WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the Ankeny Regional and Davenport Municipal airports will receive a total of $3,203,322 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for runway improvements. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds these initiatives.

"Transportation is key to Iowa's economy and this funding will help keep our airports safe and in compliance with FAA standards," said Harkin.  "Investing in our regional airports means investing in local economic development and job creation. I congratulate the Ankeny and Davenport airports on this competitive funding and I look forward to the improvements it will generate."

Ankeny Regional Airport - $1,363,457 to relocate a road and allow the full use of Runway 4/22.
Davenport Municipal Airport - $1,839,865 to reconstruct a deteriorating runway.

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Joined by Elected Officials and Labor Leaders to Sign First Girder of Project to Dramatically Improve Access to Chicago Southland, Create Thousands of Jobs

POSEN - Governor Pat Quinn today kicked off construction of a new ramp connecting northbound Interstate 57 to the northbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The Governor was joined by local elected officials and labor representatives to sign the first steel girder for the new I-294/I-57 ramp, which is part of the $254 million first phase of an interchange project that is supporting thousands of jobs over two years. The project supports Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois' economy forward.

"From day one, I have made economic development in the south suburbs a top priority," Governor Quinn said. "This interchange project will create thousands of good-paying jobs and generate economic development throughout the region for future generations."

The first phase of the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project will create access from northbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to southbound I-57, including a new interchange at 147th Street. The approximately $185 million phase is scheduled to be completed in 2014, delivering 75 percent of the project's benefits to the traveling public. It will accommodate 76,000 vehicles per day, provide direct freight access to Chicago's south suburbs and save drivers $4 million annually in fuel consumption. Tri-State Tollway drivers currently using I-80 to get to I-57 will save 25 travel hours per year using the new interchange. The 147th Street ramps will improve local access, connecting residents to employment opportunities not easily accessible by public transportation.

"Once complete, this interchange will provide the Southland with many benefits for years to come," U.S. Representative Robin Kelly said. "Motorists will be able to reach more places quicker and easier. Existing businesses will enjoy improved access to highways in all directions. And local municipalities - particularly Harvey, Markham, Dixmoor and Posen - will find themselves more attractive to new developers. That's a winning combination."

More than 100 firms, including contractors, subcontractors, consultants and sub-consultants are currently working on Tollway contracts for the project. More than $107 million in construction and engineering contracts have been awarded for this project through July, with 22.2 percent going to disadvantaged business enterprises. The Tollway estimates as many as 110 workers are employed on the job site each day, and Phase One of the project will create or sustain an estimated 3,300 total jobs.

"Thanks to the leadership of Governor Pat Quinn, this project is moving forward, creating jobs and the promise of increased economic development and improved access to the Chicago Southland," Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said. "New construction is creating economic benefits now and, when complete, this interchange will improve freight-to-rail connections, expand this region's multimodal network and help continue to stimulate our state's economy for years to come."

"This project is providing many people with good-paying jobs and will encourage more private development in area communities, which will create even more jobs," Chicago Laborer's District Council Business Manager Jim Connolly said. "We applaud Governor Quinn for his leadership on the current capital construction program, and we need to continue to build on this success."

To start the first phase of this project, the Illinois Tollway has completed the realignment of Dixie Creek and the installation of all 11 piers required for the new ramp connecting northbound I-57 to northbound I-294. The second phase of the project will begin in 2023 and be completed in 2024.

The project is a joint effort of the Illinois Tollway and the Illinois Department of Transportation. It is funded through Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and the Tollway's Move Illinois capital program.

Over the past nine years, the Tollway has invested approximately $1.6 billion in roadway infrastructure improvements in the Chicago Southland, including rebuilding and widening the south Tri-State Tollway between Illinois Route 394 and 95th Street and construction of the south extension of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355).

The LeClaire Information Center (LIC), operated by the LeClaire Office of Tourism, is located at the corner of Cody Road and Jones Street in downtown LeClaire (122 N. Cody Road). Since the Grand Opening on August 3^rd 2012, over 17,500 guests have been welcomed, including tourists, LeClaire residents and potential business owners. Information about LeClaire attractions and businesses, business opportunities, and other items of interest has been shared. Out-of-town visitors quickly recognize LeClaire's hospitality and appreciate receiving information that isn't available from the Internet or a GPS system. The volunteers enjoy sharing what makes LeClaire a unique community in the Quad Cities area.

On Thursday, September 19^th from 4-6pm, the public is invited to an Open House celebrating the center's "First Anniversary." The event will include light refreshments and the opportunity to discover what the LIC offers residents and tourists. The festivities will conclude with a short program honoring our volunteers at 5:30pm.

Cindy Bruhn, LeClaire Tourism Manager, says, "We are always looking for additional volunteers. Plus, Pleasant Valley High School students (accompanied by a parent) can apply their volunteer hours to the school's "service learning" requirement for graduation." Training (for students and adults) only takes about an hour and volunteers are able to schedule hours through online scheduling software. Please contact Cindy at info@visitleclaire.com or 563-289-4242, ext. 1135, if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information.

Please join us for the Open House or stop in and visit us any time. The LIC is open from 10am - 4pm Monday - Saturday, Noon-4pm on Sunday.

LeClaire Information Center Open House & Volunteer Recognition

122 N. Cody Road

Thursday, September 19, 2013, 4-6pm

Volunteer Recognition, 5:30pm 

LeClaire, Iowa is located at a point where the Mississippi River makes a sharp bend to the southwest. LeClaire's historic bond with the river and the bold men who tamed the Upper Rapids is still visible in the homes and buildings they left behind. On May 7, 1979, their homes were recognized as part of the nine-block Cody Road Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. LeClaire's other attractions include the Buffalo Bill Museum/Lone Star Stern Wheeler, Mississippi River Distilling Co., and Antique Archaeology, home of the American Pickers.

For more information on LeClaire visit www.visitleclaire.com.

If you're like me and RVs are not an option, then hotels are where you'll be staying over the course of your trip.  Choosing a hotel can be a scary process if you have no knowledge of the area and are working with a limited budget, but using my helpful tips can take out some of the guesswork in finding acceptable hotels.

1. Chain hotels are usually a safe bet (and you could get breakfast for free!). What's the budget for your trip? If you can stay in top-notch hotels with connecting rooms?fantastic. Although I was lucky enough to be able afford that luxury, I purposely chose not to. I wanted my kids to experience "roughing it" a bit so that they would be more appreciative of the luxuries they had at home.  Our go-to spots are moderate-level hotels such as Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and the like. Large chains tend to have a uniform standard of style and cleanliness. An additional perk is that most of these moderate-priced hotels include breakfast. Again, nothing fancy?cold cereals, some breads and pastries, coffee, and fruit.  Sometimes you might get lucky and they'll have a hot buffet.  Everyone loves the make-your-own waffle machine! It's a great way to get something in everyone's stomachs to start the day and you save on the expense of breakfast.  Plus you can grab a muffin or piece of fruit for the road!

2. Do your homework: read ratings, reviews, and phone a friend. With any level of hotel, research is key. I check out websites such as Hotel.com, Expedia, Orbitz, and TripAdvisor, typing in the city to find all the hotels where I'll be stopping so I can compare prices and look at pictures. TripAdvisor is a fantastic resource because you can see reviews and pictures from hotel guests. You'd be surprised at the discrepancy between a hotel's photos and the photos by people who actually stayed there. Some places that look fabulous on the hotel website could actually turn out to be pretty gross in real life!

Before you choose a hotel, look at the location. Do research on the various neighborhoods so that you know ahead of time that you're sleeping in a safe place.  Do you have friends who live in, or have visited, the area? Enlist them! When I was planning a trip to Detroit, I had no idea where to stay (given that almost every hotel had reviews of thefts and other nastiness), so I called an acquaintance who happened to live in a suburb of Detroit and asked his advice. He told me that Dearborn was a nice, safe place for my family. He was right?it was great!  Sometimes friends can tell you what the Internet won't. However, if I don't have any contacts in the area, and there's not much posted online, then my general rule of thumb is that if it's near a popular activity and it's a well-known chain, then it can't be that bad.

3. Make sure your hotel choices are also bed bug free. Another important step in researching hotels is making sure the place you've chosen has not been infested with bedbugs.  Before making a reservation at any hotel, always check the Bed Bug Registry at www.bedbugregistry.com. It is an invaluable resource.  You can look up any hotel in any city and see if there have been reports of bed bugs.  Also, in the event that you encounter bed bugs anywhere you go, please be a good citizen and help out your fellow travelers by reporting it on the site.

4. Let's book it! Once you've done all your research, you're ready to make the reservation. Some hotels and travel sites offer discounts if you pay up front. This option can save you money, but keep in mind that if something comes up last minute, you will not be refunded (even if you have a sob story). However, if you make a reservation and secure it with a credit card, you can usually cancel up to 24 hours in advance without a charge.

I highly discourage you from booking directly through the hotel website or 1-800 number. Compare prices online and call the front desk at the actual hotel. On numerous occasions there was a special promotion going on that wasn't listed online, and I never would have known if I didn't call ahead. Also, the clerk on site can tell you what kind of rooms they have and notate any special requests.

Also to note: it pays to be a AAA member. A membership card can get you valuable discounts on hotels, car rentals, activities, and even at some restaurants.

Another way to get discounts is to join loyalty programs. Enrolling in a loyalty program can be a great way to rack up points if you go narrow and deep with a particular hotel brand.  You can get their credit card and earn points on all your purchases, in addition to your stays, which over time will result in some free stays.  Definitely worth checking out.   Hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards are a couple just to name a few.

5. Print and file. Once you've made your reservation, print out the confirmation and put it in your trip bible for safekeeping.

6. Be ready to think on the fly-sometimes even the best-laid plans can fall apart. Sometimes, even with the best research, you can end up driving to a hotel that is way below your expectations and "just doesn't feel right." As a single mom, when this happens to me, I call the hotel to cancel. I would rather face a cancellation fee than stay in a place where I feel unsafe. Of course, there are ways around the fees, too. Often times a clerk will cancel the reservation just like that.  Other times I've had to get a little creative to avoid the one night charge. Sometimes it might involve a story about my car being stalled or a flight delay, but sometimes the truth works as well.  No one argues with me when I say I am a single mom and I don't feel safe?again, the story you give is up to you.

On our last night in Nashville we booked a very inexpensive hotel near the airport.  It looked fine from the outside but when we drove around back toward our room there were a bunch of drunk guys hanging off the balcony who started whistling and making suggestive comments when I got out of the car.  That was enough for me to go right to the hotel office and cancel immediately.  The clerk totally understood and recommended a few other places for me to check out.

When a hotel just isn't what you expected, the best thing to do is drive around a bit and find where the newer hotels are grouped closed to a few restaurants.  Your GPS can be very helpful with this.  You may have to run in to a few to check prices and availability, but peace of mind is totally worth it.  Always trust your gut?be safe instead of sorry.

Using my helpful tips with take a lot of the guesswork out of finding safe and comfortable places to stay on your trip.  It's not foolproof, but as long as you've done your research, and can redirect on the fly if need be, you will be fine when it comes to booking your stays.  Safe travels!

About Alisa Abecassis

Alisa Abecassis is the proud mother of three children - Lilia, 17; Isaac, 15; and Joel, 14.
After her marriage ended, she decided it was time to strengthen her family's bonds and personal history by traveling and gaining a better appreciation all 50 United States.
Abecassis is a blogger and has a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA. Connect with her on Twitter @ExploreAll50.