Appoints Seasoned Education Professional to Oversee Landmark Reform of Education in Illinois

CHICAGO - June 7, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today named Gery Chico as the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Today's action is the latest in a series of appointments the Governor is making as he continues to fulfill his commitment to increasing efficiency and accountability in all areas of state government, fostering economic development and creating jobs today and in the future.

"Gery Chico's decades of experience in education and administration will help keep our schools competitive and prepare our students to succeed in the global economy," said Governor Quinn. "His leadership will be vital as Illinois prepares to implement ground-breaking education reform that we hope will become the model for the entire country."

Chico previously served as president of the board of trustees for the Chicago Public Schools and chairman of the City Colleges of Chicago board. He is also a former chief of staff in the Chicago mayor's office. Chico holds a juris doctorate from Loyola University Chicago and is active in numerous community organizations including the Chicago Urban League, After School Matters and the Illinois Education Foundation.

As President of the Chicago Public Schools, Chico led an effort that improved student performance and teacher confidence for six consecutive years, turned a projected deficit of $1.3 billion into a $345 million surplus, and invested money to build 65 new school facilities and renovate another 375 existing school structures.

Chico also pushed for extended school day programs that allowed over 125,000 students to get more time in the classroom. In addition, he oversaw the creation of afterschool and summer programs that provided nearly 200,000 students with constructive activities to prevent youth crime.

The Illinois State Board of Education is composed of nine members appointed by the Governor to serve four-year terms. The board sets educational policies and guidelines that benefit Illinois' more than two million students attending for public and private schools, preschool through grade 12, as well as vocational education.

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Congratulations to Rivermont Collegiate junior Pavane Gorrepati, who has received the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award!  This prestigious award is a project-based scholarship for Iowa high school juniors and is unique in the fact that grades, test scores, essays, and financial need are NOT evaluated.  Students are selected on the basis of submitted project proposals of their own choosing and design.  Pavane's outstanding proposal, Sending Seeds Overseas, has earned her a chance at a $5,000 scholarship.  Pavane will complete her project before October, when she will present it at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum in West Branch, IA along with 14 other student finalists.  At that time, each finalist will receive $1,000 for participating in the program and a committee of accomplished Iowans will choose three students to win $5,000 college scholarships.

The award honors Iowa native and 31^st president Herbert Hoover - the name is taken from his "On the Uncommon Man" speech.  As part of the program, Pavane will spend a weekend in West Branch in June learning about President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover, including special tours of the Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and the Hoover National Historic Site.  This weekend offers finalists a framework to understand the inspiration for the award and to meet other student finalists.

In addition to being an Uncommon Student, Pavane was a Senior Champion at the 2010 Eastern Iowa Science & Engineering Fair (EISEF) for her project Warning about Warming: A Global Problem with a Fuel Cell Solution and presented fuel cell projects at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) in both 2009 and 2010.  She is a recipient of a Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, which will take her to the China National Hybrid Rice Research & Development Center this summer to conduct research.  In addition, Pavane will travel to the National History Day Competition in Washington, D.C. in June as part of a group performance with fellow Rivermont juniors Joann Weeks, Meghana Pagadala, and Christine Mbakwe.

Though Pavane is the recipient of many honors, the Uncommon Student is unique in that it encourages young Iowans to invest their talents in their schools, communities, and beyond - to display the skills and talents that Herbert Hoover demonstrated to spot a problem, devise a solution, and make changes when needed.  In the words of a parent of an Uncommon Student, "The Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student project pushed my daughter out of her comfort zone and challenged her to pursue a project she could get excited about.  The Hoover project required her to test her passion and commitment, and to share it with strangers."  In the words of a past Uncommon Student, "This scholarship does not grade you on your grades, test scores, or essays - just the ability to put your mind to completing something.  Explore your interests or seek what needs change.  The project can be anything you are interested in.  Think big!"

Rivermont Collegiate, located in Bettendorf, is the Quad Cities' only private, independent college-prep school for students in preschool through twelfth grade.  For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, contact Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.  Visit us online at www.rvmt.org!

For additional information on the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award, visit www.hooverassociation.org

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Local student graduates from Beloit College:

William A. Hawkinson, Davenport, son/Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Hawkinson, Bachelor of Arts, Economics.

Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, graduated a record 875 students during commencement exercises on May 13 and 14 including:

Rachel K Karsten of Moline with a BA in Instrument Music K-12 Ed.

SPRINGFIELD - May 30, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement on Senate Bill 2185.

"I believe everyone has the right to a first-class education, and the Illinois DREAM Act strengthens Illinois' commitment to ensuring education for all. The legislation allows private funding to be used to help students pay for higher education and to train high school counselors to assist undocumented children forward their educational careers."

"I would like to thank the numerous sponsors of this bill for their dedication to Illinois' children and their education. This legislation will support our next generation of scholars, business leaders and innovators, and I look forward to signing it."

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