Illinois

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 »

September 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $28,740,800 in funding to three Illinois communities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions and create green jobs locally.

“Creating jobs and securing our environmental future are at the heart of the Recovery Act,” said Durbin. “This funding will make a significant investment in the effort to reduce the carbon footprint of residents and businesses in the Chicagoland area.”    » read more »

Joins Hundreds at UIC to Rally for More Scholarship Funds

CHICAGO – September 29, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today joined hundreds of Illinois college students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Student Center in an effort to rescue the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP). Those attending the Governor’s Town Hall Meeting to Save College Scholarships rally called on the Illinois General Assembly to restore critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students.    » read more »

Funds Will Support Programs at the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University

September 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Roland W. Burris today announced that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Department of Energy will be allocated to the University of Illinois in Champaign, and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. This investment from the Recovery Act will advance carbon capture and storage research and development in Illinois and spark job creation. The funds are being directed as follows:    » read more »

Joins 21 Governors to Request Extension of Critical Provisions

CHICAGO – September 16, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn calls on Congress to quickly enact legislation that will extend unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed and those who are about to exhaust their benefits. Governor Quinn, along with 21 other governors, sent a letter to Congress outlining their call to action.

“Thousands of our neighbors and friends who want to work are faced with losing their unemployment insurance because they have not been able to find a job,” Governor Quinn said. “Congress needs to understand that America’s labor force needs its help.”    » read more »

Communities Across State to Benefit from $20 Million Grants

September 17, 2009 -- CHICAGO – September 17, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced that $20 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will fund 27 alternative transportation projects across the state. The grants are part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) and are designed to improve the quality of life in Illinois by promoting alternative transportation, such as bike and hike trails, streetscape and beautification, and preserving transportation resources.    » read more »

September 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the decision by the U.S. Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, to award a $4.5 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Ill., to help refurbish an existing building at the Institute’s University Technology Park for use as a technology business incubator facility. The project, made possible because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), is expected to create additional jobs and private investment in the region.    » read more »