Names Two Senior Advisors and Five Agency Heads to Continue Efforts to Boost Illinois' Economic Recovery, Address State's Fiscal Challenges

CHICAGO - February 7, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today named two senior members to his administration and re-appointed five members of his executive cabinet. Today's actions are the second step in a series of appointments Governor Quinn will make over the first quarter of 2011 as he continues to fulfill his commitment to creating jobs, recovering our economy and making state government more efficient and accountable to the people of Illinois.

Today Governor Quinn named Cristal Thomas to serve as his Deputy Governor for Public Policy and Sean Vinck to serve as Chief Information Officer. Governor Quinn also re-appointed Secretary Brent Adams to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Director Arthur Bishop to the Department of Juvenile Justice, Director Dan Grant to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Director Michael McRaith to the Department of Insurance and Director Marc Miller to the Department of Natural Resources.

"Continuing our mission of recovering Illinois' economy and addressing our budget challenges requires hard work by a team of dedicated and talented individuals," said Governor Quinn. "These seven appointees have an ethic of service and I am confident that they will work collaboratively and creatively to address our problems and move Illinois forward."

As Deputy Governor for Public Policy, Cristal Thomas will help develop and implement the Quinn administration's public policy priorities. Thomas previously served as Region V Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting as the official representative of Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Previously, Thomas was Executive Director of the Ohio Executive Medicaid Management Administration, serving as a member of Governor Ted Strickland's cabinet. Thomas previously served as Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Director of Strategic Planning for HFS, and Policy Analyst in the White House Office of Management and Budget. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.

As Chief Information Officer, Vinck will direct the state's information technology policies, focusing on improving and updating IT infrastructure. Additionally, he will oversee information technology officers throughout state government. Since January 2010, Vinck has served as Special Administrator for the Department of Corrections, where he was tasked with overhauling and modernizing the agency's electronic Offender Tracking System. Previously, he served as Governor Quinn's Chief Legislative Counsel and Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs. Vinck also served then-Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn as his Legislative Counsel. He holds a Master's Degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame.

Secretary Brent Adams partnered with legislative leaders, industry experts, and consumer advocates to develop and pass the Cemetery Oversight Act, one of the most pro-consumer cemetery laws in the country. He also chaired the Mortgage Fraud Task Force and coordinated the Mortgage Relief Project, a statewide program that has helped thousands of homeowners take advantage of programs that can help them save their homes. He drafted and served as a lead negotiator for consumers on the Homeowner Protection Act, the Payday Loan Reform Act, the Consumer Installment Loan Reform Act, and regulations to protect consumers from predatory auto title loans.

Director Arthur Bishop brings more 35 years of experience in administering child welfare, community mental health and substance abuse programs including 15 years serving in the Department of Child and Family Services where he led several initiatives requiring interagency collaboration between public, private and community-based partners, including family advocacy centers, paternal involvement centers and the Fatherhood Initiative. Bishop has also represented DCFS on the Governor's Task Force on the Condition of African American Males.

Director Dan Grant, a graduate of West Point, has led the Department of Veterans' Affairs since 2009. Grant has worked with members of the Illinois legislature and testified at hearings to help secure passage of a bill that ensured interest payments were made on delayed Line-of-Duty Benefit payments to bereaved military families (SB 2489.) He also spearheaded legislation to establish the Task Force on Service Member and Veterans Education and the Military Family Interstate Compact Implementation Statute Drafting Advisory Committee (HB 5368). Grant is also a captain in the U.S. Army and led 28 men in a combat arms platoon during a year-long deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served throughout the Sunni Triangle in Bayji, Samarra, Balad, and Tikrit in a wide range of roles, including leading a 120 person team of soldiers, local Iraqi's, U.S. contractors, and coalition allies in the excavation, collection and destruction of 3 million pounds of enemy ammunition during a 120 day mission.

Director Michael McRaith is leading the state's implementation of federal health care reform and serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (a high risk health insurance pool). He also supervises the state's Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), and has actively participated in developing, drafting and advocating for statewide and national health insurance modernization, including boosting reporting requirements to guard against unreasonable premium hikes by Illinois health insurance providers. McRaith also serves on the executive committee of the board of directors for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and serves on board of directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Chicago Chapter.

Director Marc Miller has led the Department of Natural Resources since 2009 after serving on then-Lieutenant Governor Quinn's staff since June 2004. Miller was instrumental in the development and implementation of many environmental programs including the Dam Safety Initiative and the Mud-to-Parks program, which promoted the beneficial reuse of river settlement. He has also been instrumental in dozens of park development and land acquisition projects throughout Illinois. Miller is also an avid outdoorsman with an interest in fly fishing, hunting, canoeing, wildlife viewing, camping and hiking.

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Where:        Rock Island Center for Math and Science, 2101 16th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois 61201
When:         Thursday, February 10, 2011
Time:           10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
What:          The Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting of IMSA's New Rock Island Region  Field Office located at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science.  IMSA joins forces with educators from the Rock Island Region of Illinois to help students prepare for highly skilled careers as they discover the joys of learning mathematics and science.

The Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting of IMSA's new Rock Island Region Field Office located at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science, featuring Rock Island Mayor Dennis Pauley and IMSA President Dr. Glenn W. "Max" McGee, will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science.  Other officials in attendance will be Dr. RuthAnn Tobey-Brown, principal of Rock Island Center for Math and Science and Dr. Michael Oberhaus, superintendent of Rock Island/Milan School District #41.

In addition to a welcome and comments from state and local dignitaries, the event will also feature a live science demonstration by the IMSA Kids Institute® (KI) conducted by IMSA students.  During the States of Matter:  Does it Matter? science demonstration, 25 students from the Rock Island Center for Math and Science  will see how solids, liquids and gases can change with temperature and through chemical reactions.  In addition,  IMSA on Wheels will perform Science is Shocking for 3-5th graders.

Through its new Rock Island Region Field Office, IMSA joins forces with educators from the Rock Island Region of Illinois to deliver professional development in mathematics and science instruction that focuses on inquiry and discovery; provide after school, weekend and summer mathematics and science programs for children; and address local needs by building and sustaining relationships with the Rock Island Region and coordinating mathematics and science programs with local organizations.

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and it serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategic partnerships. (www.imsa.edu)
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Generates More than $314 million in State Revenue

CHICAGO - February 7, 2011. More than 78,000 taxpayers sent payments to the Illinois Department of Revenue during the state's tax amnesty program that concluded last November. The program exceeded its budgetary goal, adding $314 million to the general revenue fund for FY 2011.

"This program's success is good news as we work to stabilize state finances and to maintain vital public services," Governor Pat Quinn said. "This much-needed revenue will help our state to meet its obligations and is another important step towards making Illinois fiscally sound."

The FY 2011 budget estimated that tax amnesty would infuse $250 million into state government coffers during this fiscal year. The state received a total of $717 million in tax payments; $314 million went to the general revenue fund, with the balance going to local governments and the state's income tax refunds.

"We are pleased with this program's end result - Illinois' tax amnesty exceeded expectations," said Brian Hamer, Director of Revenue. "The program was straightforward and simple, and it generated hundreds of millions of dollars to help the state meet its obligations to vendors, taxpayers, and providers of essential services."

During the five-week tax amnesty program, which ended Nov. 8, those who paid taxes from previous years were able to avoid interest and penalties on their tax debts. On Nov. 9, penalties and interest on those debts doubled.

While individuals were the vast majority of participants in the program, corporations accounted for most of the program's tax receipts. Companies scheduled for audits, as well as taxpayers in the collection program, also used the amnesty period, reassessing their own tax returns and making payments to fully eliminate their debt to the state.

In addition to the immediate cash infusion, tax amnesty broadened the tax base. Non-filers accounted for $12 million of state receipts, and will be easier for the state to track in future years. Additionally, improved tax tracking software and enhanced audit and collection capabilities will further assist the state in monitoring filers who came forward under amnesty for future compliance.

Tax Type                           Participants                 State Share of Amnesty Receipts

Individual Income Tax         59,777                         $ 20 million

Business Income Tax          5,264                          $ 252 million

Sales and Use Tax              9,347                          $ 111 million

Other taxes                         3,801                          $ 25 million

Total                                 78,189                          $ 408 million

 

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ROCK ISLAND, IL (02/07/2011)(readMedia)-- The Augustana Concert Band will give their final concert of the year on Saturday, February 12, at 2 p.m. in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). Under the direction of Dr. Frederick Jaeschke, the band will perform four lively pieces that were chosen by the students. The concert is free and open to the public.

Jaeschke, associate professor of music and music education coordinator, explains how the students select the music for the concert. "The members of the band listen and rehearse various pieces, and then vote for their favorites," he said. "This selection system makes the concert enjoyable for the students and the audience."

The concert will feature "The Willows of Winter" by B.J. Brooks, "For All the Wyle Eternal" by Ralph Ford, "Silverado" by Bruce Broughton, and "Chorale and Shaker Dance" by John Zdechlik. The four pieces are very different from each other. Broughton's "Silverado" was composed as the soundtrack for a western adventure story and is marked by an enjoyable melody and fun syncopated rhythms. "Chorale and Shaker Dance" is one of today's most widely-recognized pieces of band literature and is based on the well-known Shaker tune, Simple Gifts.

Marcus Julian, a sophomore oboist from Itasca, Ill., says that "Chorale and Shaker Dance" is his favorite piece in their concert because of the song's catchy, memorable melody. "I enjoy concert band because it gives me exposure to so many different types of music," he said."I think the audience will really like the different styles and genres."

Students performing in the concert from your area include :

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, Ill.. Ahuja is a first year majoring in general studies.

Hannah Barney from Bettendorf, Iowa. Barney is a sophomore majoring in business administration.

Greg Donley from Silvis, Ill.. Donley is a first year majoring in general studies.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, Ill.. Hullon is a first year majoring in general studies.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, Ill.. Maccabee is a first year majoring in general studies.

Elizabeth Mayer from Dixon, Ill.. Mayer is a first year majoring in general studies.

Halley Stearns from Sherrard, Ill.. Stearns is a sophomore majoring in communication studies.

The Augustana Concert Band includes students from a wide variety of majors and music backgrounds. "The the vast majority of students in concert band are not music majors," Jaeschke said. "For many of the students, playing an instrument has been a big part of their life, and they simply enjoy playing in the band."

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 70 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty members and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

WASHINGTON, February 7, 2011 - TOMORROW, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a national media conference call highlighting USDA efforts to help rural America win the future by helping businesses expand and increase economic opportunities in rural communities.

Secretary Vilsack will announce projects in the following states: Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
10:15 a.m. EST
WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a media conference call to discuss
USDA efforts to help rural America win the future by helping businesses expand and increase economic opportunities in rural communities.
DIAL-IN:

800-857-5233  

Passcode: USDA (Given Verbally)

Trouble number: 202-720-8560

All callers using the above pass code will be placed in listen only mode.  To join the Q&A portion of the meeting, these callers are instructed to press *1 on their touch tone phone.


2011 golf fees for the City of Davenport's 3 municipal golf courses will see some reductions or will remain at 2010 levels. Fees for Duck Creek Golf Course will be slightly reduced while weekday rates will apply on weekends after 12 noon at all three golf courses. Fees for Nine-hole rounds will also be reduced across the board.

"We've reduced Nine-hole fees especially for this upcoming season to encourage evening and short term play at all courses," said Troy Evans, Senior Golf Manager with Davenport Parks and Recreation.

Other changes for this year include group discounts for 18-hole groups with over 48 players. Reservation fees will only be required for weekend tee times this year. Weekday reservations fees for leagues are being waived.

"The overall priority of the Golf Division this year will be to maintain the 2011 prices, while at the same time providing the best conditions and highest value to our customers and the community," Evans added.

The City of Davenport has 3 municipal golf courses. They include Duck Creek Golf and Emeis Golf courses, both of which are 18-holes. The third is Red Hawk Golf and Learning Center, a 9-hole course with a 3-hole learning short course, and lighted practice areas. For more information on these golf courses, visit the website at www.golfdavenport.com.

 

 

2011 Golf Fees

Emeis

Duck Creek

Red Hawk

 

 

 

 

18 Holes - Weekday (M-F)

$21.00

$18.00

$15.00

9 Holes - Weekday (M-F)

$15.00

$13.00

$11.00

 

 

 

 

18 Holes - Weekend/Holiday (am only)

$24.00

$21.00

$15.00

9 Holes - Weekend/Holiday

$15.00

$13.00

$11.00

 

 

 

 

18 Holes Senior - Weekday (Age 62+)

$16.00

$15.00

$13.00

9 Holes Senior - Weekday (Age 62+)

$11.00

$10.00

$9.00

 

 

 

 

18 Holes Cart Rental - per rider

$14.00

$14.00

$12.00

9 Holes Cart Rental - per rider

$9.00

$9.00

$8.00

 

 

 

 

Twilight Golf

$17.00

$16.00

n/a

Twilight Cart

$10.00

$10.00

n/a

 

 

 

 

Junior Golf

$10.00

$9.00

$8.00

First Tee Graduate Golf

$6.00

$5.00

$4.00

 

 

 

 

Range Balls - Lg - 105

$7.00

$7.00

$7.00

Range Balls - Med - 70

$5.00

$5.00

$5.00

Range Balls - Sm - 35

$3.00

$3.00

$3.00

Range Balls - Warm up - 15

$1.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Reservation Fee - Weekend Only

 

 

 

$1 per player per time

 

 

 

*Weekend Fees Revert to Weekday Fees after 12pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Group Discounts: 18 hole groups that pay in bulk.

 

 

$1 discount per green fee for weekday groups over 48 players

 

$2 discount per green fee for weekday groups over 100 players

 

$5 shotgun fee - per player for shotgun outings under 127 players

 

* waive shotgun fee for groups 128-144

 

 

 

Q.  What is the difference between federal deficit and federal debt?

A.  The federal deficit is the annual amount the federal government spends over what it takes in.  According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the federal government is projected to take in $2.2 trillion in fiscal year 2011 and spend $3.7 trillion.  Because Congress now spends $1.68 for every dollar it collects through taxes, the result will be a deficit of $1.5 trillion.  Fiscal year 2011 will be the third straight year with an annual deficit of more than $1 trillion.  The federal debt is the cumulative amount of annual deficits.  The current federal debt is more than $14 trillion.

Q.  Why is the budget freeze in the news?

A.  Congress and the President are discussing ways to reduce spending.  In his State of the Union address in January, President Obama called for a five-year freeze on non-security related discretionary spending.  Congress determines discretionary spending levels annually, by passing 12 appropriations bills.  Entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security are not altered unless Congress passes a law to modify the programs.  The proposed freeze would affect about 11 percent of the federal government's budget.  President Obama predicts that his freeze would save $400 billion over the next 10 years.  What does that mean in terms of overall debt?  Well, the Congressional Budget Office predicts that if the federal government continues to spend at its current rate, it will add between $7 trillion and $12 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.  The $400 billion in savings President Obama predicts is 5.7 percent of $7 trillion and 3.3 percent of $12 trillion.  So, it's a drop in the bucket.

The reality is that you can't raise taxes high enough to satisfy the appetite of Congress to spend money.  Consider this.  Using current Congressional Budget Office projections, over the next 10 years federal spending and interest payments will average 23.5 percent of the gross domestic product.  This is higher than the 40-year average of 20.8 percent.  Also over the next 10 years, revenues coming into the federal government are projected to average 19.9 percent of the gross domestic product, compared to the 40-year average of 18 percent.  So, even with revenues at historic highs, spending will far outpace revenues.

Q.  What should be done to get the national debt under control?

A budget freeze is a step in the right direction, but we need a leap in the right direction.  Washington has to get serious about getting the debt under control.  That means taking an all-of-the-above approach that includes spending freezes, spending reductions, a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and increased efforts to stop fraud, waste and abuse of tax dollars.  Beyond freezing non-security related discretionary spending at fiscal year 2010 levels for five years, as the President proposes, I support freezing non-defense related discretionary spending at fiscal year 2008 levels for 10 years.  This change alone would save almost $1 trillion.  That's more than twice as much savings as under President Obama's proposal.

Q.  What else are you doing to get spending under control?

I'm a cosponsor of a resolution that proposes a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.  A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress as well as the approval of three-fourths of state legislatures.  Congress has voted on a balanced budget amendment several times over the years, but there have never been enough votes to approve the amendment and send it to the states for ratification.  I've supported a balanced budget amendment going back to my service in the House of Representatives.  In the Senate, I cosponsored the resolution proposing the amendment the last time it was brought up, in March 1997, when it failed by just one vote.  I'm also a cosponsor of the Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act.  This bill, which I also cosponsored during the last Congress, would let the President single out specific spending items in bills that land on his desk.  Congress would have to hold an up-or-down vote on the spending items within 10 days of the President's sending them back, as long as the President sends them within 45 days of signing the bill.  Any and all funds that are rescinded would go to reducing the deficit, under this proposal.

All this and more should be done to reduce the deficit and rein in the federal debt.  The debt will reduce opportunities for future generations, and the U.S. economy will continue to suffer the weight of a government that spends far more than it can afford.  It's only common sense that you can't sustain a situation like we have today, where for every dollar the federal government spends, 40 cents of it is borrowed

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Feb. 4, 2011 - The Iowa Farm Bureau's Farm Management Webinar Series will address crop insurance and crop marketing techniques in its next session held on Thursday, Feb. 17. The live webinar will be held at 1 p.m. (CST) .

Dr. William Edwards, Iowa State University economics professor, will lead the webinar, updating farmers' crop insurance knowledge and introducing the new COMBO policy. In addition, Ed Kordick, Iowa Farm Bureau commodity services manager, will discuss pre-harvest marketing plans, along with an early look at potential profitability regarding the 2011 crop.

"This is a great opportunity for farmers to learn up-to-date information that can assist them as they make 2011 crop decisions," said Kordick. "And they can do so from the comfort of their own homes."

Registration is encouraged. To test your computer's access, go online to www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect.  Once registered, you will receive an e-mail reminder. Participants can access the webinar at www.iowafarmbureau.comand look for the link on the main rotating banner.

An archived version will be available for Farm Bureau members.

To register and find more information, contact Kordick at 515-225-5433.

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CHICAGO - February 4, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 1631

Extends the Marquette TIF District in the Village of Romeoville from 23 years (ending in 2012) to 35 years (ending in 2024).

An Act Concerning: Local government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 1720

Expands the definition of a "hospital" to include "buildings on a campus" and aligns the definition of "campus" with the definition used by federal Medicare regulations.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5178

Exempts ticket sales and membership fees sold at the Brookfield Zoo from a municipal amusement tax.

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5417

Removes language providing that members of a downstate police pension fund receive a "pro rata" share of the benefits should such fund have insufficient money to pay the entirety of the benefits owed to its members.

An Act Concerning: Public Employee Benefits

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 902

Deletes a provision regarding the dispensation of money from the State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Fund, which is in conflict with another state law.

An Act Concerning: Fish

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2525

Ensures insurance availability for state employees and their dependents, and makes corrective changes regarding the Military Leave of Absence Act.

An Act Concerning: Public Employee Benefits

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3342

Provides that instruments issued by the Bi-State Development Authority mature at 40 years - rather than 30 years - after the date of issuance.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

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Efforts Aided More Than 4,000 Illinois Motorists Affected by Major Winter Storm, Maintained Critical State Services

SPRINGFIELD - February 4, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today thanked the first responders and Illinois National Guard members who assisted more than 4,000 motorists during this week's major snowstorm. The state's response effort was coordinated by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield. Liaisons from the state's key agencies worked around the clock from Monday afternoon through Thursday afternoon on response efforts.

"I thank the public servants and servicemembers who worked together to ensure public safety and preserve critical state services during this dangerous storm," said Governor Quinn. "Nearly the entire state was affected by this major winter storm, but by working together we were able to help more than 4,000 people in distress and ensure that essential state services were continued without interruption."

The state's combined efforts cleared 16,500 miles of highway and assisted more than 4,000 stranded motorists. The coordinated effort was led by the Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois National Guard (ING), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

From noon Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon, ISP assisted 3,400 stranded motorists throughout Illinois and handled 270 traffic accidents.

More than 500 Illinois National Guard soldiers and airmen were mobilized Tuesday to assist ISP with response to stranded motorists. Using more than 140 military vehicles, including 114 Humvees, the Illinois Guard assisted more than 200 snowed-in vehicles and assisted ISP with 16 vehicles, six accidents and one ambulance.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police (CPOs) also were activated for storm response duties on Tuesday to provide welfare checks and assist stranded motorists on Illinois roadways.  Nearly 50 CPOs used all-weather vehicles, including more than 50 snowmobiles and ATVs, to rescue or provide assistance to more than 550 stranded motorists during the height of the storm. Conservation police rescued several dozen people including a stroke victim and brought others to warming centers open throughout the state.

Since the storm began, 2,800 IDOT drivers have cleared 16,500 miles of highway throughout the state, utilizing 1,629 trucks. As a result of IDOT's around-the-clock snowplowing effort over the past several days, roads that were virtually impassable during the height of the storm have improved significantly and continue to improve each hour.

Facility management personnel from CMS ensured that necessary facilities were open, including several 24-hour facilities that offer service to the public, ISP and IDOT locations and headquarters that were critical to the response efforts, and garages to support public agency fleets. The agency's division of vehicles played an important role in the state's response by delivering fuel to keep plows running and making repairs. Some mechanics stayed overnight in the fleet garages to ensure they could get on the road again to continue assisting first response agencies.

The Illinois Tollway mobilized its full fleet of 183 snow plows to quickly clear the roads and kept its snow operations center open throughout the duration of the storm. The Tollway's dispatch center handled 1,549 incident calls during the storm and the agency worked with state police to respond to 77 traffic crashes, assist 512 motorists, fulfill 33 requests for service (fuel, tire change, etc.) and tow 133 vehicles.

Other storm-related state efforts included providing updated information about shelters and warming centers, road conditions, interstate access restrictions, and winter safety tips; coordinating with critical facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, to ensure they had power, water, medical supplies and staffing to remain operational; and tracking power outages throughout the state.

Throughout the winter storm, IEMA continually updated information on www.Ready.Illinois.gov to ensure citizens had access to vital storm-related information. Between Tuesday and Thursday there were more than 2.2 million hits to the state's preparedness site, more than four times the total number of hits during the month of January.

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