(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today encouraged Iowans to get involved with their government through the boards and commissions process.

The pair highlighted the more than 180 boards and commissions that advise all areas of state government, from the governor's office to the Legislature, as well as state agencies.

This spring, more than 225 positions on Senate-confirmed boards and commissions will see their terms expire, and the governor and lieutenant governor hope many Iowans will apply to fill the vacancies.

Among those board positions are spots on high-profile boards such as the Regents and Transportation Commission, but also dozens of licensing boards and advisory boards for departments and policy initiatives.

"Iowans can achieve great things by serving on a board or commission," said Gov. Branstad. "Boards and commissions are often where the rubber meets the road - helping create policy to the implementation of administrative rules."

A listing of all state boards and commissions, along with current openings, is found here: https://openup.iowa.gov/.

Lt. Gov. Reynolds says it's a great way for Iowans to get involved, and knows firsthand, as she was selected by Gov. Branstad to serve on the IPERS Investment Board in the '90s.

"We encourage all Iowans who are interested in being a part of citizen government to submit an application," said Reynolds. "This is a wonderful way for Iowans across the state to be involved, help to hold their government accountable, and implement and maintain a government delivery system that is commonsense, and works well for its citizens."

State law requires that all boards and commission be balanced according to gender and political affiliation. In addition, geographic and ethnic diversity are taken into consideration during the appointment process.

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CHICAGO - December 7, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bill:

Bill No.: SB 1566

An Act Concerning: Revenue

Creates an additional $2 surcharge to be collected for certain vehicles beginning with the 2014 registration year to be deposited into the Park and Conservation Fund for the Department of Natural Resources to use for conservation efforts.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2013

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SPRINGFIELD - December 5, 2012. Governor Quinn issued the following statement regarding the sustaining of his budget vetoes to close half-empty and empty facilities.

"Today is a victory for the taxpayers of Illinois.

"The Illinois House of Representatives sent a strong message about their serious commitment to reducing spending the state cannot afford.

"Closing these empty or half-empty prisons and juvenile detention centers that are no longer needed will save Illinois taxpayers $88 million a year, once the closures are fully implemented. These closures will strengthen our long-term effort to cut state expenses and put Illinois on sound financial footing.

"Once permitted by the courts, inmates who are still at the facilities will be transferred to other nearby facilities where there is room for them. All guards and other personnel will be offered jobs at other nearby facilities. And the taxpayers of Illinois will no longer be on the hook for spending millions of dollars we don't have on empty facilities.

"There is more work to do. We must work together in the weeks ahead to restore critically needed funding that will protect the state's most vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. I will continue working closely with the General Assembly to restore critical funding to DCFS to prevent the layoff of more than 500 front-line child abuse investigators.

"I am committed to continuing to take the difficult steps necessary to restore fiscal stability to Illinois.

"Working in partnership with the General Assembly, we've had a productive veto session and I look forward to continuing this progress in January as we tackle pension reform."

CHICAGO - December 4, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement thanking the Illinois State Senate for passing new traffic safety legislation that will help ensure every Illinois motorist is properly licensed.

"There are more than 250,000 immigrant drivers on Illinois roads today who have not passed a driving test, which presents a dangerous risk to other drivers. Our roads can be safer if we ensure that every driver in Illinois learns the rules of the road and is trained to drive safely.

"This legislation is about safety and responsibility. By making sure every driver is properly insured, Senate Bill 957 will improve traffic safety and save Illinois motorists $46 million a year in insurance premiums.

"I want to thank the members of the Illinois Senate for their bipartisan passage of legislation that will save lives and help more immigrants become stronger contributors to our economy.

"I urge members of the House to act quickly to make our roads safer and reduce the financial burden on all Illinois drivers."

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