12 Jul 2011

Local Students Graduate from Cornell College

By readMedia

MOUNT VERNON, IA (07/12/2011)(readMedia)-- Cornell College confered degrees on approximately 250 students at its 2011 Commencement ceremony on May 28.

Daniel Krauss of Amana graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology-Exercise Science Concentration and History .

Laurel Wilhelm of Blairstown graduated with a Bachelor of Special Studies in Kinesiology-Exercise Science Concentration .

Chad Owen of Bettendorf graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology-Exercise Science Concentration .

Brock Nelson of Blue Grass graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology .

Featured in Colleges That Change Lives, Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time (OCAAT), or block, academic calendar. The OCAAT provides students with intellectual immersion, academic focus, and unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship-all without missing out on other classes. Cornell's excellent faculty, majors and pre-professional programs, and engaging residential life all combine to offer numerous extraordinary opportunities in the classroom, on campus, and around the world. Founded in 1853, the college's entire hilltop campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For details, go to www.cornellcollege.edu.

12 Jul 2011

Harkin Announces More Than $5 Million for Housing in Iowa

By Harkin Press Office

WASHINGTON D.C.–Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that 48 Iowa Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) will receive a total of $5,049,415.  The funding comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Capital Fund Program, which provides for the financing, development and improvement of public housing in communities across the country. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds HUD.

"I have always believed that access to quality, affordable housing is the foundation of economic stability for a family, and in turn, communities as a whole," said Harkin. "In these tough economic times, this funding will give Iowa a needed shot in the arm to ensure that needy Iowans have the access to housing they need."

Details of the funding are below.

$31,136--Afton Housing Commission

$43,435--Albia Housing Agency

$103,820–Area XV Multi-County Housing Agency

$108,495–Centerville Municipal Housing Agency

$172,464–Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority

$69,194–Chariton Housing Authority

$147,648–Charles City Housing and Redevelopment Authority

$125,886-City of Iowa City Housing Authority

$72,721-Clarinda Low Rent Housing Agency

$43,361-Corning Housing Commission

$57,291- Davenport Housing Commission

$547,201- Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency

$443,471- Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency

$11,843- Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency

$ 189,051- Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority

$14,187- Essex Low Rent Housing Agency

$50,145- Evansdale Municipal Housing Authority

$150,526- Fort Dodge Municipal Housing Agency

$149,198- Fort Madison Housing Authority

$244,227- Keokuk Housing Authority

$27,293- Lenox Low Rent Housing Agency

$18,196- Lone Tree Housing Commission

$28,909–Low Rent Housing Agency of Bancroft

$220,177- Low Rent Housing Agency of Burlington

$76,548- Low Rent Housing Agency of Clinton

$19,825- Low Rent Housing Agency of Farragut

$23,391- Low Rent of Housing Agency of Hamburg

$68,222- Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville

$35,398- Low Rent Housing Agency of Leon

$48,538- Low Rent Housing Agency of Missouri Valley

$24,253-- Low Rent Housing Agency of Mount Ayr

$58,215- Low Rent Housing Agency of Onawa

$47,638- Low Rent Housing Agency of Red Oak

$18,318–Low Rent Housing Agency of Sidney

$76,793–Low Rent Housing Agency of Sioux Center

$43,954-- Low Rent Housing Agency of Waverly

$41,850–Low Rent Housing Agency of Winterset

$18,196–Malvern Low Rent Housing Agency

$290,779-- Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs

$26,383–Municipal Housing Agency of Manning

$171,006–Muscatine Municipal Housing Agency

$146,585–North Iowa Regional Housing Authority

$415,606–Ottumwa Housing Authority

$46,609–Rock Rapids Municipal Housing Agency

$75,028–Shenandoah Low Rent Housing Agency

$141,883–Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority

$18,836–Stanton Housing Commission

$20,129–Tabor Low Rent Housing Agency

$43,852–Villisca Low Rent Housing Agency

$50,825–Waterloo Housing Authority

12 Jul 2011

NOTICE OF MEETING Scott County, Iowa and The Bailiff's Association

By Administrator

Scott County, Iowa will make an opening statement to begin negotiations with The Bailiff's Association on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. on the 6th floor of the Scott County Administrative Center, at 600 West Fourth Street, Davenport, Iowa.

Questions regarding this meeting may be directed to the Human Resources Department at 326-8740 or 328-4104 ext. 2.

12 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Help Businesses Grow In Illinois

By Laurel White

New Law Simplifies and Streamlines Environmental Permit

Process to Help Illinois' Employers Create More Jobs

CHICAGO - July 12, 2011. As part of his aggressive business agenda, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will make it easier to open and expand a business in Illinois. House Bill 1297 will help employers create more jobs by streamlining the environmental permitting process in Illinois, establish a plan for long-term funding, and make the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) more efficient.

"Simplifying and speeding up the review process for environmental permits will help Illinois companies begin hiring, investing and producing more quickly," said Governor Quinn. "This law is a great example of my administration's commitment to reducing the burden on Illinois' businesses - both large and small - so they can grow and create more jobs."

Like the recent worker's compensation reform law, HB 1297 was pushed by Governor Quinn to strengthen Illinois' business climate. Sponsored by former Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) and Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr. (D-East St. Louis), House Bill 1297requires the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to speed up and streamline the permitting process.

Under the new law, IEPA will begin to use more efficient techniques such as online permitting, processing and tracking to make the permitting process easier to navigate for businesses. The new law also allows for expedited permitting, general permitting and permitting by rule for certain classes of facilities. 

"These changes will improve the agency's operations and make it more efficient, while ensuring that environmental standards are never compromised," said IEPA Interim Director Lisa Bonnett.

"For too long, Illinois' environmental regulatory process has hindered economic development and made it more difficult for businesses to compete," said Greg Baise, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. "We applaud Governor Quinn's support of this new law that modernizes and streamlines the process, allowing businesses to save time and money. It balances environmental and economic interests."

In addition to making the permitting process easier for businesses, the new law also creates an online portal to assist with the permitting process. As a result, companies can begin production and other projects more quickly. The new law also allows the IEPA to create a new, logical funding source based on revenue from products used to lower emissions. By establishing a Registration of Smaller Sources (ROSS) program for smaller entities, a significant number of low-polluting small businesses will be able to register with the agency instead of obtaining a more extensive air permit. This will reduce the burden on small businesses by lowering the fee for emissions, eliminating the need to hire permit consultants and speeding up the approval process.

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12 Jul 2011

Grassley asks about potential bait and switch of students at ABA-accredited law schools and subsequent risk for taxpayers

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON -- Working to make sure law students who take out taxpayer-backed student loans are in a position to pay back loans and to help prevent an increase in default rates, Senator Chuck Grassley is asking the American Bar Association about the quality of its accreditation of the nation's law schools.

"The ABA has tremendous power with its authority to accredit law schools in the United States," Grassley said.  "Concerns about the ABA's performance have been raised by important watchdogs over this process, such as the Department of Education's accreditation experts, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity.  I'm asking the ABA to account for its work on behalf of both law students and taxpayers."

In a letter of inquiry to the President of the ABA, Stephen N. Zack, Grassley cited a June article in the Chronicle of Higher Education that reported the ABA was "out of compliance with 17 regulations [of the Advisory Committee], including the need to consider student-loan default rates in assessing programs."  Grassley also referred to an April article in The New York Times about ABA-accredited law schools offering "more scholarships than [they] plan to renew[.]"

"The number of students attending law school and the amount they borrow is increasing while their ability to secure jobs and pay back the loans is decreasing as jobs disappear," Grassley wrote in a letter sent today.  "The result is that millions of federally guaranteed taxpayer dollars are being borrowed at the great risk that many students may not be able to pay off their loans."

In addition to looking out for taxpayers, Grassley said his oversight of the law-school accreditation process is related to his position of Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the health of the legal profession.

Grassley is seeking a complete response from the ABA President to a number of detailed questions about the ways in which the ABA assesses eligibility for accreditation.  A copy of his letter is here.  The text of a Chronicle of Higher Education article cited in the letter follows here.  The New York Times articles cited in the letter are available here and here.

June 9, 2011, The Chronicle of Higher Education

American Bar Association Takes Heat From Advisory Panel on Accreditation

By Eric Kelderman

Alexandria, Va.

The American Bar Association drew intense scrutiny on Thursday from a federal panel that reviews accrediting agencies.

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, which advises the U.S. education secretary on accreditation issues, used a meeting here to review the applications of 10 accrediting agencies to be recognized by the federal government.

An accrediting organization must be recognized by the secretary of education in order to approve colleges and universities to receive federal student aid. The committee does not actually decide the recognition status of accrediting bodies, but makes a recommendation to the secretary based on a review carried out by members of the Education Department staff.

Of the 10 agencies being reviewed on Wednesday and Thursday, all were recommended for continued recognition, though eight of them must submit a report within 12 months to show that they have corrected flaws revealed by the department staff.

But several members of the committee expressed reservations about approving that status for the American Bar Association, which was found to be out of compliance with 17 regulations, including the need to consider student-loan default rates in assessing programs; to solicit and consider public comments; and to set a standard for job placement by its member institutions.

Arthur E. Keiser, chancellor of the Keiser Collegiate System, said that an accrediting agency would not accredit an institution with 17 outstanding issues. "There is a real concern that this agency doesn't get it," he said.

Anne D. Neal, president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, was one of three committee members who opposed the motion to continue the bar association's recognition, saying that she had no confidence it would be in compliance within a year.

Representatives of the association assured the committee that the changes recommended by the department were already in the process of being carried out and would be completed in time.

The bar association also got a negative review from a group of legal faculty members, the Clinical Legal Education Association, which accused the ABA of considering changes in its standards that would "strip important protections of academic freedom and faculty-governance rights ... by eliminating tenure and security of position for deans and faculty members," according to written comments submitted by the faculty group.

Faculty members at 65 law schools as well as a half-dozen faculty associations have voiced opposition to the proposed changes, said Jennifer M. Roberts, an associate professor of law at American University and a board member of the legal-education association.

Bar-association representatives at the meeting said the changes opposed by the faculty group were still under consideration and had not been made final.

In the end, a majority on the federal advisory committee voted to continue the bar association's recognition, but expressed frustration that they could not take stronger actions or at least state their concerns with stronger language.

The Sting of Judgment

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which assesses more than 850 career-oriented colleges, was another agency that felt the sting of the committee's judgment.

Like most other groups under review, the council must submit a report within a year to show that it has corrected several problems. But the committee also rejected the council's request to accredit doctoral-level programs.

The council, which accredits mostly for-profit and online programs, has been piloting the accreditation of doctoral programs in business administration, computer engineering, and pharmacy for several years. But the Education Department staff's report said that the council also states that it is approved to accredit doctoral programs, though it can actually approve programs only through the master's level.

Both the Education Department staff and committee members concluded that the council was not yet prepared to approve doctoral programs, especially in the health and veterinary fields, as it proposed to do.

"They want to add 13 doctoral programs they have no experience with," said Steve Porcelli, the Education Department staff member who prepared the report on the council.

Committee members voted unanimously to accept the department's recommendation, including allowing the council to reapply for permission to oversee doctoral programs when it has met the department's concerns about standards.

12 Jul 2011

State Fair Advanced Admission Tickets on Sale Now

By readMedia

DES MOINES, IA (07/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Save up to 30% off Iowa State Fair gate admission with advance admission tickets, on sale now through August 10. The 2011 Fair is August 11-21.

Adult admission tickets are just $7 in advance (regularly $10), and children's admission is only $3 in advance (regularly $4). Children 5 and under are admitted free every day. Tickets are good any one Fair day.

New this year, Fairgoers can print advance admission tickets at home when purchasing them online at www.iowastatefair.org. This fee free option is easy and convenient. Beginning July 1, tickets may also be purchased at participating Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Drugstores, Dahl's Foods, Fareway Stores or, beginning July 11, the State Fair Ticket Office.

Fair Play Packs, 11-day punch cards, food coupons and Midway tickets are also available at iowastatefair.org or, beginning July 11, at the State Fair Ticket Office, located in the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Online orders will close July 29. Walk-up orders will be available until August 10. Cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard or Discover are accepted. All offers good while supplies last.

Fairgoers can enjoy an even bigger benefit when buying early: advance admission tickets have a coupon for a free small Potato Olé® at participating Iowa-area Taco John's. Coupon expires 9/30/11. See store for details.

"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.

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/State-Fair-Advanced-Admission-Tickets-on-Sale-Now/2809485

 

12 Jul 2011

Local Students Named to Dean's List at Cornell College

By readMedia

MOUNT VERNON, IA (07/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Cornell College has named 364 students, or about 30 percent of its enrollment, to the Dean's List for the spring semester.

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.

Leanna Doyle of Davenport was awarded High Honors.

Christine Nguyen of Davenport was awarded High Honors.

Cynthia Hampton of Illinois City was awarded High Honors.

Featured in Colleges That Change Lives, Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time (OCAAT), or block, academic calendar. The OCAAT provides students with intellectual immersion, academic focus, and unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship-all without missing out on other classes. Cornell's excellent faculty, majors and pre-professional programs, and engaging residential life all combine to offer numerous extraordinary opportunities in the classroom, on campus, and around the world. Founded in 1853, the college's entire hilltop campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For details, go to www.cornellcollege.edu.

12 Jul 2011

VERIZON ANNOUNCES $100,000 IN GRANTS - ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGENCIES

By Administrator

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - The Verizon Foundation is offering up to $100,000 in grants for Iowa nonprofits that provide services to families whose lives have been upended by domestic violence.

"Our goal is to break the cycle of domestic violence by lending financial support to outstanding organizations in Iowa that have a track record of success with public outreach, education, and providing relief and resources for families," said T.J. Fox, region president for Verizon Wireless.

To be eligible, a grant applicant must file an online request for proposal and be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Iowa. Proposals submitted should focus on programs that aid survivors of domestic violence in the state or involve prevention, awareness and safety enhancements addressing domestic violence.

All grant applications must be submitted through the Verizon Foundation's website, www.verizonfoundation.org/apply. Additional information regarding grant guidelines can be found at the foundation's website.

The deadline for submitting proposals is 10:59 p.m. Central time, Friday, Aug. 12. Verizon will notify recipients of grant decisions by Friday, Sept. 16.

Verizon has a long history of supporting survivors of domestic violence and aiding in its prevention. The HopeLine® program from Verizon collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider. Verizon Wireless then provides wireless phones and airtime to nonprofit organizations for use by domestic violence survivors and cash grants to local shelters and nonprofits that focus on prevention, awareness and advocacy.

Since its inception, HopeLine has collected more than 8 million phones and provided $10 million in grants. Phones that cannot be refurbished are recycled in an environmentally sound way under a zero landfill policy.

In the past four years, the Verizon Foundation has awarded more than $21 million to nonprofit organizations that assist domestic violence survivors.

For Verizon Wireless Updates on Twitter

Stay in the know about Verizon Wireless news in the Midwest by following @VZWcarolyn on Twitter at

About the Verizon Foundation

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon, uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. In 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $67 million to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

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12 Jul 2011

Harkin Encourages Iowa Students to Apply For Fall Internships

By Harkin Press Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Iowa college students can now apply for fall 2011 internships in his Washington, D.C. and Iowa offices.  An internship in Harkin's personal office, or with the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is designed for college undergraduates, graduates and law students. Interns assist the staff in the areas of legislation, press, casework and outreach to the state.  Intern responsibilities include performing office duties, writing and researching current legislative issues and acting as general project support to the Senator's staff.

"Years ago, I interned for Representative Neal Smith in the House of Representatives.  The experience provided me with an invaluable firsthand education in how government operates and was the start of my political career.  I encourage bright, young men and women who share this interest in public service to apply for an internship in my offices," Harkin said.

Part-time and full-time internships are available in Harkin's Washington, D.C. personal office, on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee that Harkin chairs, and in his five Iowa offices (Des Moines, Davenport, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Sioux City).  Interns typically work during one of three sessions: spring, summer and fall.

Students who are interested in becoming an intern can apply via the web at http://harkin.senate.gov/students/intern.  Questions can be directed to the intern coordinator in Harkin's Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3254.

Deadline: July 22, 2011

12 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Announces Efforts to Boost Development of South Suburban Cook County

By Laurel White

Announces $6.6 Million "IKE" Funding to Revitalize Communities Throughout South Cook; Signs Laws to Support Economy

TINLEY PARK - July 11, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced $6.6 million in federal funding to increase affordable housing, stabilize communities and make infrastructure improvements in six south suburban Cook County communities. Awarded through the "IKE" Disaster Recovery Program, the funding will be used to purchase and rehab or demolish vacant or abandoned homes and to upgrade water-sewer lines and roads in the vicinity of the targeted housing projects. 

"This funding will help revitalize the economy with much needed improvements for several suburban cook county communities," said Governor Quinn. "With this assistance, we're helping to ensure the expansion of affordable housing and improvement of the infrastructure needed to prevent future damage."

The recovery program is named for Hurricane Ike, the 2008 disaster that was one of the costliest hurricanes ever to make landfall in the United States. Illinois received a total of $169 million in federal disaster funds under the IKE to assist communities within 41 Illinois counties recover from devastating floods and storms in 2008 and minimize the impact of future disasters.

Last month, Governor Quinn announced $48 million in public infrastructure investments that were awarded in 85 Illinois communities, including six awards in south suburban Chicago totaling nearly $3.7 million. The awards will support long term recovery by upgrading core public infrastructure severely damaged by the 2008 storms and subsequent flooding throughout the Midwest. Projects range from levee improvements and culvert restoration to upgrades to water and sewer systems, pump stations and replacement of emergency power generators.

Governor Quinn announced the housing and public infrastructure grant awards on behalf of communities in south suburban Chicago during the July meeting of the Southland Chamber of Commerce. A complete list of projects is attached.

During the meeting, Governor Quinn also signed legislation that will help support economic growth in south suburban Chicago. House Bill 1730 sponsored by Rep. Al Riley (D-Hazel Crest) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) helps municipalities appropriate funding dedicated to economic development. The Governor also signed House Bill 1215 sponsored by Rep. Riley and Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) extends the deadline for the city of Markham to complete a redevelopment project in that TIF district.

For additional information on the IKE Disaster Recovery Program, visit www.ildceo.net/disasterrecovery.

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