Monday, May 31, 2010

Pictures of Memorial Day 2010 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois

President Obama speaks to the crowd at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.  President Obama directed everyone back to their cars because of lightning and heavy rain.


President Obama, Memorial Day Service 2010 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery



An honor guard at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony



Flags at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

Flags and the crowd at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2010

MP Officer, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2010



President Obama Participates in Memorial Day Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois

President Obama will participate in the Memorial Day Service today at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Pace buses are currently busing the public from a parking lot to the cemetery.

Will County Sheriff Officers help direct Pace shuttle buses to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.  Pictured is the entrance to the cemetery at Rt. 53 and Hoff Road.


An American Legion Post prepares to conduct a Memorial Day Service at a local Elwood Cemetery.  In the background, a police office directs traffic to the parking lot for the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Day Service.



A police office directs traffic to the parking lot for the Memorial Day Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. A large crowd is expected to turn out to see President Obama.  

An American Legion Post prepares to conduct a Memorial Day Service at a local Elwood Cemetery.  In the background, a police office directs traffic to the parking lot for the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Day Service.

Pace buses shuttle people from the parking lot to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery provides instructions for those attending Memorial Day Ceremony, where President Obama will participate

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery has released information for those planning on attending Memorial Day Services on May 31, 2010.  President Obama will participate in the ceremony.

Instructions for attending the service include information regarding parking and security.

The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required.

For those living in Chicago and areas north of the cemetery who may want to take the train in and then have someone pick them up, the closest Metra stations are in Joliet and Manhattan. 

For those driving, you will park at West Baseline Rd and Mississippi Ave. in Elwood, IL, and then be shuttled in by bus to the cemetery.  Buses will also take you back to your car at the end of the ceremony.

According to the Instructions, carpooling is stronly encouraged.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

President Obama to Participate in 2010 Memorial Day Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois

According to a press release on whitehouse.gov, President Barack Obama will participate in the 2010 Memorial Day ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

From the press release:

 "WASHINGTON—On Thursday, May 27, President Barack Obama and his family will travel to Chicago, where they will spend the weekend.  On Monday, the President will participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois."

On May 30, 2005, then U.S. Senator Obama participated in the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony, his first visit to the National Cemetery located about an hour south of Chicago.






Here is a map of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois:

Here are scanned images of the Program for the 2005 Memorial Day Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.  Obama gave the Memorial Day Address at the May 30, 2005 Ceremony.  

Image of the inside of the program from the 2005 Memorial Day Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery:





Photo of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois




Photo of flagpole and monument, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois



2010 Memorial Day in Braidwood, Illinois


The sacrifice of many will be recalled during the annual Reed Township Memorial Day Program in Braidwood, Illinois.

Sponsored by the American Legion Koca Post 39, the ceremony begins at 9 a.m., at the Reed Township Veterans Memorial on Main Street, directly across from the Braidwood City Hall on Monday. Speakers will be State Rep. Careen Gordon and Braidwood Mayor Sue Grygiel.

The Invocation will be by Rev. Kurt Ulmer of Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church. The “Star Spangled Banner” will be presented by the Reed Custer Music Department Madrigal Choir.   American Legion Koca Post # 39 Commander James Canup will welcome everyone.

Each of the Armed Forces songs will be played, with veterans from each branch standing during the song. Placing of the wreath, Taps, closing remarks and benediction will close the ceremony, following by everyone singing, “God Bless America.”

Monday, May 24, 2010

President Obama to Participate in Memorial Day Ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois

According to a press release on whitehouse.gov, President Barack Obama will participate in the 2010 Memorial Day ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

From the press release:

 "WASHINGTON—On Thursday, May 27, President Barack Obama and his family will travel to Chicago, where they will spend the weekend.  On Monday, the President will participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois."


On May 30, 2005, then U.S. Senator Obama participated in the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony, his first visit to the National Cemetery located about an hour south of Chicago.




Google Map of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois:

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Island City Memorial in Wilmington, Illinois Honors those who have Served for our Freedom


WILMINGTON ILLINOIS— The Island City Memorial will honor all who have worked, fought or served our country.
Wilmington resident Bert Niehls is spearheading the movement to construct the memorial. With nearly 200 memorial stones already sold, the project near the entrance to North Island Park is moving forward, he said.  
The memorial will feature three large standing pieces of black marble, with the emblems of all six branches of the military service. The marble will be imported from Italy. The centerpiece of the memorial will read: “In honored memory of all who have fallen and all who have served for our freedom." 
The 100-foot flagpole was rescued from the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant and is also a focal point of the memorial.
Some 200 stones have already been sold. Those still wishing to remember the sacrifice of their loved ones may contact Niehls at (815) 560-1039. The cost is $100 for the memorial stone, which includes engraving. Each stone can carry up to six lines of type, with 17 spaces per line, he said.  

100-foot flagpole rescued from the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant is a focal point of the Island City Memorial in Wilmington Illinois

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Help Cornerstone Inc. in Joliet win 250,000 from Pepsi to help formerly homeless children!!

Cornerstone Services in Joliet needs your help!  This could really help out the community, check it out!:


Cornerstone had entered the Pepsi refresh project in order to compete for $250,000 in prize money to help us serve kids of the families enrolled in our Behavioral Health department.  We’ve been asking friends, family, acquaintances, etc. to help us win the prize!!!  To do so, we all simply log on and vote for Cornerstone’s project.  You can vote from more than 1 e-mail address.  We keep climbing up the charts, but with less than ½ the month to go, we need to climb more quickly!!!
You just visit the link below and it will tell you what to do.  Please help us, and notify others who might help as well.




Overview
Cornerstone Services operates programs for adults who have been homeless, unemployed, and have experienced mental illness and/or other disabilities.  We provide them extensive support to help them rebuild their lives.  The programs have reunited many mothers with their children so they can live together as a family. 
The services are very successful, but because of their difficult past, many of their children have medical issues, socialization problems, educational deficiencies, and poor self esteem.  While children who live in a Cornerstone-assisted family often show dramatic improvement in their schoolwork, they still face challenges like transportation, and the family's financial hardship often means the children go several months without necessities like eyeglasses; extras like field trips and school pictures are out of the question.  Our Bright Future Fund will help these good kids get the simple things that make a big difference in their lives.  
How will the 250K be Used?
Budget Notes: The money will not be used for any administrative costs incurred by Cornerstone. These funds will be used solely for expenses related to the children's needs. Staff are already paid for by other grants.
$ 125,000
Healthcare expenses (doctors, dentists, vaccinatons)
$ 37,500
Educational expenses (supplies, team fees, field trips, etc.)
$ 37,500
Counseling services (group and individual therapy)
$ 25,000
Transportation expenses (bicycles, bus passes, driver's ed training)
$ 25,000
Socialization experiences (birthday parties, roller skating, sports)

Will County Land Use Department to host Listening Sessions for Citizens

The Will County Land Use Department is asking:"Do the Pieces still fit?"

"What pieces?" you may ask yourself.  The Will County Land Use Department is looking at the pieces of the Will County Land Resource Management Plan, originally adopted in 2002.

 graphic from Will County Land Use Department Website.




Since the plan's adoption in 2002, Will County has changed.  For example, large intermodal facilities are built or underway in Joliet, Elwood, and Crete.  Furthermore, the housing crisis and recession may affect development patterns.  


Info on the listening session from the Will County Land Use Website:



Listening Sessions: These identical meetings throughout Will County are designed to summarize the history and successes of the Plan, identify issues no longer up-to-date, and conduct exercises designed to explore resident-generated concerns. Please choose one that is in your area or on a date convenient for you.
All meetings start at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010..
Washington Township Hall
Wednesday, May 26, 2010..
Green Garden Township Hall
Thursday, June 3, 2010..
Wilmington City Hall 

If you are unable to attend any of the listening sessions, you may email the department at:planning@willcountylanduse.com

You may want to read the current Will County Land Resource Management Guide before attending.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds in use at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Will County awarded 3.1 million from Department of Energy ARRA funds

The United States Department of Agriculture has placed a video on YouTube showing how American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds are being used at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie:

The video shows several young adults cutting brush in order to prevent the brush from invading
Midewin's areas of restored tallgrass prairie.


Furthermore, the office of Will County Executive Larry Walsh recently released a press release 
stating Will County has been awarded a 3.1 million dollar energy efficiency and conservation block 
grant by the Department of Energy, which received funding from the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act. The press release, dated April 12, 2010, also states:


"JOLIET, Illinois – Will County Executive Larry Walsh announced that Will County is the 
recipient of a $3.1 million grant from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) which will 
be used to fund many County energy efficiency initiatives including a Gas-to-Energy plant, 
energy retrofits on County facilities, environmental education programs, and formation of a 
“Green team” to guide future sustainability efforts. 

Last fall, the DOE announced $3.2 billion under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 
(ARRA) would be available to local entities to fund energy efficiency projects. The County will 
use its share of these funds for local projects, which in turn, will help stimulate the local 
economy and create jobs.  

“These projects are going to help jump start our local economy now,” said Will County 
Executive Larry Walsh. “It is great to have this opportunity to put local people back to work in a 
challenging economy while still doing something that helps our environment.” 

Will County has also entered into an agreement with Waste Management to build a gas to energy 
plant at the County-owned Prairie View Landfill in Wilmington. The County has allocated 
approximately $1 million of stimulus money for equipment at this plant, while Waste 
Management is putting over $6 million of private sector funds into the construction costs.   The 
engines that will power this gas-to-energy conversion process will be Caterpillar engines made in 
Illinois. ""

Prairie View Landfill is located on the grounds of the former Joliet Arsenal Ammunition Plant.

The press release goes on to describe how the decaying garbage will create energy, and other projects and jobs the 3.1 million dollar award will fund:

"The methane gas created from the decaying garbage, which is currently flared off with no return 
revenue, will soon be captured and converted into energy which will be sold on the electric grid 
to power 2,000 homes. The County will receive revenue from the sale of the methane gas and the 
sale of the electricity. This new revenue source is expected to provide a return on this initial 
investment for many years into the future. 

The County also plans an aggressive schedule of retrofit projects on county facilities which 
include upgrading windows, HVAC units, and roofs on Sunny Hill Nursing Home, the County 
Office Building, the Highway Department building, and the EMCO building which houses the 
State’s Attorney’s office.   

"This grant further advances Will County's innovative efforts to help achieve a sustainable future 
through such varied approaches as alternative fuel generation, energy conservation, expanded 
recycling and promotion of other environmentally sound household, business and governmental 
practices", said Curt Paddock, Director of the Will County Land Use Department. 

The funding has also paid for an environmental educator who is working with local schools to 
educate students about recycling and conservation.  A “green” website is being developed as a 
resource for local residents and as an educational tool for Will County students.  The website 
will grow as future sustainability programming is developed. 

Finally, Walsh will be establishing a “green team” made up of County officials and employees 
who will assist in steering these projects forward, and make suggestions for further sustainable 
activities.   

“In this difficult economic climate, the County continues to seek cost-cutting measures and 
alternate revenue sources,” Walsh said. “These projects are examples of the County’s continued 
commitment to fiscal and environmental responsibility.” "

For more information on the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, visit: recovery.gov.