HRCI Credits: 26 

Series Fee: $1,100 MRA members / $1,490 nonmembers

Courses can be taken as a series or per session.

Courses in this series:

HR Metrics: ROI for HR Initiatives

Monday, August 10, 2015  -  8:00am - 11:30am

Members: $200  Nonmembers: $265

Internal Investigations: A How-To Guide 

Monday, August 10, 2015 -  12:30pm - 4:00pm

Members: $160   Nonmembers: $205

Fundamentals of Compensation 

Monday, August 17, 2015 -  8:00am - 3:00pm

Members: $250  Nonmembers: $340

Finance Essentials for the HR Professional

Monday, August 24, 2015 -  8:00am - 3:45pm

Members: $250  Nonmembers: $340

HR Professional as Business Partner

Monday, August 31, 2015  -  8:00am - 3:30pm

Members: $250  Nonmembers: $340

Workers at IDOT, DHS, IDES, and CMS in Cook County to Vote on New Contract

SPRINGFIELD - After several productive rounds of good faith negotiations, the Illinois Governor's Office and Teamsters Local 700 have agreed to terms on a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. The current agreement expired June 30, 2015.

The new contract covers nearly 350 workers at IDOT, CMS, IDES, and DHS in Cook County. The employees work as highway maintainers, heavy equipment operators, and building service and maintenance workers.  Negotiations are ongoing for employees represented by Teamsters locals at locations covering the rest of Illinois.

The terms of the tentative agreement include :

• Maintenance of the current level of health care benefits for employees and their dependents as part of the State's continued contributions to the independent Teamsters Local 727 Health & Welfare Fund.
• A four-year wage freeze, continuing the 75% in-hire rate.
• Continuation of a 40-hour work week.
• A new performance incentive program to reward employees with bonuses for cost-saving measures and meeting or exceeding performance metrics.
• A collaborative program that allows management and the Teamsters to work together to provide low-cost alternatives to outsourcing.
• A reduction in the payout for accumulated unused vacation from 75 to 45 days for employees hired after January 1, 2016.

The tentative agreement will be submitted to the membership of Teamsters Local 700 for a ratification vote.

As a continuation of the productive negotiating sessions, the Teamsters and the Governor's Office also pledged to form a long-term relationship to improve employer-labor relations in state government.

By Jason Alderman

Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing fraud issues at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Online thieves have been capturing Social Security numbers and other tax filing data to file fraudulent returns, principally for the purpose of stealing refunds.

Just this past tax season, TurboTax, the leading tax preparation software company, had to stop transmitting state tax returns and introduce new safeguards after a run of suspicious returns. In March, the U.S. Treasury Department reported slightly over 2.9 million incidents of tax-related identity theft in 2013, up from 1.8 million in 2012. As to dollar loss, in January, the General Accounting Office (GAO) said the IRS had prevented an estimated $24.2 billion in fraudulent identity theft tax refunds in 2013, but actually paid $5.8 billion in refunds later determined to be fraudulent.

In terms of damage, tax identity theft is really no different than any other form of identity theft. Thieves illegally obtain your Social Security number through online or other resources and then go to work on your finances and reputation. The first you'll see of it will be on your credit report in the form of unfamiliar (and likely unpaid) accounts or unusual credit inquiries from employers or agencies you've never contacted. The problem may take months or years to straighten out.

Hearing about a false tax return might take time. Many taxpayers find out they've been hacked via a physical letter from the U.S. Postal Service - the IRS never sends (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing) taxpayer-specific correspondence via email -indicating that a duplicate return has been filed in the taxpayer's name. That means a significant amount of time might have passed between the hack and the taxpayer learning about the problem. Electronic filers might find out sooner because their return might bounce if a fraudulent one was successfully filed earlier.

Recent reports quote the IRS as saying it tries to settle such cases within 4-6 months, but news reports have indicated wait times might be longer. This is why anyone dealing with identity theft needs to move fast and be actively involved in containing the damage. Regulators can't do it for you and advertised services that say they can handle everything probably won't. You'll need to investigate and clean up your own records.

If you've been hit, first go to the identity theft action pages on both the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0008-tax-related-identity-theft) and the IRS (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Identity-Protection) websites for immediate ways to deal with the problem. Start with the following immediate steps:

• Order your current credit reports and set a fraud alert on each at the three major consumer credit rating agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Follow up to make sure those alerts are active.
• Set up a physical or computer-based file where you can organize, date and file all contacts, communications and paperwork associated with your case and keep track of any fraudulent transactions that occur.
• Create an identity theft report (http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0277-create-identity-theft-report) with the FTC and your local police department. This will help you document your contacts with regulators and law enforcement if there is an arrest.
• Make a call list for all creditors, banks, investment companies, utilities and your employer to let them know about the breach. If you work with qualified financial and tax experts, inform them too. If you've spotted fraudulent accounts, contact those entities to put a freeze on them and thereby limit potential losses.

If you've never experienced this type of identity theft, don't take your luck for granted. Even if you file your taxes by regular mail, make sure you set up your own personal IRS e-services (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Step-1-Create-an-IRS-e-services-Account) account, because reports have surfaced that identity thieves are opening false accounts with stolen taxpayer data. Finally, schedule receipt throughout the year of your three credit reports, which you can receive free once a year.

Bottom line: Anywhere your Social Security number goes, identity thieves follow - this tax filing season proved that. Safeguard your data and check your credit reports several times a year for irregularities.

(KANSAS CITY, Kansas) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today delivered testimony before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Kansas City, Kansas, in support of a robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  The full text of the testimony is below or available to read here.

"The EPA has a choice - protect the deep pockets of Big Oil and their monopolistic practices or nurture consumer choice, renewable energy growth and a healthy rural economy. Unless you advance a robust RFS, you will constrain growth in the rural economy, negatively impacting family farms, agri-business and the biofuels industries, and the citizens and businesses that are part of our nation's rural fabric," Branstad said at the testimony.

The hearing was held in response to the EPA's proposed renewable volume obligation levels.

"The EPA's decision will affect the lives of many Iowans, Midwesterners and consumers nationwide.  I hope that the EPA shows Midwesterners that the Federal Government has not abandoned its commitment to a robust RFS and revitalizing rural America," Branstad concluded.

In written comments submitted to the EPA, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said, "In rural America, supporting the RFS is not a partisan issue.  Supporting a strong RFS is good for farmers who add value to their agricultural products.  A robust RFS is good for workers in the biofuels industry, including those that have rewarding careers at Iowa's 42 ethanol plants, 13 biodiesel plants, and agricultural equipment manufacturing facilities and dealers.  Iowans know the importance of a strong Renewable Fuels Standard and we hope the multitude of testimonies today convince you of its importance as well."

The governor's full testimony, as prepared for delivery, are as follows:

Written Testimony from Governor Terry Branstad (Iowa)

EPA Hearing on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Proposal

June 25, 2015

Good morning, my name is Terry Branstad and I'm honored to serve the people of Iowa as their Governor. On August 15, 2013, I welcomed EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy, to Iowa at the state fair, and discussed with her the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard, or RFS, to our state.

That day:

• the price of corn was $6.00 per bushel;
• but now it has fallen to $3.45 a bushel, well below the cost of production, and
• Iowa farmland prices dropped 15 percent last year,  and
• USDA estimates that farm income will decline 32 percent this year.

Since that time, I have participated in numerous meetings focused on the importance of a robust RFS to a healthy economy in rural America. For example, in January of 2014, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey, Members of the Iowa congressional delegation, and I hosted interested citizens from across Midwest and from both political parties for a "Hearing in the Heartland".

During that open public hearing, 83 individuals testified in support of a robust RFS and only 2 people testified in favor of scaling back the RFS.  I had hoped to welcome you all to Iowa for today's hearing, but appreciate that you have at least chosen a Midwest venue outside the Beltway and further from the reach of Big Oil's army of well-paid lobbyists.

I've been a relentless supporter of biofuels dating back to the 1970s, when we called it "gas-a-hol". It's truly incredible to see how the industry has grown and provides diverse benefits to farmers, rural communities, and workers.

With a state that has over 92,000 farmers, dozens of thriving international agri-business companies, and a large variety of bio-science leaders, it's easy to see that the growth is a result of the hard work and innovation of our farmers and the technological advancement in the use of corn, soybeans and other biomass products.

There are many benefits that flow from the RFS and the use of biofuels, including:

o   Diversifying our nation's energy portfolio and reducing our dependence on overseas oil,

o   Reducing transportation fuel emissions,

o   Giving consumers choices at the pump, and

o   Helping grow family incomes in rural America.

In fact, biofuels have enabled value-add opportunities for a variety of biostocks including corn, corn stalks, soybeans, and woody biomass. And, renewable fuels have created high-paying jobs and rewarding careers in rural America.

In the current RFS proposal, I recognize that EPA has made some changes. For example, there are some encouraging changes to allow for increased volumes of biodiesel. Unfortunately, on the ethanol front, the agency seems to have bought Big Oil's faulty arguments - hook, line, and sinker. Big Oil has polluted the discourse with half-truths and a narrative that rewards their bad behavior of blocking market access for renewables.

The EPA's indecision the last two years, led to market uncertainty that hurt farmers and froze investment in next generation technology. My hope is that the EPA is open to improving the proposal much further and meeting the original congressional intent of significantly expanding the use of biofuels throughout the country.

The EPA has a choice - protect the deep pockets of Big Oil and their monopolistic practices or nurture consumer choice, renewable energy growth and a healthy rural economy. Unless you advance a robust RFS, you will constrain growth in the rural economy, negatively impacting family farms, agri-business and the biofuels industries, and the citizens and businesses that are part of our nation's rural fabric.

The proposed rule by the EPA would have a direct impact on the 42 Iowa ethanol plants and 13 Iowa biodiesel plants and the scores of facilities across the Midwest.  It is estimated that this single EPA proposal would cost thousands of jobs nationally.  That's thousands of families who would face undue financial hardship and stress.

The EPA's indecision and proposed rules have negatively impacted land prices, farm machinery manufacturers, and rippled throughout rural America.

I was Governor of Iowa during the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, a time which brought incredible hardship to farm families and rural communities. I will never forget the challenges endured during those times and it is not an experience I want to revisit.

After decades of efforts to reduce dependence on foreign oil, give consumers choices at the pump, and increase family incomes, the EPA's revised proposal would halt further progress. I find it ironic that Big Oil often attacks renewable fuels on environmental grounds through misinformation and half-truths - this from the same industry that was responsible for the MTBE debacle, the 1989 Exxon Valdez, and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spills.

I hope that the EPA will use some good Midwest common-sense and continue the progress made since 2005.

The use of co-products, such as DDGs, are also important to the growth of agriculture.  DDGs are an excellent source of protein for cattle and other livestock and have resulted in significant growth in cattle feeding in the Midwest.

States, including Iowa, and the Federal government are providing incentives for investment in renewable fuel infrastructure. Growth in E15, E85, and blender pumps, can help achieve the important goals set by the RFS.  And we are exploring how we might be able to expand those efforts via the recently announced USDA infrastructure initiative.

Retailers in Iowa know the importance of biofuels to our state and have installed blender pumps, which result in higher octane and lower cost ethanol-blended fuels for consumers.

In Iowa, E85 is nearly one dollar cheaper than regular gasoline.  When consumers have the choice, as they do in Iowa, they choose ethanol and other biofuels.  The oil companies are preventing some of these efforts in other parts of the country and consumers are forced to pay more for fuel.

In the last 18 months, there have been encouraging studies and data provided that I believe gives the EPA an opportunity to refine their approach.  Including:

o   Data that shows that there is more capacity to integrate biofuels into our nation's fuel supply, and

o   Data that shows that RIN activity did not affect prices at the pump.

I look forward to hearing from fellow Midwesterners who embrace choices at the pump and a robust RFS.  The EPA's decision will affect the lives of many Iowans, Midwesterners and consumers nationwide.  I hope that the EPA shows Midwesterners that the Federal Government has not abandoned its commitment to a robust RFS and revitalizing rural America.

I am hand-delivering letters from Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa congressional delegation - both Republicans and Democrats - as they join me in urging President Obama and Administrator McCarthy to alter the EPA proposal to support a more robust and effective RFS, as they have in the past.

Thank you for the opportunity to present.

Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds have been engaged in calling for a strong and robust Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for over a year.

Highlights of Iowa leaders' engagement on the RFS include :

• State and Federal elected officials, including Gov. Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds, participated in a "Defend the RFS" event.
• Gov. Branstad traveled to Washington, DC, joining a group of Iowa farmers and biofuels producers, to testify at the Federal government's only public hearing and met with EPA Administrator McCarthy.
• Gov. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Reynolds, Secretary Bill Northey and the entire Iowa congressional delegation sent a joint letter to Federal leaders advocating for the many benefits that flow from the RFS.
• Gov. Terry Branstad and Gov. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) penned an op-ed in support of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard.
• Gov. Terry Branstad brought together a bipartisan group of six governors to sign on to a letter to President Barack Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressing their support for a strong RFS.
• Leaders from across the Midwest joined Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds for their "Hearing in Heartland," which was open to all interested citizens; 83 panelists from across the Midwest Region spoke from the heart about the importance of the RFS to their livelihoods and a healthy rural economy while only two individuals expressed opposition to a robust RFS.
• Gov. Branstad, in his Condition of the State address, called on the Iowa Legislature to pass a resolution in support of a robust RFS. The Legislature unanimously passed bicameral, bipartisan resolutions calling for the EPA to reverse course and support a strong RFS. View the resolutions: House Resolution 101 | Senate Resolution 101
• State of Iowa leaders submitted formal comments to the EPA with current data and analysis that provides Federal leaders the opportunity and obligation to revise their initial volume obligations upward.