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Officials Detail Plan to Handle Asian Carp

February 8, 2010

WASHINGTON -- After a White House meeting christened the "carp summit," federal and state officials today announced a multi-pronged attack with a $78.5 million price tag to prevent Asian carp, an invasive species, from establishing populations in Lake Michigan.

Nancy Sutley, the president's top environmental adviser, led the meeting at the request of the governors of Michigan and Wisconsin, who were on hand. Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois was scheduled to attend, but cancelled his travel plans because of the winter weather and planned to take part by teleconference, said Marlena Jentz, a spokeswoman.

Caterpillar Joins Backers of FutureGen

February 8, 2010

ABC News

Caterpillar Inc., the world's largest maker of mining and construction equipment, plans to join a coalition of companies planning to build an experimental clean-coal power plant known as FutureGen, key politicians announced Monday. Gov. Pat Quinn and Sen. Dick Durbin said the addition of Caterpillar comes on the heels of a decision by Chicago-based Exelon Corp. — one of the nation's biggest power generators — to join the FutureGen Alliance seeking to build the 275-megawatt plant near Mattoon in eastern Illinois.

Obama Calls Quinn, Giannoulias With Congratulations

February 3, 2010

The Chicago Sun Times

CHICAGO — President Barack Obama is offering his congratulations to two Illinois Democrats. The president called Gov. Pat Quinn and state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias on Wednesday to congratulate them on the primary election. Quinn is ahead in the race for the nomination for governor. He has claimed victory although rival Dan Hynes has not conceded. Giannoulias won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. He’ll be running for the same seat that Obama held before being elected president. The Republican nominee for governor hasn’t been settled yet. In the Senate race, Republicans nominated Rep. Mark Kirk.

Governor Quinn Announces Capital Funding For Rockford Passenger Rail

January 31, 2010

IGNN

Governor Pat Quinn today visited Rockford to award $60 million in state capital funds to establish passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford. The new service could result in as many as 2,000 new jobs, including more than 650 construction jobs. “This week, we were happy to receive $1.2 billion in federal money for high-speed rail that will take people between Chicago and St. Louis,” said Governor Quinn. “Now we want to make sure people can travel from Chicago to Rockford and beyond. This new line is going to connect Chicago to the western part of our state, create jobs and bring more visitors to the city of Rockford.”

Governor Quinn, Senator Durbin Announce Exelon Corporation Joining FutureGen Alliance

January 30, 2010

PR Newswire

Governor Pat Quinn and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced that the Exelon Corporation will join ranks alongside some of the world's largest energy corporations as a member of the FutureGen Alliance. Exelon's membership signals critical support ahead of the U.S. Department of Energy's (USDOE) pending decision to move ahead on FutureGen construction. At a time of high unemployment, FutureGen also creates jobs and economic growth. Initial estimates state that 1,300 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs would be created through FutureGen.