BLOOMINGTON – February 9, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today joined business and education leaders to launch the Illinois Pathways Initiative, an innovative public-private partnership between Illinois’ public education institutions and the business community to foster Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning. Funded through the state’s secured Race to the Top funds, Illinois Pathways will help prepare students for college and careers in new and growing fields. As part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to reform and improve education in Illinois, this initiative will provide for strong collaboration in Illinois’ business and education communities to prepare students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service sponsors Serve.Illinois.gov; a valuable statewide resource for volunteers. There you can search for volunteer opportunities by interest, zip code, and county.
Serve.Illinois.gov serves as a primary resource for Illinoisans who are seeking information about volunteer agencies, trainings, nonprofit resources, and national service programs including AmeriCorps. For more information on AmeriCorps or Serve Illinois, email dhs.serveillinois@illinois.gov or call 800-592-9896.
CHICAGO – February 6, 2012. As part of his commitment to strengthening education in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today visited Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) to discuss recently adopted legislation that will allow more students in urban areas to pursue opportunities in Illinois’ vital agricultural economy.
“One of Illinois’ biggest economic engines is our mighty agriculture,” Governor Quinn said. “Our urban students and those who live in rural communities should have the educational opportunities to prepare them for jobs in an industry that keeps food on our tables and makes our state more competitive in the global economy."
BELVIDERE – February 2, 2012. One day after laying out the Illinois Jobs Agenda for 2012 in his State of the State address, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Chrysler Group LLC is ramping up production at its Belvidere plant to help build its next generation of vehicles. The company has invested $700 million to retool the plant and will begin production of the new Dodge Dart in the second quarter of 2012. In fall 2010, Governor Quinn announced a business investment package for the company that is supporting the creation of up to 1,800 new jobs and has been instrumental to Chrysler’s decision to expand in Illinois.
CHICAGO – February 1, 2012. As part of his commitment to affordable housing and foreclosure prevention, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the launch of the statewide Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN) in his State of the State address. A multi-agency effort coordinated by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the IFPN connects struggling homeowners with all available assistance, resources and knowledge to help them keep their homes.
The Governor’s Office is joining with members of the General Assembly, state agency representatives, parents, school administrators, teachers, labor unions and advocacy groups to examine governance, funding and other issues associated with the education options for blind and/or deaf students.
The Governor's Office is joining with the Office of the Comptroller, the Office of Management & Budget, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Corrections to begin the process of modernizing the State's Financial Accounting Systems.