(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed the following bill into law:

House File 2459: an Act relating to the individual income tax by creating a tax credit for reserve peace officers and by modifying the tax credit for volunteer fire fighter and volunteer emergency medical services personnel and including retroactive applicability provisions.

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Des Moines, May 15, 2014–The Iowa Supreme Court has approved more than $282,000 in grants to non-profit programs that provide legal assistance to low-income Iowans with civil legal problems. The court awarded grants to fifteen different organizations throughout Iowa. The grants are funded by the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Account (IOLTA) program. With this year's grants, the supreme court has awarded more than $24 million in IOLTA grants since the program began on July 1, 1985.

"These grants help low-income and elderly Iowans with serious civil problems have their day in court or obtain advice or the relief they need," Chief Justice Mark Cady said. "Many of these grants go to statewide projects, but others target specific communities from Sioux City to Davenport and from Mason City to Centerville. Without these grants, many Iowans would never find relief from domestic abuse, fraud and other injustices."

IOLTA grant funds are generated entirely from interest earned on certain pooled trust accounts held by Iowa lawyers. Lawyers practicing law in Iowa are required by court order to deposit clients' funds the lawyers hold in interest-bearing accounts. When the funds involved are so small in amount or held for such a brief period of time that it is not possible for the funds to economically benefit the individual client, court rules require that lawyers deposit the funds in pooled interest-bearing trust accounts.

The IOLTA program is managed by a seven-member commission that reviews grant applications and then makes award recommendations to the supreme court. In the 29-year history of the IOLTA program, the supreme court has awarded most of the grants to organizations that assist low-income Iowans with civil legal problems such as divorce, domestic abuse, unsafe housing, and illegal evictions. The court has also presented grants to law-related education projects. IOLTA grants do not support criminal legal defense.

The following grants will be awarded for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015:

Iowa Legal Aid (Des Moines)–$121,530.00

For legal staff in Iowa Legal Aid regional offices for an established program of civil case assistance to low-income Iowans (service area: statewide).

HELP Through Education and Law Program, Inc. (Davenport)–$21,090.00

For legal staff to offer civil legal assistance to indigent and elderly persons, particularly in the areas of domestic relations, community legal education, service to the institutionalized elderly and domestic abused, and administrative advocacy (service area: Scott and Clinton counties).

Muscatine Legal Services–$6,755.00

For legal staff to maintain an existing program of civil legal assistance to low-income residents (service area: Muscatine County).

Legal Aid Society of Story County (Nevada)–$8,270.00

For legal staff support to offset demand for legal assistance for low-income persons (service area: Story County).

Polk County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (Des Moines)–$30,920.00

For staff for volunteer lawyer referral service in Polk County serving the low-income community (service area: Polk County),.

Sioux County Low Fee Panel, Sioux County Bar Association (Sioux Center)–$1,860.00

Funds civil legal assistance for economically disadvantaged individuals in the Sioux County area (service area: Sioux County).

The Iowa State Bar Association Public Service Project (Des Moines)–$31,330.00

For staff and technical support to increase the participation of attorneys in existing volunteer lawyer projects for indigent Iowans and provide assistance to legal service agencies (service area: statewide).

Civil Legal Assistance Fund, Second Judicial District (Mason City)–$5,900.00

Funds civil legal assistance to low-income fathers, mothers, or children involved in dissolution of marriage or modification cases in which other legal assistance is not available (service area: Second Judicial District).

Know Your Constitution Committee of the Young Lawyers Division, The Iowa State Bar Association (Des Moines)–$2,180.00

Funds for the Know Your Constitution Program, which provides education to Iowa high school students about the United States Constitution (service area: statewide).

Clinical Law Program, Drake University Law School Legal Clinic (Des Moines)–$8,600.00

Funds to continue the Poverty Law Internship Program, a clinical law program in which upper level law students intern with legal service providers throughout the state (service area: statewide).

Iowa Legal Aid (Des Moines)–$20,670.00

For legal staff support to continue the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans (service area: statewide).

Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault (Des Moines)–$5,200.00

Funds law-related education and attorney training specific to the issues of sexual assault on Iowa youth (service area: statewide).

Iowa Justice For Our Neighbors (Des Moines)–$5,900.00

Funds legal services to low-income immigrants involved in removal proceedings or other immigration-law matters (service area: statewide).

Kids First Law Center (Cedar Rapids)–$3,130.00

Funds legal services to children in high-conflict divorce and custody cases when their parents cannot afford counsel[for them (service area: Linn and Johnson counties).

Centerville Community Betterment (Centerville)–$2,950.00

Funds civil legal assistance for economically disadvantaged individuals in the Appanoose County and Monroe County areas (Service area: Appanoose and Monroe counties).

Civil Legal Assistance Fund, Third Judicial District (Sioux City)–$5,900.00

Funds civil legal assistance to low-income fathers, mothers, or children involved in dissolution of marriage or modification cases in which other legal assistance is not available (service area: Third Judicial District).

For further information contact:

Office of Professional Regulation

Judicial Branch Building

1111 East Court Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50319

Telephone: (515) 725-8029

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DAVENPORT, IA - Iowa Insurance Commissioner Nick Gerhart announced today that the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) is bringing the statewide "Iowa Fraud Fighters - Shield Your Savings" public education program to the RiverCenter in Davenport on June 5. The program will educate and empower Iowans to combat and report investment and insurance fraud.

"Con artists are targeting Americans age 60 and older, swindling more than 5 million Americans out of almost $3 billion each year," said Commissioner Gerhart. "Unfortunately, many smart Iowans have fallen victim to these very slick and sophisticated investment scammers, and some have lost their entire life savings."

Martha-Jo Ennis, a retired school teacher from Marion, Iowa, said she never understood how anyone could fall for an investment scheme until it happened to her?and she lost her retirement savings and the money she invested from the sale of her family farm.

According to Linn County District Court records, Ennis was one of numerous Iowa victims who lost millions of dollars in a Ponzi-type scheme orchestrated by Noah Aulwes, former owner of Covenant Advisors of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Aulwes pleaded guilty last year to theft in the first degree, securities fraud and money laundering, and received a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Victim impact statements read during the hearing stated Aulwes preyed on retirees, using charm and Christianity to get a foot in the door and gain victims' trust.

"Iowans need to take the time to double-check investment offers and verify with our agency whether the adviser and offer are legitimate," said Commissioner Gerhart. "Our goal is to educate Iowans on common scams and arm them with tools and tips to prevent fraud from happening to them. The Iowa Insurance Division and our partner government agencies are attacking this senior fraud problem at the forefront. We are coming to Davenport to help eastern Iowans prevent fraud."

Iowa Insurance Division Communications Director Tom Alger, Iowa Assistant Attorney General Kevin McCarty, Iowa Department on Aging Legal Assistant Director Paige Thorson and Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Director Kris Gross will present the Iowa Fraud Fighters program and panel discussion.

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served at noon and the program concludes at 1:30 p.m. Informational booths staffed by agency representatives, and Milestones Area Agency on Aging and AARP, forum assistance providers, close at 2 p.m. To RSVP for the presentation and complimentary luncheon, call toll-free at 866-559-7114, or fill out the online form at IowaFraudFighters.gov before noon on May 29. This free event is limited to the first 200 respondents and is funded partly from fines and settlements collected from scammers.

"This forum gives Iowans the opportunity to speak with several government agencies and learn about the state resources available to help prevent fraud from happening to them or a loved one," said Gerhart. "We also want Iowans to know we are here to help them take charge in the fight against fraud and the importance of reporting fraud to state and federal agencies when it occurs."

Iowans are encouraged to visit www.IowaFraudFighters.gov to learn about common investment and insurance scams and discover tips and tools to prevent fraud. The site includes answers to frequently asked questions and a checklist of information to gather from investment advisers to verify the legitimacy of the offer and the investment adviser.

In addition to the community forums and website, the public education program includes a TV and newspaper public service advertising campaign.

The Iowa Insurance Division has general control, supervision and direction over all insurance and securities business transacted in the state, and enforces Iowa's laws and regulations. The IID investigates consumer complaints and prosecutes companies, agents and brokers engaging in unfair trade practices. Consumers with insurance or investment questions or complaints may contact the IID toll-free at 877-955-1212, or visit the division on the Web at www.iid.state.ia.us.

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn and his Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service today announced that a $4.4 million federal grant will help more than 1,000 volunteers in seven AmeriCorps programs better serve Illinois communities. The federal Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) funding represents a 36 percent increase over 2013. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to supporting volunteer service in Illinois.

"AmeriCorps is the foundation of the volunteer infrastructure in Illinois, and this investment will help them do even more in Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "There is no better way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps than by investing in their mission to address the most challenging problems our communities face."

This competitive grant will go towards teaching, tutoring and mentoring at-risk youth, supporting literacy programs, preparing for disasters, and improving underserved communities. CNCS is the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps, and its goal with the grant is to develop and expand volunteer organizations across the country. The Serve Illinois Commission administers AmeriCorps programs in Illinois.

The seven programs competed on a national stage with hundreds of programs submitted by other state commissions. The AmeriCorps programs in Illinois funded by the $4.4 million CNCS grant include :

American Red Cross, Chicago, Safe Families AmeriCorps. $332,085 (27 AmeriCorps Members)

Serving: Adams, Cook, Macon, Rock Island County, and Winnebago Counties

The Safe Families program helps the Red Cross achieve its mission by paying special attention to the neighborhoods and communities that need services the most, yet are least likely to be able to afford them. The AmeriCorps program brings Red Cross safety and health programs to underserved neighborhoods, schools and communities. These programs include CPR, first aid, disaster education, and youth programs.

Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, VOCAL AmeriCorps. $261,825 (31 AmeriCorps Members)

Serving: Chicago, suburban Cook, DuPage, Henry, Kane and Saline Counties

The goal of the VOCAL AmeriCorps (Volunteer Outreach for Community Action in Literacy) program is to assist community and faith-based agencies in providing increased services to low literacy adults in their communities and teens in Illinois Youth Centers.

Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville AmeriCorps. $401,089 (73 AmeriCorps Members)

Serving: Belleville

The Belleville AmeriCorps program is a partnership between Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville School District #118, the City of Belleville, Franklin Neighborhood Association, 17th Street Neighborhood Association, Lebanon Kids and YMCA of Southwest Illinois. It supports neighborhood and school initiatives that strengthen the community through service. AmeriCorps members serve as tutors, computer coaches, volunteer coordinators, mentors, and summer camp counselors.

City Year Chicago. $2,331,200 (188 AmeriCorps Members)

Serving: Chicago

City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors and role models, these diverse young leaders make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods.  City Year leverages the talent, energy and idealism of corps members to help students stay on track.

Public Allies Chicago. $637,000 (49 AmeriCorps Members)

Serving: Chicago and Cook County

Public Allies Chicago is a leadership development program that recruits diverse young adults with a passion for community service and places them into intensive non-profit capacity building apprenticeships. Public Allies combines leadership development training and non-profit best practices to give their members a well rounded non-profit and cultural experience.

Teach for America. $249,075 (615 AmeriCorps Members)

Serving: Chicago

Teach for America members commit two years to serve as full time teachers in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand opportunity for children. Members are placed in pre-K through high school teaching positions throughout Chicago.

University of Illinois-Chicago, Project MORE : Making Opportunities for Reading Enrichment.

$151,474 (21 AmeriCorps Members). Serving: Chicago

Project MORE provides support for early childhood and family literacy programs throughout the Chicago area. MORE provides tutoring for parents in GED, English as a Second Language classes, computer instruction, financial literacy workshops, early childhood resources, parent-child literacy activities, and facilitates financial literacy and other parent training workshops.

AmeriCorps provides opportunities for all adults to serve through partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Since 1994, more than 33,000 Illinoisans have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to "get things done for America." Members have given back more than 45 million hours to their communities, which equates to a nearly $1.1 billion impact. AmeriCorps members are eligible for a modest education award to pay a portion of their student loans or college courses they plan to take. For more information, visit AmeriCorps.gov.

The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40 member, bipartisan board appointed by the Governor. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing volunteerism and instilling an ethic of service. The Commission is accomplishing this mission through the support of local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps program. For more information on Serve Illinois, or to find one of over 40,000 volunteer opportunities in the state, please visit Serve.Illinois.gov.