investing in cutting-edge technologies, which not only boosts our economy, but also secures our role as a major competitor in the global marketplace," Governor Quinn said. "The best minds in the world are right here, and today we are investing in our future by ensuring that the latest groundbreaking particle research activities will continue to come from Illinois."

The IARC project is being funded jointly by the state of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science (DOE). Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), $20 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding was awarded to Fermilab for the design and construction of a new building that will form part of the IARC complex. The DOE is also providing $13 million to Fermilab to refurbish an existing heavy industrial building that will be incorporated into the complex, adding 36,000 square feet of specialized work space.

"The IARC facility will help fuel innovation by developing advanced technologies, strengthening ties with industry and training the scientists of tomorrow," said William Brinkman, the director of the DOE's Office of Science. "The Department of Energy welcomes the opportunity to partner with the state of Illinois and looks forward to seeing IARC come to fruition."

On behalf of Governor Quinn, DCEO Director Warren Ribley joined DOE and Fermilab officials today at the IARC groundbreaking ceremony to announce funding from the Governor's capital program for the project.

"The IARC facility positions Illinois at the forefront of the world-wide effort to develop cutting-edge accelerator technologies," said Director Ribley. "It also reinforces the Quinn Administration's commitment to supporting innovation in Illinois, as well as the creation of 200 high-tech jobs in addition to construction jobs."

The IARC is expected to create 200 new high-tech jobs and will be located in the heart of the industrial area of the Fermilab campus in Batavia. The facility will provide 42,000 square feet of technical, office and educational space for scientists and engineers from Fermilab, DOE's Argonne National Laboratory, local universities and industrial partners. The IARC complex will help develop private industry partnerships for the commercial and industrial application of accelerator technology for energy and the environment, medicine, industry, national security and discovery science. The IARC will also offer unique advanced educational opportunities to a new generation of Illinois engineers and scientists and will help attract top scientists from around the world.

"A focused effort and strengthened partnerships between government and industry is required for the United States to remain competitive in accelerator science and technology," said Fermilab Director Pier Oddone. "IARC will greatly enhance accelerator research and innovation at Fermilab and strengthen our capability to host new international projects. We will also broaden our economic impact on Illinois by working with industry and universities on advanced R&D with many commercial and scientific applications."

Today's particle accelerators address many of the challenges confronting the U.S. in the areas of sustainable energy, a cleaner environment, economic security, health care and national defense. The accelerators of tomorrow have the potential to make still greater contributions. The IARC will be utilized as incubator space for emerging accelerator technologies, providing a central point for cutting-edge accelerator research and industrialization.

"This is an exciting project for the state. It links our research capability with businesses in Illinois and will help boost innovation while bringing much needed jobs to Illinoisans," said State Rep. Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago).

As part of his continued commitment to boosting innovation in Illinois, Governor Quinn launched the Illinois Innovation Council (www.IllinoisInnovation.com) in February to ensure the state remains on the cutting-edge in the global economy. The council is actively working to promote the role and importance of innovation in economic development and quality of life; convene and partner with academic, business and governments to evaluate and recommend initiatives to improve support for innovation, and align public and private resources.

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During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses revelations made during the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing regarding the MF Global collapse in which up to $1.2 billion in customer funds was lost - including money from Iowa farmers and brokers.

Click here for audio.

Here is the text of the address:

This week's oversight hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee on the MF Global collapse yielded some revelations on what happened and who knew what when.

An executive of a financial exchange that oversees MF Global testified that the former head of the firm may have known the firm was using customer funds to make a $175 million loan to a European affiliate.  This statement from the head of the CME Group struck another senator on the Agriculture Committee as a "bomb."

It strikes me as a bombshell, too, because just minutes before, Mr. Jon Corzine continued to express his lack of understanding of how MF Global lost up to $1.2 billion in customer funds - including money from Iowa farmers and brokers.

The revelation wasn't in any prepared testimony.  It came in response to senators' questions.

It goes to show that congressional oversight yields results.

Those responsible can and should be brought to account, whether it's firms playing fast and loose with customer money in violation of the law or the regulators who are supposed to stop malfeasance.

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Daily deals site SweetJack.com continues its rapid national expansion with its launch today in the Quad Cities metropolitan area in Iowa and Illinois. SweetJack, named for the Jack Russell terrier who "fetches" the best deals, debuts today with an offer of $20 in sizzling tacos from Ganzo's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Davenport, Iowa for just $10. Daily offers at top restaurants, stores, salons and venues will be promoted to listeners on Cumulus radio stations in the Quad Cities community, including 97x, Rock 104-9, B100, Star 93-5 and True Oldies 1170.

Platform Will Offer Insider Prices at Favorite Spots Around Region Promoted Through Quad Cities' Most Popular Radio Stations

(ATLANTA, December 16, 2011) ? Daily deals site SweetJack.com continues its rapid national expansion with its launch today in the Quad Cities metropolitan area in Iowa and Illinois. SweetJack, named for the Jack Russell terrier who "fetches" the best deals, debuts today with an offer of $20 in sizzling tacos from Ganzo's Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Davenport, Iowa for just $10. Daily offers at top restaurants, stores, salons and venues will be promoted to listeners on Cumulus radio stations in the Quad Cities community, including 97x, Rock 104-9, B100, Star 93-5 and True Oldies 1170.

Since its launch in Atlanta in April 2011, SweetJack has expanded to 17 cities and over one million members. The profitable daily deal platform has additional expansion plans blanketing the United States for 2012.

"SweetJack will be a fantastic addition to Cumulus Quad Cities," said Cheryl Riley-Hayles, VP/Market Manager, Cumulus Quad Cities. "It's a great opportunity to partner with merchants who want to capitalize on the power and reach of our radio stations.  At the same time, our listeners will receive the benefit of great deals ? and everyone is looking for a great deal in the current economic environment."

SweetJack is a division of Cumulus Media, the nation's second largest radio company with over 570 stations. By utilizing the existing sales force at partner radio stations, SweetJack is the only deal platform with a built-in infrastructure for securing the bestlocal and regional merchants.

"Radio stations are the primary means for people to learn about what's going on in their communities," said David Lubell, VP of Social Commerce. "We own the most popular radio stations and massive email lists, providing the broadest reach and the loudest mouth in town for our merchants?and the best deals for our listeners."

Some additional offers coming to Quad Cities include Waterfront Deli, The Boat House Restaurant, Leisure Time Billiards Sports Bar & Grill and Snap Fitness.

Customer-focused characteristics that differentiate SweetJack from other deal sites include :

• SweetJack does not require a minimum number of purchasers for a deal to kick in
• In addition to the deal of the day promoted through emails and on the radio, customers can visit SweetJack for an online store listing dozens of additional deal opportunities
• Customers can immediately redeem their deal certificates upon purchase, as there is no waiting period

For more information, visit SweetJack.com.

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WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has nominated 57 outstanding Iowa students for consideration for appointments to the United States service academies.

"The young Iowans who want to serve our country and enter the academies are just remarkable for their accomplishments and leadership.  Every year, the candidates are an impressive reflection on our state.  These young people signal continued excellence in the United States armed forces," Grassley said.

Grassley said he has the opportunity every year as a United States senator to nominate current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few academy placements.  The Air Force, West Point Military, and Naval academies each select at least one qualified nominee from Grassley's recommendations.  The Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to the state's representation in Congress.

Grassley encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one academy.  "The academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country," he said.

Students interested in obtaining an academy appointment should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school.  Senator Tom Harkin and representatives in the United States House of Representatives also make recommendations.  The academies subsequently select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.  Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being selected to attend each academy.

Grassley said he will make announcements when appointments to the academies are offered to Iowans.  The lists below include the names, high schools and hometowns of Grassley's nominees for the 2012-2013 school year.

U.S. Air Force Academy
Collin Ascherl, MOC-Floyd Valley High School, Granville

Brett Deters, Ankeny High School, Ankeny

Daniel Eichman, Dulwich College Beijing, Dubuque

Jackson Espeset, Ames High School, Ames

Ryan Giarusso, Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls

William Guthmiller, MOC-Floyd Valley High School, Orange City

Jesse Hahn, Highland High School, Ainsworth

Nicholas Heth, Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls

Hanna Hubert, Woodbury Central High School, Hornick

Noah Jones, Davenport West High School, Davenport

Isaac Kinrade, Maquoketa High School, Maquoketa

Felix Knutson, Home School and South Hamilton High School, Hubbard

Tyler Krpan, Indianola High School, Indianola

Peighton MacLeod, Northern University High School, Cedar Falls

Colby McGinley, Lourdes Central Catholic High School, Hamburg

Jeffrey Melton, Jefferson-Scranton High School, Jefferson

Tyler Reiser, East High School, Sioux City

Tyler Rottinghaus, Urbandale High School, Urbandale

Adam Wachholz, Home School, Ottosen

Mahlon Whitead, Sioux City West High School, Sioux City

 

West Point Military Academy
Hannah Adamson, Iowa City West High School, Coralville

Adam Christian, Southeast Polk High School, Altoona

Conor Dolan, Muscatine High School, Muscatine

Christopher Drew, Iowa City West High School, Coralville

Olivia Fairfield, Iowa City West High School, Coralville

Andrew Foster, West High School, Waterloo

Genna Gibbons, Dowling Catholic High School, Perry

Travis Mallo, Mason City High School, Mason City

Andrew Meyers, Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School, Reinbeck

Matthew Miller, Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf

Jack Oberman, Waukee High School, Clive

Daniel Rigdon Jr., Dunkerton Community School, Dunkerton

James Saker, Fremont-Mills Senior High School, Tabor

Wyatt Sann, Clarion-Goldfield, Clarion

Sean Steil, Wapsie Valley High School, Oelwein

Jindalae Suh, City High School, Iowa City

Aloysius TeKippe, Earlham High School, Earlham

Erik Thorgaard, Ottumwa High School, Ottumwa

Nick Osmonson, Sioux City East High, Sioux City

Timothy Yu, West High School, Coralville

 

U.S. Naval Academy
Jeffrey Critchlow, Carlisle High School, Carlisle

Nathaniel Dyett, Johnston High School, Grimes

Zachary Elsner, Boone High School, Boone

Samuel Kuznetsov, Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf

Tucker Nash, Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids

Andrew Peterman, Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf

Matt Truninger, Northeast Middle/High School, Clinton

Daniel Van Horn, Glidden-Ralston Community School, Glidden

Chantel Blair, Jefferson-Scranton High School, Paton

Jack Randall, Spencer High School, Spencer

 

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Logan Braadt, Ankeny High School, Ankeny

Benjamin Jacobsen, A-H-S-T High School, Avoca

Tyler Laska, Xavier High School, Cedar Rapids

Marlis Owen, Southeast Polk Senior High School, Des Moines

Brady St. John, Solon High School, Solon

Keith White, Benton Community High School, Van Horne

Haley Wireman, Valley High School, West Des Moines

*Chantel Blair, Jefferson-Scranton High School, Paton

*Jack Randall, Spencer High School, Spencer

**Nick Osmonson, Sioux City East High, Sioux City

 

*Nominated by Grassley for both the Naval and Merchant Marine academies.

**Nominated by Grassley for both the West Point Military and Merchant Marine academies.

 

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