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IGNN: State/All Press Releases

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February

2012

February 10, 2012
Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs to honor Aurora resident as its ‘Veteran of the Month’
CHICAGO –The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) next week will honor Richard C. Irvin, an Aurora resident and U.S. Army veteran, as its February 2012 “Veteran of the Month” during a ceremony at 6 p.m. (CST) next Tuesday (February 14, 2012) at the Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place, 2nd floor, in Aurora. “Service to country and community go hand-in-hand with Richard Irvin,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. “After serving in the Middle East, he embarked on an impressive career in public service. Richard is the quintessential example of the type of individual that the ‘Veteran of the Month’ award is designed to honor.”

February 10, 2012
Governor Quinn Breaks Ground on $37.8 Million State Police Forensic Laboratory in Belleville
New Building Will Create 260 Jobs and Provide State-of-the-Art Forensic Capability for Area Law Enforcement
BELLEVILLE – February 10, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by state and local officials to break ground on the $37.8 million State Police Metro-East Forensic Science Laboratory in Belleville, a facility that will provide the Illinois State Police with enhanced crime-solving abilities. As part of the Governor’s ongoing commitment to improving public safety in Illinois, the facility will also give police agencies throughout the region a valuable tool for their criminal investigations. The project is creating approximately 260 construction jobs and is expected to be completed in 2013.

February 9, 2012
Illinois Joins Multi-State Settlement with Five National Banks
More than $1 Billion in Mortgage Relief for Illinois Families
CHICAGO – February 9, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois mortgage regulators have joined with their counterparts across the country to accept the terms of a national settlement with five of the nation’s largest banks. Under the settlement, more than $1 billion will go to help struggling Illinois homeowners and those affected by improper foreclosures.

February 9, 2012
Governor Quinn Launches New Education Initiative to Support Economic Growth
Public-Private Partnership with Business and Education Communities to Focus on STEM Learning and Provide Students with College and Career Readiness
BLOOMINGTON – February 9, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined business and education leaders to launch the Illinois Pathways Initiative, an innovative public-private partnership between Illinois’ public education institutions and the business community to foster Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning. Funded through the state’s secured Race to the Top funds, Illinois Pathways will help prepare students for college and careers in new and growing fields. As part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to reform and improve education in Illinois, this initiative will provide for strong collaboration in Illinois’ business and education communities to prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

February 9, 2012
Governor Proclaims Thousand Cankers Disease A Threat To Illinois' Walnut Trees
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) to be a viable threat to Illinois’ native Black Walnut tree population. Quinn approved regulatory measures this month to restrict the movement of potentially-infested products into Illinois as a preventative measure to protect the economical and environmental well-being of Illinois’ walnut tree industry. “Illinois has 2.3 million acres of forests that may contain black walnut and be susceptible to this disease,” H.W. Devlin, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said. “Though TCD currently is not known to be here, these measures were warranted to protect our state’s walnut resources.”

February 8, 2012
Simon calls on Senate to pass victims Bill of Rights amendment
SPRINGFIELD – Lt. Governor Sheila Simon commended state representatives today on their 116-2 passage of House Joint Resolution 29 and urged senators to approve the Constitutional amendment. The resolution amends the section of the Illinois Bill of Rights concerning crime victims.

February 8, 2012
IDVA to re-open Shelbyville part-time Veterans’ Service Office on March 7th
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing the reopening its part-time Veterans’ Service Office located in Shelbyville. The office was closed last September after the amount of travel money appropriated for all VSO offices was reduced in the FY12 budget. During the Fall Veto Session, Governor Quinn requested and received a restoration of this line item from the Illinois General Assembly.

February 8, 2012
Fighting Unemployment Fraud to Help Grow Jobs
Enhanced Enforcement Will Protect Unemployment Integrity, Punish Fraud, Save Tax Dollars
CHICAGO – Garnishing tax returns of people wrongfully collecting unemployment insurance benefits is among the initiatives to increase tax fairness and reduce operating costs for businesses, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today. The programs are part of Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to improve the state’s climate for job creation and strengthen the Illinois economy.

February 8, 2012
IDVA to re-open Belleville part-time Veterans’ Service Office on March 6th
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing the reopening its part-time Veterans’ Service Office located in Belleville. The office was closed last September after the amount of travel money appropriated for all VSO offices was reduced in the FY12 budget. During the Fall Veto Session, Governor Quinn requested and received a restoration of this line item from the Illinois General Assembly.

February 7, 2012
IDVA to re-open Galena part-time Veterans’ Service Office on February 22nd
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing the reopening its part-time Veterans’ Service Office located in Galena, Ill. The office was closed last September after the amount of travel money appropriated for all VSO offices was reduced in the FY12 budget. During the Fall Veto Session, Governor Quinn requested and received a restoration of this line item from the Illinois General Assembly. The Galena Veteran Service Office is located in the West Galena Township Building, 607 Gear St., Galena, IL 61036. It will reopen Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and resume its regular schedule with office hours from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month. The office will be staffed by Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Jessica Holm, who can be reached at (815) 777-2228.

February 7, 2012
IDVA to re-open Rochelle part-time Veterans’ Service Office on February 21st
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing the reopening its part-time Veterans’ Service Office located in Rochelle, Ill. The office was closed last September after the amount of travel money appropriated for all VSO offices was reduced in the FY12 budget. During the Fall Veto Session, Governor Quinn requested and received a restoration of this line item from the Illinois General Assembly.

February 7, 2012
IDVA to re-open Oregon part-time Veterans’ Service Office on March 12th
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing the reopening its part-time Veterans’ Service Office located in Oregon, Ill. The office was closed last September after the amount of travel money appropriated for all VSO offices was reduced in the FY12 budget. During the Fall Veto Session, Governor Quinn requested and received a restoration of this line item from the Illinois General Assembly.

February 7, 2012
Employment Security Offices Closed to Honor President Holidays on Feb. 13 and Feb. 20
Customers Should Certify; Services Available on Internet
CHICAGO - The offices of the Illinois Department of Employment Security will be closed on Monday, Feb. 13 and Monday Feb. 20 in observance of state and federal holidays. Feb. 13 is a state holiday honoring President Abraham Lincoln. Feb. 20 is a federal and state holiday honoring President George Washington. It also is referred to as Presidents’ Day. Offices will re-open Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Tuesday, Feb. 21, respectively. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Although IDES offices will be closed, services will remain available online at www.ides.illinois.gov. Individuals will be able to file for first-time unemployment benefits, certify for benefits which is necessary to receive payment, and switch that method of payment to direct deposit. Because Feb. 20 is a federal banking holiday, the availability of some benefit payments might be delayed. The IDES does not determine federal banking holidays.

February 7, 2012
IDVA to re-open Morris part-time Veterans’ Service Office on February 22nd
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing the reopening its part-time Veterans’ Service Office located in Morris, Ill. The office was closed last September after the amount of travel money appropriated for all VSO offices was reduced in the FY12 budget. During the Fall Veto Session, Governor Quinn requested and received a restoration of this line item from the Illinois General Assembly.

February 6, 2012
Governor Quinn Highlights Growing Enrollment at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
Legislation Boosts Enrollment; Increases Agricultural Exposure to Urban Communities
CHICAGO – February 6, 2012. As part of his commitment to strengthening education in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today visited Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) to discuss recently adopted legislation that will allow more students in urban areas to pursue opportunities in Illinois’ vital agricultural economy.

February 6, 2012
IDVA to re-open SIU-Carbondale part-time Veterans’ Service Office on February 28th
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing the reopening its part-time Veterans’ Service Office located on the campus of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). The office was closed last September after the amount of travel money appropriated for all VSO offices was reduced in the FY12 budget. During the Fall Veto Session, Governor Quinn requested and received a restoration of this line item from the Illinois General Assembly.

February 4, 2012
Governor Quinn Encourages Working Families to Apply for Tax Relief
Increase to Earned Income Credit and Personal Exemption to Help Working Families and Stimulate Local Economies
CHICAGO – February 4, 2012. As tax preparation season gets underway, Governor Pat Quinn today visited a tax assistance center organized by the Center for Economic Progress at Truman College to encourage working families across Illinois to learn about tax relief passed by the Governor earlier this year and how to apply for the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit. The law doubles the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over two years, saving low-income workers an extra $105 million per year. The new law also benefits all Illinois taxpayers by raising the value of the personal exemption and indexing it to inflation.

February 4, 2012
Governor Quinn Announces Appointments to Illinois DREAM Fund Commission
Landmark Commission Increases Higher Education Opportunities for Children of Immigrants
CHICAGO – February 4, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today named the members of the Illinois DREAM commission at the 2nd Annual Illinois Immigrant Integration Summit organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. As part of his ongoing commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable for all students, the Governor signed the Illinois DREAM Act last fall, which created a privately-funded scholarship program for high school graduates from immigrant families who wish to attend college.

February 3, 2012
New licenses available for fingerprint vendors
SPRINGFIELD – Rules to implement legislation mandating that fingerprint vendors be licensed by the State take effect today. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has begun accepting applications from qualified fingerprint vendors today. To qualify for a license as a fingerprint vendor, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, have completed a training course approved or offered by the Illinois State Police (ISP), have equipment approved by the ISP, and have a fingerprint vendor (other than him/herself) submit his/her own fingerprints for a background check by ISP. That background check must demonstrate that the applicant is of ‘good moral character’ and meets the other standards established under the law and the rules.

February 3, 2012
I Love Illinois Products Promo Begins Feb. 10
Valentine-themed Illinois products and wine to be highlighted during contest
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To increase awareness about Illinois food products this Valentine’s season, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will hold its first ever “I Love Illinois Products!” contest Feb. 10 - 14. A winner will be selected randomly each day from among the department’s Facebook and Twitter fans. Winners will receive a Valentine-themed Illinois product and a bottle of wine. “Our hope is contests like this will raise awareness of the many great Illinois food products available to the public,” Acting Agriculture Director H.W. Devlin said. “I want to encourage consumers, whenever possible, to buy locally and support Illinois businesses. Many of the companies taking part in this promotion also will attend our upcoming Illinois Products Expo, a department-sponsored food show March 3 - 4 in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, so make plans to come out and sample their offerings then, too.”

February 3, 2012
IDVA launches ‘Stand Up and Be Counted’ to improve delivery of benefits and resources to state’s veterans
By registering online, veterans can expect follow-up from a local Veteran Service Officer within 48 hours
SPRINGFIELD – Designed to improve access to services for the state’s 1.2 million veterans, “Stand Up and Be Counted” is a new online tool launched in January by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA). This function, located at www.veterans.illinois.gov, encourages all Illinois veterans to logon and submit basic contact information to IDVA. “I would encourage all veterans to Stand Up and Be Counted – not only to receive assistance with benefits, but also for the sake of their battle buddies,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. “Participating veterans will help us gain a better understanding of the Illinois veteran community."

February 3, 2012
Governor Quinn Announces Plan to Revitalize Vacant, Foreclosed Homes in Six Communities
‘Building Blocks’ Pilot Program Will Rehabilitate Vacant Properties, Increasing Affordable Housing and Stabilizing Neighborhoods
BERWYN – February 3, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn was joined today by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and six Cook County mayors to announce a new initiative to return vacant, foreclosed properties to productive use. An initiative laid out in the Governor’s State of the State address earlier this week, the Illinois Building Blocks Pilot Program will rehabilitate vacant properties and increase affordable housing in the communities of Berwyn, Chicago Heights, Maywood, Park Forest, Riverdale and South Holland.

February 2, 2012
Governor Quinn Announces Chrysler Increasing Production at Belvidere Plant to Build Next Generation of Vehicles
State’s Support Helping to Create 1,800 Jobs
BELVIDERE – February 2, 2012. One day after laying out the Illinois Jobs Agenda for 2012 in his State of the State address, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Chrysler Group LLC is ramping up production at its Belvidere plant to help build its next generation of vehicles. The company has invested $700 million to retool the plant and will begin production of the new Dodge Dart in the second quarter of 2012. In fall 2010, Governor Quinn announced a business investment package for the company that is supporting the creation of up to 1,800 new jobs and has been instrumental to Chrysler’s decision to expand in Illinois.

February 2, 2012
IDOT, Law Enforcement Urge Fans to Safely Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday
Remind Motorists to Have a Sober Driver or Risk Arrest
SPRINGFIELD –Across the country, millions of people will gather this weekend to watch the Super Bowl, America’s most popular sports event. To prevent fans from driving impaired, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police (ISP) today kicked off the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket campaigns for the weekend.

February 2, 2012
Governor Quinn Proclaims February Earthquake Preparedness Month
IEMA Encourages Participation in Multi-State Earthquake Drill; More than 400,000 Illinoisans Already Registered
SPRINGFIELD – Recognizing the seismic risk in Illinois and the need for residents to be prepared for a major earthquake, Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed February Earthquake Preparedness Month in Illinois. A multi-state earthquake drill set for Feb. 7 will provide an excellent opportunity for people to learn how to stay safe during an earthquake.

February 1, 2012
State of the State: Moving Illinois Forward
February 1, 2012 REMARKS AS PREPARED

February 1, 2012
Governor Quinn Announces Export Advisory Council During State of the State Address
Council will Help Illinois Reach Ambitious Goal of Doubling Exports by 2014
SPRINGFIELD – February 1, 2012. As part of his State of the State address today, Governor Pat Quinn announced the formation a new council that will help Illinois reach his ambitious goal of doubling the number of state exports by the end of 2014. The Governor’s Export Advisory Council will work with the Governor and other state officials and agencies to provide recommendations aimed at improving Illinois’ standing in the international marketplace.

February 1, 2012
Governor Quinn Announces Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network
New Statewide Program Connects Families Facing Foreclosure with Resources to Help Keep Their Homes
CHICAGO – February 1, 2012. As part of his commitment to affordable housing and foreclosure prevention, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the launch of the statewide Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) in his State of the State address. A multi-agency effort coordinated by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the IFPN connects struggling homeowners with all available assistance, resources and knowledge to help them keep their homes.