17 Oct 2011

Book Structures and Sketching Techniques Workshop at Maquoketa Art Experience

By Paula Neuhaus

[MAQUOKETA, IA] Maquoketa Art Experience welcomes Iowa artists Peter Fraterdeus and Alice McMahon to Maquoketa on November 12 and 19 for a two-session workshop studying the art of book structures and sketching techniques. The workshop, held on two consecutive Saturdays, entitled "Travel Sketching Journals: Book Structures and Sketching Techniques" combines basic non-adhesive bookbinding techniques to create a four-signature journal with a folded paper cover with plein air sketching techniques including exploration of Maquoketa's built and natural environments.

Non-adhesive books are made without glue, and require no special equipment. Covers are made with folded and tabbed heavy paper, using principles discovered in 13th Century "limp vellum" bindings. Fraterdeus will use examples from his collection of fine-printed contemporary books as examples for the workshop.

"Travel Sketching Journals have a long history, long before the days of picture postcards or digital cameras," Fraterdeus explained, "Today they provide a record of a journey, and an opportunity to heighten our skills of observation. Travel sketches are both mnemonic and illustrative, whether quick or studied, they need not be more than a few lines and smudges, or may be as closely observed as a fine drawing"

No bookbinding or drawing experience is required for participation in this workshop, but some familiarity with paper folding and drawing tools will be helpful.

The book structures section will be taught by Peter Fraterdeus who has taught letterpress printing, calligraphy, book structures, and digital typography in a number of venues, both in the US and Europe, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Columbia College's Center for Book and Paper Art. He is the owner/proprietor of Slow Print in Dubuque, an award-winning 'high-touch' 21st Century letterpress printing studio. In the 1981, he received a National Endowment for the Arts apprenticeship grant to study calligraphy and letter carving in Wales, and in 1986, received an NEA Design Projects grant for his first digital typeface, "Prospera".

The journal drawing section will be taught by Alice McMahon, an internationally exhibited figurative artist, specializing in pastel portraits and charcoal magic realist drawings in large formats. Her work has been shown at the Saatchi Gallery in London and featured in American Artist magazine. She is currently represented by the 33 Contemporary Gallery in Chicago. Recent work includes a 30"x50" drawing on MDF board exhibited during the 2011 Voices From The Warehouse District's Art in ReVolt exhibit at Voices Gallery in Dubuque, Iowa.

The cost for the two-session workshop is $125 plus a $20 materials fee and is open to adults 18 or older. Registration materials are available at www.maquoketa-art.org. For more information contact Paula Neuhaus at paula@maquoketa-art.org or call 563.652.9925.

 

 

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17 Oct 2011

Working for a New Approach for Economic Recovery

By Sen Chuck Grassley

Friday, October 14, 2011

 

During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses taking a new approach to encourage economic recovery and job creation, given bipartisan opposition to the President's proposal for a new $447 billion spending plan.

Click here for audio.

Here is the text of the address:

This week, there was a bipartisan opposition in the Senate to the President's proposal for a new $447 billion spending plan.  The President's first big stimulus bill, enacted in 2009, didn't keep the unemployment rate down, and it's unclear how this second massive one would create and sustain jobs.  It also would raise taxes, and whatever the details of the tax increase, there's plenty of evidence that raising taxes in a struggling economy makes things worse.  Plus, since World War II, every dollar in new taxes has resulted in $1.17 in government spending.  That's the opposite direction that we should be headed.  The emphasis has got to be on reducing spending, not increasing taxes and a license for more spending.  In fact, what the President wants to do is pay for temporary programs with permanent tax hikes, so it's clear that this would lead to more government spending long past what he says would be an economic stimulus.  People at the grass roots know that growing deficits and debt are getting in the way of America's economic recovery.  And pessimism about Washington's ability to act in a fiscally responsible way by spending less is a damper on the economy.

So, instead of a proposal that emphasizes higher taxes and more government spending, it's time for a new approach.  Private-sector employers need certainty.  They need to know higher taxes and more burdensome regulations aren't just around the corner.  They need an international trade agenda that opens new doors sell U.S. products and services.  This week's action on three trade agreements are a start, but these agreements have been delayed unnecessarily for years now, and the rest of the world is moving ahead without us.  The administration needs to move forward on other trade initiatives without delay.  Affordable energy is needed, too.  It's time to ramp up production of traditional energy sources here at home and to expand alternative and renewable energy sources

Washington needs to give employers confidence and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of big and small businesses nationwide.

 

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17 Oct 2011

Eastern Avenue Branch Library Celebrates Receiving the LEED Silver Designation

By LaWanda Roudebush

Event Date: October 18, 2011

Join the celebration at the Eastern Avenue Branch Library on Tuesday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. as the library celebrates receiving the LEED Silver designation by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Bruce Hamous from the Eastern Iowa Branch of the Iowa Chapter of the United States Green Building Council will present the award to the library.  Representatives involved with designing and constructing the beautiful, environmentally friendly library will be present, as well as the mayor and members of the city council.

For more information on the library's celebration, contact LaWanda Roudebush at 563.326.7832.

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17 Oct 2011

Quad-City Advertising Agency Celebrates 10-Years in Business

By Jake Glimco

Q-C Chamber to Host Ribbon-Cutting and Reception

Rock Island, IL / October 14, 2011 - Few words describe Media Link, Inc.'s founder Natalie Linville-Mass than 'courageous' and 'determined.'  When she established her own advertising agency in 2001, the world had just experienced a sea-change.  The rubble at Ground Zero was still smoldering following the attack on the World Trade Center the previous month.   After a diverse career that included working in television news, production, and in national media sales, Natalie was undeterred in her decision to launch her own advertising agency.  Starting with just a few clients, including Quad-City businesses Country Style Ice Cream, Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning, who remain loyal clients, Natalie opened her own agency October 12, 2001 (then named Gendron Advertising) in Davenport's Union Arcade building.  She has never looked back.

Ten years later, much has changed.  Gendron Advertising became Media Link in May 2006.  The office moved to Rock Island. While the economic uncertainty that began with 9/11 hasn't completely lifted, Linville-Mass hasn't lost her vision for seeing opportunities wrapped inside of challenges.  Linville-Mass is once again launching an ambitious endeavor, developing and now nationally marketing a proprietary media buying software, Media Link Software,™ (MLS).  MLS was created by Linville-Mass and a team of industry and technical experts.  MLS was built to address the shortcomings of the leading media buying platforms, which she had used since beginning her agency. According to Nielsen Media Research, MLS is the first user-designed media buying platform to incorporate Neilsen and Arbitron ratings.

"It has never been more crucial to prove return-on-investment.  MLS helps advertisers do just that, by offering a single, affordable, time-saving solution," said Linville-Mass about her brainchild.  MLS provides a clear and fluid process for placing media as well as offering clear reporting on reach, frequency and cost-per-point/cost-per-thousand.  Unlike other options, MLS also offers a fee structure sustainable for small and medium-sized agencies.

In addition to personally serving a growing list of clients, Linville-Mass is an active member of the Quad-City Chamber of Commerce and serves on several local public-policy committees.   Mary Chappell, Land and Development Programs Coordinator for the City of Rock Island, serves with Natalie on the Advanced Technology and Sustainability Consortium and has been a key advisor to Natalie since helping her navigate zoning ordinances in establishing her Rock Island office.

"Natalie has such a great story.  She has the heart and soul of an entrepreneur.  Natalie's fierce tenacity, vision and thoroughness allows her to make the necessary course-corrections when others would panic.  At the same time, she approaches everything she does with enthusiasm and purpose, always focusing on what is the best for the client or the task at hand.  Unlike many, she has a plan and is working it, and advises her clients to do the same. "

Vicky Miller, Director of the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center, has been an advocate for Linville-Mass as she has grown her business.  "Natalie's intense sense of business intellect, drive, integrity and grit is what makes her unique. She has the strength and drive vital for a successful entrepreneur, yet remains compassionate to the needs of others.  She has depth and breadth in her business skills and it shines through when you work with her."

Media Link currently serves more than 30 clients from a broad range of industries, including retail, food service hospitality and healthcare. Media Link obtained its first government contract in September.  Media Link now has four full-time and one part-time employee and is the only current 8(a) certified advertising agency in the state of Iowa.

The Quad-City Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting and reception celebrating Media Link's 10 years in business on Wednesday, October 26th at 4:00 p.m. at their office at 1902 17th Street, Rock Island, IL.

 

Media Link, Inc. is an 8(a) SDB Certified, woman-owned small business and full-service advertising agency dedicated to helping companies at local, regional and national levels make informed advertising decisions and develop strategic marketing plans.

 

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17 Oct 2011

TUESDAY: Braley to visit Davenport's St. Paul the Apostle School

By Rick Martin
St. Paul's one of seven Iowa schools to receive 2011 Blue Ribbon School Distinction from US Dept. of Education 

 

Washington, DC - On Tuesday, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will make a stop at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School in Davenport to recognize the school for being named a US Department of Education Blue Ribbon School.

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School in Davenport has been named a 2011 Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education.  The school, which serves grades K-8, is one of only seven schools in Iowa to receive the award.  Braley will meet with the student council and address the student body to recognize their achievement.

1:00pm                 2011 Blue Ribbon School recognition event

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School

1007 E. Rusholme St., Davenport, Iowa

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17 Oct 2011

Illinois National Guard, Partners in Care Reach out to Clergy Groups

By National Guard PAO Illinois

Clergy Training Scheduled for Mount Vernon, Bloomington, Elgin and Springfield

FOREST PARK, IL (10/14/2011)(readMedia)-- A group of 18 clergy members from the Chicago area gathered at the Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park Oct. 5 to attend the first of several free training events sponsored by the Illinois National Guard. Similar training will occur at other churches across the state later in October.

The training is designed to raise awareness among community religious leaders about the challenges faced by servicemembers and their families, with a focus on deployment related issues such as anger management, suicide prevention, military marriages, and church and community support for the military.

Partners in Care is a program dedicated to providing servicemembers community resources through local congregations, said Capt. Vincent C. Lambert of Chicago, Illinois National Guard chaplain with the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment in Chicago.

The goal of Partners in Care is to provide military personnel with local community support in their geographical area, said Lambert.

There are 68 congregations across Illinois that are part of the organization, which was started in fall 2009. However, Lambert said, most of these are in the northern region of Illinois and more support is needed in other areas of the state.

With only a handful of chaplains to minister to 13,000 Illinois National Guard members, the need is great, said Lambert.

"We know that anger is a significant issue for those who are in military service, particularly those who are returning from deployment," said Lambert.

Juliann Steinbeigel of Springfield, the director of psychological health for the Illinois National Guard, spoke about anger management issues. She discussed stress triggers and coping mechanisms to deal with the stressors and emotions that can impact a Soldier's life, such as survivor's guilt.

Steinbeigel said servicemembers are at a heightened stress level when returning from a deployment and may be bothered by things that did not upset them before.

A new initiative for Partners in Care, said Steinbeigel, is to link up with units who are scheduled to deploy as a way to be pro-active in providing support for military families.

Pastor Jerry H. Gleason of Bartlett, who ministers at Twin Oaks Baptist Church, was another guest speaker at the seminar. Gleason retired from Illinois Army National Guard at the rank of lieutenant colonel after serving for 31 years as a chaplain. He talked about ways to bridge the gap between the church and the military.

"For the most part, servicemembers face the same challenges as non-military families," said Gleason. "They are simply overwhelmed by life issues."

Gleason said clergy can develop a veteran's ministry by rallying the servicemembers within their congregation and developing services that emphasize the church's support of the military.

"The local church will always be there...when other people and agencies often move on or back off," said Gleason.

Maurice L. Lofton, of Chicago, a Vietnam War veteran and church elder at Liberty Temple Church, said the need to provide support for returning veterans is vital.

"When guys deploy, men come home, and women now, they need someone to bring them back into society...they don't know the society that they left...I mean everything's changed," said Lofton. "There are issues when they come back."

Lofton, who attends meetings on a regular basis to help him deal with his experiences as a Marine in Vietnam, even 43 years later, hopes to start offering a veterans support group at his church.

"What I'd like to see, even as far as the clergy is concerned, is to ease them back into society. We know it's not going to be easy," said Lofton. "You need this to help bridge that gap that's missing right now."

Capt. Oluwatoyin O. Hines of Chicago, a chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago who works full-time for the Wounded Warrior Ministry, said she was grateful for the support she received from her church when she returned from deployment.

"Partners in Care and the church environment allows the servicemember to reintegrate emotionally, spiritually and psychologically in their own time and in a nurturing environment," said Hines.

Lambert said he hopes to see more servicemembers and congregational communities join Partners in Care to increase its outreach to troops and their families in Illinois.

"Faith group leaders will receive pertinent information to minister, not only to military personnel, but to the community," said Lambert.

There are still seats available at all the remaining 2011 Illinois National National Guard Church Leaders Training seminars, held at various locations throughout Illinois during October.

All are encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact Chaplain Lambert at vincent.lambert@us.army.mil or 773-406-5183.

October 18---Logan Street Baptist Church, 601 South 21st Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864---9am-1pm

October 20---Illinois Army National Guard Armory, 1616 S. Main St., Bloomington, IL 61701---9am-1pm

October 25---Harvest Bible Chapel, 1000 N. Randall Rd. Elgin, IL 60123---9am-1pm

October 26---Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. Macarthur Blvd, Springfield, IL 62702---9am-1pm

Photo 1: U.S Army photo by Spc Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment - Eduardo (Edward) Negron, of Berwyn, Assistant to the Member Care Department at Living Word Christian Center, asks a question at the conference for Partners in Care on October 5, a training seminar geared toward faith leaders. The event, sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, aims to provide a support network between local churches and the military community.

Photo 2: U.S Army photo by Spc Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment - Mariann J. Blacconiere, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Hines VA Hospital, gives a lecture about suicide prevention (Operation SAVE) at a Partners in Care training seminar, held at the Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, October 5.

Photo 3: U.S Army photo by Spc Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment - Capt. Vincent C. Lambert, Illinois National Guard chaplain with the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment in Chicago speaks during an Illinois National Guard Church Leaders Training event at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Oct. 5. The seminar is the first of seven held throughout Illinois in October. The training educates faith leaders about the needs of servicemembers and helps bridge the gap between the church and military families.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

Story by Spc. Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

17 Oct 2011

Grassley Wins Support for Amendment to Protect Judicial Branch Whistleblowers

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley yesterday won approval of his amendment to give whistleblower protection to employees in the Judicial Branch.  The amendment was added to a federal judgeships bill that was being debated in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 While the underlying bill is riddled with problems, and Grassley did not support it, the whistleblower provision is a positive step in allowing employees to challenge reprisals and retaliation that they have suffered simply for reporting wrongdoing.

 "It's a constitutional responsibility for members of Congress to conduct oversight on the laws we pass.  Whistleblowers are a key component to helping with that very important job.  It's about holding each branch of government accountable," Grassley said.

 A long-time advocate for whistleblowers, in addition to co-authoring the 1989 whistleblower law, Grassley sponsored changes made in 1986 to the President Lincoln-era federal False Claims Act to empower private sector whistleblowers.  Since the 1986 amendments were signed into law, the False Claims Act has brought back more than $27 billion to the federal treasury, and has deterred even more fraudulent activity. In 2009, in coordination with Senator Patrick Leahy, Grassley worked to pass legislation to shore up whistleblower protections in the False Claims Act that had been eroded by the courts after years of litigation by defense and healthcare contractors.

 Grassley is also the author of legislation that would give the same whistleblower protections to employees in the legislative branch as provided already to employees of the executive branch of government.

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17 Oct 2011

Justice Department Silent on Pornography Found on Assistant U.S. Attorney's Computer

By Rick Martin

Friday, October 14, 2011

Justice Department Silent on Pornography Found on Assistant U.S. Attorney's Computer

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today said that 100 days after he sent a letter to the Justice Department questioning why the department declined to prosecute an assistant United States attorney after the Inspector General found that the attorney had spent hours online  viewing adult content during work hours, he still has not received an official response.

According to the Inspector General, the Assistant U.S. Attorney acknowledged he had spent a significant amount of time each day viewing pornography, including one case of child pornography.  The report indicates that the U.S. Attorney's office declined to prosecute the case.

Grassley said his staff has contacted the department several times since the letter was sent, but has yet to receive an official response from the Justice Department.

In a July 7, 2011 letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Grassley questioned the department's decision to not prosecute and delay disciplinary action against the attorney.  He also asked the types of cases the attorney worked on and the steps the department has taken to update its technology to keep pornography off its computers.  Grassley said he's looking to be sure these types of activities are stopped in the future.

Last year, Grassley learned that 33 employees at the Securities and Exchange Commission who were found to have viewed pornography during work hours were not terminated and were given uneven and light disciplinary action.

Here is a copy of the text of Grassley's July 7, 2011 letter to Holder.  Click here for a copy of the signed letter.

 July 7, 2011

The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Attorney General Holder:

On May 31, 2011 I received a report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Inspector General (OIG) in response to a request Senator Coburn and I made to all Inspectors General to provide semiannual reports on closed investigations, evaluations, and audits that were not disclosed to the public.

This report contained what appears to be an inexcusable mishandling of serious allegations against an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) which calls into question the DOJ's internal controls and prosecutorial discretion.  The report cites the following OIG investigation of an AUSA:

"The OIG conducted an investigation concerning allegations that an AUSA was using his government computer to view inappropriate material on his government computer.  The investigation determined that the AUSA routinely viewed adult content during official duty hours, and that there was at least one image of child pornography recovered on the AUSA's government computer.  The AUSA acknowledged that he had spent a significant amount of time each day viewing pornography.  The U.S. Attorney's Office declined prosecution.  Disciplinary action against the AUSA is pending."

This report relates to OIG investigations from October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011 and was submitted two months later.  As the case for disciplinary action is "pending" as of May 31, 2011, this means that, at the very least, the DOJ has allowed an admitted serial viewer of pornography - possibly child pornography - to serve as an AUSA for two months, if not longer, and has yet to take action.  This is simply unacceptable and compounds the questions raised by the fact that this AUSA was found to have "at least one image of child pornography" on his government computer and yet he was not charged with a crime.

Regarding the DOJ's decisions in this case, I respectfully ask the following questions:

1.      Is this individual still employed by the Department of Justice?

a.       If so, in what capacity?

b.      If not, when did this individual leave employment with the Department of Justice?

i.      Was this departure voluntary or were they terminated?

2.      Is this individual eligible for a government pension?

a.       If so, has the DOJ made any efforts to strip this individual of his or her pension?

i.      If so, what efforts have been made?

ii.      If not, why not?

3.      What types of cases did this AUSA handle?

4.      Did the cases this AUSA was assigned to handle ever lead to any interaction with children?

5.      Was the decision not to prosecute this individual made by the U.S. Attorney's Office in which he or she served?

a.       If so, did that raise any concerns regarding a conflict of interest?

b.      If not, what office made the decision not to prosecute this individual?

6.      How was this individual able to evade the DOJ's pornography filters?

7.      Has the DOJ made efforts to upgrade its pornography filters as a result of this individual's actions?

a.       If so, what efforts have been made?

b.      If not, why not?

Thank you for cooperation and attention in this matter.  I would appreciate a response by July 21, 2011.  If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact my office at (202) 224-5225.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
Ranking Member
Committee on the Judiciary
17 Oct 2011

Governor Quinn Advances Workers Compensation Reform with Arbitrator Appointments

By Katelyn Tye

All Arbitrators Vetted in Overhaul of System Following This Year's Reforms

CHICAGO - October 14, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the appointments of 29 arbitrators in Illinois' workers' compensation system. Arbitrators rule on claims filed under the state's Workers Compensation Act. The appointments are part of a package of reforms to the workers' compensation system that Governor Quinn pushed through the General Assembly and signed earlier this year.

The overhaul called for the Governor to make appointments or reappointments to fill all arbitrator positions, considering recommendations from the Workers' Compensation Advisory Board. Members of the board - six representing employers and six representing workers - were appointed by the Governor earlier this year. Each appointed arbitrator also underwent a rigorous vetting process by the Advisory Board and the Office of the Governor.

"These arbitrator appointments are a key step in ensuring that our workers' compensation system is professional, transparent, and fair for both workers and employers," Governor Quinn said. "These reforms are crucial to improving Illinois' business climate, and this new group of arbitrators will be the most credentialed and experienced group of professionals Illinois has ever had in place to judge workers' compensation cases."

In 2010, Illinois had the third highest workers' compensation premium costs in the nation. This year's reforms are projected to result in a nearly 9 percent decrease in compensation costs for employers, based on a filing with the Illinois Department of Insurance by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Illinois employers are expected to save up to $500 million annually in premiums as a result of the overhaul package.

While only 4 percent of the roughly 50,000 claims filed with the commission each year involve state employees, recent reports of a high level of claims, awards and settlements involving state employees in certain jurisdictions have resulted in an ongoing investigation by the Illinois Department of Insurance. To avoid the possibility that long-standing relationships among parties could compromise the integrity of the process, the reform package included the random assignment of cases amongst arbitrators. In addition, arbitrators will now rotate among the Illinois' statewide hearing sites every 90 days.

Under the new law, all newly-appointed arbitrators must be attorneys. Five sitting arbitrators who are not attorneys were reappointed based on their years of experience and exemplary performance, as allowed under the reform law. In total, 24 of the 29 total arbitrator appointees are attorneys.

Nine sitting arbitrators were not reappointed by the Governor: John Dibble, Gilberto Galicia, James Giordano, Kathleen Hagan, Robert Lammie, Andrew Nalefski, Richard Peterson and Joseph Prieto. One arbitrator, Charles DeVriendt, will be appointed to the Commission. Former arbitrator Jennifer Teague resigned as of July 30, 2011.

Governor Quinn has appointed:

 

Peter Akemann of Kane County has more than 10 years of experience in State government and has been with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1994.  Previously Mr. Akemann worked as a regional claims manager for the Illinois Department of Transportation, is the President of the Children's Theatre of Elgin / Fox Valley Theatre Co., and has been an active member of community organizations such as the YMCA and the Youth Leadership Academy.  He holds a master's of education from Northern Illinois University, an M.A. from Northwestern University, and a B.S. from Brigham Young University.  Mr. Akemann has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

George Andros of Cook County has more than 30 years of experience practicing law and has been with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2005.  Mr. Andros holds a J.D. from DePaul University and a B.S. in Management from Northern Illinois University.  Previously he was an instructor in real estate law at South Suburban and Moraine Valley Colleges, a senior member of the City of Palos Hills Planning and Zoning Commission, a speaker at the University of Chicago Center for Continuing Education on Medical-legal issues and a speaker for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education.  Mr. Andros has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

Milton Black of Lake County has more than 30 years of experience in civil litigation with an emphasis on workers' compensation, negligence and wrongful death.  Mr. Black has been with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2004, while serving on the Board of Directors of the Workplace Injury Litigation Group, the American Bar Association Employer Liability Section and Trial and Insurance Practice Section.  He holds a J.D. from DePaul University. Mr. Black has been a lecturer at numerous workplace injury and workers' compensation seminars and was appointed to the Select Committee of Judges and Lawyers by the Illinois Supreme Court.  Mr. Black has been appointed to a 3-year term as an arbitrator.

Kurt Carlson of Cook County has more than 15 years of experience as a workers' compensation attorney, and has been an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2004.  Previously he represented both employers and injured workers at the Macey, Chern and Diab, Teplitz & Bell, and Power & Cronin law firms.  Mr. Carlson also served in the U.S. Army Medical Corp before obtaining his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago.  Mr. Carlson has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

Brian Cronin of Cook County has more than 20 years of experience in the finance and business, and has been an arbitrator at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1996.  Previously Mr. Cronin was an independent and head trader, broker, trading floor manager and an options specialist for several firms, including the Chicago Board of Trade, Barclays Bank, and O'Connell & Piper Associates.  He holds an MBA in Finance and Business Policy from the University of Chicago, and an MBA in Management and Finance from the University of Notre Dame.  Mr. Cronin has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Carolyn Doherty of DuPage County has more than 20 years of experience in workers' compensation, insurance law, and has served as an attorney with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1998.  Ms. Doherty also serves as an Arbitrator in Cook and DuPage County Mandatory Arbitration systems on a rotational basis.  She holds a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School and a B.A. from Marquette University, and previously worked as an associate at the Sedgwick, Detert, Moran and Arnold, Hanson & Peters, and Schoen & Smith law firms.   Ms. Doherty has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

Greg Dollison of Cook County has more than 20 years of experience with the Workers' Compensation Commission as a review coordinator, and has moderated negotiations between employers and union representatives.  He has served as an arbitrator for the IWCC since 2004.  Mr. Dollison has B.S. in City and Regional Planning from the Illinois Institute of Technology and attended Roosevelt University.  Mr. Dollison has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

Anthony Erbacci of Cook County has more than 25 years of extensive experience in State government and insurance and labor law.  He has served as a staff attorney at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1996 and has been an arbitrator since 1997.  Previously Mr. Erbacci served as the Deputy General Counsel of Office of the Special Deputy Receiver, Inc., as Deputy Director of Statewide Enforcement and Chief of Medical Prosecutions at the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, and as Counsel for the Illinois Department of Labor.  He received a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School and a B.A. from DePaul University.  Mr. Erbacci has been appointed to a 3-year term as an arbitrator.

Robert Falcioni of Will County has served as a staff attorney and as Acting Commissioner at the Illinois Industrial Commission (Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission), and has been an arbitrator since 1997.   He has more than 20 years of law experience is an adjunct faculty member and instructor of the paralegal program at South Suburban College.  Previously Mr. Falcioni was managing partner at Falcioni and Britt, after serving as an attorney at the Charles R. Stone, Hyatt Legal Services and Zalutsky, Pinski and DiGiacamo law firms.  He holds a J.D. from Chicago-Kent School of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology and a B.S. from Illinois State University.  Mr. Falcioni has been appointed to a 3-year term as an arbitrator.

Barbara Flores of Cook County brings more than five years of law experience as Corporate Counsel of Alden Management Services, previously in the Labor and Employment law department at the U.S. Postal Service, and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Labor and Employment Unit at the Office of the Attorney General.  Ms. Flores also previously worked at the firm Rock, Fusco and Garvey and at the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago.  She holds a J.D. from Chicago-Kent School of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and a B.S. from the University of Illinois.  Ms. Flores has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

Joann Fratianni-Atsaves of Lake County has more than 30 years of workers' compensation law experience, having served as a Commissioner (Public Member) for three years and as an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1993. She previously has worked at the Anthony V. Fanone and Osterkamp, Jackson and Hollywood law firms, is a Fellow of the Illinois Bar Foundation, current assembly member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and a member of the Lake County Bar Association Board of Directors.  She received J.D. from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. from the University of Illinois.  Ms. Fratianni-Atsaves has been appointed to a 3-year term as an arbitrator.

Gerald Granada of Cook County has 17 years of experience of workers' compensation law, and is currently an Associate Attorney at Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Rolek. Previously, he worked as a civil trial and workers' compensation defense attorney at Meachum, Spahr, Cozzi, Postel, Zenz & Matyas, and as an associate attorney at Cullen, Haskins, Nicholson & Menchetti. Mr. Granada has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Douglas Holland of LaSalle County has more than 20 years of experience with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.  Mr. Holland has served as an arbitrator with the Commission since 1989, and prior to that served for three years as a Commissioner.   He is a farmer and entrepreneur, and holds a B.A. from Sangamon State University, and attended Illinois Valley Community College.  Mr. Holland has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Gerald Jutila of Cook County brings more than 30 years of experience representing injured or deceased workers and their families.  He has served as Acting Chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, and has been an arbitrator since 2004.  Previously he was an attorney at May, Decker and Associates, managing partner at Collins, Jutila and Shovlain, and counsel at Gibson and Kopsick.  Mr. Jutila is a Life Fellow of the Illinois State Bar Association since 1996 and has been a member of numerous professional law associations.  He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force Security Service, where he served as Staff Sergeant and Intelligence Analyst.  Mr. Jutila has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

David Kane of Cook County has 30 years of overall workers' compensation law experience as a staff attorney and a former Acting Commissioner of the Illinois Industrial Commission (Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission).  He has been an arbitrator since 1990.   He holds a J.D. from DePaul University and a B.A. from Northwestern University.  Mr. Kane has been appointed to a 3-year term as an arbitrator.

Svetlana Kelmanson of Cook County brings eight years of law experience, having served as a staff attorney at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, and as a law clerk at the Appellate Court of Illinois First District.  Ms. Kelmanson also worked at the Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law's Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic and the Employment Discrimination / Civil Rights Clinic, and at the law firm Sachnoff  & Weaver.  She holds J.D. with high honors from Chicago-Kent College at the Illinois Institute of Technology and a B.S. from the University of Illinois. Ms. Kelmanson has been appointed to a 3-year term as an arbitrator.

Jacqueline Kinnaman of Cook County has served as a Commissioner of the Illinois Industrial Commission (Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission) for more than 10 years, and has been an arbitrator since 2004. Ms. Kinnaman previously represented public employees as an attorney for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31, and as General Counsel of the West Virginia Education Association. She attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, during which she also worked in the legal counsel office of Governor Schreiber. Ms. Kinnaman has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

Edward Lee of DuPage County has more than 30 years of overall workers' compensation law experience.  He served as a U.S. Army Armor Officer, representing soldiers or the Army in court martial cases.  Mr. Lee worked in private practice specializing in workers' compensation law, representing both respondents and petitioners.  He has been an arbitrator at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1997, and in 2004 served on the Review Board dealing with disciplinary issues concerning Arbitrators and Commissioners.  He holds a law degree from John Marshall Law School and attended Tulane University for his undergraduate studies.  Mr. Lee has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

Joshua Luskin of Cook County has 15 years of law experience and is currently a partner at the law firm Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry, specializing in workers' compensation. Previously, Mr. Luskin has served as an arbitrator with the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration program, a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps as a prosecutor, as counsel of the Champaign County State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor and a Champaign County Assistant State's Attorney. He holds a J.D. from University of Michigan and a B.A. from Macalester College. Mr. Luskin has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

Molly Mason of Cook County has more than 25 years of workers' compensation law experience, served as a Commissioner with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2007 and as a staff attorney since 2003. Ms. Mason previously worked at law firms Corti, Freeman & Aleksy, and Burke & Burke, and has published several articles in the Illinois Bar Journal.  She holds a J.D. from Loyola University, and a B.A. from Harvard University.  Ms. Mason has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Stephen Mathis of Sangamon County served for 10 years as Legal Counsel and Staff Analyst for the Illinois Senate Staff, and has been an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1996.  He holds a J.D. from John Marshall Law School and a B.S from the University of South Florida and has more than 20 years of workers' compensation law experience.  Mr. Mathis has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

Neva Neal Mundstock of Sangamon County has more than 25 years of experience in workers' compensation and has been an arbitrator at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1981. She has studied Administrative Law and the National Judicial College and holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Ms. Neal Mundstock has been appointed to a 1­­-year term as an arbitrator.

Peter O'Malley of DuPage County has more than 20 years of workers' compensation experience as a staff attorney of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1995 and as an arbitrator since 2003.  Previously Mr. O'Malley represented petitioners and respondents in workers' compensation cases at Kubiesa, Power &Cronin and Bullaro, Carton & Stone. He holds a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School and a B.S. from Marquette University.  Mr. O'Malley has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

Maureen Pulia of Cook County brings extensive experience in business, government and workers' compensation.  She has been a staff attorney for Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and has been an arbitrator since 2003.  Previously, Ms. Pulia was the Director of Access Health, Trustee of the Village of Westchester, and product manager of systems and management at Baxter Healthcare.   She holds a J.D. and a B.S. from DePaul University.  Ms. Pulia has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Deborah Simpson of Kane County has more than 25 years of government and law, having served since 2000 in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General's Administrative Review / Civil Prosecutions Unit.  Previously Ms. Simpson was attorney at the State's Attorney's Offices for Kane, Vermilion and Cook Counties.  She has been a part-time instructor at the Danville Area Community College, and is a member of several community organizations.  She holds a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School and a B.A. from DePaul University.  Ms. Simpson has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Lynette Thompson-Smith of Cook County has been Special Assistant Attorney General of the Illinois Industrial Commission Bureau since 1989. Her previous experience includes working as an Associate at the City of Chicago's Office of the Corporation Counsel prosecuting license violations, as a law clerk at the Circuit Court of Cook County and as a law clerk at the Office of the Cook County Public Defender. She received a Certificate of Completion from the International Workers' Compensation College of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions at Salve Regina University, Rhode Island and received her Doctorate at Rutgers School of Law in 1983. Ms. Thompson-Smith has been appointed to a 3-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Jeffrey E. Tobin of Morgan County has been an arbitrator with the with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 2004. Mr. Tobin holds a J.D. from T.M. Cooley Law School. Prior to joining the Commission, Mr. Tobin worked at Pratt & Tobin, P.C. from 2000 through August 2002 resolving workers' compensation claims. In 2002, Mr. Tobin was Partner at Thomson, McNeely & Tobin, P.C. handling workers' compensation and personal injury claims. Mr. Tobin has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

 

Ruth White of Sangamon County has been an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission for the last 30 years.  Ms. White graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Law in 1973 and started working at the Law Office of Richard Grummon.  Ms. White served as special Assistant to the Attorney General from 1976-1978 and joined the Workers' Compensation Commission (formerly known as the Industrial Commission) in 1979.  Ms. White has been appointed to a 1-year term as an arbitrator.

Robert Williams of Cook County has more than 30 years of experience practicing law in government and in the private sector, and has been an arbitrator with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission since 1997. Previously, Mr. Williams has served as Chief of the Chicago Industrial Commission bureau of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, as legal counsel for the Illinois Office of the Comptroller and as corporate counsel in the City of Chicago's law department. He also was an associate at Washington, Kennon, Bryant & Hunter, holds an MBA from the University of Illinois, a J.D. from Loyola University, and a B.S. from Le Moyne-Owen College. Mr. Williams has been appointed to a 2-year term as an arbitrator.

###

17 Oct 2011

Farm Bill Deficit Deal Must Include Real Reform

By John Crabtree
Lyons, Nebraska - For the Center for Rural Affairs, the most troubling concern about a  proposal rumored to be forthcoming in a letter from House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders to the twelve member deficit reduction "Super Committee" is whether it would follow the trend of recent farm bill proposals and continue to allow the single most wasteful and counterproductive feature of current farm policy - virtually unlimited federal crop and revenue insurance subsidies.


*Following is a list of questions and background on the subjects mentioned above...

Will the nation's largest farms and wealthiest landowners get a pass on contributing to deficit reduction?

Will the Agriculture Committees' recommendations to the Super Committee continue the single most wasteful and counterproductive feature of current farm policy - unlimited payments to subsidize the nation's largest farms to drive small operations out of business?  

Any serious reform of federal farm programs must cap federal crop and revenue insurance subsidies to mega farms.  They are the most expensive element of farm programs, costing $7 billion annually. And if one big corporation farmed all of America, USDA would pay 60 percent of its insurance premiums on every acre for protection from low prices and crop failure.

Why should the federal government pay 60% of crop insurance premiums on every acre of the largest farms and richest landowners in America, especially in the midst of record high farm income and record federal deficits?

Any serious reform must also close loopholes in the cap on other farm payments. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) have again introduced legislation to close those loopholes, but it is not incorporated in either the President's proposal or any of the budget proposals introduced in Congress. That means that whatever revised safety net is established will include no cap on benefits for anyone who takes the steps to form a general partnership with investor partners.

Finally, will the Agriculture Committees' budget proposal include any room for funding for rural development and beginning farmer programs that invest in creating a future in rural America?   We probably know the answer.  But consider this.  The two last farm bills have invested an average of about $45 million annually in rural development programs from mandatory funds.  Overall federal rural development funding has fallen by more than one quarter since 2003. (See below.)

Why should continuing recent levels of farm bill funding for rural development be a lesser priority than paying the crop insurance premiums for the biggest farms and richest landowners in America, without limit, at a time of record deficits and record farm income?

Subsidies should be capped to powerful mega-farm interests and the savings reinvested in rural development programs that support small business and beginning farmers, create jobs for ordinary rural Americans and build a more vibrant future for small town America.

Rural Community Development Budget Authority Final Appropriation FY 03-11 and President's Proposed FY 12 Budget (excluding ARRA and mandatory funds for water and sewer backlog )

 

 

FY03

 

FY04

FY05

FY06

FY07

FY08

FY9

FY10

FY11

FY12

Water/Sewer

723.2

 

605

552.1

530.1

554

539

566.8

568

529

489

Buss-ness

127.7

 

91.5

89.6

109.5

71.3

105.9

123.9

121.4

108.3

125

Comm Facility

96.8

 

75.9

89.1

82.6

77

69

50.1

55

41.62

38

Total

947.7

 

772.4

730.8

722.2

702.3

713.9

740.8

744.4

679.1

675

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