Illinois e-News Summaries week of 6/30/08
category:Government and Politics posted:July 2nd, 2008 |
07/01/08 - Gov. Blagojevich thanks Illinois National Guard troops for key role in protecting levees |
| President approves Governor’s request to increase federal reimbursement to local governments for flood fight to 90 percent | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today expressed his gratitude to 1,400 soldiers and airmen from the Illinois Army and Air National Guard who supported efforts to protect several levees along the Mississippi River against floodwaters. The Governor also said he was pleased that President Bush on Monday approved a request from Illinois and three other Midwestern states to raise the federal share of disaster assistance to local governments for flooding from 75 percent to 90 percent. | |
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06/27/08 - Gov. Blagojevich urges residents to stay safe and healthy after flooding |
| Food, water and cleaning recommendations offered to help prevent illness and injury | |
| SPRINGFIELD- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today urged residents in and around flooded areas to take precautions to help prevent disease, in order to stay safe and healthy. | |
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06/27/08 - Gov. Blagojevich announces relocation of IDOT Division of Traffic Safety to Harrisburg |
| Move expected to stimulate southern Illinois economy and save taxpayers nearly $13 million during 10-year period | |
| HARRISBURG – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will relocate its Division of Traffic Safety to the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation Building, at 540 N. Commercial Street in Harrisburg. The State has an agreement to purchase roughly half of the building, which is located in Saline County, for $812,160. This relocation will save the State of Illinois an estimated $12.8 million during the next 10 years, while stimulating the economy in southern Illinois. | |
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06/27/08 - State of Illinois receives $3.5 million from U.S. Department of Labor for flood clean up and recovery |
| Money will put approximately 200 flood-impacted individuals to work | |
| CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the State of Illinois has received a $3,500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create approximately 200 temporary jobs to assist in cleanup and recovery efforts as a result of recent storms and flooding. | |
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06/26/08 - Gov. Blagojevich announces Flood Disaster Recovery Centers to open Friday in Quincy, Monmouth and Lawrenceville |
| Will connect flood victims to state assistance programs; will expand to include federal personnel within a few days | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the state is establishing Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Quincy, Monmouth and Lawrenceville to connect flood victims with state assistance programs that can help them begin the recovery process. The centers, which will open Friday morning, will be staffed initially by state personnel with a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) available to provide information about registering for federal assistance. The centers will expand within a few days to include additional representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), who will help flood victims with questions about federal disaster assistance. | |
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06/26/08 - Gov. Blagojevich announces 10,000 summer jobs for youth across the state |
| Starting in early July Summer Youth Works puts young people to work to improve their communities | |
| CHICAGO - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced Summer Youth Works 2008, a program that provides young people from communities throughout Illinois summer employment. This summer, the program will provide summer jobs for up to 10,000 youth helping them to establish productive work habits while investing in their communities. The Summer Youth Works initiative will provide jobs focused on community service, community and highway beautification, job training programs and pre-professional training such as working with highway engineering firms. | |
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06/25/08 - Statement from Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich |
| On the Supreme Court Ruling on Gun-Control Law | |
| CHICAGO – “I want express my extreme disappointment with the decision issued today by the Supreme Court. Every day, around the country, too many lives are lost to senseless gun violence. The Courts decision today will only add to the pain that parents, classmates and communities are forced to endure. It will also put more police officers at risk. I am an advocate for common sense gun laws. Gun laws that save lives, protect communities and offer greater safety protections for police officers. I look forward to working the Illinois General Assembly to provide additional protections for Illinois communities.” | |
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06/25/08 - Governor Blagojevich pleased with President’s approval of his request to speed federal assistance to flood victims in 14 counties |
| People in approved counties can apply for grants and loans; low-interest loans available for businesses | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the federal government approved his recent request for federal assistance for people and businesses in 14 counties affected by recent severe storms and flooding. The federal disaster declaration will enable affected people in the area to access temporary housing, grants or loans to help with flood-related losses, while businesses will be eligible to apply for low-interest loans. | |
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06/25/08 - Gov. Blagojevich announces Illinois team to take part in national conference on early childhood education |
| Illinois one of 14 states to be represented at two-day symposium at Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that a bipartisan team of Illinois educators, legislators and foundation leaders will be participating in a national conference on early childhood education at Harvard University this Thursday and Friday. Illinois’ team is one of 14 state teams nationwide selected to participate in the unique two-day discussion on early childhood policies at the National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy at the Center on the Developing Child in Cambridge, Massachusetts. | |
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06/25/08 - Gov. Blagojevich announces State of Illinois’ June “Veteran of the Month” |
| Hillsboro man honored for his remarkable commitment and dedication to fellow veterans and the elderly | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today named Hillsboro resident Raymon F. Trost as the State of Illinois’ June “Veteran of the Month” for his outstanding commitment to the veteran and elderly community throughout central Illinois. | |
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06/25/08 - FORD LAUNCHES ILLINOIS-SUPPORTED TRAINING CENTER AND NEW LINCOLN MKS IN CHICAGO |
| Governor Blagojevich Announces State’s Investment Package Keeping Thousands of Jobs in Illinois | |
| CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced that Ford Motor Company today launched its new, 2009 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant, and opened its State-supported Ford / United Auto Workers (UAW) Technical Training Center. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administered a more than $30 million business investment package for the Ford Motor Company, leveraging more than $200 million in private investment that allowed for the local manufacturing of the Lincoln MKS, and the retention of 2,650 full-time jobs in Illinois. | |
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06/25/08 - Gov. Blagojevich urges banks to ease loan requirements during flood recovery |
| Calls for loan payment extensions, loan restructuring and easing terms for new loans | |
| CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today ordered the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to direct lenders to consider easing loan terms and repayment requirements for Illinois families and businesses located in the 24 counties designated as disaster areas. Lending institutions are being asked to offer their customers as much flexibility as possible during the next few months as they cope with flood recovery efforts. | |
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06/24/08 - Gov. Blagojevich questions President Bush about lack of quick action on two pending requests for federal disaster declarations |
| Illinois yet to hear about request for March flood in southern Illinois submitted more than a month ago, request for expedited declaration for current flooding | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today sent a letter to President Bush questioning the federal government’s lack of quick action on Illinois’ two pending requests for federal assistance to help flood victims. The Governor is seeking assistance for people, businesses and local governments affected by severe flooding in southern Illinois in March and the current flooding along the Mississippi River and in southeastern and northern Illinois. | |
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06/24/08 - Governor Calls on House to Approve Funding Sources Passed by Senate, Avoid Budget Reductions |
| If House fails to pass new revenue, $1.5 billion must be reduced | |
| CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today called upon the House of Representatives to pass revenues already approved by the Illinois Senate, warning that funding will be unavailable for $1.5 billion in spending if the Senate’s revenue package is not passed. Reductions as well as additional reserves would be required to close a $2 billion dollar shortfall in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget passed by the General Assembly in May. | |
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07/01/08 - Gov. Blagojevich launches “Break the Silence” Campaign to increase awareness about Elder Abuse |
| Proclaims July Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Illinois | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today launched the fourth annual statewide “Break the Silence” campaign and proclaimed July as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Illinois. The Governor and the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) are encouraging those who are victims or suspect abuse to call the state’s 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at (866) 800-1409, where trained professionals are on call prepared to assist. More than 10,000 reports of elder abuse were made during FY 08, which reflects a 16 percent increase in reporting since the campaign was initiated. | |
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06/28/08 - Governor Blagojevich proclaims June 29th as Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz Day in Illinois |
| Cardinal Dziwisz served as private secretary to the late Pope John Paul II for more than 35 years and is the Archbishop of Kraków, Poland. | |
| CHICAGO - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today proclaimed Sunday, June 29, 2008 as Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz Day in Illinois. Cardinal Dziwisz, has been invited to the State of Illinois by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal George, and the Bishop Abramowicz Seminary. During a two-day program he will visit the Polish community and concelebrate masses with Cardinal George. He will also be honored with the Caritas Christi Award presented by Cardinal George for service to Polonia. | |
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06/28/08 - Governor Blagojevich warns flood victims to be wary of repair scams and recovery predators |
| SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today warned families to be careful of unscrupulous agents offering repair services or retroactive flood insurance. Families across the state are facing massive clean up efforts as flood waters recede. When wide-spread damage such as this occurs from natural disasters, Illinois families should be careful to deal only with reputable agents and demand written estimates and contracts. | |
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06/30/08 - Gov. Blagojevich announces grandstand concert lineup for 2008 DuQuoin State Fair |
| Southern Illinois fair also features several days of motorized and horse racing on world-famous “Magic Mile” track | |
| DuQUOIN – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the grandstand concert lineup for the 86th annual DuQuoin State Fair will feature Sawyer Brown, a country music band founded in the 1980s, that has become one of the most popular and consistent award-winning groups in the recording industry. 2006 American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler, P.O.D. and Corbin Bleu will be headliners on three other nights of main grandstand entertainment, while being backed by strong young artists Bucky Covington, Sevendust and Justin Stein, respectively. | |
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06/30/08 - Gov. Blagojevich signs Preschool for All legislation; provides opportunity for early childhood education for thousands of Illinois kids |
| Illinois leads the nation in providing preschool access for all three- and four-year-olds | |
| CHICAGO – Surrounded by families, early childhood education advocates, elected officials and preschool students today at Reba Early Learning Center in Evanston, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation that continues the state’s historic early childhood program. House Bill 4705 immediately extends the nationally recognized initiative, Preschool for All, for two more years. | |
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07/01/08 - Gov. Blagojevich reminds Illinois workers of minimum wage increase to $7.75 an hour effective July 1 |
| Statewide minimum wage hike will benefit nearly 650,000 hardworking Illinoisans | |
| CHICAGO -- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today reminded Illinois workers that the state’s minimum wage will increase to $7.75 an hour starting Tuesday, July 1. The increase will help nearly 650,000 workers cope with the rising cost of living and pay for basic necessities like groceries, gas, rent, childcare and medicine. | |
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07/01/08 - Gov. Blagojevich announces statewide DUI enforcement effort through the July 4th holiday |
| State and local police plan 100 Roadside Safety Checks and hundreds of Saturation Patrols through July 6; “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” | |
| SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the Illinois State Police (ISP) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are teaming up with local law enforcement across the state to conduct a $1.4 million enforcement and education campaign to save lives during the July 4th holiday period. | |
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