The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Political Action Committee announced today, January 20, 2012, its endorsement of Mike Smiddy in the Democratic primary for the 71st House District.

The AFFI represents over 15,000 members in 211 communities across the state. The firefighters said Smiddy will be the best advocate for public safety and ensure Illinois firefighters have the resources necessary to keep the citizens and first responders safe.

"Mr. Smiddy impressed us with his depth of knowledge on issues important not only to firefighters, but to all working men and women in his district and the state," said Pat Devaney, President of the AFFI. "At a time when financial resources are at a premium, it's good to know the voters have an opportunity to elect someone with fiscal integrity as well as concern for public safety."

AFFI Legislative Representative Chuck Sullivan stated that  " Mr. Smiddy's previous life experiences and work history lends credence to the fact that he understands the working middle class and is willing to stand up for all workers and their families."

The AFFI is among the most respected advocacy groups before the Illinois General Assembly and represents firefighters' efforts statewide in protecting lives and property from fire and other catastrophic events.

Public-Private Partnership Aims to Connect More Kids to Nutrition Programs

WASHINGTON, January 20, 2012 - First Lady Michelle Obama will be joined by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at Parklawn Elementary School to speak with parents about the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new and improved nutrition standards for school lunches. An important accomplishment of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that President Obama signed into law last year, USDA is making the first major changes in school meals in over 15 years, and doing so in a way that's achievable for schools across the nation. The new standards make the same kinds of changes that many parents are already encouraging at home, including ensuring kids are offered fruits and vegetables every day of the week, substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods, offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties and making sure kids are getting proper portion sizes.

Mrs. Obama and Secretary Vilsack will join children in the lunch line in Parklawn's cafeteria where the school's food service employees and celebrity cook Rachael Ray will be serving a healthy, delicious meal that meets new and improved nutrition standards for school lunches. Mrs. Obama and the Secretary will then join elementary kids for lunch.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
11:15 a.m.

WHAT: First Lady Michelle Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services will announce the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new and improved nutrition standards for school lunches.

WHERE: Parklawn Elementary School
4116 Braddock Road  
Alexandria, Va. 22312

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement in response to Southwest Airlines' announcement that it would convert AirTran operations at Des Moines International Airport to Southwest Airlines service:

"Southwest Airlines' announcement is good news for Iowa travelers and the Iowa economy.  Southwest Airlines will bring reduced prices and increased competition to the Des Moines airport.  That means a more competitive business environment for Iowa employers and more money in the pockets of consumers."

Barbara Blumer Wins Top Prize Playing "Sparkling Winnings" Holiday Scratch Game

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Davenport woman decided to pick up a "Sparkling Winnings" ticket after she finished her shift at work and ended up winning a top prize of $30,000.

Barbara Blumer, 43, stopped at Casey's, 6278 N. Pine St. in Davenport for her ticket and scratched it while sitting in her car. When she uncovered the top prize, she couldn't believe her eyes.

"I went back in and [the clerk] told me I was a winner!" Blumer said.

Blumer said the first person she called and told was a friend.

"People have been congratulating me, especially all my friends and the people I work with," she said.

Blumer, who works in housekeeping for the Handicap Development Center in Davenport, said she plans to use some of her winnings to take a vacation as well as purchase new furniture. She claimed her prize Jan. 10 at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids.

Sparkling Winnings was a $3 scratch game. Players scratched the "play numbers" play area, then scratched the corresponding numbers on the grid. If they matched all numbers within a horizontal or vertical line, they won the prize shown for that horizontal or vertical line. The overall odds of winning in the game were 1 in 3.65.

Players have until noon on Jan. 23 to enter the "Super Tech" promotion this holiday season.  All 10 holiday instant-scratch tickets can be entered online for a chance to win one of 250 Sony^® tech prizes or one of six "Super Prizes" valued at more than $4,900 each. The eligible tickets are: "Holiday Countdown," "Holiday Bonus Crossword," "Merry Crossword," "Lucky Elves Bingo," "Holiday Wishes," "Sparkling Winnings," "Betty Boop™," "Snow Bank," "Santa Games Doubler" and "Winter Bucks." To participate in Super Tech, a player must register for a free Iowa Lottery VIP Club account at ialottery.com. Registration is a one-time process. All holiday tickets entered into Super Tech will also earn players "Points For Prizes™" points that can be used in the Iowa Lottery's online store.

Since the lottery's start in 1985, its players have won more than $2.8 billion in prizes while the lottery has raised more than $1.3 billion for the state programs that benefit all Iowans.

Today, lottery proceeds in Iowa have three main purposes: They provide support for veterans, help for a variety of significant projects through the state General Fund, and backing for the Vision Iowa program, which was implemented to create tourism destinations and community attractions in the state and build and repair schools.

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