Governor's Gazette

Following two days of unprecedented collaboration, leaders from around the world joined Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich in signing a groundbreaking agreement that will reduce greenhouse gases worldwide. The agreement was part of the Governors' Global Climate Summit, co-hosted by Gov. Blagojevich and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, held in Beverly Hills earlier this month.

The Declaration, signed November 19, will establish common principles as Illinois and other signatories strive to create a low-carbon economy, enhance energy security and provide ongoing support to national governments as they combat climate change.

"The agreements signed at the Global Climate Summit are major steps toward fighting the global issue of climate change. We all agree that climate change is an urgent issue and that we need to tackle it head on," said Governor Blagojevich. "Governor Schwarzenegger and myself, along with leaders from around the world, have come together to develop ways to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction we need to fight against the potentially catastrophic effects climate change could have on our ecosystems, infrastructure, human health and economy."

The Declaration is a state-province partnership to help advance cooperative international efforts under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Approximately 800 attendees participated in the Governor's Global Climate summit held in California.

On November 18, Governor Blagojevich joined Governor Schwarzenegger and leaders from the U.S., Brazil and Indonesia to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reduce deforestation, which accounts for about 20 percent of the world's carbon emissions. Under the agreement, the states of Illinois, California and Wisconsin pledge to work with the governors of six states and provinces within Indonesia and Brazil to help slow and stop tropical deforestation; the cutting and burning of trees to convert land to grow crops and raise livestock;, and land degradation through joint projects and incentive programs.

Everyone deserves access to good, affordable health care and no senior or person with a disability should have to worry about how to pay for the high cost of prescription drugs. Illinois Cares Rx provides state prescription assistance to people with and without Medicare.

For more information or to sign up: Call 1-800-252-8966 or visit www.illinoiscaresrx.com

New Workforce Portal puts job search tools at Illinoisans' fingertips

As the struggling national economy weighs heavily on Illinois workers, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced "Workforce Outreach Days" to help people prepare for the job market, find new employment, and get their family through the economic slowdown.

"I know that Illinoisans are suffering. We see evidence of that everyday as families make difficult decisions about budgeting their money, how to get by while they look for a new job, or how to ensure that their children have opportunities in this tough economy. While our state cannot fix the mistakes made by those on Wall Street and in Washington, we do offer services to help families through a difficult time. During Illinois Workforce Week, I want to make sure that Illinoisans know that they can get help through services like Illinois workNet, All Kids, and LIHEAP," Governor Blagojevich said.

Governor Blagojevich also launched a new Workforce Portal (www.illinois.gov/workforce) to connect parents, job seekers, veterans, people with disabilities, small business owners and employers with state services that can help them navigate through the poor economic climate.

Citing the impact of the national economic crisis on Illinois' revenues, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a four-part plan to manage the state's $2 billion fiscal year 2009 budget deficit. The Governor's proposed plan includes passage of the Emergency Budget Act, which would give the Governor and other constitutional officers added authority to help them make additional cuts, a request to Congress for increased federal stimulus aid, and further administrative reductions in the agencies. In addition to these budget solutions, the Governor is also proposing short-term borrowing which will help manage the state's cash flow and pay providers in a more timely matter.

"Today we have more difficult decisions to make. Illinois' finances, like many other states across the nation, have felt consequences of the poor national economy. And like a family who has seen their income cut dramatically, we need to take fiscally responsible action to ensure the state can pay all of our bills and provide the core services that Illinoisans need," said Governor Blagojevich.

DEC 9-10 - ILLINOIS POVERTY SUMMIT – Governor Blagojevich will convene the first annual Illinois Poverty Summit entitled Opportunities for Change: Taking Action to End Extreme Poverty in Illinois. The event is co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services and Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights and hosted with Northwestern University, will bring together leaders and advocates to develop recommendations to bring about a substantive decrease in the numbers of Illinoisans living in extreme poverty.

DEC 10-12 - GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON AGING – the Illinois Department of Aging presents a comprehensive training event and meeting of professionals at the Marriott Hotel in Chicago.