The United States Postal Service will suspend mail service to
honor late President George HW Bush on December 5th. 

State Representative Dan Swanson hosted Galesburg resident Caden Wilson as an Honorary Page in the Illinois House during the Fall Veto Session on Wednesday, November 28 and Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Caden, the son of Major Scott & Heather Wilson, is a Junior at Galesburg High School where he is Captain of the Varsity Soccer Team, on Track, a peer tutor, in Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and a German Exchange Program participant. Additionally, Caden is on his church worship team, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, a Junior High Ministry Leader, and is active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has been recognized as 2016 Varsity Soccer MVP, 2017 Soccer Team Captain, honored as part of the 2017 All-District Orchestra (IMEA), on the German Honor Society and has received Academic Excellence Awards.

“Caden paged for me last year during Veto Session and was recently accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy, pending Congressional nomination,” said Rep. Swanson. “Caden is an exceptional young man I am again honored to host as an Honorary Page in the Illinois House”

State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha) lead an effort during the House’s Fall Veto Session to override Governor Rauner’s Amendatory Veto of HB 4515- the “Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention & Protection Law”.

“I disagree with the Governor’s Amendatory Veto (AV) on this legislation and today move to override that veto,” said Rep. Swanson before a unanimous 110-0 vote to override Rauner’s AV.

Rep. Swanson had previously passed the bill through the Illinois House in April to allow physicians to prescribe more aggressive treatment for Lyme Disease without the fear of disciplinary action.  Governor Rauner issued an Amendatory Veto on the bill in August 2018, despite overwhelming support in the Illinois House when the bill passed in April.

The legislation was inspired by Lauryn Russell, a 12-year-old student from Mercer County, who has Lyme Disease and has had to seek treatment out of state due to potential disciplinary action that could be taken against her Illinois physician for treating Lauryn’s post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or Chronic Lyme Disease.  Advocates for Lyme Disease sufferers say the current recommended treatment of the disease, 10 to 21 days of antibiotics, is insufficient for people with advanced or persistent levels of the disease. 

“After local families reported these problems to me with treatment of Lyme Disease, I felt compelled to act on behalf of my constituents,” said Rep. Swanson.  “The Russell’s family story is just one of many by those effected by Persistent Lyme Disease.”

Allegion Americas, a leading provider of security products and solutions, today hosted nearly 30 students at its fifth-annual Manufacturing Day in Princeton – part of a nationwide effort to inspire the next generation of manufacturers as well as the community-wide “North Central Illinois Discover Manufacturing Career Expo.”

Manufacturing Day is an annual nationwide event supported by the National Association of Manufacturers, during which American manufacturers open their doors to help educate people about the industry. Fourteen employers from Bureau, LaSalle and Putnam counties, including Allegion, also participate in the Discover Manufacturing Career Expo in Peru, Ill. – where students learn about particular manufacturing career tracks after touring individual manufacturing facilities.

“Manufacturing leaders are truly pulling together to change the mindsets of today’s young talent – the next generation of manufacturers. We are looking for ways to share the excitement that careers in manufacturing can bring to prospective employees, as well as enticing them to see the challenge and value of careers in manufacturing,” said Allegion Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Integrated Supply Chain Chris Muhlenkamp. “At the same time, we’re investing in and engaging our current team members, letting them know that we want their hearts and minds just as much as their hands and time.”

Allegion manufactures LCN® door closers at its Princeton facility on Railroad Avenue, where it’s operated for nearly 90 years. The high school students, teachers, community leaders and government officials who attended Allegion’s 2018 Manufacturing Day were given the opportunity to tour that facility and see, first-hand, how those door security products are made. State Rep. Daniel Swanson (R-Alpha) was one of the government officials who participated in the event.

"With the importance of manufacturing to our state and nation, I am so proud to have Allegion in the Princeton area. Not only have they been a great employer, but I am impressed with their focus on community involvement and growth," said Rep. Swanson.

Allegion employs more than 300 people at the Princeton facility. Manufacturing Day, as a part of the Discover Manufacturing Career Expo, gives Allegion the opportunity to cultivate relationships with local schools and to develop innovative ways to teach students about the future of manufacturing. To actively address the skills gap, Allegion is also developing skilled trade apprenticeship programs and offering tuition reimbursement opportunities, as well as transitioning part-time and temporary employees to full-time positions.

In total, there are more than 115 Manufacturing Day events being held in Illinois during the month of October. For more details, click here.

About Allegion

Allegion (NYSE: ALLE) is a global pioneer in safety and security, with leading brands like CISA®, Interflex®, LCN®, Schlage®, SimonsVoss® and Von Duprin®. Focusing on security around the door and adjacent areas, Allegion produces a range of solutions for homes, businesses, schools and other institutions. Allegion is a $2.4 billion company, with products sold in almost 130 countries.

For more, visit www.allegion.com.

State Representative Dan Swanson is helping Galesburg High School Key Club promote their October Blood Drive on Thursday, October 25.

“It’s not too late to sign up to donate blood,” said Rep. Swanson.  “38% of the US population is eligible to donate blood, but fewer than 10% actually donate.  I encourage the community to support the Key Club’s efforts to bring forth critical donations.”

For more information on blood donation eligibility and events near you, please visit the Mississippi River Valley Blood Center’s website at http://www.bloodcenter.org.   To sign up to donate blood on Thursday, please contact Mary Gehring at 309-973-2001 or mgehring2@galesburg205.org.

State Representative Dan Swanson announced on Tuesday that the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) has signed off on Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) release of $11.3 million statewide for community college capital projects in the first round of this funding to be released in this fiscal year.

The release includes $237,460 to Black Hawk College for roof replacement and $11,400 to Carl Sandburg College for roof replacement, an emergency exit ramp for the Library and floor replacement dur to flooding in 2013.

“These are emergency type of projects for these two campuses,” said Rep. Dan Swanson.  “These life safety improvements may not come with big ribbon cuttings, but they are critical to the safety of students and employees.”

Black Hawk College will be putting up $209,640 in local funds to complete the project and Carl Sandburg College will be putting up $38,135 in local funds.

“Infrastructure investment is a catalyst for job creation and economic development,” said Gov. Bruce Rauner. “We signed a bipartisan budget in June that includes funds for improvement projects that benefit local businesses and residents. This kind of investment is how government can play a positive role in the Illinois economy.” 

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