Digital Manufacturing Lab

 

Yesterday, President Obama officially announced that UI Labs in Illinois has been selected by the Department of Defense to lead a new Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute. This “Digital Lab” will bring the future of American manufacturing to Illinois, create thousands of good paying jobs, improve military readiness and make our economy more competitive.

I first got involved in this project more than a year ago when the President announced in his State of the Union address the creation of three new advanced manufacturing institutes. For several months now, I talked with everyone in the Administration and the Defense the Department who would listen. And they’ve told me how impressive Illinois’ application for the institute was.

UI Labs is bringing together some of the best, most well-respected corporations and academic institutions Illinois has to offer in order to take on this project. Nearly every region of the state will contribute on this project and better yet, nearly every part will have the chance to grow and create jobs because of the unique capabilities of the Digital Lab in Illinois.

In the Quad Cities, regional partners include the Quad Cities Manufacturing Lab, John Deere, Western Illinois University – Engineer Campus and Black Hawk Community College. This new Digital Lab will strengthen the long-term outlook for the Rock Island Arsenal and create new public private partnership opportunities to maintain and expand capacity.

In Southern Illinois, already a home to defense manufacturing at Mid-America Airport, key partners like Southern Illinois University, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Southwestern Illinois College are already working together to improve manufacturing efficiency and processes to create new opportunities for Illinois businesses and workers.

And in Champaign, Illinois, a nondescript building on the University of Illinois’ campus houses the Blue Waters Supercomputer, one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world. Locating the Digital Lab in Illinois would not have been possible without the unique tools the University of Illinois brings to the table by way of their engineering expertise, business development experience, and the Blue Waters Supercomputer.

This was a bipartisan effort from start to finish. The entire Illinois Congressional Delegation – including my Senate colleague Mark Kirk – put their party coats on the hooks by the door and came inside and said, “let’s do this together.” And we did. I am proud of our effort, and look forward to working together with UI Labs and their partners to begin building this new Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute.

Stay Informed

Stay informed on what I am doing for Illinois and what is happening in Congress by visiting my website.  If you have a question, a comment, or are in need of assistance, please contact my office at one of the phone numbers below or send me an email.

Office phone numbers:

Washington, DC: (202) 224-2152
Chicago: (312) 353-4952
Springfield: (217) 492-4062
Carbondale: (618) 351-1122
Rock Island: (309) 786-5173

Sierra Club Site features local farmers and their wind farm plans

The above is taken from:  https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=13003&autologin=true&s_src=214BCOAC10

Rock River Valley leaders unaware of video gaming machine installation - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Jennifer Wheeler
Rockford Register Star

Belvidere leaders said they were kept in the dark last fall until the Illinois Gaming Board's monthly report was released, listing numerous local businesses with live terminals. That's when leaders determined the stores operating these machines had not obtained the necessary local permits or paid the required licensing fees.

"It didn't come on our radar until we got the revenue," Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain said.

He said he wasn't aware a single video gaming machine had been turned on until his office received it's local share of September revenue from the video gaming machines - totaling $61.35.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING:  Rock River Valley leaders unaware of video gaming machine installation - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Boone County sheriff candidates face off in question-and-answer session - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Susan Vela
Rockford Register Star

Vying to become Boone County's top law enforcer, Republican sheriff candidates Phil Beu and Dave Ernest distinguished themselves Tuesday at an hour-long question-and-answer session before nearly 100 audience members.

Beu, 54, spent 32 years with the sheriff's office, holding various positions including master sergeant/lieutenant of operations. His duties also once included hiring for the agency now employing nearly 40 deputies, which he said gave him knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses.

"When you see patrol cars, that's a deterrent," he said, of the importance of officers out in the community.

Ernest, 50, is the deputy chief of the Belvidere Police Department.

"I love that department. And I love that city," he said, highlighting his experience fighting gang activity and his philosophy about working with the community.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Boone County sheriff candidates face off in question-and-answer session - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Bus service expansion in Roscoe Township up to residents - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

SMTD operates under the direction of the Rockford Mass Transit District, which oversees the housing, operation and staffing of the SMTD buses. The non-profit transportation service was launched in February 2008 and already provides service to residents in South Beloit, Roscoe, Rockton and Rockton Township. The service does not run on fixed routes but is a dial-up, door-to-door service. Roscoe Township's 30 square miles include parts of South Beloit and most of Roscoe.

"This is not a question of increased taxes, it is a question of 'What do the people want?' and will the board heed the decision of the people," said SMTD Executive Director Sharon Hecox.

The initial annual cost to expand service to the township is estimated at $3,000, a figure Hecox said that could go up or down based on usage by township residents. Hecox said the township may already have the funds needed to support the service.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Bus service expansion in Roscoe Township up to residents - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL