(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today delivered the 2016 Condition of the State address to the Iowa General Assembly and the people of Iowa.

In his address, Gov. Branstad struck an optimistic tone about the upcoming ...

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) encourages all Illinoisans to “Take the LEAD” and observe FOP National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) on Saturday, January 9.

“Law enforcement is usually a thankle...

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley will hold nine town meetings in Iowa Jan. 6 through Jan. 8 as part of his annual 99-county meetings. 

With these meetings, Grassley will begin his 36th year holding meetings in every one of Iowa's 99 counties.  Grassley has held a meeting in every county, every year since he was first elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Jan. 6 through Jan. 8 Grassley will be in Grundy Center, Allison, Waverly, New Hampton, Calmar, Cresco, Osage, Manly and Clear Lake. 

"Representative government is a two-way street.  I'm one half of the process and the people of Iowa are the other half.  You can't have representative government without dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent," Grassley said.  "I appreciate the opportunity to hold town meetings, answer questions and take comments."

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has made appointments to the Illinois Labor Relations Board and the Illinois Arts Council.

Name: John Hartnett

Position: Chairman - Illinois Labor Relations Board

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed John Hartnett as the Chairman of the Illinois Labor Relations Board (ILRB). He has served as the board's chairman since 2012. Hartnett has an extensive background in labor relations from his time as a state employee and as a consultant in labor negotiations.

For 26 years, Hartnett served as a labor relations manager at Central Management Services and then at the Illinois Department of Human Services. In these positions, he administered the labor relations program for the agency. In 2003, he joined JHDH, Inc. as Vice President. It is a negotiation and labor relations consulting firm that represents employers in the public and private sectors.

In addition to his time in the private sector, Hartnett was a senior associate at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, where he provided leadership education and management development to elected officials of local governments. In addition, he was an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois-Springfield in the School of Public Administration until 2012.

Hartnett earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Western Illinois University. He lives in Springfield.

Illinois Arts Council Appointments

Christina Gidwitz

Tim Touhy

William Brattain*

Peggy Montes*

Cecilia Rodhe*

Howard Tullman*

*denotes reappointment