CHICAGO - December 15, 2011. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon submitted testimony to the Governor's Campaign Finance Reform Task Force during a public hearing today in Chicago.

Simon stated: "I would like to commend the Campaign Finance Reform Task Force for continuing the important work of the Illinois Reform Commission, which helped pass the first campaign finance limits in the history of this state. As a logical next step, I support a public finance system for judicial elections in Illinois that does not use general revenue dollars but is instead funded through an increase in court filing or lawyer registration fees. The perception that any judges could be unduly influenced by campaign contributions is something that our democracy and judicial system cannot afford to ignore."

Simon is a former Jackson County prosecutor and served on the Illinois Reform Commission, which was created by Governor Quinn in 2009 in the wake of former Governor Blagojevich's arrest. Governor Quinn created the Campaign Finance Reform Task Force in 2010 to review the implementation of the first phase of campaign finance reform and to study the feasibility of public financing or other reforms.

Push for improved sexual assault protections attracted bipartisan support 

Washington, DC - Several provisions introduced by Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault who serve in the military were included in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that passed the US House last night.

"The current system for preventing sexual assault in the military doesn't work," Braley said.  "Stronger protections for victims of sexual assault in the military are badly needed.   Today's vote is the culmination of months of hard work by a bipartisan group of citizens and legislators committed to improving protections for women who serve in the military."

In March, Braley introduced the Support for Survivors Act, requiring the Defense Department to ensure the secure storage of all documents connected with reports of sexual assaults and sexual harassment across the military branches. The bill would also prevent the military from destroying any records relating to sexual assault.

In April, Braley introduced the Holly Lynn James Act to strengthen the legal process for addressing claims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the military and to improve policies to prevent sexual assault.  The bill is named after Holly Lynn James, a constituent of Braley's, was murdered by her husband when both served in the military.  James had filed complaints against her husband, and he was supposed to be restricted to his barracks the night he killed her.

Braley's legislation attracted bipartisan supporters in the House and Senate.  Reps. Ted Poe (R-TX), Chellie Pingree (D-ME),                 Louise Slaughter (D-NY) co-sponsored the Holly Lynn James Act and the Support for Survivors Act in the House; in the Senate, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Claire McCaskill (D-ME) were co-sponsors of the Support for Survivors Act.

After months of negotiations, several provisions from the Support for Survivors and Holly Lynn James acts were included in the Defense Authorization Act.

Specific new protections included in the Defense Authorization Act include :

• Access to Counsel. Provides military victims of sexual assault advocates and the ability to confidentially consult with military legal counsel within 72 hours of a crime being committed.

• Improved Training for Service Members. Improves training for service members to prevent sexual assault.  Requires larger numbers of sexual assault prevention coordinators to provide guidance to military units.

• Elevates the Importance of Sexual Assault Prevention. Language elevates the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention Office to the flag officer level.

• Improved Preservation of Evidence. Requires Defense Department to work with the Veterans Administration to  preserve documentary evidence of sexual assault for victims' purposes.

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Jodi K's Boutique Offers Customers Discounts To Share Sweaters

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (12/15/2011)(readMedia)-- What makes the harsh midwest winter bearable? A cozy warm sweater. Jodi Cobb, manager of Jodi K's Boutique, is happy to spread the warmth this season.

Jodi K's, the premier women's fashion boutique in the Cedar Rapids area, is located beside Zeppelin's restaurant on Edgewood Road.

Sweater Swap Days

From Thursday, December 17 through Saturday, December 19, Jodi K's is collecting clean, gently used sweaters for the needy around Cedar Rapids. The public is invited to bring a few of their past favorites into the store during Sweater Swap Days to benefit a local women's organization.

Customers who swap three sweaters in good condition receive 30% off an item in the store. Two swetaers will earn a customer 25% off, and one sweater will earn them 20%.

"We think this is a easy way for a woman to update her wardrobe or check a few people off her holiday shopping list," commented Ms. Cobb, "In return, she can help out someone less forutnate by providing some warm sweaters to ward off the cold. Why let perfectly good sweaters sit in a closet just because your taste or size changed? Someone else could really benefit from the clothing. Sweater Swap Days means something new for everyone!"

Details of the event are available on Jodi K's new web site launched last week, http://jodiks.com. There's also still time for shoppers to complete their Christmas Wish Lists for merchandise from the store, including boots, coats, scarves, and of course, sweaters. Jodi K's will coordinate with a customer's special someone, spouse, or husband to ensure the perfect gift of style and size for everyone. "Why risk a gift? Get the women in your life - mom, aunt, sister or beau - exactly what she wants for Christmas," said Ms. Cobb.

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Like most industries, farming constantly evolves. And just like business owners factor different variables into their profitability, farmers must weigh each opportunity and consider how it would benefit our operations. 

Seed choice always plays a major factor in my decisions on the farm, but how often do we consider where the crops from those varieties end up? Demand for soy's two processed components, protein and oil, plays the major role in the price paid per bushel. In the past, protein drove the cost of soybeans through meal for the poultry and livestock industries. Today, oil continues to gain its share of the price paid per bushel and remains an important factor in end-use markets.

A new soybean trait now being introduced in soybean seed varieties addresses improving soybean oil and making it more desirable to our No. 1 soybean oil customer: the food industry. This trait, known as high-oleic soy, helps meet consumer needs while driving demand for U.S. soy. It addresses long-term demand for healthier edible oils and positions soy competitively with other oils.

In recent years, soybean farmers have lost considerable oil demand to competitive oils. High-oleic soybeans provide the opportunity for me and other U.S. soybean farmers to reclaim that market share and positively impact our profit potential. In fact, this oil could help us recapture 3.8 million pounds of lost soybean-oil demand. That's the oil from approximately 341 million bushels of soybeans

We must have end-use markets, but, as farmers, we also need our soybeans to perform so we have something to sell. The varieties featuring this trait should not lower your expectations in the field. Seed companies plan to offer the high-oleic trait in soybean varieties that span several maturity groups and offer a range of agronomic packages.

The high-oleic trait followed an extensive research timeline before commercialization. As a farmer who grew high-oleic soybean varieties this year, I saw that research pay off firsthand. The high-oleic soybeans performed right at my farm's average, a victory for such a new trait.

As this trait becomes available in your area and with your seed brand, I encourage you to take the challenge and help meet our customers' demands. We all need to step up and help change the game for U.S. soybean production.

John Motter is a soybean farmer from Jenera, Ohio, and serves as a director for the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
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