First Visit by Governor in 15 Years Will Help Promote
Illinois Trade, Business and Tourism

TORONTO - March 5, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn is in Canada today on an economic development visit where he is promoting Illinois' trade and business opportunities, as well as tourism and life sciences industries. This is the first trade-oriented visit by an Illinois governor to Canada in over a decade and builds upon Governor Quinn's commitment to strengthening relationships with Illinois' key trading partners.

"Illinois has always been a global business leader, and through our aggressive efforts to increase exports, attract international visitors and develop innovative new partnerships in growing and emerging fields," Governor Quinn said. "This visit is an opportunity for us to further promote Illinois on a global stage, work toward our goal of doubling Illinois exports by 2014 and create economic opportunities for the future."

Governor Quinn opened the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) trade show, the leading foodservices and hospitality event in Canada. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Department of Agricultural administered federal funding and technical support to 10 Illinois companies with exhibits at the show. The funding comes from a $1.26 million State Trade Export & Promotion (STEP) grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The show will help those companies increase their exports and global reach. A list of the 10 Illinois exhibitors is attached.

Canada is Illinois' largest export market, receiving more than $19.17 billion of Illinois exports in 2011, a 28 percent increase over 2010. Illinois exported more than $1.18 billion in agricultural, food and related products to Canada in 2011. Canada is Illinois'' fourth largest market for foreign direct investment and Illinois' top market for international visitors. More than 150 Canadian firms are located in Illinois that employ nearly 36,837 Illinois residents.

Governor Quinn also met with key members of the life sciences and bio-energy communities at a meeting hosted by MaRS (medical and related sciences) Innovation and MaRS Discovery District at the MaRS Center. The Governor discussed opportunities for collaboration in emerging biotech fields and highlighted the importance of Canadian participation in the BIO International Conventions that Chicago will host in 2013 and 2016. More than 900 Canadian biotech professionals attended BIO 2010 in Chicago - the largest delegation of any of the 61 countries attending the convention.

Illinois ranks first in the Midwest and eighth nationally in terms of high-tech jobs, according to Tech America's Cyberstates 2011 Report. After setting records for attendance in 2006 and 2010, Illinois will again host the BIO International Convention in 2013 and 2016. The success of BIO 2010, along with other key initiatives recently implemented in Illinois - the Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit, Illinois R&D Tax Credit extension, and Illinois Innovation Council - earned Governor Quinn the title of 2011 BIO "Governor of the Year."

While in Canada, Governor Quinn continued his efforts to increase tourism by promoting Illinois as a top destination for business and leisure travel during the "Visit Illinois" tourism luncheon held in Toronto. Governor Quinn was joined by Illinois Office of Tourism Deputy Director Jan Kostner to highlight the state's attractions, travel destinations and access to transportation to encourage more Canadian business and leisure travel to Illinois and Chicago. More than 100 Canadian travel executives, tour operators and travel writers attended the luncheon, along with members of the Executive Committee of the Discover America Canada Committee, U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson, and U.S. Consul General Kevin Johnson.

Illinois welcomed more than 1.1 million international visitors in 2010, maintaining Illinois' rank as the 7th most popular U.S. state for international visitors. In 2010, Canada was Illinois' top market for international visitors followed by the United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany and Japan. Canadians made 452,000 visits to Illinois last year, which contributed $227 million to the state's economy.

More information about Illinois trade and business opportunities can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website at www.illinoisbiz.biz.

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Friday, March 2, 2012

During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses the need to increase production of domestic energy to help lower gas prices and create jobs.  Along with other senators, he's urging President Obama to examine his policies that contribute to higher gas prices, including restricting access to federal lands and permitting delays, regulatory threats to refiners, and his Keystone XL pipeline decision.

Click here for audio.

Here is text of the address:

Along with other senators, I wrote to President Obama this week asking him to examine his policies that contribute to rising gas prices -- such as:

• restricting access to federal lands and permitting delays,
• regulatory threats to refiners,
• and his Keystone XL pipeline decision.

A lot of factors impact the price of oil - including OPEC decisions and Mideast turmoil -- but the Obama Administration has made things worse.  By limiting domestic energy production, we have less supply and higher prices.

Last year, consumers spent a greater percentage of household income on gasoline than any other year since 1981.

• Paying $4 or more for gas acts like a hidden tax on individuals and families.
• Rising energy prices also get in the way of job creation by raising costs of doing business for employers.

Americans need a comprehensive approach that:

• ramps up domestic production of traditional energy,
• allows the expansion of alternative and renewable energy sources,
• and encourages conservation.

Greater domestic energy production would increase supply and help to lower prices, and it would create American jobs.

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Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on the President's executive order creating a new Interagency Trade Enforcement Center within the office of the United States Trade Representative.

Des Moines, February 29, 2012–AARP called on the Iowa Legislature to professionalize Iowa's largest workforce - Direct Care Workers, asking the question, "Is Iowa Prepared to Care?" for our rapidly aging population during a news conference this morning at the Iowa Statehouse.

AARP Iowa State Director Kent Sovern urged Iowa's lawmakers to take action and pass Senate File 2298, a bill to boost professionalism among direct care workers by establishing core state standards for training and create career pathways for advance and specialization, and creates a Board to oversee these professional standards.  "AARP is pleased and proud to champion this effort to professionalize this workforce," said Sovern.

With an estimated 73,000 direct care workers in Iowa, these paid caregivers make up the largest segment of Iowa's workforce.  Moreover, demand for direct care services is high and growing.  Iowa will need an additional 12,000 direct care workers by 2012.  High turnover is a persistent challenge.

AARP Iowa State President Tony Vola addressed how this legislation will meet the needs and expectations of the more than 375,000 AARP members in Iowa for quality care.  "It is interesting to note that seven years ago, 8 out of 10 AARP Iowans surveyed said it is important for Iowa to certify direct care workers, and about a quarter of them said they think these workers are already licensed.  This bill provides a great platform for training; it provides an entry for people who want to get into the profession; it provides a great acknowledgement for those who are currently in the profession, and most important, it's just the right thing to do," said Vola.

AARP volunteer Ken Crouchman of Clive whose parents are live in assisted living facilities, said staff turnover is a real concern for his family and his parents' quality of care.  "I see the toll that this ever-changing parade of caregivers takes on my parents, and I feel the recommendations of Iowa's Direct Care Workers will help improve their situation.  I believe Senate File 2298 will go a long way to elevate the profession and better serve Iowa's long-term care needs.

Iowa's direct care workers have taken the lead in attempting to address the challenges of turnover and quality assurance by spending the past two years developing the recommendations proposed by Senate File 2298, a groundbreaking approach unlike any other state.

Iowa Caregivers Association Public Policy Consultant John Hale said, "Senate File 2298 puts us on the path to providing the quality of care and services that every Iowan wants for their loved ones and for themselves.  "It's a bill that creates a win-win-win-win: for providers of health and long term care services, for consumers who access those services, for workers who provide the service and for the taxpayers who pay a large portion of the bill.

Senate File 2298 is another example of where Iowa way out in front of the nation.  The work that's being done in Iowa to build a bigger and better direct care workforce, and to enhance the quality of care and services for Iowans, is work that leads the nation," Hale said.

Currently, Iowa has professional oversight boards and requires qualitative credentialing for all plumbers, hair stylists, massage therapists and a host of other occupations, but does not require a similar credentialing for all direct care workers.

"It's time to act to give Iowa's direct care workers the recognition and professional status they want and deserve, and to create the environment necessary for workers to meet the growing health care needs of our state," said Sovern.  "It is time for the Iowa Legislature to support the recommendations of the Direct Care Worker Task Force and professionalize Direct Care Workers by taking action to pass Senate File 2298."

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.