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Illinois e-News Summaries week of 12/01/2008
category:Government and Politics
posted:December 3rd, 2008
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12/06/08 - “Arrival at Camp River Dubois” December 13 – 14 at Lewis and Clark |
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HARTFORD, IL – The 205th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition’s arrival at their Illinois winter camp will be celebrated
during “Arrival at Camp River Dubois” scheduled for Saturday and
Sunday, December 13 and 14 at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
in Hartford, Illinois. Activities will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
inside the Interpretive Center and at the replica of Camp River Dubois.
The event is free and open to the public. |
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12/04/08 - Honoring Illinois' Fallen |
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The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from
Governor Blagojevich’s Office to fly the flags at State occupied buildings at
half-staff in honor of:
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
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12/04/08 - Governor Blagojevich, IDOT Honored for Success of Operation Teen Safe Driving Program |
| Groundbreaking
safe driving initiative gains national recognition; one of six
finalists for PR News Corporate/Nonprofit Partnership Award |
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Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the first-of-its-kind
Operation Teen Safe Driving program in Illinois has been recognized as
a national finalist for a PR News Nonprofit PR Award. Governor
Blagojevich and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were
honored for a successful partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund
and the Allstate Foundation in a program designed to reduce teen
traffic fatalities throughout Illinois. Finalists were recognized this
afternoon during an awards luncheon at the National Press Club in
Washington, D.C. |
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12/04/08 - Governor Blagojevich’s Hospital Assessment Plan Wins Formal Approval from the Federal Government |
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approval of Governor’s 2009 Hospital Assessment will direct over $775
million of federal dollars to Illinois hospitals and Medicaid providers |
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On the heels of reports that the nation is in an economic recession,
hospitals and other medical providers will receive millions of federal
dollars to help them care for Medicaid patients, Governor Rod R.
Blagojevich announced today. The federal Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMMS) approved the Governor’s 2009 Hospital
Assessment, which he advocated for and signed this summer. Federal
approval means hospitals, especially those with high volumes of
Medicaid patients, will receive millions of additional dollars in
federal matching funds. |
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12/03/08 - Governor Blagojevich Deploys Rapid Response Team to Aid Affected U.S. Steel Workers |
| Team to assist workers and connect them with the best services possible during transitional period |
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Providing immediate access to worker dislocation services, Governor Rod
R. Blagojevich deployed the Illinois Rapid Response team to aid workers
impacted by United States Steel Corporation’s (U.S. Steel) announcement
to temporarily close its facility in Granite City, IL. The Rapid
Response team makes services such as unemployment insurance
information, job training opportunities and labor market information
available to affected workers. |
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12/01/08 - Governor Blagojevich names Dean Martinez as Deputy Governor |
| Governor also announces Michael McRaith as new Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
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Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the promotion of Dean
Martinez to Deputy Governor for the state of Illinois. Martinez, the
son of Cuban immigrants, is the first Latino Deputy Governor in
Illinois history. He will join Deputy Governors Bob Greenlee and
Louanner Peters to steer key initiatives of the Governor. In his new
role, Martinez will oversee the State’s economic development,
infrastructure, business regulation and environmental agencies, and
will be a close advisor to the Governor on policies and initiatives to
create jobs, invest in infrastructure, stimulate the Illinois economy
and advance the Governor’s environmental agenda. |
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11/26/08 - Unemployment Insurance Extension Available Immediately in Illinois |
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Approximately 150,000 new Illinois residents will benefit immediately
from the emergency federal extension of unemployment insurance,
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced. The legislation guarantees
an additional seven weeks of unemployment insurance for unemployed
Illinois workers actively seeking work. If specific benchmarks are
reached, an additional 13 weeks of eligibility may be available. |
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11/25/08 - Governor Blagojevich Approves Illinois Tollway Congestion Relief Green Lanes Plan |
| Going Green on Illinois Tollway Lanes will Improve Commute, and Help Commuters Save Money |
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Making good on his plan to offer Illinoisans the choice to save money
on their commutes and be more environmentally conscious, Governor Rod
R. Blagojevich today announced that he has approved the second phase of
Tollways’ Congestion-Relief Program – Tomorrow’s Transportation Today,
a $1.8 billion dollar plan, which will allow the Tollway to sell bonds
needed to finance the development of a Green Lanes Plan and
implementation of an Interchange Improvement Program included in Phase
Two. The plan approved by the Governor will invest in Illinois jobs and
will play a significant role in reducing congestion and cutting down on
emissions that contribute to climate change. |
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11/25/08 - Governor Blagojevich Urges Illinoisans to Volunteer Time and Talents during the Holiday Season |
| Serve.Illinois Connects Volunteers to Statewide Opportunities |
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Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today joined the Illinois Department of
Human Services (IDHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission in encouraging
Illinoisans to give back to their communities and serve an organization
of choice during the holidays. With www.Serve.Illinois.gov, volunteers
now have a new and resourceful search portal that connects them to
40,000 volunteer opportunities throughout Illinois. |
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11/24/08 - Governor Blagojevich’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force Moves to Protect Tenants from Eviction |
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Only weeks after a tenant living in an apartment at 2754 W. Washington
Blvd. in Chicago filed a complaint, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich’s
Mortgage Fraud Task Force (MFTF) housed in the Illinois Department of
Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) acted to shut down two
mortgage companies, revoke the registration of two loan originators,
and filed formal charges against a licensed appraiser and an unlicensed
real estate broker. |
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11/24/08
- Governor and First Lady Blagojevich Launch Keep Our Kids Warm and
Safe Campaign to Provide Winter Items for Needy Children |
| Annual drive to begin at Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, featuring performance by the Goodman Theatre |
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In an effort to help children this holiday season, Governor Rod R. and
First Lady Patricia Blagojevich today launched the annual Keep Our Kids
Warm and Safe giving campaign with the lighting of the Christmas tree
at the James R. Thompson Center. The Keep Our Kids Warm and Safe drive
is an effort to collect winter clothing, car seats and food for
children in need. Governor Blagojevich and the First Lady were joined
by Illinois Department of Health and Family Services Director Barry
Maram, Illinois Department of Central Management Services Director
James P. Sledge, and Greater Chicago Food Depository Agency Programs
and Services Director Angel Laluz. |
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11/23/08 - Governor Blagojevich Urges Skilled Trades Workers to Apply for Illinois’ Home Weatherization Assistance Program |
| Low-income energy efficiency initiative generates jobs and provides training for more than 700 workers in Illinois |
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Continuing his push to connect Illinois’ workers with services to
improve skills and find jobs as the effects of the poor national
economy are felt in Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today urged
skilled trade workers to participate in the Illinois Home
Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP), which will help to create
jobs, provide job training for more than 700 skilled trades workers and
stimulate local economies. |
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11/23/08 - Governor Blagojevich Reminds Illinoisans that Services are Still Available after Successful Workforce Outreach Days |
| Illinois
Workforce Portal can be found at www.illinois.gov/workforce and
Illinois Employment Services can be reached at 1-800-966-9708 |
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As the “Illinois Workforce Outreach Days” draw to a close, Governor Rod
R. Blagojevich today reminded Illinoisans that services that assist in
these poor economic conditions are still available through the Illinois
Workforce Portal (www.illinois.gov/workforce) or by calling
1-800-966-9708. At six events around the state, Workforce Outreach Days
connected more than 500 Illinoisans to services like Low Income Housing
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), All Kids, Illinois Breast and Cervical
Cancer Program (IBCCP) and unemployment benefits. |
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11/20/08 - Governor Blagojevich Commends Illinois Tollway for Adopting $1.8 Billion Tomorrow’s Transportation Today |
| Green Lanes and New Interchanges on the Illinois Tollway Will Reduce Congestion, Connect Communities and Drive Economy |
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Following acceptance of a plan to provide congestion-relief, improve
the environment and enhance mobility across Northern Illinois, Governor
Rod R. Blagojevich today commended the Illinois Tollway Board of
Directors for adopting a new $1.8 Billion Capital Plan, which includes
the implementation of an Interchange Improvement Program and
development of a Green Lanes Plan. The plan adopted today will play a
significant role in reducing congestion, cutting down on emissions and
investing in Illinois jobs. |
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12/01/08 - The soft glow of a historic holiday |
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LERNA – A Christmas holiday tradition that looks like it came straight
off of a greeting card can be experienced during the Christmas
Candlelight Tours scheduled for Friday, December 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. at
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site near Charleston, Illinois. The
event is free and open to the public. |
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12/02/08 - Community support keeps Bryant Cottage open and holiday tradition alive |
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BEMENT – Community support is keeping the Bryant Cottage State Historic
Site open to the public, and as a result a Bement Christmas tradition
for more than 30 years lives on as a Christmas tree decorated by local
first graders will be publicly displayed December 6 – 31 in the main
lobby of the State Bank of Bement at 180 E. Bodman. The tree, donated
by Roux-Hinds Funeral Home, may be viewed Monday through Thursday from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 9
a.m. to noon. |
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