Landmark Law Increases Higher Education Opportunities for Children of Immigrants

CHICAGO - August 1, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed historic legislation to increase education opportunities to children of immigrants in Illinois. The Illinois DREAM Act creates a privately-funded scholarship program for high school graduates from immigrant families who wish to attend college.

"All children have the right to a first-class education," Governor Quinn said. "The Illinois DREAM Act creates more opportunities for the children of immigrants to achieve a fulfilling career, brighter future and better life through higher education."

In addition, the new law allows any person with a Social Security or taxpayer identification number to participate in a state-operated college savings pool. It also requires high school counselors to provide college information to all children of immigrants. Children of immigrants will have unprecedented opportunities to access higher education as a result of the Illinois Dream Act.

"We should be opening, not shutting doors of opportunity for young students regardless of how or why they are living in Illinois," said President Cullerton. "This new law moves the state beyond the rhetoric of equal opportunity by making the dream of a college education a reality for more of Illinois' outstanding students."

The new law was one of Governor Quinn's top priorities during the spring legislative session. The Governor recognized that it would ensure that Illinois continues to lead the nation in increasing access to top-quality education, which is critical to retaining our best and brightest students and ensuring our continued success in the competitive global economy.

Students, community leaders and elected officials from across the state joined Governor Quinn to celebrate the new law that brings more affordability and better access to higher education in Illinois.  

"Immigrants are a driving force in our city's cultural and economic life, and opening the way for all Chicago students to earn an excellent higher education will make our city even stronger," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "I am proud that families and students across Illinois will now have a better shot at the American Dream ? which starts with a great education."

With an estimated 65 percent of immigrant students coming from households earning below 200 percent of the poverty line, the financial barriers to higher education for academically qualified immigrant students are steep. Through the DREAM commission, Illinois leaders will now be able to raise private funds to help these students achieve their full potential.

"We thank Governor Quinn for his continuous support and his tireless work for the immigrant community," said Lawrence Benito, Deputy Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). "The signing of this bill into law is historic and it confirms that Illinois is not only an immigrant-friendly state but also a national leader on moving fair, humane, and practical solutions."

The DREAM Act passed with bipartisan legislative support and with the strong support of the education community. The commission will provide training to school service personnel and work with admission and financial aid officers and high school counselors across Illinois to help students utilize the wide array of higher education opportunities.

"The Illinois DREAM Act is a crucial step in the right direction, ensuring that worthy students are no longer denied the life-changing opportunity of college simply because their immigration status puts needed financial aid out of reach," said University of Illinois President Michael J. Hogan. "I'm grateful to our legislators and Governor Quinn for supporting the shared vision that bright minds are our most precious resource and must be cultivated, not thwarted by outdated immigration laws."

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Rock Island  , IL / July 25, 2011 - Media Link, Inc. (MLI) is proud to announce and welcome back Jessica Fink, a former MLI intern, as the company's newest Media Link Software and Government Account Manager. In this role, she will oversee the exciting launch of our new media-buying software and be responsible for maintaining our current and perspective Government Contracts, as well as forging better relationships with existing accounts.

Ms. Fink brings to the table an extensive background in the news industry, formerly serving as a Government and Politics reporter for The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus newspapers. Her breaking news coverage and emphasis on the K-12 education beat provided a credible information source   Quad   City   readers could easily turn to for relevant, critical and current local news.

Ms. Fink began her journalism career as a student at   Black   Hawk   College   while serving as a general reporter for The Chieftain newspaper and BHC's Broadcast Club. Her time spent as a city reporter for Northern Illinois University's daily student newspaper, The Northern Star, helped further hone her writing, editing and communication skills. She graduated from NIU with a B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Organizational/Corporate Communications.

Following her news reporting stint, Ms. Fink joined Fanfare Sports Marketing, a national leader in the promotional products industry for high schools and middle schools nationwide. There, she gained valuable hands-on experience through helping advertisers effectively target the high school student market segment and satellite audience of parents, faculty and alumni.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Media Link team again," said Ms. Fink. "The growth this company has seen over the years is outstanding, and I look forward to contributing to their mission of helping clients achieve continuous success in their marketing efforts."

Media Link, Inc. is a full-service advertising agency dedicated to helping clients develop strategic marketing plans tailored specifically to their company's unique and individual needs. For more information, contact Natalie Linville-Mass at (309) 786-5142.

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18th Annual   Galena   Girlfriends' Getaway is Sept. 9-11  

  GALENA ,  Ill.   ? The Galena Area Chamber of Commerce once again plans a special weekend for "girlfriends" of all ages from Friday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 11. This annual Galena Girlfriends' Getaway will feature sales, contests, spa specials, Quartermania and more - just for  the  ladies - in beautiful, historic  Galena  in scenic northwest   Illinois  .

A pre-registration fee includes several gifts from local merchants and a chance to win a $200 shopping spree. You can also register for a belly dancing class, Quartermania auction, slipper party and Sunday brunch. Participants may register for as few or as many activities as they choose.

The ever-popular Quartermania auction will happen once again, this time Saturday night at   Galena   Convention Center   starting at 6 p.m. Ladies can buy a roll of quarters, bid on a variety of interesting items, and see who gets the great bargains. A Saturday night "Slipper Party" at the   Wal-Mart   Supercenter  beginning at 9:30 p.m. will feature games, refreshments, coupons and a gift card. 

Sunday's finale at the DeSoto is a brunch with your "girlfriends" as the weekend will wrap up by announcing the winners of the shopping spree and gift baskets.

Throughout the entire weekend, there are more than 55 businesses throughout   Galena   and Jo Daviess County that are offering specials, drawings, and events to participants of the Galena Girlfriends' Getaway.

For more event info, including venues and fees, call  the  Galena Area Chamber of Commerce at 815-777-9050 or visit galenachamber.com. Pre-registration is also available online at galenachamber.com. Additional area offerings and visitor information may be found at the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau by calling 877-Go   Galena   or at www.galena.org. While in town, visit the CVB's  Old   Train   Depot   Visitor   Information   Center  at   101 Bouthillier St.   (corner of  Park Avenue ) for on-site assistance and countywide information. 

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Senator Chuck Grassley issued the following comment about his vote against Majority Leader Harry Reid's proposal to increase the nation's borrowing authority by $2.4 trillion.  Senator Grassley is a senior member of the Budget Committee.  He also is Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee and supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

"Senator Reid's bill would grant the largest debt ceiling increase in history allowing our national debt to rise to nearly $16.7 trillion.  In exchange, it includes real spending cuts of only $900 billion over the next ten years.  The American people want Congress to act to avoid default by August 2.  But, Americans also want us to reverse the spending spree that got our country in this mess, and get us on a path to fiscal sanity.  Now that it has been demonstrated that both Speaker Boehner's bill and Majority Leader Reid's bill do not have the necessary support, I hope serious, bipartisan discussions will lead to a solution to get this matter resolved."