CHICAGO – To speak out in favor of equal rights for the disabled and raise awareness of the barriers they face, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit Access Living Aug. 5.

The organization advocates on behalf of those with physical, psychiatric and cognitive disabilities in matters of housing, education, and access to health care. Access Living is participating in the Disability Visibility Project, a year-long campaign organized by StoryCorps to raise awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities in advance of the 25^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act next summer.

"As we approach a quarter century under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it's important to look at how far we've come, but also how much more we need to do to ensure equality and protection for people with disabilities," Simon said. "I applaud Access Living's work in helping people who have disabilities overcome the barriers to information, services and advocacy they face."

Among other initiatives, Access Living is helping the elderly and people with disabilities living in nursing homes return to their own homes under the expansion of managed care outlined in the federal Affordable Care Act.

The organization's legal department also advocates for tenants and property owners with disabilities.

Simon will visit with organization officers and tour the Access Living facility Tuesday.

DATE: Aug. 5, 2014

TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Access Living, 115 West Chicago Ave., Chicago

Signs New Law Proposed by Illinois Third-Graders Devoted to Fighting Puppy Mills; Issues Order to Create Illinois Pet Advocacy Task Force

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action to protect animals across Illinois by fighting puppy mills. The Governor today signed a new law that was proposed by three dedicated third-graders from Arlington Heights and increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Today's action, taken at a Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS) event in Chicago, is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure that all animals are treated humanely in Illinois.

"Our pets are a part of the family, and we must always treat them with care and respect," Governor Quinn said. "Three students from Arlington Heights created this new law because they wanted to make a difference and protect animals across Illinois."

House Bill 4410, sponsored by State Representative David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) and State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), increases fines on anyone that violates the state's Animal Welfare Act, which makes it a crime to mistreat animals. A first violation is more than doubled from $200 to $500; a second violation is doubled from $500 to $1,000; and a third violation will result in a $2,500 fine in addition to a probationary status for the violator. The law is effective immediately.

This bipartisan measure was conceived by Claire Hackmann, Brooke Martin and Maddie O'Dell, third grade students from Patton Elementary School in Arlington Heights. Claire, Brooke and Maddie read a book about two students that rescued a puppy from a puppy mill, which led them to research puppy mills and contact Representative Harris about ways to limit these operations. Their lobbying efforts included a presentation at an all-school assembly to members of Patton Elementary School faculty, gathering signatures from students and concerned citizens and even testifying before the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee.

"It is great to see the Animal Welfare Act updated by House Bill 4410 for the protection of all animals, and it is wonderful that the initiative for the bill was started by three third graders from Patton School," Representative Harris said. "I am proud to have been able to help them, and I applaud their dedication in pushing the bill."

"This legislation was an initiative of a class at Patton School in Arlington Heights to ensure that pet stores, dog dealers and those that board cats and dogs properly comply with the Animal Welfare Act," Senator Althoff said. "Most dealers and kennel operators are professionals who take their responsibilities seriously, but unfortunately, there are always exceptions and under current law, the penalties being enforced for those who violate the Animal Welfare Act were too minimal to deter irresponsible breeders and dealers from mistreating or abusing animals in their care. Increasing the administrative fines for those who violate the Act will offer greater protection for animal welfare and ensure that violators are held accountable."

"We applaud the state of Illinois and Governor Quinn for working to deter the abuse and neglect of animals by increasing fines for violators of the Animal Welfare Act," PAWS Chicago Founder Paula Fasseas said. "Animals are defenseless living beings and we must be their voice and protectors."

In addition to signing House Bill 4410, the Governor today also issued an executive order creating the Illinois Pet Advocacy Task Force. The Task Force will study issues of animal cruelty, neglect and abuse and make recommendations that will ensure proper treatment and care of Illinois pets. The Task Force will issue a report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 12 months

The legislation was signed at PAWS Chicago, Chicago's largest no-kill shelter. PAWS is focused on solutions to end the killing of homeless pets. Since the organization's founding in 1997, the number of homeless pets killed in the city has been reduced by nearly 70 percent, from 42,561 to fewer than 14,000 last year. The animal rescue spares animals from this fate and provides them with a forever home. For more information about PAWS Chicago and pet adoption, visit http://www.pawschicago.org.

Governor Quinn is the proud owner of a rescue dog named Rosie, a Yorkshire Terrier mix whom he adopted from PAWS. The Governor has long been a pet lover and advocate for the humane treatment of animals. Last year he signed the "Puppy Lemon Law" to give buyers protection for pet purchases and to help reduce the possibility of emotional trauma that comes from losing a pet. He also signed new laws to help ensure that all dogs in Illinois are treated humanely when tethered outside and to provide humane options for stray farm animals such as adoption or placement in a sanctuary.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced that he will bring his "Getting Iowans Back to Work" Tour to Muscatine on FRIDAY, August 8th. At this forum, Loebsack will bring together businesses, labor organizations, local stakeholders, and education and training providers to discuss the SECTORS Act. This legislation, a jobs and workforce investment bill that Loebsack introduced in the House, creates partnerships to help close the gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and skills that businesses need. Large portions of Loebsack's SECTORS Act were recently signed into law by the President as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

"When traveling around Iowa meeting with business leaders, I hear time and time again that they can't find workers with the skill set they need to be able to hire, despite high unemployment rates," said Loebsack. "There is a gap between the kinds of skills that workers have and the skills that businesses need. The tools created by the SECTORS Act work to address this gap by targeting workforce development efforts to foster the kind of skills that local businesses need right now."

Loebsack will also hold forums in Burlington, Ottumwa, Davenport, Newton, Keokuk and Osceola. Media are invited to attend.

"Getting Iowans Back to Work" Tour - August 8th

2:15pm @ Muscatine Community College, 152 Colorado Street, Muscatine IA 52761

Attendees will include :

Bob Allbee, President of Muscatine Community College

Gary Mohr, Executive Director of External Affairs for Eastern Iowa Community College

Greg Jenkins, President of Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce

Muscatine Community College Staff

Local Industry Representatives

DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today a stop at the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth during the 2014 Iowa State Fair may pay off. "With over a million names listed, fair goers could find they have unclaimed money waiting for them to claim," Fitzgerald said. "The State Fair is one of the most successful events we do to reach people who may have money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt."

"Over the years, we have been successful in reuniting people with their lost treasures," Fitzgerald added. "Last year during the fair, over 8,500 claims of unclaimed property were discovered, totaling more than $1.9 million. The booth will have computers set up for people to search for their name and staff will be on hand to answer questions and to help treasure hunters print claim forms."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $180 million in unclaimed property to more than 434,000 people since Fitzgerald created it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

to search for your treasure today. Be sure to like Great Iowa Treasure Hunt on Facebook and follow the program on Twitter @GreatIATreasure.

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