The FBI, the Sidney Montana Police Department, the Williams County Sheriff’s Office, and the Williston, North Dakota Police Department are requesting assistance from North Dakota and northeastern Montana property owners in the case of missing Montana school teacher Sherry Arnold. Based on investigative evidence gathered over the last few days, it is believed that Ms. Arnold may be deceased; her body has not been recovered.

Law enforcement is requesting North Dakota property owners in Williams County, McKenzie County, Mountrail County, and extreme northeastern Montana check shelter belts and vacant farmsteads on their land for disturbed soil. The surrounding grassy area may also appear to be matted. A shelter belt is a line of trees that protects soil from the wind. Ms. Arnold’s body may be buried in a shelter belt that contains mature or rotted trees.

It is important to note, law enforcement is only requesting help from property owners and is not requesting volunteers to come search. Property owners are advised not to put themselves at risk. Property owners who discover something unusual are asked not to disturb the site and immediately contact the Williams County Law Enforcement Center at (701) 774-9191.

Ms. Arnold went missing Saturday, January 7, 2012, at approximately 6:30 a.m., while on her morning run in the community of Sidney, Montana. Two adult males are in custody in connection with this investigation.

Seeking Assistance from Property Owners in Sherry Arnold Case | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

DARLINGTON, Wis., Dec. 6, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ – Wisconsin- and Illinois-based CITGO Marketer, Saunders Oil, and CITGO Petroleum Corporation recently launched the Saunders Oil “Be a Star. Buy a Star.” campaign to support Wisconsin- and Illinois-area schools. From Thursday, Dec. 1 through Friday, Dec. 16, participating CITGO stations are selling “Stars” for $1 each. All of the proceeds will go toward new books for school libraries at five local elementary schools. The goal is to raise $1,000 during the campaign, which will allow Saunders Oil and CITGO to donate 350 books.

“All of our local school districts are battling budget cuts. We wanted to find a way to ensure that the schools have the tools they need to help kids fall in love with reading,” said Karlene Saunders, secretary and general manager of Saunders Oil. “I hear from our customers about the challenges the schools are having, and we wanted to provide a solution. A single dollar can go much farther than people realize.”

Through the Saunders Oil “Be a Star. Buy a Star.” program, local CITGO customers can show their appreciation and support for five local schools: Riverdale Elementary School in Muscoda, Wis.; Darlington Elementary in Darlington, Wis.; Southwestern Elementary in Hazel Green, Wis.; Shullsburg Elementary in Shullsburg, Wis.; and Stockton Elementary in Stockton, Ill.

“In such trying times, every bit of help can make a difference. I speak for the teachers and the students when I say that we are all so thankful for the help of Saunders Oil, CITGO and, of course, the wonderful people in our community,” said Dr. Denise Wellnitz, school district curriculum director. “Without basic supplies like these books, the road to education becomes very difficult to navigate. But, thanks to the help of everyone involved in the ‘Be a Star. Buy a Star.’ campaign, our kids are going to have exciting new opportunities to expand their horizons and imaginations.”

In addition to the “Be a Star. Buy a Star.” fundraising effort, the participating stations will offer a series of activities for customers, including coloring contests and book readings at these participating locations:

• Muscoda Mini Mart
  102 North Wisconsin Avenue, Muscoda, WI 53573
• Darlington Mini Mart
  11981 State Road 23, Darlington, WI 53530
• Southwest Mart
  3525 North Percival Street, Hazel Green, WI 53811
• Miner Towne Mart
  101 Miner Way, Shullsburg, WI 53586
• Stockton Travel Center
  601 E North Ave # 2, Stockton, IL 61085

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned CITGO stations. Local CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Wisconsin and Illinois own and operate more than 750 CITGO locations and are proud to support their local organizations. For more information on the positive impact of the locally owned CITGO stations in your community, visit www.CITGO.com.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation

http://www.CITGO.com

Saunders Oil and CITGO Raise Funds to Support Local Schools | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

State Farm today announced the second half winners of Friday Night Feats, a national video contest highlighting the biggest moments from this year’s high school football season. Twenty-six winners from across North America were awarded $2,500 for their schools and now have a chance at the $15,000 first prize.

The videos that win $2,500 and advance to become “Finalist Nominees” of the fan-fueled football contest were determined by fan votes on www.FridayNightFeats.com during the second half of the contest from October 10 through Nov. 28th. State Farm now turns to its panel of judges to narrow the field of “Finalist Nominees” down to the top 10 videos based on the “wow” factor, athleticism, impact of the play, and creativity of the video. The panel includes MaxPreps football experts Stephen Spiewak, Steve Montoya, Andrew Puccioni, Chris Stonebraker, Blake McFarland, as well as SI Kids reporter Evan Trimas.

Click here to read the complete press release.

State Farm® Friday Night Feats Video Contest Closes Second Half with High School Football’s Biggest Moments | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ – A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis of long-term effects of violent video game play on the brain has found changes in brain regions associated with cognitive function and emotional control in young adult men after one week of game play. The results of the study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

The controversy over whether or not violent video games are potentially harmful to users has raged for many years, making it as far as the Supreme Court in 2010. But there has been little scientific evidence demonstrating that the games have a prolonged negative neurological effect.

“For the first time, we have found that a sample of randomly assigned young adults showed less activation in certain frontal brain regions following a week of playing violent video games at home,” said Yang Wang, M.D., assistant research professor in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. “These brain regions are important for controlling emotion and aggressive behavior.”

For the study, 22 healthy adult males, age 18 to 29, with low past exposure to violent video games were randomly assigned to two groups of 11. Members of the first group were instructed to play a shooting video game for 10 hours at home for one week and refrain from playing the following week. The second group did not play a violent video game at all during the two-week period.

Each of the 22 men underwent fMRI at the beginning of the study, with follow-up exams at one and two weeks. During fMRI, the participants completed an emotional interference task, pressing buttons according to the color of visually presented words. Words indicating violent actions were interspersed among nonviolent action words. In addition, the participants completed a cognitive inhibition counting task.

The results showed that after one week of violent game play, the video game group members showed less activation in the left inferior frontal lobe during the emotional task and less activation in the anterior cingulate cortex during the counting task, compared to their baseline results and the results of the control group after one week. After the second week without game play, the changes to the executive regions of the brain were diminished.

“These findings indicate that violent video game play has a long-term effect on brain functioning,” Dr. Wang said.

Coauthors are Tom Hummer, Ph.D., William Kronenberger, Ph.D., Kristine Mosier, D.M.D., Ph.D., and Vincent P. Mathews, M.D. This research is supported by the Center for Successful Parenting, Indiana.

Note: Copies of RSNA 2011 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press11 beginning Monday, Nov. 28.

RSNA is an association of more than 48,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to excellence in patient care through education and research. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)

For patient-friendly information on fMRI of the brain, visit RadiologyInfo.org.

AT A GLANCE

• Using functional MRI, researchers have found that playing violent video games for one week causes changes in brain function.
• The brain regions affected by violent video game play are associated with cognitive function and emotional control.
• The change in brain function was reduced after game play was discontinued for a week.

SOURCE Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

http://www.RadiologyInfo.org

Violent Video Games Alter Brain Function in Young Men | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

BALA CYNWYD, Pa., Nov. 15, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP (SFG), the institutional broker-dealer of the Susquehanna International Group of Companies (SIG), announced today it has hired Dan Hirsch as a Senior Salesman in the Fixed Income Group.  Mr. Hirsch will cover clients in the Midwest and is based out of SFG’s Chicago office.

“Dan is a fantastic addition and will significantly help our coverage of the Midwest market.  Dan marks the second hire in as many quarters for our Chicago office which continues to expand,” stated Frank Gilroy, SFG’s Head of Fixed Income Sales, Trading and Strategy.

Dan Hirsch joins SFG with over 25 years of experience in the fixed income industry. Prior to joining SFG, Mr. Hirsch was a Managing Director in the Fixed Income Sales group of Citadel.  Before joining Citadel, Mr. Hirsch worked as a senior salesman for Barclays and DLJ.  Mr. Hirsch earned his MBA at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  He also holds a Bachelor degree from the University of Michigan.

SFG continues to seek select top-tier debt professionals with diverse backgrounds to round out its institutional fixed income brokerage business.

About Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP

Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP (SFG), a member of the Susquehanna International Group of Companies (SIG), is an innovator in global finance, servicing the needs of clients worldwide in the areas of sales, fundamental research, and market intelligence. Building upon SIG’s command of the options marketplace and its quantitative trading capabilities, SFG has cultivated a robust service offering that provides liquidity, industry-leading insights, and execution services. SIG employs approximately 1,500 individuals located in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

For additional information, please visit

www.sig.com.

SOURCE Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP

http://www.sig.com

Dan Hirsch Joins Susquehanna Financial Group as a Senior Salesman in the Fixed Income Group | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Rosemont, Ill. — November 03, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — Riddell, the official helmet of the National Football League®, is taking an in-season time out to educate coaches, players and parents about how to properly inspect helmets and shoulder pads. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, football is the most popular sport for high school boys with more than a million participants.

“Between regular practices and games, a player’s equipment experiences hours of use,” said Dan Arment, president of Riddell. “Inspecting equipment throughout the season helps ensure it’s prepared to perform its job – protecting players on the field.”

Riddell’s five-point, checklist is designed to keep proper fit and protection top of mind for all young football players:

• Inspect Exterior Shell – Take a close look at the outside of the helmet for any cracks or dents and run fingers over the helmet to feel for any cracks the human eye may miss.
• Check Hardware and Internal Helmet Padding – If pads feel too loose or too tight, inflate all necessary inflation pads to achieve a snug fit. The skin of the player’s forehead should move with the helmet’s front pad. There should be no room for twisting.
• Proper Helmet Fit – A secure fit ensures the equipment is positioned on the head properly to best protect the athlete. When properly fit, the front of the helmet should rest approximately one inch above the player’s eyebrows. He should feel pressure on the crown of the head, instead of the brow, when pressing the helmet down. A player should never wear a helmet that is positioned too low or too high.
• Assess Chin Strap – The cup should be centered and snug over the chin to hold the helmet in place. The top strap should go underneath the face mask, not above it, before snapping it in place while the lower strap should pass through the notches at the bottom of the shell and snap securely.
• Shoulder Pad Fit – Periodically check accessory attachments, condition of underarm straps, laces, and arch padding. The pad fit should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

At the end of the season, Riddell recommends annual reconditioning and recertification to prolong the life of the product and ensure it meets performance standards. When next season arrives, players will enjoy clean, sanitized, inspected and repaired equipment.

For more information about proper equipment fitting, visit www.riddell.com/fitting-guides.

ABOUT RIDDELL
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a premier designer and developer of protective sports equipment and a recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).

###

Riddell® Calls "Time Out" for In-Season Equipment Check | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Over the past 20 years, Chicago Public Schools has experienced tremendous growth in graduation rates, but learning gains have been modest, according to a new report from the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research.

The report, “Trends in Chicago’s Schools Across Three Eras of Reform,” tracks elementary and high school test scores and graduation rates in Chicago since 1988, when U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett proclaimed the city’s public schools to be the worst in the nation. Key findings from the report include:

• Graduation rates in Chicago have improved dramatically, and high school test scores have risen; more students are graduating without a decline in average academic performance.
• Math scores have improved incrementally in the elementary/middle grades, while elementary/middle grade reading scores have remained fairly flat for two decades.
• Racial gaps in achievement have steadily increased, with white and Asian students making more progress than Latino students, and African American students falling behind all other groups.
• Despite progress, the vast majority of CPS students have academic achievement levels that are far below where they need to be to graduate ready for college.

“The tremendous gains in high school graduation should be celebrated, and the growth in high school ACT scores and elementary math scores do indicate progress,” said Stuart Luppescu, chief psychometrican for the Chicago Consortium and the lead author of the report. “Unfortunately, we also found reasons for substantial concern: Racial achievement gaps are growing, and average achievement across the district remains very low.”

Many of the findings in this report contradict trends that appear in publicly reported data. For instance, publicly reported statistics indicate that CPS has made tremendous progress in elementary math and reading tests, while this analysis demonstrates only incremental gains in math and almost no growth in reading. The discrepancies are due to myriad issues with publicly reported data—including changes in test content and scoring—that make year-over-year comparisons nearly impossible without complex statistical analyses, such as those undertaken for this report.

This leads to another key message in this report: The publicly reported statistics used to hold schools and districts accountable for making academic progress are not accurate measures of progress.

A grant from the Chicago Community Trust funded the research that formed the basis for the report.

Report: Chicago school achievement remains low, despite 20 years of reform | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Each week high school football teams across the country are making bold plays – their own Friday night feats. From now until November 28th the biggest moments of the season as captured on video by players, parents and fans can win up to $17,500 for their high school.

The 26 first half winners will each receive a prize of $2,500 for their respective school, and be entered for a chance at the grand prize of $15,000! Through Friday Night Feats, State Farm recognizes the hard work and effort of high school students to get their community and their school to a better state. Make sure to check out our media player which includes the three winning videos from 2010 and some other key facts about the program!

State Farm Friday Night Feats First Half Voting Ends Oct. 6th | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO – September 15, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today continued his commitment to improving education in Illinois by joining students, parents, advocates and community leaders to open the United Neighborhood Organization’s (UNO) newest charter school on Chicago’s West Side. The state provided a $27 million Illinois Jobs Now! capital investment to build UNO’s Soccer Academy Elementary School, which employed nearly 400 workers during construction and is now creating 42 full- and part-time permanent jobs.

“Making sure that every child in Illinois has access to a quality education is a top priority of my administration and parents throughout Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “This project is the next step of many we are taking to give parents more good options to ensure their children have opportunities to succeed.”

The UNO Soccer Academy Elementary School is based on an innovative concept of integrating the game of soccer into a traditional curriculum, including science, social studies, math and physical fitness, with the goal of using sports as a motivational tool to make sure students are academically well-rounded. The school will eventually be a part of a larger campus that includes a high school, stadium and community plaza.

“This school will help alleviate overcrowding on Chicago’s Southwest Side and bring a quality option to parents and their children,” Juan Rangel, CEO of UNO said. “I thank Governor Quinn for his commitment to improving public education throughout our state.”

The school will serve approximately 575 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and help relieve overcrowding that has plagued schools in many Chicago communities. The new 63,000 square foot facility located at 5050 South Homan Street was designed to meet LEED Silver Certified Standards. More than 46 percent of the firms that participated in construction of this project are minority-owned businesses and 10.3 percent are female -owned businesses.

“Funding through the state’s capital plan will allow UNO to devote more resources to improving classroom education, while also allowing them to remain on the cutting-edge in terms of efficiency and sustainability,” said Warren Ribley, director of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the state agency in charge of administering the grant.

Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program includes nearly $100 million for UNO charter schools that will alleviate school overcrowding and provide quality education options for Illinois children. To date, the state has invested more than $30 million for green, capital and digital literacy initiatives at UNO schools. In addition to UNO’s new neighborhood school, DCEO has provided support for a number of other UNO projects, including a new green roof and solar heating system at Veterans Memorial Charter School Campus, as well as capital funds for construction of the facility. The state also provided $369,000 from the Digital Divide Grant Program to help provide computer training for more than 2,600 low-income individuals.

Governor Quinn Opens Innovative Charter School on Chicago’s Southwest Side – UNO’s “Soccer Academy Elementary School” Will Relieve Overcrowding, Provide More School Options | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

By Benjamin Yount | Illinois Statehouse News

SPRINGFIELD —  After a hearing where the judge asked a question with a “plfftt” of his tongue, serious constitutional issues are expected to decide if Illinois’ regional superintendents will be paid soon.

“What if I issue an order, and the governor says, ‘Plfftt’?,” Schmidt pondered in court Thursday.

Illinois’ 44 regional school superintendents are asking Schmidt to issue a temporary restraining order that would force Quinn to pay them. The superintendents have not been paid since July 1, when Quinn zeroed out $11 million from the state budget that was supposed to pay their salaries.

Schmidt is expected to render a decision Friday.

But her work on the 1970 Illinois Constitution, specifically her backing of the amendatory veto, has her interested in this case. The state constitution gives the governor strong power to shape the state budget, but he cannot increase it. He only can cut or amend, under the amendatory veto power.

“I think this is pushing the power of the veto beyond what it was meant to be,” Netsch said. “Can he effectively eliminate a statutorily created office by using his fiscal veto to wipe out its appropriation? That’s quite a substantial question.”

“As long as there is very clear legislative direction to pay certain amounts of money, that suffices for the issuance of state checks,” Schmadeke said.

But attorneys for the state say the issue is about the constitutional right of the power to spend, not how a governor uses that power.

“Just because the power may be abused doesn’t mean the power does not exist,” Assistant Attorney General Terence Corrigan said Thursday in court.

Netsch said Quinn should have tried to frame paying the superintendents as a policy issue.

“Are the regional superintendents worth the money given the state’s economic woes?” Netsch asked.

But she is quick to say that Quinn “should have gone through the Legislature.”

“I was legally placed in this office by the voters,” said Vose. “We’re mandated by law, by school code.”

Illinois’ regional superintendents all earn about $100,000 a year. They are tasked with a number of jobs that fall somewhere between the State Board of Education and local school districts. Regional superintendents, for example, must oversee new teacher certification, GED testing, and truancy programs. Vose and the others are quick to say they are often stuck enforcing state mandates created by the Legislature.

Quinn has said repeatedly that he wants to see the superintendents paid, but the money should come from local taxpayers, not the state.

The General Assembly is expected to either act on Quinn’s pay shifting proposal or his veto in the fall veto session in October. 

Originally reported by Illinois Statehouse News. Read the original article here.

Constitutional questions at heart of superintendent pay case | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –   Some exceptional young people from the Springfield area who volunteer their time to serve others have been selected as this year’s Twilight Parade Grand Marshals.  The 2011 Grand Marshals were selected for their commitment to serving others through the Serve Illinois Commission, whose mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. Eight of the grand marshals are AmeriCorps members from the Springfield Urban League and serve as tutors and mentors for afterschool programs.  The others are students from Springfield Public School District 186 who volunteer their time by serving food to the hungry at St. John’s Breadline and by working at the Springfield Ronald McDonald House.

“This year we decided to recognize the impressive volunteer efforts of Illinois youth,” Illinois State Fair Manager Amy Bliefnick said. “Keeping in line with the state fair theme, ‘We’ve Got a Good Thing Growing,’ these grand marshals demonstrate that Illinois continues to grow responsible and dedicated young men and women who will become future leaders of our state.”

The 2011 Grand Marshals are:

Springfield Urban League AmeriCorps                     Springfield District 186 Youth

Brandis Holloway                                                         Lance Boozer               Corey Todd

Janette Stewart                                                             Justin Palmer                Dennis Shannon

Saraya Curry                                                                Ben Patton                   Kendall Murdock

Uniquika Boyd                                                             Cameron Drake            Rachel Ray

Karson Moore                                                             Monica DeVault           Zach Wilson

Aaron Slater                                                                 Kristin Coogan            Camren Sisti

MorrQuem Hobson                                                      Taylor Lanctot

Lamond McCrary                                                         Lyndsey Stoutamyer

The Twilight Parade is held on Preview Day, Thursday, Aug. 11.  It will begin at 6 p.m. at the corner of 9th Street and North Grand Avenue and end inside the Illinois State Fairgrounds.  The Illinois State Fair runs Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 21.  For more information, please visit www.illinoisstatefair.info.

Illinois Youth Volunteers Will Serve As Grand Marshals Of The 2011 Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, Aug. 5, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — BMO Harris Bank announced today that it will sponsor the Safe Haven Back to School Rally in partnership with Chicago Public Schools to encourage first-day attendance among Chicago students.

The rally will take place Friday, Aug. 5 in Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Approximately 3,500 students will take part in the event, along with community leaders, sponsors, and entertainers, all joined together to promote this year’s theme, “FIRST DAY: Better Attendance, Better Students, Better Life.” 

“As a company committed to educating and enriching the lives of those who live and work in our communities, BMO Harris Bank continually emphasizes the importance of education to today’s young people and the impact it has on their future,” said Mark Furlong, president and CEO of BMO Harris Bank N.A. “Encouraging educational development through events like today’s rally further strengthens and empowers our communities — and we truly believe their success is our success.”

Created out of a partnership between Chicago Public Schools and more than 100 churches, Safe Haven is a faith-based initiative that takes place during the summer and other breaks throughout the school year. Serving more than 5,000 Chicago Public School students, the program provides students with healthy meals, academic enrichment, recreational activities, and a safe place to spend their summer days.

“Instruction begins on the first day of school and we need every student in class from day one so that they do not fall behind,” said CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard. “I know from personal experience as a teacher and a principal that the time spent in the classroom on the first day sets the tone and culture for the rest of the school year and increases a student’s chance for success. That is why we are grateful to our partners for their support in CPS’s efforts to get kids in the classroom on the first day and every day.”

To celebrate the beginning of another school year, the Safe Haven Back to School Rally will include horse rides, moonwalks, giveaways, musical entertainment and other activities for students of all ages.

About BMO Harris Bank

Based in Chicago, the bank has approximately 700 branches and approximately 1,350 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida.  BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial institution with 1,600 branches, a retail deposit base of approximately $180 billion, and combined U.S. businesses that rank as the 12th largest commercial bank, by assets, in the United States.

BMO Harris Bank is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Banking deposit and loan products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. Brokerage products are offered through Harris Investor Services, Inc. (HIS), a registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC-registered investment advisor. Insurance products are offered through Harris Bancorp Insurance Services, Inc. (HBIS). Investment banking services are provided by BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCMC) and BMO Capital Markets GKST, Inc. (GKST), a Municipal Bond Dealer and member FINRA and SIPC. Financial planning and investment advisory services are provided by Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, Inc. (Harris SBSB), an SEC registered investment advisor. Family Office Services are provided by Harris myCFO, Inc. Investment advisory services are offered by Harris myCFO Investment Advisory Services LLC (Harris myCFO), an SEC-registered investment advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris myCFO, Inc. Stoker Ostler Wealth Advisors (Stoker Ostler) is an SEC-registered investment advisor. Investment advisory services to institutional clients are provided by Harris Investment Management (HIM) or its wholly-owned subsidiary HIM Monegy (Monegy), SEC-registered investment advisors. Products offered by HIS, HBIS, BMOCM, Harris SBSB, Harris myCFO, Stoker Ostler, HIM, and Monegy, which are affiliated companies and wholly owned subsidiaries of BMO Financial Corp.,: Are not insured by the FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, not a deposit of or guaranteed by any Bank or Bank Affiliate, may lose value. The purchase of insurance or an annuity is not a condition to any bank loan or service. Not all products and services are offered in every state and/or location.

SOURCE BMO Harris Bank

http://www.harrisbank.com

BMO Harris Bank Sponsors Safe Haven Back to School Rally for Chicago Public Schools | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO – August 1, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed historic legislation to increase education opportunities to children of immigrants in Illinois. The Illinois DREAM Act creates a privately-funded scholarship program for high school graduates from immigrant families who wish to attend college.

“All children have the right to a first-class education,” Governor Quinn said. “The Illinois DREAM Act creates more opportunities for the children of immigrants to achieve a fulfilling career, brighter future and better life through higher education.”

Senate Bill 2185, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eddie Acevedo (D-Chicago), establishes a nine-member Illinois DREAM Fund Commission to manage the program, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The commission will help establish privately-funded scholarships for students who have resided with their parents while attending high school in Illinois, earned their high school diploma, attended school in Illinois for at least three years, and have at least one parent who immigrated to the United States.

In addition, the new law allows any person with a Social Security or taxpayer identification number to participate in a state-operated college savings pool. It also requires high school counselors to provide college information to all children of immigrants. Children of immigrants will have unprecedented opportunities to access higher education as a result of the Illinois Dream Act.

“We should be opening, not shutting doors of opportunity for young students regardless of how or why they are living in Illinois,” said President Cullerton. “This new law moves the state beyond the rhetoric of equal opportunity by making the dream of a college education a reality for more of Illinois’ outstanding students.”

The new law was one of Governor Quinn’s top priorities during the spring legislative session. The Governor recognized that it would ensure that Illinois continues to lead the nation in increasing access to top-quality education, which is critical to retaining our best and brightest students and ensuring our continued success in the competitive global economy.

Students, community leaders and elected officials from across the state joined Governor Quinn to celebrate the new law that brings more affordability and better access to higher education in Illinois.

“Immigrants are a driving force in our city’s cultural and economic life, and opening the way for all Chicago students to earn an excellent higher education will make our city even stronger,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I am proud that families and students across Illinois will now have a better shot at the American Dream — which starts with a great education.”

With an estimated 65 percent of immigrant students coming from households earning below 200 percent of the poverty line, the financial barriers to higher education for academically qualified immigrant students are steep. Through the DREAM commission, Illinois leaders will now be able to raise private funds to help these students achieve their full potential.

“We thank Governor Quinn for his continuous support and his tireless work for the immigrant community,” said Lawrence Benito, Deputy Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). “The signing of this bill into law is historic and it confirms that Illinois is not only an immigrant-friendly state but also a national leader on moving fair, humane, and practical solutions.”

The DREAM Act passed with bipartisan legislative support and with the strong support of the education community. The commission will provide training to school service personnel and work with admission and financial aid officers and high school counselors across Illinois to help students utilize the wide array of higher education opportunities.

“The Illinois DREAM Act is a crucial step in the right direction, ensuring that worthy students are no longer denied the life-changing opportunity of college simply because their immigration status puts needed financial aid out of reach,” said University of Illinois President Michael J. Hogan. “I’m grateful to our legislators and Governor Quinn for supporting the shared vision that bright minds are our most precious resource and must be cultivated, not thwarted by outdated immigration laws.”

Governor Quinn Signs Illinois DREAM Act – Landmark Law Increases Higher Education Opportunities for Children of Immigrants | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Coaches, athletic trainers and volunteers hear the hard-hitting facts on brain injuries at Northwestern Medicine event  

CHICAGO, July 28, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ —  When in doubt, sit them out—that’s the message more than 100 coaches, athletic trainers and volunteers heard at the “Playing it Safe: Changing the Mindset Around Concussion Safety” symposium held Wednesday, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.  The free event hosted by Northwestern Medicine™, the shared vision of Northwestern Memorial and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, addressed the hard-hitting facts about concussions and the new Illinois legislation that will protect student athletes expected to be signed by Governor Pat Quinn Thursday, July 28 at Soldier Field.

“Concussions aren’t discriminatory; they affect people of all ages and all activities, even in non-contact sports such as gymnastics or cheerleading,” said Hunt Batjer, MD, chair of the department of neurological surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “In fact, young girls may be at a higher risk than boys when it comes to concussions.”

A concussion can occur anytime there’s a hit to the head causing jarring or shaking that disturbs brain function. “The brain is like jello, when jello is impacted it’s going to move within the bowl. The same thing applies for a brain; even if it’s the slightest impact the brain is affected,” said Carrie Jaworski, MD, head team physician for Northwestern University Athletics.

Attendees heard from experts in neurosciences, sports medicine and athletic trainers about what happens to the brain when a concussion occurs, return to play guidelines and why there is a need for a culture change in sports that eliminates pressure to play following a blow to the head.

Former football great Dan Hampton provided anecdotal stories from his years playing professional sports.  ”I played during what I call the ‘crash-test for dummies’ period.  Players would get hit so hard they wouldn’t even know how to walk off the field,” said Hampton.  ”I wish these discussions happened back when I played.  Today most people are aware of the effects of a concussion, that wasn’t the case when I played.”

A major misconception addressed was that a player needs to lose consciousness to be considered concussed.  When in fact, the majority of concussions do not result in a complete black-out and coaches and athletic trainers must recognize those symptoms which can include: appearing dazed or stunned; confusion about an assignment or position; forgetting a play; uncertainty of game, score, or opponent; moving clumsily; answering questions slowly; losing consciousness (even briefly); behavior or personality changes; and the inability to recall events before or after a hit or fall. 

“If an outgoing and boisterous athlete on your team suddenly becomes quiet or withdrawn, this is a cue that the player needs to be taken out and evaluated.  The signs can be very subtle, but if you feel like something is wrong, you need to assume it is,” said Adam Bennett, MD, sports medicine physician at Northwestern Memorial and assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Feinberg School.

Gina Martin, who traveled from LaSalle, Ill., to attend the symposium, is an athletic trainer for LaSalle Peru High School where they have already started implementing a concussion policy.  ”It was great to hear from a variety of presenters especially from athletic directors representing other schools; they are the ones who have a major voice on the field and it’s great to get their perspective on the issue.”  Martin commented that her school will soon expand its policy to include all sports after hearing experts speak at the “Playing It Safe” symposium.

Another important message reiterated throughout the day was the need to sideline players until all concussion symptoms subside. Returning to play prematurely puts children at risk for a disabling or fatal brain injury.  ”Athletes must be kept out of the game until fully recovered from a concussion and this means all symptoms such as eating, sleeping and concentration,” said Kurt Becker, former Chicago Bear and high school football coach at Marmion Academy in Aurora, Ill.  

If athletes begin playing too soon, they are at a greater risk for second impact syndrome which occurs when a second blow to the head happens prior to the child recovering from the initial concussion. This can cause the brain to swell rapidly, creating a serious medical emergency.  ”The brain is more vulnerable to injury after the first hit, so even minimal force can cause serious, irreversible damage,” added Batjer.  

The coaches, athletic trainers and directors were provided with resources to bring the message back to their teams, schools and parents.  Northwestern Medicine provided concussion toolkits with educational materials geared towards raising awareness about brain injuries in youth sports.  The Illinois High School Association, a partner in the “Playing It Safe” event, also announced that their website will host free concussion information including form templates and schedules for free concussion education courses.

Attendees were encouraged to create an environment safe for play which includes encouraging open dialogue and speaking up when injured.  ”Players can shake off pain in the leg, but they should understand that they should never shake off a head injury,” added Batjer.

To find a physician please visit http://www.nmh.org/nm/physician-finder or call 312-926-0779.

About Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare is the parent corporation of Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital, an 854-bed academic medical center hospital and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, a 205-bed community hospital located in Lake Forest, Illinois. 

About Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial is one of the country’s premier academic medical center hospitals and is the primary teaching hospital of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.  Along with its Prentice Women’s Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry, the hospital comprises 854 beds, 1,603 affiliated physicians and 7,144 employees.  Northwestern Memorial is recognized for providing exemplary patient care and state-of-the art advancements in the areas of cardiovascular care; women’s health; oncology; neurology and neurosurgery; solid organ and soft tissue transplants and orthopaedics.

Northwestern Memorial possesses nursing Magnet Status, the nation’s highest recognition for patient care and nursing excellence.  It is also listed in 13 clinical specialties in U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 “America’s Best Hospitals” guide and ranks No. 1 in Chicago in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals metro area rankings. For 10 years running, Northwestern Memorial has been rated among the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” guide by Working Mother magazine. The hospital is a recipient of the prestigious National Quality Health Care Award and has been chosen by Chicagoans as the Consumer Choice according to the National Research Corporation’s annual survey for 11 years.  

SOURCE Northwestern Memorial Hospital

http://www.nmh.org

Concussion Symposium Draws Statewide Audience for Dialogue on Safe Play in Youth Sports | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO – Lt. Governor Sheila Simon visited a third grade class in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood today, pledging to fight for the education reforms that will help them become the college Class of 2025.

Simon read and sang with the Irma C. Ruiz Elementary School students and told them to aim high when it comes to their future. She pointed out three summer school aides that graduated from Ruiz who now attend college at Northern Illinois, Emory and Georgetown universities.

“Never doubt that if you work hard and stay in school, you can go to college,” said Lt. Governor Simon. “I can tell you, and these young women can tell you, that going to college changes everything. It can open the door to your dreams.”

As the Governor’s point person on education reform, Simon has embarked on a statewide Complete College tour this year, visiting dozens of community colleges and addressing lawmakers, school leaders and teachers, urging them to make data-driven, student-centered reforms that could lead to higher graduation and completion rates.

Illinois wants 60 percent of all working age adults (25-64) to hold a college degree or certificate by 2025, up from about 40 percent today. In order to reach this goal, Illinois’ postsecondary institutions must increase the number of graduates statewide by 4,400 students each year, for a total of 600,000 additional graduates by 2025, according to the state’s 2010 Complete College America self-assessment report.

Upcoming education reforms aimed at reaching this goal include lengthening of the Chicago Public Schools’ day and improving principal and teacher evaluation systems that will make it easier for excellent teachers to get tenure and underperforming teachers to be dismissed.

Simon also called on Governor Quinn to sign a performance funding bill that’s on his desk, which would create a system to tie state higher education dollars to completion milestones. The state expects to hear this week if it will receive a $1 million grant to help develop and implement the reform.

“We have a performance funding system now that rewards enrollment, and we need to shift that to reward course completions, graduation and other markers of progress and success,” Simon said.

Simon was joined by former Chicago City Clerk Miguel del Valle, whom she serves with on the state’s P-20 Council, a state education body focused on preschool to college reforms.

“Developing a seamless system of quality education is vital to maximizing students’ growth and future success,” del Valle said. “I am encouraged by Lt. Governor Simon’s work to motivate students to complete college, and look forward to working with her to make the state’s 2025 goal a reality.”

Ruiz Elementary School is a neighborhood school that primarily enrolls low-income, Hispanic students. About 69 percent met or exceeded state standards on the 2010 ISAT, according to the school’s online interactive report card. Simon interacted with second and third graders in “step up” and bridge programs, designed to help their transition to the next grade level.

Principal Dana Butler said he recruits Ruiz alumni such as Janet Anaya, Eunice Ruiz and Elisa Manrique to work at the school over the summer so students can connect to people just like them who are going to college.

“When a Ruiz student hears about a student who has gone on to high school and then college, they smile. When a Ruiz student talks with a student who has gone on to high school and then college, they are impressed and ask questions,” Butler said.

Lt. Governor Simon visits Pilsen summer school, urges future Class of 2025 to aim for college | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

CHICAGO, July 20, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — As one of the most important seasons on the retail calendar approaches, retailers can expect bitter news to accompany the sweet: back-to-school shoppers will spend more than last year, but make fewer trips to the store.

According to ShopperTrak — the world’s largest counter and analyzer of retail foot traffic — national retail sales, when compared to the same period last year, will rise 3.8 percent in August, while foot traffic will decrease 2.9 percent.

ShopperTrak measures foot-traffic in more than 25,000 stores in the United States and analyzes the data in a proprietary econometric model to create its National Retail Sales Estimate™ (NRSE) of general merchandise, apparel and accessories, furniture and other sales (GAFO).  Its estimate precedes the federal government’s official reports by several weeks and since January 2005 it has been accurate to plus or minus 3 percent.

U.S. retail spending has been positive since February 2010, and ShopperTrak’s back-to-school sales increase prediction follows 17 consecutive months of year-over-year growth, according to previous ShopperTrak NRSE reports. Because gas prices are 30 percent higher this summer than last, however, ShopperTrak expects foot-traffic to drop by 2.9 percent. In 2010, the back-to-school season saw a 0.5 percent decline in foot-traffic compared to 2009.  The forecasted numbers may drop further if Congress fails to act on the U.S. debt ceiling and nervous Americans decide to cut their spending.

“With back-to-school shoppers planning fewer trips to the store — and continued economic uncertainty — retailers must maximize the limited number of opportunities to convert browsers to buyers,” said ShopperTrak co-founder, Bill Martin. “Tracking daily foot traffic and understanding store traffic patterns will equip retailers with meaningful business intelligence to ensure the best possible in-store experience for the customer and the maximum shopper conversion rate for the store.”

Back-to-school sales and traffic have historically served as a key indicator for the winter holiday shopping season for retailers.  The data also help investment firms estimate future sales and earnings of publicly traded retailers.  Retailers who track and benchmark their store traffic and sales are in the best position to accurately pinpoint trends, popular products and take the necessary steps to improve store performance.

About ShopperTrak

A privately held entity, ShopperTrak leverages 20 years of retail expertise to be the industry’s authority for information and analysis of the movement of shoppers in retail environments. ShopperTrak’s cutting-edge retail intelligence solutions enable retail companies to benchmark their traffic and revenues at the national, regional and local levels and to better understand retail trends while determining the impact of store and staff performance on company revenues. With more than 50,000 units installed in the world’s best known retail outlets and malls, the company’s solutions provide a proven means for retailers to gauge labor efficiencies, advertising and marketing efforts, store design and remodeling programs, merchandise changes, associate training programs, and other budget-intensive strategic initiatives. For more information visit www.shoppertrak.com.

About the National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE)

Developed by ShopperTrak, the National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE) provides a nationwide benchmark of GAFO retail sales. NRSE is derived from the U.S. Commerce Department’s GAFO (general merchandise, apparel, furniture, sporting goods, electronics, hobby, books and other related store sales) statistic, as well as ShopperTrak’s proprietary industry intelligence on shopper foot traffic and sales. NRSE provides retailers, investors and policy makers the most accurate and timely information on consumer sales trends available today.

The data contained within this news release is the property of ShopperTrak Corporation and may be reprinted, published or broadcast, provided proper credit is given to the National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE), the ShopperTrak Retail Traffic Index and ShopperTrak Corporation as the supplier of the information.

For more information on ShopperTrak’s Retail Traffic Indices and the National Retail Sales Estimate of GAFO Retail Sales, please visit ShopperTrak’s Website, www.shoppertrak.com.

SOURCE ShopperTrak

http://www.shoppertrak.com

Retailers Should Expect Fewer Shoppers, But Bigger Tickets During ‘Back to School’ Season, ShopperTrak Experts Predict | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Three members of the faculty in the Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine have received named faculty appointments.

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Three faculty members in Pritzker, BSD receive named appointments | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education will honor Timothy Knowles, the John Dewey Director of the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute, with its 2011 Alumni Council Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education.

Knowles to receive Alumni Council Award from Harvard Graduate School of Education | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

WHEN:
May 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28 at 8 p.m.; May 22 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:
UIC Theatre
1044 W. Harrison St.

DETAILS:
This one-act play is set in a London apartment where the power has failed. In a reverse lighting scheme, it begins with a darkened stage that lights up only after the electricity goes out.

Brindley, a sculptor engaged to a debutante, has borrowed his neighbor’s antique furniture without permission to impress his fiancee’s father and an elderly millionaire coming to view his artwork. When the power goes out, the neighbor comes home early, and Brindley’s ex-mistress shows up unexpectedly.

General admission is $20; UIC theatre alumni, $15; and students, $10. For information or to reserve tickets, please call (312) 857-8487. Tickets placed on reserve will be held until 15 minutes before the performance.

About the director:William F. Raffeld has directed more than 200 plays at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Theatre of Moscow Southwest, Northwestern University, UIC, and California State University, Long Beach, where he spent two years as resident guest artist. He was artistic director of the Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll.

At UIC, Raffeld has taught acting, directing and staging and administered theatre programs for 45 years, including developing an 18-year-old exchange with Theatre of Moscow Southwest and exchanges with the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain. He also taught and directed at the Latin School of Chicago and founded a theatre school in the Ruth Page Center for the Arts during the 1980s.

As a dancer and actor, Raffeld played the grandfather in “The Nutcracker” at the Arie Crown Theater for 26 years and now plays the role for Civic Ballet of Chicago. He founded the Old World Theatre Company in 1979.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theater Arts. In Hollywood, he directed plays for various theatres and worked in production at ABC Television. He returned to Chicago for doctoral studies at Northwestern University.

Raffeld serves on the board of the Civic Ballet of Chicago and on the Chicago/Moscow Sister Cities Committee. A scholarship at UIC has been established in his name.

UIC Theatre Alumni Troupe Presents ‘Black Comedy’ | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

In a spirited conversation that recently took place at the UChicago charter school Woodlawn Campus, two high school students practiced their debate skills as they took differing positions on the role of military troops on the Japanese island of Okinawa.

“Okinawa has a large American base and people have protested having it on the island,” said junior A’Shonti McHenry. “The government wanted it out,” she said, referring to a recent parliamentary campaign.

“But what about the bilateral agreement to keep the base there?” countered sophomore Mikhal Randall.

As Randall continued to challenge McHenry’s position, another debate team member recorded the arguments and counterpoints on the black board as part of a flow chart. Other members of the 12-student team were taking notes or coaching the half dozen middle school students from the Woodlawn campus who also want to learn how to skillfully debate.

The Woodlawn Campus debate team has made remarkable progress in just one year, said Shariba Rivers, debate coach. The team won the championship of the AA division of the Chicago Debate League. The school also was asked to send two members to take part in the national qualifying round, something unusual for a first-year team. In a rare move, the team will be moved up to the next level of competition after its first year of competing.

University of Chicago charter school’s Woodlawn students excel in first year of debate competition | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.