13 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action

By William Palmisano
**Friday, January 13, 2012**
CHICAGO - January 13, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:
Bill No.: HB 358
An Act Concerning: Government
Exempts regional transit board employees from the revolving door provision. Allows employees of regional transit boards to accept positions with the federal, state or local government and school districts.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 442
An Act Concerning: State Government
Allows the Illinois Finance Authority to forgive current financial agreements and consider them as assets to leverage against private capital to help providers and human services to the state of Illinois.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 508
An Act Concerning: Revenue
Allows county boards, with the treasurer's recommendation, to waive interest fees for unpaid taxes
on contaminated property to provide an incentive for redevelopment.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 606
An Act Concerning: Education
Allows school consolidation of Leepertown CCSD 175 into the Ladd CUSD, pending approval by Regional Board of Trustees.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 909
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
States that a person convicted of fraudulently obtaining public money reserved for disadvantaged businesses will lose profits attained from the crime and profits will be handed over to the state of Illinois.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 1368
An Act Concerning: State Government
Requires the Illinois Power Agency to submit two additional reports regarding renewable energy procurement, both due by April 1 of every year, starting in 2012.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: HB 1589
An Act Concerning: Civil Law
Requires that if a court temporarily modifies a custody or visitation order in matters of divorce during a parent's deployment, the court will accommodate visitation by telephone, audiovisual or other electronic means.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: June 1
Bill No.: HB 1958
An Act Concerning: Corrections
Prohibits use of restraints on pregnant prisoners or prisoners recovering from post-partum depression at Cook County Jail, unless the prisoner is a flight risk or poses another serious security threat.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  June 1
Bill No.: HB 3462
An Act Concerning: Insurance
Provides health insurance coverage under the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) for eligible, uninsured persons under 19 years of age.
Action: Signed
Effective Date: Immediately
Bill No.: HB 3788
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Alters the definition of a "long term acute care hospital" to one that that begins operations after January 1, 2009 (instead of 2010), and is designated by Medicare as a long term acute care hospital.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: HB 3840
An Act Concerning: Revenue
Requires the Department of Revenue to accept credit card payments for certain fees if the department is not required to pay a credit card fee for transactions.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 274
An Act Concerning: State Government
Allows more financial flexibility for students attending the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired to comply with federal law.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 348
An Act Concerning: Finance
Allows the Department of Human Services to be reimbursed for its administrative support to other units of government.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  June 1
Bill No.: SB 1259
An Act Concerning: Civil Law
Requires a bank to respond within 90 days to a written request from a client for a short sale on a foreclosure.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1377
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Amends the Hospital Services Act and states that long term acute care hospitals (LTACH) are not required to provide hospital emergency services, and shall be classified as not available.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1538
An Act Concerning: State Government
Clarifies eligibility guidelines for those enrolling into group insurance coverage.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
Bill No.: SB 1609
An Act Concerning: State Government
Changes the date of the Governor's budget address from February 15, 2012 to February 22, 2012.
Action: Signed
Effective Date:  Immediately
###
13 Jan 2012

PUBLIC SCHEDULE: Braley Observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By Jeff Giertz

Waterloo, IA - On Sunday and Monday, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at events in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

5:00pm                 Waterloo Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner

Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center

Waterloo, Iowa

 

Monday, January 16, 2012

 

11:30am               Cedar Rapids United Way Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Banquet

Class Act Restaurant

7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

# # #
13 Jan 2012

Governor Quinn Urges Illinoisans to Participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

By Nafia Khan

"Serve Illinois" Website Offers More than 100,000 Volunteer Opportunities

CHICAGO- January 14, 2011  Governor Pat Quinn today joined the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission in encouraging Illinoisans to take part in the Dr/ Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service this Monday, January 16. The theme of the service day is "A Day On, Not a Day Off."

"Dr. King's life was dedicated to service, and, in his memory, we should each strive to give back to our communities," Governor Quinn said. "We all have something to contribute and share to make our neighborhoods, state and country a better place."

Persons interested in giving back to their community can use the Serve.Illinois.gov website to be connected with more than 70,000 volunteer opportunities throughout Illinois. Volunteers can use the Serve Illinois website to connect with opportunities based on location and area of interest. The search feature also generates results for ongoing, one-time, and even web-based volunteer opportunities.

"Volunteerism is a great way to honor Dr. King, his legacy and his vision," said DHS Secretary Michelle R. B. Saddler. "I am proud and grateful to our community volunteers in our local DHS offices throughout the state."

Along with listing thousands of volunteer opportunities, Serve Illinois also has several partner organizations that will be completing service projects, including:

  • Carbondale - Land of Lincoln AmeriCorps, Rend Lake College - AmeriCorps members will be participating in a city wide clean-up in Carbondale.
  • Chicago - Project YES! - AmeriCorps members will be supporting the fifth annual literacy fair for youth and their families. Festivities include book reading, hands-on literacy activities and games.
  • Springfield - Springfield Urban League - AmeriCorps members will be partnering with Illinois Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross to distribute preparedness information to educate the community about fire safety and prevention.

Visit Serve.Illinois.gov to find a volunteer opportunity, as well as information regarding the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Serve.Illinois.gov is a project of IDHS and the Serve Illinois Commission: "Building Stronger Communities Through Service."

###
13 Jan 2012

Branstad, Reynolds to continue Condition of the State tour

By Jimmy Centers
(DES MOINES) -  Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced the second leg of their tour across Iowa to share the administration's Condition of the State message with Iowans in their local communities. The tour is set to visit Bettendorf and Mason City next week.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Noon Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds deliver Condition of the State address to Bettendorf Rotary Club at the Fortune Garden Restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf, IA

Thursday, January 19, 2012
11 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds deliver Condition of the State address at Kaplan University, 2570 4th St SW, Mason City, IA
###
10 Jan 2012

STATE OF THE JUDICIARY MESSAGE — JANUARY 11

By Rick Martin

Des Moines, January 10, 2012– On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at 10 a.m. in the House Chambers, Chief Justice Mark Cady of the Iowa Supreme Court will address a joint convention of the General Assembly on the State of the Judiciary. The chief justice will discuss the important role courts have in securing a prosperous economic climate in Iowa by providing businesses with the necessary confidence to invest or expand in a community. He will also discuss the role of courts in providing a stable and safe environment for the people who work and live in this state. The chief justice will apprise the legislators on the impact of a decade of budget cuts on the court's ability to provide access to justice for all Iowans. He will announce that the judicial branch stands ready to work with the legislative and executive branches on the goal of achieving a vibrant Iowa economy.

Live video of the speech will be streamed on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at www.iowacourts.gov beginning at 10 a.m.

Members of the media may obtain advance copies of the speech at 8:30 a.m. in the supreme court courtroom at the Capitol. The message will be posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website www.iowacourts.gov at 10:30 a.m.

 

 

 

# # #

10 Jan 2012

Eagle Scout Project Benefits Salvation Army Family Service Center

By Holly Nomura
Eagle Scout Candidate, Matt Budelier of Davenport, saw a need at The Salvation Army's Family Service Center. He had noticed that as he would travel down Harrison, the shelter's yard was lacking.

Matt raised over $2,000 to re-landscape the yard, add a flag pole and have a sign installed with the center's name.

Matt and his Boy Scout troop also donated hundreds of volunteer hours as they transformed the yard.

ACME Sign, who also donated much of the labor, will be installing the sign on Friday before 2pm.
10 Jan 2012

Invite Your Sheriff Today to Attend Constitutional Sheriffs Convention Jan 30 - All Expenses Paid

By Todd McGreevy
Good morning,
If you are interested in having your individual rights protected, then the most effective effort you can make is to ensure you have a constitutional sheriff upholding their oath of office, which includes enforcing the Bill of Rights.

Every sheriff in America is invited, all expenses paid, to the January 30th Constitutional Sheriffs Convention in Las Vegas, NV.    All 3,000+ member sheriffs of the National Sheriffs Association have been emailed the invitation twice so far, since Dec 29, 2011.  The event is being paid for by individual donations and sponsorships. Over 60 county sheriffs have registered thus far.

You can help get your sheriff there by ensuring he/she has the invitation and support of their constituents to attend. 
This event, which includes training on the 10th Amendment, 2nd Amendment, Interposition, Nullification and the Bill of Rights is being hosted by the Constitutional Sheriffs & Peace Officers Association, chaired by former Graham County, AZ Sheriff Richard Mack.

The invitation from Sheriff Mack is available online at www.CountySheriffProject.org/Invite and includes a list of county sheriffs who are standing up for the Constitution who will be sharing their experiences with their fellow sheriffs as well as the slate of guest speakers providing training on the issues named above. There is an extensive list of FAQ's at www.CountySheriffProject.org/faq and sheriffs can register to have their entire expenses paid for to attend this historic event at www.CountySheriffProject.org/register

Here's where you come in to help!

Please send a personal email, or hand delivered note with the invitation links or PDF found at the site, to remind your sheriff that he/she is invited to attend, and that their expenses are paid for... and that if they cannot make it, their designee's expenses are all paid for.
You can download the PDF of the invitation, or forward the invitation from the page at: www.CountySheriffProject.org/Invite

Here in the Quad Cities your county sheriff contact info is below.
If you need help finding your sheriffs contact information, just let me know, I can look it up very quickly for you. 

Sheriff Dennis Conard - Scott County Iowa - DConard@ScottcountyIowa.com

Sheriff Jeffery Boyd - Rock Island County Illinois -  (309) 558-3410

There is no down side for your county sheriff to attend this one day event, all expenses paid.
The event is still accepting donations (at the site and by mail) so more and more sheriffs can attend and several of us here in Scott County have donated hundreds of dollars to support our sheriff attending.
Thank you for reading this far.
Please check out the FAQ's section and if there are any questions I can help you with, please let me know.
If you are into Facebook, there are over 1500 followers at the County Sheriff Project FB page here
Thanks much,
Todd McGreevy
10 Jan 2012

A Rural Resolution for 2012

By John Crabtree

By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

The dawning of a new year is a time when most of us resolve to improve our lives in some way. This year, I resolve to dedicate myself to ensuring  rural America has a voice at the table as Americans grapple with the stern challenges that face our nation. There will never be a better time for rural Americans to raise up their voices as Congress debates a new farm bill and as the nation nominates Presidential candidates, chooses a President and elects a new Congress.

It is crucial that rural Americans ask tough questions of all our elected leaders. Will the farm bill finally include reforms that work for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities? Will such reforms ever be implemented, or will they be undermined when there is no longer an election on the horizon? Will efforts to stimulate the American economy include investments in proven strategies to revitalize rural communities? Will the farm bill include much needed investments in conservation, rural development and the next generation of family farmers and ranchers?

Rural voters will be vitally important in 2012. But we cannot expect candidates and elected leaders to fulfill their promises unless we are willing to take responsibility for ensuring they do. The role rural America plays in elections and policy debates this year will not be long remembered unless those of us who live here remind those candidates and elected officials, as many times as possible, that rural communities matter.
04 Jan 2012

The Red Avocado Newsletter: Impending demolition of our building

By The Red Avocado
Friends of The Red Avocado

You may have heard that our building (and a couple more) have been scheduled for demolition on January 29th. We were served 30 days notice. If we can't postpone the demolition, we are most likely out of business. The Haunted Bookshop started a petition. If you have a minute please sign.

http://www.change.org/petitions/save-the-red-avocado

If you have another minute please forward to all who may be able to help spread the word to as many people as possible. There are paper petitions out there too but this is the easiest way to amass numbers. We are aiming for 3000 by January 10th. It began yesterday and currently has 700+ paper signatures.

Paper petitions are out there at The Haunted bookstore, New Pioneer Co-op, White Rabbit, Record Collector, The Motley Cow, The Red Avocado, and more if you're talking to folks.

Thanks in advance

From all of us at The Red Avocado
04 Jan 2012

IOWA FARM BUREAU SUPPORTS BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO FUND ROAD REPAIRS

By Laurie Johns

Fuel tax will generate funds to repair rural roads, bridges

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - January 4, 2012 -Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) supports the bipartisan legislative effort announced this week to fund the state's much-needed road and bridge repairs.

Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization announced support of a fuel tax back in October, when a Citizen Advisory Commission report concluded that raising fuel tax by 8 to 10 cents per gallon would be the most equitable, fairest way to fund Iowa's critical infrastructure needs.

"Senator Rielly and Representative Tjepkes both served on that task force and met with Iowans who told them that it's time to do something about Iowa's aging roads and bridges.  They are working together to address the long term challenges of providing adequate funding to repair our roads and bridges," said IFBF President Craig Hill.  "With rural roads making up nearly 90,000 miles of our state's 114,000-mile road system, our members know how critical those roads are for maintaining access to services across the state.  We believe a sound infrastructure is crucial for our state's current and future economic prosperity," said Hill.

"The Iowa Department of Transportation says we need $215 million a year to meet the critical needs of our transportation system.  Those needs will increase as our infrastructure ages and construction costs continue to climb.  We haven't raised fuel taxes since 1989 and our roads have deteriorated significantly since then.   An 8- to 10-cent per gallon fuel tax would generate $184 million to $230 million per year; it's the fairest way to assure all who drive on our roads help pay for the repairs," said Hill.

IFBF members have long supported a fuel tax to pay for road repairs.  In 2008 IFBF delegates passed policy calling for the fuel tax increase to repair the state's roads and bridges.

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