Illinois

May 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after learning of Chrysler’s plan to bring the Belvidere Assembly Plant and Belvidere Satellite Stamping Plant back online.

“The latest decision by Chrysler was not easy. In choosing to bring the Belvidere plant back online, Chrysler had to reduce its workforce and cut local, good-paying jobs.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that President Obama’s choice to be Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs within the Department of the Army, Tom Lamont, was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate earlier this evening.

“With years of experience in the Illinois Army National Guard, Tom Lamont has a deep understanding of the needs of the Army,” said Durbin. “He is a dedicated public servant with exceptional knowledge and expertise in both the legal and legislative processes. President Obama made the right choice when he nominated Tom for this position and I look forward to working with him in the future.”    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the CEO of General Motors, Fritz Henderson, to consider the impact that dealerships have on local communities as the company moves forward with restructuring and reducing its dealership network. Late last week, GM informed 1,100 dealerships that they would be losing their franchise agreements in a plan to cut 2,600 of its 6,200 dealerships under a restructuring agreement with the government.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today asked the CEO of Chrysler, Robert Nardelli, to consider the impact that dealerships have on local communities as the company moves forward with restructuring and reducing its dealership network.

Late last week, Chrysler notified a bankruptcy court that it plans to eliminate 789 of its dealerships nationwide as part of an effort to restructure its failing business.

“Chrysler dealerships have made a significant contribution to their communities,” wrote Durbin. “I recognize the tremendous challenges facing Chrysler as it restructures and rebuilds the organization. I ask, though, that as you make these painful decisions, you factor in the impact on local communities.”    » read more »

Governors receive advisory group recommendations

May 14, 2009 -- A 42 person advisory group representing utilities, power generators, oil companies, manufacturers, labor, and environmental groups agreed yesterday to a set of Final Draft Recommendations that governors from six Midwestern states and the premier of Manitoba will use to develop a regional plan to cap and reduce global warming emissions.

The group advising the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MGGRA) members—Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and Manitoba—indicated a strong preference for Congress to enact a federal level program to address climate change.    » read more »

Fifty-nine projects will enhance park development and reserve open space through OSLAD program

SPRINGFIELD – May 6, 2009. At the Illinois Association of Park Districts Legislative Conference in Springfield, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced $21.2 million in grants for 59 park development and land acquisition projects throughout Illinois.

“These kinds of projects help strengthen the fabric of local communities throughout Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “We are investing in parks, playgrounds, picnic tables and fishing piers to help get our children outdoors and reduce nature deficit disorder.”    » read more »

State will use environmentally friendly energy source to power buildings in the capital city

SPRINGFIELD – May 6, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed an agreement between the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) and the city of Springfield to purchase wind power to be used by state facilities in the capital city.

“This partnership between the state and the city of Springfield will make our capital city a greener place,” said Governor Quinn. “It will not only reduce our carbon footprint by powering state buildings with a clean and renewable energy source, but also reduce our electricity consumption through a collaboration with the city to improve building energy efficiency.”    » read more »

April 20, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nearly $1.4 billion is now available for Illinois under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts.

"The real impact of the nearly $2 billion Illinois has received so far will be determined not at the federal level, but at the local level in districts across the state," Duncan said. "We will be watching to see if Illinois state leaders, superintendents, principals and teachers seize this critical opportunity to turn around whole systems and schools."    » read more »

Launches Whistleblower.Illinois.gov to crack down on corruption

CHICAGO – April 15, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is urging government employees and taxpayers to demand integrity and honesty in state government by blowing the whistle on corruption. To advance this effort, Governor Quinn is launching Whistleblower.Illinois.gov, an interactive website that allows watchdogs to easily report suspected government corruption.    » read more »

Phase I of proposed projects would link Chicago, St. Louis

April 14, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and the governors of seven other Midwestern states have joined in support of high-speed passenger rail projects to link cities in their region, with Chicago as the hub. The governors, along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to support plans that have been in place for several years for key rail corridors between cities in their states, including St. Louis to Chicago.    » read more »

New law cracks down on abuse by alternative gas suppliers

CHICAGO – April 10, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that protects consumers against the misleading business practices of dishonest alternative gas suppliers. At the signing ceremony, Governor Quinn was joined by Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Representative Michael J. Zalewski (D - Summit), Representative Monique Davis (D - Chicago) and Representative LaShawn K. Ford (D - Chicago).

“The protection of everyday consumers is vitally important,” said Governor Quinn. “This law will allow state regulators to keep a closer watch on companies that want to take advantage of our citizens.”    » read more »

First Step in Ending Massive Case Backlog

CHICAGO – April 10, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today approved 11 clemency petitions. This is the first in a series of clemency decisions aimed at ending a massive backlog of nearly 2,500 cases that built up during the previous administration.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said Governor Quinn. “My administration is fully-committed to erasing this shameful log jam of cases in a methodical manner and with all deliberate speed.”

The 11 clemency petitions approved by Governor Quinn are part of 31 cases from the January 2003 docket. Each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check.    » read more »

Appointments.Illinois.gov makes appointment process more accessible

CHICAGO – April 9, 2009. At a meeting of the Illinois Reform Commission, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed an executive order to make appointments to Illinois boards and commissions more transparent and accessible. Under the executive order, the Governor launched Appointments.Illinois.gov, a website that allows Illinois citizens to access information about members and vacancies in the state’s 300 boards and commissions.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, April 8, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced that airports around the country will receive $258 million under the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we are creating jobs across the country while investing in the long-term safety and economic vitality of our airports,” said Secretary LaHood.    » read more »

Civil Enforcement Cases, State Enforcement Actions, Alert to Financial Institutions Among New Efforts to Protect American Homeowners Seeking Relief

WASHINGTON, DC, April 6, 2009 -- As homeowners and communities throughout the country continue to face devastating consequences from the deep contraction in the economy and the housing market, the Obama Administration today announced a new coordinated effort across federal and state government and the private sector to target mortgage loan modification fraud and foreclosure rescue scams that threaten to hurt American homeowners and prevent them from getting the help they need during these challenging times.    » read more »