MOLINE - Marking Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit counselors and educators Tuesday at Family Resources to advocate for legislation that would restore funding to sexual assault prevention agencies.

Senate Bill 3348 would require all strip clubs that permit alcohol to collect a $5-per-patron entry fee, and the revenue would be distributed to community-based sexual assault prevention and response organizations, like Family Resources. Over the past two years, the center has seen their state funding cut by nearly 28 percent.

DATE: Tuesday, April 3

TIME: 10 a.m.

PLACE: Family Resources, 1521 47th Ave., Moline

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EU Policy Shuts Off Pumps on U.S. Biodiesel, Costing U.S. Soybean Farmers $1.1 Billion

ST. LOUIS (April 2, 2012) - A soy checkoff study shows a European Union renewable-energy policy would ultimately cost U.S. soybean farmers money by lowering U.S. soybean prices.

The study, funded by the United Soybean Board (USB), shows the EU's Renewable Energy Directive, which currently excludes biodiesel made from U.S. soybean oil in renewable energy quotas, could decrease U.S. soybean prices by as much as 35 cents per bushel. If left unresolved, the regulation would cost U.S. soybean farmers more than $1.1 billion per year.

The checkoff contends the policy unfairly singles out biodiesel made from U.S. soy. USB Immediate Past Chair Marc Curtis says the checkoff continues to work with the American Soybean Association (ASA) on efforts to gain inclusion for biodiesel made from U.S. soy.

"The EU is the second-largest market for U.S. soybeans, and that market is at risk due to this regulation," says Curtis, a soybean farmer from Leland, Miss. "We can use this study to show allied organizations and the U.S. government how much of an impact this regulation would have on U.S. soybean farmers. It will also give the U.S. government facts to demonstrate to the European Commission that the regulation needs to be based on sound science."

ASA continues to work with the U.S. government to reach an agreement with the EU to include biodiesel made from U.S. soy in the policy. Meanwhile, the U.S. government will begin sending certificates with every shipment of U.S. soy to the EU. The certificates will verify U.S. soy complies with U.S. conservation laws and regulations that satisfy the policy's criteria.

According to the study, the EU biodiesel regulation would negatively affect the price of U.S. soybeans as well as the cost of shipping U.S. soy to other markets. U.S. soybean farmers currently enjoy a 10-cents-per-bushel advantage over farmers from Brazil and Argentina on soy shipments to Europe, the study shows. However, on shipments to China and India, that shipping advantage over South America drops to less than 3 cents per bushel.

The EU's policy requires all transportation fuels used there to include 10 percent renewable energy. In order to qualify as a renewable fuel, it must reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 35 percent. The Europeans claim biodiesel made from U.S. soy reduces GHG emissions by only 31 percent. Soy-checkoff-funded research shows biodiesel made from U.S. soy reduces GHG emissions by between 39 percent for U.S. soybeans shipped to and crushed in Europe and 49 percent for processed U.S. soy biodiesel shipped to Europe. USB has funded efforts to provide this data to key decision makers in the EU and in other parts of the world.

Soybean oil remains the dominant feedstock for biodiesel production in the United States, and the soy checkoff funds most of the U.S. biodiesel research and promotion through the National Biodiesel Board.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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Rock Island, IL (March 27, 2012) - Early discussions are underway by the
Rock Island County Board to evaluate the feasibility of consolidating the
County Building and Courthouse. Both buildings in downtown Rock Island are
facing significant repairs in the coming years and the Board is weighing the
costs of making renovations or moving offices to a new location.

The County Building is 113 years old and the Courthouse is 117. About 80
other counties have old courthouses that need significant repairs. It is a
growing concern across the country as buildings age, technology changes
and public safety needs are addressed.

Neither building is ADA compliant and Rock Island County officials seek
to remedy the situation for the benefit of the public and employees. Both
buildings are structurally sound, but are unable to be adequately renovated
to meet today's standards for security. Parking is insufficient at both locations
to meet the County's current needs. Options to rent out office space in the
buildings are being explored to generate revenue for the County.

The annual cost of operating both buildings combined is $720,000. Aging
HVAC and lighting are inefficient and maintenance costs continue to rise. The
County Board will consider whether it makes more sense financially to lease

space in a newer combined campus building or continue to repair and operate
the current buildings.

A combined campus location in Rock Island is being considered. If approved,
County offices would move to a current building that would be refurbished.
Building a new facility is not being considered due to the cost of construction
and lack of suitable locations. The new campus space would be leased
with an option to own in 20 or 30 years. The County Board is comparing the
current operations and maintenance costs to the lease option and endeavors
to spend less with a new leasing option.

The offices that would move to the new campus include : Auditor, Board of
Review, Chief County Assessment, Circuit Clerk, Coroner, County Board,
County Clerk, Court Administration, Adult & Juvenile Probation (Court
Services), Forest Preserve, GIS, Human Resources, Information Systems,
Maintenance, Mental Health, Public Defender, Recorder, States Attorney,
Treasurer, Veterans Assistance and Zoning.

The County plans to reduce operations and equipment expenses by operating
a single facility. Through attrition and shared use of office and maintenance
equipment, expenses will be reduced. The campus will also operate with
a "one way in, one way out" concept that will decrease the security costs now
incurred at the Courthouse.

A developer is currently in discussions with the Rock Island County Board.
Initial evaluations of building and financing options have led the Board to
further explore the lease to own option. A private builder can leverage various
credits that government entities cannot, such as TIF, Enterprise Zone and
other rebates. This lease opportunity would save Rock Island County over a
20-30 year period.

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La Mar Hasbrouck to Lead Department of Public Health;

David Vaught to Head Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity;

Jerry Stermer to Serve as Acting Director of Governor's Budget Office

 

CHICAGO - Monday, April 2, 2012. Today Governor Pat Quinn announced the appointments of Dr. La Mar Hasbrouck as director of the Department of Public Health (IDPH), David Vaught as director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Jerry Stermer as acting director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB). Today's action is the latest in a series of appointments Governor Quinn is making as he continues to fulfill his commitment to creating jobs, economic development, and increasing efficiency and accountability in all areas of state government.

 

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. La Mar Hasbrouck, who will strengthen Illinois with his global public health expertise," Governor Quinn said. "David Vaught and Jerry Stermer are both proven leaders with innovative ideas to create jobs and economic growth."

 

La Mar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH most recently served as public health director and commissioner of mental health in upstate New York. Prior to becoming commissioner, Dr. Hasbrouck spent 11 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of the epidemic intelligence service. Dr. Hasbrouck worked to reduce and eliminate diseases in countries around the world, including polio eradication in Bangladesh and serving as the CDC director and chief of party in Guyana, South America.

 

Dr. Hasbrouck holds a bachelor's degree and master's of public health from of the University of California-Berkeley, and received his medical degree from the UCLA/Drew School of Medicine. He completed his medical residency at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Hasbrouck has published numerous scientific articles, reports and book chapters, and is the recipient of several distinguished honors, including the Secretary's Primary Health Care Policy Fellowship, the Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service, and the Meritorious Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State.

David Vaught, an attorney and longtime financial analyst, has served as director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) since 2009. As budget director, Vaught increased efficiencies in state government while strategically investing in areas that support economic growth. A small business owner, Vaught will now oversee the state agency tasked with growing Illinois' economy through strong outreach with state, national and international corporations, and using a variety of job growth strategies.

Vaught is a graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Law, and he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he studied engineering.

Jerry Stermer joined Governor Quinn's administration as chief of staff in 2009 after spending several years working for numerous public interest groups that focused on state policy and state budgeting. As a senior advisor to the Governor, Stermer has been involved in the budgeting process the past three years and played a leading role in negotiations with the General Assembly and legislative leaders. Currently, he is leading the Governor's pension working group charged with devising a proposal to address the pension crisis that has resulted from decades of fiscal mismanagement in Illinois. Since joining Governor Quinn, Stermer has helped pass major legislation with the Governor's support. At GOMB, Stermer will lead the administration's budget negotiations with the General Assembly and continue the Governor's work to stabilize pensions and restructure the state's Medicaid program, which are both leading priorities for Governor Quinn this year.

Stermer holds a master's degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and he studied at the Divine World Seminary, where he completed his bachelor's degree in liberal arts. He has been an adjunct professor at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy since 2002.

The Governor's appointees will begin serving in their new positions Monday, April 2.

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