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IGNN: State Security Press Releases

The Safety/Security News section provides access to all State of Illinois press releases that have been published about safety and security issues affecting the people of Illinois, as well as some of the most recent news releases from national and state agencies. For an additional source, please visit the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

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April

2004

April 26, 2004
Governor announces launch of Web-based hospital resource reporting system
Hospital beds and other health care services to be monitored
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the launch of a $450,000 Web-based system that provides the state with up-to-the-minute information from more than 200 hospitals in Illinois on the availability of beds and other critical health care services necessary to guide the response to an act of terrorism or other public health emergency.

April 26, 2004
Governor Awards $37,500 to Spring Creek Fire District
Funds will be used to purchase new fire truck
CHICAGO - Governor Blagojevich today announced $37,500 to the Spring Creek Fire District for the purchase of a new fire truck.

April 24, 2004
Statement from Gov. Blagojevich
CHICAGO – “Late last evening, a devastating explosion occurred at the Formosa Plastics plant in the central Illinois town of Illiopolis.”

April 23, 2004
President Bush grants Governor Blagojevich’s request for federal disaster declaration for four Illinois counties
Governor returned to tornado-ravaged Utica with Undersecretary of Department of Homeland Security
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today thanked President Bush for the federal government’s quick review and approval of his request Thursday to declare LaSalle, Putnam, Kankakee and Will Counties as federal disaster areas. The declaration opens the door to federal assistance for residents and businesses struggling to recover from Tuesday’s tornadoes.

April 22, 2004
Governor Blagojevich sends letter to President Bush asking for Federal Disaster Declaration
CHICAGO - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today sent a letter to President Bush, urging him to declare several tornado-ravaged Illinois counties a federal disaster area. The counties, LaSalle, Putnam, Will, Kankakee and the contiguous county of Grundy, suffered extensive damage and loss after tornadoes and severe storms swept through the region Tuesday evening.

April 21, 2004
Governor Blagojevich Declares State of Disaster for LaSalle, Putnam, Will and Kankakee Counties
CHICAGO - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today declared four Illinois counties state disaster areas based on damages resulting from the tornadoes and severe storms in LaSalle, Putnam, Will and Kankakee counties.

April 20, 2004
GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH HIRES PUBLIC AFFAIRS FIRM TO JOIN THE FIGHT TO SAVE SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod Blagojevich announced today that the state has hired Fleishman-Hillard International Communications and its government consulting entity, Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations, to assist in efforts to protect Scott Air Force Base, which is the largest employer in Southern Illinois, from potential closure by the federal government. Through Opportunity Returns, his comprehensive plan to promote economic growth and create more jobs for the Southwest region, the Governor is leading a coordinated effort with the Illinois Congressional Delegation, other elected officials and local leaders to prevent Scott Air Force Base from ending up on the Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list. Scott Air Force Base contributes more than $1.5 billion to the state’s economy every year and supports nearly 50,000 jobs.

April 20, 2004
GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH HIRES MILITARY AFFAIRS FIRM TO JOIN THE FIGHT TO SAVE ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASES IN PEORIA AND SPRINGFIELD
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod Blagojevich announced today that the state has hired The PMA Group to assist in efforts to protect the Rock Island Arsenal and Air National Guard Bases in Peoria and Springfield. Through Opportunity Returns, his comprehensive plan to promote economic growth and create more jobs throughout the state, the Governor is leading a coordinated effort with the Illinois Congressional Delegation, other elected officials and local leaders to prevent these three bases from ending up on the Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list. The Rock Island Arsenal and both Air National Guard Bases contribute almost $1 billion to the state’s economy every year and support more than 20,000 jobs.

April 19, 2004
Blagojevich appoints new membership to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board
Governor continues commitment to reform state boards and commissions Jorge Montes to become first Latino chairman of the Prisoner Review Board
SPRINGFIELD – Following through on his commitment to reform the state’s full-time boards and commissions, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today filed papers reconstituting the Prisoner Review Board. The Governor appointed five new members to the Prisoner Review Board and reappointed ten members. As a result of the Governor's reform, members of the Prisoner Review Board will not be permitted to hold outside employment, therefore re-enforcing their commitment to the board's responsibilities.

April 8, 2004
Governor Blagojevich's Letter to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft Asking for New Regulations in United State House Resolution 2763 Regarding Setting Background Check Record Retention to 24 Hours to be Repealed
The State of Illinois is committed to continuing our partnership with your office and-the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the fight against domestic terrorism and street crime. The Illinois State Police has been a Point of Contact state with the National Instant Check System (NICS) since the system's inception in 1998, providing background checks for licensed firearm dealers on every gun transaction in Illinois. We look forward to continuing that role into the future, but warn that recent changes to the system could have grave consequences when it comes to our statewide efforts to combat crime.

April 7, 2004
Blagojevich authorizes over $25 million in school, parks and military capital projects
Work to begin on FY02 and FY03 Capital Projects immediately
SPRINGFIELD, IL Building on efforts to compliment education and infrastructure initiatives, Governor Rod Blagojevich approved today the release of over $25 million in FY02 and FY03 capital projects throughout Illinois. Work will begin on the 21 schools, parks, and military’s capital projects immediately.

April 5, 2004
Governor Blagojevich calls for more federal money to help solve thousands of Illinois crimes using DNA technology
CHICAGO – On the heels of a new study released today by the U.S. Department of Justice highlighting the drastic need for more funding that could help solve thousands of old and new cases in states like Illinois using DNA technology, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is calling on the federal government to provide desperately needed dollars that could save lives by taking violent criminals off the streets. A person’s DNA is a genetic fingerprint that can be used to solve crimes such as rape and murder when biological evidence is left on the crime scene. Illinois is one of more than 30 states that collect DNA samples from all convicted felons.