Governor Pat Quinn Kicks-Off 2014-2015 School Year Governor Visits Students on Their First Day CHICAGO—On August 31St, Governor Pat English

STATE OF ILLINOIS Governor’s Office

Intergovernmental Affairs Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2014 IN THIS ISSUE

Governor Pat Quinn Kicks-Off 2014-2015 School Year Governor Visits Students on their First Day CHICAGO—On August 31st, Governor Pat English. The seal will be placed on a student’s Quinn visited students at two Chicago Public academic transcript and diploma. Schools on their first day of school to wish all State Program of the Month: students in Illinois a happy and healthy year Illinois was the third state to pass legislation of learning. The Governor visited Vanderpoel offering a Seal of Biliteracy, joining California Illinois Century Network Elementary Magnet School and Schmid and New York. Illinois education officials Find out how you can connect your community to ultra- fast broadband internet and take advantage of the Elementary School on the south side of hope the seal will inspire students to pursue biliteracy, recognize students who excel in state’s massive investment in our network. Chicago. Today’s events are part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to give every child in Illinois language skills, and provide evidence of the opportunity for a high-quality education. these achievements to future employers and college admissions offices. “As we kick-off a new year of learning, I wish all our students across Illinois a happy and In the 2012-13 school year, Illinois enrolled healthy school year,” Governor Quinn said. more than 200,000 English Learner (EL) “There’s no more important investment than students, nearly 10 percent of the state’s an investment in our children’s education. As more than 2 million public school students. we work to try to bring classroom funding to While the majority of EL students attend the highest levels in Illinois history, it’s schools in Chicago and the collar counties important to give thanks to all our teachers and speak Spanish, EL students in Illinois who are helping to make a difference across speak more than 160 languages. Food Pantry Awareness Day our state.” Find out what you can do to bring awareness to the need Governor Quinn is committed to properly for food pantry donations in your area. Governor Quinn also announced that the funding education in Illinois in order to give Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is every child the opportunity for success. The moving forward with an initiative that aims Governor's budget blueprint includes a to promote mastery of two or more historic $6 billion increase in classroom languages. The state is among the first in the spending. Over the next five years, the Heading to the IML Conference? Governor’s plan would bring classroom country to allow school districts to award a Come check out a Friday session featuring State Seal of Biliteracy to students who funding to the highest levels in Illinois representatives from several state agencies who will be demonstrate a high level of proficiency in history.◊ talking about state programs that could benefit your one or more languages, in addition to community. 2 sejsfalek

IN THIS ISSUE, CONT’D…

Featured Newsroom Clips Giving you information on emerging issues affecting the State of Illinois. Program of the Month:

GET CONNECTED! Illinois Century Network Expanding Broadband Internet Connectivity Across IL Contact your local Regional Technology Center Local governments have long pioneered Dark Fiber: Dark fiber services are available about connecting to the ICN. They’ll guide you through the process and work with you and the efforts to expand broadband availability and for sale along 1000 miles of network. The last mile provider to get connected. RTC staff competition. For more than a decade, they federal broadband grant supported the have relationships with all the last mile providers have tested public projects and public– installation of fiber optic cabling. Access is in your area, and most likely, the last mile private partnerships to deliver new available approximately every 1–3 miles provider is already connected to ICN, meaning to broadband services. As they look to the allowing access for easy interconnections. get you connected should be a breeze! Find your future, localities can work with the Illinois local RTC office contact details at Lit Fiber: Lit fiber services of 10Mb/s to www.illinois.net/ and don’t hesitate to call. Century Network (ICN) to bring high speed 10Gb/s and wave services of up to 40Gb/s are internet to their region. offered. Services are available around the The ICN is a high performance network state and pricing is not location dependent. comprising over 2000 miles of fiber optic cable built to meet the Internet and Intranet Other Services Include: Colocation, Point to needs of the educational, research, Point and Multipoint transport, redundant governmental and healthcare organizations Internet service and access to leading telco serving the citizens of Illinois. Broadband hotels in both Chicago and St. Louis. speeds have increased at least 10x and The ICN network is owned by the State of virtually unlimited bandwidth is available. As Illinois and managed by the Department of bandwidth demands increase, the ICN is Central Management Services. ICN there to support your community. objectives are to facilitate a broadband In 1999, ICN started as an education network connected Illinois. ICN staff operate and providing broadband services to schools and build fiber optic networks, and provide all community anchor institutions throughout necessary support functions including billing, Illinois. Over 6000 community anchor year round support and maintenance. institutions are connected. In addition the ICN network serves as an With the award of a federal grant in 2010 to Illinois local area network enabling deploy broadband into underserved and interconnectivity, resource sharing, and unserved areas of Illinois, ICN has upgraded access to instate content and cloud and expanded its network, moving from a resources. primarily leased network to a network owned See the following page for recent news on and managed by ICN. Following this the Illinois Century Network! upgrade, bandwidth services including dark fiber and lit fiber are now available to commercial service providers since 2013. 3 sejsfalek

Governor Quinn Announces Completion of Cutting Edge Broadband Network $100 Million Illinois Century Network Construction Brings Ultra-Fast Access to Communities Across 55 Counties

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced the completion of Richland, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, St. Clair, Tazewell, a nearly $100 million, four-year project to install more than 1,000 new Vermilion, Will and Woodford. miles of high-speed fiber-optic broadband infrastructure across 55 Illinois counties. Supported by the Governor’s Illinois Jobs Now! The project was coordinated by the Illinois Broadband Opportunity construction program, the project created nearly 700 jobs expanding Partnership (IBOP), a statewide consortium of public and private access to high-speed broadband services for schools, libraries, sector partners organized by Governor Quinn and led by Illinois State hospitals and internet providers throughout Illinois. The network is University’s Central Illinois Regional Broadband Network (CIRBN) and part of the Governor’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services economy forward. (CMS).

“High-speed internet access is a proven economic engine,” Governor Governor Quinn has invested more than $71 million in broadband Quinn said. “This expansion of Illinois’ broadband backbone will infrastructure throughout the state as part of his Illinois Jobs Now! create jobs and drive economic growth for generations to come.” capital construction program. This investment has leveraged more than $250 million in additional federal and private funding. Through “Investing in technology strengthens our public education system,” these projects, more than 3,000 miles of fiber optic cable have been Illinois State University Board Chairman Rocky Donahue said. “I want installed across Illinois. ◊ to thank Governor Quinn for his vision, leadership and partnership with ISU on this project.”

To finish the project, engineers, equipment operators, technicians, splicers, laborers and electricians worked together to bury more than 1,000 miles of new fiber optic cable, and “light up” about 750 miles of existing “dark” fiber. All told, about 1,800 miles of fiber-optic cable are now in use across Illinois because of this project.

The new network directly connects approximately 400 anchor institutions, including community colleges, universities, libraries, health facilities, K-12 schools and public safety agencies. Local internet providers can connect to the network to extend Internet service into communities with few or nonexistent high-speed options.

Students throughout the state are already benefiting from faster access to online learning tools made available through the (ICN) investment.

“Our Internet speed is 25 times faster than before, with plenty of room for future growth,” Iroquois West Community Unit School District #10 Information Technology Director Brian Eggemeyer said. “The ICN’s increased capacity will have a positive impact on every student in our district for years to come.”

The project was funded by a $62 million competitive award from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) which was made possible by a $24 million commitment from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program and nearly $10 million in other university, local and private resources.

The 55 Illinois counties included in the new broadband network are Adams, Bond, Brown, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Cook, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Iroquois, Jasper, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Lawrence, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, 4 sejsfalek

Food Pantry Awareness Day Planning Your Community Calendar for Next Year?

Governor Quinn proclaimed August 30, 2014, Food Pantry Awareness day in order to promote awareness of hunger across Illinois to recognize the critical role of food pantries in distributing food to those who are in need. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, almost 16 million children in the United States are afflicted with food insecurity.

Over the past two years, the Governor’s Office and Melanie Brothers, a community member of Marion, IL, have partnered together on declaring Food Pantry Awareness Day. Melanie also works with mayors across the state to do their own proclamations and promote food pantry awareness in their individual communities. Participating communities have included municipalities like Carbondale, Goreville, Herrin, Marion, Altamont, and Effingham.

Melanie would like to begin collaborating with community f0r next year’s Food Pantry Awareness Day. For more information, please

Melanie Brothers photographed by Steve Matzker, The Southern, 8/14/2014 contact her at 618-889-2661 or [email protected].

Heading to the Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference? Come check out a Friday session featuring representatives from several state agencies talking about state programs that could benefit your community

Scheduled Participants Include:

 Antonio Baxton, Assistant Deputy Director at the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity  Gideon Blustein, Deputy Director of Business Services at the Illinois Department of Employment Security

 Elmo Dowd, Associate Director at the Illinois Environmental Wondering what state programs may be available to help your Protection Agency community? Check out our session on September 19th at 1:00pm.  Bennett Krause, Director of Employer & Community Staff from several state agencies and the Governor’s Office will be Outreach at the Illinois Department of Employment participating in a roundtable to give information on some of the Security state’s major programs and grants. Moderated by Andre Ashmore,  Kerry Lofton, Assistant to the Director at the Illinois Village President for the Village of Matteson and Senior Policy Department of Agriculture Advisor for the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic  Chris Meister, Executive Director of the IL Finance Authority Opportunity, this session will provide a great opportunity for you to  interact with agency staff and learn more about what the State of Crystal Saint, Director of Downstate Intergovernmental Illinois has to offer. Affairs for the Office of Governor Pat Quinn  Teresa Thoensen, Deputy Director of Outreach at the Illinois Department of Transportation

For more information on the IML Conference, please go to their

website, www.iml.org.

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Featured Newsroom Clips

Misclassified Employees Force Taxpayers to Revenue and Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission are working Subsidize Costs, Harm Economy: Illinois Led together to help responsible business owners and punish fraud. More is available at www.illinoismisclassification.com Nation in Auditing Problem Employers Press Release Like several other states, Illinois uses the ABC test to determine if an August 11, 2014 individual is an employee or an independent contractor. Construction related workers are presumed employees, and not independent CHICAGO – Illinois employers wrongly classified nearly 20,000 of their contractors, unless the company can prove that the worker is A) free workers as independent contractors rather than full-time employees from direction and control of the company and B) the work performed in 2013, skipping out on more than $250 million in wages and is generally outside the scope of work performed by the company and contributions to funds that support laid-off and injured workers, the C) the worker is engaged in an independently established trade or Illinois Department of Employment Security said today. business.

Taxpayers ultimately cover the costs of misclassified workers because it robs the state of payroll taxes normally removed from a worker’s Governor Quinn Announces Federal Disaster paycheck. Those funds typically are not removed from payments Declaration for Six Eastern Illinois Counties: given to independent contractors. In some cases, a homeowner could be responsible for costs incurred if a misclassified worker is injured Vermilion, Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Ford while working on the owner’s dwelling. and Iroquois Counties Eligible for Federal Aid After May Hail Storm Destroyed Strawberry “The consequences of misclassification are easy to see when a worker Crop is hurt or an honest business owner is under-bid for a project. What hides in plain sight are the socialized costs that occur when a Press Release dishonest employer deceives a customer and cuts corners by not September 4, 2014 playing by the rules,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced that United States “The labor movement is about creating strong communities and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has declared six eastern Illinois protecting workers from unscrupulous employers,” said Chicago counties as federal disaster areas following a May 21 hailstorm that Federation of Labor President Jorge Ramirez. “Tactics like worker destroyed the area's strawberry crop. The declaration makes farmers misclassification erodes that by violating workers’ employment and in these counties eligible for federal disaster assistance, primarily low- labor rights.” interest loans. The action was taken after Governor Quinn submitted a request to Secretary Vilsack for a disaster declaration. The audits also showed that Illinois held the most productive employer auditing effort in the nation, according to data compiled by “When Illinois farmers hurt, we all hurt, no matter what crops they are the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Illinois audited 3,635 employers in growing,” Governor Quinn said. “While this declaration won't replace 2013. In doing so it identified 19,765 misclassified employees, $245.6 the lost strawberry crop in eastern Illinois, it will help farmers who million in unreported taxable wages and $5.1 million in unreported were devastated by this storm to recover.” contributions that fund unemployment insurance benefits. Illinois led by a wide margin all other states in Effective Audit Measures. The late May hailstorm didn't widely affect the traditional crops of corn and soybeans in the area. However, the strawberry crop was Fighting misclassification fraud is critical to workers, employers and reaching maturity at that time and was especially vulnerable to taxpayers. Workers benefit because misclassification leads to less damage from large hailstones. The entire crop, located primarily in money in trust funds used to pay unemployment insurance and Vermilion County, was destroyed. Federal agricultural disaster worker’s compensation claims. Employers benefit because companies declarations extend to contiguous counties, so the Illinois counties of that misclassify workers can under-bid law-abiding employers by as Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Ford and Iroquois and the Indiana much as 30 percent. Taxpayers benefit because employers who counties of Benton, Vermillion and Warren were also included. misclassify employees typically do not carry insurance, or do not carry insurance at appropriate levels to protect the consumer if a worker is "The damage from this storm was isolated, but severe," Illinois injured on the job. If a worker who has been misclassified and could Department of Agriculture Director Bob Flider said. "The low-interest, arguably be considered an employee of the homeowner, the emergency loans the disaster declaration triggers could help farmers homeowner bears liability for any injury. who are suffering cash flow problems because of crop losses. They can be used to pay not only production expenses, but also family Generally speaking, to be considered an independent contractor, a living expenses." worker must be free from direction or control. A worker is not an independent contractor just because an employer designates him or Those who suffered crop losses from the May 21 storm have eight her as such – even if the worker agrees to the designation. Employers months to apply for loans from the Farm Service Agency, a division of breaking the law could face fines of at least $10,000 and up to 60 the United States Department of Agriculture. percent interest on failed payments. The Illinois Department of Labor, Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of 6 sejsfalek

In the last five years, Illinois has suffered from 11 natural disasters, CHICAGO – As Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to its lowest point including a record drought in 2012; deadly tornadoes in 2012 and since August 2008, Governor Pat Quinn today visited Wheatland 2013; historic winter storms earlier this year; and floods, including the Tube, the largest pipe and conduit manufacturer in North America, to spring 2013 flooding in 49 counties that broke all-time records on four discuss the state’s ongoing economic comeback. Illinois’ major river systems. Under Governor Quinn’s leadership the state of unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent in July, its lowest level Illinois has managed response to these disasters, often providing state since August 2008. Wheatland Tube is among many Illinois businesses assistance when outdated rules did not permit federal assistance to that are adding new jobs to the state’s workforce and fueling the be offered. Last year, Governor Quinn was appointed to the economic recovery. Today’s event is part of the Governor’s agenda to President’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. The create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward. task force recommends ways to strengthen the way states and the nation respond to natural disasters. “Illinois’ comeback is going strong and we’ve got more work to do,” Governor Quinn said. “Illinois manufacturers like Wheatland are Governor Quinn Vetoes Uber Bill helping to drive our economy forward by creating good jobs and Press Release supporting local communities across the state. Today’s news that August 25, 2014 unemployment has dropped to its lowest level in nearly six years is further proof that we are heading in the right direction.” CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today vetoed House Bill 4075, also known as the “Uber bill.” The bill would have imposed statewide Illinois’ unemployment rate declined in July to 6.8 percent from June’s regulations on commercial ridesharing and prevented local 7.1 percent, according to data released earlier today by the U.S. governments across Illinois from adopting rules that fit their Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment respective communities. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s Security. During July, 11,200 new private sector jobs were added, agenda to protect consumers, create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy including 3,900 manufacturing jobs. The state’s unemployment rate forward. has fallen steadily since July 2013, when it stood at 9.2 percent, and has completed its steepest 12-month decline of 2.4 percentage points "The principle of home rule is an important one," Governor Quinn since August 1984. Since February 2010, Illinois has added 263,100 said. "I am vetoing this legislation because it would have mandated a private sector jobs. one-size-fits-all approach to a service that is best regulated at the local level.” As part of his agenda to drive the state’s economy forward, Governor Quinn has taken unprecedented steps to support Illinois’ While transportation services are traditionally regulated at the local manufacturers, which supports jobs in service industries and sends government level, House Bill 4075 would have limited the ability of Illinois products worldwide. His signature effort in the field of home rule units of government to adopt alternative approaches that manufacturing was a $16 million investment in the Digital best fit local needs. Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute on Chicago’s Goose Island. The institute is a venture of UI Labs that will connect For example, the city of Chicago passed an ordinance that will go into manufacturers to the latest tools and knowledge. effect Aug. 26, 2014 which establishes a comprehensive set of regulations to ensure ridesharing companies maintain public safety Since taking office in 2009, Governor Quinn has enacted worker’s including regulations on licensure, insurance, background checks, compensation reform and unemployment insurance reform to make vehicle inspections and operating hours for drivers. The ordinance – Illinois a better place to do business. Other major fiscal reforms such which is in the process of being implemented – will help ensure these as pension reform and Medicaid restructuring are restoring fiscal transportation services maintain public safety while keeping the stability to Illinois. Today Governor Quinn is pushing a new tax cut for regulation at the appropriate and traditional level of government. businesses that provide job training. Lowering cost to train workers will make it easier for businesses to create new jobs and will ensure Commercial ridesharing services are provided by drivers who use their workers have the skills to drive a 21st century economy. personal automobiles to provide transportation services to the public. Customers use an application on their smart phones to order rides Wheatland Tube, a division of JMC Steel Group, began processing offered through these companies such as Uber X, Lyft, Sidecar and steel in Pennsylvania in 1931. Its Chicago facility began operation in others. 1969. The manufacturer of standard steel pipe, fence framework, fire sprinkler pipe, electrical conduit and mechanical tube employs 211 Governor Quinn today also vetoed House Bill 5331, which contained people at its Western Ave. plant but expects that number to increase related ridesharing regulations. by 10 percent over the next 12 months. In addition, Wheatland hired 51 new employees in 2013. Illinois is also home to Atlas Tube, a division of JMC Steel Group and the JMC Steel Group headquarters in Governor Quinn Announces Illinois’ Chicago. JMC Steel employs 300 people at the two locations. Unemployment Rate Drops to Near Six-Year “We are excited to have several of our largest tubing facilities located Low: Visits Chicago Manufacturer to Announce in Chicago,” Jim Hays , Wheatland President of Electrical, Fence and State’s Unemployment Rate Dropped to 6.8 Mechanical Tube, said. “Our Illinois location is central to multiple Percent in July with 11,200 Private Sector Jobs modes of transportation that allows us to move material economically Added through America. With support from the state, we have hired a diverse labor pool with the skill sets required to support all levels of Press Release our organization.” August 14, 2014

Wheatland Tube has received approximately $66,000 in Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) funds that will help enhance the 7 sejsfalek

skills of its workforce. JMC received approximately $200,000 in state “East St. Louis has the potential to become a hub of business and job-training this year to conduct a second round of industrial industry once again,” State Senator James Clayborne (D-East St. maintenance and advanced electrical maintenance training. The Louis) said. “This kind of investment in the future of the community advanced training has helped current employees to improve their shows the state’s dedication to create jobs, fight poverty and skills in key electrical and mechanical areas. revitalize the area.”

For more information on doing business in Illinois, visit Strong job growth in key industries pushed the rate down three- Illinois.gov/dceo. tenths of a point to its lowest level since the fall of 2008. Specialty trade contractors’ payrolls posted healthy gains for the third straight month, fueled in large part by Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! Governor Quinn Breaks Ground on $7 Million capital construction program. Construction payrolls are up by 8,500 Road and Rail Project for Port of East St. Louis: jobs since the beginning of the year, nearly four times as strong as the More Jobs Are On the Way Following News of gain posted for this same period in 2013.

Another Historic Drop in Illinois’ Unemployment The Port of East St. Louis will be a 200-acre, multi-modal facility that Rate will link the Midwest to the world through waterway, highway and rail Press Release connections. The public-private partnership will be the single most August 14, 2014 important business development opportunity that the city has seen in the past 15 years. It is less than a mile from the Poplar Street River EAST ST. LOUIS – Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by local and Bridge and will have open access to Class I railroads with maximum state officials to break ground on a new $7 million multi-modal unit train capabilities. The port’s location within the St. Louis Harbor, transportation project that will service the future Port of East St. which is a natural barge tow interchange, will allow it to maximize its Louis. The state-funded project will increase access, create jobs and multi-modal capabilities without overloading one particular mode of establish utility service to the area. Today’s announcement follows transportation. It will ultimately include public docks, cargo cranes news of another historic drop in Illinois’ unemployment rate that has and manufacturing and warehouse facilities. reached nearly six-year lows. The groundbreaking event is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy Governor Quinn Signs Laws to Address Urban forward. Flooding and Ensure Cleaner Drinking Water: Legislation Will Help Protect Health and “It’s all about location in the shipping industry, and East St. Louis is ideally situated to ship and receive goods by truck, rail or river,” Wellness of All Illinois Residents Governor Quinn said. “The Port of East St. Louis will be a major Press Release economic driver for the Metro East region, and I’m proud to get the August 3, 2014 ball rolling by constructing road and rail access to this facility.” CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today signed critical legislation to A $5 million investment from the Illinois Department of Commerce address urban flooding and to help ensure clean drinking water and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Rivers Edge program will be supplies and a cleaner environment. Today’s action is part of combined with $1.25 million from the port’s developers to construct Governor Quinn’s agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure an on-site road, rail lines and utilities to service the port. This will a clean and healthy environment for future generations. prepare the site for development and when complete will allow full access to the site by truck, train and barge. Another DCEO Rivers "Water is a tremendous resource except when you have too much of it Edge investment of $2 million to Slay Industries/Kinder Morgan will or it’s not fit to drink,” Governor Quinn said. “These new laws will help be used for the private property portion of the road. us better control the damaging urban floods we’ve had recently, and will help maintain our clean drinking water systems.” “Thanks to the state of Illinois assistance, East St. Louis and Slay Industries/Kinder Morgan are partnering to bring long-term, “These laws continue to support the Governor’s work to provide sustainable, good-paying, green jobs to the community,” East St. additional protections for the state’s cities and our water resources,” Louis Mayor Alvin Parks said. “The collaboration is also setting up a Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director Lisa Bonnett world-class transportation network for moving freight. This is one of said. “They include additional environmental protections that will the city’s most important developments in decades.” provide for clean and healthy water for Illinois residents.”

“This port will be an economic hub for East St. Louis,” DCEO Director “Urban flooding is an equal opportunity problem,” Ryan Wilson, Adam Pollet said. “Transportation is a vital asset in Illinois, and this Stormwater Program Manager at the Center for Neighborhood administration is committed to supporting it with investments that Technology, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on sustainable cities, will create jobs and spending by the private sector.” said. “Our own research shows that urban flooding can happen anywhere, not just in floodplains. The legislation Governor Quinn Today’s groundbreaking comes following news that Illinois’ signed today will help Illinois communities better understand urban unemployment rate in July continued its drop to 6.8 percent, the flooding, and identify innovative stormwater solutions that can lowest level in more than five years, and 10,300 new jobs were added protect our homes, our investments, and our environment from the to the state’s workforce. The data was released earlier today by the threat of increasingly frequent and severe storms.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Senate Bill 2966, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D- Chicago) and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), creates the Urban Flooding Awareness Act. The new law forms a working group with representatives from state, federal and local agencies and 8 sejsfalek

other interested parties who will review and evaluate the latest research, policies and procedures regarding urban flooding. The “Heroin is a deadly substance that destroys lives,” Governor Quinn group will then submit a report by June 30, 2015 to the Governor and said. “The health and safety of all residents across the state must be a General Assembly with recommendations on how best to prevent and priority. This legislation will help ensure we have the tools to fight control urban flooding. The law is effective immediately. heroin use across Illinois.”

“Flooding in urban areas is a growing challenge that demands the House Bill 4542, sponsored by State Representative Natalie Manley combined expertise of local, state and federal agencies,” Senator (D-Joliet) and State Senator Thomas Cullerton (D-Villa Park), expands Steans said. “We’re taking the problem seriously and making sure we the age range to be studied by the Young Adult Heroin Use Task know what’s happening and why so we can adopt effective measures Force to students in grades six through 12. Governor Quinn signed that protect lives and property.” legislation in August 2013 to create the Young Adult Heroin Use Task Force to address the growing problem of heroin use in Illinois high "With recent heavy rainfall, our neighborhoods, cities and state saw a schools. The new law expands the study to younger students. dramatic increase in flooding, causing serious damage to property," Representative Cassidy said. "This bill will bring together Ongoing research has found that heroin use not only affects high stakeholders, experts and State agencies to examine the causes of school students in Illinois, but also children as young as 11 years old. urban flooding and how our infrastructure and technology can The task force is to investigate the youth heroin use epidemic and mitigate the impacts in the future." recommend further state action. The new law is effective immediately. In addition, Senate Bill 2770, sponsored by State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) and State Representative Michael Tryon (R- “This devastating drug is hurting younger and younger students,” Crystal Lake), requires each community water supply system to Senator Cullerton said. “We need to accurately understand the scope designate an operator who will be directly responsible for that of the heroin problem as we work to fix it.” system’s water supply and distribution. An initiative of the IEPA, it also updates the duties and responsibilities of operators to ensure Since taking office, Governor Quinn has worked toward a drug free they hold the proper certification and skills to operate the community Illinois. He signed the Emergency Medical Services Access law in 2012, water supply. The law is effective immediately. which provides immunity to a person who, in good faith, seeks or obtains emergency medical assistance for someone experiencing an Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 2928, sponsored by State overdose. As part of the Drug Overdose Prevention Program, a life Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) and State Representative JoAnn saving law took effect in 2010 to allow non-medical persons to Osmond (R-Antioch), which allows law enforcement agencies to dispense a drug overdose antidote in an emergency to prevent a drug collect pharmaceuticals and other controlled substances from overdose from becoming fatal. residents and safely store and transport them for disposal at IEPA- approved sites. Increased options for residents to safely and properly Additionally, the Governor implemented improvements in the dispose of pharmaceuticals and controlled substances will help ensure Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) with the primary goals of that fewer unused medications are flushed down the toilet, which has improving clinical care and reducing the unnecessary use of controlled serious negative impacts on water supplies. The law is effective substances prescribed by physicians. This past year the PMP’s immediately. effectiveness was enhanced by joining the national network of PMPs that allows clinicians in Illinois to check their potential patients’ use of Governor Quinn has a long record of support for measures that ensure controlled substances within Illinois and 15 other states. Since the a clean and healthy environment. On July 23 Governor Quinn signed inception of the PMP in 2008, there has been a 66 percent reduction Senate Bill 2780, which expands the Governor’s Clean Water Initiative in the number of individuals who “doctor shop” in order to obtain to include stormwater and green infrastructure projects. In 2013, controlled prescription medicines. Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 1869 which gives Illinois municipalities greater ability to build and invest in innovative storm water management infrastructure to help mitigate damaging floods Governor Quinn Statement Regarding U.S. EPA such as green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, tree boxes, porous Denial of PCB Waste at Clinton Landfill pavement, native plantings, constructed wetlands and more. The law Press Release expanded existing law to include these items, among others. August 13, 2014

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Support regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision not to Heroin Awareness and Prevention Efforts Across issue a chemical waste permit to accept PCB waste at the Clinton Illinois: New Law Strengthens Task Force Landfill: Devoted to Fighting Heroin “The U.S. EPA did the right thing today for nearly 800,000 central Press Release Illinois residents by affirming that hazardous wastes have no place August 5, 2014 near our precious drinking water. Along with the residents of central

Illinois, our state, local and federal government all now agree – we ROMEOVILLE – Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to fight must protect the Mahomet Aquifer from the dangers of PCBs. heroin use in communities across Illinois. The new law will expand the scope of a special task force created last year to study heroin use in “The Illinois EPA’s permit modification allowed the federal Illinois and make recommendations to increase awareness and government to put a stop to any potential PCB disposal at the Clinton prevention. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to strengthen drug prevention efforts and save lives. 9 sejsfalek

Landfill. This measure will protect our health and our environment for Governor Quinn Announces $14.4 Million years to come.” Investment in Chicago’s Southland: Governor Quinn Invests $102 Million in High- Communities Across Chicago’s South Suburbs Speed Rail Upgrades on Chicago-St. Louis Line: Will Receive Park Improvement and Stormwater Funding Will Improve Capacity, Safety on Management Funding Joliet-Dwight Segment Press Release August 30, 1014 Press Release

August 21, 2014 CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced $14.4 million in

investments in several Chicago Southland communities for park CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $102 million development, recreational opportunities and stormwater investment from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program to improve management. Today’s investments are part of Governor Quinn’s system performance and reliability on a key segment of the Chicago- agenda to improve lives, create jobs and drive the Southland’s to-St. Louis high-speed rail line. The investment will allow the Illinois economy forward. Department of Transportation and the Union Pacific Railroad to move forward with construction of a new bridge over the Kankakee River “Investments in park development and recreation are investments in near Wilmington, as well as other safety and capacity enhancements the health, well-being and future of the people in these along the busy corridor between Joliet and Dwight. Today’s communities,” Governor Quinn said. “The investments will enhance announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and the Southland and help further what we already know - that the build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois’ economy region is a great place to live, work and raise a family. In addition, forward. investments in stormwater management will help control damaging

rain water and urban flooding to improve the safety and efficiency in “This investment is going to put people to work and take us one step these communities for years to come.” closer to completing the high-speed rail connection between Chicago and St. Louis,” Governor Quinn said. “None of this work on the The investments for most of the park improvement projects are part Chicago-St. Louis high-speed line would be possible without the of $50 million available through the Parks and Recreational Facility outstanding cooperation of the Union-Pacific Railroad. Investing in Construction (PARC) program. Projects eligible for the program our Chicago-St.Louis line today will pay dividends to Illinois residents include land acquisition, development, architectural planning, for years to come.” construction, rehabilitation and improvements. The PARC program

may provide up to 75 percent of approved project costs. The $102 million investment will build a second set of tracks between

Mazonia and Elwood, including the new Kankakee River bridge to The PARC program is funded by Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois accommodate the increased capacity. The work, which will be Jobs Now! construction program, which is supporting 439,000 jobs performed by the Union Pacific Railroad and overseen by IDOT, will over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in take place in 2016 and 2017. The $102 million investment, part of the Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the $550 million the governor identified in Illinois Jobs Now! to improve nation. passenger rail service across the state, will create or support 918 construction jobs. The stormwater management project grants are administered

through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and are Once completed, the improvements will eliminate about five minutes also part of Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! program. They fund in travel time immediately and put the final upgrades in place projects that control or reduce rain-related urban flooding. between Joliet and Dwight in anticipation of the eventual double- tracking of the remainder of the Chicago-St. Louis corridor. This The communities and projects are listed below. double-tracking will then allow more daily round-trips at increased

110-mph speeds. Calumet City

“We value the public-private partnership between IDOT’s Bureau of Calumet Memorial Park District will receive $2,137,875 in PARC Railroads, the Federal Railroad Administration and Union Pacific investments to expand the Sandridge Community Center on Oglesby Railroad in making the rail corridor between Chicago and St. Louis the Avenue. The project calls for the addition of more than 10,000 square premier high-speed passenger corridor in the county,“ Union Pacific feet of fitness and active recreation space which will provide Railroad’s Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Wes Lujan said. dedicated space for group fitness, weight lifting and cardio exercise.

The renovation also includes the addition of an elevated track over Today’s announcement pushes the state’s total commitment to the the existing gymnasium and a new fitness area. The total estimated Chicago-St. Louis route to $358.8 million, with the remainder of the project cost is $2,850,500. $1.7 billion project federally funded. Trains currently travel at 110 mph between Dwight and Pontiac. By the end of 2015, the trip between Chicago – Ward 8: The City of Chicago will receive $2,979,000 in IEPA Chicago and St. Louis will be reduced to 5 hours from the current 5½ investments to enlarge sewers in the area in order to reduce hours. When all of the improvements are finished in 2017, the trip will basement flooding. One project will enlarge sewers along Ridgeland have been reduced even further to 4½ hours. Avenue from 79th Street to South Chicago Avenue. The area

benefitting from this project is roughly bounded by 79th Street to the For more information on the high-speed rail project, visit north, East End Avenue to the west, South Chicago Avenue to the www.idothsr.org. south and Constance Avenue to the east.

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The second project includes a sewer enlargement along Drexel “On behalf of our residents, I want to thank Governor Quinn,” Avenue from 90th Street to 93rd Street. The area benefitting from Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton said. “These investments in our this project is roughly bounded by 90th Street to the north, the infrastructure are just what the community needs right now.” railroad to the west, 93rd Street to the south and Ellis Avenue to the east. Markham: Markham will receive $999,989 in PARC investments to construct a new 20,000-square-foot Indoor Track and Field/Gymnastic “I appreciate the Governor’s commitment to making our communities Facility at 162nd and Laflin. The facility will house a gymnasium for a better place to live,” 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris said. “The track and field, a gymnastics area, locker rooms, equipment storage northwest end of the ward will benefit enormously from and a concession area. The total project cost is $1.2 million. improvements to the stormwater management systems, which will help protect homeowners from devastating water damage.” “The families, children, and elected officials of the City of Markham greatly appreciate the Governor and the PARC program for the Dixmoor: Dixmoor will receive $1,125,000 in PARC investments to opportunity to build a state of the art facility that will enhance the complete a recreation facility on Paulina Street. This includes interior future of our children,” Markham Mayor David Webb, Jr. said. and exterior rehabilitation including electrical, plumbing, climate control, landscaping and parking. The total estimated project cost is Phoenix: Phoenix will receive $900,000 in PARC investments to $1,250,000. construct a new 15,000-square-foot indoor field house/sports facility off East 151st Street at 3rd Avenue. The facility will include a walking “On behalf of the Village President Dorothy Armstrong, Village Clerk track, exercise room, space for various indoor sports activities, locker Juanita Darden, Village Board of Trustees along with the community, rooms, restrooms, concessions and storage. The total estimated cost we would like to thank Governor Quinn for recognizing the need to is $1 million. provide quality of life activities for our families, youth and seniors,” Village of Dixmoor President, Dorothy Armstrong said. “Dixmoor “This is a dream come true for our community,” Phoenix Mayor Terry elected officials especially appreciate the support of the State R. Wells said. “The approval of this PARC grant will allow the Village Legislators and Governor Quinn for their efforts to continually of Phoenix to build a field house that will provide the much needed support the Village of Dixmoor.” recreational component that our community has lacked for so long. Thanks to Governor Quinn and his staff for making this dream a Dolton: Dolton Park District will receive $2,083,311 in PARC reality.” investments to expand and renovate the Main Field House on Irving Avenue and E. 148th Street. The facility will expand from 3,000 to Robbins: The Robbins Park District will receive a $135,000 investment 9,000 square feet and be developed into a multi-use facility to to improve and expand its parks. increase recreational programs and activities. The total estimated cost is $2.5 million. A playground will be installed, and surfacing and ADA accessibility work performed for $60,000. $75,000 will be used to demolish vacant “It is a great day for the park district today. Once again this property on two parcels of land obtained by the park district. The demonstrates the hard work that the Park District Board, properties were obtained to expand a current park site and remove Commissioners, employees and all the people that have contributed unsafe properties. The investment announced today comes through to make this happen,” Dolton Mayor Riley Rogers said. “I would like to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and give special thanks to Mr. Kendall Parrot who has worked diligently to is part of Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. help this great park district and this community. I like to thank Governor Pat Quinn who has regularly come to this community to make sure that we are heard and protected. Governor Quinn has not Governor Quinn Expands Region Served by only made sure that funds have been distributed to this community to America’s Central Port: Changes Will Improve assist with the education and the development of our children, he has Economic Opportunity and Cooperation also made sure that the quality of life that we share here in this village has become much improved.” Between Governments Press Release Evergreen Park: The Village of Evergreen Park will receive a $500,000 August 1, 2014 investment to perform new work on the village’s 50-Acre Park, including bicycle/ walking/jogging trails, playground equipment and a GRANITE CITY – Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to teaching garden for children with disabilities, and related green space expand the region in the Metro East area covered by the Tri-City improvements. The funds come through the Illinois Department of Regional Port District, a leading economic development entity in Commerce and Economic Opportunity and are part of Governor southwestern Illinois. The boundaries now include territory along the Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. Mississippi River in Madison and Jersey Counties. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ The Village will also receive a $200,000 investment to improve streets economy forward. and sewers located within the village. The work will include removing deteriorated asphalt, installing patches and replacing storm inlets as “America’s Central Port has proven itself to be an economic needed. The funds come through the Illinois Department of development powerhouse that benefits the whole region,” Governor Commerce and Economic Opportunity and are part of Governor Quinn said. “With this new law, the port district can now work Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. together with even more communities to drive economic growth.”

Senate Bill 499, sponsored by State Senator William Haine (D-Alton) and State Representative Dan Beiser (D-Alton), expands the Tri-City 1 sejsfalek 1

Regional Port District boundaries to include the townships of Wood synthetic turf fields for soccer, softball, baseball, football, lacrosse River, Alton, Godfrey and Elsah. The current boundaries include and other turf related programs. The investment is part of $50 million Granite City, Venice, Nameoki and Chouteau Townships in Madison available through PARC, which is funded by Governor Quinn's Illinois County. The expansion allows the port to assist in the economic Jobs Now! construction program. The Rockford Park District has been growth of the new communities, bringing more investment awarded a $641,000 Tourism Attraction Development Grant from the opportunities and jobs to the region. The bill also expands the Port Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau District board from seven to nine members and allows more efficient of Tourism. access to capital for development purposes. The legislation is effective on Jan. 1, 2015. The Rockford Park District investment assists in the development and improvement of tourist attractions in Illinois which, in turn, helps America’s Central Port has supported more than 1,000 jobs and more boost the tourism business and provide economic impact for the than $282 million in annual economic impact. The port is a 1,200-acre state. The investment will help pay for costs associated with multi-use facility along the Mississippi River and is owned and improvements to Wedgbury Stadium, located at Sportscore Two, and operated by the Tri-City Regional Port District. The port is the hub of Phase one of the Reclaiming First initiative which totals $30 million. the nation's intermodal freight transportation system. Its ideal Reclaiming First is a multi-year initiative to retain, regain and grow location with direct access to rail, river and road transportation have the valuable amateur sports tourism market in the Rockford region. made the port a huge economic engine for the Metro East area. Governor Quinn last year signed legislation that allowed Winnebago “Shipping on the Mississippi has an enormous economic influence on County to impose a 2 percent hotel-motel tax to help the county and the entire region,” Senator Haine said. “We are expanding the its municipalities expand their regional athletic facilities. This benefits of the port district to match that wide-ranging impact.” legislation is a major reason why construction is moving forward on the Reclaiming First initiative. The improvements funded by the law “America’s Central Port is a leading inland waterway portal to the are expected to increase visitor spending by $15 million, create nation and the world,” Representative Beiser said. “Community hundreds of new jobs and generate significant new tax revenue. leaders wanted to expand its reach in the Metro East area to attract Including past state funding for land acquisition and construction, more jobs, encourage more commerce and continue the successful Governor Quinn has committed nearly $2 million to date toward the operation of the port.” project.

Governor Quinn has long supported economic development in the “We are thankful for Governor Quinn’s commitment to the Metro East area. His recent efforts include state funding for the $695 Reclaiming First initiative, and his continued support of the Rockford million Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi region, which has long been recognized as a leader in the amateur River, $75 million for a new Science Building at Southern Illinois sports market,” Rockford Park District Executive Director Tim Dimke University Edwardsville and Southwestern Illinois College’s new $19.1 said. “This kicks-off the start of several construction related projects million Liberal Arts Complex addition in Belleville. that will be built by local contractors with local labor, financed by local banks and provide a significant impact to the local economy through Governor Quinn Announces Investments to additional tourism and permanent jobs. The multi-facility, multi-year Expand Recreation and Tourism in Rockford project will stimulate our regional economy and provide world-class Area: Investments Will Help Expand and recreational facilities to our citizens.”

Improve Rockford Area Facilities to Create The modernization of Sportscore Two begins with upgrades to Jobs, Support Recreation and Drive Tourism Wedgbury Stadium, making it the premier sports tournament Press Release destination. These improvements will exceed current industry August 1, 2014 standards, which will aid in attracting even more international and national competitions and tournaments. The new state-of-the-art LOVES PARK – Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by local facility will allow the Rockford Park District to seek a FIFA (Fédération government, business, civic and labor leaders to announce $3.1 Internationale de Football Association) certificate. FIFA standards for million in state investments to expand sporting facilities in the sports turf systems are designed to ensure that a consistent world- Rockford area. The Governor also launched construction of the class standard of surface is available internationally. The facility will region’s Reclaiming First initiative, to help boost tourism in the also include an NCAA professional level lighting system, new Rockford area. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to pathways, restroom building and upgrades to the bleachers and press promote recreation and sports tourism in Illinois. box. Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2014.

“Sporting events are an integral part to any community and also a Wedgbury Stadium, which seats 2,000 spectators, has hosted IHSA huge driver of the local economy,” Governor Quinn said. State High School Soccer Finals, pro football games, National Rugby “Government and community leaders in the Rockford area know this, Finals, college rugby championships, professional soccer games with and are paving the way to the future with these world-class facilities international teams from Mexico and USSL W. League Soccer Men’s that will attract competitors and spectators from around the globe.” and Women’s Finals.

Governor Quinn announced a $2.5 million investment of Parks and “The recent approvals to move forward with phase one of the Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) funds to expand the Indoor Reclaiming First initiative is a huge accomplishment for the Rockford Sports Center at the Sportscore Two complex in Loves Park. The Region,” Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau President and 115,000-square-foot building and parking lot will be connected to the CEO John Groh said. “We are well on our way to creating more than existing Indoor Sports Center and will include three multi-purpose 250 more jobs, and generating an additional estimated $15 million 1 sejsfalek 2

into the local economy by attracting more local, regional, national between the state and Lindenwood’s Belleville campus, which will and international sports events to our region. We are moving in the improve educational opportunities for its students.” right direction and we thank all who have believed in the possibilities.” “This new facility will make it easier for Illinois’ police officers to do their jobs,” State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) said. “The Additional improvements soon to come include adding six turf and state-of-the-art technology will also provide the most effective tools multi-purpose lighted fields to Sportscore Two, and expanding the in assisting local and state investigators and ensuring public safety.” Indoor Sports Center to create a total of five indoor soccer fields. The Metro-East Forensic Science Laboratory project is part of The Reclaiming First initiative is led by board/council members and Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which is chief elected officials and staff leaders from the Rockford Park supporting more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is District, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one Rockford, City of Loves Park, Village of Machesney Park, City of South of the largest construction programs in the nation. Beloit, Village of Rockton, Village of Roscoe, Village of Cherry Valley, and Winnebago County. For additional information on Reclaiming First, visit www.reclaimingfirst.org.

Governor Quinn Opens State-of-the-Art Police CONTACT INFORMATION Forensic Laboratory in Belleville: New State Police Building Provides Forensic Capability for This newsletter is brought to you by the Governor’s Office of Public Southern Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Engagement, which coordinates intergovernmental affairs. We welcome your thoughts and feedback. Press Release August 26, 2014 Office of Public Engagement Director, Cory Foster, can be reached at [email protected]. BELLEVILLE – Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by state and local officials to open a new State Police Metro-East Forensic Science Downstate Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Crystal Saint, can Laboratory in Belleville. The facility will provide the Illinois State be reached at [email protected] or (217) 524-1386. Police (ISP) and police agencies throughout the region with enhanced crime-solving abilities. The event is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to ensure the safety of all people in every community across Illinois.

“Our law enforcement agencies must have the best resources available to investigate crimes and arrest offenders,” Governor Quinn said. “This facility gives local authorities access to the very latest tools and technology to help them conduct investigations more efficiently and effectively while protecting the safety of the people of Illinois.”

The 64,000 square-foot, $41.6 million forensic laboratory, funded by Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, includes state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for crime scene services, trace chemistry, drug chemistry, polygraph, latent prints, firearms and forensic biology/DNA testing.

The facility is located on land purchased in 2007 from Lindenwood University. The construction project was administered by the Capital Development Board, which oversees all non-road state-funded construction projects.

“The new forensic lab will meet the infrastructure requirements of today's highly technical scientific equipment and serve our most important clients – the victims and their families,” Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau said.

For more than two decades, the Illinois State Police had leased 15,000 square feet of renovated office space as its laboratory in Fairview Heights. The rented space could no longer accommodate the agency’s technological changes, casework growth and staffing needs.

“This lab will give police and prosecutors better tools to advance justice and avoid improperly arresting and convicting innocent people,” State Senate Majority Leader James F. Clayborne (D- Belleville) said. “This project is thanks to a fruitful partnership