Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, named 313 students to the Dean's List for the Spring Semester. The following students from the Quad Cities area were named to the list:

Christine Nguyen of Davenport, earned Highest Honors.

Michael Welvaert of Moline, earned High Honors.

James Wohrley of Dixon, earned Honors.

A grade point average of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale is required for this designation. "Highest honors" are granted to students with 4.0 averages; "high honors" are awarded to students with 3.8 to 3.99 averages; and "honors" include grade point averages of 3.6 to 3.79.

Cornell is distinctive in U.S. higher education in offering the combination of liberal arts and science study within the One-Course-At-A-Time framework in an active residential community. Cornell is featured as one of 40 institutions in Loren Pope's "Colleges That Change Lives" and was cited by the New York Times as one of 20 "stealth powerhouses" among more than 2,500 four-year colleges and universities in the United States.

On Cornell's One-Course-At-A-Time calendar, students study a single subject for a 3 1/2-week term. The average class size is 16. Nine terms are offered each year, enabling students to pursue multiple internships and international domestic off-campus programs during the year.

For details, go to www.cornellcollege.edu.

Celebrating "The Canticle" at The Canticle - An evening with planetary poets

Thursday, August 5, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., Clinton, Iowa

The Canticle, home of the Clinton Franciscans, is named for "The Canticle of Creation," a mystical poem / song written by St. Francis of Assisi in the early 13th century.  In it, Francis addresses "Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Fire, and Sister Water," and praises God for all creation.

"Celebrating the Canticle" is an evening with Francis as well as contemporary poets such as Wendell Berry and Mary Oliver whose great works are dedicated to preservation of the planet.

The evening of reflection on Thursday, August 5, will begin at 4:00 pm, conclude at 8 pm and includes dinner.

"'The Canticle of Creation' sings of the whole of creation as a cosmic incarnation," says Sister Mary Smith, director of retreats at The Canticle, who will lead the discussion.

"This genre of poetry offers us a vision of 'reconciled space.' We will explore the power of poetry to awaken us to a greater sense of our oneness with all creation and thereby transform our choices and patterns of daily life.  Only through such transformation can we begin in earnest the work of restoring the devastation that we humans have brought to the Earth."

"Poetry," said Sister Mary, "is a primary wellspring of reality.  It can be the doorway to the world, providing entrance into the marvelous mystery of creation.  Coming into contact with poets - 'expert see-ers' - we can begin to connect with creation and taste the joy and beauty of that intimacy."

The evening with the planetary poets is the second "Peace through Poetry" program to be held at The Canticle.  It will include times of stillness in the beauty of God's creation on The Canticle grounds as well as group reflection and ritual and will conclude with dessert.

For details and to register, call Sisters of St. Francis, 563-242-7611, or see www.clintonfranciscans.com

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Amana -The Old Creamery Theatre Company and Fireside Winery are once again teaming up to offer an evening of live, professional theatre coupled with a wonderful dinner. The Old Creamery's production of Educating Rita, by Willy Russell, will be performed Thursday evening, Aug. 26 at Fireside Winery, 1755 P. Ave., Marengo.

Featuring Tom Milligan and Deborah Kennedy, Educating Rita tells the story of a working class wife trying to better herself with an education and a professor whose outlook on life is bleak ...until Rita becomes his student that is. Through her, the professor learns that life can still bring surprises and sometimes the student is the better teacher. In addition to the show, Fireside Winery will be serving a delicious dinner at 6:30 p.m., prior to the 8 p.m. show. The menu consists of shrimp seafood pasta, beef medallions in De Burgo Sauce, augratin potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, assorted salads and
strawberry shortcake.

Cost for the entire evening of dinner and entertainment is $40 per person or $75 per couple. Reservations for dinner and the show can be made by calling Fireside Winery at 319-662-4222.

The Old Creamery Theatre and Fireside Winery are offering one more dinner theatre with Talley's Folly to be performed on Sept. 23.

Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. Voted #1 Theatre Group on the 2010 KCRG A-List, the company is celebrating 39 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

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Members of the Illinois and Iowa QC Chambers of Commerce voted today to merge the two organizations into a single, unified Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. In separate membership meetings at the iwireless Center, chamber members overwhelmingly approved a recommendation from the two chamber boards to merge staff and operations by September 1st.

Iowa Quad Cities Chamber Chairman John Roche characterized the move as a big step forward for the region. 

"Business members - small and large, from all parts of the Quad Cities community - came together today to state that the river is not a barrier but an opportunity for their companies. We heard loud and clear that members want access to more customers, vendors, suppliers and business associates and that it makes business sense to develop that larger network right here in the Quad Cities," said Roche.

Illinois Quad City Chamber Chairman Steve Bahls expressed confidence that the two chambers will make a smooth transition to the new organization.

"With any merger, there is a transition phase where cultures and practices are blended and refined.  We've taken steps to ensure there is a solid operational plan in place to guide our staff and member services over the next several months. We expect the new Quad Cities Chamber Board of Directors will have a CEO in place within the next several weeks to add even more stability to what we expect will be a smooth transition," said Bahls.

"Beyond the operational plan, the more significant document is the strategic plan that is designed to grow the economy of the region and fortify each of our communities as critical elements of regional growth," said Bahls. "A bi-state plan, staff and board will be well positioned to deliver results for the region and can be more readily accountable to the business community they serve."  

The merger follows last year's merger of DavenportOne and the Bettendorf Chamber and the creation of a chamber-led Quad Cities First, the public-private partnership focused on marketing the region to companies and site selectors outside the area. The Quad Cities Chamber will be one of the largest business organizations in the region, with approximately 2,000 member businesses, 85% of which employ 50 or fewer people.

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The Cityof Rock Island will make available applications for CDBG and Gaming funds on Monday, August 2, 2010. Agencies interested in applying for funds should complete an application and return it to the City of Rock Island Planning and Redevelopment Division by 5:00 pm. Thursday, September 2, 2010. Please note that late applications will not be accepted. Applications from individual households are also not accepted.

Last year, the City received $1,265,462 in CDBG funding. The City anticipates receiving a similar amount of funding for FY 2011-2012. The actual amount available will not be known until the Fall of 2010. Applicants seeking funding to support housing, neighborhood, and economic development activities are encouraged to apply.

This year the City is also allocating $50,000 in gaming funds to support non-City social service agencies providing services to Rock Island residents. This is in response to the continuing reduction in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to Rock Island, where we have seen annual allocation decline from nearly $1.6 million in fiscal year 2000-01 to $1.265 million expected in FY 2011-12.

A listing of the CAC Meetings / Public Hearing Schedule accompanies this notice. Please note that all CAC Meetings will be held in the City Council
Chambers, City Hall, 3rd Floor, 1528 3rd Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois 61201.

All CDBG and Gaming-related information including applications, Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting times, and allocation policies may be obtained on the City website at www.rigov.org under "Important Links" starting August 2nd. Applications will be available online in WORD and PDF format. Agencies wishing to receive a hard copy of the application or those with questions about the CDBG or Gaming process, may contact Trisha Griffin or Alan Carmen at 732-2900.

Completed applications should be returned to the attention of the City of Rock Island Planning and Redevelopment Division, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois, 61201.

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Wild Edibles Program Planned

On Saturday, August 7 at 11:00 A.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will host a wild edible program.  Join Amy Newman, AmeriCorps Naturalist, to learn about wild foods found at the Wapsi River Center.  Learn how to identify various "food stuffs" and prepare some easy to make recipes.  Bring your taste buds for this delicious edible presentation.  Call (563) 328-3286 to register.

Back-to-School Program: Scholastic Recyclables

On Saturday, August 7 at 1:30 P.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will host a back-to-school program: scholastic recyclables.  Going "green" when it comes to back-to-school supplies is easier than you think and very cost effective!  Learn how to convert cereal boxes, chip bags, food wrappers, soda boxes, juice pouches and t-shirts into functional back-to-school supplies.  These trash treasures will be a guaranteed hit!  This program will offer lots of fundraising ideas for scout troops, environmental clubs and church youth groups.  Registration is required by calling (563) 328-3286 by Thursday, August 5.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

 

DES MOINES, IA (07/27/2010)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald reminds State Fair visitors to stop by College Savings Iowa booth and register for a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account for their child or grandchild. "Some lucky boy or girl will go home from the fair this year with more than just fond memories -- free money for college," says Fitzgerald. "Make sure you stop by and see us while you're in the Varied Industries Building."

Treasurer Fitzgerald encourages families to start saving for college as soon as possible. "Saving ahead of time may reduce a parent's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which can help them-and their child-get through college with less debt," says Fitzgerald. "Even a small amount of money, invested regularly over time, can grow into a substantial sum," he added.

Anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. This state-sponsored investment plan is designed to give families a tax-advantaged way to save money for college. Investors can choose from thirteen Vanguard investment options, including four age-based investment tracks. Contributions and earnings grow free of federal and Iowa state income taxes while invested and remain tax-free when used to pay for qualified higher education expenses at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad. * Iowa sweetens the deal for investors by allowing state taxpayers to deduct up to $2,811 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2010. **

It doesn't take much time or money to start saving with College Savings Iowa. Investors can enroll online in about ten minutes with as little as $25. Online account services and multiple contribution methods, including electronic investment options that allow for the transfer of money directly from an existing checking or savings account, make it easy for busy families to save regularly and manage their accounts.

Saving for a child's education is always a smart investment, and College Savings Iowa is here to help. For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

* Earnings on non-qualified 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.

**Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

ACTION ALERT

They're at it again.  Big Oil, Big Food and their followers are spreading a new misinformation campaign against homegrown biofuels.  I went to the Senate floor earlier today to dispel the myth.  I thought you might be interested in a copy of the text of my statement or the video of my remarks on the Senate floor. Let me know your thoughts by emailing me here. - Chuck Grassley

Prepared Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley

Homegrown, Renewable Biofuels

Monday, July 26, 2010

Mr. President,

It's that time of year again.

Without fail, every few months or so the Big Oil and Big Food interest groups start their misinformation campaign in an effort to denigrate the U.S. biofuels producers.

Last week, as if almost on cue, a group opposed to domestic efforts to reduce our dependence on foreign oil began their usual song and dance.

A press conference led by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and other special interest groups was held to malign the benefits of homegrown renewable fuels.

Don't forget, this is the same group of folks who, a few years ago, waged a high-priced, inside-the-beltway smear campaign against ethanol for allegedly leading to higher food prices.

That myth was roundly dispelled.

Economists proved what farmers knew to be true - the higher cost of corn was responsible for just a tiny fraction of the increase in food prices.

So, while food manufacturers wanted consumers to believe that corn ethanol was doubling or tripling their grocery prices, non-biased observers knew the corn input costs were just pennies of the retail price of food.

However, with dozens of multi-billion dollar corporations and profits to protect, it's not surprising to see them attack our country's farmers and ranchers who are working to produce our nation's food, feed and fuel.

After all, they have a bottom line to look out for and pockets to line.

And now these same groups are at it again.  They see a new opportunity to undermine our domestic biofuels industry.

They're now arguing that our nation cannot afford government policies to foster further growth.

In other words, they're arguing that the cost of energy independence is too high, and we can't afford it.

They'd prefer we increase our reliance on fossil fuels and imported crude oil.  The unfortunate outcome of such attacks, however, is that less informed individuals begin to believe them.

I think it's important to review the true costs of imported fossil fuels.

In 2008 Americans sent over $450 billion to foreign countries to satisfy our demand for oil.  At $80 a barrel, we'll send nearly $350 billion overseas this year.

We rely on foreign oil to meet 60 percent of our oil demand.  And don't forget, much of the world's oil reserves are located in the Middle East.

According to the Energy Information Administration, oil price shocks and price manipulation by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have cost our economy about $1.9 trillion between 2004 and 2008.

Our need for oil accounts for half of our trade deficit.

The federal government's support for homegrown ethanol equals less than 2 percent of the money we'll send to Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Venezuela, Nigera, and others.

The domestic ethanol industry supports 400,000 green jobs here in the United States.  Last year, ethanol contributed over $50 billion to our Gross Domestic Product.

It contributed $8.4 billion in tax revenue for the federal government.

The incentives we provide for ethanol production leads to a surplus of tax revenue for the federal treasury.

So, which is a better bargain?  Being dependent of foreign countries for 60 percent of our energy needs at a cost of $350 billion?  Or, keeping this money at home, creating green jobs, and increasing our national and economic security?

The choice is obvious.

So far I've only considered the economic costs.

Mr. President, this chart depicts just a small example of the environmental costs of our dependence on fossil fuels.

The first photo is one that we're all too familiar with by now - the explosion and ensuing oil spill at BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

The other photo depicts land in Canada where oil is being extracted from tar sands.

The fact is, fossil fuels are getting more expensive to extract, and are likely to come at a greater environmental cost.

The alternative is homegrown, renewable biofuels.

Today, ethanol accounts for 10 percent of our transportation fuels.  No other fuel alternative comes close to ethanol's contribution.

Domestically produced ethanol contributes more to our fuel supply than all foreign imports except Canada.

More ethanol means less greenhouse gas emissions.  A University of Nebraska study found that ethanol reduces direct greenhouse gas emissions by 48 to 59 percent compared to gasoline.

Ethanol production continues to improve and increasing crop yields mean we're producing more fuel from less grain and fewer acres.

Ethanol producers are reducing their energy and water usage.

Finally, Mr. President, it's important that we consider the national security cost of our dependence on foreign oil.

Oil from the Middle East accounts for 20 percent of U.S oil imports.

Seventeen million barrels of oil are shipped each day through the single most important shipping chokepoint - the Strait of Hormuz.

Fifteen crude oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz on average every day, with much of the oil headed to the United States.

Two of the other largest oil shipping chokepoints are at the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen.

To determine the true cost of America's dependence on foreign oil, it's important to understand the costs to the taxpayer of defending and protecting these shipping lanes.

A New York Times editorial in the late 1990's calculated the true cost of a gallon of gas, including military costs, at $5 a gallon.

Last week, I questioned four-star retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark on the true cost of gasoline.  He estimated it to be around $7 to $8 dollars a gallon.

Homegrown ethanol produced in the Midwest doesn't need a military escort to gas stations on the East or West coast.

Homegrown ethanol doesn't need the Department of Defense to protect its transport from farm fields to consumers.

Again, our nation's investment in ethanol is a bargain, and it's increasing our economic and national security.

That's why it's important that we continue our support of this industry.  Some have claimed that it's a mature industry, and it no longer needs our help.

This statement ignores the fact that ethanol is competing with a century-old industry dominated by Big Oil, which itself has received billions of dollars from the taxpayers for decades longer than has the ethanol industry.


Yet, ethanol detractors continue to undermine these efforts.

One organization estimates that a lapse in the tax incentive for ethanol would shut down 40 percent of the industry and result in the loss of 112,000 green jobs.  Let me repeat - 112,000 jobs that rely on the production of ethanol.

We can't allow the ethanol industry to follow the path of the biodiesel industry, which is essentially shut down because this Congress has failed to extend their tax incentive.

While President Obama spoke in his address on Saturday about investing in homegrown, clean energy, 45,000 biodiesel jobs have vanished because of the lapse in the biodiesel credit.

It's inexcusable.

President Obama touted the goal of creating 800,000 clean energy jobs by 2012.  Why not take action today to extend the lapsed biodiesel tax credit and immediately put 45,000 Americans back to work?

The same thing could happen to the ethanol industry if we fail to extend the tax incentive.

If you undermine ethanol, you're putting out the welcome mat for dictators like Hugo Chavez.

Last week, the senior Senator from Arizona questioned the wisdom of our domestic renewable fuels incentives.

He was quoted as saying, "Maybe we will stop doing this damned foolishness called ethanol subsidies.  It's one of the greatest rip-offs that takes place on the American taxpayers."

To those who would do away with our domestic ethanol production, I have one question:  Which country should we look to for 10 billion gallons of fuel - Saudi Arabia? Venezuela?  Nigeria?

Who would you rather support with your hard-earned money?

Hugo Chavez or the American farmer?

Supporting Chavez is insanity.  Sending money to people who buy guns to fight us is insanity.

We shouldn't be reducing our use of renewable fuels.  We should be increasing it.

We should produce all we can from corn, crop residues and other biomass.

We should increase the use of biofuels by mandating the production of flex fuel vehicles and increasing the availability of blender pumps.

Ethanol is here today.  It's creating a cleaner environment, keeping money at home in our economy and increasing our national security.

Undermining the only renewable fuel that has the proven ability to accomplish these goals would be insanity.

CHICAGO - July 26, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 3998

Allows Grundy County to establish an Economic Development Project Area through passage of an ordinance.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4821

Restores requirements that were deleted from the Election Code by 2009's campaign finance reform law, allows the State Board to send certain notices electronically, and expands duties of the State Board of Elections.

An Act Concerning: Elections

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 4879

Prohibits ISBE from deducting pre-k students from the total number of students for purposes of transportation reimbursement, as long as the pre-k students are transported at the same time as other students.

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 5006

Grants the Illinois Department of Corrections the authority to issue arrest warrants for any inmate who escapes from a correctional facility.

An Act Concerning: Corrections

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5154

Prohibits the disclosure of a public employee's performance evaluations under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Amendatory Veto

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5398

Expands the membership of the Veterans Advisory Council.

An Act Concerning: Veterans

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5444

Makes technical changes to the Criminal Code to ensure uniformity with the Illinois Vehicle Code as it pertains to vehicle forfeiture.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5838

Removes the explanation of Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) protocol and responsibility at an outdoor physical fitness facility when there is no building within 300 feet of the facility, but an AED is still required onsite.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 5871

Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to consider how gender impacts a prescription drug's effect when the Department makes the determination to require a pharmacy to request approval for Medicaid reimbursement prior to dispensing a drug.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5891

Codifies the expansion of the Breast and Cervical Cancer program.

An Act Concerning: Public Aid

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5914

Instructs the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission to report on juvenile parole and clarifies the Prisoner Review Board's authority to continue a juvenile on parole even if the terms of parole have been violated.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 5927

Eliminates a three-month waiting period for re-enrollment for insurance coverage under the All Kids program or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

An Act Concerning: Insurance

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 5931

Prohibits a law enforcement officer, State's Attorney or other official from asking or requiring an alleged rape victim, adult or child, to submit to a polygraph examination or any other type of lie detector test.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 5969

Removes a requirement that a county pay for the issuance of a vehicle title if the vehicle is forfeited to a county under the Criminal Code.

An Act Concerning: Forfeiture

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 6006

Permits nursing home and assisted living facilities to request to renew a facility license for one year instead of requiring facilities to renew for two years.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 6038

Extends the credit for affordable housing donations through the end of 2016.

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 6041

Allows for the creation, re-creation, increase, and abatement of working cash funds and revises the regulations regarding how working cash funds can operate.

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 6047

Expands the eligibility of the Alternate Fuels Rebate program to include conversion rebates for hybrid vehicles.

An Act Concerning: Safety

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 6153

Allows the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a grant program to provide incentives for the dissemination of new energy technologies to certain entities.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 6178

Authorizes arresting agencies to only pay an arrestee's qualified medical expenses incurred prior to the transfer of custody to the county sheriff.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 6206

Expands the definition of an eligible institution where College Illinois! benefits may be used.

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: July 1, 2010

Bill No.: HB 6380

Expands the board of the Joliet Regional Port District by adding one member appointed by the Village of Romeoville.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 6450

Helps unemployed individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended for failure to pay child support by allowing these individuals to obtain family financial responsibility driving permits in order to find a job.

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: HB 6459

Bans synthetic cannabis, commonly referred to as "K2", which is increasing in popularity among youth.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: SB 387

Requires the six constitutional officers, public universities, community colleges, and the Toll Highway Authority to annually report to the legislature the progress of efforts to hire and promote Hispanics and bilingual persons at the supervisory and managerial levels of State government.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: SB 735

Increases the Fairmount Race Track and its affiliated OTBs state tax rate from 0.25 percent to 0.75 percent of the daily pari-mutuel handle.

An Act Concerning: Gaming

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2350

Amends the property tax code to clarify the eligibility for the returning veterans' homestead exemption.

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3029

Makes technical changes to the Criminal Code to ensure uniformity with the Illinois Vehicle Code.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: SB 3037

Changes the name of the "Ticket For The Cure Fund" to the "Carolyn Adams Ticket For The Cure Grant Fund."

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3091

Ensures additional funds for snowmobile trails by raising snowmobile registration fees and mandates liability insurance coverage for snowmobiles with limited exceptions.

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Action: Signed

Effective Date: April 1, 2011

Bill No.: SB 3097

Requires smoke detectors installed after Jan. 1, 2011 which are hard wired into the building's AC power line to have a battery or generator back-up.

An Act Concerning: Safety

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: SB 3222

Caps an Illinois-resident student's undergraduate tuition in their 5th and 6th years at a public university at the amount paid by the class that enrolled one year after the student first enrolled.

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: July 1, 2010

Bill No.: SB 3305

Adds to the offenses which are considered "violent offenses against youth" under Illinois law and which require registration with law enforcement entities.

An Act Concerning: Violent Offenders Against Youth

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3446

Delays the date after which tax year 2010 property taxes in Cook County will be deemed delinquent from March 1 to April 1, 2011.

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3666

Ensures that disabled veterans who qualify for the disabled veterans' property tax exemption continue to receive it if they move into a nursing facility.

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

Bill No.: SB 3699

Creates the Community College Transfer Grant Program Act to give grants to students transitioning from community colleges to 4-year universities.

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: July 1, 2010

Bill No.: SB 3705

Extends and expands - subject to appropriation - the College and Career Readiness Pilot Program for an additional 3 years to an additional 7 sites.

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed

Effective Date: July 1, 2010

Bill No.: SB 3797

Amends the Criminal Code to increase the thresholds of various types of theft for which higher penalties can be imposed.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2011

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Mercury Poses Significant Environmental, Public Health Risks

CHICAGO - July 26, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed into law three bills that will further reduce the amounts of mercury in the environment that can be harmful to residents, especially young children. Illinois already leads the nation in reducing the public's exposure to mercury.

"Mercury exposure poses a threat to our waterways and environment, and to the public's health," said Governor Quinn. "These bills expand our efforts to significantly reduce the amounts of mercury in our environment by eliminating non-essential uses."

Senate Bill 3346, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood), requires thermostat manufacturers to maintain a statewide program to collect, transport and manage mercury-switch thermostats for recycling when they are taken out of service. Senate Bill 3347, also sponsored by Sen. Steans and Rep. May, phases out the sale and use of lead and mercury wheel balancing weights in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2012.

House Bill 6201, sponsored by Rep. May and Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), extends the sunset date to for the automakers' current state program that collects and recycles mercury light switches from end-of-life vehicles before they are processed as scrap metal to Jan. 1, 2017.

Mercury can escape into the environment when improperly disposed or burned. If a mercury-containing device breaks and the spill is not cleaned up properly, the mercury forms into an odorless vapor, potentially reaching dangerous levels in indoor air. Methylmercury, an organic form of mercury, can accumulate up the food chain in lakes, streams and rivers, which results in high concentrations in the tissues of older and larger fish.

People are most frequently exposed to mercury through the consumption of contaminated fish or by inhaling vapors from spilled mercury or leaking equipment. Mercury poses a significant health risk, especially to young children and fetuses. Prolonged, low-level exposure may cause learning disabilities by impairing children's ability to think and read. Adults who have been exposed to high levels of mercury may experience trembling hands and numbness or tingling in their lips, tongues, fingers and toes.

Acute mercury poisoning, especially through ingestion, can damage the brain, liver, kidneys and even cause death. Mercury can harm wildlife that eats contaminated fish, particularly bald eagles, loons and other fish-eating birds and mammals.

All three laws go into effect immediately.

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