SPRINGFIELD - May 31, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: HB 3184

Allows county boards to determine fees (not to exceed $75) for each civil union or marriage license and provides for $5 from each fee to be remitted to the state's Domestic Violence Fund.

An Act Concerning: Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

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SPRINGFIELD - June 1, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 754

Creates a craft brewer's liquor license specifically permitting craft brewers to self-distribute beer.

An Act Concerning: Liquor

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

New MLS Laser Treatment offers instant pain relief and promotes healing.

May 12, 2011 (Moline, IL) - Dr. Kevin Smith, D.P.M. has become the first podiatrist in the Quad-Cities to offer MLS laser therapy to his patients.  The FDA-approved treatment is quick, painless and offers quick instant relief of pain, swelling and inflammation without side effects.   The treatment has been used successfully to treat patients with heel pain, sprains and strains as well as relieving pain from arthritis of the foot, and helping to speed healing after foot surgery.

MLS Laser Therapy will compliment the broad array of treatments and therapies available at Dr. Smith's practice.  Dr. Smith calls the MLS system "the most promising treatment I have seen in years for relieving pain and promoting healing," said Dr. Smith, who purchased the device for his practice in April.  He added, "I was impressed not only by the results the MLS Laser produced, but also the broad range of problems it can treat."   MLS Laser Therapy has become a very popular pain relief option in the clinical practices where it is offered, with 90% of patients experiencing significant improvement of their symptoms in as few as one to two treatments.

Though lasers have been used by doctors for some 35 years, MLS Laser Therapy is a state-of-the-art breakthrough in restoring patient mobility. This innovative therapy works at a cellular level using a synchronized combination of laser emissions, simultaneously addressing swelling, pain and the loss of joint motion. The result is a significant leap forward and a huge departure from traditional treatments.

Dr. Smith explains, "Using the MLS Laser, the cells of the tendons, ligaments and muscles, even the skin repairs itself faster. As the inflammation is reduced, the pain subsides, helping the body achieve a speedy recovery."  Unlike some pharmacological solutions or invasive treatments, MLS Laser Therapy has no known negative side effects. Chronic conditions can be successfully controlled with one phase of 10 short treatments followed by an occasional maintenance treatment.

Treatments last 4 - 8 minutes each.   Benefit from these treatments generally last 48-72 hours.  A standard series of 6-7 treatments is recommended to achieve optimal, sometimes permanent results.  Because tissues can only absorb a limited amount of energy at a time, treatments must be separated by at least 15 hours.   "We're so pleased to be able to offer this remarkable treatment to our patients, especially those whose pain has been difficult to manage," said Dr. Smith.

By Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

Beginning farmers and ranchers face significant challenges, including access to land and capital (thanks to rapidly increasing land values and cash rents). They also face barriers in accessing federal programs designed to assist them with getting started.

Despite these hurdles, there is no shortage of people who desire to farm or ranch. While there are challenges, there are also great opportunities -  the local food movement, alternative livestock production, and the growth in organics, to name a few.

If we want to encourage a new generation to pursue a career in agriculture, we must have a national strategy and commitment to design public policy that addresses the unique needs of beginning farmers and ranchers.

Beginning with the 1990 farm bill, Congress created programs for beginning farmers and ranchers, particularly in the area of farm credit. The 2008 farm bill went further by reworking existing provisions and crafting new initiatives and incentives.

In the 2012 farm bill, we will encourage Congress to expand and improve on this base, break down barriers to entry and give real support to ensure the effective start-up and success of new small and mid-scale producers across the country.

We will push for greater commitment to the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which provides beginning farmer and rancher training, more flexible credit provisions, increased access to conservation assistance and crop insurance that is relevant to diversified operations. We will also look for opportunities to include tax incentives to encourage leasing or selling land to beginners.

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Local thespians celebrate lives of Galenians during 18th annual walk

GALENA, Ill. - Eight former residents of Galena will present their riveting stories in live theatre format on Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, at Greenwood Cemetery, Gear St., Galena. Guided 75-minute tours will step out every 20 minutes between the hours of 2 and 4:30 p.m. during the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society's 18th annual Cemetery Walk. An indoor "seated" performance at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, will be held at Grace Episcopal Church.

"Greenwood Cemetery is a link to our past...like an open history book," said Ronn Toebaas, producer and director, who has assembled an outstanding cast of local actors to bring these wonderful stories to life.

Personalities profiled are: John and Mary Packard, a Galena entrepreneur and his wife who amassed a vast fortune through the production and sale of axle grease; Adele Gratiot Washburne, the first white child born in Galena, who later married the powerful politician Elihu B. Washburne and spent years living abroad when her husband was appointed Minister to France; Samuel Simpson Grant, younger brother to Ulysses, who was working in the Grant Leather Store at the time Ulysses arrived in Galena; Herman Kohlsaat and Nancy Baker, a powerful newspaper mogul who as a child befriended Mrs. Baker who made wonderful cookies (in subsequent years he brought noted dignitaries to her doorstep to sample her gingersnaps); Sarah Coates Harris, a progressive thinking Galena physician and lecturer who spoke eloquently on female anatomy, plant taxonomy, temperance, and a woman's right to vote (she was married to riverboat captain and early Galena entrepreneur Daniel S. Harris); and Mathias Meller, an immigrant from Germany who was one of Galena's most successful beer brewers.

Local actors portraying the Galenians include Ron and Kris Chapman, Jim Clark, Steve Coates, Carmen Ferguson, Deb Hyland, Carole Sullivan and Ted Williams. Historical research for the script was provided by local historians Scott Wolfe and Kris Chapman. Jenni Ackerman is coordinating the period costuming. Bryan Ackerman is Stage Manager in charge of technical direction.

Tickets are $12 per person for the guided theatrical tour and are available onsite the day of the performances or at the Galena History Museum, 211 S. Bench St., in advance. The performances are suitable for all ages; kids under 6 are free. No reservations are necessary; small groups will be formed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The addition of a performance the following Saturday evening, June 18, is recognition that some guests may have difficulty navigating the rolling cemetery terrain and paths. Weather and daytime work schedules sometimes prevent attendance as well, so a "seated" indoors performance is a welcome addition. Guests may enjoy the performance from a comfortable pew - also for $12 per person - at 8 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 309 Hill St., Galena.

The event is hosted by the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society. Major sponsors include Vincent Monuments, US Bank, McCoy Insurance and Real Estate, and Merkle International. For more event information or to purchase tickets, contact the Museum at 815-777-9129 or visit www.galenahistorymuseum.org. For information about room availability, shopping, dining, attractions, events and more, go to www.galena.org, the Web site of the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, or call 877-464-2536 toll-free.

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WHAT: View the first works of art from the "The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Chair Design" to be installed at the Figge Art Museum.

WHEN: 1p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second St., Davenport, IA, 52801

WHO: Dr. Rima Girnius, Figge Art Museum Associate Curator, will be available to answer questions about the exhibition.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Media will enter the Figge through the loading dock entrance just east of the main entrance, where they will be met by staff who will guide them to the exhibition. Dr. Girnius will be available to provide information on the works of art on display.

The exhibition presents the history, innovation and construction of American chair design.  Curated from a private collection, this exhibit showcases important selections from the 1800s to the present by designers and manufacturers including John Henry Belter; George Hunzinger; the Herter Brothers; the Stickley Brothers; Frank Lloyd Wright; Charles and Ray Eames; Isamu Noguchi; Frank Gehry; Knoll; Herman Miller; Steelcase and others.

The Pontiac-Oakland Auto Museum will open to the public on July 23, 2011.  However, due to numerous requests by local, state, and national media outlets for access to the new museum prior to the official opening, we are allowing special press-only access to the museum between July 11th and July 16th.

Reporters, film crews, and still photographers are welcome to come to see the museum and meet with Tim Dye, the director of the museum, as well as with city officials, including Pontiac Mayor Robert Russell.

Although the museum will not be 100% complete at that time, we anticipate that over 90% of the artifacts, classic and antique cars, library materials, and other displays will be in place and ready for viewing.  Members of the press will be able to spend time seeing the collection as well as learning more about the Oakland and Pontiac brands, and the genesis of the museum project.

It is expected that the new museum will draw thousands of visitors each year to our city.  Among the thousands of items in the collection to be displayed are:

  • 15 classic Oakland and Pontiac cars, and a horse buggy, dating back to the 1890's
  • Over 300 linear feet of print materials in a resource library
  • Dealer sales training films, pamphlets, and guides
  • Over 2,000 gas station road maps from the 1930s, '40s, '50s, and '60s.
  • Pontiac Car promotional items - signs, buttons, awards, etc.
  • Over 2,000 oil cans and a marvelous collection of gasoline-related artifacts

The new museum joins the growing list of attractions in Pontiac, including the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum, the International Walldog Mural and Sign Art Museum, the Livingston County War Museum, Looking for Lincoln Heritage sites, and the city's 21 colorful, outdoor murals.  Over the last few years, Pontiac has risen to become one of the state's most popular tourist destinations.  The number of visitors who come to our city has been increasing by nearly 20% each of the last three years.  We anticipate that the new museum will help us to continue that trend.

If you are interested in coming to preview the museum and/or interview Tim, Penny, or any of our city officials, please contact us and we will set things up to best meet your needs.  I can be reached by phone at (800) 835-2055, and by email at: tourism@pontiac.org.


Jordan Catholic School is proud to release the following:

2011 Award Recipients (8th  grade graduates)

Jordan History Award?Andrew Rea

Sister Mary Paulina Sullivan Math Award--- Kadie Klauer

Jordan Middle School Language Arts Award?Claire Dodson

Carl and Marion Schorpp Award?Isabelle Anderson, Molly Chambers, Daria Guzzo, Michaela Hird, Kadie Klauer, Claire Schroeder, Andrew Lekowski, & Sydney Ruggles

Knights of Columbus Award-R.I.-Anthony Hoang & Sydney Ruggles

Gerard & Colleen Huiskamp Foundation Scholarship- Sam Kelly

Edward Kenney Alleman High School Tuition Scholarship- Grace Copen

Sister Mary Catherina Walsh Award- Joe Bryant & Daria Guzzo

Glenn and Lou Wood Award- Michael Do & Isabelle Anderson

St. Ambrose Parish Memorial- Joe Bryant

Frank & Evelyn Noe Scholarship- Claire Benisch

Knights of Columbus- Milan- Mason Mc Guire

Al & Pat Kukla Scholarship- Phuc Do & Molly Chambers

American Legion Award- Kadie Klauer & Michael Do

Jordan Booster Club Award- Isabelle Anderson, Daria Guzzo, & Tommy Davies

 

Friends of Jordan Scholarship Recipients (6th-7th  grade)

Rebecca Nonnenmann

Will Mihm

Brendan Hird

Alyssa Carpita

Connor Boyd

Maris Boelens

Sidney Boelens

Samantha Sharp

Emily Bauer

Cassie Wales

Peter Mihm

Matthew DiIulio

 

 

2011 Graduating Class

Isabelle Anderson

Jacob Bain

Claire Benisch

Jacob Bierman

Adrianna Brenny

Joseph Bryant

Molly Chambers

Grace Copen

Morgan Cusack

Clarence Darrow

Tommy Davies

Jalen Davis

Caitlin DeWitte

Michael Do

Phuc Do

Claire Dodson

Samuel Foster

Griffin Fowler

Daria Guzzo

Michaela Hird

Anthony Hoang

Emily Hoffman

Justice Humphrey

Sarah Hunter

Dale Huntley

Sam Kelly

Kadie Klauer

Matthew Larson

Andrew Lekowski

David Lommell

Denise Lommell

Adrianna Lozoya

Abigail Matya

Mason McGuire

Tatum Metzger

Jacob Orth

Anna Parkinson

Andrew Rea

Sydney Ruggles

Samuel Schaecher

Mitchell Schissel

Jacob Schoeck

Claire Schroeder

Sofia Serrano-Griffiths

Hannah Standefer

Julia Thomer

Molly Thompson

Cole Vetter

Isabel Watts

Patrick Willert

SPRINGFIELD - May 30, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement on Senate Bill 2185.

"I believe everyone has the right to a first-class education, and the Illinois DREAM Act strengthens Illinois' commitment to ensuring education for all. The legislation allows private funding to be used to help students pay for higher education and to train high school counselors to assist undocumented children forward their educational careers."

"I would like to thank the numerous sponsors of this bill for their dedication to Illinois' children and their education. This legislation will support our next generation of scholars, business leaders and innovators, and I look forward to signing it."

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Also to participate in discussions about NATO missions, anti-corruption efforts and immigration

WASHINGTON - May 29, 2011 - Senator Chuck Grassley is traveling this week to participate in meetings in Brussels and Moscow.  He said the trip provides an opportunity to address market access problems for soybean and pork producers in the United States and the need to protect intellectual property rights.  He also will receive a briefing on NATO-led efforts in Libya and Afghanistan, discuss anti-corruption efforts of Russian law enforcement in cooperation with U.S. authorities, address human rights and press freedoms, and discuss U.S. visa requirements for Russian travelers.

Of the trade issues for American agriculture, Grassley said, "Both the European Union and Russia are imposing non-tariff trade barriers against soybeans and pork produced by U.S. farmers for the export market.  The European Union's position on soybeans has created uncertainty for farmers, traders, co-ops and processors in the United States.  American farmers need the EU to engage in a dialogue to try to resolve an unfair situation.  Likewise, Russia's unjustified position against U.S. pork has delisted plants that account for 60 percent of U.S. pork production capacity.  I look forward to taking on both of these issues in meetings this week."

Grassley said he will deliver a letter on the soybean export dispute addressed to European Union Commissioner Karel De Gucht, the Directorate General for Trade.  The Renewable Energy Directive of the European Union relies on a faulty Brazilian model to establish emission savings and applying directive guidelines all the way down to the farm level.  Grassley said aggregate certification is needed as a fair trade matter for U.S. oilseed producers, along the lines of the sustainability requirement in the U.S. renewable fuel standard.

Separately, Grassley plans to deliver a letter about Russia's unjustified limits on U.S. pork addressed to First Deputy Prime Minster of the Russian Federation Igor Shuvalov and Aide of the President of the Russian Federation Arkady Dvorkovich.  Pork products from the United States face an array of sanitary phytosanitary restrictions by the Russian government.  Grassley said that if Russia is to gain membership in the World Trade Organization, which it is currently seeking, then Russia needs to abandon import restrictions, like this one, which are unscientifically based.  The United States was able to obtain commitments from China and Vietnam to overcome similar obstacles as part of those countries' accession to the World Trade Organization.  Twenty-five percent of all U.S. pork is produced in Iowa.

Grassley said that Russia's desire to join the World Trade Organization also should help to encourage Russian officials to improve enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights, which are important to promoting innovation, creating jobs and advancing economic growth.  He said the Senate-passed PROTECT IP Act that he sponsored this year with Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont provides a model for working to stop online piracy and the sale of counterfeit goods.

In other meetings, Grassley said he will seek more information about possible outcomes for the NATO-led effort in Libya and how military operations have shaped those possibilities.  He also wants to ask for a NATO assessment of support from the Afghan people for the Karzai government, progress in eliminating government corruption, the capability of Afghan security forces, and the outlook for the strength of the Afghan National Army.

In Russia, Grassley said he is concerned about human rights abuses and efforts by government authorities to restrict media coverage and allow political pressure in the judicial system.

Grassley and others senators on the trip left Washington yesterday and will return on June 4.  Grassley is Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.  He is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  He is a senior member and former Chairman and Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over international trade.

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Washington, DC - May 25, 2011 - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after it was reported that Ryan McSweeny, an Iowa Marine from Marion, was injured by a roadside bomb while on combat patrol in Afghanistan:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan and his family. This has been a very difficult time for all deployed Iowans. My heart goes out to all these brave young men and women and their families."

Three Iowans were killed in Afghanistan in April and several have been injured in May.

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