29 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Thursday, July 28, 2011**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - July 28, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 12
Permits special education joint agreements (cooperatives) to receive grants from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for school energy efficiency projects.
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 236
Designates the second Thursday in April of every year as D.A.R.E. Day and tasks the Secretary of State with making grants from the State D.A.R.E. Fund and County D.A.R.E. Fund.
An Act Concerning: D.A.R.E. Programs
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1128
Strengthens the Department of Insurance's regulation of public adjusters.
An Act Concerning: Insurance
Action: Signed                
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1295
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code so that Interstate Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders, subject to the physical qualification federal requirements, shall submit a medical examiner's certificate to the Secretary of State prior to the issuance of CDL.
An Act Concerning: Transportation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1391
Prohibits Trauma Center Fund moneys that have been collected from one EMS region from being distributed to a different EMS region.
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1485
Authorizes the human service agencies to adopt joint rules to establish a cross-agency prequalification process, master service agreement and common service taxonomy for contracting with human service providers.
An Act Concerning: State Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1531
Allows licensed medical personnel to administer vaccinations on Chicago Park District property provided they obtain necessary permits.
An Act Concerning: Local Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1542
Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act so that economic interest statements may be filed via the Internet, or by standardized form. 
An Act Concerning: Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1657
Adds a member of the Illinois U.S. Congressional delegation or a designee to the Task Force on the Conservation and Quality of the Great Lakes, and sets June 1 as an annual reporting date.
An Act Concerning: Conservation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1683
Modifies the process by which 4-H agricultural fair premiums and reimbursements are documented and paid by the Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois extension offices.
An Act Concerning: Finance
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2861
Permits the Department of Natural Resources to create a special no-charge hunting and fishing license program for children and adults who are terminally ill.
An Act Concerning: Wildlife
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3035
Extends various sunsets to give military families more leniency in out-of-state school transfers.  
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3171
Recognizes assistant principals in the Illinois School Code and specifies their duties, terms of employment and methods for their evaluation.  
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 3179
Redefines a "chronic or habitual truant" as those children who are absent without valid cause for 5 percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days. Currently, the definition requires absence for 10 percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days.  
An Act Concerning: Education  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately  

Bill No.: SB 64
Expands the definition of false personation to include use of the Internet as well as using a public office to benefit, defraud or injure another.  
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Jan. 1  

Bill No.: SB 100
Makes numerous changes to acts that govern the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in order to streamline and coordinate state statutes.  
An Act Concerning: Safety  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately     

Bill No.: SB 1360
Directs the Secretary of State's office to complete a feasibility study for the creation of a corporate-sponsored license plate program.  
An Act Concerning: Transportation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately     

Bill No.: SB 1396
Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to revise consumer education information program.  
An Act Concerning: Regulation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately  

Bill No.: SB 1654
Changes certain reporting requirements for the Illinois Commerce Commission.  
An Act Concerning: Public Utilities  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Jan. 1  

Bill No.: SB 1669
Promotes school transportation safety by strengthening requirements for school bus driver permits, improving soundness of school transport vehicles, prohibiting smoking and requiring school districts to maintain copies of the permits of each individual operating a vehicle for the district.  
An Act Concerning: Transportation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately   

Bill No.: SB 1754
Amends the Criminal Code to include in the offense of aggravated assault, the assault of an employee of a county juvenile detention center.  A violation is a Class 4 felony.
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1806
Updates the Home Inspector License Act language to be consistent with other professional licensing acts, and eliminates grandfather language; also extends the licensing act sunset date. Eliminates the Home Inspectors Board and allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to hire a licensed home inspector as a peer review advisor when necessary.
An Act Concerning: Regulation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1833
Replaces outdated terms for individuals with mental and physical disabilities in state statutes with more appropriate terms.
An Act Concerning: Health
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1923
Redefines the purpose of the Target Market program as a remedy to "particular incidents and patterns of egregious race or gender discrimination," and gives the chief procurement officer and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) the power to implement a Target Market program.
An Act Concerning: State Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1924
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Illinois Identification Card Act to make various technical changes.
An Act Concerning: Secretary of State
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1929
Changes regulations for the handling of recyclable general construction and demolition debris at waste processing facilities.
An Act Concerning: Safety
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2027
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and provides that a person commits forgery when, with intent to defraud, he or she knowingly makes a false document or alters any document to make it false and that document is apparently capable of defrauding another.
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 2143
Extends from two to four years the window of time within which a specified requirement must have been met in order for a reorganized school district or cooperative high school to use a previously submitted school construction application.
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

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28 Jul 2011

Donations Needed for Benefit Sale

By Bonnie J Lingner

Donations of good, gently used items are now being accepted by Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. for the Fresh Start Benefit Sale which will be held at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds beginning the evening of August 16 and going through noon of August 19. The drop-off location for sale items is 311 West Kimberly, across from North Park Mall, Lujack's and Burger King. Drop-off days and times are Monday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm, now through August 11. Accepted items are any household items in good working order including large and small appliances and furniture, bedding, linens, gift items, jewelry, books, toys, exercise equipment and other. Please, no clothes.

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is a transitional and permanent supportive housing program that provides single-parent families experiencing homelessness with opportunities for growth and development that could lead to self-sufficient living. Children in the program learn there is a different way to live, they grow in self-esteem, some of these children have become the first in their family to complete high school and then go on to college.

We hear of growing numbers of homeless children and children living in poverty. These stories are not just about other countries and other communities; they include our own Quad City community. Humility of Mary Housing is working to reduce some of those statistics. In their 21 years 684 families including 1349 children have been served. Every day, except when an apartment is being prepared for a new family, HMHI is serving 47 single parents and approximately 100 children. A caring and generous Quad City community has made it possible for HMHI to continue serving the needs of these families.

Today you can help by dropping off those good unused, never used items you find as you clean out cupboards, basements, attics and garages; as you simplify your life styles or downsize your living spaces. Think Fresh Start Benefit Sale and think of the homeless children who will be helped.

28 Jul 2011

Iowa State Fair Animal Learning Center to Awe Ag Audiences

By readMedia

DES MOINES, IA (07/28/2011)(readMedia)-- Celebrating five years at the Iowa State Fair, the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center continues to educate and delight Fairgoers of all ages. "Nothing Compares" to this hub of agricultural activity that will feature young farm animals and fresh educational programming August 11-21.

The state-of-the-art agricultural education exhibit features live births of various species including cattle, swine, goats and sheep, allowing young and old alike to learn about the animal birthing process. Fairgoers can also catch a glimpse of hatching chicks, ducks, ostriches and turkeys.

Animal lovers won't want to miss kid-friendly educational presentations on various agricultural topics, including honey bees, farm animal safety, llamas and making butter. Other favorites include such contests as Milk Chug-A-Lug, Egg Dance, and Minute to Win It - Farm Edition.

Also taking the stage, the Thank a Farmer Magic Show will enchant kids of all ages. This magical extravaganza educates kids about agriculture through storytelling, juggling and music. Shows are daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.

Fairgoers can learn about life on the farm by checking out The Way We Live Award display and award ceremonies. The award honors six Iowa farm families for their love of the land and the product they produce.

Visit iowastatefair.org for a complete schedule of events at the Animal Learning Center.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visitiowastatefair.org.

28 Jul 2011

Lance Armstrong at the Figge's Free Admission Weekend

By Administrator

(Davenport, IA) - The Quad-City Times will sponsor a free admissions weekend at the Figge Art Museum Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31. While Lance Armstrong is not scheduled to make an appearance at the RAGBRAI finish line, visitors to the Downtown Davenport Street Fest are invited to seeLance Armstrong at the Figge for free during the Bix7/RAGBRAI weekend.   Lance Armstrong, a photo of Armstrong nude on his bike taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz in 1999, is currently on view in the Figge lobby. The Figge's Bix7/RAGBRAI weekend events will also include a free Spin Art activity on the Plaza from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, July 29 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 31. The museum will lead a free guided tour of The Art of Seating on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

The Figge Museum currently features three special exhibitions, in addition to works in the permanent collection.  The Art of Seating: 200 Years in American Chair Design includes more than 40 distinctive chairs selected from the Jacobsen American Chair Collection. Intriguing Images: Docent Picks from the Figge Collection features works popular with Figge visitors and docent and the exhibition Water Views from the Figge Collection explores and celebrates the beauty and diversity of water.

The permanent collection now showcases Pleasures from a Country Life, a new gallery installation featuring selections from the John Deere Art Collection.  Recent changes to the permanent collection also include the installation The American West as a Myth, which highlights the Figge's Western Collection, and The Spirit of Haitian Art, which showcases the Figge's impressive Haitian Collection. 

The free admission weekend is great opportunity for families, visitors, and locals to escape the head and explore the museum during the downtown festivities. For more information contact the Figge Art Museum at 563.326.7804.

The Art of Seating is developed by the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and the Jacobsen Collection of American Art; tour organized by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C.  and sponsored locally by Sears Manufacturing, Paragon Commercial Interiors, Inc., and Rick Bowers.

-END-

28 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Law Creating River Edge Redevelopment Zone in Peoria

By Laurel White

New Law Will Help Revitalize Peoria Riverfront, Preserve Historic Structures  

   

PEORIA - July 27, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law to help redevelop and revitalize the area around the city of Peoria's riverfront by allowing the area to be designated as a River Edge Redevelopment Zone. The law also creates an incentive to encourage restoration and preservation of historic structures located in River Edge Redevelopment Zones.  

   

"The River Edge program allows us to clean up waterfront areas that have suffered from years of neglect and set the stage for more economic revitalization and a better quality of life," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will give Peoria the opportunity to redevelop its riverfront, which will boost the local economy and bring jobs to the area."  

   

Senate Bill 2168, sponsored by Sen. James Clayborne, Jr. (D-East St. Louis) and Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria), allows the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to declare the city of Peoria's riverfront a River Edge Redevelopment Zone. The River Edge Redevelopment Zone program was created to encourage the safe and cost-effective redevelopment of environmentally challenged areas near rivers through grants and tax incentives. Peoria will become the fifth River Edge Redevelopment Zone - Aurora, Elgin, Rockford and East St. Louis have all previously been approved.  

   

"Peoria's riverfront provides an excellent opportunity for job creation and future growth, and through the River Edge program and the new historic preservation tool, we will better position this area as a key portion of future economic development," said Rep. Gordon. "I cannot wait to see the innovative ways that our businesses will use these extra resources that are now available to them."   

 

The new law also provides a state tax credit of 25 percent of the amount of the eligible expenditures for the restoration and preservation of historic structures located in River Edge Redevelopment Zones.

"The River Edge Redevelopment program was designed to target resources to waterfront areas that have tremendous economic development potential because of their location, but are saddled with clean-up costs that put redevelopment out of reach," DCEO Director Warren Ribley said. "Peoria will now be able to move forward with plans to revitalize their riverfront."

The new law goes into effect immediately.

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28 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Simplify Truck Size and Weight Limits

By Laurel White

Law Eases Burden on Illinois Businesses by Creating Uniform Rules for Overweight Trucks; Helps Reduce Diesel Emissions

QUINCY - July 27, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to simplify regulation of trucks travelling in Illinois, easing the regulatory burden faced by Illinois businesses while helping ensure the safety of Illinois' roads.

"One of the top priorities of my administration has been working with the business community to make Illinois an easier place to do business. By clarifying laws that impact transportation, we will help businesses to function more efficiently and still keep the public safe while traveling on Illinois roads" Governor Quinn said. "This law creates common sense rules, eliminates confusing language, and enhances productivity in the trucking industry and benefits the environment."

Sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville) and Rep. Daniel Beiser (D-Alton), Senate Bill 1644 clarifies and standardizes enforcement language for truck weight and size in the Illinois vehicle code.

The law will help reduce diesel emissions in Illinois by allowing maximum truck weight to increase by 400 pounds to 80,400 lbs if an auxiliary power unit (APU) is used. The units are used in heavy trucks to support auxiliary functions such as heating, air conditioning and lighting in sleeper berths. This allows the truck operator to turn off the vehicle's main engine overnight and reduce the amount of diesel it burns. The provisions made for the APUs conform to federal laws and encourage more trucks to reduce use of diesel fuel.

Under the new law, whenever the gross weight of a vehicle with a registered gross weight of 77,000 lbs or less exceeds certain weight limits by 2,000 lbs or less, the owner or operator of the vehicle must remove the excess weight. In addition, the new law clarifies existing law to specify that clearance lamps are required only on commercial motor vehicles - not personal vehicles used for tasks such as hauling a lawn mower. The new law takes effect Jan. 1.    

The Governor also signed two other bills relating to trucking in Illinois. Senate Bill 1913, sponsored by Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Daniel Beiser (D-Alton), equalizes the speed limit for semi-trucks on four-lane highways outside the Chicagoland area. Beginning Jan. 1, trucks will be able to travel 65 mph - the same rate as other vehicles on the same roads.

House Bill 2836, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Freeport) and Sen. Sullivan, allows a form of dual semi-trailer hitching using a single pivot point. This law takes effect immediately.

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28 Jul 2011

Braley Demands Answers from U.S. Postal Service

By Alexandra Krasov

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) sent a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General demanding answers about the impact of almost 4,000 proposed post office closures across the country. Rep. Braley released the following statement after he saw the list of 178 post offices targeted in Iowa:

"I'm incredibly disappointed and concerned to see so many post offices in Eastern Iowa on this list. All Iowa communities depend on their post offices, and I know how much this service means to my constituents. Post offices are important community fixtures andprovide thousands of good-paying jobs to Iowans. That's why I'll keep fighting to protect these, and other post offices that are being considered for closure."

A copy of Rep. Braley's letter is available here and pasted below: http://go.usa.gov/BeC

July 27, 2011

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe

Postmaster General Donahoe:

I'm writing regarding the recent announcement by the USPS on possible post office closures.  I was extremely disappointed to learn that the USPS may close up to 3,700 post offices across the country.

What is even more concerning is the potential loss of jobs that would go along with these closures.  Your list contains 178 post offices in Iowa that could potentially be closed.  Closing these post offices would lead to the loss of many jobs, both in Iowa and across the country.  As you know, we currently have an unemployment rate above 9%.  With unemployment this high, we simply cannot afford to lose more jobs.

That being said, I would like answers to the following questions:

·      Has the USPS analyzed the potential loss of jobs that would go along with closing almost 4,000 post offices?  

o   If so, please provide me withthat analysis.  

o   If not, why not, and when does the USPS intend to perform this analysis?

·      Finally, what steps is the USPS taking to ensure as little job loss as possible throughout this proposed process?

I'm strongly opposed to any plan that puts people out of work.  I ask that you reply to my request within 10 business days. Please feel free to contact me if I can provide further assistance.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley  

Member of Congress

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28 Jul 2011

IFAA Offers Iowa Youth $10,000 in New Scholarships

By readMedia

DES MOINES, IA (07/27/2011)(readMedia)-- College-bound Iowa youth active in 4-H and/or FFA livestock projects and current undergraduate students may apply for $10,000 in new scholarships available from the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA).

The scholarships are available to freshmen entering any Iowa two- or four-year post-secondary institution this fall or current undergraduates attending Iowa State University. Applicant must have a strong background in 4-H and/or FFA and demonstrate leadership while being involved in activities. Preference will be given to applicants who show a strong desire to remain active in agriculture after graduation. Two $5,000 Branstad-Reynolds Agriculture Scholarships are available.

Applications and additional information are available by visiting the Sale of Champions section of the Iowa State Fair's web site (www.iowastatefair.org/competition/sale-of-champions/winners-circle-scholarships/), the IFAA web site (www.ifaa.org), or by calling 515/291-3941. Applications must be postmarked by August 1, 2011. All materials should be sent to Winner's Circle Scholarship, c/o Linda Weldon, 1440 NW 134th Ave., Slater, IA 50244 or emailed to Linda@slweldon.net.

Winners will be announced during the Iowa State Fair's annual 4-H/FFA Sale of Champions on August 20, an event sponsored by IFAA. The IFAA is a non-profit organization founded in 1988. It is comprised of agricultural enthusiasts dedicated to encouraging 4-H and FFA livestock, poultry and agricultural project members to pursue ag-related careers.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visitwww.iowastatefair.org.

* * *

28 Jul 2011

Grassley supports Branstad's request for federal disaster assistance

By Administrator

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has asked the President to grant the request made today by Governor Terry Branstad for a declaration of a major disaster in response to the severe weather earlier this month in Benton, Marshall, Story and Tama counties.

In a letter of request sent today to President Barack Obama, Grassley said, "The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed."

On July 15, Grassley went to see local residents and community leaders coping with the aftermath of these storms in Vinton, Garrison and Dysart.

Here is the text of Grassley's letter to the President:

July 27, 2011

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I respectfully ask that you grant the request made by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for a declaration of a major disaster for the State of Iowa as a result of severe weather that has produced hail, heavy rains, high winds, and thunderstorms beginning on July 9, 2011 and continuing.  This weather system moved into Iowa and severely impacted Benton, Marshall, Story, and Tama Counties.

The Governor determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to handle effectively and federal assistance is needed. 

Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator

28 Jul 2011

Governor Pat Quinn Signs Legislation to Protect Diversity in State Public Works Projects

By Laurel White

New Law Will Benefit Minority-Owned, Female Businesses; Ensure Fairness in Minority and Female Employment on Public Works Projects

CHICAGO - July 27, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help ensure a fair state contract bidding process for minority- and women-owned businesses, and to advance minority and female employment in Illinois' workforce.

"This important new law will help ensure fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses in Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Today's action underscores my commitment to maintaining a diverse, skilled and effective labor force."

House Bill 2987 creates the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Act, which requires state agencies under the Governor to consider the use of PLAs on public works construction projects. A PLA establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a construction project, ensuring a level bidding field for minority- and women-owned businesses and helping increase minority and female employment on public job sites. The new law codifies an Executive Order issued by the Governor in 2010.

The law requires the state department, agency, authority or board responsible for awarding the project to negotiate the PLA with labor organizations engaged in the construction industry. If the parties cannot agree to the terms of the project labor agreement, the Governor appoints a designee to assist the parties in reaching an agreement.  

Sponsored by Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), the law includes provisions for binding procedures for resolving jurisdictional labor disputes and grievances; guarantees against strikes; ensuring a reliable source of skilled and experienced labor; setting goals for apprenticeship hours for minorities and females as well as total number of hours to be performed  by underrepresented minorities and females; and binding all contractors and subcontractors on the public works project through the inclusion of appropriate bid specifications.

The law also requires that an entity with a PLA in connection with a public works project to file a quarterly report with the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) that includes workforce participation by minorities and females. The IDOL will submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor that details the number of minorities and females employees under all public labor agreements within the state. The new law takes effect immediately.

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