PEORIA – (July 25, 2013) The development of the Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center will have substantial impact on the Peoria area economy, totaling an estimated $92 million over the next five years, according to a detailed economic analysis by the Center for Business and Economic Research of Bradley University’s Foster College of Business Administration.

These cumulative impacts in the Tri-County area include $59.8 million of direct, indirect and induced regional spending associated with facility construction and $32.2 million of regional economic impacts resulting from direct, indirect and induced operations expenditures impacts, the study concludes.

“The economic impact for central Illinois is significant, however Jump’s most significant influences are yet to be seen and will result from on-going operations, including positive impacts in medical education, health outcomes and the future model of health care by reducing costs and fostering innovations in medicine,” said John Vozenilek, MD, Jump’s Chief Medical Officer.

Construction of the six-story building, including the shell for the upper floors, cost approximately $50 million with an additional $19.8 million estimated to complete the top four floors over the next two years.

Over time, Jump is expected to contribute to regional employment growth of 30 to nearly 70 jobs by 2018 – jobs not all employed directly at Jump but a combination of direct, indirect and induced job creation and retention. That employment impact of Jump is projected to generate an estimated $6.7 million of annual earnings, contributing to growth in regional expenditures, and resulting increases in state and local tax revenues of $4.2 million for both the construction phase and on-going operations, also over the first five years of Jump’s operation.

Bob Weinstein, an author of the economic study and Professor of Economics at the Foster College of Business at Bradley University, said the study’s figures were developing using methods and economic-based software that are used and accepted nationally.

Please join us for the Kick Off of the 25th Annual Duck Race to Stop Abuse.

Who: Martha Herm, Executive Director, The Center for Prevention of Abuse
What: Duck Race Kick Off Press Conference
When: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, 7 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, Illinois 61611
Why: To announce the 25th Annual Duck Race and invite community participation to assist in supporting The Center’s largest annual fundraiser.

The Center for Prevention of Abuse is the only agency in the State of Illinois to provide combined services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault/abuse and elder abuse serving more than 5,000 women, men and children affected by violence. The Center also offers school based prevention curricula in safe touch, anti-bullying, violence prevention, behavioral skills training, sexual assault/abuse prevention and healthy relationships to students pre-k through college touching the lives of 15,000 students per/year. Presentations and trainings are also offered to parents, school staff and community groups. The Center continues to work to achieve its vision of building a safe, peaceful community.

Peoria, IL- July 24, 2013. One of the Peoria Park District’s signature community events, Fiesta en el Rio, returns to the RiverFront on Saturday, July 27th. Encompassing Marshall Plaza and the CEFCU Center Stage, this year’s Fiesta en el Rio will be held from 5:00 p.m. – midnight with a children’s area that includes Unique Twist balloons and Barnyard Discoveries, open from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Admission is $7.00 per person or $20.00 per family (residing in same household).

This year’s entertainment line-up will include the Peoria Latin Vibe, Mariachi Viva Tecalitlan, and Tremendoz de Bloomington! Fiesta en el Rio will also feature outstanding food vendors, merchants, and more.

Head down to the Peoria RiverFront to witness one of the Peoria areas’ premiere cultural events and enjoy entertainment for the entire family! For more information regarding this once-a-year occasion please contact the Peoria RiverFront offices at (309) 689-3019 or visit https://www.facebook.com/riverfrontevents

Hopedale, IL – Hopedale Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine (HRSM) is entering its 9th year of providing outstanding Sports Medicine outreach athletic training services to the local rural communities. HRSM currently provides contracted services to Delavan, Hartsburg-Emden, Olympia, Dee-Mack, and Tremont schools as well as Peoria Mustang Hockey. These services are not limited to onsite athletic event coverage. HRSM also provides a wealth of information in the areas of: education, injury prevention strategy, return to play rehabilitation, sports performances planning, career planning, youth and overuse injuries, and concussions.

Over the past 8 years, HRSM has provided over $300,000 in unreimbursed services to the local community. This is because the Hopedale Medical Foundation Board of Directors firmly believes that it is part of their charitable mission to offer these services as long as it is capable of doing so.

Hopedale Medical Complex is committed to promoting outstanding healthcare, healthy lifestyles, health education, and wellness. Visit HopedaleMC.com to learn more about the services offered at Hopedale Medical Complex, which is just 10 miles south of Morton, off Interstate 155 (Exit 19.)

Free exhibit showcases artwork created and inspired by cancer survivors; free seminar offers support and tips for caregivers.

What: The Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer JourneySM art exhibition honors the journeys people face when confronted by a cancer diagnosis. The free public exhibit is touring communities nationwide, and the Central Illinois exhibit, made possible through the participation of Humana Inc., will present select pieces of art from the Oncology On Canvas biennial art competition.

Launched in 2004, the competition invites people from the United States and Puerto Rico diagnosed with any type of cancer – as well as their families, friends, caregivers and healthcare providers – to express, through art and narrative, the life-affirming changes that give their cancer journeys meaning.

When: 1. Exhibit – Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Caregiver Presentation
In addition to the exhibit and reception, Humana will host an educational and supportive presentation for caregivers. The presentation will offer tips and advice on everything from managing bills and insurance, to handling household chores.

Friday, August 2, noon

Where: Humana Guidance Center (off Pioneer Parkway, between Knoxville and University)
7915 N. Hale Ave., Peoria, Illinois 61615
Please use the entrance located on the north side of the building.

Additional Information: Lilly Oncology On Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer JourneySM is presented by Lilly Oncology, dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that improve the care of people living with cancer, in partnership with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), which advocates for quality cancer care for all Americans and provides tools that empower people affected by cancer to advocate for themselves.

The Central Illinois exhibit is made possible through the participation of Humana, which maintains Guidance Centers in 16 locations throughout the United States. The Guidance Centers provide members and the general public access to free wellness resources and classes. The Central Illinois Guidance Center in Peoria is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. To learn more about Humana, visit www.humana.com.

Visit www.LillyOncologyOnCanvas.com, call 1-866-991-LOOC (5662) or e-mail artdirector@mylooc.com. Also, follow Lilly Oncology On Canvas on Twitter (twitter.com/LlyOncOnCanvas), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/LillyOncologyOnCanvas) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/LlyOncOnCanvas).To learn more about cancer survivorship tools and resources, visit the NCCS website at www.canceradvocacy.org.

CHICAGO – July 24, 2013 — The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Illinois Chapter is hosting a wide variety of programs, events, support groups and teleconferences this summer and fall for individuals living with MS, their family members, and community members interested in joining the movement to create a world free of MS. Nearly 20,000 people in Illinois and more than 400,000 in the United States live with MS. Many of these events are free of charge. For more information about the Greater Illinois Chapter and upcoming programs, visit msillinois.org or call 312.421.4500.
CALENDER OF EVENTS

Monday, August 12
Midwest Regional Teleconference: “Probiotics and MS”
As part of the monthly teleconference series, Dr. Loren Rolak, MD, Director of the Marshfield Clinic MS Center, will lead a discussion about probiotics and MS. Understand probiotic as treatment options and learn about the hygiene hypothesis, what it has to do with MS and what research projects in MS are based on this hypothesis. Register today for this free service!
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Register: 1.800.344.4867 or online at MSillinois.org
Location: Call-in by phone

Saturday, August 24
Regional Research Symposium 2013
Listen to keynote speakers, David W. Brandes, MS, MD, FAAN, MSCS, discuss “Sleep Disorders in MS” and Dr. Stephen Miller, Northwestern University, discuss “Merging Immunology and Nanoscience for Development of a New Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis.” Concludes with a question and answer session. A complimentary breakfast buffet will be provided.
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Register: 1.800.344.4867
Location: Par-A-Dice Hotel, 21 Blackjack Boulevard, East Peoria, IL 61611

Sunday, Sept. 8
Walk MS- Peoria & Urbana
Take a stroll with family and friends at Walk MS! Money raised funds cutting edge-research and supports people with MS and their families. There are 1-7 mile route options at the Peoria location and 1.5-3 mile route options at the Urbana location with a rest stop at each walk site’s halfway points. Snacks and water will be available.
Time: Peoria: 12 p.m. (registration opens) 1:00 p.m. (walk begins); Urbana: 11:30 a.m. (registration opens) 1 p.m. (walk begins)
Cost: Fundraising Register: online at WalkMSillinois.org
Peoria: 1222 East Kingman Avenue, Tower Park, Peoria Heights, IL
Urbana: W. Windsor Road & S. Race Street, Urbana, IL

Monday, Sept. 9
Midwest Regional Teleconference: “Complementary and Alternative Therapy for MS”
As part of the monthly teleconference series, Patricia Kennedy, RN, CNP, MSCN, Can Do MS Nurse Educator and Programs Consultant, will offer a comprehensive discussion of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapy. Topics will include gaining a better understanding on what CAM therapies are, learning the benefits and risks of CAM, and explaining the importance of talking to your physicians about the CAM therapies you are using. Register today for this free service!
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Register: 1.800.344.4867 or online at MSillinois.org
Location: Call-in by phone

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The disease affects more than 20,000 individuals in Illinois and 2.1 million worldwide. The Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. Envisioning a world free of MS, the Chapter moves toward that end by driving change through advocacy, facilitating education, collaborating with others and by providing helpful programs and services. For more information, visit MSillinois.org.

The Community Health Services Committee meeting of the Peoria County Board of Health scheduled for today, Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 12:15 pm has been canceled.
Media inquiries regarding this meeting can be addressed by calling Diana Scott at 309/679-6603.

Peorian and artist Tom Gross will display a collection of his work at the Peoria Public Library Main Library Gallery from Thursday, August 1 until Friday, August 30 during regular open library hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The show is free and appropriate for all ages.

A Gallery Walk and Talk will be offered on Wednesday, August 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Gross captures local scenes in acrylics and on a large scale. He says that when searching for ideas to release the creative drive that is in the artist that is in himself, it was only natural that he would begin painting city scapes. He says that since he grew up in an urban environment he was always sketching buildings and street scenes.

“Starting with the first painting I knew I had fallen on subject matter that I not only could get a creative release, but also bring out some emotion from the viewer. What is art but the search for an emotional connection with the artist and the viewer?” said Gross.

He talks of the early days when his paintings were of local scenes and welcomed by the galleries in the area. As Tom Gross began to travel more he started to capture images from around the country. He paints everything from manhole covers, gas and parking meters to grand views of Major League Ballparks majestic stadiums.

“Famous neon signs to theater marquees, the subject material is vast and life is fleeting, so I paint,” he said.

Peoria – On Saturday, July 27, Peoria County’s Facility Master Planning Ad-hoc Committee is hosting a public engagement forum to discuss potential future uses for Bel-Wood nursing home, once vacated, and the Hanna City property the County owns. The two subjects will be discussed consecutively at Bel-Wood Nursing Home, 6701 W. Plank Road, in Peoria: the Bel-Wood facility will be discussed from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., followed by discussion regarding the Hanna City property from 10:30 a.m. – noon.

The Bel-Wood portion of the meeting will be an open discussion to allow the general public and interested agencies to share thoughts on potential usage of the property located at 6701 W. Plank Road. The intent of the discussion is to explore everything from selling the property to repurposing the building for other uses.

The Hanna City discussion is intended to help identify future uses of the site, located along Illinois Route 116. This portion of the meeting will include an outline of site restrictions, an update of current initiatives, small group discussions of potential opportunities, and an open forum.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend either or both facility discussions. For more information, please call Peoria County Administration at (309) 672-6056.

Red Cross holds golf outing to support services to the community.

On Thursday, July 25, the Central Illinois Chapter will host the 3rd Annual Golf Fore the Red Cross at Metamora Fields. Lead event sponsors include Jon and Sharon Michael, Heinold-Banwart, Grimm’s Inc, Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen and Kroeschell Operations.
This event will benefit Red Cross services in Central Illinois including:
· Services to military members and their families
· CPR, First Aid and AED training
· Traffic safety education
· Youth education classes
· Disaster assistance
· Disaster preparedness and planning

Golf Fore the Red Cross is a four-person scramble, with prizes for the top team, raffles and on-course contests. Registration begins at 11:30am, followed by lunch which will be served out of the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV). Course play begins at 1:00pm and will be followed by dinner and awards at the clubhouse.

Please Note: Metamora Fields is located at 801 Progress Street in Metamora, IL. For media interviews at the event, please ask for Erin Miller or call (309)258-4920.