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Program offers jobs to disabled
SPRINGFIELD - Most Illinoisans think of their state government as a provider - it builds roads and bridges and issues checks for Medicaid and unemployment benefits, amid a host of other services. But state government is also a consumer, to the tune of $10 billion annually, according to the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, the main procurement agency. It buys such items as signs and soaps and uniforms and license plates, among many other purchases. And more than $25 million of that is spent on goods and services provided by about 2,000 physically, mentally and developmentally disabled Illinoisans who work at not-for-profit employment workshops throughout the state. The State Use Program, administered by CMS, oversees those purchases, and CMS director Paul Campbell views it as a "win-win" for taxpayers.
Reaching out to India's poor
Mount Shastan Diane Kirwin began her India odyssey in 2003 when, as a part of Privileged-Sharing, she traveled to the poorest of the poor, the villages in the north of the country where the Untouchable Hindu caste lives.Bringing the simplest of items, pipe cleaners for toys to children who had never seen a toy for example, she found rampant malnutrition, no running water, health care or schools. Kirwin began to reach out to the villages to improve their lives and “help them help themselves."The 71 year old Kirwin recently returned from her fifth three-month journey and her efforts have now evolved into the non-profit Kirwin International Relief Foundation, a Registered Indian Charitable Trust Bodhgaya. .
Rapid Credit Score Recovery After Bankruptcy!
Most credit experts agree that the worst possible credit entry on your Credit Report is a Bankruptcy. Whether you have filed a Chapter 13 (13 is a pay back plan with just some debts eliminated) or Chapter 7 (everything is eliminated except for a few essentials), it demonstrates a complete failure in managing your credit. Regardless of why you filed, this entry stays on your credit report for 7-10 years. Everyone has their story, and sometimes circumstances go beyond anyone's ability to recover from insurmountable debts. A good example is when a family member suffers a catastrophic illness and the medical bills are way beyond any health insurance benefits. But there are ways to recover fairly quickly from this type of situation. It takes a little dedication and effort but in as little as 18 months you can have your credit score back in the high 600 range.
Best bets for getaways this 3-day weekend
Times sure have changed. Used to be if you didn't have your outdoor plans wired before Labor Day weekend, you might as well order an extra-large pizza and get ready for an extended date with the channel changer. No more. Now that many school districts and colleges have bumped up start dates to the third week of August, this vacation weekend has been transformed. It's no longer the spectacle of Memorial Day and 4th of July, but more like a "last call" before many folks buckle down for work again. That said, here are the best options for the weekend, both out-of-town overnighters and close-to-home getaways: Weekend overnighters -- State-parks camping: 14 state parks have campsites available for all three nights, Friday through Sunday. These 14 include campgrounds at five state parks in the Redwood Empire: Richardson Grove, Standish-Hickey, Del Norte Redwoods, Humboldt Redwoods and Benbow Lake.
Four accused of forging state payroll checks
ALBUQUERQUE Four people are accused of using bogus checks and the state's account number to steal more than 21-thousand dollars. Donna Davalos Gabaldon and Garrett Goff were being held on fraud charges in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center. State police say they suspect two other people are involved in the case. Authorities say those two are in the Sandoval County jail on unrelated charges. A criminal complaint says the state treasurer's office noticed several banks were trying to collect on checks the state hadn't issued. A security accounting system prevented the theft of state money. But authorities say businesses in Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque are suffering the loss after cashing 32 of the fake checks. Copyright 2006 Associated Press.
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