From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn announced that starting today, nursing homes and hospitals long waiting for payments from the State of Illinois will begin to receive money thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). With dollars from the ARRA, Illinois will reduce the payment cycle for hospitals and nursing homes to less than 30 days by June 1, 2009.
“The State of Illinois is committed to paying its bills,” said Governor Pat Quinn. “Medical providers are struggling in this economy, and they are counting on the state to pay its bills on time so that they can keep their doors open for people in need of care. This is a promising first step toward reducing the payment cycle and to meeting our commitment to paying providers in 30 days or less.”
Today, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will draw over $200 million of additional federal reimbursement for bills paid back to October 1, 2008, allowing the state to pay many past due nursing home and hospital bills. For example, before today, nursing homes were waiting up to 150 days to receive payment.
Under the ARRA, the federal reimbursement rate for Medicaid increased from approximately 50 percent to about 60 percent.
For more information about the increased federal matching rate included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, please visit the Recovery Illinois Web site at www.Recovery.Illinois.gov.
Monday, April 13, 2009
IEMA Encourages Personal Preparedness During Earthquake Awareness Week April 13-19
From the Illinois Emergency Management Agency
SPRINGFIELD – On April 18, 2008, thousands of people throughout the state were awakened by shaking from a 5.4 earthquake centered in southeastern Illinois. One year later, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is reminding people of that event and encouraging them to be better prepared for earthquakes during Earthquake Awareness Week, which runs April 13-19.
“Fortunately, the earthquake last April did minimal damage, but it was a valuable reminder that earthquakes are a very real hazard for people in southern Illinois,” said IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III. “Disaster preparedness is a message we’re working to spread year-round, but during Earthquake Awareness Week, we want to call special attention to earthquake awareness and preparedness.”
As part of Earthquake Awareness Week, IEMA is developing public information materials that will soon be distributed to libraries, local emergency management agencies and IEMA’s regional offices in Marion, Collinsville and Flora. Earthquake information is also available through the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
Southern Illinois is susceptible to earthquake effects from two seismic zones: the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which extends from southeastern Arkansas and southwestern Tennessee to southern Illinois; and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, located in southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana. While shaking from a southern Illinois earthquake can be felt as far away as the far northern tip of Illinois, 29 counties in southern Illinois are considered to be most at risk for the effects of a destructive earthquake.
In the winter of 1811-12, three large earthquakes (magnitude 7.5-8.0) and thousands of aftershocks along the New Madrid fault rocked this region. Damage related to these earthquakes was reported up to 1,000 miles away.
“Hundreds of earthquakes have been reported within the state since 1795, with roughly 80 percent of those south of about Interstate 70, and 20 percent north of Interstate 72,” said Bob Bauer, Engineering Geologist with the Illinois State Geological Survey. “While fewer occur in the northern part of the state, an earthquake in 1909 near Chicago is estimated to have been as large as magnitude 5.1. That’s why we ask people to be aware and to prepare for earthquakes throughout the state.”
Velasquez said while it is impossible to accurately predict an earthquake or prevent it from occurring, there are many actions people can take to stay safe both during and after an earthquake.
Earthquake Preparedness Tips
SPRINGFIELD – On April 18, 2008, thousands of people throughout the state were awakened by shaking from a 5.4 earthquake centered in southeastern Illinois. One year later, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is reminding people of that event and encouraging them to be better prepared for earthquakes during Earthquake Awareness Week, which runs April 13-19.
“Fortunately, the earthquake last April did minimal damage, but it was a valuable reminder that earthquakes are a very real hazard for people in southern Illinois,” said IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III. “Disaster preparedness is a message we’re working to spread year-round, but during Earthquake Awareness Week, we want to call special attention to earthquake awareness and preparedness.”
As part of Earthquake Awareness Week, IEMA is developing public information materials that will soon be distributed to libraries, local emergency management agencies and IEMA’s regional offices in Marion, Collinsville and Flora. Earthquake information is also available through the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
Southern Illinois is susceptible to earthquake effects from two seismic zones: the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which extends from southeastern Arkansas and southwestern Tennessee to southern Illinois; and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, located in southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana. While shaking from a southern Illinois earthquake can be felt as far away as the far northern tip of Illinois, 29 counties in southern Illinois are considered to be most at risk for the effects of a destructive earthquake.
In the winter of 1811-12, three large earthquakes (magnitude 7.5-8.0) and thousands of aftershocks along the New Madrid fault rocked this region. Damage related to these earthquakes was reported up to 1,000 miles away.
“Hundreds of earthquakes have been reported within the state since 1795, with roughly 80 percent of those south of about Interstate 70, and 20 percent north of Interstate 72,” said Bob Bauer, Engineering Geologist with the Illinois State Geological Survey. “While fewer occur in the northern part of the state, an earthquake in 1909 near Chicago is estimated to have been as large as magnitude 5.1. That’s why we ask people to be aware and to prepare for earthquakes throughout the state.”
Velasquez said while it is impossible to accurately predict an earthquake or prevent it from occurring, there are many actions people can take to stay safe both during and after an earthquake.
Earthquake Preparedness Tips
- Plan to hold earthquake drills for your family and business.
- Develop a family reunification plan.
- Make your home and business earthquake safe with such actions as:
- Strapping water heaters and large appliances to wall studs
- Anchoring overhead light fixtures
- Fastening shelves to wall studs and secure cabinet doors with latches
- Learn how to shut off gas, water and electricity in case the lines are damaged.
- Assemble a disaster kit with supplies that will last at least 72 hours, with such items as water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, flashlight, battery-operated radio, batteries and other necessities to sustain your family for at least 72-hours.
Safety Tips During an Earthquake
- Stay calm and expect an earthquake to last for a few seconds up to a few minutes.
- If inside a building, stay there until the shaking stops (drop, cover and hold). If outside, move away from buildings since bricks from chimneys or other ornamental stone or bricks may be shaken loose.
- When driving, stop safely as soon as possible. Stay in the vehicle until shaking stops. Do not stop vehicles under overpasses or on bridges.
Tips for After an Earthquake
- Check for injuries and render first aid.
- Avoid other hazards (fire, chemical spills, etc.).
- Check utilities (gas, water, electricity). If safe, shut utilities off at the sources.
- Turn on a battery-powered radio and listen for public information broadcasts from emergency officials. Stay tuned for updates.
- Do not use matches, candles or lighters inside.
- Do not use vehicles unless there is a life-threatening emergency.
President Obama to Relax Travel Restrictions to Cuba
From the Washington Post
President Obama will announce today that he is lifting travel restrictions that block Cuban Americans from traveling to Cuba and will relax the rules governing what items can be sent to the island, a senior White House official said. The decision does not lift the trade embargo on communist Cuba but eases the prohibitions that have restricted Cuban Americans from visiting their relatives and has limited what they can send back home.
President Obama will announce today that he is lifting travel restrictions that block Cuban Americans from traveling to Cuba and will relax the rules governing what items can be sent to the island, a senior White House official said. The decision does not lift the trade embargo on communist Cuba but eases the prohibitions that have restricted Cuban Americans from visiting their relatives and has limited what they can send back home.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Teachers' Retirement Board Ex. Dir Jon Bauman Resigns
April 8, 2009
SPRINGFIELD, IL-Jon Bauman, executive director of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS), voluntarily tendered his resignation to the TRS Board of Trustees on April 8, 2009, effective immediately. Mr. Bauman has served as executive director at TRS since 2001. He joined the Teachers’ Retirement System in 1993 as the System’s chief operating officer.
The TRS Board of Trustees has appointed Stan Rupnik to serve as the interim executive director of the retirement system. Rupnik is also the chief investment officer at the Teachers’ Retirement System and was recently recognized by Money Management Letter as a leader in the public fund investing community. Rupnik will serve as interim director of TRS until a permanent executive director is hired.
The TRS Board of Trustees has authorized the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search for an executive director.
A search committee comprised of elected and gubernatorial appointees to the TRS Board of Trustees will work with the executive search firm to identify and interview qualified candidates for the position.
The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to public school teachers and administrators employed outside the city of Chicago. The System serves 355,584 members and had $29 billion in assets as of December 31, 2008.
SPRINGFIELD, IL-Jon Bauman, executive director of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS), voluntarily tendered his resignation to the TRS Board of Trustees on April 8, 2009, effective immediately. Mr. Bauman has served as executive director at TRS since 2001. He joined the Teachers’ Retirement System in 1993 as the System’s chief operating officer.
The TRS Board of Trustees has appointed Stan Rupnik to serve as the interim executive director of the retirement system. Rupnik is also the chief investment officer at the Teachers’ Retirement System and was recently recognized by Money Management Letter as a leader in the public fund investing community. Rupnik will serve as interim director of TRS until a permanent executive director is hired.
The TRS Board of Trustees has authorized the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search for an executive director.
A search committee comprised of elected and gubernatorial appointees to the TRS Board of Trustees will work with the executive search firm to identify and interview qualified candidates for the position.
The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to public school teachers and administrators employed outside the city of Chicago. The System serves 355,584 members and had $29 billion in assets as of December 31, 2008.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
U.S. Senator Roland W. Burris on Three-Day ‘Main Street’ Economic Tour of Southern Illinois
From the Office of U.S. Senator Roland Burris
ALTON, IL— On Wednesday, April 8th, United States Senator Roland W. Burris will visit Alton, Edwardsville, Granite City and St. Louis on the third day of his ‘Main Street’ Economic Tour of Southern Illinois. Senator Burris is traveling across the region, meeting with citizens, workers, local officials and business leaders to discuss the impact of the recession on the region, and explore ways to bring economic relief and prosperity back to Southern Illinois.
"Few parts of our state are suffering through the current economic recession as much as Southern Illinois,” said Senator Burris. “As a native of this region, I know we need to get government dollars flowing immediately to area projects; federal funds that will stimulate the local economy, improve area infrastructure, and in turn create jobs.”
The Senator’s public schedule is as follows:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
Alton/Godfrey, IL -> Edwardsville, IL -> Granite City, IL -> St. Louis, MO
Alton, IL
BRIEFING AT LEWIS AND CLARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Event Location: Lewis and Clark Community College
Event Begins: 8:00 AM
Senator Burris will be briefed on the shovel ready stimulus project: National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGGREC), which upon completion will be a leading national and international large river research facility.
Media Coverage: Senator Burris will be available to the press from 10:00 AM – 10:05 AM.
Edwardsville, IL
MEETING AND TOUR AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT EDWARDSVILLE
Event Location: Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Event Begins: 11:00 AM
Senator Burris will meet with SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandergraft and tour the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center at SIUE. Senator Burris will also be briefed by the Special Assistant to the Chancellor, Jim Pennekamp, about economic issues in the Metro East region.
Granite City, IL
MEETING WITH STEELWORKERS UNIONS
Event Location: Tri-Cities Labor Temple
Event Begins: 12:45 PM
Senator Burris will meet with members of several Steelworkers Unions to discuss economic issues and recent layoffs in the steel industry.
Media Coverage: Senator Burris will be available to the press from 2:00 PM - 2:05 PM.
St. Louis, MO
BRIEFING BY THE BOEING CORPORATION
Event Location: Boeing Corporation
Event Begins: 2:35 PM
Boeing is one of the largest employers in the St. Louis region, with thousands of employees from the Metro East area in Illinois. Senator Burris will tour the Boeing Corporation and be briefed about Boeing’s operations.
Governor Pat Quinn Signs Two Bills to Benefit Youth
From the Office of Governor Pat Quinn
CHICAGO – April 7, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn joined with Senator Jackie Collins (D - Chicago), Senator Kirk W. Dillard (R-Westmont), Representative Barbara Flynn Currie (D - Chicago), Representative Kathy Ryg (D - Vernon Hills) and advocates for children to sign Senate Bill 1013 and Senate Bill 101 which benefit Illinois’ children.
“I am proud to join these legislators here today to help our children by protecting their health and ensuring their bright future,” said Governor Quinn.
Senate Bill 1013, sponsored by Senator Heather Steans (D - Chicago) and Representative Currie, expands the Redeploy Illinois Program which provides critical services for at-risk youth between the ages of 13 and 18. Redeploy Illinois provides funding to counties for local agencies to deliver services such as therapy, substance abuse treatment, life skills education and victim-related services.
With the Governor’s signature, the program will expand from a pilot program to a permanent initiative and allow more counties to be involved.
The Governor also signed Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Senator Crotty and Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R - Glenview), which requires health insurance policies to cover habilitative services for children under 19 years of age with a congenital, genetic or early acquired disorder.
Habilitative services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and other prescribed services to treat disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.
CHICAGO – April 7, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn joined with Senator Jackie Collins (D - Chicago), Senator Kirk W. Dillard (R-Westmont), Representative Barbara Flynn Currie (D - Chicago), Representative Kathy Ryg (D - Vernon Hills) and advocates for children to sign Senate Bill 1013 and Senate Bill 101 which benefit Illinois’ children.
“I am proud to join these legislators here today to help our children by protecting their health and ensuring their bright future,” said Governor Quinn.
Senate Bill 1013, sponsored by Senator Heather Steans (D - Chicago) and Representative Currie, expands the Redeploy Illinois Program which provides critical services for at-risk youth between the ages of 13 and 18. Redeploy Illinois provides funding to counties for local agencies to deliver services such as therapy, substance abuse treatment, life skills education and victim-related services.
With the Governor’s signature, the program will expand from a pilot program to a permanent initiative and allow more counties to be involved.
The Governor also signed Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Senator Crotty and Representative Elizabeth Coulson (R - Glenview), which requires health insurance policies to cover habilitative services for children under 19 years of age with a congenital, genetic or early acquired disorder.
Habilitative services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and other prescribed services to treat disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.
American Ex-Prisoners of War & Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ to Co-Host American Ex-Prisoners of War Recognition Day Ceremony in Springfield
From the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
SPRINGFIELD – In conjunction with National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and the Department of Illinois, American Ex-Prisoners of War will co-host the American Ex-Prisoners of War recognition day ceremony outside the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield on Thursday, April 9th. The ceremony will honor all Illinois Ex-POWs for their courage and service to our nation and will include musical selections by the Springfield Municipal Band, Taps, a 21-gun salute, the raising of the POW/MIA flag, and a yellow-ribbon ceremony around the White Oak tree.
Dozens of Illinois Ex-POWs and their families will participate in the special ceremony. Members of the United States Army Reserve 724th Transportation Company in Bartonville will also be in attendance in honor of Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin who was the first POW/MIA of the Iraqi Freedom War. Staff Sgt. Maupin was captured and taken prisoner by Iraqi insurgents on April 9, 2004 and was laid to rest in April of 2008.
The Department invites and encourages all Veterans, families and friends to join them at this very special ceremony.
WHO:
SPRINGFIELD – In conjunction with National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and the Department of Illinois, American Ex-Prisoners of War will co-host the American Ex-Prisoners of War recognition day ceremony outside the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield on Thursday, April 9th. The ceremony will honor all Illinois Ex-POWs for their courage and service to our nation and will include musical selections by the Springfield Municipal Band, Taps, a 21-gun salute, the raising of the POW/MIA flag, and a yellow-ribbon ceremony around the White Oak tree.
Dozens of Illinois Ex-POWs and their families will participate in the special ceremony. Members of the United States Army Reserve 724th Transportation Company in Bartonville will also be in attendance in honor of Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin who was the first POW/MIA of the Iraqi Freedom War. Staff Sgt. Maupin was captured and taken prisoner by Iraqi insurgents on April 9, 2004 and was laid to rest in April of 2008.
The Department invites and encourages all Veterans, families and friends to join them at this very special ceremony.
WHO:
- IDVA Director Dan Grant
- IDVA Assistant Director Sergio Estrada
- Robert Foster, Illinois Commander of American Ex-POWs
- Marianne Roenna, Chaplain, Illinois American Ex-POWs
- State and Local Elected Officials
- Inter-Veterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County
- Springfield Municipal Band
- Members of the 114th Regiment IL Volunteer Infantry, 40 & 8 Voiture 344, and the 724th Transportation Company
WHAT: American Ex-Prisoners of War recognition day ceremony
WHEN: Thursday, April 9, 2009, at 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Executive Mansion Lawn
410 East Jackson Street, Springfield, IL 62701
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