CHICAGO - July 14, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:  

   

Bill No.: HB 103  

Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to post a report on their website by pharmaceutical manufacturers and group purchasing organizations by September 30, 2013 as required by the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA).  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Action: Signed                           

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 144  

Allows a municipality to dissolve their police or fire pension fund if there are no active participants.  

An Act Concerning: Public Employee Benefits  

Action: Signed                           

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 177  

Removes paper copies of library registration records from the definition of public records once the information is transferred into a secure electronic format and checked for accuracy.  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Action: Signed                           

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 179  

Allows library districts to obtain insurance policies to protect against financial malfeasance and loss as an alternative to a personal surety bond posted on the library district treasurer.  

An Act Concerning: Libraries  

Action: Signed                           

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 274  

Provides recourse against the license of a dentist or dental hygienist who violates an existing probationary status.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 275

Prohibits the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) from employing persons with specified criminal backgrounds in child care facilities licensed and operated by DCFS.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 276

Amends the County Jail Act and provides that when - in the opinion of the warden - the lives or health of the prisoners are endangered, or when the security of the penal institution is threatened, that the warden may move an individual or a group of prisoners to some suitable place within the county or to the jail of some convenient county where they can be confined until they can be safely returned.

An Act Concerning: Corrections

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 991

Requires that all energy policy statements adopted by homeowners associations shall address the location, design and architectural requirements of any allowed composting, rainwater collection, solar energy or wind energy collection systems.

An Act Concerning: Civil Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1093

Eliminates two cost-ineffective methods of emissions testing from the Vehicle Code, known as the steady state idle exhaust gas analysis ("idle exhaust"), and the evaporative system integrity test ("gas cap").

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1096

Requires each nursing home to have a staff member trained as an infection control professional to help prevent the spread of institutional infections.

An Act Concerning: Health Facilities

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1112

Allows victim and witness assistance centers to help families of victims of fatal injury crashes obtain roadside memorials, and adds offenses from which penalties can be assessed for deposit into the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Fund.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1220

Provides municipalities with the authorization to impose administrative fees for impounded vehicles.

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1255

Allows birth parents of adopted or surrendered children born before Jan. 1, 1946 to use the same Birth Parent Preference form as birth parents of adopted children born after that date, and also provides clean-up language to adoption reform language from last session.

An Act Concerning: Families

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1259

Requires the Department of Public Health to send death records to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services every three months.

An Act Concerning: Public Health

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1279

Strengthens the requirements for renewing a license to inspect fire sprinkler systems.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1287

Defines "webinar" in the Insurance Code and allows insurance producers to attend webinars to satisfy continuing education requirements.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1303

Allows the Fire Prevention Fund to be used for the maintenance, operation and capital expenses of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.

An Act Concerning: Safety

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1311

Allows local corporate authorities to enact ordinances regulating sound devices.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1316

Creates interest-bearing accounts for moneys received from federal grants received by the Illinois State Police and Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1338

Codifies the state immunization registry (ICARE) to keep track of child immunizations as an opt-out system, rather than opt-in.

An Act Concerning: Health

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1379

Amends the Registered Titles (TORRENS) Act to repeal the Act on Jan. 1, 2014 instead of July 1, 2037.

An Act Concerning: Civil Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1490

Creates a regulatory framework for the boxing and mixed martial arts professions.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1513

Amends the Wage Payment and Collection Act to allow municipalities with populations of less than 500,000 to make deductions from employee wages or final compensation that do not exceed 15 percent of the net amount of the payment for an excess payment made due to, but not limited to, a typographical or mathematical error made by the municipality or to collect a debt owed to a municipality after notice to the employee and an opportunity to be heard.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 1524

Allows qualified examiners to examine a respondent and testify at a hearing before a person can be found subject to involuntary admission to a mental health facility.

An Act Concerning: Health

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1684

Changes the requirements for lifting patients to minimize the risk of injury to patients and nurses.

An Act Concerning: Health Facilities

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1706

Changes the qualification standards for children who receive home or hospital instruction. 

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1760

Reforms the evaluation system for employees of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. 

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1857

Permits commissioners and employees of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to engage in political activities on personal time.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 1877

Allows the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital to request registration from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Controlled Substances Act.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2019

Repeals the Community Senior Services and Resources Act.

An Act Concerning: Aging

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2043

Provides that the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Review Committee (SPARC) shall meet and provide reports as deemed necessary.

An Act Concerning: Aging

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2101

Permits a county to deposit public funds into credit unions and allows the county to make certain other interest-bearing investments.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2936

Codifies a federal notification requirement pertaining to transferring persons found subject to involuntary submission from one mental health hospital to another hospital.

An Act Concerning: Health

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 2993

Amends the election schedule for filling unexpired park district governing board terms.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 3019

Requires duck hunters in Alexander, Union, Williamson and Jackson counties to observe 100-yard setback from any commercially-licensed hunting property when placing duck hunting blinds, unless they have permission from the property owner.

An Act Concerning: Wildlife

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3050

Clarifies the powers and duties of credit unions and agencies under the Credit Union Act.

An Act Concerning: Finance

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3139

Allows production of switchgrass along highway right-of-ways.

An Act Concerning: Highways

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 3155

Updates numerous statutes relating to public health to reflect current practices.

An Act Concerning: Public Health

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 3360

Provides that the Illinois Department of Employment Security, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Corrections, shall seek to provide proper employment opportunities for discharged convicts or prisoners.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 3371

Allows the Pollution Control Board the flexibility to permit higher concentrations of carcinogens to be present in soil used as fill material and permits licensed geologists as well as engineers to certify tests for contamination.

An Act Concerning: Safety

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 3468

Removes a requirement to maintain a record of a patient's menstrual cycle for patients staying in a state mental health facility for fewer than 60 days.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 3513

Prohibits the displaying of Social Security numbers on wristbands or files.

An Act Concerning: Business

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1074

Creates the Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act to allow courts in Illinois to recognize and enforce certain money judgments in other countries.

An Act Concerning: Civil Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1361

Extends the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act to sunset Jan. 1, 2016.

An Act Concerning: State Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1555

Authorizes the State to establish a health benefits exchange ("exchange") beginning on October 1, 2013 and requires the State to offer a health savings account ("HSA") program to employees covered by high deductible health plans.

An Act Concerning: Insurance

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1603

Exempts certain individuals who provide mortgage loans without having to maintain a commercial license.

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1641

Permits local units of government to pass ordinances allowing low-speed vehicles on streets.

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1643

Allows school districts to increase driver education course fees from $50 to $250.

An Act Concerning: Education

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1686

Changes the publishing rates and requirements for local government entities on all public notices.

An Act Concerning: Local Government

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1; Section 12-45 provisions take effect immediately.

Bill No.: SB 1699

Increases penalties for financial crimes.

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: SB 1877

Removes language in the Power of Attorney Act which provides an agent immediate authority over personal health information even if the document specifies agency is to take effect at a future date.

An Act Concerning: State Government 

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2034

Authorizes Office of the State Fire Marshal vehicles as emergency vehicles.

An Act Concerning: Transportation 

Action: Signed                        

Effective Date: Immediately

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) called on Darrell Issa, Chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to launch an investigation into Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Rep. Braley called for the investigation following reports that News Corporation and its subsidiaries may have bribed foreign law enforcement officials and potentially hacked the phone lines of U.S. citizens.

"These reports are very troubling and I believe they require a thorough investigation," said Rep. Braley. "The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a duty to protect the privacy of Americans and to hold U.S. corporations accountable - and I expect Chairman Issa to direct the Committee to carry out its duties as they relate to this very serious case."

A copy of Rep. Braley's letter to Chairman Issa is pasted below and available here: http://go.usa.gov/BO4 

July 13, 2011

The Honorable Darrell Issa

Chairman

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

2157 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Issa:

As you may know, serious allegations have recently been raised accusing Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation of acting improperly and possibly in violation of United Stateslaw.

It has been reported that News Corporation and its subsidiaries may have bribed London police officers for information for use in newspaper articles, including information about high-ranking government officials. If true, these charges could be a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) that forbids bribery of foreign government officials by U.S.-based companies.

Additionally, News Corporation has already admitted to phone hacking in London, and I have concerns about allegations that hacking may have also extended to U.S. citizens. I ask that you investigate whether victims of the September 11, 2001 attack and other U.S. citizens had their cell phones targeted by News Corporation. Please look into the serious allegations that have been made against News Corporation. We owe it to the American public to find out if victims have been subject to criminal actions by News Corporation and its affiliates.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a duty to protect the privacy of Americans and tohold U.S. corporations accountable. I look forward to your response within ten business days regarding an investigation of News Corporation. Thank you foryour consideration.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

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Prepared Statement of Ranking Member Chuck Grassley of Iowa

U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Hearing on "The Violence Against Women Act: Building on Seventeen Years of Accomplishments"

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding today's hearing on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  This is an important law that has helped countless numbers of victims across the country break the cycle of domestic violence and move on to productive lives.  The law created vital programs that support efforts to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.  Further, the law provides resources across the country to victim advocates, attorneys, counselors, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, health care providers, emergency shelters, and many other services to help victims. 

As an original cosponsor of the Senate version of the reauthorization, I remain deeply committed to ensuring federal resources are provided to programs to prevent and end sexual assault and domestic violence.  There is, however, an unfortunate reality that we must face.  We live in dramatically different times today than we did in 2000 or 2005 when VAWA was previously reauthorized.   

Today, more than 14 million Americans are unemployed.  That's a 9.2 percent unemployment rate.  The unemployment numbers get worse each month and the national deficit keeps growing and growing.  The federal government must drastically reduce its spending and bring the fiscal house in order.  During these difficult economic times, we simply can't continue to allocate resources without verifying that the resources are being used as effectively and efficiently as possible.  Now, that doesn't mean we do away with VAWA as a program.  Instead, it means that as we in this committee look to reauthorize this program, we need to take a hard look at every single taxpayer dollar expended, determine how those dollars are being used, and determine if the stated purpose of the program is being met.  The American taxpayers expect us to do this with every law and this hearing affords us that opportunity.

I have long advocated for reviewing grant management at the Department of Justice and determining if programs are meeting their expectations and complying with the law.  Back in 2001, Senator Sessions and I requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review all VAWA grant files at the Justice Department.  That review found that VAWA files often lacked the documentation necessary to ensure that the required monitoring activities occurred.  GAO found that a "substantial number of [VAWA] grant files did not contain progress and financial reports sufficient to cover the entire grant period."  Ultimately, GAO concluded in the 2001 review that "because documentation about monitoring activities was not readily available, [DOJ] was not positioned to systematically determine staff compliance with monitoring requirements and assess overall performance."  These are significant problems and unfortunately, it appears that they continue to persist a decade later.

A review of individual VAWA grantee audits that were conducted from 1998-2010 by the Department of Justice Inspector General indicates that the problem with VAWA grantees' administration and record keeping may actually be getting worse.  During this timeframe, the Inspector General conducted a review of 22 individual grantees that received funding from VAWA programs.  Of those 22 grantees, 21 were found to have some form of violation of grant requirements ranging from unauthorized and unallowable expenditures, to sloppy record keeping and failure to report in a timely manner.  Some of these audits are downright appalling.  In 2010, one grantee was found by the Inspector General to have questionable costs for 93 percent of the nearly $900,000 they received from the Justice Department.  Another audit, this one from 2009, found that nearly $500,000 of a $680,000 grant was questioned because of inadequate support for expenditures.  Another audit in 2005 questioned $1.2 million out of a $1.9 million grant.  The list goes on and on for pages.  Simply put, in today's economic environment, we cannot tolerate this level of malfeasance in federal grant programs.  There are too many victims out there that do not have access to necessary services for the Justice Department to continue to provide funding to entities that play fast and loose with taxpayer dollars.

So, how do we fix this problem?  To start, we need a legitimate, rigorous evaluation of the VAWA program to ensure that these sorts of grantees are prohibited from getting funds.  That can be done by building effective anti-fraud measures into the legislation, such as debarring poor and underperforming grantees.  It also means requiring annual audits and evaluations of program grantees.  Unfortunately, as our witness from GAO will point out today, it is difficult to evaluate VAWA grantee performance because the data that is provided to Justice Department by grantees is often difficult to evaluate given varying definitions among different programs. GAO also notes that "information gaps" exist because the various authorizing statutes for different grants for victim's services have different purposes.  Finally, GAO notes that the various grants administered by both the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice use varying data collection practices making uniformity of data difficult.  Taken together, GAO notes that while the agencies are making progress to address the gaps in data, these important issues need to be addressed by Congress as we consider reauthorizing VAWA.  Given the difficult financial situation that our nation faces, it is imperative that any reauthorization of VAWA include, at a minimum, new studies to determine how effective VAWA programs are, whether grantees are providing adequate services for the amount of funding they receive, and how we root out and cut down on fraud and abuse by VAWA grantees.  This grant program accountability will help to ensure that services really go to those in need.

Another issue that must be addressed during the reauthorization process is immigration marriage fraud.  Specifically, I'm concerned about the reports that some of the procedures employed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services actually help to facilitate immigration marriage fraud, and some of it is further enhanced by provisions under VAWA. 

I'm glad we have a witness here today to tell her story about how provisions of VAWA were manipulated by her ex-husband to facilitate his access to a green card. As a past cosponsor of VAWA reauthorizations, I'm saddened to hear this example of how a law designed to help victims, may be used to continue to abuse victims of domestic violence.  

These are important issues that should be addressed as part of any reauthorization.  We are well past the time where we can continue to reauthorize programs without giving them the scrutiny needed to ensure that the population we are trying to help, here victims of domestic violence, are getting the services they need.  We also have a duty to ensure that those programs are actually working, are not subject to fraud, waste, or abuse, and that victims are not harmed by the programs themselves.  

We must do everything in our power to help victims of abuse and domestic violence.  At the same time, we face a new challenge of making sure we get it right and simply don't write another check on the taxpayer's dime without ensuring the program is meeting its goals. 

I look forward to hearing the testimony from the witnesses and working with members of the Judiciary Committee on finding the right approach.

Thank you. 

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2011 Stitch This! Teams Named

AMES, Iowa - Teams for the 2011 Stitch This! 4-H Design Challenge at the Iowa State Fair have been chosen. Nine teams of Iowa teens will tear up and recreate garments that capture the theme, "America the Beautiful."

Each team consists of three or four youth, and at least one member must be in 4-H. The competition begins Friday, Aug. 19 and ends Saturday, Aug. 20 with a fashion show on the 4-H Exhibits Building's main stage that will showcase the teams' designs. Teams are judged upon creativity, concept, teamwork, workmanship and presentation.

"I just love to see Iowa youth pushing themselves out of their comfort zones and showing creativity and skills," said Karen Frank, Stitch This supervisor. "The participants work so hard and really exemplify what teamwork is all about."

Stacey's Prom and Formalwear is donating more than 100 prom dresses to the Stitch This challenge. Each team must select at least three donated dresses to use as material for creating a completely new garment.

The dresses created in the competition will be featured at Stacey's Prom and Formalwear in Urbandale for at least a month after the event. The winning team's design will be professionally prototyped, mass produced and made available in 65 stores nationwide as part of Stacey's Prom and Formalwear 2012 prom line. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the dress will benefit the Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development clothing project area.

2011 Stitch This! Teams

Iowa high school youth who completed grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 were eligible to apply for the competition. The following teams will participate in Stitch This at the Iowa State Fair.

The Curvie Collection: Allison Lansman, Breanna Anderson, Tristin Nelson and Sarah Rethwisch, Webster County

Sequin Sisters: Tayler Veldhuizen, Lydia Sharp, Kenley Rogers and Lauren Schossow, Polk County

Sew Fashionable: Yesenia Vargas, Yessica Iraheta, Emalie Cipale and Destiny Murphy, Polk County

FashionEASTas: Brenda Baccam, Ona Luong, Choua Thao and Dacey Nguyen, Polk County

Entredeux Amie: Shelby VanSteenwyk, Rachel Morgan, Jocelyn Beaver and Carrie Adrian, Marion County

Attraente Unicornio: Jose Lupercio, Stephenie Gabriel, Nyacudaer Yor and Dehann Ashley,Polk County

The Stitch Girls: Tirzah Beam, Elizabeth Veldboom, Liz Meyerholz and Michelle Buboltz, Pottawattamie, Iowa and Cass counties

Three Corners Design Team: Kellie O'Byrne, Eleya Raim and Jordan Hullinger, Plymouth, Johnson and Decatur counties

The Four Stitches: Tyra Watson, Morgan Heim, Bobbi Jo Wild, Patricia Townsend, Van Buren and Allamakee counties

Sponsor a Stitch This! Team

It costs $200 to support a Stitch This team, Frank said. Sponsorship helps coordinators provide upkeep for the sewing equipment, print marketing and promotional materials and purchase supplies, admission tickets and t-shirts for participants and volunteers.

For more information, contact Kenzie Besch at kbesch@iastate.eduor Karen Frank at kmnaig@gmail.com.

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