(Peoria, IL)­­— On September 26, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, the City of Peoria Public Works is holding a public presentation at Westlake Hall on the Bradley campus, 810 N. Tobias, lower level room #116. Local students, residents and business owners are encouraged to attend regarding the reconstruction of the Main and University intersection and surrounding areas.

Earlier this month, a water main broke at the Main and University intersection causing major damage from the water leaks. Temporary repairs have patched the area, but the meeting is designed to explore options about how the City and Illinois American Water should proceed with the permanent fix.

Public Works Director Mike Rogers states, “We want to get as much information as we can about the desires of the stakeholders in the area.” The discussion will included options about maintaining the five or six lanes, eliminating right-turn lanes to allow wider sidewalks, the possibility of a round-about or other options. “I think we have a great opportunity to do something aesthetically pleasing, plus be a lot safer for pedestrians and bicyclist,” states Rogers.

Parking is available at Bradley’s Main Street parking deck and ADA parking is available behind Westlake Hall at the lower level entrance. For more information, contact Peoria Public Works City Engineer Scott Reeise, P.E. at (309) 494-8818

PAAR Announces their Participation in September 19-21 Regional Neighborhood Network Conference to be Held in Peoria, and Lauds City of Peoria for Hosting this Conference, Which Focuses on the Importance of Neighborhoods.

Peoria, Ill – September 18, 2013 — The Peoria Area Association of Realtors® (PAAR) is proud to announce that they are a sponsor of the Regional Neighborhood Network Conference. This conference will be hosted here in Peoria at the Four Points Sheraton and will draw participants from 20 cities in five states, (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee). Local Realtors® are volunteering as greeters and are helping at the information desk.

Dallas Hancock, CEO of the PAAR, said, “The PAAR commends the leadership of the city of Peoria, particularly that of Mayor Ardis and council members Ryan Spain and Eric Turner, for bringing this 5-state, 22-year-old conference focused on the importance of neighborhoods to Peoria. A city is only as healthy as its neighborhoods. Each year this conference brings ideas and people together to focus on a common goal of improving their neighborhoods.

“As an All-American City, Peoria needs to be a leader in improving the quality of life in all its neighborhoods by exchanging challenges and success with other communities in the region,” said Hancock. “The PAAR and its’ Young Professional’s committee is committed to that goal to help benefit our communities. We join the other 32 sponsors in encouraging local participation.”

The Regional Neighborhood Network Conference takes place Thursday, September 19, starting at 2:00 pm at the Four Points Sheraton, and continuing through Saturday, September 21 at noon. Keynote speakers are Dave Meslin, a dynamic community innovator from Toronto, Canada and Dr. Chuck Stoner, Professor of Management and Leadership at Bradley University. Breakout sessions are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, with local trips and events planned for the evenings.

For more information on the RRN Conference, or to register, go to: http://www.peoriagov.org/community-development/neighborhood-development-division/regional-neighborhood-network-conference-rnnc/rnnc-sponsors/

About the RNNC
The Regional Neighborhood Network is an organization of 20 cities in 5 states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee) that have sponsored a Regional Neighborhood Network Conference (RNNC) for and about neighborhoods since 1987. The annual conference is designed by neighborhood people for neighborhood people, giving attendees the tools to take back to their neighborhoods and continue to improve them. Conference attendees have an opportunity to network with regional neighborhoods and learn about a variety of innovative programs and topics from other cities.

ABOUT THE PEORIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (PAAR)
PAAR is the “Voice for Real Estate” in the Greater Peoria area, with over 700 members engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. PAAR advocates for property owners and on behalf of a healthy business community. PAAR publishes the Central Illinois HOMES Guide, a monthly guide of homes for sale in the Peoria area.
Links to open houses can be found at: www.peoriaopenhouse.com
More information on purchasing a home in the Peoria area can be found at http://www.yourhometools.com
PAAR videos and monthly updates on the central Illinois homes marketplace can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/user/peoriarealtors

Peoria – The Peoria City/County Health Department and Peoria County Animal Protection Services are observing World Rabies Day on September 28 by advising the public about the potential risk of exposure to rabies from pets and animal bites.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system of humans and other mammals, but it is preventable. More than 90% of all animal rabies cases reported to CDC each year occur in wild animals. The main animals that get rabies include raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Animals often thought of as pets, such as dogs and cats, are often in contact with wildlife and can also transmit rabies to humans.

Every year, an estimated 40,000 people in the U.S. receive a series of shots known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) due to potential exposure to rabies. In addition, the U.S. public health cost associated with rabies is more than $300 million a year. Rabies is preventable, and there are steps to take to avoid costly treatment and illness.

Lauren Malmberg, Peoria County Animal Control Director, cautions residents, “Please report any animal bite immediately to Animal Control. To help determine if the victim needs rabies treatment, trained staff must secure the animal so it can be examined for rabies. If you encounter a bat in your home, call PCAPS immediately – don’t try to handle the bat yourself. Animal Control Officers will respond at all hours to remove the bat and submit it for rabies testing if necessary.”

Jean Bellisario, Infectious Disease Director at Peoria City/County Health Department, provides safety tips to individuals to protect against rabies.
• Avoid contact with wild or unfamiliar animals and don’t feed them, even if they seem friendly
• Be sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations
• Check buildings for small openings which may allow bats to enter and keep doors closed
• If attacked by an animal, wash any wounds immediately. One of the most effective ways to decrease the chance for infection is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical evaluation. You may need post exposure prophylaxis to be protected.
• If you suspect exposure to a bat bite, or if a bat was seen in a room with a sleeping child or adult, seek medical attention for follow up. Most bat bites are as small as a needle puncture and you may not be able to see them.
• If bitten by an animal, contact animal control. Observation and or testing of the animal may help to prevent the need for rabies prophylaxis if the animal is found to be healthy.

For more information call Peoria County Animal Protection Services 309-672-2440 or visit the website at www.peoriacounty.org/pcaps. For Public Health information, call the Peoria City/County Health Department at 309-679-6603 or visit our website at www.pcchd.org .

The Peoria Park District-Golf Division will be hosting a public meeting to discuss the following:

1. Golf History
2. Golf Revenues
3. Golf Budget Considerations
The meeting is scheduled to take place Monday, September 23rd, 5:15 PM, at the Golf Learning Center and Academy, 7815 N. Radnor Rd., Peoria, IL. Public Welcome.

For more information contact: Meridith Deverman
(309) 696-8687
mdeverman@peoriaparks.org

PEORIA, Ill. – Legislation supported by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, creating new penalties for school officials who fail to report hazing incidents was recently signed into law

“This measure aims to prevent instances of hazing our schools, colleges, and universities,” Gordon-Booth said. “By increasing penalties, I believe we can encourage school officials to report hazing and reduce school violence. If we can prevent one case of hazing, we are making progress.”

House Bill 1443 creates a new crime called failure to report hazing which specifically addresses anyone employed by a school, college, university or other Illinois educational institution who does not report hazing when he or she has knowledge of it happening. Currently, only those performing the act can be charged in hazing cases.

Under this new law, school employees who fail to report instances of hazing can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. However, if the act that they failed to report resulted in great bodily harm or death of an individual, the employee could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.

“As part of my effort to make sure that our children have a safe and healthy learning environment, this legislation further holds adults responsible for what happens under their care,” Gordon-Booth said. “I will continue to support legislation that puts the safety of our children first.”

For more information, please contact Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at 309-681-1992 or repjgordon@gmail.com.

Bradley University Dept. of Theatre is proud to present “Side Show.” The boldly theatrical musical based on the lives of the celebrated Hilton Sisters, Daisy and Violet: conjoined twins whose triumphant and tragic lives ranged from the freak shows and carnival tents of Depression-era America to the stage of Vaudeville and the cameras of Hollywood.

The play will be performed September 26 – 28 and October 3 – 5 at 8:00 p.m. and September 29 and October 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $16 for faculty, staff and seniors, and $9 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Hartmann Center Box Office or by calling 309-677-2650. Reservation requests can be made online by visiting Bradley University Theatre’s website at: http://theatre.bradley.edu. Group discounts are available for groups of ten or more.

Peoria, IL (September 17, 2013)— How do you get people to bring their very best to their work and go above and beyond? The answer: you create a great workplace. Dr. Jennifer Robin, assistant professor of management and leadership at Bradley, teamed up again with her colleague Michael Burchell, a corporate vice president with the Great Place to Work Institute, to pen their new book “No Excuses: How You Can Turn Any Workplace Into A Great One.”

No Excuses breaks down managers’ excuses for failing to create a great workplace in three parts. This is not a book simply about great companies, but rather a practical guide for those who aspire to be counted among them. The book is a case study of ten organizations that have made it to the summit and are recognized as great workplaces. From The Coca Cola Companies to Mayo Clinic, to Whole Foods to Zappos, Robin and Burchell explore how top companies thrive in a highly competitive marketplace—an excuse-free zone that paves the way to greatness.

While many managers agree that creating a great workplace is inspiring and interesting, many come up with the excuse that their type of work environment does not lend itself to greatness. These managers say their company is too big, or too small; it has an introverted CEO, is too new in the market, etc… the reasons they proffer are many. But these excuses are what keep managers and their workplaces locked on its same trajectory—less successful and not as great as they could be.

The genesis for the book was the feedback from Robin and Burchell’s first book, The Great Workplace: How to Build it, How to Keep it and why it Matters, in which the most interesting feedback was the litany of excuses made by employees of struggling companies.

“No Excuses: How You Can Turn Any Workplace Into A Great One” will be released THIS WEEK.

In March of 2010, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. This federal law focuses on consumer choices and protections and makes it easier and more affordable for individuals to find and enroll in health insurance. Illinois consumers can shop for health coverage on the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, including ABE (Expanded Medicaid), opening October 1.

Organizations or small businesses are invited to join us at Peoria City/County Health Department for a discussion of the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, the role of Peoria City/County Health Department in outreach and enrollment, and the benefits for uninsured individuals in Illinois.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013, 2-3 PM
OR
Thursday, September 26, 2013, 9-10 AM
at
Peoria City/County Health Department, Room LL100, 2116 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria

For the opening of the Marketplace Oct 1, in participation with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Peoria City/County Health Department announces their plans to provide trained, certified In-Person Counselors to help educate and enroll individuals in this path to health care coverage. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about the options now available for uninsured employees in small businesses that don’t have group health care options, uninsured young adults and families, and other individuals previously without access to affordable health insurance.

Kids With Disabilities To Enjoy Great Outdoors

Kids from Thomas Jefferson Developmental Center are getting their chance to “Throw a line in the water” Wednesday morning, September 18th, from 10:00 -11:00 AM, thanks to Hooked On Fishing. Although confined to wheel chairs, children will learn safety, basics of using a rod and reel, fishing techniques and best of all, landing the catch!

Hooked on Fishing is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides fishing opportunities for children, senior citizens, and special needs groups to appreciate the joys of fishing. Hooked On Fishing primarily works with school groups, scouts, park districts, community groups, churches, special needs groups, nursing homes, and other organizations that provide services for kids, senior citizens, or disabled individuals. All fishing is “catch and release” and all equipment and bait is provided free of charge.

For information, call Hooked On Fishing at 309-219-3560.

On-Site contact: Hal Trainor

Where: Hooked On Fishing (Next to Dixon’s Seafood) 1807 N. Main St., East Peoria, Il.
When: Wednesday, September 18, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Future events including this Saturday’s Hooked On Fishing’s Children’s Fishing Derby, visit hookedonfishingpark.org

Major Hearing on Illinois Coal Pollution Draws Residents Calling for Clean Air from All Over the State, Comments from Thousands

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Today, residents from across the state of Illinois came to Springfield to testify for clean air and deliver 8,000 petitions at a hearing held by the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB). The petitions call on IPCB to deny Texas-based energy company Dynegy’s variance request to IPCB for more time to meet Illinois state clean air standards.

Dynegy has a pending purchase of five Ameren Illinois coal-fired power plants in central and southern Illinois. The coal plants involved in the sale are Newton, Coffeen, Duck Creek, Joppa and the E.D. Edwards. The company will pay no cash for the sale, instead taking on $825 million of Ameren’s debt.

“The Illinois Pollution Control Board must put public health over polluter profits and deny Dynegy’s variance request,” said Robin Garlish, Peoria mother and member of the Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance. “My family has lived for too long under the plume of dangerous pollution from the Edwards coal plant. Enough is enough.”

Air modeling data submitted on Monday to IPCB shows that the levels of asthma-inducing sulfur dioxide emissions that come from Ameren’s E.D. Edwards, Joppa and Newton coal plants greatly exceed what is safe for residents to breathe in these regions. According to Respiratory Health Association, granting this variance alone could cause 2,000 asthma attacks and 125 premature deaths in Illinois.

“Five more years of pollution from these coal plants will mean a new generation of Illinois kids will grow up with more respiratory sickness under the plumes from coal plant smokestacks,” said Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health at Respiratory Health Association. “We can’t sacrifice the public health of millions of families in Illinois for the sake of Dynegy’s speculative gamble. The Board must deny this variance request.”

Dynegy, working locally as the unfunded Illinois Power Holdings subsidiary, has requested a variance from IPCB to have until 2020 to comply with the Illinois State Multi-Pollutant Standard, a law established in 2006. The company claims that complying with Illinois’ common-sense clean air standard will cause the company undue financial hardship. That financial hardship, however, is self-imposed as the Texas energy giant has purposefully established an unfunded subsidiary to operate the plants. Dynegy is hinging the final sale agreement with Ameren on the IPCB’s variance decision.

“Dynegy’s request is inappropriate,” said Andrew Armstrong, staff attorney with the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Dynegy is asking the Board to give its undercapitalized offshoot a five-year pass from state law. Instead, the Board should advise Dynegy that to do business in Illinois, you need to comply with Illinois law.”

“Dynegy is taking a significant financial gamble on Ameren’s coal plants, but the risk will ultimately be put on the backs of Illinois communities,” said Kady McFadden, Field Organizer with the Sierra Club Beyond Coal campaign in Illinois. “Dynegy has laid out no clear plans to comply with vital clean air laws, and the company’s only plan involves running these plants one day at a time. After enduring years of coal pollution and paying with their public health, these Illinois communities deserve the chance to build a community transition beyond coal and coal pollution.”

To view air modeling data submitted by the Sierra Club and the Environmental Law & Policy Center to the Illinois Pollution Control Board, please click here: http://action.sierraclub.org/site/DocServer/Air_Pollution_Modeling_Joppa_Newton_Edwards.pdf