01 Feb 2012

Supreme Court case could threaten Big Labor's ability to deduct from public employee paychecks

By Rick Martin
By Victor Skinner
EAG Communications
WASHINGTON, D.C. - It's no secret that Big Labor is dependent on dues and fees automatically withdrawn from the payroll checks of union members and non-members alike.
The automatic deductions funnel millions of dollars into public sector union coffers each year, with a portion frequently going toward partisan political causes and liberal candidates who promise to preserve or expand the unions' forced dues racket.
But this vicious cycle is finally being challenged in states and municipalities around the nation. Perhaps the most important challenge, Knox vs. Service Employees International Union, was heard earlier this month by the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case is one of a growing number of examples of how public employees, including public school teachers, are pushing back against forced union dues - something many consider a violation of their First Amendment rights. American citizens should not be forced to financially support an organization or political causes they don't agree with, union objectors rightly contend.
By forcing members and non-members to subsidize its radical political agenda, Big Labor may have finally cooked its Golden Goose.
SEIU wants to run from the case
The Supreme Court case stems from a "special assessment" that was automatically withdrawn from union and non-union state employees' checks in 2005 to help defeat a ballot proposal in California that would have made it illegal to force employees to pay dues that would be used for political purposes.

The plaintiffs, who are non-union members who pay a reduced fee in lieu of union dues, claim their rights were violated when they were charged more than their regular fees to support a union political effort.
They filed a lawsuit with the help of the National Right to Work Foundation, and a federal district court ordered SEIU to pay some of their money back, records show.
SEIU appealed the decision, the appeals court sided with the union, and the objecting non-union state employees took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Then a funny thing happened. The union decided that it didn't want to pursue the case anymore, refunded the employees the full amount of the "special assessment," and is now arguing that the case is moot because there is no longer a claim, records show.
The NRTWF attorneys representing the employees say the case is still important because it would settle the question of whether union officials must give employees a chance to object to a special assessment before the union sticks its grubby hand in the cookie jar. Plus, the union never really acknowledged wrongdoing or promised not to do it again, NRTWF attorney James Young argued.
During the hearing, several justices keyed in on an important question: Why does the union want to drop its case now that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear it?
SEIU attorneys contend it's because the employees' money has been repaid in full, the union has complied with the district court's original order, and everything is now resolved.
We doubt very much that's the case.
Union leaders fear legal precedent
We believe that the real reason the union wants to run away from the case is to avoid the chance of a precedent-setting ruling that would inhibit its legal ability to take money from members and non-members to support political causes.

The union probably also fears a more expansive ruling, which could deny the right of public sector unions to automatically deduct dues from paychecks under any circumstances.
It's not clear when the court will issue a ruling in the case.
"In essence, the union has to acknowledge wrongdoing before a case is moot, and they've never done that," said Young, the attorney representing the plaintiffs.
"They fear what this court will do, and I think they have reason to," Young said, adding that a ruling could potentially have broad implications for how unions charge members and non-members.
A veteran labor attorney in Wisconsin, who has been representing school boards for decades, recently told EAG that public sector union leaders are mostly concerned with preserving the flow of dues money, and preserving the right to use that money for political causes they believe in.
He noted that many teachers unions across Wisconsin scrambled last year to extend their collective bargaining agreements with school boards. They wanted to get that done before the implementation of Act 10, which made it illegal for schools to deduct union dues from employee paychecks once the union contracts expire.
Union leaders in many districts were willing to sacrifice many employee perks to get their contracts extended. The one perk they desperately wanted to preserve was automatic dues deduction from paychecks, according to the attorney.
"All of a sudden they would call me and say, 'Let's settle this contract,'" the attorney said.  "It's all about the kids, right? The kids? Ha! They sold their members out for dues."
Employees don't pay when it's not required
There is a reason union officials are vigorously fighting to preserve the automatic dues deduction system.
Washington Post columnist George Will laid it out in an editorial during Big Labor's battle over Act 10 in Wisconsin last year.
"After Colorado in 2001 required public employees unions to have annual votes reauthorizing collection of dues, membership in the Colorado Association of Public Employees declined 70 percent. In 2005, Indiana stopped collecting dues from unionized public employees; in 2011, there are 90 percent fewer dues-paying members," Wills wrote.
"In Utah, the end of automatic dues deductions for political activities in 2001 caused teachers' payments to fall 90 percent. After a similar law passed in 1992 in Washington State, the percentage of teachers making such contributions declined from 82 to 11."
Perhaps union members are hesitant to voluntarily pay because they don't believe the benefits they receive from their unions are worth the dues. Perhaps it's because they don't like their union's aggressive political activities and negotiating tactics.
Regardless, the SEIU case and Right-to-Work legislation pending in numerous states is turning up the heat on Big Labor's forced dues racket.
And that's encouraging progress for public employees who have been forced to fund Big Labor's antics for far too long.
Contact Victor Skinner at vskinner@edactiongroup.org or (231) 733-4202
01 Feb 2012

Cafe d'Marie Expands Hours

By Rick Martin

Cafe d'Marie, located at 614 West 5th Street where downtown Davenport meets the Gold Coast neighborhood, has expanded their hours.  They are now serving guests from 8:30am until 4pm seven days a week. 

Support a local business! The charming Cafe d'Marie is serving up breakfast, lunch, gourmet coffees, salads & more in a gorgeous historic building. Located on 5th Street behind the Scott County Admin building at the foot of the Gold Coast. Recently voted one of the Best New Restaurants in the Reader's Best of the Quad Cities readers' poll.

Call 563-323-3293 or visit them on Facebook® for more information.

31 Jan 2012

WQPT To Broadcast Illinois State of the State Address Live

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will air Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's State of the State Address on February 1st at 12:00 noon, live from the State Capital in Springfield, Illinois. The address will include a proposal for tax relief for Illinois families.

The program will be hosted by Jak Tichenor. This program is part of "Illinois Lawmakers," a series that provides coverage of the Illinois legislature. "Illinois Lawmakers" is a joint production of all Illinois public television stations.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois.

# # #

31 Jan 2012

CELEBRATED FOLK MUSICIAN FROM FINLAND AND NEW FINNISH-AMERICAN BAND TO PERFORM IN DAVENPORT

By Jonathan Rundman
Minneapolis, MN - World-renown Finnish composer and master fiddler Arto Järvelä will tour the Midwest USA this March in support of his new solo album Arto Järvelä plays Fiddle, Volume 2.
Joining Järvelä on tour will be the new Finnish-American acoustic folk band Kaivama. The Minneapolis-based duo of fiddler Sara Pajunen and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Rundman released their self-titled debut CD in June of 2011 and have spent the past year on tour from coast to coast.
The artists will play individual sets, as well as collaborating together during the performances.
SATURDAY, MARCH 10th, doors 7:30PM, music 8PM
all ages, $10 at the River Music Experience: Performance Hall, 129 N. Main Street, Davenport IA 52801
About Arto Järvelä:
Multi-instrumentalist and composer, Arto Järvelä is one of Finland's most accomplished folk musicians and a third generation fiddler in the Kaustinen tradition. He has represented Finnish music and culture in more than 30 countries and returns to the United States after previous tours with the legendary Finnish fiddle band JPP, as well as a solo 2009 artist-in-residence position at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago.
About Kaivama:
Finnish-American musicians Sara Pajunen and Jonathan Rundman have teamed up to form a new folk music duo called KAIVAMA. The name KAIVAMA stems from the Finnish word "kaivaa:" to delve or dig. Pajunen's unique prowess on the fiddle and Rundman's versatility on guitar, harmonium, piano, and banjo allow KAIVAMA to explore a surprising variety of sonic textures. Audiences from performance halls to folk festivals to rock clubs are captivated by this duo's instrumental skill and fresh approach in creating music that is alternately joyous, primitive, experimental, haunting, and time-honored.
31 Jan 2012

WOC-AM AND WMT-AM ANNOUNCE THE NEW MARK AND STEVE MORNING SHOW

By Julie A Myers
Cedar Rapids/Davenport, IA - January 31, 2012 - Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced today that Mark Manuel and Steve Ketelaar will now host a new show on WOC-AM News Talk 1420 and WMT-AM 600, effective February 28, 2012. The Mark and Steve Show will air live weekdays from 5-9:00 a.m. on WMT-AM and 5:30-9:00 a.m. on WOC-AM. The new show will focus on regional and national news, entertainment and current events. Manuel and Ketelaar will continue to host the afternoon drive on KCQQ-FM Q106.5.

"This is an exciting opportunity to build on the success of these two legendary radio stations," said Jim O'Hara, Operations Manager, Clear Channel Quad Cities. "The Mark and Steve Show will bring a whole new level of entertainment, news and information to our listeners in the 380 corridor and the Quad Cities."

Manuel and Ketelaar are two radio veterans who have worked in the Eastern Iowa market since 1981. Most recently, the duo hosted the Mark and Steve Morning Show on KUUL-FM. They also previously worked in larger markets like Miami, FL, Madison, WI and Minneapolis, MN.

In addition to his career in radio broadcasting, Ketelaar has also worked on several national voicing campaign commercials for companies including McDonald's, Northwest Airlines and the Discovery Channel. He is a stand-up comedian and previously opened for notable acts like Jeff Foxworthy and Louie Anderson. Ketelaar also served as master of ceremonies for several charity events and radio-thons for the Children's Miracle Network, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and others.

Manuel grew up in Eastern Iowa and hoped to one day follow in Spike O'Dell's, former WGN personality, footsteps. He began his radio broadcasting career at Iowa State's college radio station. Manuel later worked at radio stations in Des Moines, IA Macomb, IL and Washington, D.C. He also served as the Morning Show Host on the former WHTS-FM until it was sold in 2006, when he moved to Madison to do mornings at WMAD-FM. Manuel then returned to the Quad Cities and partnered with Ketelaar on KUUL-FM.

Dan Kennedy, Program Director at WOC-AM, and Randy Lee, Program Director and on-air personality at WMT-AM, will work together to develop and produce the new morning show. Lee and Kennedy will also be heard on-air on their respective stations and will continue working with local business and community leaders to keep the stations' programming topical to their specific markets.

About Clear Channel Media and Entertainment
With 238 million monthly listeners in the U.S., Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 cities through 850 owned radio stations. The company's radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM stations, HD digital radio channels, Sirius/XM satellite, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the  ompany's radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile application on iPads and smartphones, and used via navigation systems from TomTom, Garmin and others. The company's operations include radio broadcasting, online and mobile services and products, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is a  division of CC Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO), a leading global media and entertainment company. More information on the company can be found at clearchannel.com, clearchanneloutdoor.com and ccmediaholdings.com.

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31 Jan 2012

Tax extenders, goals beyond revenue collection

By Grassley Press

Statement of Sen. Chuck Grassley

Senate Committee on Finance Hearing

"Extenders and Tax Reform: Seeking Long-Term Solutions"

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

There are almost 60 provisions that expired at the end of 2011, and there are even more that expire at the end of 2012. There is general agreement that all of these extenders need to be reviewed in the context of comprehensive tax reform. As we begin to consider what such reform would look like, it is important to discuss what, if any, goals and objectives, other than revenue collection, the tax code should accomplish.

The provisions that expired at the end of last year have various objectives. The non-revenue policy objectives vary from energy independence to job creation, from encouraging donations to charity to incentivizing capital investments and research.

This Committee has held numerous tax reform hearings the past two years.  Yet, we have not discussed what we should do about the numerous non-revenue policy objectives included in the current tax code.  This has also been ignored by the various witnesses who have come before the committee, including those here today.

In his written testimony, Mr. Johnson whimsically picks winners and losers by focusing on the revenue impact but fails to address the non-revenue reasons for many of the expired provisions.  He says they should remain dead. However, he does appear to support a movement to alternative fuels "because we import oil from trouble spots in the world and because fossil fuels pollute and lead to global warming".

However, he believes the existing regime of tax incentives should be eliminated because movement to alternative fuels is better accomplished through a carbon tax.  He also states that the oil industry is undertaxed.  While I appreciate his support for alternative energy, his statements ignore the need to consider whether tax provisions should be part of a domestic energy policy that includes oil drilling.

Ms. Sherlock, a witness at the December 14, 2011, hearing on energy tax extenders, noted in her written testimony, "the income tax code has long been used as a policy tool for promoting U.S. energy priorities".

The oil and gas industries have received massive, permanent tax breaks for over a hundred years.

In contrast, tax incentives for alternative energy have existed only for a few decades and have always been temporary. These incentives first appeared in the 1970s, in direct response to the oil crisis and they help to incentivize renewable resources.

Yet, discussions on incentives for the oil industry and for alternative energy often fail to consider that a key reason to support renewable energy sources should be energy independence.

The United States sends more than $400 billion each year overseas to buy foreign oil.  Now more than ever, the United States needs to ramp up domestic production of traditional energy -- including oil, natural gas, and coal -- and expand alternative fuels and renewable energy -- including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and geothermal.

The U.S. Treasury pays out an average $84 billion a year to defend the shipping lanes by which foreign oil reaches the United States.  I do not see these costs in discussions of cost effectiveness of energy tax incentives.

Aside from energy independence, it is also important to consider the number of domestic jobs supported by the energy sector.

Clearly, in the short-term, Congress should extend tax incentives for alternative energy sources.  With the economy still sputtering, we cannot afford the job losses that occur from pulling the rug out from under industries like biodiesel and wind that are still developing.

In the long-term, however, we need to consider whether a permanent and comprehensive energy tax policy is appropriate and, such a policy should be developed in the context of comprehensive tax reform.

For sure, we need a tax system that is less complicated, fairer, and will make us more competitive in the global economy.  However, we need to consider whether and how to balance these principles against non-revenue policy objectives of priorities.  Energy independence is only one such objective.

-30-


31 Jan 2012

Skip Calorie Counting & Burn Fat Instead

By Ginny Grimsley
Weight Loss Expert Offers Slimming Tips to Last a Lifetime

Losing weight has become a matter of life or death and counting calories, Weight Watcher points and fat grams hasn't lessened the numbers of people affected. In 2010, more than 25 percent of Americans had pre-diabetes and another 1.9 million got a diabetes diagnosis, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The single most effective way for people to avoid the disease? Losing weight.

"The current obesity epidemic proves that the typical low-fat diet recommendations and low-calorie diets have not worked," says Don Ochs, inventor of Mobanu Integrated Weight Loss Solution (www.Mobanu.com), a physician-recommended system that tailors diet and exercise to an individual's fat-burning chemistry. "America is eating less fat per capita than we did 30 years ago, yet obesity, diabetes and heart disease are all up."

To drop the weight and keep it off, people need to get rid of their stored fat by eating fewer processed carbohydrates and the correct amount of protein, and by doing both high and low- intensity exercises, Ochs says.

Here are some of his suggestions for getting started:

• Eat what your ancestors ate - if it wasn't available 10,000 years ago, you don't need it now. Our bodies haven't had time to adapt to the huge increase in processed carbohydrates over the past 100 years. These refined carbs kick up our blood sugar levels, which triggers insulin production, which results in fat storage.  Avoid the regular no-no's such as candy and soft drinks, but also stay away from sneaky, sugary condiments like ketchup; dried fruits, which have more concentrated sugar than their hydrated counterparts, and anything with high fructose corn syrup.

• Eat the right kind of fat - it's good for you! Bad fats include trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils. Look for these on labels. Trim excess fat from meats and stick with mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. Use olive oil for cooking, as salad dressing or on vegetables. Eat avocados, whole olives, nuts and seeds, and don't be afraid to jazz up meals with a little butter or cheese.

• Eat the proper amount of lean protein to maintain muscle mass and increase your metabolism. Eggs, beef, chicken, pork, seafood and dairy in the right amounts are good protein sources. Remember, most of these contain fat, so it shouldn't be necessary to add more. Use the minimum amount needed to satisfy your taste buds. Also, anyone trying to lose weight should limit non-animal proteins, such as legumes, because they   contribute to higher blood sugar levels and increased fat storage.

• Vary your workouts to speed up fat loss. Both high-intensity and low-intensity exercises play a role in maximum fat loss.  Low-intensity exercise, like walking, is effective for reducing insulin resistance so you store less fat.  Alternate walking with high-intensity interval training to build lean muscle mass and increase your metabolism.  Interval training can be cardio blasts such as running up stairs on some days and lifting weights on others. This type of exercise forces your body to burn up its glycogen - a readily accessible fuel for your muscles - faster than an equivalent amount of cardio exercise.  When you're done, your body will replenish that fuel by converting stored fat back into glycogen and you'll lose weight.

"Healthy weight loss isn't about picking a popular diet and trying to stick to it," Ochs says. "It's about discovering the right diet for your unique body. For each person, the optimal amount of carbohydrates, proteins and exercise to burn the most stored body fat will be different. And that's why one-size-fits-all diets just don't work."

About Donald Ochs

Donald Ochs is a Colorado entrepreneur, the president and CEO of Ochs Development Co. and M4 Group, an inventor and sports enthusiast. He developed the Mobanu weight loss system based on research conducted at The Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health. The program is endorsed by physicians, nutritionists and exercise experts.

31 Jan 2012

Strawn to Depart as Iowa GOP Chairman

By Ryan Gough
Des Moines, IA - Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today announced he will be stepping down as the state's top Iowa GOP party official, effective Friday, February 10. Strawn has served as chairman of the Iowa GOP since January 2009. The Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee will be charged with setting the date to elect Strawn's successor.
Strawn shared his announcement with Iowa Republicans in the following video message.  Please click image to view:
The prepared text of Strawn's message to Iowa Republicans follows below:
January 31, 2012
Dear Iowa Republican:
In December 2008, when I campaigned to serve as your Chairman, my top goal was to make the Iowa GOP a relevant force again in Iowa politics by ushering in an era where the Republican Party returned to winning elections without betraying our conservative principles.
Over the past three plus years, we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. We witnessed sweeping Republican electoral victories at all levels. We saw an explosion in new Republican voters with an unprecedented 34 consecutive months of Iowa GOP voter registration gains. We kept the Iowa Caucuses First-in-the-Nation. We broke fundraising records, hosted the largest Republican presidential caucus in history, and for the first-time ever, the Iowa GOP co-hosted three nationally televised presidential debates that were watched by millions. Most importantly, Iowa Republicans accomplished all this and more working together as a team.
Simply put, your Iowa GOP is better off than it was four years ago thanks to outstanding team work. Your Iowa GOP is a relevant force again in Iowa politics. Your Iowa GOP is winning elections with leaders who are advancing our principled agenda. Your Iowa GOP is in a position to re-elect our members of Congress, win an Iowa Senate majority, and make Iowa's six electoral votes the national battleground in the 2012 presidential campaign.
While the election wins, fundraising successes and media appearances are the aspects of being Chairman that gain the most attention, the most rewarding aspect of my service was the opportunity to travel our state and get to know the people of Iowa. The strength of the rebuilt Iowa GOP rests in the hands of the thousands of committed volunteer activists who give their time, treasure and talents to make Iowa a better place by working to elect public servants who share our values and principles.
The Iowa GOP designs its position of Chairman to be volunteer in nature. But over the past three years I have treated the privilege of serving as your Chairman as a full-time calling. There's no question the job of rebuilding our party was a huge one, and one to which I committed every minute that was necessary to succeed.
It is only because the Iowa GOP has returned as a strong and relevant voice in Iowa politics that I am now able to evaluate all the competing priorities in my personal, business and political life. The party is strong and has the resources in place for victory in November. Now is the time to transition to new leadership.
Effective February 10, I will be ending my service as your Chairman. For this fifth generation Iowan and Benton County farm kid, serving as your Chairman has been an honor, a privilege and the opportunity of a lifetime.
To victory,
Matthew N. Strawn
31 Jan 2012

Bettendorf School Counselor Named Top Six in the Country

By Rachel Adams

NEIL ARMSTRONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR

NAMED AS FINALIST FOR SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR

Shelley Klaas from Bettendorf, Iowa Among Top Six  

Alexandria, VA, January 30, 2012 -Shelley Klaas, a school counselor from Neil Armstrong Elementary School, has been named one of the top six school counselors in America. Klaas is one of more than 270 elementary, middle, and secondary school counselors nationwide who were nominated for the School Counselor of the Year award. The award, which is presented by the American School Counselor Association, honors the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates and often lifesavers for the nation's students.

A counselor for 27 years, Klaas is widely regarded as a mentor, a leader and a tireless advocate for children and the counseling profession, not only in her district but across the state of Iowa.  Armstrong Elementary has a suburban population of approximately 60% of students live in poverty.  After noticing that many students at the school were experiencing hunger as a barrier to learning, Klaas initiated the Backpacks for Snacks program.  Participating families receive a backpack of nutritious, child-friendly food for their students; often students eat these foods for dinner or on the weekends when school food programs are not available.  The program currently serves 81 families and has spread to four other schools within her district.

Another of Klaas's major accomplishments is the development and implementation of the Bettendorf Community School District Clinical Review Team (CRT).  Established on the "it takes a village" concept, each month staff members anonymously present histories of high risk students and families to various local agencies and community groups for assistance with intervention plans.  The CRT program is so successful it has been in place for 17 years.

Klaas is a member of both her school and district Leadership Teams and is co-facilitator for the Iowa Department of Education's Counseling Transformational Design Team (TDT). She was also one of the first two counselors in the state of Iowa to receive National Board Certification in School Counseling and has won both the University of Iowa's and Chick-Fil-A's Teacher of the Year awards.

"Everything I do as a school counselor, I learned from Shelley Klaas. I still often ask myself, 'What would Shelley do?'" said Jan Powers, Prairie Crest Elementary School counselor. "Shelley provides mentorship, leadership, inspiration and a tremendous example of what it means to be a professional school counselor."

"Shelley Klaas has a special gift - something that cannot be taught in any classroom or gained by any amount of experience," said Nicky Stevenson of St. John Vianney Church. "Thanks to Shelley our district and community has a leader that knows what kids need to be successful and works tirelessly to achieve it. She is the golden thread that holds us all together."

The School Counselor of the Year awards program was open to the more than 107,000 members of the school counseling profession. The top six school counselors were nominated by their peers and administrators and judged by a select panel to be the "best of the best."

The candidates were judged on several criteria, including: creative school counseling innovations, effective counseling programs, leadership skills, and contributions to student advancement.

"School counselors make significant contributions to the overall well-being of students and their success," said Richard Wong, Executive Director, American School Counselor Association. "They have unique qualifications and skills that allow them to address students' academic achievement, personal/social and career development needs."

Klaas, along with the other five finalists, will be flown to Washington, D.C., on February 1, 2012, for three days of celebratory events. The honorees will have meetings with their members of Congress, attend a congressional briefing, tour the White House, participate in a briefing at the Office of the Vice President and be formally recognized at a black-tie gala.

Co-chairs of the 2012 School Counselor of the Year program are U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI - 6th), and U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL - 23rd).

For additional information on the American School Counselor Association, please visit www.schoolcounselor.org.

About the American School Counselor Association

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) professional organization based in Alexandria, VA.  ASCA promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of professional school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, personal and social development, and career planning to help today's students become tomorrow's productive, contributing members of society.  Founded in 1952, ASCA currently has a network of 50 state associations and a membership of nearly 30,000 school counseling professionals.

 

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31 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Announces First Investments from State's New Venture Capital Fund

By Nafia Khan

Invest Illinois Venture Fund Providing Access to Capital for Young, High-Growth Companies to Create Jobs and Grow the Economy

CHICAGO - January 31, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the first investments from the state's new venture capital fund to support two Illinois start-up businesses, Buzz Referrals, Inc. and AuraSense Therapeutics. The Invest Illinois Venture Fund (IIVF) is a new venture capital program that is part of the $78 million Advantage Illinois program launched by Governor Quinn last October. The program supports young, innovative Illinois companies that show high growth potential, can demonstrate their place in the market and already have other investors.

"This new venture fund is allowing us to help small and start-up businesses increase innovation and competition, expand, and create good-paying jobs," Governor Quinn said. "We must continue to do everything we can to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to grow in order to boost the economy, create jobs and compete in the global marketplace."

The state's $575,000 investment in Chicago-based start-up Buzz Referrals and Evanston-based AuraSense Therapeutics will help the two companies leverage $10.5 million in indirect private investment. The additional capital will help these companies continue to grow their businesses and create jobs. The additional capital will help these companies continue to grow their businesses and create jobs.

Founded in 2011, Buzz Referrals is a high-growth start-up business that develops and operates an online platform that creates custom referral programs based on social media. The platform allows corporations, small businesses, agencies, brokers and nonprofits to create and track online messaging that can be shared via email, social networks and word-of-mouth to maximize their contacts and customers. The IIVF helped Buzz Referrals leverage additional investments, which will enable the company to increase its staff size from four full-time employees to 20 full-time employees over the next two years.

"We'd like to thank Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois for their commitment to entrepreneurship and startups through the Invest Illinois Venture Fund," said Jordan Linville, CEO and co-founder of Buzz Referrals. "Buzz Referrals offers simple and cost-effective solutions to help businesses acquire new customers through referral marketing. The IIVF's funding and resources will accelerate our growth and help Buzz Referrals be a leader within this space."

AuraSense Therapeutics, founded in early 2011, is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing spherical nucleic acid (SNA™) constructs, which can help fight diseases such as heart disease, cancer, skin conditions and bacterial infection. With the capital leveraged through the IIVF, the company expects to greatly accelerate the development and growth of multiple therapeutics and create dozens of jobs over the next three years.

"We are delighted to have Illinois' new venture fund as part of the syndicate investing in AuraSense Therapeutics. Their participation is not only important validation of the AuraSense mission and gene regulation platform, but also will be key in transitioning the technology to important new therapeutics for a wide variety of debilitating diseases," said Chad Mirkin, co-founder of AuraSense Therapeutics.

Governor Quinn launched the Advantage Illinois program in October 2011 to provide Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs with the access to the capital they need to start new companies and expand existing businesses. Advantage Illinois will leverage $78 million in federal funding that will allow businesses to bring innovative ideas and new products to market, and accelerate job creation and economic growth in Illinois. The IIVF is supported by the Governor's Illinois Innovation Council, which is actively working to execute strategies to enhance awareness of capital availability in Illinois and connect the dots between great ideas and the partners who can help turn ideas into companies and products.

In addition to the IIVF, the Advantage Illinois program is comprised of several components to spur institutional lending, including the Capital Access Program (CAP), the Participation Loan Program (PLP) and the Collateral Support Program (CSP). Some small businesses may also be eligible to receive Advantage Illinois financing. Businesses interested in participating in the IIVF may submit their applications online to DCEO at www.ildceo.net/AdvantageIllinois.

Advantage Illinois builds upon Governor Quinn's commitment to enhancing business growth. The Advantage Illinois initiative is expected to generate a minimum of at least $10 in new private lending for small and medium-sized businesses for every $1 of federal funding, resulting in around $800 million of private sector investments and loans being pumped into the economy over the next few years. The Brookings Institution recently noted more than 95 percent of new jobs are derived from business expansions or start-up activity.

Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), funding for Advantage Illinois is being provided by the U.S. Treasury through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which was created as part of the American Small Business Jobs Act signed into law by President Obama in 2010.

"Through the IIVF, we are giving businesses a booster shot in the form of deploying new tools to ease the credit crunch they have experienced in recent years, improve the field of play and give Illinois companies an advantage against the competition," said DCEO Director Warren Ribley. "We will continue to target investments in every area of the economy to help keep moving Illinois forward."

Governor Quinn announced the first investments from the state's new venture fund today at Chicago-based Excelerate Labs, a business incubator and accelerator for startups driven by proven entrepreneurs and investors. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's aggressive business agenda that is helping move the Illinois economy forward. The state maintains a large portfolio of programs, which is designed to help Illinois businesses thrive in today's economy. For more information, please visit www.ilbiz.biz.

 

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