16 Oct 2015

State Treasury Invests in Iowa's Economy

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (10/15/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced that, as a result of Tuesday's online auction, $100 million will be deposited in 42 banks across the state. The state will receive an average rate of return of 0.31% on these six-month certificates of deposit. "This was our last auction for 2015," Fitzgerald said. "I am looking forward to what next year will bring!"

Fitzgerald created the Invest in Iowa program in 1983 as a way to deposit state funds in Iowa financial institutions. The treasurer's office uses an auction format offering state deposits to Iowa banks six times a year, which allows the state to earn a competitive return on the funds while ensuring local banks have the money they need to keep the economy moving. The financial institutions hold the funds as CDs and use the money to make loans. Currently, the Invest in Iowa program has over $332 million invested in Iowa banks.

"We have seen a growing demand for this program over the last few years," Fitzgerald stated. "This allows us to increase the amount of funds available for bidding. I am glad this program continues to help facilitate lending around the state."

Invest in Iowa quarterly auctions are held on the second Tuesday of January, April, July and October. In response to growing interest in this program, two auctions offering one-year term CDs are also held throughout the year. The next auction is scheduled for January 12, 2016 at 10 a.m and will offer six-month term CDs. Each auction has an established minimum interest rate and a minimum bid. To learn more about the Invest in Iowa program, visit IowaTreasurer.gov, select "Invest in Iowa" under the "For Businesses" tab or contact the treasurer's office at 515-281-5368.

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16 Oct 2015

Let National Save for Retirement Week Boost Your Savings

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (10/15/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald encourages all Iowans to participate in National Save for Retirement Week this October 18-24. "We want everyone, from those just entering the workforce to those preparing to leave, to reflect on their retirement savings goals," Fitzgerald said. Visit www.icmarc.org/retirement-week.html to sign up for a webinar or access free retirement planning tools.

National Save for Retirement Week began in 2006 as an effort to increase public knowledge about the importance of saving for retirement and the benefits of employer-based savings and pension plans. Three separate webinars are offered throughout the week, and a National Pack-A-Sack Lunch Day is schedule for Wednesday, October 21. "There are many small ways to make a big impact on your retirement savings account," Fitzgerald added. "Even one less visit to the vending machine or cafeteria each week can really add up."

Learn more about saving for retirement at www.icmarc.org/retirement-week.html. Look into your employer's savings and pension plans, and find out if they offer an automatic paycheck deduction and employer match. Calculate just how much you will need during retirement and investigate the various investment vehicles in order to optimize your savings. Whether you are just now laying out a plan for your future, reevaluating your retirement approach or planning an upcoming retirement, let National Save for Retirement Week supercharge your retirement savings.

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16 Oct 2015

MUNGER: CASH SHORTAGE REQUIRES STATE TO DELAY PENSION PAYMENT

By Rich Carter
Retirement systems to be paid in full by end of fiscal year
CHICAGO - Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger on Wednesday announced that a cash shortage caused by the ongoing state budget impasse will force Illinois to delay its November pension payment, but she stressed the retirement systems will be paid in full by the end of the fiscal year.
Without a budget in place, the state is operating under a series of court orders, consent decrees and continuing appropriations requiring it to pay bills at last year's rates, despite projections showing a $5 billion decline in revenue. The resulting cash shortage has caused the state's unpaid bill backlog to swell to $6.9 billion this month, and will force the Comptroller's Office to delay a $560 million monthly pension payment in November.
Despite the delay in the state's payment to the retirement systems, retirees will continue to receive their benefits checks as scheduled.
"This decision came down to choosing the least of a number of bad options and it saddens me that we've reached this point. But the fact is that our state simply does not have the revenue to meet its obligations," Munger said. "We will use every available dollar in the higher revenue months this Spring to catch up with our commitments and ensure that our retirement systems are paid in full."
Faced with the ongoing cash shortage, Munger has prioritized payments for nonprofits serving children, the elderly, people with disabilities and other most vulnerable residents. She is additionally required to ensure the state does not default on its debt service payments, and to meet state payroll.
Still, the consequences of the budget impasse are seen on a daily basis across the state, Munger added.
"Families, businesses and organizations are paying the price for inaction in Springfield every single day," Munger said. "Nonprofits have had to shut their doors, our most vulnerable residents have lost access to services they depend on, college students are not receiving promised grant money and local governments are struggling to keep 911 Emergency call centers operating in the absence of funding.
"State government is not serving anyone well right now," she added. "It is incumbent on the General Assembly and Governor to lock arms and pass an agreement that will allow Illinois to regain its fiscal footing."
(END)
09 Oct 2015

Over 70 Democratic Lawmakers Voted to Limit Collective Bargaining Requirements

By Lyndsey Walters

-- House and Senate Democratic Leadership Repeatedly Supported Collective Bargaining Changes -- 

 

Governor Rauner yesterday delivered remarks explaining how reforming collective bargaining is a bi-partisan idea and would save taxpayers billions. In fact, many Democrats, including the House Speaker and House Majority Leader as well as the Senate President and Senate Majority Leader, have voted in recent years to limit and remove collective bargaining requirements in an effort to save taxpayers money.

"Twice in the last four years, Illinois Democrats voted to reform collective bargaining, but now they are hiding behind it to try to force spending higher and raise taxes on the people of Illinois," Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said.  "The notion that collective bargaining is sacrosanct to the Democratic Party is nothing more than political gamesmanship to protect the status quo and hurt taxpayers."

 

SB 1 (Pension Reform of 2013)

Senate Democrats voting aye:

Biss, Cunningham, Harmon, Hunter, Jones, Landek, Martinez, McGuire, Morrison, Mulroe, Munoz, Raoul, Sandoval, Silverstein, Stadelman, Steans, Van Pelt, Mr. President

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/98/senate/09800SB0001_12032013_005000R.pdf

House Democrats voting aye:

Acevedo, Andrade, Arroyo, Bradley, Burke, D., Burke, K., Cassidy, Chapa LaVia, Conroy, Crespo, Currie, D'Amico, Davis, M., Drury, Dunkin, Evans, Feigenholtz, Fine, Flowers, Gabel, Harris, G., Hernandez, Hurley, Jones, Kifowit, Lang, Manley, McAsey, Mitchell, Moylan, Mussman, Nekritz, Sente, Soto, Tabares, Thapedi, Turner, Verschoore, Walsh, Welch, Williams, Willis, Yingling, Zalewski, Mr. Speaker

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/98/house/09800SB0001_12032013_006000R.pdf

 

SB 7 (Labor Reform of 2011)

Senate Democrats voting aye:

Biss (House), Clayborne, Collins, Cunningham (House), Delgado, Forby, Haine, Harmon, Holmes, Hunter, Hutchinson, Jones, Koehler, Landek, Lightford, Martinez, Mulroe, Munoz, Noland, Raoul, Sandoval, Steans, Sullivan, Trotter, Mr. President

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/97/senate/09700SB0007_04152011_059000T.pdf

House Democrats voting aye:

Acevedo, Arroyo, Beiser, Bradley, Burke, D., Burke, K., Chapa LaVia, Crespo, Currie, D'Amico, Davis, W., DeLuca, Dunkin, Feigenholtz, Flowers, Ford, Franks, Gabel, Gordon, Harris, G., Hernandez, Jackson, Jones, Lang, Lilly, Mautino, Mayfield, McAsey, Mussman, Nekritz, Phelps, Rita, Sente, Soto, Thapedi, Turner, Verschoore, Williams, Zalewski, Mr. Speaker

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/97/house/09700SB0007_05122011_002000T.pdf

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09 Oct 2015

LOCAL EMPLOYEES TO NOMINATE THEIR BOSSES TO WIN A CATERED MEAL FROM FAZOLI'S

By Rick Martin

FAZOLI'S HELPS OFFICES CELEBRATE NATIONAL BOSS'S DAY

America's largest Italian fast-casual chain to recognize outstanding bosses on Oct.16

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. - (October 7, 2015) - Fazoli's, America's largest Italian fast-casual chain, makes celebrating National Boss's Day, Friday, October 16, easy by offering a complimentary meal for bosses and the opportunity to win a free catered lunch for their entire office–a Best Boss Bash!

Bosses will receive a free lunch special at participating locations when they bring two employees to dine in the restaurant on October 16 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Bosses will need to declare "I'm the Boss!" to get the deal.

Additionally, Fazoli's will select 10 exceptional leaders from participating markets to receive a Best Boss Bash at their workplace. The winners will be selected from nominations submitted by their employees. Bosses who display outstanding leadership characteristics, promote a positive work environment, encourage collaboration and invite expansive thinking are suitable candidates for the prize.

"A great way to celebrate National Boss's Day is to treat them to a delicious lunch," said Jon Quinn, vice president of marketing at Fazoli's. "With our premium menu of freshly prepared Italian entrées and expanded $5 Lunch hours, there is something for everyone to enjoy."

To register for a chance to win a Best Boss Bash, employees will need to visit Fazoli's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Fazolis, to fill out a Best Boss nomination form. Winners will be announced by October 31.

Fazoli's is proud to offer its signature $5 Lunch special Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Dine-in guests can choose any two half-portions of pasta, a slice of pizza or a side salad, as well as a drink, for only $5.

National Boss's Day began in 1958 when Patricia Bays Haroski registered the holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and has since evolved into an international celebration. The holiday was created with the goal of strengthening the relationship between the employer and employee.

 

About Fazoli's

With approximately 220 restaurants, Fazoli's is America's largest Italian fast-casual chain, serving freshly prepared entrees, Submarinos® sandwiches, salads and pizza. One of the New York Post's five breakout fast-casual restaurants and a FastCasual.com Brand of the Year, Fazoli's franchisees are experiencing record sales growth. Visit www.ownafazolis.com for details on development opportunities, including new operator incentives.
08 Oct 2015

Aiden Landman Joins Mickle Communications as Director of Brand Strategy

By Mark McLaughlin
IA/IL QUAD CITIES - Aiden Landman has joined Mickle Communications as Director of Brand Strategy. Previously, Landman served as Director of Young Professionals of the Quad Cities, an initiative of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. "In my new position, I will bring clients a new way of looking at marketing and branding," said Landman.
Landman was born in Morrison, IL. He graduated from Augustana College with a degree in Political Science. He noted that during his time with Young Professionals of the Quad Cities, his greatest achievement was bringing Uber to the Quad-Cities. Landman lives in downtown Davenport with his partner Chelsea.
"We are happy that Aiden has joined our team," said Mike Mickle, President of Mickle Communications, a marketing and video production firm based in Davenport, IA. "He is known as an innovator and community leader in our area and we look forward to working with him."
Mickle Communications is also the parent company behind QC Family Focus, a Quad-Cities area family magazine, and I-80 Productions, which produces reality shows and other video projects.
For more information on Mickle Communications, call (563) 940-7875 or email mike@micklecommunications.com.
07 Oct 2015

Medicare Part B Premium Relief Must Be Offset, says Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

By Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
October 7, 2015
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget urges lawmakers to couple any effort to prevent a Medicare Part B premium spike with offsetting savings to ensure the legislation does not add to the deficit or contribute to the rising costs of Medicare.
Next year, a small portion of beneficiaries are scheduled to experience a significant, temporary increase in their Medicare premiums of roughly 50 percent. As the result of a provision that prevents premium increases for most beneficiaries when Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are too low, higher-income seniors, new beneficiaries, and those whose premiums are paid by Medicaid will be required to pay the entire cost of Part B growth next year.
"Congress certainly has a full plate these next few months, between the need to address highway funding, sequester caps, the debt ceiling, tax extenders, and now this premium spike," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. "As we address these issues, we can't keep charging the costs to our credit card, and we especially shouldn't be increasing high and rapidly growing Medicare costs. Congress and the President need to pay for any premium relief, and preferably in a way that actually helps to slow future health care cost growth."
Media reports peg the cost of premium relief at about $7.5 billion.
"Just a couple of years ago, we were talking about health savings in the $300 billion to $600 billion range," MacGuineas said. "If our lawmakers can't even find $5 billion to $10 billion of health care savings, we're in big trouble as a country."
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07 Oct 2015

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Regarding the Agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement following the successful conclusion of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership:

"An agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations provides a more level playing field in trade for American farmers. The agreement would eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs on our products and deter non-science based sanitary and phytosanitary barriers that have put American agriculture at a disadvantage in TPP countries in the past. Despite these past barriers, countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership currently account for up to 42 percent of all U.S. agricultural exports, totaling $63 billion. Thanks to this agreement and its removal of unfair trade barriers, American agricultural exports to the region will expand even further, particularly exports of meat, poultry, dairy, fruits, vegetables, grains, oilseeds, cotton and processed products.

"Increased demand for American agricultural products and expanded agricultural exports as a result of this agreement will support stronger commodity prices and increase farm income. Increased exports under TPP will create more good paying export-related jobs, further strengthening the rural economy. Today, agricultural trade supports more than 1 million jobs here at home and contributes a trade surplus year after year to our nation's economy. All of this activity benefits rural communities and keeps American agriculture on the cutting edge of global commerce. The TPP agreement will contribute to the future strength of American agriculture and helps to ensure that the historic agricultural trade gains achieved under President Obama since 2009 will continue.

"The TPP agreement would not be possible without the extraordinary efforts of the negotiating team at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, assisted by the dedicated staff of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and the Office of the Chief Economist. I'd also like to thank the formal trade advisors and experts from agricultural commodity groups who provided valuable market information and creative proposals to better inform U.S. negotiators. Collectively, their efforts have led to a strong deal for American agriculture.

"Failing to grasp this opportunity would be a mistake: worse than just losing out on potential gains, our producers would fall behind other countries that are negotiating their own preferential arrangements in TPP countries. We are committed to working with Congress within the framework of the recently-passed Trade Promotion Authority to obtain a strong bipartisan understanding of and support for this historic trade deal that benefits farmers, ranchers, and all those who live, work and raise families in rural communities."

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30 Sep 2015

Abbey Carpet Gallery Celebrates 25 Years of Being Underfoot

By Mark McLaughlin
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - October 9th and 10th mark the 25th anniversary of Abbey Carpet Gallery Flooring & Interiors, locally owned and operated by longtime business partners Bill Daley and Lee Zindel. "People have been stepping on our products for 25 years, and we couldn't be happier!" Daley said.

To thank the Quad-Cities community for its ongoing support, Abbey Carpet Gallery will hold a celebration that will take place 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 9, and 9 a.m to 4 p.m., October 10. Abbey Carpet Gallery is located in the Walnut Center at 4811 North Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa. 

"Lee and I have worked together since the early '90s, and we've known each other for much longer than that," said Daley. "I concentrate on sales and business organization, while Lee runs the warehouse and installs carpeting for clients."

"Most customers don't realize that one of the business owners is doing the installation," said Zindel. "Customers often tell Bill that he should give me a raise!"

According to Daley, product lines offered by Abbey Carpet Gallery include residential and commercial carpeting; area rugs; vinyl tile, plank and sheet goods; hardwood floors; tile in porcelain, ceramic and natural stone; and window treatments. "With every project, our team members focus on the look and feel of the clients' finished rooms," Daley said. "In most cases, the job doesn't end with the installation of carpeting. We're happy to offer advice regarding paint, lighting and other aesthetic selections. We collaborate with the client, advising on both design and functionality."

Dedicated to Green Practices
Many customers do not realize that Abbey Carpet Gallery is dedicated to green practices. Many of their products are made with recycled or recyclable materials. To save trees, bamboo and cork are used frequently: bamboo grows back rapidly and cork is harvested from living trees. "When old carpeting materials are removed from a site, they are recycled whenever possible," Daley said. "When there are efficiencies when ordering in bulk, materials are often donated to our local Habitat for Humanity."

Daley and Zindel enjoy working with their customers and look forward to many more years of business in the Quad-Cities. "I do plan on retiring someday," Daley said, "but until then, we have a lot more floors to cover."

For more information on Abbey Carpet Gallery Flooring & Interiors, call 563-391-2593 or visit davenport.abbeycarpet.com.
30 Sep 2015

Ribbon Cutting - Riverbend Retro - 10/1/15

By LeClaire Chamber of Commerce
LeClaire Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting
October 1, 2015
9:30 a.m.
Riverbend Retro
106 S. Cody Road, LeClaire
Everyone Welcome!

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