SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the Chicago City Council's approval of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's five-year plan to raise the city's minimum wage from $8.25 in 2014 to $10.00 in 2015, to $10.50 in 2016, to $11.00 in 2017, to $12.00 in 2018 and $13.00 in 2019:

"Raising the minimum wage in Chicago and across Illinois is the right thing to do for all hardworking families in our state.

"Today I applaud Mayor Emanuel and Chicago's City Council for increasing the minimum wage step by step in the city, giving more residents the decent pay they deserve.

"In the November election, people across Illinois spoke out overwhelmingly on behalf of raising the minimum wage.

"This week in Springfield I am working to raise the minimum wage statewide and let Illinois lead the way for the nation in building the middle class. Putting money in the pockets of working families grows the economy and helps businesses thrive.

"It's time to raise the minimum wage in Illinois."

3 Retirement Essentials Every Boomer Should Follow for the New Year
By: Carl Edwards, MBA, ChFC®

Wow, what an amazing market ride over the last few years!  Running on tracks laid by an unprecedented Federal Reserve monetary easing program, the market has once again run to new all-time highs and appears to still have some steam. Or does it?

While no one really knows the answer to this, it is important to remember history as a guide, and to think about the future -- your future.  It wasn't all that long ago that the world's financial system was shaken to its core, leaving many retirees running for shelter from the Ebola-like symptoms displayed by world financial systems.  Fear over which institution or country would next display the almost certain deadly symptoms ran rampant.

I am certainly not echoing the calls of the past and screaming it's time to get your guns and gold.  I am, however, pointing out to consumers the recent and vivid reminders of the importance to get back to the basics with your financial planning this New Year.  If we fail to remember the past, we repeat it.  You have worked too hard preparing for this time in your life.

Let's review three vital elements you should implement in your retirement plan this New Year.

•  Get your annual financial check-up. How can we possibly forget to do this?  Annual check-ups are the number one preventative care tool at our disposal.  While many individuals should be meeting more regularly with their financial advisor, everyone should have at least the minimum of an annual visit.  Problems creep up and this is often the best way to catch them before it is too late.

•  Don't forget to diversify. Are you working with a broker who always wants to sell you mutual funds full of stocks and bonds?  Does your annuity guy think every dime you have should be stuffed into insurance products?  The reality is they are probably both wrong.  Find an advisor this year who knows the benefits of each of these products, but who also knows the value of how they work together.  Diversification is important and it may include each of these products along with other assets such as individual stocks and bonds, Certificates of Deposit (structured and fixed), Business Development Companies, Real Estate Investment Trusts, precious metals, and numerous other investments.

•  Rebalance, Rebalance, Rebalance. With the great equity run up we have encountered since the lows of March 2009, it is vital to remember that we must continue to evaluate our investment portfolios.  While equity portfolios have risen significantly since that time, other areas of our portfolio may not have fared so well, leaving our risk levels in need of adjustment. It is often a good idea to capture some of those hard-earned gains.  You never know -- the next major pullback could be just around the corner.  Be prudent, not greedy!

About Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards, MBA, ChFC®, is a Chartered Financial Consultant® and is the owner of C.E. Wealth Group, (http://www.cewealth.com). He has passed the Series 7, Series 66 and Series 63 securities industry exams. In addition, he has passed the Series 24 principal exam. He represents High Street Asset Management as an Investment Adviser Representative and Calton & Associates, Inc. as a Registered Representative.  The views expressed in this article reflect the opinion of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of Calton & Associates, Inc. or High Street Asset Management. Information contained in this article is not a recommendation, solicitation, or offer to buy or sell securities.  Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and are not intended as investment advice or to predict future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results.  Individuals should consult a financial professional before making investment decisions.  Edwards is also a licensed insurance agent in Life, Health, Medicare Supplement and Long Term Care insurances. Edwards received a master's degree in business administration and is currently completing a second master's degree in finance from Penn State University. He also is a member of the American MENSA.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos today joined with leaders from the Clinton, Iowa area in calling for a meeting between community leaders and the Target Corporation. Target recently announced they were planning to close the SuperTarget store located in Clinton, which serves over 100,000 people in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. In a letter to Target Corporation CEO, Brian Cornell, the lawmakers called for a delay in closing the store and for a meeting with company executives so Clinton community members could provide additional input. Loebsack and Bustos believe that community input to highlight the positive economic effect that the scheduled opening of the Federal prison in Thomson, IL will have on the area is necessary before the closing occurs.

"We write to request a meeting on behalf of Iowans and Illinoisans who will be significantly impacted by the closure of one of your stores in Clinton, IA. It is our hope that you will consider delaying the announced closure to allow for additional community input and time for local officials to devise solutions that may give Target incentive to stay," wrote the lawmakers. "We believe that local community leaders can adequately show how the positive economic impacts that a federal prison, already estimated to be $100 million annually for the region, and the hundreds of jobs it creates can benefit our local Target store. "[T]his meeting would be a good first step in finding a solution that would benefit both parties. We hope the local community also has a chance to be heard before any further action is taken on the Clinton, Iowa Target."

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

Davenport, IA- Jiffy Lube^®, Davenport IA location has just received word that it has been awarded second place in the National Oil & Lube News "Best Looking Lube" contest. Over 1,000 photographs of oil and lube facilities from across the nation were submitted for this national contest. Photographs of our local Jiffy Lube^® facility were submitted and took home a second place award. The Jiffy Lube^® facility was featured in an article showcasing all of the top winners, in this nationally circulated publication.

National Oil & Lube News published that Jiffy Lube's modern décor, mounted flat-screen TV, and minimalist design of this particular store (located in Davenport, Iowa) is what thoroughly impressed the judging panel. The minifridge built into the counter certainly didn't hurt, either.

Several judges commented on the cleanliness of the shop, and one noted that the bays were, "nice and clean." Even the brick touches on the exterior felt warm and inviting.

"I felt relaxed just looking at the pictures. It looks small on the outside but packs a punch on the inside. Love it," one judge said.

Another praised the shop as a whole. "This lube shop has it right. Clean bays, immaculate waiting room and exterior ? everything a customer like me looks for."

The Davenport Jiffy Lube^®, which opened May 24, 2014, is locally owned and operated and is the second location of the Jiffy Lube National Franchise to be open in the Quad City area. Located at 3430 Elmore Avenue, Jiffy Lube^® is open Monday through Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays. As with all Jiffy Lube^® service centers, no appointment is necessary. While our certified technicians are servicing your vehicle, we invite you to relax in our luxurious waiting room complete with gourmet coffee, leather seating, iphone chargers, and two big screen televisions.

Jiffy Lube^® technicians will expertly perform the popular Jiffy Lube^® Signature Service^® Oil Change, which includes changing, inspecting, checking/filling and cleaning key vehicle parts and fluids and offers drivers a quick and convenient way to maintain their vehicle. The Jiffy Lube^® Signature Service^® Oil Change is a convenient solution that can help drivers preserve the value and longevity of their vehicle.

About Jiffy Lube

Jiffy Lube^® pioneered the fast oil change industry more than 30 years ago, today with more than 2,000 locations in North America over 22 million customers each year rely on the brand to keep their vehicles running right. Jiffy Lube^® helped define vehicle preventive maintenance by upholding the values that the company was founded upon: convenience, speed and quality service. But Jiffy Lube^® understands that vehicle maintenance can be stressful. Today, Jiffy Lube^® continues on the journey to help every driver be free from the anxiety of keeping their vehicle in top shape. Jiffy Lube^® helps keep your vehicle running right for the long haul, so you can Leave Worry Behind.