Illinois

Fund Would Provide Greater Aid to Military Families Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 4, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will endorse a bill that would provide aid to military families in all branches of the armed services at a National Press Club Newsmakers press conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. The press conference will be in the Zenger Room on the 13th floor of National Press Building, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20045.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the City of Naperville will receive $10,994,000 in Recovery Act funding for energy grid modernization technologies that will spur the nation’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable electric system. Earlier today, President Obama and the Department of Energy announced $3.4 million in Smart Grid grants nationwide that are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and a stronger more reliable energy grid.    » read more »

ARRA Funds Support Plans To Improve Drinking Water Quality in Evanston, Aurora, and McLean, Kendall, and Sangamon Counties

October 19, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott announced grants and loans for environmental projects to improve wastewater quality in Illinois, using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Recovery program was authorized earlier this year by the United States Congress and President Barack Obama.    » read more »

Covers Second Semester Funding for 138,000 Illinois College Students

CHICAGO – October 18, 2009. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to cover critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students. Senate Bill 1180 appropriates full funding for the need-based student aid program, allowing both students and colleges to plan for the Spring 2010 college term.

“I salute the General Assembly for their swift response to what could have been a serious setback to students across the state who rely on MAP funding for their education,” said Governor Quinn. “I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to find revenue to support this critical program.”    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- CHICAGO, IL – Fifty thousand unemployed workers in Illinois will lose their unemployment benefits by the end of the year if legislation to extend those benefits isn’t approved by Congress, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said today.

The extension would provide benefits for an additional 14 weeks for jobless workers in all 50 states, and would add six weeks of insurance for jobless workers in states with unemployment above 8.5%, which includes Illinois. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation authorizing the extension, and the Senate will continue debating the legislation next week.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- Washington – Senator Evan Bayh today announced that Evansville will receive more than $1.2 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) awards from the Department of Energy.

The city of Evansville will receive the funds to help communities improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and create green jobs locally. The EECBG Program was funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

Historic Measure Will Empower Illinois Voters

October 15, 2009 -- SPRINGFIELD – October 15, 2009. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn applauded passage of new recall legislation that enables Illinois residents to vote on a constitutional amendment for the power to remove a governor from office. If the measure is approved by voters next year, the Illinois Constitution would be amended to include the recall process.

“Recall empowers everyday people by providing them an opportunity to remove a governor who is not working in the public’s best interest,” said Governor Quinn. “Recall is the ultimate ethics reform and I applaud the General Assembly for taking this important step.”    » read more »

Governor Quinn Announces Availability of Recovery Funds for Low-Income Home Weatherization Efforts; Approximately $242 Million in Additional Funding Available

October 15, 2009 -- CHICAGO - October 15, 2009. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced that approximately $242 million in additional Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) funding is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to assist with low-income home weatherization efforts over the next two years.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Congress has approved $94,396,000 for energy- and water-related projects in Illinois. The bill will now go to President Obama for his signature.

The Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects:

Army Corps of Engineers:    » read more »

More Licensed Medical Professionals Able to Give H1N1 Flu Shot

October 14, 2009 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today signed a public health emergency proclamation in a proactive effort to ensure there are enough certified and licensed health care professionals able to administer the H1N1 flu vaccine.

This gubernatorial proclamation allows the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to permit additional certified and licensed health care professionals to administer the H1N1 vaccine.    » read more »

Millions in Federal Funds Used to Enhance Coverage to Macoupin County

SPRINGFIELD – October 7, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today commended U.S. Cellular for bringing improved cellular phone service to the people of Macoupin County. Governor Quinn’s visit comes after U.S. Cellular activated five additional service towers in the area by the end of 2009.

“Cell phone service is a fundamental necessity for personal and public safety as well as economic growth.” said Governor Quinn. “The people of Macoupin County have lacked adequate cellular service for years but, thankfully, they can now stay better connected to the people they care about most.”    » read more »

Joins Hundreds at Schools across Illinois to Rally for Scholarship Funds

October 7, 2009 - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today joined hundreds of Illinois college students in an effort to rescue the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP). Those attending the Governor’s Rallies to Save College Scholarships called on the Illinois General Assembly to restore critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students.

“Today I stand with students, teachers, administrators, lawmakers and everyday people to challenge the General Assembly to fully fund MAP grants,” said Governor Quinn. “When it comes to this important education funding issue, we will not accept a grade of ‘incomplete’ from the Legislature.”    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the United States Senate has approved $52,000,000 in federal funding to assist defense related facilities and projects across Illinois.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 defense spending bill includes funding for the following projects:    » read more »

Funds to be Used for Energy Efficiency Projects and the Creation of Green Jobs

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Department of Energy’s State Energy Program have been allocated to Illinois.

The Department of Energy announced today that an additional $50 million is going to Illinois, which has now received a total of $101 million through the State Energy Program to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects throughout the state, while spurring the creation of green jobs and the reduction of carbon pollution.    » read more »

CHICAGO – October 2, 2009. The Illinois Governor issued the following statement:

“I want to congratulate Rio de Janeiro for their selection as the site of 2016 Summer Olympic Games. While I am disappointed that the City of Chicago was not selected, I know that Rio de Janeiro will serve as an excellent host city.

While we are understandably disappointed, we should not be discouraged by today’s outcome. Chicago’s bid was a great example of effort, energy and teamwork. People from across our state came together in an unprecedented manner to support this excellent bid. Going forward, we must apply what was learned from this process and continue to make Chicago and Illinois even stronger and better.    » read more »