16 Jan 2012

Smiddy Receives Big Endorsements

By Brian Kramer

Mike Smiddy (38), candidate for State Representative in Illinois' 71st District received an enormous boost in his bid to become the democratic nominee when on Thursday he received the endorsements of the Northwest Illinois Building Trades and the Illinois AFL-CIO.  The Northwest Illinois Building Trades represents unions in Whiteside County the northern part of the 71st District while the Illinois AFL-CIO represents 1,500 local unions and nearly one million union members throughout the State of Illinois.

"Growing up in a middle class family and being the son of a UAW retiree I am extremely proud to have received these organizations support.  It is the hard work of organized labor that created the middle class in America and I plan to be a voice in the Illinois Legislature for those values and Ideals."

Smiddy, a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #46 at the East Moline Correctional Center believes that each generation is suppose to do better than the previous one.  If Illinois continues down its current path, our children and grandchildren may not be able to reach their potential because of our failures.

"We must demand more from our elected officials.  Being able to believe in the American Dream that we can achieve our goals by hard work and dedication is what our communities were built on. Illinoisans need to be able to trust those that they elect and send to Springfield.  Citizens need to have the confidence that the decisions that are being made by our leaders are done for the right reasons."

Since announcing his candidacy back in September, Smiddy has also received endorsements from the following organizations:

 

Laborers Local #309 (Rock Island)

The Quad City Federation of Labor

The Tri-City Building Trades

The Great Plains Laborer's District Council (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana)

Rock Island Firefighters Association Local #26

Illinois AFL-CIO

Northwest Illinois Building Trades

Quad City - Illinois UAW CAP Council Endorsement Recommendation

16 Jan 2012

Join the Solutions Revoution at SRLC 2012!

By Cain Connections
Dear Patriots,

The time to restore Conservative values in America is NOW! 

As the conference's keynote speaker on Thursday, January 19th, 2012, I will make an "unconventional endorsement" in Charleston, South Carolina at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, and I want YOU to join me!

I have teamed up with the organizers of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference to offer you an EXCLUSIVE, DISCOUNTED ONE DAY PASS rate!  For only $25, you can join me on Thursday afternoon for my speech and then attend the globally televised CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday evening! 

Or, CLICK HERE FOR FULL ACCESS TO THE CONFERENCE!

My mission is still to defeat Barack Obama and get the Republican nominee for the Presidency elected, and we cannot win this fight without YOU!

In addition, the Southern Republican Leadership Conference is also providing all registrants with a discounted hotel rate for their stay in Charleston. Don't miss this opportunity!

America's best days are ahead of her.  I hope you will consider joining me in Charleston as we take America back.  May God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.

Sincerely,


Herman Cain

P.S.  THE FIGHT TO RESTORE AMERICA BEGINS AT THE SOUTHERN REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.  WON'T YOU CONSIDER JOINING ME?

16 Jan 2012

Grassley meetings in Iowa to continue this week

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has meetings scheduled with Iowans in 16 counties next week.

Beginning on Monday, Grassley will be in Centerville, Albia, Chariton, Corydon, Garden Grove, Mt. Ayr, Creston, Osceola, Winterset, Greenfield, Panora, Grimes, Grand Junction, Boone, Ames, and Le Grand.

Already this month, he has traveled to 20 counties for dialogue with Iowans.  Grassley has held at least one meeting in each of Iowa's 99 counties every year since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980.

"I look forward to these meetings to hear directly from Iowans and to have the dialogue that's so important to the process of representative government.  This process is a two-way street.  I go to people to answer questions and listen to comments, and they come out and participate in the discussion," Grassley said.

Grassley encourages Iowans to communicate with him on a regular basis.  In turn, he plans regular, face-to-face meetings in Iowa and with Iowans in Washington, and he responds to every letter, email and phone call from Iowans.  Grassley also communicates via Facebook, Twitter and at http://grassley.senate.gov.

Below is more information about this month's meetings.  The town meetings are open to the public.  Local hosts should be contacted regarding other meetings.  Grassley will be available for interviews with local reporters for 15 minutes after every meeting.

Earlier this month, Grassley held meetings in Riceville, Charles City, New Hampton, Waverly, Waterloo, Clarion, Dakota City, Algona, Forest City, Garner, Hampton, Mason City, Manly, Osage, Calmar, West Union, Independence, Manchester, Vinton, and Gladbrook.

 

Monday, January 16

5-6 p.m.

Appanoose County Weekly Meal at Faith United Methodist Church, Q&A with Attendees

23851 Highway 5 South in Centerville 

 

Tuesday, January 17

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Monroe County Town Meeting

Albia Area Chamber of Commerce

18 South Main Street in Albia

 

10:15-11:15 a.m.

Lucas County Town Meeting

Carpenter Hall

1215 Court Street in Chariton

 

12-1 p.m.

Wayne County Town Meeting

Wayne County Courthouse

100 North Lafayette in Corydon

 

2-3 p.m.

Speak to Government Class

Mormon Trail Jr./Sr. High School

502 East Main Street in Garden Grove

 

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Ringgold County Town Meeting

Jamie's Coffee Mill & Deli

118 West Adams Street in Mt. Ayr

 

Wednesday, January 18

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Union County Town Meeting

City Hall/Restored Depot, City Council Chambers

116 West Adams Street in Creston

 

9:45-10:45 a.m.

Q&A with Students

Clarke County High School

800 North Jackson in Osceola

 

12-1 p.m.

Madison County Town Meeting

Winterset Public Library, Meeting Room

123 North 2nd Street in Winterset

 

2-3 p.m.

Adair County Town Meeting

Andrews Memorial Adair County Health & Fitness Center, Meeting Room

202 North Townline Road in Greenfield

 

4:15-5:15 p.m.

Guthrie County Town Meeting

Panora Community Center

115 West Main Street in Panora

 

Thursday, January 19

8-9 a.m.

Q&A with Students

Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School

1400 Vine Street in Grimes

 

10:30-11:30 a.m.

Greene County Town Meeting

Grand Junction Community Center

212 Main Street in Grand Junction

 

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Boone County Town Meeting

Boone County Historical Center

602 Story Street in Boone

 

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Tour Facility and Q&A with Employees

Becker Underwood

801 Dayton Avenue in Ames

 

5-6 p.m.

Marshall County Town Meeting

Le Grand Area Community Center

206 North Vine Street in Le Grand

 

-30-

16 Jan 2012

President's proposal on U.S. trade agency consolidation

By Randy Stalsberg

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on President Obama's proposal to reorganize and consolidate U.S. trade agencies.

"The enactment of trade agreements has been a hard slog with the President.  Any reorganization that disrupts trade negotiations and expanded markets for U.S. businesses and farmers would cause me serious concern.  Consolidation that doesn't hurt export opportunities might make sense.  Congress will need to look at this proposal carefully.  It's not surprising that the President is focusing on this area for consolidation.  Trade is already a lower priority than it should be for this White House."
16 Jan 2012

DAVENPORT GRAD STUDENT WINS $1 MILLION TOP PRIZE IN LOTTERY SCRATCH GAME

By Mary Neubauer

DES MOINES, Iowa - A Davenport graduate student is making plans to pay off her student loans and make investments for retirement all at the same time, now that she's won a $1 million lottery prize.

"It said $40K for 25 years and I just hyperventilated, basically," Ashley Smrcina said as she claimed her prize Thursday afternoon at Iowa Lottery headquarters in Des Moines. "I couldn't breathe and I was crying at the same time. I was staring at it and crying."

Smrcina, 22, who is working on her master's degree in social work at St. Ambrose University, said she was doing research for a school paper Wednesday night when she decided to take a break and buy a lottery ticket. And that's when her winning streak started.

She won a $20 prize on a $5 scratch ticket and decided to use some of her winnings to buy a $10 ticket. She won $300 that time and said the clerk at the store kidded her, saying she had no choice but to buy a $20 ticket. She chose the "Lifetime Riches" game and won its top prize.

"It feels surreal," said Smrcina, who moved to Iowa from Michigan in July. "I can't believe it. We've been here for such a short time. It still gives me goosebumps."

Smrcina bought her winning tickets at Express Lane Gas & Food Mart, 1909 N. Harrison St. in Davenport.

She said that she especially looks forward to the fact that her lottery winnings will make her student loans "just disappear."

"I'm really excited about that. It takes a lot of weight off my shoulders," she said.

Lifetime Riches is a $20 scratch game. When players match any of "your numbers" to any "winning number" in the play area on each ticket, they win the prize shown for that play area. If they find a "star" symbol, they win the prize shown instantly, and if they find the "5X" symbol, they win five times the prize shown for that symbol.

Smrcina claimed the sixth top prize of $1 million in Lifetime Riches, leaving two $1 million prizes still up for grabs in the game. Players who win the top prize have the option of receiving it in annuitized payments over time or as a one-time, lump-sum payment.

Winners who choose the annuity option will receive $40,000 per year for a period of 25 years. If the winner chooses to receive the lump-sum payment, he/she will receive $650,000 before taxes. Smrcina chose to receive her winnings in a lump-sum payment.

"Last night, I just kept staring at it. The ticket was almost all rubbed off from my sweaty hands and my tears," said Smrcina, who works at Big Brothers & Big Sisters. "I don't think that this is real. I don't know when it's going to sink in."

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.


Prize Details
Top Prize:                                            $1 million
Chosen to receive as:                          $650,000 lump-sum payment
Federal withholding:                            $162,500 (25 percent)
State withholding:                                $32,500 (5 percent)

Net amount:                                         $455,000

 

###
13 Jan 2012

New Exhibition Opening at the Muscatine Art Center

By Lynn Bartenhagen
The Muscatine Art Center will open an exhibition by Muscatine native Bill Maher on Sunday, January 29th from 1 to 5pm. A reception for the artist will be 2-4pm. The exhibit continues through March 4, 2012.

Bill Maher was born at Belleview Hospital in Muscatine in 1947. His mother was a homemaker and his father served as the Muscatine Chief of Police. As a child he enjoyed baseball, fishing and "drawing stuff: any stuff," and says the he was influenced by comic books and the Sunday funnies, but did not get support for his artistic interests from family or teachers. After graduating from Hayes Catholic High School in 1965 Bill attended Muscatine Community College, was drafted into Army and served in combat in Vietnam. After leaving the army he returned to Muscatine, married and raised five children. An author as well as an artist, Bill has written several books and numerous poems. He has completed a major mural in Fairmont, Minnesota and is known locally for his portraits and wildlife paintings. Throughout his life Bill says that he has found comfort in his art..."it doens't matter what I paint; how I paint, or even if it's any good. It's THAT I paint that matters. If there is anything I'd like people t take from this display (at the Art Center) it would be for them to say, 'well, I could do that!' -and they'd be right".
"Create something from nothing and don't believe the Dream Quellers". - Bill Maher
13 Jan 2012

Great River Brewery launches Root Beer in Honor of Chad Pregracke

By Larry McDonald
Davenport, Iowa - Great River Brewery, where legendary craft brews are made has come up with a new product, and this one has gained its legendary status almost instantly. It is named in honor of environmentalist Chad Pregracke, Founder and President of Living Lands & Waters and recipient of countless awards. The product will be unveiled to the public in a tapping celebration on Wednesday January 18th at 5:00 pm at the Great River Brewery, 332 East 2nd Street, Davenport.

In announcing the new product, River Rat Root Beer, GRB Brewmaster Paul Krutzfeldt was quick to praise Pregracke. "I'm a recent transplant to the Quad Cities, but even in my landlocked former home in Iowa, I'd heard of him and the work he was doing. It's impressive. When we opened the brewery here and Chad became a fan, it was like having a celebrity in attendance."

Pregracke, who has been honored by Presidents and was chosen by Mitchum as "The Hardest Working Man in America," couldn't be more thrilled. "When the idea for the River Rat Root Beer was first presented to me, I thought it was a fantastic idea... and an honor all in one. There are so many people who have, and continue to do great things for the Mississippi River. The Root Beer tastes awesome and promotes a great cause. I just want to thank GRB for choosing me to highlight."

The product concept and package design was the work of longtime Quad Cities marketing strategist Larry McDonald. "Great River Brewery gave me a blank sheet of paper with this product, but I know that the brewery is very supportive of worthy causes. Living Lands & Waters naturally came to mind. After I roughed out a series of concepts, the idea of making a younger Chad the star of the package kept coming to the top. After all, he's a heck of a role model and young people are known to drink root beer. I'm really glad that Paul chose a formulation that lives up to the standard."

Product samples will be available and refreshments will be served. An official tapping event, open to the public, will be held that same day at 5:00 pm.

River Rat Root Beer is made with 100 per cent pure cane sugar using a traditional recipe. It is packaged in 16 ounce can four-packs and will be available in Quad Cities grocery stores within days. Great River Brewery products are currently distributed through a seven state area.
13 Jan 2012

RELEASE: Braley Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By Jeff Giertz

Braley Statement on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 

 

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which will be observed on Monday, January 16th:

"Dr. King's values and work in the face of violence, indifference, and entrenched prejudices remind us that the work of one person willing to speak up against injustice can change the world.  Because of Dr. King's work, his dream of a nation where people are judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin, is closer to fruition.

"While that dream is yet to be fulfilled, Dr. King's legacy lives on in our hearts and minds.  Dr. King stood up for people who didn't have a voice when others failed to stand up for them.  His life should inspire all of us to fight for those among us?of any color, background, or creed?who've had their voices taken away."

# # #
13 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action

By William Palmisano
**Friday, January 13, 2012**
CHICAGO - January 13, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:
Bill No.: HB 358
An Act Concerning: Government
Exempts regional transit board employees from the revolving door provision. Allows employees of regional transit boards to accept positions with the federal, state or local government and school districts.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 442
An Act Concerning: State Government
Allows the Illinois Finance Authority to forgive current financial agreements and consider them as assets to leverage against private capital to help providers and human services to the state of Illinois.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 508
An Act Concerning: Revenue
Allows county boards, with the treasurer's recommendation, to waive interest fees for unpaid taxes
on contaminated property to provide an incentive for redevelopment.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 606
An Act Concerning: Education
Allows school consolidation of Leepertown CCSD 175 into the Ladd CUSD, pending approval by Regional Board of Trustees.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 909
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
States that a person convicted of fraudulently obtaining public money reserved for disadvantaged businesses will lose profits attained from the crime and profits will be handed over to the state of Illinois.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 1368
An Act Concerning: State Government
Requires the Illinois Power Agency to submit two additional reports regarding renewable energy procurement, both due by April 1 of every year, starting in 2012.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: HB 1589
An Act Concerning: Civil Law
Requires that if a court temporarily modifies a custody or visitation order in matters of divorce during a parent's deployment, the court will accommodate visitation by telephone, audiovisual or other electronic means.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: June 1
Bill No.: HB 1958
An Act Concerning: Corrections
Prohibits use of restraints on pregnant prisoners or prisoners recovering from post-partum depression at Cook County Jail, unless the prisoner is a flight risk or poses another serious security threat.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  June 1
Bill No.: HB 3462
An Act Concerning: Insurance
Provides health insurance coverage under the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) for eligible, uninsured persons under 19 years of age.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 3788
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Alters the definition of a "long term acute care hospital" to one that that begins operations after January 1, 2009 (instead of 2010), and is designated by Medicare as a long term acute care hospital.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: HB 3840
An Act Concerning: Revenue
Requires the Department of Revenue to accept credit card payments for certain fees if the department is not required to pay a credit card fee for transactions.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 274
An Act Concerning: State Government
Allows more financial flexibility for students attending the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired to comply with federal law.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 348
An Act Concerning: Finance
Allows the Department of Human Services to be reimbursed for its administrative support to other units of government.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  June 1
Bill No.: SB 1259
An Act Concerning: Civil Law
Requires a bank to respond within 90 days to a written request from a client for a short sale on a foreclosure.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1377
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Amends the Hospital Services Act and states that long term acute care hospitals (LTACH) are not required to provide hospital emergency services, and shall be classified as not available.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1538
An Act Concerning: State Government
Clarifies eligibility guidelines for those enrolling into group insurance coverage.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1609
An Act Concerning: State Government
Changes the date of the Governor's budget address from February 15, 2012 to February 22, 2012.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
###
13 Jan 2012

PUBLIC SCHEDULE: Braley Observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By Jeff Giertz

Waterloo, IA - On Sunday and Monday, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at events in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

5:00pm                 Waterloo Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner

Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center

Waterloo, Iowa

 

Monday, January 16, 2012

 

11:30am               Cedar Rapids United Way Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Banquet

Class Act Restaurant

7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

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