01 Aug 2011

Grassley Bill to Ban Synthetic Drug Advances via Committee

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today received Judiciary Committee passage of his legislation to ban the chemicals used to make the dangerous drug known as "K2" or "Spice." As committee Ranking Member, Grassley advanced the legislation, named for a young Iowa man who took his own life after using the drug.

"People are buying this drug so easily at the local mall or online that they think it's safe," Grassley said.  "The marketing is deceptive. The product is readily available.  This all makes the drug seem harmless.  It's anything but harmless.  David Rozga lost his life from using this product.  Others also have died or been seriously injured.  Congress needs to permanently control the substances used in this drug so no more lives are lost."

In March, Grassley introduced the David Mitchell Rozga Act, S. 605, named for the 18-year-old from Indianola who took his own life in June 2010, soon after using K2 purchased from his local shopping mall.  Poison control centers and emergency rooms around the country are reporting skyrocketing cases of calls and visits resulting from K2 use, with physical effects including increased agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, and seizures.  A number of people across the country have acted violently while under the influence of the drug, dying or injuring themselves and others.

David Rozga's death may have been the first in the country stemming from this new type of synthetic drug.  In January, a high-school student in Omaha killed his assistant principal and himself.  He had K2 in his system.

Grassley met with the Rozga family last August, and David's father traveled to Washington to testify in April at a Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control hearing that Grassley co-chaired. 

K2 abuse has even led all branches of the military to ban the use of the synthetic drug after high-profile cases arose at the Naval Academy and on the U.S.S. Bataan, which was deployed to Libya. 

In addition to approving Grassley's bill today, the Judiciary Committee also approved bills from other senators that would ban the chemicals used to make other dangerous synthetic drugs, "bath salts," "2C-E" and others.

"All of these drugs should be banned as soon as possible," Grassley said.  "They're all highly dangerous to users.  The chemicals used to produce them have no household use.  The manufacturers and sellers of these products are engaging in a cynical money-making ploy that plays with human life." 

It's necessary for Congress to act to ban the chemicals used to make the new wave of synthetic drugs because the federal Drug Enforcement Administration's capacity to ban chemicals is limited.  Grassley's legislation treats K2 like other banned narcotics such as methamphetamine and cocaine.  The same is true for the bills on "bath salts" and "2C-E." 

The text of Grassley's prepared written statement at today's Judiciary Committee meeting is available here.  Video of his verbal remarks delivered at the Judiciary Committee session is available here.

-30-

29 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Takes Bill Action **Thursday, July 28, 2011**

By William Palmisano

CHICAGO - July 28, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 12
Permits special education joint agreements (cooperatives) to receive grants from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for school energy efficiency projects.
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 236
Designates the second Thursday in April of every year as D.A.R.E. Day and tasks the Secretary of State with making grants from the State D.A.R.E. Fund and County D.A.R.E. Fund.
An Act Concerning: D.A.R.E. Programs
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1128
Strengthens the Department of Insurance's regulation of public adjusters.
An Act Concerning: Insurance
Action: Signed                
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1295
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code so that Interstate Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders, subject to the physical qualification federal requirements, shall submit a medical examiner's certificate to the Secretary of State prior to the issuance of CDL.
An Act Concerning: Transportation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1391
Prohibits Trauma Center Fund moneys that have been collected from one EMS region from being distributed to a different EMS region.
An Act Concerning: Health Facilities
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1485
Authorizes the human service agencies to adopt joint rules to establish a cross-agency prequalification process, master service agreement and common service taxonomy for contracting with human service providers.
An Act Concerning: State Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1531
Allows licensed medical personnel to administer vaccinations on Chicago Park District property provided they obtain necessary permits.
An Act Concerning: Local Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1542
Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act so that economic interest statements may be filed via the Internet, or by standardized form. 
An Act Concerning: Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1657
Adds a member of the Illinois U.S. Congressional delegation or a designee to the Task Force on the Conservation and Quality of the Great Lakes, and sets June 1 as an annual reporting date.
An Act Concerning: Conservation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1683
Modifies the process by which 4-H agricultural fair premiums and reimbursements are documented and paid by the Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois extension offices.
An Act Concerning: Finance
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2861
Permits the Department of Natural Resources to create a special no-charge hunting and fishing license program for children and adults who are terminally ill.
An Act Concerning: Wildlife
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3035
Extends various sunsets to give military families more leniency in out-of-state school transfers.  
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3171
Recognizes assistant principals in the Illinois School Code and specifies their duties, terms of employment and methods for their evaluation.  
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 3179
Redefines a "chronic or habitual truant" as those children who are absent without valid cause for 5 percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days. Currently, the definition requires absence for 10 percent or more of the previous 180 regular attendance days.  
An Act Concerning: Education  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately  

Bill No.: SB 64
Expands the definition of false personation to include use of the Internet as well as using a public office to benefit, defraud or injure another.  
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Jan. 1  

Bill No.: SB 100
Makes numerous changes to acts that govern the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in order to streamline and coordinate state statutes.  
An Act Concerning: Safety  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately     

Bill No.: SB 1360
Directs the Secretary of State's office to complete a feasibility study for the creation of a corporate-sponsored license plate program.  
An Act Concerning: Transportation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately     

Bill No.: SB 1396
Requires the Illinois Commerce Commission to revise consumer education information program.  
An Act Concerning: Regulation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately  

Bill No.: SB 1654
Changes certain reporting requirements for the Illinois Commerce Commission.  
An Act Concerning: Public Utilities  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Jan. 1  

Bill No.: SB 1669
Promotes school transportation safety by strengthening requirements for school bus driver permits, improving soundness of school transport vehicles, prohibiting smoking and requiring school districts to maintain copies of the permits of each individual operating a vehicle for the district.  
An Act Concerning: Transportation  
Action: Signed                            
Effective Date: Immediately   

Bill No.: SB 1754
Amends the Criminal Code to include in the offense of aggravated assault, the assault of an employee of a county juvenile detention center.  A violation is a Class 4 felony.
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1806
Updates the Home Inspector License Act language to be consistent with other professional licensing acts, and eliminates grandfather language; also extends the licensing act sunset date. Eliminates the Home Inspectors Board and allows the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to hire a licensed home inspector as a peer review advisor when necessary.
An Act Concerning: Regulation
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1833
Replaces outdated terms for individuals with mental and physical disabilities in state statutes with more appropriate terms.
An Act Concerning: Health
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1923
Redefines the purpose of the Target Market program as a remedy to "particular incidents and patterns of egregious race or gender discrimination," and gives the chief procurement officer and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) the power to implement a Target Market program.
An Act Concerning: State Government
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1924
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Illinois Identification Card Act to make various technical changes.
An Act Concerning: Secretary of State
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1929
Changes regulations for the handling of recyclable general construction and demolition debris at waste processing facilities.
An Act Concerning: Safety
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2027
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 and provides that a person commits forgery when, with intent to defraud, he or she knowingly makes a false document or alters any document to make it false and that document is apparently capable of defrauding another.
An Act Concerning: Criminal Law
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 2143
Extends from two to four years the window of time within which a specified requirement must have been met in order for a reorganized school district or cooperative high school to use a previously submitted school construction application.
An Act Concerning: Education
Action: Signed                        
Effective Date: Immediately

###

28 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Law Creating River Edge Redevelopment Zone in Peoria

By Laurel White

New Law Will Help Revitalize Peoria Riverfront, Preserve Historic Structures  

   

PEORIA - July 27, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law to help redevelop and revitalize the area around the city of Peoria's riverfront by allowing the area to be designated as a River Edge Redevelopment Zone. The law also creates an incentive to encourage restoration and preservation of historic structures located in River Edge Redevelopment Zones.  

   

"The River Edge program allows us to clean up waterfront areas that have suffered from years of neglect and set the stage for more economic revitalization and a better quality of life," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will give Peoria the opportunity to redevelop its riverfront, which will boost the local economy and bring jobs to the area."  

   

Senate Bill 2168, sponsored by Sen. James Clayborne, Jr. (D-East St. Louis) and Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria), allows the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to declare the city of Peoria's riverfront a River Edge Redevelopment Zone. The River Edge Redevelopment Zone program was created to encourage the safe and cost-effective redevelopment of environmentally challenged areas near rivers through grants and tax incentives. Peoria will become the fifth River Edge Redevelopment Zone - Aurora, Elgin, Rockford and East St. Louis have all previously been approved.  

   

"Peoria's riverfront provides an excellent opportunity for job creation and future growth, and through the River Edge program and the new historic preservation tool, we will better position this area as a key portion of future economic development," said Rep. Gordon. "I cannot wait to see the innovative ways that our businesses will use these extra resources that are now available to them."   

 

The new law also provides a state tax credit of 25 percent of the amount of the eligible expenditures for the restoration and preservation of historic structures located in River Edge Redevelopment Zones.

"The River Edge Redevelopment program was designed to target resources to waterfront areas that have tremendous economic development potential because of their location, but are saddled with clean-up costs that put redevelopment out of reach," DCEO Director Warren Ribley said. "Peoria will now be able to move forward with plans to revitalize their riverfront."

The new law goes into effect immediately.

###

28 Jul 2011

Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Simplify Truck Size and Weight Limits

By Laurel White

Law Eases Burden on Illinois Businesses by Creating Uniform Rules for Overweight Trucks; Helps Reduce Diesel Emissions

QUINCY - July 27, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to simplify regulation of trucks travelling in Illinois, easing the regulatory burden faced by Illinois businesses while helping ensure the safety of Illinois' roads.

"One of the top priorities of my administration has been working with the business community to make Illinois an easier place to do business. By clarifying laws that impact transportation, we will help businesses to function more efficiently and still keep the public safe while traveling on Illinois roads" Governor Quinn said. "This law creates common sense rules, eliminates confusing language, and enhances productivity in the trucking industry and benefits the environment."

Sponsored by Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville) and Rep. Daniel Beiser (D-Alton), Senate Bill 1644 clarifies and standardizes enforcement language for truck weight and size in the Illinois vehicle code.

The law will help reduce diesel emissions in Illinois by allowing maximum truck weight to increase by 400 pounds to 80,400 lbs if an auxiliary power unit (APU) is used. The units are used in heavy trucks to support auxiliary functions such as heating, air conditioning and lighting in sleeper berths. This allows the truck operator to turn off the vehicle's main engine overnight and reduce the amount of diesel it burns. The provisions made for the APUs conform to federal laws and encourage more trucks to reduce use of diesel fuel.

Under the new law, whenever the gross weight of a vehicle with a registered gross weight of 77,000 lbs or less exceeds certain weight limits by 2,000 lbs or less, the owner or operator of the vehicle must remove the excess weight. In addition, the new law clarifies existing law to specify that clearance lamps are required only on commercial motor vehicles - not personal vehicles used for tasks such as hauling a lawn mower. The new law takes effect Jan. 1.    

The Governor also signed two other bills relating to trucking in Illinois. Senate Bill 1913, sponsored by Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Daniel Beiser (D-Alton), equalizes the speed limit for semi-trucks on four-lane highways outside the Chicagoland area. Beginning Jan. 1, trucks will be able to travel 65 mph - the same rate as other vehicles on the same roads.

House Bill 2836, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sacia (R-Freeport) and Sen. Sullivan, allows a form of dual semi-trailer hitching using a single pivot point. This law takes effect immediately.

###

28 Jul 2011

Braley Demands Answers from U.S. Postal Service

By Alexandra Krasov

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) sent a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General demanding answers about the impact of almost 4,000 proposed post office closures across the country. Rep. Braley released the following statement after he saw the list of 178 post offices targeted in Iowa:

"I'm incredibly disappointed and concerned to see so many post offices in Eastern Iowa on this list. All Iowa communities depend on their post offices, and I know how much this service means to my constituents. Post offices are important community fixtures andprovide thousands of good-paying jobs to Iowans. That's why I'll keep fighting to protect these, and other post offices that are being considered for closure."

A copy of Rep. Braley's letter is available here and pasted below: http://go.usa.gov/BeC

July 27, 2011

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe

Postmaster General Donahoe:

I'm writing regarding the recent announcement by the USPS on possible post office closures.  I was extremely disappointed to learn that the USPS may close up to 3,700 post offices across the country.

What is even more concerning is the potential loss of jobs that would go along with these closures.  Your list contains 178 post offices in Iowa that could potentially be closed.  Closing these post offices would lead to the loss of many jobs, both in Iowa and across the country.  As you know, we currently have an unemployment rate above 9%.  With unemployment this high, we simply cannot afford to lose more jobs.

That being said, I would like answers to the following questions:

·      Has the USPS analyzed the potential loss of jobs that would go along with closing almost 4,000 post offices?  

o   If so, please provide me withthat analysis.  

o   If not, why not, and when does the USPS intend to perform this analysis?

·      Finally, what steps is the USPS taking to ensure as little job loss as possible throughout this proposed process?

I'm strongly opposed to any plan that puts people out of work.  I ask that you reply to my request within 10 business days. Please feel free to contact me if I can provide further assistance.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley  

Member of Congress

###

28 Jul 2011

Governor Pat Quinn Signs Legislation to Protect Diversity in State Public Works Projects

By Laurel White

New Law Will Benefit Minority-Owned, Female Businesses; Ensure Fairness in Minority and Female Employment on Public Works Projects

CHICAGO - July 27, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help ensure a fair state contract bidding process for minority- and women-owned businesses, and to advance minority and female employment in Illinois' workforce.

"This important new law will help ensure fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses in Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Today's action underscores my commitment to maintaining a diverse, skilled and effective labor force."

House Bill 2987 creates the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Act, which requires state agencies under the Governor to consider the use of PLAs on public works construction projects. A PLA establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a construction project, ensuring a level bidding field for minority- and women-owned businesses and helping increase minority and female employment on public job sites. The new law codifies an Executive Order issued by the Governor in 2010.

The law requires the state department, agency, authority or board responsible for awarding the project to negotiate the PLA with labor organizations engaged in the construction industry. If the parties cannot agree to the terms of the project labor agreement, the Governor appoints a designee to assist the parties in reaching an agreement.  

Sponsored by Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), the law includes provisions for binding procedures for resolving jurisdictional labor disputes and grievances; guarantees against strikes; ensuring a reliable source of skilled and experienced labor; setting goals for apprenticeship hours for minorities and females as well as total number of hours to be performed  by underrepresented minorities and females; and binding all contractors and subcontractors on the public works project through the inclusion of appropriate bid specifications.

The law also requires that an entity with a PLA in connection with a public works project to file a quarterly report with the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) that includes workforce participation by minorities and females. The IDOL will submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor that details the number of minorities and females employees under all public labor agreements within the state. The new law takes effect immediately.

###

28 Jul 2011

Getting Along: Taming the TV

By Joy Venhorst
  • Most 2- to 5-year-olds watch TV an average of 31 hours each week, or more than 4 hours each day.
  • Prime time TV has an average of 6 violent acts every hour; children's programming has an average of 26 violent acts every hour.
  • The average American child witnesses 45 acts of violence on TV each day.
  • Children watching TV may see 50,000 TV commercials each year.
  • The average American family has the TV on for 6.2 hours every day.

TV Violence

Children may:

  • develop strong emotional fears;
  • become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others;
  • become "immune" to the horror of violence;
  • gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems;
  • imitate the violence they observe on television; or
  • identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers.

Parents can limit the negative effects of TV violence

  • Refuse to let children see shows known to be violent.
  • Refuse to buy violent videos.
  • Change the channel or turn off the TV when something offensive or violent comes on.
  • Verbally show disapproval of violent episodes.
  • Emphasize the belief that violent behavior is not the best way to solve a problem.

Who is watching?

Use your child's age and development to guide you in choosing TV programs.

Preschoolers have longer attention spans and are able to watch short programs. However, they often are not able to understand the whole story of a program. They can remember only small pieces of what they see and often cannot tie everything together.

School-age children understand much more than preschoolers; however, they often misinterpret what they see. School-agers can distinguish between reality and fantasy portrayed by live actors versus cartoons, but may have difficulty interpreting more subtle messages.

Contact Information:

Lesia Oesterreich
Family Life Extension Specialist
Human Development & Family Studies
Iowa State University
Phone: (515) 294-0363
Email: loesterr@iastate.edu
28 Jul 2011

PACT (Parenting All Children Together)

By Joy Venhorst

Davenport, Iowa -- On September 6, Iowa State University Extension of Scott County, Lutheran Social Services of Iowa and Genesis Bright Beginnings will sponsor the parenting support and education program PACT (Parenting All Children Together) for an eight week series. The program is financially supported by Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa. The program is designed to educate and offer support to parents and caregivers of children age birth through five years old and reside in Scott County.

"Parenting is the most important job we will ever have. It is also the toughest! What we provide our children from birth through age five stays with them for the rest of their life. With this huge responsibility, we need to work together. This series will bring together parents and caregivers who want the very best for the children in their life," said Jennifer Best, Extension Educator and PACT instructor.

The upcoming PACT series will be the second time the program has been offered to the Scott County community. The last series ending in June was very successful. "It was very rewarding to watch the families open themselves up to the learning process," said Marisa Bloom, Families Program Assistant. "A lot of learning was happening and families were forming bonds and creating informal support systems with their peers. PACT is a needed resource for these very reasons."

For participating in the PACT program member will receive a free meal at every session, free childcare while adults are learning, a free gift at each session, bus tokens to get to the sessions if transportation is needed, $40 worth of items chosen by the participant if they attend at least 5 of the 8 sessions, fun and friendship with other families, and great information to help parents and caregivers help their children be all they can be.

For more information about PACT or to register, contact Marisa at the Iowa State University Extension office at 563-359-7577 or mbloom@iastate.edu.

-30-

26 Jul 2011

Braley Statement on Proposed Post Office Closure

By Alexandra Krasov

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after the U.S. Postal Service released a list of proposed post offices closures in Iowa:  

"I'm incredibly disappointed and concerned to see so many post offices in Eastern Iowa on this list. All Iowa communities depend on their post offices, and I know how much this service means to my constituents. Post offices are important community fixtures and provide thousands of good-paying jobs to Iowans. That's why I'll keep fighting to protect these, and other post offices that are being considered for closure."

###

26 Jul 2011

ATF Officials in Mexico Denied Access to Information by U.S. Counterparts about Reckless Strategy that Allowed Guns to Fall Into the Hands of Mexican Drug Cartels

By Grassley Press

Issa, Grassley release staff report focusing on impact of Operation Fast and Furious on Mexico

WASHINGTON - Findings in a second staff report released by Representative Darrell Issa and Senator Chuck Grassley show that ATF officials based in the United States Embassy in Mexico City were increasingly worried about the alarming rate of guns found in violent crimes in Mexico from a single ATF operation based out of the ATF's Phoenix Field Division.   Issa is Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and Grassley is Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"The consequences of arming Mexican drug cartels seem obvious.  But even guns turning up at crime scenes in Mexico wasn't enough for Justice Department officials to arrest straw purchasers and shut down their trafficking operations.  Tragically, it wasn't until Fast and Furious guns were found at the murder scene of a Border Patrol Agent that Justice officials finally ended this reckless and arrogant effort," said Issa.

"It's incomprehensible that officials at the Justice Department, the ATF and the U.S. attorney's office would keep their counterparts at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City in the dark about Operation Fast and Furious.  Keeping key details secret while straw purchasers continued buying weapons for gun traffickers jeopardized our relationship with our southern ally and put lives at risk," Grassley said.

The report released today outlines several important findings, including:

  • There was little to no information sharing from the Phoenix Field Division, ATF Headquarters and the Justice Department to their colleagues in Mexico City.  Every time Mexico City officials asked about the mysterious investigation, their U.S. based ATF counterparts in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. continued to say they were "working on it" and "everything was under control."
  • Lanny Breuer, the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division at the Justice Department, was clearly aware of Operation Fast and Furious and touted the case during a visit to Mexico.
  • ATF officials in Mexico City were incredulous that their agency would knowingly allow guns to fall into the hands of Mexican drug cartels, and they were incensed when they finally began to learn the full scope of Operation Fast and Furious and the investigative techniques used.

Issa and Grassley are leading a congressional inquiry into the ill-advised strategy known as Operation Fast and Furious. 

A copy of the report can be found here.

-30-

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.