PEORIA, IL – Continuing her efforts to protect victims of violent crimes, legislation sponsored by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) to increase penalties on repeat domestic abusers and break the cycle of domestic violence was recently signed into law.

“Last year, there were almost 3,000 orders of protection granted in the Peoria region to protect victims of domestic abuse,” Gordon-Booth said. “This measure provides law enforcement with an additional way they can help protect victims and witnesses from the continued threat of physical and emotional injury.”

Gordon-Booth sponsored House Bill 958 to enhance penalties for repeat domestic abusers. Under this new law, an offender with one or two prior convictions could be sentenced to a Class 4 felony punishable by one to three years in jail. An offender with three prior convictions would be charged with a Class 3 felony punishable by two to five years in jail. An offender with four or more prior convictions could be sentenced to a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in jail.

“By increasing penalties, repeat domestic abusers will be held accountable for their actions and victims will be given further protection,” Gordon-Booth said. “I am committed to working with law enforcement officials and community leaders to find ways we can reduce domestic violence in our community.”

For more information about this or other upcoming events, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or repjgordon@gmail.com.

PEORIA, IL – The City of Peoria received 31 applications for the At-Large City Council vacancy. All applications have been posted to the City of Peoria’s website and can be viewed at http://www.peoriagov.org/at-large-vacancy-applicants/.

The Mayor and Council have 60 days after the vacancy occurs to appoint a person to the office for the balance of the unexpired term.

The Peoria Park District’s Luthy Botanical Garden will present its annual Rhythm in the Rainforest event on Saturday, August 17, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Returning by popular demand is Preston Jackson and Friends, performing cool jazz in Luthy’s fragrant Rose Garden while guests enjoy delicious appetizers and desserts.

Don’t miss the unique experience of a beautiful, torch-lit garden under the stars enhanced by great music and food. This is one of Luthy’s most popular events, so get your tickets early – ages 21 and over only. The cost is just $25 in advance for members or $30 in advance for non-members. Call (309) 681-3506 for more information or to reserve tickets over the phone.

This morning the side walk in front of the Election Commission was torn out due to ongoing construction on Adams Street. The only entrance into the front of the building is from the north parking lot. Please feel free to park in the north lot if space is available.

Peoria, Illinois (August 13, 2013)—UnityPoint Health-Methodist has been selected as a winner in the 15th annual Web Health Awards(SM) program. This competition — held twice each year: Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall — recognizes the nation’s best digital health resources.

MyMethodist.net received a Merit Award for Hospitals with 300 beds or more.

“We were delighted to participate in the 2013 Web Health Awards competition, and were honored to be selected as a winner,” said Rosemary Stuttle, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for UnityPoint Health-Methodist. “Our winning entry was chosen from nearly 600 entries judged by a panel of distinguished experts in digital health media.”

The Web Health Awards(SM) program is organized by the Health Information Resource Center(SM) (HIRC), a national clearinghouse for professionals who work in consumer health fields. Other well-known HIRC programs include the 20th annual National Health Information Awards(SM), (healthawards.com) which annually recognizes the nation’s best consumer health programs and materials (for non-digital resources), and two national “Fitness Day” events: The 12th annual National Women’s Health & Fitness Day® (fitnessday.com/women) and the 17th annual Family Health & Fitness Day USA® (fitnessday.com/family).

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) will host a Central Illinois Veterans Employment and Resources Fair at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 14th, 2013. A job fair, resources fair, and workshops will all be offered as part of the event.

WHO: Congressman Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.)

WHAT: Congressman Aaron Schock and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk will host a Central Illinois Veterans Employment and Resources Fair at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois on August 14th, 2013. A job fair, resources fair, and workshops will all be offered as part of the event.

· Job Fair: Participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with more than 80 of the area’s top employers.

· Resources Fair: VA representatives will meet with participants to discuss resources available to veterans, help them sign up for benefits, and to assist in initiating claims. More than 30 organizations will also be at the Resources Fair with information on the services that they provide for veterans.

· Workshops: Veterans will have the opportunity to learn more about relevant topics. From “Resume and Interview Skills” to “Understanding the Claims Process,” experts will be available for classroom-style information sessions.

WHERE: Bradley University, Renaissance Coliseum, 1600 West Main St., Peoria, IL

WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT

Committed to giving back to the community, the Heartland Festival Orchestra continues its tradition of partnering with deserving local nonprofit organizations in Season V — 2013-14. In connection with each concert, the Heartland Festival Orchestra makes a monetary contribution to the community partner, shares the onstage spotlight before each concert with the partner’s spokesperson, and offers the partner opportunity and venue to showcase its programs for concert-goers.

The Heartland Festival Orchestra’s 2013-2014 Community Partners are:

September 7, 2013 – Neighborhood House – www.nhpeoria.org
Neighborhood House Association, established in 1896, is dedicated to providing a Safe Haven with comprehensive services that meet the social, emotional and material needs of individuals and families from infancy to the elderly. The common goal of all services is to enhance the quality of life and foster independence of those served.
Concert Program:
Very Mozart: Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony and Kim Risinger, flute, and Molly Madden, harp, in Mozart’s Concert for Flute and Harp in C Major

October 26, 2013 – The Baby Fold – www.thebabyfold.org
The Baby Fold focuses on improving the lives of children and families by building safe, loving, healthy environments through adoption services, foster care, residential care, special education and family and community services.
Concert Program:
Viva Viola: Haydn’s Symphony No. 103 (with the drum roll) and Max Mandel, viola soloist in Carl Stamitz’ Viola Concerto in D

January 11, 2014 – Greater Peoria Honor Flight – www.greaterpeoriahonorflight.org
The mission of Greater Peoria Honor Flight is to safely transport Veterans to Washington D.C. to see their National World War II Memorial. They were our heroes, now we can be theirs.
Concert Program:
Vienna to Broadway III: featuring Broadway stars Doug LaBrecque and Lisa Vroman

March 15, 2014 – Heart of Illinois Harvest – http://www.hoiharvest.org/
Heart of Illinois Harvest (HOIH) is a not-for-profit food rescue program that transports surplus food to local agencies for free distribution to those in need on a daily basis.
Concert Program:
Vibrant Mendelssohn: Lara St. John, violin soloist, Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in E minor and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3

May 31, 2014 – Wildlife Prairie Park – http://www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/
Since its inception, Wildlife Prairie State Park has strived to promote its mission of conservation, education and recreation. Through community support, dedicated members and a growing number of visitors annually, we continue to look for new ways to further that mission. The Park is now operated by the Friends of Wildlife Prairie State Park.
Concert Program:
Victorious Beethoven: Beethoven’s 4th and 5th Symphonies and HFO’s principals Sarah Gentry, Barbara Hedlund, John Dee and Michael Dicker in Haydn’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Cello, Oboe and Bassoon

Individual and Season Tickets to the Heartland Festival Orchestra Season 5 concerts are on sale now at www.HeartlandFestivalOrchestra.org For more information, call (309) 339-3943.

Community Workshop Training Center, Inc. presents its annual “CWTC Pathway Awards, Dinner and Auction” Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in East Peoria. The evening festivities celebrate accomplishments of CWTC’s consumers, pay tribute to the many people who have helped CWTC in the past year and salute those who have contributed in extraordinary ways.

The auction and cocktails begin at 5:00 PM, with the dinner and program starting at 6:00PM. This year, several CWTC consumers will be guest speakers. Tickets are just $50 and reservations are being accepted by calling Michele Payton at 686-3300. Deadline is Monday, September 9th at 12 Noon.

CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc., provides programs and services to adults with disabilities; enriching their quality of life, promoting social change, and optimizing their potential for independence.

Who: Community Workshop Training Center
What: 2013 CWTC Pathway Awards, Dinner and Auction
Where: Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, 100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria
When: Tuesday, September 10, 2013; Auction and cocktails 5PM; Dinner and Program 6PM

(Peoria, IL / August 12, 2013) – The monthly meeting of the Better Breathers Club will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2013 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM in Classroom 1 at the RiverPlex in downtown Peoria.

The program will focus on lung cancer screening, presented by Jodi Stoner, RN, APN, Lung Cancer Navigator at the Comprehensive Lung Cancer Clinic at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

Anyone dealing with lung or breathing problems is welcome to attend. It is requested that those attending not wear perfume or cologne to meetings as it may bother other participants with breathing difficulties.

For more information about the Better Breathers Club, contact Sara Shull at the RiverPlex at 309.282.1646.

Shop for charity and have free fun and food during First Federated Church’s Summer Fun Day and Rummage Sale on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25.

The Rummage Sale takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Aug. 24 at First Federated, 3601 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria. The sale continues from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. the next day, Aug. 25, where attendees can stuff a bag for $5. Also on Aug. 25, Summer Fun Day will include food, air bouncers and other games. Both events are free and open to the public.

The Rummage Sale benefits the First Federated-sposored Habitat for Humanity home and the First Federated Church-sponsored Wana Wa Mola (God’s Children) Christian Home for the Street boys of Mombasa, Kenya. With funding from First Federated, the Christian Home aims to mold children with poor backgrounds and high potential into future leaders with discipline, teamwork, community service and family.

For more information, call First Federated at 685-5258.