Reduces Discretionary Spending to Below 2008 Levels;
Cuts FY2013 Agency Spending by $425M

SPRINGFIELD - February 22, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today delivered his fiscal year 2013 budget address to the Illinois General Assembly, a plan for budget stability through major reductions and efficiencies, pension and Medicaid stabilization, fundamental tax reform and jobs and economic growth. The Governor proposed a budget that takes necessary steps to restore fiscal stability to Illinois, ensure job growth and a strong education for children across the state.

"The truth is that over the past 35 years, too many governors and members of the General Assembly have clung to budget fantasies rather than confronting hard realities, especially when it comes to our pension and Medicaid investments," Governor Quinn said. "Today I am proposing a budget that includes serious spending reductions and major reforms in order to restore fiscal stability to our state and build and grow our economy."

The Governor's budget has reduced discretionary spending to below 2008 levels. Agency spending has been cut by more than $425M since Fiscal Year 2012. Governor Quinn's introduced budget is based upon Budgeting for Results. The new budgeting process ensures that the proposed budget is based on existing revenues, funding policy priorities that are most important to helping move Illinois forward and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

Spending Reductions and Efficiencies

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has significantly reduced discretionary spending, achieving more reductions than any Governor in recent memory. In 2008, general funds were $25.7 billion. The Governor's introduced budget of $24.8 billion is a 3.6 percent decrease, bringing general funds below 2008 levels. The Governor is calling for most agency budgets to be reduced by at least 9 percent. The Governor cut his own budget by 9 percent and asked all constitutional officers to do the same.

Under Governor Quinn, the state has already realized close to $200 million in annual savings by reducing the number of state employees by more than 2,200 since January of 2009. Today, the Governor announced plans to further reduce state employee headcount by more than 700.

The state has consolidated and eliminated lease space, primarily in the Chicago area, saving more than $43 million with more savings expected during fiscal year 2013. At Governor Quinn's direction, a number of state agencies will reduce or consolidate facilities. During the coming year, 59 state facilities, offices, garages and other governmental buildings will close 

Pension and Medicaid Stabilization

The state's pension and Medicaid systems are the greatest financial pressure on Illinois' budget, and limit the ability to provide core services that people throughout the state depend upon.

For decades, the necessary payments were not made to the pension system, and increased benefits were promised without sufficient revenue to pay for those benefits. As a result, Illinois' pension system is now under-funded by $83 billion. For the past three years, Governor Quinn has paid exactly what the law required into the pension system.

To address Illinois' unfunded liability, Governor Quinn has convened a working group to deliver a proposal by April 17 to repair the state's pension systems. At the Governor's direction, everything is on the table including historical funding practices, employer contributions, employee contributions, the retirement age and the cost of living adjustment.

The Governor and his administration have also developed a roadmap for Medicaid restructuring. Today, the Governor pledged that his administration will work with the General Assembly to find a combination of liability reductions, modernized eligibility standards, utilization controls, rate reduction and reform, acceleration of integrated managed care, and coordination of long-term care programs to manage Medicaid spending.

Last year's Medicaid appropriation fell nearly $2 billion short, which means that at the end of this fiscal year, the state will owe $1.9 billion in unpaid Medicaid bills. The combination of Medicaid bills deferred to future years, the expiration of federal stimulus, enrollment growth resulting from the recession and Illinois' fee-for-service system has led to unsustainable growth in Medicaid spending. The Governor has therefore proposed cutting $2.7 billion in order to ensure that the state's Medicaid program can be returned to sustainability and continue delivering essential medical services for those that need them.

Rebalancing

Governor Quinn also reaffirmed his commitment to rebalancing the way Illinois cares for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness to improve their quality of life. The FY 13 budget includes funding to ensure smooth transitions and coordinated care as individuals move from costly institutions to supportive community settings.

The Governor today announced plans to close two additional centers, Murray Developmental Center and Singer Mental Health Center, over the course of the next fiscal year. Through this rebalancing process, the administration will comply with all consent decrees, provide individualized care and ultimately achieve savings for the state.

Tax Reform

For far too long, the Illinois Revenue Code has included many loopholes that are based on politics - not economics. Today, Governor Quinn directed a thorough search of the Illinois Revenue Code for unnecessary loopholes that do not efficiently support jobs and economic growth.

The Governor has instructed Revenue Director, Brian Hamer to meet with legislative leaders of both houses and parties to identify and close unfair loopholes. Loophole revenue can be used to pay down the state's backlog of bills and provide targeted tax relief for hard-working families and businesses.

Investing in Education

In today's budget address, Governor Quinn reiterated his commitment to education, jobs and economic growth. To move Illinois forward, we must ensure that we are providing all Illinois students with a high-quality education and preparing our workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

The Governor's budget maintains funding for K-12 and higher education. In addition, the state will increase early childhood funding by $20 million. The Monetary Award Program (MAP), which provides college scholarships for needy students, will also see a funding increase of more than $50 million during fiscal year 2013 to help deserving students achieve higher degrees.

For more information and copies of Governor Quinn's operating and capital budget proposals for fiscal year 2013, please visit www.Budget.Illinois.gov.

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KANSAS CITY, KS - In a world filled with "make-your-own" opportunities for everything from ice cream concoctions to custom-creations for morning coffee, people are now embracing the idea of personalizing their roof with custom color blends.

Research at DaVinci Roofscapes^®, the color leader in the polymer roofing industry, shows a dramatic increase in the amount of custom blend roofing color combinations ordered in 2011 over 2010. While all product lines saw advancement in color combination requests, the company's Bellaforté product line saw the most substantial increase as requests for custom color blends rose from four percent in 2010 to 38.7 percent of its sales in 2011.

"One large order for a Bellaforté roofing project in Bali involving a custom blend of Light Clay, Medium Terracotta and Dark Terracotta which significantly increased these numbers, but we've seen strong sales growth within the past year in virtually all of our color blend options," says Ray Rosewall, CEO and president of DaVinci Roofscapes. "Once we added in our eight new colors and eight additional color blend options in early 2011 we saw color selections start to skyrocket."

Rosewall feels that people are gaining confidence in adding colors to their roofs to reflect their personalities and accent the entire home structure. "Homeowners are breaking away from the traditional monochromatic blacks and grays on a roof by adding in accent colors and varied shades of colors," says Rosewall. "It's a matter of people becoming more educated on roofing color options and feeling more empowered to make personal design statements on their home's exterior."

DaVinci Roofscapes offers the largest roofing color selection in the industry with a total of 49 standard colors and 28 standard color blends. Custom color blends are virtually limitless, since people can create their own blends using any of the 49 available colors.

Colorful Roofs

In 2011, more than 30 percent DaVinci's Valoré Slate products sales came from custom blends compared to just seven percent in 2010. The addition of new color blend options in 2011 of Castle Gray, Milano, Evergreen and Sabino accounted for more than 30 percent of the sales for the year of the product line.

"This comes down to DaVinci offering more colors in 2011 and people responding by embracing the color options," says Rosewall. "We've seen escalating numbers in all our product lines this past year as people seek out and purchase more colorful roofing options."

According to national color expert Kate Smith, DaVinci's strategy of offering an abundance of roofing colors perfectly matches consumer's current "color empowerment" mind frame. "My latest color trends report clearly shows that self expression through colors is a popular way for people to project their personalities," says Smith, chief color maven at Sensational Color.

Smith, who authored the "FRESH Exterior Colors" guide for DaVinci in 2011, is not surprised by the growing number of people who are choosing to create their own custom color combinations for their roofs. "Today's consumers --- especially those who grew up in front of a computer screen --- are not satisfied with the mundane in life. They embrace the idea of experimenting with color combinations and rely on the colors on their home's exterior to express their sense of style.

"This doesn't mean the combinations of colors they're choosing are bright or outrageous. It simply means that these consumers want to have the ability to choose from a variety of color options or have a hand in customizing the final look of their home's exterior."

To assist homeowners and professionals with roofing color decisions, DaVinci offers its popular online DaVinci Color Studio. Located at http://davinciroofscapes.com/color-studio.php, the free online site includes the "FRESH Home Exterior Colors: 5 Steps for Finding the Perfect Hues for Your Home" step-by-step downloadable guide, a Color Designer tool, an "Ask the Color Expert" section, a Color Studio FAQ and the DaVinci Masterpiece Gallery portfolio of home projects.

"Color From the Top Down" Sweepstakes

Consumers interested in creating their own dream roof color can participate in DaVinci's "Color From the Top Down" online sweepstakes currently underway. To participate, Facebook users who "like" DaVinci Roofscapes on Facebook (located at https://www.facebook.com/pages/DaVinci-Roofscapes/119452491414564), can access the sweepstakes.

Users can create their dream roof color combination and submit a form to enter their name in a drawing for two chances to win an Apple^® iPad2^®. Running from February 13, 2012 through April 30, 2012, the promotion allows people ages 18 and older to create and submit a dream roof color combination via DaVinci's Facebook page.*

DaVinci Color Options

DaVinci offers the widest select of polymer roofing colors in the industry. Slate colors are available in Medium Terracotta, Dark Terracotta, Light Clay, Dark Clay, Light Gray, Medium Gray, Dark Gray, Light Green, Medium Green, Dark Green, Light Brown, Medium Brown, Medium Tan, Dark Tan, Light Purple, Dark Purple, Green Stone, Dark Stone, Slate Gray, Slate Black, Light Violet, Dark Violet and Dark Amber.

Shake colors are available in Light Chesapeake, Medium Light Chesapeake, Medium Chesapeake, Dark Chesapeake, Light Autumn, Medium Light Autumn, Medium Autumn, Dark Autumn, Light New Cedar, Medium Light New Cedar, Medium New Cedar, Medium Dark New Cedar, Dark New Cedar, Light Mountain, Medium Mountain, Dark Mountain, Light Tahoe, Medium Tahoe, Medium Dark Tahoe, Dark Tahoe, Light Weathered Gray, Medium Light Weathered Gray, Medium Weathered Gray, Medium Dark Weathered Gray and Dark Weathered Gray.

DaVinci Roofscapes has manufactured award-winning polymer slate and shake roofing since 1999. The roofing tiles are virtually maintenance free and far more cost effective than the natural product. DaVinci leads the industry in tile thickness, the tile width variety and the greatest selection of subtle earth-toned colors. Company products have a 50-year warranty and are 100 percent recyclable. DaVinci proudly makes its products in America and is a member of the National Association of Home Builders, the Cool Roof Rating Council and the U.S. Green Building Council. For additional information call 1-800-328-4624 or visit www.davinciroofscapes.com.

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Soldier Will No Longer Don the Army Uniform, but Continues to Serve the Illinois National Guard

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/22/2012)(readMedia)-- Retirement can conjure up images of traveling, relaxing or maybe grabbing a fishing pole and heading to the lake, but retired Master Sgt. Kimberly S. Broome, of Chatham, may be beginning her most challenging and important assignment of her career.

Broome, a native of Chicago, officially retired from the Illinois National Guard Dec. 31 and was recently hired by the Department of Military Affairs as the executive assistant to the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. The Adjutant General is the highest position within the Illinois National Guard, responsible for all daily operations of the Illinois National Guard and overseeing its 13,500 men and women in uniform.

"I love working with Soldiers," said Broome. "That is all I have been doing since I graduated from high school. It is like working with family."

Broome said the decision to continue to serve her country in a different capacity was an easy decision.

"Working at Camp Lincoln for the (Adjutant) General is a great honor," said Broome.

The commander of the Illinois National Guard is excited to have Broome working for him.

"With more than two decades in uniform, Kim offers a lot of experience and it's great to see her continue to serve her country and state," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

Broome joined the National Guard Sept. 1, 1988 after graduating from high school.

"I wanted to go to college but did not want to burden my parents," said Broome. "I also thought it would be a great way to travel and be able to give back."

During her nearly 24 years of service Broome has served in several different military jobs including human resources specialist, automated logistical specialist, unit supply specialist and patient administration specialist.

Broome deployed as the supply sergeant with the 1244th Transportation Company of North Riverside in 2003 for 18 months to Kuwait. While deployed, Broome earned the Combat Action Badge and the Army Commendation Medal.

Upon her retirement Broome was presented with an honorable discharge, certificates of retirement and service, a certification of appreciation from the President of the United States and a meritorious service medal.

Broome has a 14-year-old-daughter, Maya, who is a freshman in high school.

"One of the many blessings over my 24 year career is the amount of traveling and the many parts of the world I've been able to see; it is priceless," said Broome. "The experience is immeasurable. I am certainly grateful."

Broome said the end of her federal career and beginning of her state career is only the start of something else special.

"As I look back over my military career and all the friends I've made, which essentially has become a part of my family, it's not so much that I'm retiring, I'm just beginning a new chapter," said Broome, "One that will allow me more time to focus on my daughter as she becomes a young lady and prepare her for her future."

The Governor of Illinois has proclaimed March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month.  The Kidney Cancer Association has also proclaimed March Kidney Cancer Awareness Month INTERNATIONALLY. 

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012 64,770 new cases of kidney cancer (40,250 men and 24,520 women) would occur and about 13,570 people (8,650 men and 4,920 women) would die from this disease.

The nation/world needs to be educated regarding this disease. PLEASE consider writing an article in the month of March listing the symptoms of kidney cancer.

• Signs and Symptoms Associated with Kidney Cancer:
• Blood in urine.
• Pain in the back just below the ribs.
• A mass that can be felt.
• Unexplained weight loss which can sometimes be rapid.                                           
• Intermittent fevers or night sweats.
• Fatigue and lethargy.
• Fever that is not associated with a cold or the flu.
• Pain in other parts of the body if the cancer has spread.

While kidney cancer normally affects men over 55, more young people are being diagnosed.  Kidney cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the tenth most common cause of cancer death for men.  It is the eight most common cause of cancer for women. The five-year relative survival rate (percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) of people with kidney cancer is about 69%.