Melissa Bean for Congress: News

Northwest Herald - Bean Reflects on Journey Toward Financial Reform

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

(by Chris Freeman) Nearly two years after Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy, the financial reform bill that U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean helped craft was signed into law Wednesday by President Obama.

"I'm really proud of the work we've done," the Barrington Democrat said. "It's a very balanced bill."

Before Bear Stearns collapsed. Before Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy brought the markets to its knees. Before the Great Recession had been coined. In the fall of 2007, U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, was among the lead sponsors for a mortgage reform bill presented to the House of Representatives. The bill was introduced in October that year and passed in November, by a 291-127 vote.

"When house prices fall, when access to credit tightens, those dreams are threatened," Bean said at the time. "And for some, dreams are destroyed by foreclosure."

The mortgage reforms were sent to the Senate in December, but they got no further. Congress began hearings in 2008 over the financial industry woes, spurred by Bear Stearns in March and reignited in September with the demise of Lehman Brothers.

Bean saw a chance to be involved in the reshaping of the financial industry. As co-chairperson of the New Democrat Coalition's Financial Services Task Force, Bean helped craft 21 principles for financial reform.

Those principles were released at a news conference in February 2009, and in one shape or another, nearly every one is addressed in the financial reform law that was signed by President Obama on Wednesday, with Bean among those in attendance.

"It took a long time to get done," Bean said this week. "I thought we would do it in pieces, but they were all so complex that we had to have hearings on all of the issues - mortgage reform, derivatives, bank oversight, consumer protections. It took a lot of time to do the hearings and get the testimony, and then it was a lot of work to be done on finding the proper balance."

Bean is joined by Rep. Bill Foster, D-Batavia, on the New Dems task force, while Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Egan, is a member of the House Financial Services Committee that includes Bean and Foster and wrote the House version of reform.

Nearly two years after Lehman's bankruptcy, and almost three years after Bean helped introduce mortgage reform to the House, Bean said she was pleased with the final product.

"I'm really proud of the work we've done," she said. "It's a very balanced bill - when you're hearing people say it's too tough, and then others saying it's not tough enough, you know you've struck a good balance. ... I don't think there was a question about what needed to be done, it was just a matter of how to do it."

The bill required bipartisan support to get through Congress, although only three Republicans in each chamber crossed party lines to support the final version.

"I was so glad to see the Senate get consensus," Bean said. "This is very good for Americans, who have been asking for movement on Wall Street reforms. The public has demanded it since they've seen their savings go - their college savings, their pensions, their homes, their businesses. This has been the No. 1 thing I've been hearing since the crisis."

The package includes reforms to the mortgage and credit rating industries, a systemic risk council to keep an eye on larger industry concerns, a consumer protection bureau created to prevent abusive practices, and new liquidation procedures that put the eventual cost of folding a company on others in its industry.

"It will provide protections people need to have in place, it will keep abusive practices out of mortgages and create reforms that don't set people up to fail," Bean said. "Credit rating agencies will have liability, and we removed their inherent conflict of interest. And there are no more taxpayer bailouts. The cost of liquidating assets are borne by the industry, not the taxpayers."

Bean gained visibility late in the conference committee process, when news outlets quoted her frustration over proposed late changes in the final version of the bill. For her part, Bean smiled and said she was just trying to get some work done late into the night.

"It was late and I was talking to senators, trying to keep some of our individual parts in the bill, and the press wanted to talk and I'm like, ‘I'm kind of busy here.' And they would say, ‘I'm just trying to do my job.' And I was like, ‘So am I!'" Bean said.

It was among the things Bean said she learned in the process, particularly the close ties between the two chambers on major legislation.

"You've got to get champions there for your work," she said of the Senate. "The small business lending bill that I'm a co-sponsor of, I've been working with Sen. [Mary] Landrieu [D-Louisiana] so that when it comes back, it's already got House support.

"You have to be working with the other body all the time. And I found out that they're receptive when you go to them."

She also said she learned plenty throughout the process about derivatives, the hedging financial devices that largely were responsible for the bailout of AIG.

"I've always been a promoter of accountability and transparency, and I learned through this legislation how the lack of transparency, specifically of the over-the-counter shadow markets and a lack of regulatory oversight of derivatives, really was at the heart of how this challenge became a national crisis," she said.

Bean said there would be tweaks to the reforms in the future, but that basic protections would start the moment the president signed the bill. It was a moment she was anticipating.

"I'm definitely looking forward to joining the president to sign these historic reforms," she said.

Bean Statement on Senate Passage of Wall Street Reforms

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) released the following statement upon final Senate passage of the conference report on H.R. 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Following House passage of the conference report on June 30, the bill now heads to President Obama to be signed into law.

"Enactment of these reforms will finally close the book on the anti-regulatory culture that has reigned in Washington and on Wall Street for too long," Bean said. "We've put tough new watchdogs on Wall Street to protect consumers and end taxpayer bailouts, to avoid the type of crisis and bailout we experienced in 2008 from ever happening again. This legislation will protect the savings and investments of American families and businesses and restore worldwide investor confidence in America's financial system."

Bean is a member of the House Financial Services Committee which crafted the bill. As the Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of nearly 70 pro-growth moderates in the House, and co-chair of the coalition's Financial Services Task Force, Bean has had a leading role in shaping the legislation.

The final version of the legislation incorporates the entire "New Democrats' Plan for Creating a 21st Century Financial Regulatory Structure", which was released in February 2009 and included 21 guiding principles to provide efficient and effective regulation of the U.S. financial system, stabilize the market, strengthen oversight and transparency, and institute robust new consumer and investor protections.

The New Democrats' Plan for the 21st Century Financial Regulatory Structure

Released February 2009

Efficient and Effective Regulation

Create a systemic risk regulator that can monitor systemically important institutions and their counterparties to mitigate the risk of systemic collapse.
Reduce redundant regulatory structures in exchange for robust regulatory oversight.
Ensure oversight over new financial instruments that currently do not have regulatory oversight.
Require regulators to use prudential supervision to proactively work with those they regulate to prevent violations and keep communication lines open to better monitor efficacy and unintended consequences.
Increase coordination and communication between federal regulators through expansion of the President's Working Group on the Financial Markets to include all federal financial regulators.
Modernize the regulation and oversight of the insurance industry to ensure adequate information and a consolidated U.S. position in international trade discussions.

Market Stability and Transparency

Reform how regulators evaluate capital requirements when using fair value accounting values (mark to market) on hold to maturity assets in a temporarily impaired market.
Prohibit excessive leverage on debt and derivative instruments by requiring necessary capital reserves to prevent against the potential risk of default.
Create a countercyclical mechanism to temper extreme market fluctuations.
Support measures to prohibit manipulation that can lead to extreme fluctuations in securities prices that could destabilize fair and orderly markets.
Support open exchanges and price disclosure to increase transparency in opaque markets like the credit default swaps market.
Require lenders to hold a small percentage of loans in a first loss position to ensure originators retain some stake in the loans they underwrite.
Conduct a thorough review of rating agencies' methodologies, models and compensation structures to ensure that ratings are accurate and not subject to conflict.
Hold Treasury accountable to regularly collect data from all federal sources that receive financial data from recipients of TARP funds.

Robust Consumer and Investor Protection

Aggressively pursue a multi-tiered strategy that prevents unnecessary foreclosures for credit worthy borrowers while protecting taxpayers and preserving the moral hazard principle.
Work towards reintroduction of mortgage reform legislation and pass into law
Ensure that credit is available and appropriate for consumers through strengthened oversight and regulation of predatory loans while protecting businesses' ability to price for risk.
Hold federal financial regulators accountable for enforcement of consumer and investor protections.
Protect and continue to encourage simpler disclosure of status and terms and conditions of Americans' retirement and investment accounts.
Reduce incentives for excessive risk taking and improve corporate governance by empowering shareholders.
Increase fraud prevention efforts.

Celebrate Independence Day

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

In July We Celebrate Our Nation's Birth

The July 4^th Holiday, also known as Independence Day, is a Federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, regarded as the birthday of the United States of America.

The Declaration of Independence formally established the 13 American colonies as independent states, free from the rule and influence of the British Empire.

On July 2, 1776, during the American Revolution, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, a legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was a statement explaining this decision. After several revisions, Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY - THANK A SOLDIER

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE:

Friends of Fisher House, Illinois #253

Fisher Houses provide compassionate lodging in warm, supportive home environments free of charge for the families of seriously ill patients being treated at military and VA medical centers.

http://www.fofhil.org/index.html

Operation Support Our Troops - Illinois

Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois, Inc. is one of the largest volunteer based military support efforts in the country and is funded solely by donations.

630-971-1150

http://www.osotil.org/mainpage.html

Yellow Ribbon Support Group

Yellow Ribbon supports the men and women of the United States active military forces deployed to foreign shores through prayers, letters, and "wish list" packages on behalf of all Americans.
Mac or Pat McCoy at 847-359-2429

http://www.yellowribbonsg.org/help_to_help.html

We Do Care

We Do Care provides tangible opportunities for the American public to thank and support active duty military personnel, their families, and veterans.

847-381-7797

http://wedocare.4thgenerationsystems.com/

Salute, Inc.

Salute, Inc.., passionately pursues meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of the military service members, veterans and their families.

847-359-8811

http://www.saluteinc.org/page/show/40382-salute-inc-

Transitional Living Services - New Horizons Center

New Horizons is a transitional home for homeless veterans.

815-334-0540

http://www.tlsveterans.org/

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America

IAVA is dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.

http://iava.org/

HISTORY/INFORMATION:

Why do we celebrate the 4^th of July?

We celebrate the July 4^th Holiday to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, regarded as the birthday of the United States of America.

What happened on July 4, 1776? On July 4, 1776 the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence, establishing the 13 American colonies as independent states and in effect creating a new nation, The United States of America.

What is the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence formally established the 13 American colonies as independent states, free from the rule and influence of the British Empire.

The declaration serves as the foundation of American nationhood and states:

"that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with inalienable rights," and "that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

July 4^th Milestones:

July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia's Independence Square.
July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks.
July 4, 1800 - In New York City, the first local advertisements for fireworks appear.
July 4, 1801 - The first public Fourth of July reception at the White House occurs.
July 4, 1826 - Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both die on this day.
1870 Congress establishes July 4^th- Independence Day as a Federal holiday.
July 4, 1884 - The formal presentation of the Statue of Liberty takes place in the Gauthier workshop in Paris.
July 4, 1926 - The 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
July 4, 1976 - The nation's Bicentennial is celebrated.
July 4, 1992 - The seven astronauts on the shuttle Columbia wave the American flag and sing "Happy Birthday, America" from space.
July 4, 2009 -The crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York opens to the public for the first time after having been closed since Sept. 11, 2001.

National Milestones:

July 4, 1776 - Congress votes to approve The Unanimous Declaration of the 13 United States of America or the Declaration of Independence.

June 14, 1777 - Continental Congress approves the first official flag of the United States.

November 15, 1777 - Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation - the first U.S. Constitution.

May-September 1787 - Constitutional Convention takes place in Philadelphia. Representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies meet to draft the US Constitution.

February 4, 1789 - George Washington is unanimously elected President of the United States

February 2, 1790 - The US Supreme Court meets for the first time

December 15, 1791 - The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, are ratified

June 15, 1800 - The US capital is moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

MORE RESOURCES:

4^th of July

History Channel - http://www.history.com/topics/july-4th

PBS - http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/history.html

US History

The Library of Congress - http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

The Smithsonian - National Museum of American History - http://americanhistory.si.edu/

House Passes Final Wall Street Reform Bill

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Congresswoman Melissa Bean, (IL-08), recognized as a national leader on Wall Street Reform, joined colleagues today to pass the final conference version of H.R. 4173, the Dodd-Frank Act, which puts tough new watchdogs on Wall Street to protect the investments of families and businesses and end bailouts.

The bill passed 237-192 with bipartisan support and awaits Senate passage before going to President Obama for signature into law.

Bean made the following statement on the floor of the U.S. House during debate of the bill.

"Thank you, Madame Speaker. Since the 2008 financial crisis that reduced the values of their homes and savings, our constituents have demanded action and answers.

"‘What went wrong? And what will Congress do to make sure it doesn't happen again?'

"This bill answers with strong protections for American families.

"The problems started in our neighborhoods, where too many homebuyers took out loans they couldn't afford, and too many lenders approved those loans. This bill ends a period of no-doc loans and drive-by appraisals with new lending standards, with risk retention to insure that lenders want to keep a portion of their loans on their books, and rating agency liability and reform.It also creates an independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to update and enforce our laws to protect consumers from abusive or misleading products and practices.

"Next, derivatives were at the heart of the AIG failure. This bill creates regulation where it did not exist in this multi-trillion dollar market, with required transparency ensuring that these transactions are exchange traded, cleared, and/or reported. Capital reserves will be required, to back up the risks they take and protect the entire system.

"And, most important, it ends taxpayer bailouts.Those companies who take excessive risks-if you fail, you're fired. Your shareholders will lose money, and your industry is responsible for the cost of liquidation.Never taxpayers.

"Everyone, from homebuyers in our neighborhoods, to wizards on Wall Street to regulators in Washington, now recognize that the era of no regulation is over; that the status quo doesn't work, and that the time to act is now to protect our American system and our people."

The New Democrats' Plan for the 21st Century Financial Regulatory Structure (Released February 2009)

Efficient and Effective Regulation

Create a systemic risk regulator that can monitor systemically important institutions and their counterparties to mitigate the risk of systemic collapse.
Reduce redundant regulatory structures in exchange for robust regulatory oversight.
Ensure oversight over new financial instruments that currently do not have regulatory oversight.
Require regulators to use prudential supervision to proactively work with those they regulate to prevent violations and keep communication lines open to better monitor efficacy and unintended consequences.
Increase coordination and communication between federal regulators through expansion of the President's Working Group on the Financial Markets to include all federal financial regulators.
Modernize the regulation and oversight of the insurance industry to ensure adequate information and a consolidated U.S. position in international trade discussions.

Market Stability and Transparency

Reform how regulators evaluate capital requirements when using fair value accounting values (mark to market) on hold to maturity assets in a temporarily impaired market.
Prohibit excessive leverage on debt and derivative instruments by requiring necessary capital reserves to prevent against the potential risk of default.
Create a countercyclical mechanism to temper extreme market fluctuations.
Support measures to prohibit manipulation that can lead to extreme fluctuations in securities prices that could destabilize fair and orderly markets.
Support open exchanges and price disclosure to increase transparency in opaque markets like the credit default swaps market.
Require lenders to hold a small percentage of loans in a first loss position to ensure originators retain some stake in the loans they underwrite.
Conduct a thorough review of rating agencies' methodologies, models and compensation structures to ensure that ratings are accurate and not subject to conflict.
Hold Treasury accountable to regularly collect data from all federal sources that receive financial data from recipients of TARP funds.

Robust Consumer and Investor Protection

Aggressively pursue a multi-tiered strategy that prevents unnecessary foreclosures for credit worthy borrowers while protecting taxpayers and preserving the moral hazard principle.
Work towards reintroduction of mortgage reform legislation and pass into law
Ensure that credit is available and appropriate for consumers through strengthened oversight and regulation of predatory loans while protecting businesses' ability to price for risk.
Hold federal financial regulators accountable for enforcement of consumer and investor protections.
Protect and continue to encourage simpler disclosure of status and terms and conditions of Americans' retirement and investment accounts.
Reduce incentives for excessive risk taking and improve corporate governance by empowering shareholders.
Increase fraud prevention efforts.

Bean Small Business Lending Bill Passes House

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The House today passed Congresswoman Melissa Bean's Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010 (H.R. 5297), which will incentivize increased small business lending by community banks. Bean co-sponsored the measure and led debate in favor of the measure on the House floor, and was proud to see it pass today 241 to 182 as part of her ongoing efforts to help small businesses access credit on affordable terms.

"Since the financial crisis of 2008, I've repeatedly heard from small business owners in my district and across the country that barriers to affordable credit remain the biggest obstacle to business recovery, expansion and diversification," Bean said. "SBA lending has increased by 90 percent, putting $29 billion into the hands of small businesses, and large banks are increasing small business lending in keeping with their commitments. However, a significant gap remains between the supply of available credit and those who need it. This bill seeks to help community banks address that gap through lending to local businesses, whose growth and innovation is key to our nation's economic recovery."

The Small Business Lending Fund Act establishes a Small Business Loan Fund designed to increase bank lending to small businesses. The legislation will establish a $30 billion lending for community banks who measurably increase lending to small businesses. Banks must repay all capital investments with interest to the government within ten years, and the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the lending fund will profit taxpayers $1.1 billion, which will be used toward deficit reduction.

The bill also provides $2 billion in funding for new or existing state lending programs, including Illinois. These programs already exist in around thirty states, use small amounts of public dollars to generate substantial private bank financing, and can use federal dollars to quickly increase small business lending.

Bean recently spoke on the floor of the House about the value of small businesses to the national economy and Congress' record on supporting small business growth and competitiveness. (A video of that speech is available here.)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made vital changes to SBA loan programs, reducing fees for lenders and borrowers on the 7(a) and 504 loan programs and increasing government guarantees on 7(a) loans from 75 and 85 percent to as high as 90 percent. As a result, since February 2009, the SBA has helped support $29 billion in small business lending, and weekly loan approval volumes have increased by over 90 percent.

The secondary market for SBA loans has also recovered. During a March 2009 visit to the White House, with the New Democrat Coalition, in which she serves as Vice-Chair, Bean personally urged President Obama to address the frozen secondary market for SBA loans, which provides a crucial source of liquidity to small business lenders. In September 2008, the secondary market for SBA loans bought an average of $328 million of loans from lenders per month. That dropped to below $100 million a month by January, making it difficult for banks and other lenders to offer credit to small businesses. After the New Dems' visit, the Administration pledged $15 billion in Treasury funds to reenergize that market for SBA loans, which helped boost lender confidence. The SBA's data for 2010 shows that, so far this year, the secondary market has rebounded to an average monthly loan volume of $326 million, which has helped support increased lending to small businesses.

Bean Urges Action on Bill to Cut Spending

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08), a leading proponent of fiscal restraint in Congress, urged her colleagues on the House Budget committee today to approve a bill she introduced with Chairman John Spratt (SC-05) and others to expedite the elimination of wasteful spending.

The Budget committee held a hearing today on the bill, the Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act, H.R. 5454, which grants the Administration powers similar to the line-item veto. It grants the Administration authority to send suggested spending cuts back to Congress after it passes and sends a bill to the President for approval. after it passes a spending bill. Congress would then be required to take an up or down vote on the entire package of cuts, without amendment.

"I supported line-item veto legislation in the 109th Congress, under the Bush Administration, and I again support these expedited powers for President Obama to eliminate wasteful spending," Bean said. "This empowers the President to assist us in executing serious structural changes to the way we do business, to reduce our national debt."

June is National Safety Month

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

June is National Safety Month

On June 9, 2008, The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to support resolution (H. Res. 1225) that designates June 2008 as National Safety Month.

The National Safety Council (NSC) traditionally hosts National Safety Month every June to promote safety throughout the country.

Each week this month, the National Safety Council will be focusing on a different critical safety issue.

Week 1 - Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention

Week 2 - Teen Driving Safety

Week 3 - Preventing Overexertion at Work and Home

Week 4 - Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving

Week 5 - Summer Safety

More information about the weekly safety topics is available at the National Safety Council's website, www.nsc.org.

Congresswoman Melissa Bean is dedicated to safeguarding families and has worked tirelessly on behalf of several safety issues including:

Internet Safety

Congresswoman Bean's SAFER NET legislation,became law in October 2008 as part of S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act. The law directed the FTC to become a national clearinghouse for Internet Safety information and increased industry accountability by establishing a working group through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to review and evaluate industry efforts.

Bean helped introduce H.R. 3845, the PROTECT Act (Providing Resources Officers and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to our Children Act). The bill, authored by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) will build a strong nationwide network of highly trained law enforcement experts to track down known sex offenders. It provides resources for following offenders' Internet footprints online.

Bean was also a co-sponsor of H.R. 719, the KIDS Act (Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act). The bill, authored by Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), requires sex offenders to register their e-mail and instant message addresses with the National Sex Offender Registry, as they now register their physical addresses.

Drinking Water Safety

Concerned about the still-unknown effects of pharmaceuticals and household chemicals in our drinking water, U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, amended the national water policy to require a comprehensive analysis by government scientists.

Bean's amendment requires the study as part of H.R. 1145, the National Water Research and Development Initiative Act. This bill coordinates national research and development efforts on water and provides for development of a national water strategy.

Bean's amendment, cosponsored with reps. Betty McCollum of Minnesota , Carolyn McCarthy of New York , and Gerald Connolly of Virginia , was incorporated into the manager's amendment offered by House Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon, which passed.

The full bill, including Bean's language, passed the House 413 to 10.

Product Safety

More independent testing for lead, stricter lead standards and greater resources for inspectors are all part of a major overhaul of consumer product safety regulations included in H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 407-0.

H.R. 4040 includes several provisions that originated in an earlier bill that Congresswoman Bean helped introduce: H.R. 3903, the Kids Toy Safety Act. Her parent-friendly provisions include:

Third-Party testing of children's products: The bill mandates pre-market testing of many children's products for lead and other hazards by certified laboratories.
Tracking labels to aid recalls: The bill requires manufacturers to place distinguishing marks on products and packaging of children's products to aid in recall of children's products.
Improved public notice: The bill improves public notice about recalls by disseminating recall information through the Internet, radio and television.

Local Safety Resources:

Illinois Department of Public Safety, http://www.illinois.gov/safety/
Safe Kids Illinois State, http://www.safekids.org/in-your-area/coalitions/illinois-state.html

National Safety Resources:

Driver Safety Information
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, http://www.aaafoundation.org/about_us/

Internet Safety Information
Be Safe Online: OnGuard Online, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/naps22.pdf

A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety, http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm

Wired Safety, http://www.wiredsafety.org/parent.html
GetNetWise, http://www.getnetwise.org/

Home Safety

Safe Resource.org, http://www.safetyresource.org/homesafety.html

Federal Emergency Management Agency , http://www.fema.gov/

Occupational Safety

Occupational Safety & Health Administration-Safety Tips, http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/index.html

Health Safety

Center for Disease Control & Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/

Bean Strengthens FHA Reform Bill

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

In response to the worst foreclosure crisis in decades and record defaults on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, Congresswoman Melissa Bean joined colleagues to pass the FHA Reform Act of 2010 (H.R. 5072) today by a vote of 406 to 4. The final legislation included a Bean-authored amendment that strengthens the bill by requiring the FHA to annually consider increases to the minimum downpayment following a regular, comprehensive analysis.

"After an historic crisis in the mortgage market, our system needs comprehensive reform," Bean said. "This legislation secures the future of this vital program while giving regulators better tools for attacking fraud and ensuring that taxpayers aren't left on the hook for fraudulent mortgages and irresponsible lending."

The FHA Reform Act will reduce federal spending and save taxpayers $2.5 billion over five years, responding to the foreclosure crisis and its effects on the FHA reserve fund, which fell below the two percent level required in law. The Act will allow the FHA to improve its financial position by adjusting its premium structure for new borrowers, while still providing affordable mortgage insurance for the first-time buyers that the FHA serves.

FHA has helped 37 million Americans attain homeownership since 1934 and has provided crucial mortgage insurance at times when the private market has pulled back from the mortgage market. In exchange for a government guarantee, funded by fees on borrowers, lenders offer mortgages with smaller downpayment requirements, providing first-time homebuyers access to a mortgage on affordable terms.

H.R. 5072 also provides FHA with enhanced authority to terminate lenders' approval to originate or underwrite loans backed by FHA insurance when FHA finds evidence of fraud or noncompliance. The legislation requires FHA to improve its internal reporting systems to better manage risk and to provide transparent data to the public and to Congress. This includes improving monitoring of early defaults and claims, tracking mortgage information by loan servicer, providing FHA with the ability to contract out for additional credit risk analysis, requiring mortgagees to report to FHA when they stop buying loans from other mortgagees and requiring a Government Accountability Office study on FHA and Ginnie Mae. The bill also creates a new Deputy Assistant Secretary at FHA for Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs.

Bean's amendment, which passed by voice vote with bipartisan support, requires the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which oversees FHA, to give Congress an annual comprehensive report of the effect higher FHA downpayment requirements would have on the FHA's guarantee fund and on the housing market. HUD is then required to consider the findings of these annual reports in determining whether higher minimum downpayment requirements are warranted. In addition, the amendment grants greater authority to HUD to establish higher minimum downpayment requirements for all borrowers or classes of borrowers, such as those with low credit scores. It directs HUD to consider a borrower's credit score when deciding whether to require a higher minimum downpayment requirement.

Combined, this amendment mandates HUD to annually reevaluate the minimum downpayment requirement, which will ensure the federal government is effectively protected from unnecessary risk.

"We learned from the current mortgage crisis that the FHA needs the data and the flexibility to address changes in today's more dynamic and diverse mortgage market and to protect taxpayers," Bean said.

Northwest Herald - Business Representatives Gain "Invaluable" Resource Information

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Less than a week after area businesses got the chance to meet with top officials from the Boeing supply chain, about 75 local business officials gathered at McHenry County College to connect with state and federal representatives on a variety of topics.

The Small Business Federal Resources Seminar hosted by U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, brought together officials from more than a dozen agencies to answer questions and present information and resources to businesses.

One business representative, Associated Electric Project Manager Tony Schnulle, said he found the most help in a breakout session on Small Business Administration tools.

"There was definitely information that applied more than the rest," Schnulle said.

Schnulle and a group of 17 others attended the final breakout session, with Small Business Development Center Director Mary Margaret Maule talking about the counseling resources offered by the group, as well as its connection with area banks and the SBA over a trio of business-related loans.

Similar information was distributed through breakout sessions with the Illinois Department of Insurance, the Energy Department, the Defense Department, the IRS, and the Commerce Department on exports.

Bean hosted a similar seminar in Hoffman Estates at the end of March. She said this time around, there were things she and her staff improved on after lessons learne.

"One was that we added more information on government contracting," Bean said. "It's good for me to audit the breakout meetings and find out what information we're providing. I think it's improving. What I saw was that people did stay for all three individual breakout sessions, which means we made good use of their time."

One conversation of the many Bean struck up with business officials in the lobby or the halls of MCC's Conference Center stuck in her mind.

"One gentleman said, ‘I got to see a lot of good things that my taxpayer dollars go to,'" she said. "It's good feedback. They found these to be substantive."

Officials from the Energy Department discussed energy-efficient tax benefits, including credits available for businesses undergoing efficient retrofittings to existing buildings. The Department of Insurance discussed changes through the health care bill - a session that Bean said was heavily attended a little more than two months ago, but saw fewer participants this time.

"If you have a business with 50 or fewer employees - and that was basically every business here - nothing changes for that business," she said. "I asked if anyone provided insurance now, and a percentage raised their hands, and I said that you may be eligible for a tax credit for that. ... They're usually pleasantly surprised to hear that."

As the information sessions turned into casual conversations between business representatives in the lobby, Schnulle said the contacts and resources would be useful at the office long after the event was over.

"It's very important," he said. "It's invaluable, really."

Other groups featured at the event included the Service Corps of Retired Executives, the USDA Rural Development agency, and the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center. The event was put together by MCC in about two or three weeks, Conference Center official Amy Carzoli said, helped by the college's experience in hosting similar events.

"We have a lot of workshops and conferences at the college, and we can help guide people to the breakout rooms and the exhibition areas like these," she said.

Bean Praises Passage of Competes Act

Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

To strengthen America's economic competitiveness in a global market, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act reauthorizes important funding in math and science education and in high-risk, high-reward research, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) said in praising passage of the bill today. The bill, HR 5116, passed 262-150.

"The COMPETES Act provides critical investments in STEM education to strengthen our nation's competitiveness," Bean said. "Science, technology, engineering and math skills are necessary to keeping America's edge in the global marketplace. As we emerge from this historic recession, we must prepare our workforce not just for short-term recovery, but for long-term growth."

The COMPETES Act of 2010 authorizes investments in science, innovation, and education to strengthen U.S. scientific and economic leadership, support businesses, and create jobs in the short-, mid-, and long-term.

In the short-term, programs like Innovative Technology Federal Loan Guarantees address the immediate need of small- and medium-sized manufacturers. In the mid-term, the bill will strengthen regional economies through programs like Regional Innovation Clusters. To ensure scientific and technological leadership now and long into the future, the bill makes investments in basic research.

The bill also includes authorization of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy and Energy Innovation Hubs to help advance the U.S.'s transition to a clean energy economy and to support the growth of new sectors of the economy.

The bill bolsters science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education through several provisions, including:

·         Updating the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, which trains highly competent secondary teachers in STEM fields to teach in high need schools, by reducing the match requirement and allowing more schools to participate in the program;
·         Providing grants to increase the number and quality of students receiving undergraduate degrees in STEM and to improve the STEM learning outcomes for all undergraduate students;
·         Providing grants to implement or expand research-based reforms in master's and doctoral level STEM education that emphasize preparation for diverse careers in the STEM workforce; and
·         Establishing fellowships to provide recent doctoral degree graduates in STEM fields with the necessary skills to assume leadership roles in STEM education research, program development, and evaluation of education programs.
·         Ensuring greater coordination of STEM education programs across federal agencies.
·         Increasing participation by women and minorities in STEM fields to expand opportunities to a diverse STEM workforce.

This bill has been endorsed by the members of the business community (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, Venture Capital Association, National Association of Manufacturers), the education community (universities across the country, National Science Teachers Association), organizations and companies involved in innovation and research (Biotechnology Industry Organization, IBM), and many others.

Provision to Help Vets Become EMTs Passes House

Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

A provision to make it easier and faster for veterans who served as medics to earn certification as civilian EMTs was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, which passed today 229-186.

Based on the Experienced Medic Transition (EMT) Act, originally co-introduced by Congresswomen Melissa Bean (IL-08), Jane Harman (CA-36) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL), this provision calls on local, state and national officials to take military medics' coursework and training into account when developing certification tests and standards.

"With this inclusion, reciprocity between the armed services and states regarding certification for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will be established," Bean said in a floor speech. "Our men and women in uniform should be able to use their medical training and education in theater to help those in emergencies here at home if they so choose, without the cost and redundancy of retraining upon their return."

Bean Redoubles Efforts for Small Business

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

As one of Congress' most consistent advocates for small businesses, Congresswoman Melissa Bean recognized National Small Business Week by introducing a bill that would expand the Small Business Administration's loan program for real estate and capital purchases, and by inviting a local business owner to Washington to testify about the impact federal loan programs have had on her business.

"In our approach to economic recovery, every week is Small Business Week," Bean said. "Given their importance to job creation, economic growth, and innovation, we cannot let up on our support for America's entrepreneurs."

Continuing her leadership in Congress on small business lending initiatives, Bean introduced a new proposal to expand the SBA's 504 loan program for capital purchases. The Small Business Asset Investment and Modernization (AIM) Act would:

Raise maximum 504 loan size from $1.5 million to $5 million, and from $4 million to $5.5 million for small manufacturers.
Allow small businesses to refinance existing eligible debt with a 504 loan, rather than just using 504 to finance an expansion.
- Borrowers must be current on payments.
- Refinance loans can only apply to owner-occupied commercial real estate, buildings, or equipment.
Cover its own costs through user fees, not relying on taxpayers.

The expansion is similar to other loan program changes that Bean supported in the Recovery Act and other legislation, which have led to a $27 billion increase in SBA loans.

Cindy Kottke, owner of the McHenry-based "C" You at the Movies chain of movie theaters, testified about the value of the 504 and 7(a) loan programs and other SBA programs in Washington yesterday, during hearings celebrating Small Business Week in the House Committee on Small Business. (photo of Kottke testifying below)

"One day I saw a sign ‘for sale or lease' on the closed downtown movie theater," Kottke said during testimony. "I drove the building owner crazy. I called, left messages-and finally convinced him to let us host an Oscar Party at the theatre. With the help of the SBA 7(a) loan we were able to purchase the McHenry downtown theater. And then the downtown Antioch theater. Today "C" You At The Movies, Inc. operates 4 indoor locations and one of the 12 remaining drive-ins in Illinois. We may not have the newest equipment or the latest innovations ... But our customers are loyal."

Bean also spoke on the floor of the House about the value of small businesses to the national economy and Congress' record on supporting small business growth and competitiveness.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act made vital changes to SBA loan programs, reducing fees for lenders and borrowers on the 7(a) and 504 loan programs and increasing government guarantees on 7(a) loans from 75 and 85 percent to as high as 90 percent. As a result, since February 2009, the SBA has helped support $27 billion in small business lending, and weekly loan approval volumes have increased by more than 90 percent.

The secondary market for SBA loans has also recovered. During a March 2009 visit to the White House, with the New Democrat Coalition, in which she serves as Vice-Chair, Bean personally urged President Obama to address the frozen secondary market for SBA loans, which provides a crucial source of liquidity to small business lenders. In September 2008, the secondary market for SBA loans bought an average of $328 million of loans from lenders per month. That dropped to below $100 million a month by January, making it difficult for banks and other lenders to offer credit to small businesses. After the New Dems' visit, the Administration pledged $15 billion in Treasury funds to reenergize that market for SBA loans, which helped boost lender confidence. The SBA's data for 2010 shows that, so far this year, the secondary market has rebounded to an average monthly loan volume of $326 million, which has helped support increased lending to small businesses.

Home Star Would Boost Green Economy

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) joined House colleagues today to pass a new incentives program that provides direct rebates to homeowners who invest in energy-efficient improvements to their homes, boosting the green manufacturing and construction sectors, reducing America's energy costs, and helping our environment.

The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act Of 2010 (H.R. 5019) passed 246-161 today and included two amendments authored by Bean.

"Welcomed signs of economic recovery and competitiveness in the global economy are directly related to the opportunities emerging as businesses become cleaner and leaner," Bean said during a speech in support of the measure on the House floor. "The same philosophy holds true for American households. Investments in better building materials and technologies can pay for themselves in the form of energy savings - and then some. At the same time, Home Star is a jobs measure. It will provide timely and targeted employment to the skilled trades industry, which is still reeling from the housing bust and economic recession."

Home Star will spur home energy renovation with two types of consumer incentives:

Silver Star - This provides up-front rebates for specific energy-saving investments, including insulation, duct sealing, windows and doors, air sealing and water heaters at the time of sale. Homeowners receive up to $1,500 per improvement, with a rebate of up to $3,000 or 50 percent of the total project cost.
Gold Star - This rewards homeowners who conduct a comprehensive energy audit and implement measures to reduce energy use, backed by a quality assurance program. Consumers receive $3,000 for a demonstrated savings of 20 percent, plus an additional $1,000 for each additional 5 percent energy savings up to $8,000 - capped at 50 percent of the project cost.

To ensure quality installations, the bill requires that contractors be certified. Independent quality assurance programs, managed by the states, will conduct field audits after work is completed to ensure proper installation so that consumers are guaranteed the full energy savings from their upgrades. Contractors and vendors will only be allowed to offer customers the Home Star rebate if they are first certified by these programs.

The bipartisan legislation enjoys broad support from business, labor, environmental and consumer groups - including the National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Home Builders, Owens Corning, Home Depot, Laborers' International Union of North America, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Home Star Coalition with over 1000 business and organization members nationwide.

Two amendments authored by Congresswoman Bean were incorporated into the final bill via the manager's amendment.

The first amendment directs states to work with community colleges on implementation of Home Star.

"These community colleges are excellent resources for worker education, training, and certification, and they collaborate with area employers to provide dynamic and affordable educational resources to meet workforce needs," Bean said.

The second amendment expands the rebate eligibility to include replacement storm windows and doors, which is of particular interest to owners of historic homes who wish to improve their energy efficiency while maintaining the historic integrity of their home.

What Went Wrong and How to Fix It

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

(Daily Herald Op-Ed, by U.S. Representative Melissa Bean) "What went wrong? And what are you doing to make sure it doesn't happen again?"

Citizens have a right and a responsibility to demand answers to these two questions after any crisis. It's what our country asked its leaders after the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor, and 9/11.

And it's what citizens have been asking of Congress since the 2008 financial crisis. The House of Representatives passed legislation in December that increases market transparency and accountability and ends bailouts. Now it's the Senate's turn.

So let's take a look at how we got here and how the proposals would prevent a repeat of this crisis. The problem started in our own neighborhoods, with too many homebuyers taking out loans they couldn't afford. Lenders encouraged or ignored these risky loans because they didn't hold onto them. Instead, they sold them to investors, who get stuck holding the bag if buyers defaulted. The resulting wave of foreclosures was devastating to our communities and the catalyst of this crisis.

Solution? Require mortgage lenders to adhere to federal lending standards and require them to retain a portion of the loans they make when they sell them, so they give people loans they can repay. Next, these investors used derivatives, a form of insurance, to balance their risk. As mortgage defaults rose and their investments went south, the institutions that sold these derivatives had to pay up.

Trading in these derivatives, called "credit default swaps," had skyrocketed. Most of this multitrillion-dollar market was completely unregulated, and these trades created a web of interconnected relationships among companies that regulators had no knowledge of or control over.

When Lehman Brothers collapsed in September 2008, financial companies across the world who traded derivatives were suddenly unsure what investments they could count on. It sent the market into a tailspin and sent many of our 401(k)s crashing.

Solution? Regulate derivatives. Force the majority of derivatives to trade on public exchanges and ensure that all trades are transparent. Require derivates dealers to post collateral to back up their promises, just like insurance companies do.

Lastly, as Lehman's collapse proved, major financial firms are so interconnected that allowing one to haphazardly collapse would endanger the entire U.S. financial system. With few alternatives, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department stepped in to prop up AIG and ultimately resorted to the unfortunate but necessary step of asking Congress to create the $700 billion TARP fund.

Solution? An anti-bailout measure: dissolution authority. This allows the government, when all other options have been exhausted, to seize and shut down a failing non-bank financial firm and pay its debts with money from that firm's shareholders and from the financial industry - never using taxpayer money. If you fail, you're fired.

These solutions are already included in House and Senate proposals, along with increased tools for enforcement by the SEC, establishment of a systemwide risk monitor, stronger consumer protections, and other reforms. These are not partisan, controversial ideas. They are a recognition of the real lessons taught by this crisis: Decades of trusting the market to self-regulate turned out to be costly for America.

Transparency and prudential requirements are critical. And everyone, from homebuyers in our neighborhoods to wizards on Wall Street and regulators in Washington, must change the way we do business and pass these proposals into law so that this doesn't happen again.

May is Military Appreciation Month

Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

May is Military Appreciation Month. Military Appreciation Month was started to honor, remember, recognize and appreciate those who have served and those now serving and to know the history behind it all.

In April 2004, H.Con. Res. 328 was passed with unanimous consent by both the House and the Senate. The resolution establishes May as National Military Appreciation Month and by doing so recognizes and honors the United States Armed Forces.

National Military Appreciation Month includes:

Loyalty Day - May 1^st , made an official holiday by the U.S. Congress on July 18, 1958, is a day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day - May 7^th, is a day that is set aside each year to recognize and honor the contributions and sacrifices of military spouses. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the Friday before Mother's Day to be designated as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

VE (Victory in Europe) Day - May 8 marks the formal celebration of the Allies' victory in Europe during World War II, May 8, 1945.

Armed Forces Day - May 15^th, first celebrated in 1950, this day honors the combined forces of all branches of the US military. It is celebrated each year on the third Saturday of May, with parades, military reenactments, and open houses at military bases.

Before 1950, there were individual holidays in honor of each of the five branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard). In an act of unity, President Truman created one holiday for all the armed forces.

Today, about 1.5 million people are on active duty in the United States, with another 850,000 people serving in the seven reserve and guard divisions.

This year's theme for Armed Forces Day is "United in Strength."

Memorial Day - May 30th, was originally called Decoration Day and commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Memorial Day was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South separately honored their dead on another day until after World War I. It became an official federal holiday in 1971.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE:

Friends of Fisher House, Illinois #253

Fisher Houses provide compassionate lodging in warm, supportive home environments free of charge for the families of seriously ill patients being treated at military and VA medical centers.

http://www.fofhil.org/index.html

Operation Support Our Troops - Illinois

Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois, Inc. is one of the largest volunteer based military support efforts in the country and is funded solely by donations.

630-971-1150

http://www.osotil.org/mainpage.html

Yellow Ribbon Support Group

http://www.yellowribbonsg.org/help_to_help.html

We Do Care

We Do Care provides tangible opportunities for the American public to thank and support active duty military personnel, their families, and veterans.

847-381-7797

http://wedocare.4thgenerationsystems.com/

Salute, Inc.

Salute, Inc.., passionately pursues meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of the military service members, veterans and their families.

847-359-8811

http://www.saluteinc.org/page/show/40382-salute-inc-

Transitional Living Services - New Horizons Center

New Horizons is a transitional home for homeless veterans.

815-334-0540

http://www.tlsveterans.org/

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America

IAVA is dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.

http://iava.org/

HISTORY / INFORMATION:

What are the various branches of the US Armed Forces?

The United States armed forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

How many people are currently serving in the US Armed Forces? As of February 28, 2009 1,454,515 people are on active duty in the military with an additional 848,000 people in the seven reserve components.

Who commands the US Armed Forces?
The President is the overall head of the military and the United States Department of Defense (DoD). DOD is the Department by which military policy is carried out. DOD is headed by the Secretary of Defense, who serves as the President's second-in-command of the military. To coordinate military action with diplomacy, the President has an advisory National Security Council headed by a National Security Advisor. Both the President and Secretary of Defense are advised by a six-member Joint Chiefs of Staff, which includes the head of each of the service branches, led by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

All five branches of the military are under the direction of the Department of Defense, except the Coast Guard, which was made an agency of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 following governmental reorganization after the September 11 attacks.

The National Security Act of 1947, created the modern U.S. military framework; the Act merged the Department of War and the Department of the Navy into the National Military Establishment renamed the Department of Defense in 1949.

What are the motto's of the various branches of the US Armed Forces?

U.S. Army: This We'll Defend

U.S. Marines: Semper Fidelis translated means "Always Faithful"

U.S. Navy: Non Sibi Sed Patriae translated means "Not Self But Country"

U.S. Air Force: Un Ab Alto translated means "One Over All"

U.S. Coast Guard: Semper Paratus translated means "Always Ready"

U.S. MILITARY MILESTONES IN THE 20TH & 21ST CENTURIES:

1903-14 - Panama. US forces protect American interests and lives during and following the revolution for independence from Colombia.

1915-34 - Haiti. - US forces maintain order during a period of chronic political instability.

1916-24 - Dominican Republic. American naval forces maintain order during a period of rebellion.

1917-18 - World War I. On April 6, 1917, the United States declares war with Germany and on December 7, 1917, with Austria-Hungary.

1941-45 - World War II. On December 8, 1941, the United States declares war with Japan in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

June 6, 1944 - "D-Day" The Invasion of Normandy - The greatest single Allied operation of World War II, the invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries.

1945-49 Occupation of part of Germany.

1945-55 Occupation of part of Austria.

1945-52 Occupation of Japan.

1950-53 - Korean War. The United States responds to the North Korean invasion of South Korea by going to its assistance. US forces deployed in Korea exceeded 300,000 during the last year of the conflict.

1962-75 - Laos. October 1962-1975, the US plays an important role in military support of anti-Communist forces in Laos.

1955-75 - Vietnam. First military advisors sent to Vietnam on 12 Feb 1955. By 1964, US troop levels are at 21,000. August 1964 Congress passes the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, expressing support for "all necessary measures" to repel armed attacks against US forces. By April 1969 troop levels are at 543,000.

1970 - Cambodia Campaign. US troops ordered into Cambodia to clean out Communist sanctuaries from which Viet Cong attack US forces.

1980 - Iran, April 26, 1980, President Carter reports the use of six U.S. transport planes and eight helicopters in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran.

1988 - 1990 Panama, May 11, 1989, in response to General Noriega's disregard of the results of the Panamanian election, US troops are sent to protect American lives and interests. By February 13, 1990, all forces are withdrawn, General Manuel Noriega, is captured and brought to the U.S.

1990 - Saudi Arabia, August 9, 1990, President Bush reports the deployment of substantial elements of the US armed forces into the Persian Gulf region to help defend Saudi Arabia after the August 2 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.

1991 - Persian Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm, January 16, 1991, U.S. forces attack Iraqi forces and military targets in Iraq and Kuwait in conjunction with a coalition of allies.

1992-95 - Somalia/Somali Civil War, December 10, 1992 - President Bush reports that he had deployed US armed forces to Somalia in response to a humanitarian crisis and a UN Security Council Resolution.

1993-Present - Bosnia-Herzegovina.

2001 - Present Afghanistan, October 7, 2001 - US Armed Forces invade Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 attacks.

2003 - Present Iraq, March 20, 2003. The US leads a coalition that includes Britain, Australia and Spain to invade Iraq with the stated goal of eliminating Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and undermining Saddam Hussein.

MORE RESOURCES:

History of Memorial Day

US Dept. of Veteran Affairs - http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp

The Library of Congress - http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may30.html

PBS - http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/meaning/

US Military History

US Army Center of Military History - http://www.history.army.mil/index.html

The Library of Congress - http://www.memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query

The Smithsonian - National Museum of American History:

http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

VFW mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense."

http://www.vfw.org/

Disabled American Veterans

DAV is dedicated to building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families.

http://www.dav.org/

United Service Organizations (USO)

The USO provides morale, welfare and recreation-type services to service members and their families.

http://www.uso.org/

The American Legion

The nation's largest veterans service organization.

http://www.legion.org/

Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County

The Veterans Assistance Commission promotes and protects the rights of veterans and their immediate family members through education, communications, and technology.

http://www.co.cook.il.us/portal/server.pt/community/veterans_assistance_commission/292

Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County

The VAC assist veterans with service and non service connected claims, aid and attendance, debt management issues, education and assistance with changing discharge status.

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/veterans/default.htm

Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County

The VAC provides services to the local veterans community in the areas of Financial Assistance, VA Claims & Advocacy, Transportation to the North Chicago VA Medical Center, and Referrals Assistance.

http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/vac/Pages/index.aspx

Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs

http://www.veterans.illinois.gov/

US Department of Veteran Affairs

http://www.va.gov/

Bean Testifies at STB Hearing on CN

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Melissa Bean testified today at the start of a hearing by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to examine the results of their recent independent audit, which documented severe blockage of road crossings along the Canadian National (CN) Railway expansion and a failure by CN to disclose this information to regulators.

"I urge the STB to use its full authority to levy fines and reassess the terms of its Approval Decision," Bean told the board. "So far, CN's promises to work with communities and keep their commitments have proven false."

Barrington Mayor Karen Darch, co-chair of The Regional Answer to Canadian National (TRAC), a community coalition opposed to the merger, attended the hearing as well.

"We believe today's hearing was a good start in addressing CN's lack of credibility on reporting about its operational impacts in the region." Darch said following the hearing. "But it is imperative that the Board forcefully demonstrate that there are consequences for CN when it misleads the Board, and that increased mitigation is a tool it can and will use to send that message."

In January, newly confirmed STB Chairman Daniel Elliot ordered an independent audit of CN's self-submitted reports to the STB in response to repeated complaints from effected communities about the reports' validity. CN plans to increase rail traffic by 400 to 900 percent along the EJ&E line, which cuts through many suburban Chicago communities.

The hearing lasted over two hours as members of the board questioned CN executives on why the company reported a total only 14 blocked road crossings for longer than ten minutes in November and December 2009. Auditors said the real number of blocked crossings was over 1,400 during the same two-month period.

The board did not make any final decisions at today's hearing, pending completion of a public comment period May 28. Residents interested in registering a comment on this issue with the STB can find a link on the Congresswoman's website: www.house.gov/bean.

The STB approved CN's plan to increase rail traffic along the EJ&E line on December 24, 2008. Bean and a bi-partisan coalition of suburban Illinois members, along with local leaders, opposed the acquisition due to significant threats to communities' first-responder capabilities, traffic congestion, environment and quality of life.

Bean Blasts CN for Being 100 Times Off on Reports of Blocked Crossings

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Congresswoman Melissa Bean blasted Canadian National Railway (CN) after an audit released today by the Surface Transportation Board that documented severe blockage of road crossings CN expansion and a failure by CN to disclose this information to regulators.

"This audit shows CN's blatant disregard for our laws and callous indifference to our communities," Bean said. "Our warnings about CN's impact on local traffic congestion are proving true, while CN's promises about working in good faith to mitigate the consequences are proving false."

"In November and December 2009, CN reported a total of 14 blocked crossings for longer than ten minutes," Elliot's letter said. "Our auditors revealed over 1,400 occurrences of crossings being blocked for longer than ten minutes for the same two-month period. It appears that CN's monthly reports only include occurrences of blocked crossings for longer than ten minutes when the train had completely stopped, whereas the data from the audit includes not only stopped, but also slow moving trains or other causes."

In response, the STB has explicitly ordered CN to accurately report all blocked crossing data and summoned the company to an STB hearing for April 28, 2010.

"Safety is our top priority, particularly following another tragic death along the CN line," Bean said. "How can our communities trust CN's commitment to safety when they have chosen to sue our government to avoid minimal mitigations and supply inaccurate data on blocked crossings?"

The STB approved CN's expansion plans on December 24, 2008. Bean and a bi-partisan coalition of suburban Illinois members, along with local leaders, opposed the acquisition due to significant threats to communities' first-responder capabilities, traffic congestion, environment and quality of life. At Bean's request, several national officials have visited the area to examine the crossing and meet with local officials to discuss the issue, including Elliot, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo, House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Bean Proposal Strengthens Grant Audits

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) is acting to strengthen and overhaul the flawed regulations that govern audits of federal grant money, as official reviews of these audits show that more than half of them are conducted so poorly that they are considered partially or completely unreliable.

Bean has introduced the bipartisan Government Audit Reform (GAR) Act, to mandate necessary changes to the Single Audit Act of 1984, including stronger enforcement and better training of auditors, clearer rules on must be audited, and smarter use of government resources to focus more attention on the biggest grants. Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11) joined Bean as an original cosponsor of the bill.

"The first step to protecting taxpayer dollars and fighting fraud in government is to know where it is, and for that we need accurate audits," Bean said. "Taxpayers expect us to be thorough and aggressive stewards of their dollars. The audit process has not lived up to those standards and must be improved."

"The GAO Report shows that significant improvements can be made to ensure taxpayer dollars are not wasted," Conaway said. "Audit reforms are needed across all government departments. This legislation is important to improve the quality and effectiveness of contracts awarded. I'm pleased to join my colleague, Representative Melissa Bean in this bipartisan effort to improve the single audit system."

The proposal is endorsed by the independent watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense Action.

"We applaud Congresswoman Bean for introducing this important legislation that will bring greater accountability and transparency to the audit process and help ensure federal funds are used in the best interest of the taxpayer," said Ryan Alexander, President, Taxpayers for Common Sense Action.

Federal government grant awards to state and local governments and nonprofit organizations have risen substantially, from about $42 billion in 1960 to $500 billion in fiscal year 2009 in inflation-adjusted dollars. These funds go to a wide variety of projects, such as public housing, wind energy development, and local road construction.

Existing law calls for any local government or nonprofit receiving federal grant money to undergo a standardized auditing procedure - referred to as the "Single Audit" - from a licensed auditor at the agency's expense. The resulting audits are made publicly available, as a means of ensuring that government funds are spent correctly and grant recipients are held accountable.

But reports by the U.S. Government Accountability Office - Congress' investigative arm - and the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency have highlighted a widespread lack of compliance. According to a GAO summary of the council's survey of 208 agency audits, "About 51 percent of the audits had deficiencies that were severe enough to classify the audits as unacceptable or limited in reliability."

For instance, the council's survey study found that in 61 percent of their sample, auditors failed to test whether the local government or agency had proper internal control over federal funds, such as procedures that require a superior official's approval on expenditures. In several audits, whole sub-sections of major programs were left out of the audit process. And in many other cases, auditors left out key findings. One audit of a major public housing agency failed to note that $6.6 million worth of property had gone missing from the agency's records for unknown reasons.

Bean's GAR Act will enact recommendations made by the GAO to correct many of the problems uncovered. The act:

Requires the OMB to begin making audit quality improvements as outlined by the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency and report to Congress within 6 months. Mandated improvements include:
- Establish stronger minimum training and continuing education requirements for those conducting Single Audits.
- Tougher penalties and a streamlined process for disciplining auditors who submit unacceptable audits.
- Increased clarity on which audit findings should be reported.
- Stronger emphasis on the minimal amount of acceptable documentation needed to prove that an agency has adequate internal control of finances.
- Require compliance testing to use sampling methods consistent with national industry standards.
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct on ongoing evaluation of the audit process government wide, and report to Congress on findings and improvements.
Makes smarter use of government's resources by requiring the OMB to create a simplified audit procedure for local governments and nonprofits receiving less than $300,000 of federal funds, allowing the government to focus on large-dollar recipients of federal funds. Just 3 percent of the audits conducted, those examining recipients of the largest grants, cover 85 percent of federal grant funds distributed.

The bill is H.R. 5018.

Celebrate Earth Day, April 22nd

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Earth Day is a celebration of the diversity and beauty of our planet. On this day we are reminded of the importance of protecting our environment and of cherishing our natural resources.

The 8^th District includes parts of Lake, Cook and McHenry County and contained within the district are numerous forest preserves, nature sanctuaries, waterways and wildlife areas. The citizens of the 8^th District have done a great deal to restore, protect and cherish their natural resources.

We are proud to share with you several local initiatives in the 8^th District:

Grigsby Prairie in Barrington Hills
2009 Award Winner: The Conservation and Native Landscaping Award
sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness

The award provides recognition for exemplary sites and projects within the Chicago Wilderness region which:

- Feature native landscaping;
- Demonstrate the principles and best practices of conservation-style development; and/or
- Restore ecosystems

Lake County Forest Preserve District
2007 Award Winner: 2007 Conservation Award sponsored by The Trust for Public Land and The National Association of Counties

The award recognizes leadership, innovation, and excellence on local land conservation and park creation initiatives by county leaders across America

The Spring Creek Valley Forest Preserve

Spring Creek Valley encompasses 3,910 acres of forest preserve with such diverse ecosystems as prairies, wetlands, oak woodlands, savannas, shrublands and fens. This area also supports some of the largest and most diverse populations of grassland birds in the Midwest

Spring Creek Valley Forest Preserve

http://www.habitatproject.org/projects/springcreek.html

Spring Creek Stewards

http://www.springcreekstewards.org/About.html

Accomplishments:

Integrated the use of the preserves into the curriculum of Harper Community College and Elk Grove High School.

Increased the number of rare grasslands birds; two vanished species have already returned

Flint Creek Watershed

http://www.flintcreekwatershed.org/

Flint Creek Watershed Partnership (FCWP) is a collaboration formed in 2005 by Barrington Area Development Council (BADC), Citizens for Conservation (CFC), the village of Barrington and Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) which now includes other local governments, non-profits and residents in the watershed.

Accomplishments:

Since its inception in 2005, Flint Creek Watershed Partnership, has created a new Flint Creek Watershed-Based Plan for individual and community action to improve water quality, enhance natural resources and open space, and reduce flood risks.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

Why is Earth Day celebrated?

Earth Day is celebrated to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Who was the founder of Earth Day?

Former U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson was the founder of Earth Day. He proposed the first environmental protest which was modeled after the Vietnam war protest events called "teach-in's".

How did Earth Day begin?

Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin was the pioneer of the environmental movement. When elected to the Senate Senator Nelson was determined to wake up the federal government to the fact that the earth was at risk. He was inspired by the anti-Vietnam War ‘teach-ins' that were taking place on college campuses across the United States. Senator Nelson envisioned helping to organize a large scale environmental demonstration that would serve to thrust environmental issues onto the national agenda.

Nelson announced the Earth Day concept at a conference in Seattle in the fall of 1969 and invited the entire nation to get involved. The wire services carried the story across the nation and Americans responded in great numbers and with great enthusiasm. Dennis Hayes, a young activist who had served as student president at Stanford University, was selected as Earth Day's national coordinator. Hayes worked with a large group of student volunteers and several staff members from Nelson's Senate office to organize the project.

On April 22, rallies were held in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles and "most other American cities," according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The event was successful at raising awareness about the environment and begin to shift the publics attitudes towards the importance of protecting the environment.

What was the impact of the first Earth Day?

The first Earth Day celebrated on April 22, 1969 "kicked off the environmental decade with a bang" according to Senator Nelson. A number of important pieces of environmental legislation were passed in the 1970s, including the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. The Environmental Protection Agency was founded in December 1970 and was tasked with protecting human health and safeguarding the natural environment-air, water and land.

Since 1970, Earth Day celebrations have continued to grow. In 1990, Earth Day went global, with 200 million people in over 140 nations participating, according to the Earth Day Network (EDN), a nonprofit organization that coordinates Earth Day activities.

MILESTONES

Earth Day/Environmental Movement History Timeline

1854: Henry David Thoreau's Walden is published. It laments the rise of industrialization and the destruction of wilderness, and raises questions about humans' relationship to nature that influence naturalists and political activists more than 150 years later.

1872: A bill is passed by Congress and signed by President Grant to create the world's first national park at the headwaters of Yellowstone River in Montana and Wyoming.

1877: U.S. secretary of the interior Carl Schurz attempts to pass land-management laws that would slow the exploitation of public forests by the "timber barons". He fails.

1901-09: Theodore Roosevelt is the "conservation president." During his administration, more than 225 million acres of land become part of the U.S. Forest Service.

1962: Silent Spring by aquatic biologist Rachel Carson exposes the harm caused by insecticides such as DDT. The book leads to the development of safer insecticides and to a ban on the sale of DDT within the United States.

1963: Senator Nelson accompanies President John F. Kennedy on a speaking tour around the U.S. to raise awareness about environmental issues

1969: Chemical waste released into Cleveland's Cuyahoga River causes it to catch fire. The event becomes symbolic of how industrial pollution is damaging America's natural resources.

1969: Inspired by the "teach-ins" held by Vietnam War protestors on U.S. college campuses, Senator Gaylord Nelson announces the idea for Earth Day.

April 22, 1970: 20 million people participate in Earth Day activities around the U.S.

December 1970: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established by President Richard Nixon in order to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment- air, water and land.

1972: Congress passes the Clean Water Act, which limits pollutants in rivers, lakes and streams.

1973: Congress passes the Endangered Species Act to protect animals and their ecosystems.

1975: Congress passes legislation that sets standards for automobile tail-pipe emissions. As a result, automakers begin adding catalytic converters to cars.

1977: President Jimmy Carter signs the Clean Air Act Amendments to strengthen air quality standards and protect human health

1985: A team of British scientists led by Dr. Joe Farman reports that there is a hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic

1990: The 20th anniversary Earth Day celebrations go global, with participants in over 140 countries.

1990: President George Bush signs the Pollution Prevention Act & the National Environmental Education Act

1992: EPA launches the Energy Star® Program to help consumers identify energy-efficient products

1995: Gaylord Nelson receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award given to a civilian, in honor of his environmental work.

1996: President Bill Clinton signs the Food Quality Protection Act to tighten standards for pesticides used to grow food, with special protections to ensure that foods are safe for children to eat

1997: Thirty-eight industrialized nations sign the Kyoto Protocol, agreeing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by about 5% over 15 years

2000: Hundreds of millions of people in 184 countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, with a focus on "clean energy."

July 3, 2005: Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson dies at age 89.

April 2007: Capacity crowds attend Green Apple Festival Earth Day events in New York City, San Francisco and Chicago. Earth Day Network members host 10,000 Earth Day events around the world.

2008 / 2009: Worldwide, involvement in Earth Day unites over 18,000 organizations in 186 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,400 groups and over 26,000 educators coordinating millions of environmental protection activities promoted during the entire year.

2009: Congress passes the American Clean Energy and Security Act (also known as the Cap and Trade Bill). It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and create 'green' jobs, by putting a limit on the amount of pollution large industrial industries can output.

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

Help celebrate Earth Day by participating in events hosted by organizations right here in the 8^th district.

Crystal Lake Park District - Community Clean Up Day
http://www.crystallakeparks.org
Date: 4/24/2010
Time: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Throughout Crystal Lake
This event is co-sponsored by the Crystal Lake Park District and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce. Take this opportunity to show the community you are a friend of the environment.

Lindenhurst Earth-Arbor Day

http://www.lindenhurstil.org
Date: 4/24/2010
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Location:

Village Hall/Post Office

2301 E. Sand Lake Rd.
Lindenhurst , IL 60046

Schaumburg Park District - Spring Valley
Annual Backyards for Native Fair & Native Plant Sale

Date: 5/2/2010

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
Location:
Spring Valley

1111 E. Schaumburg Road
Schaumburg, IL

College of Lake County

Earth Week Celebration

Date: Apr 17 - Apr 24 2010

Free admission

For more information call Kelly Cartwright at (847) 543-2792

Earth Week is a weeklong celebration at the Grayslake campus. The week's activities will include a volunteer workday at a Lake County Forest Preserve, a campus clean up, and many entertaining presentations.

McHenry County College, Lou Marchi Total Recycling Center
Annual Bedding Plant Sale - Horticulture Department

Date: 5/5/2010 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

5/6/2010 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

For more information contact Betty Carmon at 815-455-8674 or email bcarmon@mchenry,edu

Location: McHenry County College - Building D - Greenhouse

Don't miss the Horticulture Department's annual bedding plant sale. Annuals, Perennials, Herbs, Vegetables, Hanging baskets, and Container Gardens are available at great prices. Come early for the best selection! All proceeds support the MCC Horticulture Department.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EARTH DAY

Illinois Resources:

Illinois

Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project
http://www.habitatproject.org/opportunity/restore.html

Illinois Nature Conservancy

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/illinois/

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.state.il.us/

Illinois Environmental Council

http://www.ilenviro.org/

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

http://dnr.state.il.us/

Kane County

Kane County Forest Preserve

http://www.kaneforest.com/volunteer/binspired.aspx

Lake County

Lake County Forest Preserve
http://www.lcfpd.org/involved/index.cfm?fuseaction=volunteer.view

Lake Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society

http://www.lakecookaudubon.org/Participate_on_Committees.html

Citizens for Conservation

http://www.citizensforconservation.org/

Liberty Prairie Conservancy

http://www.libertyprairie.org/waystohelp/volunteer.html

Cook County

Citizens for Conservation

http://www.citizensforconservation.org/

Deer Grove Natural Area Volunteers

http://deergrove.freehostia.com//

McHenry County

McHenry County Conservation District

http://www.mccdistrict.org/web/ge-volunteer.htm

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

http://www.conservemc.org/

Environmental Defenders of McHerny County

http://www.mcdef.org/connections.htm

National Resources:

US Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/

The Earth Day Network

http://www.earthday.net/?skip=1

The National Park Service

http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

The Nature Conservancy

http://www.nature.org/

Bean Bill Provides Flexibility for College Savings

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Following an unprecedented drop in the value of families' college savings, Rep. Melissa Bean (IL-08) today introduced legislation to give families more options on how to use their 529 college savings accounts to afford higher education. The College Savings Flexibility Act would temporarily expand allowable uses of 529 college savings accounts to include student loan repayment.

One-third of American families who save for college invest in 529 accounts, which lost $23 billion between 2007 and 2008. Current law limits use of funds to pay for education costs that are due immediately, such as tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies. Bean's proposal gives families the choice to use 529 funds to repay student loans, giving these accounts time to recover their value.

"With one daughter in college and another to follow, I keenly understand the financial challenges parents face to fund college education," Bean said. "This bill allows those who've saved in 529 accounts and played by the rules to allow their investments to recover before using them to finance those costs."

Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher of FinAid.org and FastWeb.com and a noted expert on college financial planning, endorsed Bean's bill.

"Congresswoman Bean's bill is an excellent solution to a problem faced by many families who responsibly saved for their children's college educations, only to be faced with huge losses at the last minute," Kantrowitz said. "By allowing families to use 529 college savings plans to make payments on qualified education loans, families will be able to delay taking distributions from their college savings plans while those investments recover from the recent unprecedented stock market losses."

Bean's bill is also endorsed by the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators, and Third Way, a centrist think tank, has called for reforms similar to those included in the bill. Original cosponsors of the bill include: Reps. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Ron Kind (WI-03), Betsy Markey (CO-04) and Glenn Nye (VA-02).

Bean's proposal follows the passage of the largest investment in college aid in U.S. history. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which Bean supported, lowers student loan costs, expands access through increased Pell grants and invests in community colleges and trade schools.

"By operating the federal student loan program more efficiently, more students will have the opportunity to attend college, obtain the skills they need to be competitive in the workforce and graduate with less debt," Bean said. "Access to an affordable, quality college education is central to building strong communities and increasing America's competitiveness."

The new law will make the government the originator of all federal student loans and ends subsidies to banks, while reducing the federal deficit by at least $10 billion over 10 years.

Other key provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act include:

Invests $36 billion to expand and strengthen the Pell Grant program. This investment closes the $13.5 billion shortfall due to increased demands on the program.
Provides $2 billion in competitive grants to community colleges to develop programs and classes to help workers obtain the skills and education they need to be competitive in the 21st century.
Helps graduates repay their loans by expanding the income-based student loan repayment program. Students who borrow after July 1, 2014, will see monthly payments that do not exceed 10 percent of their income.

Bean Hosts Nearly 100 Small Business Attendees at Federal Resources Forum

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Small businesses across multiple industries attended Congresswoman Melissa Bean's Small Business Federal Resources Seminar today to learn about health care reform law, tax credits, lending programs and energy efficiency tools, along with other resources available through federal programs.

Attendees who owned businesses with fewer than 50 employees were pleased to learn that they will not be subject to any mandates or penalties under the new health care reform law, and many who have 25 employees or less will be eligible for tax credits if they provide health insurance to their employees.

"I am so busy working on improving my company that I don't have time to look up all these resources separately," said attendee Sue McDonald, President of MP Global, an international meeting and event planning company. "It was great to have them all in one room. I went to breakout sessions with the Small Business Administration and with the Illinois Department of Insurance, because everyone wants to know how the new health care reform law is going to affect us."

"Small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities and local economies, and create the majority of new jobs in our nation," Bean said. "Many are so busy focusing on running their businesses and responding to their customers that they're unaware of federal resources available to support their growth. I arranged this forum because I heard from businesses at previous events I've hosted that their interests spanned multiple agency programs. For example, the same people that needed access to capital had interest in becoming more energy efficient. This event allowed people to select multiple breakout sessions that were most relevant to their specific business models and connect directly to those federal agencies."

Today's seminar at Northern Illinois University's Hoffman Estates Campus featured breakout sessions including:

Small Business Administration: 504, 7A, and Express loan programs, and small business development resources, including workforce training programs.
IRS: Small business tax incentives (NOL carryback, 179, bonus depreciation, health care credits, energy efficiency incentives), municipal bond programs.
Commerce Department: Export programs to link to targeted countries or clients
Dept. of Energy: Webinars on energy development, energy efficiency, development grants and tools.
Illinois Department of Insurance: Health insurance reform tax credits, rate change transparency, small business exchange.

Also available with information were:

Labor Department: Workforce development.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): Business management consulting services.
Northern Illinois University: Manufacturing Assistance Program.

Attendees said the event helped them connect with federal stimulus resources and other programs as they strive to access capital, lower their energy costs, fund R&D, and train their workforces.

Attendee Dustin Sonneborn, who helps companies and municipalities create and finance sustainable energy plans as part of the Verlogics consulting group and as the owner of Buckingham Renewable Energy, said: "I think it's really important to get the word out on some of the federal and state programs, because it can be tough for small business owners who have to juggle a lot of different things to get their minds around some of these programs. I attended the breakout sessions with the Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration. I don't have much need for access to capital right now, but that was one of the most popular with the other attendees. Personally, I found the Department of Energy session really informative, as I had specific questions about the availability of grant funding."

Terry Johnson, the CEO of manufacturer Gamon International, said he came to the event even though he had only one concern - access to affordable capital through the SBA.

"I'm an older guy and I'd looked on the Internet for the information already," Johnson said. "It was nice to be able to see everybody in person and reinforce the thoughts that I had. I'll be applying for an SBA loan."

Pioneer Press - Bean Discusses Bill With Business People

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-8th, held a roundtable discussion with small business owners in the district to discuss the new federal health care bill.

Bean met with nearly 30 small business owners over lunch March 31 at McGonigal's Pub, 105 S. Cook St., Barrington.

Many owners expressed gratitude toward Bean for her vote in favor of the bill, but there were still questions as to how the new law will affect their businesses.

Damian Christianson, director at Web advertising and marketing company InterVantage in Hoffman Estates, said the new health care system will allow the company to hire people without first having to calculate how much the new employee's health insurance will cost because of preexisting conditions.

"It's amazing to watch how many people are making career decisions just based on health insurance," he said.

Susan Padula, of Syclo, a mobile software development company, also based in Hoffman Estates, said she supports the bill but remains concerned about the cost of health care. She said in 2000 Syclo spent $5,600 per family to provide health care coverage to its employees and in 2010 it was $16,000 per family. Syclo has 125 employees, she said.

James O'Donnell, vice president of Camcraft, a Hanover Park manufacturing company, also said he supports the bill but shared Padula's concerns about the escalating costs. He fears the system could collapse if the costs continue to escalate.

Bean said reforming health insurance and transforming the health care system in order to lower costs go hand-in-hand. She said electronic patient records and a payment system that reimburses quality of treatment will help lower the cost of medical services and subsequently, health insurance.

"When we have better care, we have lower costs," she said.

Bean told a story of taking her 90-year-old father-in-law to the emergency room out of precaution because he had numbness in his left arm. She said while he was being tested for the numbness he did not eat throughout the afternoon and developed a headache.

Since he did not have a headache when he arrived at the hospital, Bean believed the headache was due to him not eating a meal for five hours, but a doctor viewed it as a symptom and ordered a CT scan.

She said the CT scan showed he was fine and as soon as he ate, his headache went away.

"Every one of us has had these kinds of experiences with the system," Bean said. "Simple, best practices could avoid a lot of unnecessary costs."

She said the bill will eliminate inefficiencies such as the situation with her father-in-law because it mandates electronic patient records be maintained, which will increase communication among medical professionals so they are not performing redundant or unnecessary tests.

Barrington resident Dan Sherry, owner of Kennedy's Creative Awards in Waukegan, asked whether a public option for a government-run health care system would become reality in the near future.

"I couldn't tell you," Bean said. "I don't think that's happening anytime soon."

Daily Herald - Suburban Officials, Bean Talk Funding for Transportation, Jobs, Business

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Jobs. Federal funds. Help for small business.

They're broad national issues, but they took on a distinctly local face Wednesday morning as nearly a dozen Cook County mayors, village administrators, police and fire chiefs from the 8th Congressional District met with U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean.

During a 90-minute Leadership Forum at Harper College in Palatine, suburban officials discussed the need to channel more federal funding toward improving mass transportation in the suburbs, creating more local jobs, and helping small businesses secure loans through federal bailout money.

Arlington Heights Village President Arlene Mulder said a lot of local businesses in her community are closing, and the retail sector has been hit hard. There has been much talk in Washington about helping small businesses, she said, but little action.

Mulder acknowledged, though, that perhaps the biggest help for Illinois' and the suburbs' future is improving the rail system with federal money earmarked for high-speed rail projects.

"The best thing to do is put people in transit," she said.

Several community leaders asked for Bean's help in getting the STAR line, a long planned suburb-to-suburb rail system, off the ground.

The system would connect the Northwest and South suburbs along I-90 and the former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern railroad, linking destinations including O'Hare, Hoffman Estates, Naperville and Joliet.

The idea has met with resistance from Canadian National Railway, which recently purchased EJ&E and proposes to begin moving some freight trains onto the line that runs in a semicircle between Waukegan and Gary, Ind.

Leaders also called for a renewed push to get funding for the much-debated Route 53 extension through Lake County.

"I think it's absolutely crucial that we have another means by which people can get from one place to another," Barrington Township Supervisor Eugene Dawson said. "There's no easy way to get to Waukegan. I'm all for the STAR line and whatever you can work out with CN."

However, Dawson said a spike in the number of trains traveling on suburban lines as planned by CN and Metra will severely affect municipalities with at-grade crossings.

"If they put trains in Barrington, the hospital we can get to in 10 minutes ... we can't get there at all," he said.

Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said the suburbs have been "woefully underfunded" when it comes to mass transit compared to Chicago.

On the economic front, Hanover Park Trustee Edward Zimel echoed the comments of several officials at the table on the need for bank reform and loosening their grip on federal bailout funds to help small businesses secure loans.

"The banks got all the money from the stimulus package," Zimel said. "People are just applying, but the banks are not giving the money out. Something has to be done."

Bean said she has been hearing that same concern from municipal leaders in other counties and promised to work to improve access to capital. She added that federal officials are revamping the Small Business Administration and its loan programs.

Among the ideas to help small businesses is a proposal to take $30 billion in bailout funds and put that money into community banks, she said.

Bean also touted tax credits included in the Health Care Reform Act for small businesses with less than 25 employees to lower the costs of health insurance premiums.

Local officials said municipalities also are struggling to maintain programs that are funded through federal grants.

"So often the grants that are established at the federal level are distributed to the state to distribute to local municipalities," Mulder said. "When you have a state that works well, maybe that's a good policy. But when you have a dysfunctional state that's so broke ... we never see a dime."

Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz said while every community is facing similar issues with foreclosures and job losses, a lot of their troubles are due to the state's financial crisis.

Palatine could lose $1.5 million in income tax revenues from the state as part of the 30 percent reduction proposed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

"We're running out of ways to cut," Schwantz said. "We don't want to pass it down to our taxpayers."

Pioneer Press - Officials Discuss Transportation Improvements

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Barrington hosted U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-8th, and representatives of regional transportation agencies Monday to discuss infrastructure improvements to the area.

Among the topics discussed was Barrington's ongoing battle for grade crossing separations on the Elgin, Eastern & Joliet Railroad to mitigate the effects of Canadian National Railway Co. adding more freight train traffic to the line.

Bean arranged for LaHood's meeting with officials to be held in her hometown of Barrington.

"We had not been able to interact with him directly while he was in (Washington) D.C., so I was happy Congresswoman Bean was able to set this up," said Barrington Village President Karen Darch.

Darch said LaHood suggested funding for a grade separation for one of the three state routes that intersect with the EJ&E Railroad in downtown Barrington could come from the $600 million remaining in the federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants program.

"We're looking at TIGER or any other funds they can give us," Darch said.

The EJ&E line intersects at grade with the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line and eight major roads in the Barrington area, including Lake-Cook Road, Route 59 and Route 14 in downtown Barrington.

"(Without mitigation) Barrington would be the only area that doesn't have at least one state route with grade separation from the EJ&E," Darch said.

A grade separation project at Route 14 and the EJ&E Railroad is projected to cost $69 million, according to a document from The Regional Answer to Canadian National (TRAC) coalition, which Darch co-chairs. Grade separation at Route 59 and the EJ&E tracks is projected to cost $84 million and at Lake-Cook Road it is projected to cost $74 million, according to the document from the 13-municipality coalition.

Barrington and other coalition communities are appealing the U.S. Surface Transportation Board's decision to approve CN's purchase of the EJ&E line. The coalition is also asking for Congress to oversee those supervising CN's compliance. LaHood does not have any influence in the appeal.

Darch said Barrington, CN and other villages and groups involved in the appeal will submit briefs and responses to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. through July. She said she expects oral arguments to begin this fall.

Darch is hopeful the transportation board's approval of the purchase will be overturned or CN will be made to provide more funding to mitigate the negative effects of the increased freight traffic on the EJ&E.

Prior to LaHood's tour of the EJ&E Railroad in Barrington, he discussed regional infrastructure projects such as the Route 120 bypass and the Route 53 extension with representatives from the Illinois Department if Transportation, the Lake County Board, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Lake and McHenry county divisions of transportation and others.

The transportation officials made pitches for their projects to be included on the next federal transportation bill, which would provide a multiyear outline for transportation projects. The previous transportation authorization bill expired in 2009 and a new one has yet to be discussed.

Bean Supports Final Passage of Health Insurance Reform

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) announced her support for final passage of the health insurance reform legislation moving through Congress and released the following statement:

"In the years since I came to Congress, I've heard from thousands of families and small businesses across the 8th District, whose stories illustrated their concerns with rising health care costs and the need for reform. This bill will provide them with the health care security, affordability and choice they seek, while yielding an historic federal deficit reduction of $1.3 trillion.

"This legislation addresses the key concerns of those families and small businesses. For families who have insurance, this bill provides health care security by prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, dropping coverage when families need it most, or instituting lifetime caps that drive Americans to bankruptcy. For small business owners and employees, who currently pay more than those at large firms for the same benefits, this bill allows them to pool together to access lower rates and a wider choice of insurance plans. For seniors, the bill protects and extends the Medicare system they rely on, and preserves and expands benefits while reducing drug costs in the ‘donut hole.' And for 31,500 Americans without insurance in the 8th District, this bill finally provides access to affordable coverage choices.

"As a fiscal conservative, it was important to me that this legislation benefit not just our physical health, but also our fiscal health. The final legislation approved today delivers the most significant deficit reduction in more than a decade, cutting our federal deficit by $1.3 trillion over 20 years, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. Experts, including those at the Mayo Clinic, expect that the bill's significant reforms to Medicare and its transition to a value-based payment system are likely to yield significant additional cost reductions for both government and the private sector."

March is Women's History Month

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Women's History Month commemorates the many milestones reached and surpassed by ordinary and extraordinary women throughout our nation's history. Their stories and acts of courage are part of our nation's narrative and serve as a shining example to women today struggling to better their own lives and to make an impact on the world.

By celebrating Women's History Month we recognize all of the exceptional women who through their courage, and their commitment made an impact on their communities and the nation. And through the Winning Women Awards we honor the work of extraordinary women in the Illinois 8th Congressional District as they continue to make history.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Women's History Month by nominating a Winning Woman, and writing another chapter to the long history of women's leadership in our communities. Contact anna@melissabean.com for information.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

When were women in the United States granted the right to vote?

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution granted women the right to vote it was ratified on August 26, 1920. The 19th Amendment states "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this Article by appropriate legislation."

When did the women's suffrage movement begin?

The first Women's Rights Convention took place in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. This event set in motion a national movement to grant women important social, civil and religious rights, including the right to vote.

Who were the leaders of the movement?

The early leaders and pioneers of the movement were Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, progressives and activists in the anti-slavery/civil rights movement. Elizabeth Cady Stanton using the Declaration of Independence as a guide created a Declaration of Principals that brought to light inequalities between men and women and made recommendations for change.

In 1869, suffragists formed two national organizations to work for the right to vote. The National Womens Suffrage Association and The American Women Suffrage Association. The National Womens Suffrage Association was led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, its primary goal was an amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote. The American Suffrage Association was led by Lucy Stone and her husband Henry Blackwell, its primary goal was to convince individual states to give women the right to vote.

In 1890 these two Associations united to form the National American Women Suffrage Association.

What is the Declaration of Principals?

The Declaration of the Seneca Falls Convention, using the model of the US Declaration of Independence, demanded that the rights of women as right-bearing individuals be acknowledged and respected by society.

MILESTONES

Women's History Timeline

1777
Abigail Smith Adams, wife of the second president, John Adams writes that women "will not hold ourselves bound by any laws which we have no voice

1833
Oberlin College in Ohio, is the first co-educational college in the US

1838
Mount Holyoke College is established in Massachusetts as the first college for women

1840
Lucretia Mott is one of several women delegates to attend the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London. As a woman, she is forced to sit in the gallery and cannot participate

1848
The first Women's Rights Convention is held in Seneca Falls, NY

1849
Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to receive a medical degree in the US

1850
Women are granted the right to own land in a state (Oregon)

1866
The American Equal Rights Association is founded by Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, Martha Coffin Pelham Wright, and Ernstine Rose

1868
The 14th Amendment denying women the right to vote is ratified

1869
The National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association are formed

1872
Victoria Claflin Woodhull becomes the first woman presidential candidate in the United States when she is nominated by the National Radical Reformers

1878
A Women's Suffrage Amendment is introduced to Congress for the first time

1879
Belva Ann Lockwood becomes the first woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court

1890
The NWSA and the AWSA unite to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association

1913
5,000 suffragists march in Washington, DC for the women's rights movement

1915
A petition with 500,000 signatures in support of a women's suffrage amendment is given to President Woodrow Wilson

1916
On November 6, 1916, Montana elected Jeanette Rankin, a Republican, as the first woman to the US Congress

1920
The 19th Amendment is ratified, allowing women the right to vote in federal elections

1931
The first woman elected to the Senate was Hattie Wyatt Caraway of Arkansas. Appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her husband, U.S. Senator Thaddeus Caraway, Ms. Caraway then sought and won election on her own in 1932

1966
The National Organization for Women is founded by Betty Goldstein Friedan

1971
The US Supreme Court rule ends sex discrimination in hiring

1972
US Congress passes the Equal Employment Opportunity Act

1972
The Equal Rights Amendment passes Congress but fails to be ratified

1981
Sandra Day O'Connor becomes first woman appointed to the US Supreme Court

1990
Dr. Antonia Novello is sworn in as U.S. Surgeon General, becoming the first woman (and first Hispanic) to hold that job

1995
Lt. Col. Eileen Collins becomes the first American woman to pilot a space shuttle

1997
Madeleine K. Albright becomes the first woman US Secretary of State

2000
Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes the only First Lady ever to be elected to the US Senate

2005
Condoleezza Rice becomes the first African-American woman to be appointed US Secretary of State

2007
Nancy Pelosi becomes the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives

2008
Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes the only First Lady ever to run for president

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

Help celebrate National Women's History Month by participating in events hosted by organizations right here in the 8^th district.

College of Lake County - Women's History Month 2010: Braving Adversity

The College of Lake County and its Women's Center are hosting several events to celebrate Women's History Month, including workshops and various performances throughout the month.

For more information please visit http://www.clcillinois.edu/community/womenscenter.asp or contact the Women's Center @ 847-543-2771

McHenry County College - Writing Women Back into History

Throughout the entire month of March, the College will offer a variety of educational events and entertainment to showcase women and address the critical challenges they're facing today. This year's program, Writing Women Back into History, will address the need to honor women's achievements on a local and a global scale.

For more information please visit http://www.mchenry.edu/women/ or contact Katherine Midday at 815-455-8735.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WOMEN'S HISTORY*

Women's History Month National Site http://womenshistorymonth.gov/index.html

Meet the First Ladies http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/

Women Who Changed History http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/women/index.htm

National Women's History Project http://nwhp.org/aboutnwhp/index.php

U.S Department of Labor, Statistics on Women Workers http://www.dol.gov/wb/stats/main.htm

Bean Calls For Action On Small Business Credit Legislation

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

A long-time advocate of small businesses as the engine for economic growth and increased employment, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) urged colleagues to continue and expand upon successful measures to increase access to capital for small businesses, including her Express Loans Improvement Act. Bean joined colleagues at a rare joint hearing today of the Financial Services and Small Business committees. Bean sits on both.

"This joint hearing allows me an opportunity to point out the critical relationship between our financial services community and our small businesses," Bean said. "As I talk to small business owners and employees across the 8th District, among their chief concerns is access to capital on affordable terms for credit-worthy businesses. The lingering effects of the financial crisis have reduced their credit options. While the adjustments we've made to some SBA loan programs have helped, increasing the secondary market for SBA loans by 500 percent and leading to $20 billion in SBA loans, more still needs to be done."

The Express Loans Improvement Act, introduced jointly by Bean and Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03), would make changes to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Express Loans program, which gives an established network of lenders greater loan approval responsibility with less bureaucracy and shorter approval times. Under current law, the SBA guarantees up to 50 percent of the loan and the maximum loan size is $350,000.

The Dahlkemper-Bean proposal would raise guarantees to 75 percent for two years to address the immediate credit crunch, then to 60 percent in subsequent years, while raising the maximum Express loan value to $1 million. These changes are similar to successful changes made to the SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan programs earlier this year.

To protect taxpayers, the bill directs the SBA to strengthen collateral rules and requires annual reporting to Congress on progress towards default rate reduction.

The Express Loans Improvement Act has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, Small Business Council of America, American Bankers Association, the American Small Business League, and the Independent Community Bankers of America

Bean has been a strong advocate for small business credit access issues. Last year she recently joined colleagues to pass the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009, which extends and expands successful changes to SBA lending programs advocated by Bean and first included in the Recovery Act. Those changes included a reduction of fees for lenders and borrowers on the 7(a) and 504 loan programs and an increase in government guarantees on 7(a) loans from 75 and 85 percent to as high as 90 percent. As a result, over the past year, SBA loans have reached nearly $20 billion, and weekly loan approval volumes have increased by 79 percent.

Bean Helps Teach Kids About Internet Safety

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

As part of her ongoing efforts to help teens and kids learn to use the Internet safely, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) hosted the Federal Trade Commission at Emmons School in Antioch today as it presented Net Cetera, a new national Internet Safety campaign mandated by Bean's SAFER NET bill.

"Our children know not to talk to strangers, but today's Internet society has pushed them onto a much larger playground," Bean said. "Learning to use the Internet is a vital life skill for our children and teenagers in the 21st century economy, but we also have to make sure they learn how to stay safe. My legislation prompted the FTC's campaign so parents and schools will have a reliable source of information for safety and guidelines for our children."

"The Federal Trade Commission is very pleased that Net Cetera has so much support from Congresswoman Bean and her colleagues, and we are looking forward to working together to get the booklet into the hands of parents from coast to coast," said Carolyn Shanoff, director of the FTC's consumer and business education program. "With kids spending so much time online every day, it's really important for parents to communicate how their values apply in the digital world."

William Hodor, the FTC's Staff Attorney for the Midwest Region, spoke to an assembly of about 120 middle school students, giving them everyday tips on how to avoid Internet predators, cyberbullying, and identity theft, as well as the dangers of sexually explicit instant and text messages. The Congresswoman and Hodor later took questions from the students.

The national Net Cetera campaign has already distributed literature to 1.2 million parents, teachers, law-enforcement officials and youth organizations. Handouts and guides are available for free and can be ordered through the FTC's website.

The FTC was directed to launch this campaign by Bean's SAFER NET legislation, which became law in October 2008 as part of S. 1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act. The law also directed the FTC to become a national clearinghouse for Internet Safety information and increased industry accountability by establishing a working group through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to review and evaluate industry efforts.

Two additional Internet Safety bills cosponsored by Bean, also became law last Congress.

Bean helped introduce H.R. 3845, the PROTECT Act (Providing Resources Officers and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to our Children Act). The bill, authored by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) will build a strong nationwide network of highly trained law enforcement experts to track down known sex offenders. It provides resources for following offenders' Internet footprints online.

Bean was also a co-sponsor of H.R. 719, the KIDS Act (Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act). The bill, authored by Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), requires sex offenders to register their e-mail and instant message addresses with the National Sex Offender Registry, as they now register their physical addresses.

Bean Bill Will Enhance Small Business Access to Capitol

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

As part of their ongoing efforts to bolster the small business community, the nation's leading engine for economic growth, Congresswomen Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03) and Melissa Bean (IL-08) today introduced The Express Loans Improvements Act, H.R. 4598, to increase the availability and utility of SBA Express loans, a vital source of working capital for small businesses.

"Small businesses create roughly 80 percent of America's new jobs," Bean said. "At the same time that we're counting on these small businesses to drive our economic growth, the lingering effects of the financial crisis have reduced credit options for local employers. This proposal will help our community banks restart lending to credit-worthy businesses, while also ensuring taxpayers are protected."

"Small businesses are the foundation of our economy; when small businesses succeed, they create jobs and opportunities in our communities. The tight credit market has limited small businesses' ability to grow and create new jobs in the process. This plan will give small businesses better access to credit and help community banks provide the lending our local economies need to prosper," Rep. Dahlkemper said.

The Express Loans Improvement Act would make changes to the Small Business Administration's Express Loans program, which gives an established network of lenders greater loan approval responsibility with less bureaucracy and shorter approval times. Under current law, the SBA guarantees up to 50 percent of the loan and the maximum loan size is $350,000.

The Dahlkemper-Bean proposal would raise guarantees to 75 percent for two years to address the immediate credit crunch, then to 60 percent in subsequent years, while raising the maximum Express loan value to $1 million. These changes are similar to changes made to the SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan programs earlier this year, which contributed to a 79 percent increase in weekly loan volumes in those programs.

To protect taxpayers, the bill directs the SBA to strengthen collateral rules and requires annual reporting to Congress on progress towards default rate reduction.

The Express Loans Improvement Act has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, Small Business Council of America, American Bankers Association, the American Small Business League, and the Independent Community Bankers of America.

"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, supports H.R. 4598," a Chamber letter said. "Improvements to the Express Loan Program will allow small businesses to do what they do best, which is grow our economy and create new jobs."

Bean Responds to State of the Union

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) released the following statement following the President's State of the Union address:

"I was glad to hear the President reflect the concerns of my constituents in the 8th District, who are worried about their economic security, given the recent decline in value of their homes and savings. The President and the Senate need to follow the House's lead by enacting comprehensive financial regulatory reform to protect consumers and their investments.

"We need to promote economic growth by focusing on access to credit and targeted tax incentives for small businesses, the drivers of our local economy.

"And lastly, we need to aggressively attack the deficit by reducing non-discretionary spending, as well as freezing discretionary spending as the President has proposed. Toward that end, I've proposed the SAFE Commission Act, which forces Congress to make hard decisions on entitlement reform and I continue to vote against excessive spending."

News-Sun - Former gang member 'going to see the president'

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

(News-Sun) A former street gang member who reshaped his life for the better by learning building skills will be in the gallery tonight when President Obama delivers his first State of the Union address.

"I was very shocked but felt deeply honored when I received a call inviting me to Washington," said 20-year-old Larry Daniels, who lives with his widowed mother in Winthrop Harbor.

"I didn't know what to say, but I knew I had a big smile on my face," said the 2008 graduate of Zion-Benton Township High School who has never been to the nation's capital.

Daniels, who joined the Lake County YouthBuild program to learn the building trade, was invited by U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, to be her guest in the gallery. Bean had visited the program's site in North Chicago and was impressed by how it teaches low-income youths to be productive citizens through its on-the-job construction training.

Daniels is one of the success stories.

He was graduated from the program in June 2009 and is now a mentor with AmeriCorps, which supports various local service programs that engage thousands of Americans in meeting critical community needs. Its programs include building affordable housing and protecting the environment. Daniels is helping build the first energy-efficient house in North Chicago for YouthBuild.

"We've dug out the foundation for a three-bedroom, single-family house and are waiting to pour concrete when the weather permits," said Daniels, who hopes to start his own Good Results Construction Co. when the economy improves.

"One day, I'll build my own house," he said with a confidence he never had before.

The YouthBuild Program, said the one-time gang member, "got me off the street and helped me mature in a lot of ways."

Daniels said he had just lost his father when he joined the program -- referred to YouthBuild by his high school counselor.

"I didn't know what to do, but the people at the program helped me," he recalled.

Along with learning building skills, Daniels learned to interact with people.

"I didn't know how to greet and communicate with people properly before," he said.

"Larry is very hard working and reliable -- a great performer, said Laurel Tustison, YouthBuild's executive director. "He is always the first to volunteer to work on construction.

"He had an opportunity to work for the Zion Public Works Department this summer. I've gotten excellent feedback about him from his supervisor. He really has a bright future," she said.

"I'm very proud of him that he's going to Washington," said his mother, Annette, who works in patient service at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.

"His dad would be proud looking down on him from above," she added.

Her husband, who worked for Medline Industries in Waukegan for 10 years, died April 20, 2007, leaving three other children.

Daniels said he is flying to Washington this morning with Terry Lenz, a AmeriCorps supervisor, and will stay in the capital until Friday.

"This is my first trip to Washington and I plan to do some sightseeing," he said.

"I will wear a suit and tie and look professional because I'm going to see the president," he said with pride.

Bean Asks for Details on Children's Safety

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Responding to alarming reports of high levels of toxic metals found in children's jewelry, Congresswoman Melissa Bean (IL-08) sent a formal inquiry to the Consumer Product Safety Commission today, to inquire if safety officials have sufficient authority to deal with the problem.

"The CPSC's recent announcement that it is investigating heavy metals in certain children's products is encouraging," Bean's letter to CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum says. "It is important to use the best science available to ascertain the level of the hazard and what additional safety measures, if any, are warranted. I wish to learn from you whether the agency lacks sufficient legal or regulatory authority to appropriately address this matter."

Recent reports by the Associated Press and others have documented high levels of cadmium in a range of products intended for children, particularly jewelry, and that cadmium and other heavy metals are quickly absorbed into the body if the product is swallowed. Cadmium is a highly dangerous substance that accumulates in the body and has been linked both to temporary illness and long-term problems, such as cancer, kidney disease, bone and lung damage, and learning disabilities.

Overseas manufacturers are apparently using cadmium as a substitute for lead, in response to Congress' sharp restrictions on lead levels in children's products in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

The CPSC has reacted swiftly by opening a formal investigation and has already been at work on developing standards for heavy metals in children's products. However, it is unclear if the Commission has the full regulatory authority it needs to appropriately regulate cadmium and other heavy metals in toys and products intended for children.

Economic Recovery for the 8th District