Opening Ceremonies Bring More than 3,000 Athletes to Soldier Field

CHICAGO - May 8, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today welcomed Special Olympics Spring Games athletes to Solider Field, the birthplace of the Special Olympics. The opening ceremonies will kick off three days of track and field events for more than 3,000 athletes. At the event, Governor Quinn emphasized his commitment to improve life for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Illinois and protect special education by repairing the pension and Medicaid systems this year.

"We are so proud of our Special Olympics athletes, who have helped make America a better country with their competitive spirit and talents," Governor Quinn said. "All people should feel they can reach their potential in Illinois. That's why we will continue to increase community care options for people with disabilities and we will take the necessary steps to protect funding for special education."

Governor Quinn recently proposed bold plans to stabilize Illinois' pension and Medicaid systems to preserve funding for programs such as special education. After decades of fiscal mismanagement, the Governor's plans protect special education by repairing the pension and Medicaid systems this year by making the two programs sustainable - alleviating pressures on other areas of the budget, such as education and public safety.

Last month, the Governor received the Arc of Illinois 2012 President's Award for his leadership to improve life for people with developmental disabilities by rebalancing Illinois' approach to providing care. In November, Governor Quinn announced his commitment to rebalance Illinois' use of institutionalization for the care of people with developmental disabilities. Illinois lags behind the rest of the nation in the utilization of person-centered, community-based care. Community-based care has been proven to empower people with developmental disabilities to lead more active, dynamic lives.

The rebalancing initiative calls for a "person-centered approach," meaning individuals and their families will be a significant part of designing the program that best fits their needs and desires. Working with parents and guardians, individuals will be evaluated to determine their needs, desires and the best community care setting. As a result of the governor's rebalancing initiative, people with developmental disabilities are in the process of transitioning into community settings over the next two years.

The first Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field on July 20, 1968, with 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competing in aquatics and athletics. The city of Chicago, Chicago Park District, and the Eunice and the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation launched the now-renowned program 44 years ago. More than 5,000 registered Special Olympics athletes live in the city of Chicago and there are more than 20,000 athletes in Illinois. Special Olympics training and competition programs are offered in more than 180 countries with more than 3.7 million athletes.

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The Oak Ridge Boys, with one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry, will perform at the Adler Theatre on Saturday, June 23. 
You are invited to purchase your tickets before the general public beginning today at 10:00 a.m. through Thursday, May 10 at 10:00 p.m. Click on the orange "Find Tickets" button below and enter the password ELVIRA.  Tickets, priced at $23.50, $31.50 & $37.50 (plus applicable fees), will go on sale Friday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Every time they step before an audience, the Oaks bring over three decades of charted singles to bear on a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere.

The Oak Ridge Boys
Saturday, June 23; 7:30 pm
Adler Theatre

Pre-Sale
Tuesday, May 8; 10:00 am - Thursday, May 10; 10:00 pm
Amana - If you have not already ordered your 2012 season ticket packages to The Old Creamery Theatre, better hurry! Season ticket packages are only available until June 1, 2012. Call the box office or visit the web site for money saving season package options
800-35-AMANA (362-6262) or www.oldcreamery.com

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. For a complete list of our 2012 season offerings, call us or go online.
In April, the last two-bedroom apartment at The Taylor Renaissance was leased, bringing a close to the renovation and rebirth of the historic Taylor School. Lease-up began last May and 41 of Davenport's finest senior citizens have chosen the old school as their home. This 55+ community has created quality affordable apartments for QC seniors, and the successful preservation has had a huge impact on the neighborhood. It's bound to serve as an impetus to more development in the Taylor Heights community.

Construction has now begun at Taylor's sister property, The Jackson Renaissance, also in Davenport. Jackson School will, like Taylor School, be brought back to life to serve QC seasoned citizens.

Representing the second historic renovation by Chicago-based The Renaissance Companies, this 55+ apartment rental will have 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Ten percent of the apartments will be market rate and the remaining apartments will be affordable for persons below sixty-percent of the area's median income. One-bedroom rents will range from $385-$595 and $625-$765 for two-bedrooms. Occupancy is scheduled for May, 2013.

Funding for this project was providing by JP Morgan Chase, Iowa Finance Authority, City of Davenport, National Equity Fund and the Scott County Housing Council.

Seniors seeking the best at affordable prices should call 563/323-0901 or visit www.therenaissancecompanies.com.

Des Moines Register

By Jennifer Jacobs

May 8th, 2012

 

Those who know Bruce Braley well say one of his defining personality traits is doggedness. The former trial lawyer follows projects from start to finish, and staffers say he insists they do the same.

 

Braley's name is bandied about as a future U.S. Senate candidate (to replace Democrat Tom Harkin if he chooses not to run again in 2014, or to replace Republican Chuck Grassley, who is up for re-election in 2016).

 

"I think Braley is a rising star in the Democratic Party," said state Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield. "I believe he has shown some common sense in picking his fights. He doesn't run off willy-nilly at the head."

 

A panel of eight Iowa and Washington-based journalists organized by The Des Moines Register ranked Braley fourth in effectiveness out of Iowa's seven congressmen. That placed the three-term Braley above two colleagues with more seniority in the House ? Republican Steve King and Democrat Leonard Boswell ? as well as Dave Loebsack, who was elected at the same time as Braley.

 

Braley got off to a fast start in proposing and steering passage of legislation during his first two terms, when Democrats were in power. That's tougher this term, now that he's in the minority.

 

One accomplishment that Braley points to when he was part of the majority is reforming the way Medicare pays Iowa doctors, who have historically seen lower payments from Medicare than doctors in larger states. Iowans in Congress had sought to change the formula for years. At 3 a.m. on a Saturday in 2010, after hours of negotiations with Democratic leaders over the health care reform law, he helped secure an agreement to change the payment structure.

 

His staff noted practical accomplishments to benefit his district. When the 2008 floods washed out a bridge over the Cedar River in Waterloo that the Iowa Northern short-line railroad company used to carry goods, the rail cars had to make a 300-mile detour. That increased costs for manufacturers and farmers. Braley successfully pushed for money to repair rail lines knocked out by natural disasters. The railroad bridge reopened in late 2009.

 

Braley is also into plain talk. Lawmakers have made numerous attempts over the years to require the government to write forms and documents in easy-to-understand language, but Braley's bill, the Plain Writing Act, was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010.

 

He helped secure a tax credit for small businesses that hired unemployed workers. In Iowa, the credit assisted in the hiring of 104,000 people through the end of 2010, his aides said.

 

Braley ranks 87th in the lineup of the National Journal's most liberal to least liberal members of the House. He is more liberal than 80 percent of the House on social issues and 84 percent on foreign issues, according to the Journal analysis of votes cast in 2011.

 

Braley, whose father fought on Iwo Jima, champions veterans issues, and he has a remarkably good working relationship with Republicans on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, congressional insiders said. For example, Braley and a freshman Republican from Indiana did two field hearings last fall, one in Iowa and one in Indiana, on unemployment among veterans.

 

To help disabled veterans retrofit their homes, Braley co-sponsored a bill to expand a grant program. He worked with U.S. House Speaker John Boehner to help win House approval of the Andrew Connolly Veterans Housing Act in 2011. The proposal is now stuck in the Senate.

 

Meanwhile, to keep in touch with Iowans, Braley does a conference call with Iowa reporters on Wednesday mornings and sent out 278 news releases in 2011. He has visited every county in the 1st District in the past 12 months.

 

"He just does everything that he could possibly do. He has been fantastic," said Pat Sass, chairwoman of the Black Hawk County Democrats. "You couldn't find anyone that's more active."

SCOTT EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER (SECC) BOARD
Board Room, 1st Floor, Scott County Administrative Center,
600 West Fourth Street, Davenport, Iowa
May 10, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Roll Call: Gallagher, Gluba, Lehman, O'Boyle, Sunderbruch
Ex officio members: Bruemmer, Frederiksen, Malin, and Ploehn

  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Approval of Minutes
  3. Approval to purchase from Nelson Systems Inc an upgrade/installation package for the Back Up 911 Recording System in the amount of $12, 697.00. (Brian)
  4. Approval to purchase from Racom Communications an upgrade/installation package for the Back Up 911 Radio System in the amount of $50,886.51. (Brian)
  5. Approval to purchase from CenturyLink an upgrade/installation package for the Back Up 911 Phone System in the amount of $98,671.68. (Brian)
  6. Director's report
  7. Presentation by New World Systems
  8. Next meeting date - May 31, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
  9. Adjourn

To Ensure They are Getting the Care and Attention They Deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, DC – Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) will be hosting a forum specifically for veterans this Saturday, May 12 featuring Mr. Duane Honeycutt, Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Chicago (VARO), and Ms. Dawn Oxley, Acting Director of the Iowa City VA Health Care System.  Director Honeycutt and Ms. Oxley have graciously agreed to meet with area veterans to gather input from them about their needs and provide them with information about veterans benefits and processes.  

The forum is intended to be educational and will address issues pertaining to the operation of the VARO, such as how to properly file a claim, the claim and appeal process, what documents are necessary to file a claim, the length of time to review a claim, and more.  The forum is open to veterans, their spouses, VSOs, and other individuals who may have concerns related to the specific nature of the forum.

"Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much for our country, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the care they deserve," Schilling said.  "This forum will give our area's heroes the opportunity to speak directly with VA officials to share their ideas about what can be done both in Illinois and in Washington to improve their access to care."

  • WHO: Mr. Duane Honeycutt, Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Chicago (VARO), Ms. Dawn Oxley, Acting Director of the Iowa City VA Health Care System
  • WHAT: Veterans Forum, to gather input on veterans' needs and provide information about veterans benefits and processes
  • WHEN: Saturday, May 12 from 10:00am CST - 12:00pm CST
  • WHERE: American Legion, 571 E. North St., Galesburg, Illinois
  • WHY: In an effort to ensure our area's heroes are getting the care and attention they deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Those interested in attending the forum can contact Schilling's office in Moline by calling (309) 757-7630.  Due to the sensitive nature of casework the forum itself is closed to the press.  Media should check in with Ken Moffett upon arriving for further information.

# # #

Japan plays a critical role in making the United States the leading soy exporter in the world. A delegation of U.S. soybean farmers will travel there to show their appreciation.

Representatives of the United Soybean Board (USB), the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) will honor the 50th anniversary of the Japan Oilseed Processors Association (JOPA). 

The organization, which represents 20 Japanese processors, continues to be an important ally for the U.S. soy industry. Last year, soy users in Japan represented the third-largest market for U.S. soy, importing more than 75 million bushels of whole soybeans. The U.S. group will visit the Showa Sangyo Crushing Plant and Grain Terminal, as well as the Higashi Nihon Feed Mill. Both are located at Kashima Port near Tokyo. 

PARTICIPANTS:

Vanessa Kummer, USB chair, North Dakota soybean farmer

Sharon Covert, USB International Marketing chair, USSEC board member, Illinois soybean farmer

Danny Murphy, ASA vice president, Mississippi soybean farmer

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More than 100 family members of fallen servicemembers gather in Springfield May 5 to celebrate the life of their hero; By Spc. Jason Dorsey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/07/2012)(readMedia)-- Two Soldiers carefully and quietly placed a wreath between the American and Illinois state flags during a moment of silence, while families of fallen servicemembers reflected on memories of their loved ones.

"We are not here for a solemn remembrance, however, today is celebration of life," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart of Belleville, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

The Illinois Connections for Families of the Fallen (ICFF), hosted the third annual "Connections in the Capital City: Bringing Together Families of the Fallen," on the campus of Lincoln Land Community College May 5. ICFF encompasses numerous organizations, including the Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) program.

"ICFF is a collaborative effort of representatives of over 25 different local and national agencies, dedicated to helping Illinois families of fallen servicemembers," said Bob Gillmore of Petersburg, the SOS support coordinator.

The conference was open to all family and friends of fallen Illinois servicemembers. Participants were given the opportunity to remember their loved ones and meet and bond with others who have experienced the same tragedy.

Group workshops, creative arts and a family fair called "Celebrating their Lives," comprised a bulk of the day.

"These events were carefully chosen to aide in the process of finding their new normal," said Gillmore.

During the groups and workshops, families discussed the wavelengths of emotion they experience and what they do to cope with hardship.

"It's very hard for me sometimes, but the hardest part is being strong for my kids and showing them that everything is going to be okay," said Helen Durbin of Chatham, who attended on behalf of her late brother, Pfc. Adam E. Dobereiner of Moline.

Counselors were readily available throughout the day for anyone who sought services through discussion and on-site consultations.

"The counseling sessions were very insightful, in that I learned better ways to grieve," said Erin Hotchkins, who attended on behalf of her late husband, Spc. Gunnar Hotchkins of Hinsdale.

During the resources portion of the day, they worked on moving forward and remembering significant benchmarks as well as choosing a counselor and therapist that best meets their needs.

Later, families reminisced about their loved ones on camera.

"The testimonials were very meaningful to me, and ideas on how to commemorate our loved ones were very helpful," said Ruth Christine Hotchkins of Downers Grove, who also attended on behalf of her grandson Spc. Gunnar Hotchkins

As an additional extension of counseling services, families were provided with a list of the Mourner's Bill of Rights, to help them remember a healthier, more constructive way to grieve.

Mourners Bill of Rights

1. You have the right to experience you own unique grief.

2. You have the right to talk about your grief.

3. You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions.

4. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional limits.

5. You have the right to experience the "grief burst."

6. You have the right to make use of ritual.

7. You have the right to embrace your spirituality.

8. You have the right to search for meaning.

9. You have a right to treasure your memories.

10. You have the right to move toward your grief and heal.

During the creative arts portion, adults and children alike were allowed to channel their emotions through creativity.

"The art class was a lot of fun and it made me happy to work with other kids who were feeling the same way I felt," said Anna Borders of Springfield, a family member with Cpl. Chad Young of Rochester.

The day concluded with the family fair simply named, "Celebrating Their Lives."

One activity was the rock climbing wall, where participants both received inspiration and remembered their fallen servicemember.

After scaling a rock climbing wall, children placed a written memory of their loved one's courage and strength as high on the wall as they could.

"I like to climb things all the time and I had a lot of fun doing this event," said Ethan Hotchkins of Montgomery, who attended on behalf of his father Pfc. Gunnar Hotchkins.

At the conclusion of the day's events, family members wrote the names of their fallen loved ones and a personal message on a piece of paper and attached it to a balloon. After a small countdown, the balloons were released as a symbol of remembrance.

"We remember," said Enyart. "We will always remember, because we are a service of tradition."

A total of 247 servicemembers from Illinois have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9-11. Of those servicemembers killed, 34 were part of the Illinois National Guard.

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