SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn released the following statement on the House passage of Senate Bill 1625, one of his 2013 State of the State proposals to increase safety in Illinois' schools in response to recent school shooting incidents in other states.

Following the deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn. in December of 2012, Governor Quinn convened top experts from across the state for a School Safety Summit to develop short and long-term actions that further safeguard schools. This legislation, proposed by the Governor, will require Illinois schools to hold active safety drills with local law enforcement to ensure they are as prepared as possible.

"I commend the members of the Illinois House of Representatives who today voted to implement new safety precautions throughout all Illinois schools as I proposed in my State of the State address.

"In the event of an emergency situation where a gun is involved, precious lives can be saved by knowing what to do, where to go and how to respond.

"Our schools can never be too prepared.  By working with local law enforcement, these safety drills will ensure that every Illinois school is as prepared as possible if, perish the thought, the worst should occur.

"I thank the members of the General Assembly for passing this important measure that will improve school safety, and I look forward to signing it into law."

SEWARD, NEB. (05/30/2013)(readMedia)-- More than 450 undergraduate and graduate degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded at Concordia University, Nebraska during its 2013 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11.

Commencement speaker Dr. Douglas Tewes used Concordia's theme Bible verse for 2012-13 -- "You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of His household." - to explain a Christian's obligation to serve.

"I think that as citizens of God's kingdom, we have responsibility in our citizenship here in America," Tewes said. In addition to delivering the commencement address, Tewes also received the honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Concordia.

Undergraduates earning degrees from Concordia were eligible for distinction or high distinction honors. Up to 10 percent of those who earned, at minimum, a 3.75 GPA were designated as graduating with high distinction. An additional 15 percent of those who earned degrees with a minimum 3.5 GPA were graduated with distinction. Departmental awards were also announced.

The following are Concordia University, Nebraska graduates from your area:

Kathy Schneiderman, Davenport, Iowa, Master of Education

Stephen Henderson, Davenport, Iowa, M.S. in Family Life

Leslie Rudzinski, Davenport, Iowa, M.S. in Family Life

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Neb. Concordia currently has over 2,200 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership. For more information, visit www.cune.edu.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/30/2013)(readMedia)-- After spring classes concluded, 34 Augustana College students traveled to Rome for 11 days. This trip is part of a Christian Traditions and Faiths in Dialogue class the students took during their spring term. The program focuses on Rome and the Roman Catholic Church, examining various perspectives on issues such as the doctrine of justification, war and peace, social and economic justice, and technological intervention in human procreation. Students also are given the option of completing service learning in the Quad-City community as well as in Rome, at the Nafuma Refugee Center.

Students who traveled to Rome include :

Ashley Heppner, a senior from Erie, Ill., majoring in theatre arts and communication studies.

Kjerstin Hurty, a senior from Moline, Ill., majoring in business administration-marketing.

Megan Kirik, a junior from Moline, Ill., majoring in political science and communication studies.

Kylie Koger, a junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in classics.

Jessica Larrison, a senior from Hampton, Ill., majoring in English.

Eric Palmer, a senior from Moline, Ill., majoring in political science.

Lauren Schneiderbauer, a senior from Sterling, Ill., majoring in biology.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Alumni include 140 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 14 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/30/2013)(readMedia)-- During winter recess, 19 Augustana College students traveled to Jamaica to complete service learning. The students had the opportunity to learn and teach alongside young Jamaicans at the Alpha Schools of central Kingston.

Students who traveled to Jamaica include :

Taelar Hillyer, a senior from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in English and language arts education.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Alumni include 140 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 14 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.