22 Sep 2011

Governor Quinn Announces Major Trade Partnerships Between Illinois and China

By Nafia Khan

Announces Business and Education Agreements to Further Expand Partnerships, Trade and Investment Between Illinois and China 

SHANGHAI, CHINA - September 22, 2011. Continuing his trade mission in China, Governor Pat Quinn today visited Shanghai where he announced major steps to build upon Illinois' role as a leading competitor in the global marketplace. While in Shanghai the Governor took part in several economic development and education agreements that will help pave the way for continued trade and innovation between Illinois and China.

"I am committed to making sure that Illinois is a top competitor in today's global marketplace, and our trade and education partnerships with China are a vital part of that." Governor Quinn said. "The agreements and programs our two regions are announcing today build upon those efforts to expand our economies, while also boosting innovation and growing technologies."

Among the business agreements Governor Quinn announced today was a $70 million corn products sales agreement between C&D (USA) Inc., an Illinois-based agricultural export company, and Xiamen C&D Inc. Beginning today, C&D (UDA) Inc. will sell 250,000 metric tons of Illinois corn products to China-based Xiamen C&D, Inc. for $70 million.

C&D USA is a subsidiary of Xiamen C&D. This export agreement will further Governor Quinn's aggressive goal of doubling Illinois exports by 2014. China is Illinois' third largest export destination, and is among the top five states exporting agricultural products to China. In 2011, Illinois ethanol plants sold 200,000 metric tons of corn products to C&D USA for approximately $45 million. C&D USA plans to purchase 250,000 metric tons of corn products from Illinois ethanol plants in 2012 for an estimated $56 million.

Governor Quinn participated in the signing of agreements to further strengthen the business, educational and cultural relationship between Illinois and China. The agreements include a sister river agreement between the state of Illinois and the Shanghai Water Association. Under the agreement, the association and the state will work together to share policies and innovative ideas to preserve the Illinois and Huangpu Rivers.

The Governor also participated in the signing of a sister city agreement between Morton, Ill. and Tiantai County in Zhejiang Province, which will provide opportunities to promote economic development, trade, education, science and technology, and cultural exchange and tourism between the two cities. Tianti-based Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co, previously selected Morton as the location of its first U.S. headquarters.

An additional agreement signed today between Zhejiang Province and Illinois was the 1,000 School Initiative to enhance educational opportunities between the two regions. Under this sister schools' agreement, the state of Illinois and Zhejiang Province will work together to make sure that students from both areas receive quality educations. The agreement will allow Illinois and Zhejiang Province to partner in training school staff, hosting summer and winter camps for students, and teaching elementary and secondary education students about the history, culture and languages of both parties.

As an economic and business center of China, Shanghai is known for attracting investment from many overseas companies. Its open policy has made it a magnet for foreign investors. Places like "The Bund" and "Pudong," which have evolved rapidly in past few years in Shanghai, have increased the city's role in

international finance, banking and trade. Shanghai has a strong base in manufacturing and technology. With many technology parks and industrial districts, Shanghai is also the leading industrial base of China.

For updates on Governor Quinn's trip, visit www.Illinois.gov or follow him on Twitter at @GovernorQuinn. More information about Illinois trade and business opportunities can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website at www.illinoisbiz.biz.

 

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22 Sep 2011

Governor Quinn Announces Agreement to Enhance Illinois' Biotech Industry

By Rick Martin

Furthers Efforts to Build on Illinois' Global Competitiveness, Create Jobs

SHANGHAI, CHINA - September 22, 2011. During his economic and business trade mission throughout China, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), an Illinois-based association that represents leading research universities and technology companies, iBIO, an Illinois-based life sciences industry association, and China-based Shanghai Bio Pharmaceutics Association (SBIA) to increase economic opportunities for both regions in the bio-technology field.

"Illinois and China are each leading global sources for biotechnology, life sciences and medical innovation," Governor Quinn said. "This agreement provides a framework for Illinois and China to enhance business and education partnerships and collaborate on the scientific breakthroughs that will accelerate company growth and foster the creation of jobs."

The agreement, which was signed during a breakfast ceremony in Shanghai today, will create an important line of communication between the organizations, allow for collaboration among researchers and industry, and open the lines of communication amongst technology parks to increase exports and investment.

As the home of more than 200 institutions of higher education, as well as several prestigious national labs, the state of Illinois is uniquely positioned as a Midwestern and national leader in science and technology research and development. In Illinois, academic research expenditures in the biosciences totaled $1.3 billion in 2008, according to the Battelle Memorial Institute. Illinois has 58,000 workers directly employed in the biosciences sector at more than 2,000 biotech establishments (with an average wage of nearly $90,000). Indirectly, this sector supports more than 330,000 Illinois jobs. Six of the top 20 pharma and life sciences firms also have their North American HQ's headquarters in Illinois.

"Collaboration and partnership strengthen our ability to tackle tough scientific and technological problems," said ISTC President Matthew Summy. "We look forward to working with the SBIA to identify and produce solutions that not only offer the potential to improve medical treatment, but also offer the promise of increased investment and new jobs."

The mission of the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition is to cultivate economic development in Illinois by working with public and private partners to attract and retain research, development and innovation resources and talent to the state.

SBIA is a non-profit organization that represents biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions in Shanghai by participating in policy-making and creating industry networks to improve the competitiveness of the bio-pharmaceutical industry. With six bio-pharmaceutics parks, Shanghai has become one of the main platforms for bio-tech innovation and development in the world.

The mission of iBio is to make Illinois and the surrounding Midwest one of the world's top life sciences centers, a great place to do business and grow new technology ventures. The national BIO organization selected Governor Quinn as the 2011 BIO "Governor of the Year" at the recent BIO International Convention in Washington D.C.

For updates on Governor Quinn's trip, visit www.Illinois.gov or follow him on Twitter at @GovernorQuinn. More information about Illinois trade and business opportunities can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website at http://www.illinoisbiz.biz.

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22 Sep 2011

Deadline to Register to Win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa Account is Approaching

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (09/22/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to celebrate College Savings Month by registering their child to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account. "I encourage everyone to register for the giveaway and explore the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones future higher education expenses," stated Fitzgerald. "Don't miss out on this great opportunity to jumpstart your child's college savings." For more information and to register for the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com before September 30th.

September, College Savings Month, helps bring attention to the fact that saving for college is one of the most significant things families can do for the children in their lives. Studies have shown that children who have money saved for school are almost four times more likely to attend a four-year college than those with no account.* This makes saving ahead of time one of the most significant things families can do to help make college a reality for their children. By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, parents can make their savings work for them.

College Savings Iowa is an affordable, tax-advantaged option for families who are saving for their children's higher education. It takes just $25 to open a College Savings Iowa account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,865 per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2011 and there no income or residency restrictions.**

Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, go to www.my529iowaplan.com or call 1-888-332-7545.

*From the Center for Social Development study: The Role of Savings and Wealth in Reducing "Wilt" between Expectations and College Attendance. William Elliott III and Sondra Beverly, 2010.

**Adjusted annually for inflation if withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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22 Sep 2011

The Read on WVIK: Fahrenheit 451

By Colleen Sibthorp
Please join us on Thursday, October 13, 7:00 p.m.
Bettendorf Public Library
for the culmination of "The Read on WVIK," an exploration
of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and all it entails.
22 Sep 2011

Clay County GOP Chair & Co-Chair Endorse Ron Paul for the Presidency

By Drew Ivers
Kris Thiessen and Josh Davenport prefer Paul ANKENY, Iowa - The Iowa component of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign announced today that two Clay County Republican Party officials have endorsed Dr. Paul for President of the United States.

"The reason I was first impressed with Congressman Paul and continue to be is his strong stand to preserve our individual freedoms, personal responsibility and States' rights, and to limit the power of the federal government," said Clay County Republican Chair Kris Thiessen. 

The first round of federal bailouts and stimulus inspired Ms. Thiessen to organize Spencer's first Tax Day Tea Party rally.  A small business owner for 25 years, she has been the Clay County GOP chair since July 2010.  Her husband George is a 20-year Navy reservist who served in Afghanistan in 2006 and supports Dr. Paul, as do the couple's three children.

"I am starting to hear people say, 'This is the Age of Ron Paul.'  I think they are right.  It's the age where Americans across the country are saying our government is too big.  Republican candidate Congressman Ron Paul is the only one who will bring sanity to the White House," said Ms. Thiessen.

Ms. Thiessen publicly endorsed Dr. Paul at his Spencer Town Hall on Tuesday, which attracted 135 supporters and interested voters.    

"Ron Paul's economic plan and his principles of limited government are what our nation needs more than any other political promise that is being touted.  Whether we want to realize and admit it or not, things have really changed economically to the point of threatening our national security," said Josh Davenport, Clay County Republican Party Co-Chair. 

Mr. Davenport is a Baptist pastor in Spencer, as well as a Spencer Tea Party leader. Mr. Davenport says that most people would consider him to be an evangelical fundamentalist Christian, and that he supported Mike Huckabee in the last presidential cycle.  Adding that he likes a lot of what Dr. Paul's colleague Rep. Michele Bachmann says, he settled on the idea that Dr. Paul has a solid track record.   

"So many things have happened that Ron Paul said would happen, what he says makes sense to me and he has a proven legislative track record to prove what he would do as president.  Our nation is tired of the nonsense.  The people don't want to vote for another party-establishment candidate who won't dare to make the necessary changes and Ron Paul is the only one who can defeat President Obama in 2012," said Mr. Davenport.


Authorized and paid for by Ron Paul 2012 PCC. www.RonPaul2012.com

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22 Sep 2011

Monticello native releases book, portions of proceeds to benefit Camp Courageous

By Charlie Becker
MT. PLEASANT, MICH. - A 1991 Monticello High School graduate and his wife have released a book of blog-inspired essays about their life with multiple sclerosis, and portions of the book's proceeds will benefit Camp Courageous.

In their publishing debut, "Despite MS, to Spite MS," Dan and Jennifer Digmann share personal stories of their journey?alone and together?coping with and rising above a disease for which there currently is no cure. 

Dan is the son of Monticello residents Roger and Nancy Digmann, and he currently lives with Jennifer in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

"We were quite overwhelmed when it first was suggested that we publish a book of our stories, but the more we thought about it we realized it was a needed step for us to take to increase MS awareness and help people to move forward with their lives," Dan Digmann said. "We wanted to give back to Camp Courageous for everything it's done for us and for everything it continues to do for the community and for the countless individuals with disabilities it serves year-round." 

Combined Dan and Jennifer Digmann have taken on MS for nearly 25 years and together they demonstrate the extremes of how this disease impacts people so differently. Jennifer was diagnosed in 1997; Dan was diagnosed two years later. She has secondary-progressive MS, while his is relapsing-remitting. The couple was married in 2005. 

"While our life isn't easy and we are always aware of our multiple sclerosis, we hope by sharing our stories we can comfort, educate and inspire you no matter what challenges you are facing," Jennifer writes in the book's foreword.

"Despite MS, to Spite MS," will be sold locally at the Camp Courageous Gift Shop, which will be open during the annual Camp Courageous of Iowa Pancake Breakfast and Open House scheduled for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.

According to the National MS Society, more than 400,000 Americans have MS. Knowing these numbers makes it so much more amazing that Dan and Jennifer found each other in Michigan and continue to defy the odds they face together. 

In addition to maintaining a personal blog at www.danandjenniferdigmann.com, the Digmanns are regular contributors toHealthCentral.com. HealthCentral's more than 35 sites provide clinical resources and real-life support to those with life-changing conditions and serves more than 16.4 million visitors each month.

"Despite MS, to Spite MS" also is available online at www.DespiteMStoSpiteMS.com
In addition to Camp Courageous, portions of the book proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (see www.nmss.org).
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22 Sep 2011

President Obama Campaign Announces OFA Iowa Office Opening in Davenport

By Randy Stalsberg

DES MOINES - Thursday, September 22th, OFA Iowa will hold an office opening party and phone bank for volunteers and supporters in Davenport.

Organizing for America has been engaging and training volunteers and building new supporters since the President was inaugurated.  Since the launch of the re-election campaign in April, OFA Iowa staff and volunteers have held over 100 trainings, planning sessions, house parties, and phone banks.  OFA Iowa volunteers have made over 100,000 calls to supporters and held 2,298 one-on-one conversations. Through these efforts, OFA Iowa has collected over 20,000 "I'm In" commitments from across the state.

OFA Iowa is opening eight campaign offices -- Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Des Moines, Waterloo, Davenport, Iowa City, Dubuque, and Council Bluffs.

WHO: OFA Iowa

WHAT: Davenport Office Opening

WHERE: Scott County Democrats Office, Midtown Plaza, 1706 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52808

WHEN: Thursday, September, 22, 5:30-7:30 pm

To find out more about the Iowa campaign please visit http://www.barackobama.com/state/ia. Iowans can also connect with the campaign on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/IowaOFA, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OFA_IA.

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22 Sep 2011

Pinocchio at The Old Creamery Theatre

By Shelley Klimes
Pinocchio opens October 1st at The Old Creamery Theatre

Amana - All he wants is to be a real boy, but his lies and his nose keep getting in the way! Join The Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences for the retelling of a classic. Pinocchio opens Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in Amana and runs through Oct. 15.

This beloved Italian story will be brought to life through the classic theatrical tradition of "Commedia dell'Arte." Using sound effects, masks and lots of humor, the characters in this play will be truly unforgettable.

The cast of Pinocchio consists of John Hill of Rockford, Illinois; Andrew Bosworth of Holly Springs, North Carolina; Laura Ambrose of Minneapolis, Minnesota.; Nicholas Hodge of South Amana; and Kamille Zbanek of Ely. Directed by Sean McCall of Marengo, Pinocchio was adapted from Carlo Collodi 's classic Italian tale by Johnny Simons.

Tickets for Pinocchio are $8 per person and all seating is reserved. Reservations are highly recommended. Show times are Saturdays at 1 p.m., Oct. 1 and 8 with two shows on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 40 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2011 season media sponsor.

22 Sep 2011

Honor Flight takes off on Thursday Sept 22nd

By Cathie Rochau

The 16th Honor Flight of the Quad Cities departs Thursday, September 22nd at 7 a.m. from the Quad City International Airport.  Guardians will arrive for check in at 5:00 a.m., followed by Veteran check-in at 5:30 a.m. Once the guardians & veterans meet each other, they will proceed through the screening checkpoint and receive coffee & donuts on the concourse before boarding begins.

There will be one more for 2011 which will be held on November 3rd.

As always, the public is welcome to attend the return ceremonies at the airport at night.  The usual arrival time for the public is 9:30 - 10:00 pm., with the veterans processing through the exit around 10:15 - 10:30 p.m.
22 Sep 2011

Google testifies before Congressional subcommittee

By Grassley Press

Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights

"The Power of Google: Serving Consumers or Threatening Competition?"

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Chairman Kohl and Senator Lee, I appreciate you holding this antitrust oversight hearing this afternoon.  I know that people back in my home state of Iowa are following what is going on in this committee room with interest.  That's because in rural Iowa, many companies - both big and small - depend on open and fair access to the internet to reach potential customers and to expand their businesses.

I've heard from Iowans who are concerned that Google is unfairly using its market power to manipulate internet search and drive web traffic to its own sites to the detriment of small businesses and consumers.  They are frustrated by business practices that are not transparent or fair.  They are concerned that Google is engaging in anti-competitive behavior that is thwarting a competitive marketplace.

However, I've also heard from Iowans who are extremely supportive of Google's products and services.  These people rely on those products and services to access customers and grow their businesses.  They are concerned that the federal government is being overly aggressive, and will place burdensome rules and regulations on a company that is creating good jobs and innovative consumer tools for Iowans.

I agree that we should not be penalizing successful companies that are innovating, providing cost-effective and productive services, and creating the jobs of the future.  I agree with those constituents that tell me that "it is important to let the free market continue to work, and for consumers to be able to freely choose which online services they use" because "this is a better way to provide additional entrepreneurship and job growth."

However, I also believe that companies should not take unfair advantage of their market power, use their dominance to quash worthy competitors, and engage in deceptive business practices that negatively impact the marketplace, small businesses and consumers.  The government should not be imposing burdensome regulations or "picking winners and losers."  Yet, the antitrust laws have a role to play in ensuring that there is a level playing field for all.  I don't have a problem with companies being fierce competitors - however, all companies must play by the rules.  Companies should employ open, fair and transparent business practices that do not harm competition or impede consumer choice.

So I come to this hearing to ask questions from both sides.  I'm here to listen and ask questions raised by my constituents.  I'm here to make sure that the voices of Iowans are heard in this discussion.  Thank you.

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