On Monday, December 9, 2013 at 09:00, the Scott County Sheriff's Office will hold a Swearing In Ceremony at the Sheriff's Office on second floor of the Scott County Courthouse. Due to a deputy sheriff vacancy, Andrew Lellig has been hired as the newest deputy sheriff of Scott County.

Andrew Lellig was born and raised in Davenport and graduated from Davenport Central High School in 2007. He joined the Police Explorers in the summer of 2005, attended the University of Wisconsin Platteville for one year and graduated from St. Ambrose University in May, 2011 with a criminal justice degree. Andrew was sworn in as a reserve deputy sheriff in January, 2011 and was hired as an Eldridge police officer in August, 2012. Andrew graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in December, 2012 and has served the City of Eldridge since that time. Andrew currently resides in Davenport.

New Law Makes Illinois the 16th State in Nation to Embrace Equal Rights for All Couples

CHICAGO - In front of a crowd of thousands at the University of Illinois at Chicago's UIC Forum, Governor Pat Quinn today signed historic legislation making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality. The legislation permits all couples in the Land of Lincoln to receive the rights and protections of marriage.

As part of his agenda to ensure Illinois embraces all people, Governor Quinn made marriage equality a top legislative priority this year, featuring it in his 2013 State of the State address.

"This new law is an epic victory for equal rights in America," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois is moving forward. We are a model for our country. If the Land of Lincoln can achieve marriage equality, so can every other state in the nation."

Governor Quinn pushed for marriage equality throughout the 2013 legislative session. In 2011, the Governor signed into law historic civil union legislation. Since then, more than 6,000 couples from across Illinois have joined in a civil union.

Senate Bill 10, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Representative Greg Harris (D-Chicago), requires that all Illinois laws pertaining to civil marriage must apply equally to all couples. The law will guarantee equal access to status, benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities for all couples entering into marriage and their families. The law also allows the voluntary conversion of a civil union to a marriage and protects the religious freedom of churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other religious organizations.

"I couldn't be prouder of Illinois today as we become the 16th state to write equality into our marriage laws," Senator Steans said. "This is a day to celebrate the hard work of so many Illinois families whose commitment to human rights and basic fairness made this moment possible."

"This is a very proud day for the state of Illinois and a happy day for thousands of Illinois families who will now be treated equally in the eyes of the law," Representative Harris said. "I want to thank Governor Quinn, Speaker Madigan and my colleagues for making this day possible."

The law takes effect June 1, 2014.

CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon on Wednesday will join Governor Pat Quinn, numerous elected officials, advocates and members of the public to take part in the historic signing of legislation making Illinois the 16th state in the nation to recognize full marriage equality.

"Tomorrow will be a proud and historic day for Illinois," said Simon. "This is a momentous step toward fairness and equality. I am excited to be a part of this event and can't wait to start receiving wedding invitations."

Passed by the Illinois General Assembly on Nov. 5, this landmark legislation will provide equal access to the status, benefits, protections, rights, and responsibilities of civil marriage for all couples and their children in Illinois.

Though Illinois already has civil unions, only marriage affords couples the ability to file joint tax returns, participate in spousal Social Security and veterans' benefits, and benefit under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Civil unions will be able to be converted to marriages within a year of the law going into effect.

The signing and celebration is free of charge and open to the public. For more information or to register to attend, please visit Equality.Illinois.gov. 

Wednesday, Nov. 20

EVENT: Marriage Equality Bill Signing

TIME: 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION: University of Illinois at Chicago Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago

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CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 209

An Act Concerning: Appropriations

Makes Fiscal Year 2014 supplemental appropriations.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 45

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Grants six exemptions for liquor licenses under the Liquor Control Act of 1934.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 633

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Corrects a drafting error in SB 1639 (Puppy Lemon Law) from the spring session to clarify the amount of the reimbursement a consumer may seek.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1689

An Act Concerning: Elections

Changes the dates for the consolidation of the regional offices of education, and changes the nominating petition requirements for individuals running for regional superintendent.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2365

An Act Concerning: State Government

Allows an Illiana Expressway public-private partnership contractor to procure a design-build entity.

Action: Signed

Effective: Jun. 1, 2014