The Chicago White Sox acquired two-time All-Star and 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy today in exchange for left-handers Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard and right-handers Dexter Carter and Adam Russell. White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams has a history of getting his man, and the 2009 trading deadline proved to be no different.

Peavy, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract, had originally turned down a trade that would have sent him to Chicago’s south side earlier in 2009. Luckily for Sox fans, Peavy changed his mind, and will join the Sox starting staff in the heat of the 2009 pennant race.

Two local physicians, Dr. Mark Kellen and Dr. Errol Baptist, will discuss the dangers of a national health care plan and talk about what real health care reform should look like. The event is hosted by Concerned Citizens for America.

Dr. Mark Kellen is the president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a non-partisan professional association of physicians of all types of practices and specialties across the country.

Join CCA at 6 p.m., Monday, Aug 3, for a complimentary dinner at Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford. A free-will offering will be taken. Call Marian at (815) 633-6352 to reserve a seat.

According to the Calif.-based real estate tracking company, RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings in Rockford have increased by 15 percent for the first half of the year.  In the  metro Rockford area, which RealtyTrac has included with Rock Island, Moline and Davenport, Iowa, filings have seen a 40 percent rise.

Yesterday’s (Thursday, July 30) report  indicates Chicago, including Naperville and Joliet,  charted the highest foreclosure rate in the state, with one every 59 homes seeing the first stages of foreclosure from Jan. 1 through June.

Unlike the fist wave of foreclosures, largely the result of the subprime mortgage crash and other lending woes, the current increase is being blamed on rising unemployment rates and lack of consumer spending.

While some lenders are still restructuring existing risky home loans instead of foreclosing, more homeowners are choosing to downsize or simply walk away from properties job losses have left them unable to afford.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-16) said July 31 the federal government should dramatically expand the popular “cash for clunkers” program by removing all conditions and giving vouchers to all Americans who buy a new vehicle. Such a program would energize our economy, re-start the auto manufacturing supply chain, and put Americans back to work, he said.

Manzullo voted Friday, July 31, to shift an additional $2 billion in previously-approved federal funds to the original cash for clunkers program, which was frozen late Thursday, July 30, after officials realized the original $1 billion appropriated for the program was exhausted after just a week in operation (it was scheduled to run until Nov. 1).

The original program gives prospective car buyers up to a $4,500 voucher for trading in a gas guzzler (18 mpg or less) in exchange for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. According to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the initial $1 billion cost of the “Cash for Clunkers” program generated $5.5 billion in economic activity, including substantial tax revenue for state and local governments.

While he supported the $2 billion extension of the program Friday, July 31, Manzullo supports a much more generous vehicle voucher program focused on bolstering manufacturing in America, ending the recession, and putting Americans back to work. Manzullo introduced legislation earlier this year to give Americans a $5,000 voucher to purchase a new vehicle, no strings attached. The New Automobile Voucher Act of 2009 (H.R. 1606) would have provided a one-time, $5,000 electronic voucher from the U.S. Treasury at the point of sale of a new vehicle through the end of 2009. It would have provided vouchers for 15 million new vehicles (original “Cash for Clunkers” bill covered 250,000 new vehicles).

Every 1 million in new vehicle sales has the following impact on the economy:

• Creates 60,000 jobs (10,000 at vehicle assembly plants; 50,000 at suppliers, auto dealers, and other businesses);

• Provides $750 million in tax revenue to the federal government;

•Provides $1.4 billion in sales tax revenue to states; and

• Saves federal government $1.4 billion in unemployment payments, food stamps, job retraining and COBRA health subsidies.

Manzullo said: “The huge interest in the cash for clunkers bill shows vehicle incentive programs can go a long way to strengthen our economy and put Americans back to work. But the existing program needs to be expanded to include all vehicles. My bill would have revived automobile manufacturing and sales, putting hundreds of thousands of Americans back to work, and restoring the tax revenues our state and local governments need to continue providing services to the people.”

The automobile industry and its suppliers account for 13 million American jobs, 20 percent of all U.S. retail sales, and billions of dollars in state and local sales taxes. The drop in U.S. vehicle sales from 16 million in 2007 to 13 million in 2008 to a projected 9 million in 2009 has been one of the leading causes of America’s economic downturn and huge job losses.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 3, the intersection of Mulberry Street and Main Street will be closed for construction on the Downtown Streetscape Project.

Work is expected to last a minimum of five work days, with completion scheduled by the end of the day Friday, Aug. 7.

Detours will be set up and traffic control measures will be in place; motorists are urged to use caution while driving in and around these work areas.

For more information, contact City of Rockford Public Works Department Project Manager David Camacho at (815) 987-5570.

The Trask Bridge Picnic, long a rural community event, observes its 100th anniversary this year, and will be held  this Sunday, Aug. 2. Trask Bridge and Burritt Grange were the original sponsors of the event from 1911 to 1965.

Don Milne, who was in charge of at least two picnics and serves as a master at Burritt Grange, said, “Members of Burritt Grange originated it in 1911. Burritt Grange was a little over a year old at the time. Four farmers had a harvest picnic in 1910, and it got so big, the four guys couldn’t handle it, and they persuaded Burritt Grange to take over and changed the name to Trask Bridge Picnic, because it was in Andrews Grove on Trask Bridge Road.”

Hours for this Sunday’s picnic are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “They call it the Trask Bridge Picnic Revisited because they could never put the original event on again,” explained Milne. “During the picnic time, we had upwards of 50,000 to 60,000 people in one day. It was the world’s largest–like a small fair. It had a midway; all the different farm implement dealers brought a lot of machines out for display, like John Deere, International Harvester, Case and others. A lot of stores in Rockford brought out merchandise and setup a tent. It covered quite an area.”

He recalled that it was a chance for local leaders to put on a show. “Fred Machesney brought his airplane and gave rides for a fee,” Milne said. “We’re recognizing the 100 years of Burritt Grange.”

At Sunday’s event, Milne will give a speech about Burritt Grange and the history of Trask Bridge Picnic. He added that another speaker is coming from South Carolina, a man who grew up in Rockford and will set up a little steam engine display. Hungry visitors will be attracted to Burritt Meats lunch stand, which will be available most of the day.

Directions for this year’s picnic: It will be at the town hall in Burritt on Route 70, about a mile and a half west of Meridian Road.

CHICAGO—Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) signed a law July 30 that doubles the number of charter schools allowed in Illinois from 60 schools to 120 schools. The law increases the number of single-campus charter schools allowed in Chicago from 30 to 70, and in the rest of the state from 30 to 45 schools, and adds five additional charter schools in Chicago devoted exclusively for high school dropouts.

“This legislation aligns with the president’s vision to increase the amount of charter schools we can have in Illinois,” Quinn said. “We want to give our children every opportunity to succeed. In Illinois, it’s everyone in, no one left out.”

Senate Bill 612, sponsored by Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester) and Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Forsyth), was passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support.

The law also requires existing charter schools to have at least 75 percent of all teachers certified under the School Code by the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year. Any new charters must have 75 percent of all educators certified by the beginning of their fourth year of operation.

The law also establishes the Independent Charter School Authorizer Task Force to study the viability of an independent charter school authorizing organization and increases academic and financial accountability of charter schools.

The governor also signed SB 1828, SB 2119 and SB 1796 at the July 30 event. SB 1828 and SB 2119 strengthen the state’s position to compete for federal recovery dollars from the Department of Education’s Race to the Top grant program. SB 1796 establishes the Illinois Hope and Opportunities Pathways through Education (IHOPE) to create a system to re-enroll high school dropouts.

Quinn was joined at the bill signing by Sen. Lightford, Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), Rep. Monique D. Davis (D-Chicago), Rep. Mitchell, Alain Locke Charter Academy Principal Lennie Jones, Alain Locke Charter Academy Board Chairman Pat Ryan Jr., Civic Committee President Eden Martin and Advance Illinois Executive Director Robin Steans.

CHICAGO—Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) signed a financing bill July 29 that provides a state-backed guarantee supporting construction of renewable energy and clean coal projects that will create jobs across Illinois.

“Illinois leads the way at protecting our environment while developing new green jobs for the 21st century,” said Quinn. “This legislation boosts investment in clean energy and sustainable practices that reduce our carbon footprint while generating greater employment opportunities.”

SB 1906 clarifies the Illinois Finance Authority’s (IFA) existing bonding authority for renewable energy and clean coal projects. Under this law, the state and IFA will work in partnership to make available up to $3 billion in guaranteed energy project financing for qualified renewable energy and clean coal efforts. In addition, the law also increases the state and IFA’s loan guarantee from $75 million to $225 million for agricultural businesses. It also provides guarantees to back qualified renewable energy projects such as wind, biodiesel or biomass initiatives that are related to agriculture.

This law also positions Illinois to compete for federal stimulus loan guarantees designated for the new green projects.

“This legislation will help Illinois companies take a leading role in the green energy industry,” said Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria), sponsor of the legislation. “It will create new jobs and move our state’s economy in a promising direction.”

Mike T. Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, said: “This is another great example of why Illinois will continue to be a national leader in taking advantage of all of our natural resources in a responsible way, while expanding our economy and creating good new jobs.”

Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center in Chicago, said: “It is an important day for clean, renewable energy throughout Illinois, which will protect our environment and power our economy.”

At the bill signing ceremony, Quinn was joined by Warren Ribley, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; William A. Brandt Jr., chairman of the Illinois Finance Authority; Dr. Roger Herrin, chairman of the Illinois Finance Authority Energy Committee; Rep. Deborah L. Graham (D-Oak Park); and Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Des Plaines).

The IFA is a self-financed, state authority principally engaged in issuing taxable and tax-exempt bonds, making loans, and investing capital for businesses, non-profit corporations, agriculture and local government units statewide. For more information: www.il-fa.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced July 30 that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $27,004,744 in federal funding for Illinois transportation and economic development projects.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Economic Development Initiatives) includes $250,000 for the Rockford West Side Economic Development Initiative. The funding would go toward the development of a 57-acre parcel at the corner of West State and Springfield Avenue. The mixed-use development would include a senior living facility, an immediate care facility, a private ambulance service and a fire training facility—and for road, sewer, utility and stormwater upgrades.

Additionally, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations included funding for the following projects:

Department of Transportation

Federal Transit Administration:

* CTA Circle Line, Chicago: $2,000,000 in funding to advance the Circle Line. The project, which is in Alternatives Analysis, will connect the existing CTA Orange Line near Ashland with the existing Pink Line Cermak Branch near 18th Street. It will also connect CTA Red and Brown Lines near North/Clybourn and add new CTA and Metra transfer stations along new and existing CTA tracks.

* CTA Ravenswood Brown Line, Chicago: $304,744 in funding for capacity expansion and station rehabilitation along the Brown Line. This funding is part of the Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in 2003.

* CTA Red Line North Rehabilitation, Chicago: $10,000,000 in funding for major rehabilitation of the north end of the CTA Red Line, which is one of the worst segments of the CTA system.

* Illinois Bus and Bus Facilities, statewide: $4,000,000 in funding to purchase new buses and the modernization and construction of bus facilities in areas outside of the RTA service region. This year, IDOT has identified almost $32 million in capital needs for downstate transit systems. The annual transit formula funding programs are not enough to meet these needs.

* Metra, Northeastern Illinois: $2,000,000 in funding for preliminary engineering on METRA’s Union Pacific Northwest, Union Pacific West, Suburban Transit Access Route (STAR) and SouthEast Service Lines.

Surface Transportation Program

* Knoxville Road, Mercer County: $500,000 in funding for the reconstruction and improvement of Knoxville Road. The Knoxville Road in Mercer County runs across the northeast corner of the county from Rock Island County to Henry County, carrying the second-largest volume of traffic in the entire county. The road does not meet current construction and safety standards.

Federal Railroad Administration:

* Railway-Highway Grade Crossing Mitigation, Galesburg: $3,000,000 in funding to accelerate the city’s efforts to build railroad grade separations at East Main, West Main and Seminary streets.

* Railway-Highway Grade Crossing Mitigation, Northeastern Illinois: $2,000,000 in funding to help communities along the EJ&E improve safety along at-grade railroad crossings experiencing significant increases in freight traffic

* PEERS Rail-Grade Crossing Safety, Illinois: $500,000 in funding for the PEERS program to improve rail-grade crossing safety through education and enforcement initiatives. An Illinois Commerce Commission report quantitatively demonstrated the effectiveness of the PEERS program in improving safety at highway-rail crossings, detailing how the program helped reduce fatalities along a Union Pacific line by 56.5 percent in two years.

Federal Aviation Administration:

* Southern Illinois University Airport, Carbondale: $800,000 in funding to construct an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Building and Snow Removal facility. This building will bring the firefighting equipment closer to the midpoint of the air carrier runway, permitting a quicker response time, and consolidate five widely-spread facilities being used by the airport’s fire and snow removal crews.

* Quad Cities International Airport, Moline: $500,000 in funding for runway reconstruction and extension. The project will rebuild and extend the airport’s main runway.

Department Of Housing And Urban Development (Economic Development Initiatives)

* East Springfield Redevelopment, Springfield: $350,000 in funding for the acquisition of abandoned properties and the upgrade of infrastructure on the east side of Springfield.

* Danville Neighborhood Improvement Program, Danville: $350,000 in funding for the acquisition, demolition and redevelopment of dilapidated and abandoned structures in Danville. These buildings have brought down home values in the community, increased the potential for criminal activity, and have created a safety risk in the city.

* Peoria Glen Oak and Southern Gateway Neighborhoods Improvement, Peoria: $250,000 in funding for critical public infrastructure improvements around the Glen Oak Community School and Harrison Community School. The two schools are the anchors for their respective neighborhoods. The proposed improvements will help to stabilize and revitalize the area.

* Quincy Neighborhood Stabilization Expansion Program, Quincy: $200,000 in funding to expand the city’s efforts to acquire blighted residential properties and produce affordable housing and facilitate mixed-use development.

Kishwaukee Street project

Construction is progressing on Kishwaukee Street between Harrison Avenue and 15th Avenue. Crews are pouring steps and sidewalk on Kishwaukee Street and working on side street work. 18th Avenue eastbound will be closed as part of this project from Kishwaukee through the Fourth Street intersection for a few more weeks. Westbound traffic will not be allowed on 18th Avenue and 16th Avenue as crews will be completing final water connections. Only eastbound turns are allowed at 17th Avenue and 20th Avenue from Kishwaukee Street. For the entire project, absolutely no wide loads will be allowed, and extreme caution should be used in the area.

Kishwaukee Street bridge project

Kishwaukee Street was closed on April 28, 2009, for construction of a new bridge and other items. The pedestrian bridge through the park is being constructed and the new channel is being dug. Kishwaukee Street north of Buckbee and south of Pope will remain closed through the 2009 construction season. Follow appropriate detours.

Harrison Avenue bridge project

Traffic has been switched to the inside lanes so that work can be finished up on the outside right-of-way. A late-summer completion with bridge lighting is expected.

Searles Avenue bridge reconstruction

Construction on the Searles Avenue bridge, just north of Glenwood Avenue, is proceeding quickly. The new bridge deck and parapets have been poured, and they are working on sidewalks. Searles Avenue at the bridge is completely closed and will be closed throughout the entire project. All through traffic must follow posted detour. The road is expected to open in the next several weeks.

Independence Street bridge reconstruction

Independence Street bridge, just south of Preston Street, was closed starting July 9 for replacement of the bridge deck. Removal of the bridge deck is complete, and various repair work is being started. The bridge will be completely closed throughout the entire project. All through traffic must follow posted detour. The bridge is scheduled to re-open by Oct. 1.

Street patching

Arterial streets to be patched the week of Aug. 3-7 include: East State Street from Wyman to Alpine Road; North Alpine from Spring Creek to East State Street; and Ridge Avenue from Riverside to Auburn Street. Residential streets and alleys will be addressed individually, based on citizen requests for service.

Street sweeping

During the week of Aug. 3-7, the following residential areas are scheduled to be swept: Kishwaukee Street east to Alpine Road, and Charles Street north to East State Street; Kishwaukee Street east to 20th Street, and Sandy Hollow Road north to Harrison Ave.; and 20th Street east to South Mulford, and Sandy Hollow Road north to Harrison Avenue.

All Street Division operations are dependent on existing weather conditions and are subject to change accordingly. Citizens are urged to approach Public Works crews with caution and at a reduced speed that is below posted speed limits.

Friends of the nCENTER (FONC) have announced the Salvation Army Center will hold an open house/appreciation day for the Rockford Youth Initiative and Swim-n-More.

The event will be from noon to 6 p.m., Friday, July 31 at the nCENTER, 220 S. Madison St., Rockford.

During the event, the swimming pool, fitness center and computer lab will be open for free. Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day. A bake sale will run from noon to 3 p.m., and cafe specials and membership discounts will be offered.

For more information, call the nCENTER at (815) 969-7408.

The westbound lane of Spring Creek Road from 2602 Spring Creek to Stonebridge Drive will be closed for brush clearing until about 3 p.m., Friday, July 31. Citizens are urged to use extreme caution when traveling near construction zones.

State Rep. Chuck Jefferson (D-Rockford) will host a West Side Beautification Competition from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 1, starting at the Ellis Arts Academy, 222 S. Central Ave., Rockford.

Jefferson and community members will form teams and adopt a block of West State Street for the day, and compete to pick up the most trash. Following the competition, teams will be invited to the Ellis Heights United Neighborhood Center at 1810 W. State St. for refreshments and socialization.

Jefferson hopes teams will formally “Adopt A Block” through the City of Rockford to make sure this event is ongoing. Adopting a block requires the City of Rockford to place a sign, free of cost, on the adopted block recognizing the team, and asks that they maintain the block at least twice a year, for at least one year. Forms will be available on site during the clean-up competition.

For more information, call (815) 987-7433.

For the past several weeks, detectives of the Rockford Police Department have been investigating three sexual assaults that occurred in the area of Broadway and Ninth Street.

The age of the female victims ranged from 27 to 39. The times of the attacks were between 11:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

During the time of the attacks, two separate victims were walking down the street, grabbed by the suspect, who was on foot, and pulled into an alley.

During this investigation, a suspect was developed, and the case facts were reviewed with the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office. The State’s Attorney’s Office authorized charges of three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, one count of home invasion and one count of aggravated battery for Maurice Bowen Jr., 18.

Friday, July 24, detectives arrested Bowen in the 1400 block of Birch Court. Bowen was lodged at Winnebago County Jail, where he was being held on $1,500,000 bond.

Police are asking that anyone with information about Bowen or the alleged sexual assaults contact the Rockford Police Department at (815) 987-5878.

Rockford Police responded to a possible shooting at Evelyn and King streets at 3:30 p.m., July 30. On arrival, officers located a victim later identified as 34-year-old Kerry J. Davis lying in the alley at 800 King. Rockford Fire responded to the scene, and transported Davis to a local hospital, where he later died.

Information was obtained that Davis was pushed out of a silver or gray SUV after the shooting. The vehicle was traveling southbound in the alley of 800 King.

An autopsy will be performed today, July 31, by the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office.

Rockford Police detectives are conducting a homicide investigation and ask anyone with information to call the shift commander at (815) 987-5824 or Crime Stoppers at (815) 963-7867.

Hot dog vendor, Gino Gosseaux, is now open at the new downtown community lunch area on the corner of Church and W. State.

Downtown Rockford is now the home of an outdoor lunch area. The site is on the southwest block bordered by Church Street and West State, across from the Winnebago County Courthouse.  The area will be complete with community picnic tables and the popular hot dog stand owned by Gino Gosseaux.  Gosseaux’s stand was formally located on the walking mall.

County officials said the addition was made possible through the efforts of Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen, Rockford Park District, City of Rockford, On the Waterfront, Judy Barnard and Frank Schier, Editor and Publisher of The Rock River Times. The area will be open to the public through Labor Day.

Construction is also in process on a new community garden on the corner of Church and Elm streets, near the public eating erea.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-16) said July 28 he opposes the Democrat health care bill because it will surge taxes on America’s small businesses —stifling their ability to create jobs at a time America desperately needs jobs—while forcing the government between patients and their doctors and putting the private health care coverage of 114 million Americans at risk.

Instead, Manzullo supports alternative health care reforms that would reduce the costs of health care in America and make coverage more available to the 46 million uninsured.

The former chairman of the House Small Business Committee, Manzullo for years has been a champion of efforts to make health care more affordable and accessible for America’s small employers and their employees, who account for more than 56 percent of the nation’s uninsured.

In addition, Manzullo believes Congress should prohibit denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and allow children to stay on their parents’ health care plans until they are 25 years old or emancipated (this would reduce the uninsured by 7 million).

Manzullo said: “America’s health care system is struggling, and is in need of reform to reduce costs and increase coverage to the uninsured. But the Democrat health care bill would do more harm than good, surging costs on the job creators of our economy, forcing the government between patients and their doctors, and putting the private health care coverage of 114 million Americans at risk.

“The reforms I support would reduce the costs of health care in America, make the system more accessible to the 46 million uninsured, and preserve the strong doctor-patient relationship to ensure health care decisions are not made by Washington bureaucrats,” Manzullo concluded.

By including a government-managed program, Manzullo contends the Democrat plan (H.R. 3200) would:

- Risk the private health care coverage of 114 million Americans as employers would reconsider offering the benefit in lieu of government-provided coverage, according to the Lewin Group.

- Hike taxes more than $800 billion on struggling employers who can’t afford to offer insurance to their employees and on the uninsured who don’t purchase health insurance for themselves (the bill makes health care coverage mandatory for all Americans and actually slaps a 2.5 percent income tax surcharge on the uninsured who don’t purchase health insurance).

- Surge government spending another $1.3 trillion over the next 10 years. This comes on top of the $700 billion Wall Street bailout and $780 billion stimulus plan that will take Americans generations to repay.

- Put another 4.7 million Americans out of work as struggling employers go out of business trying to comply with the new costly mandate that makes them non-competitive in the global marketplace.

- Establish new European-style government health bureaucracies to ration health care services. The bill creates a new government board, the “Health Benefits Advisory Committee,” that would empower federal bureaucrats to consider cost as factor when making coverage decisions.

Instead, Manzullo said he supports several reform initiatives that would make health care coverage more affordable and more accessible to Americans, including the following:

- Reforming our out-of-control medical liability system—Medical malpractice insurance continues to surge, skyrocketing health care costs and forcing doctors and other medical professionals to practice “defensive medicine,” which entails ordering costly and often unnecessary tests to cover all the bases from lawsuits. Manzullo is a co-sponsor of the HEALTH Act (H.R. 1086), which would fully compensate victims for medical injuries but place reasonable caps on punitive and non-economic damages that often inflate the awards and contribute to out-of-control liability and health care costs.

- Creating refundable tax credits to help low-income Americans purchase health insurance—Low-income children are already covered through the federal SCHIP program, and Manzullo supports refundable tax credits to help low-income adults purchase health insurance.

- Allowing the creation of Association Health Plans—AHPs would allow small businesses to pool together through national associations to give them the same purchasing power as large companies and labor unions to buy affordable health insurance for themselves and their employees. Manzullo is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan SHOP Act (H.R. 2360) to accomplish this goal.

- Expanding tax-free availability to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—HSAs allow small business owners to offer more affordable, high-deductible health insurance plans to their employees and make tax-deductible contributions to employee savings accounts to allow their employees to build equity and assume personal control of their health care needs. Congress should increase the tax deductibility for these insurance plans.

- Preserving high-quality health care through America’s community health clinics—Manzullo supports continued funding of our community health clinic system, which provides high-quality health care to America’s low-income families. Manzullo has been a supporter of Rockford’s Crusader Clinic, which serves more than 40,000 needy patients in northern Illinois each year.

- Expanding small business tax deductions for health care expenses—Corporations are able to purchase health care coverage for their employees before they pay their payroll taxes. Self-employed small business owners—one of the toughest group of individuals to insure—should have the same opportunity, but do not. Manzullo is a co-sponsor of the Equity for Our Nation’s Self-Employed Act (H.R. 1470) to allow the self-employed to purchase health care insurance prior to paying their Social Security and Medicare taxes. This would effectively reduce their health care costs immediately by more than 15 percent.

Who’s contributing to Manzullo’s campaign?

Editor’s note: In tracking the influence corporations and wealthy individuals have on the political process in the United States, what follows is a brief overview of U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo’s (R-16) 2009-2010 campaign committee contributions.

According to The Center for Responsive Politics at OpenSecrets.org, Manzullo has raised $174,983 and spent $126,293, leaving his campaign with $231,437 in “cash-on-hand” as of June 30.

Of Manzullo’s campaign’s earnings, 50 percent ($87,672) have come from individuals, 49 percent ($85,450) from political action committees (PAC) and 1 percent ($1,861) from “Other,” according to OpenSecrets.org.

As reported at OpenSecrets.org, Manzullo’s Top 5 campaign contributors are as follow:

1. Honeywell, International—$10,000, all from PAC funding

2. AFLAC, Inc.—$3,500, all from PAC funding

3. AT&T, Inc.—$3,500, all from PAC funding

4. American Bankers Association—$3,500, all from PAC funding

5. American Association of Anesthesiologists—$3,000, all from PAC funding

Others on Manzullo’s list of “Top 20 Contributors” who are directly related to the health care and insurance industries include:

6. New York Life Insurance—$2,500, all from PAC funding

10. Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America—$2,000, all from PAC funding

10. National Association of Retail Druggists—$2,000, all from PAC funding

20. Allstate Insurance—$1,000, all from PAC funding

20. Jackson National Life Insurance—$1,000, all from PAC funding

20. Rockford Anesthesiologists Association—$1,000, all from individuals

According to OpenSecrets.org, industries on Manzullo’s “Top 20 Industries Contributing” list include the following, as related to the health care and insurance industries:

2. Insurance—$11,000, all from PAC funding

3. Health Professionals—$8,250, $5,000 from PAC funding and $3,250 from individuals

The Division 1 National Show Ski Tournament will be Aug. 7-9 at Shorewood Park in Loves Park.

The Ski Broncs will host 15 of the largest show ski teams in the country. Individual competitions will be Aug. 7, and team competitions will be Aug. 8-9.

Shows begin each day at 8 a.m., and will continue throughout the afternoon until all teams have performed. Each team’s show is 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Spectator admission is free; refreshments will be available for purchase. Local band Orth and Russ will play from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8.

The event is expected to attract up to 25,000 visitors to the Rockford area.

Info: skibroncs.com or Tracy Rangel at (815) 988-4005.

Sounds Of Good News (SOGN) Productions will present its first “Back-to-School” Youth Talent Explosion “Spotlight Showcase Apollo” from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Bergner’s Court in CherryVale Mall.

This event is co-sponsored by St. Paul Lutheran Church for its “Inspiring Communities” Vision and will feature the Young Eagles Soaring Inspirational Choir (YES-IC). An open mic stage will be available for interested youth throughout the day to share music, poetry, drama, dance and clean comedy.

A dynamic “Education-Inspiration Station” will be held at 2 p.m. to give an opportunity for community leaders and politicians to support the kids and share their views on improving education in our region. Donations will benefit the Young Eagles Success (YES) Club Vision of Character Excellence for Kids using music as a teaching tool. As a part of this fall fund-raiser, a “Just Say YES” donations day on Friday, July 31 (the day before) in the Mall’s Center Court during business hours will be devoted to community leaders, businesses and citizens who will contribute to the “YES” Vision of Unity and Freedom from Drugs, Alcohol, Violence and Crime for our children.

For more information, call SOGN General Manager and Director of Education Dianna Cole at (815) 519-7071.

The City of Rockford’s Human Services Department Energy Division began offering electric utility assistance of $150 to qualified households in Winnebago and Boone counties on July 6, 2009. The Summer Energy Assistance Program will end July 31. This is the final week to apply for assistance.

The primary purpose of the Summer Energy Assistance Program is to assist at-risk households, defined as seniors, persons with disabilities, families with children less than 36 months of age as of the date of application, and those with medical conditions that would be aggravated by extreme heat. To qualify, these at-risk households must have incomes equal to or less than 150 percent of the poverty level.

Required documentation must include proof of income for the past 30 days, Social Security cards for every household member, a current electric bill and a current rent receipt if renting.

Disabled households and households with children younger than 36 months of age residing in Winnebago County may contact the Human Services Department’s Energy Division at (815) 987-5711.

Boone County disabled households and households with children younger than 36 months of age may contact the Workforce Connection at (815) 547-9616.

Senior households residing in Winnebago County may contact Lifescape Community Services at (815) 963-1609 or NIAAA AT (815) 226-4901.

Boone County senior households may contact the Keen Age Center at (815) 544-9893.

Rockton, Roscoe, South Beloit disabled and senior households and/or households with children younger than 36 months of age may contact the Rockton Township Office at (815) 624-7788.

“Our energy office achieved great success in operating the program last year, and we anticipate another successful Summer Energy Assistance Program this year,” said Mark Bixby, Energy Director for the City of Rockford’s Human Services Department.

The United States Department of Justice informed Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) the Rockford Police Department (RPD) will receive a COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP) grant award of an estimated $3,547,170 awarded over a three-year period, which should fund 15 officer positions. The grant award, which does not require any type of matching funds from the city, is designed to provide police agencies the ability to implement or enhance community policing activities.

“We are honored to have been considered and awarded 15 police officers in the COPS Hiring Recovery Grant Award,” Morrissey said upon hearing of the grant. “This award will assist our Police Department in its ability to continue community policing efforts and move to geographic-based policing.”

Department officials will work closely with the City of Rockford Finance Department to determine the final details of the award. Initial predictions of the city’s overall 2009 budget shortfall had initiated discussion regarding the possibility of layoffs in the RPD. City leaders now hope this grant could fill the financial gap in the department’s budget, eliminating the immediate need to lay off police officers. Police Chief Chet Epperson predicts the specifics on the implementation of the grant and budget shortfall should be announced shortly.