Governor Pat Quinn began his day in Chicago, signing a bill into law that creates the “Gateways to Opportunity” program. The program is designed to award credentials to educators that work to provide the best services to the youth of Illinois.

“Today’s students will be tomorrow’s workforce, which is why it is critical that our children get top quality educations,” stated Quinn, according to Governor Quinn’s official site. “By making sure our educators have learned the latest skills and techniques, we can accelerate children down the path of learning at an early age.”

The professional development program hopes to enhance and expand the coursework and training of educators.The program is to be administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services, or DHS. Educators eligible for the program must have achieved an approved university or college degree or be able to provide a portfolio demonstrating their education and experience.

Educators that meet the requirements of the program are also eligible for scholarships and wage supplements to further their own education.

The law also states that children who have attended non-public preschool or kindergarten, were taught kindergarten by a certified educator, or will be 6-years-old on or prior to Dec. 31 of the forthcoming school year are able to enroll in first grade after passing evaluations to prove their readiness.

Governor Quinn will be speaking in Peoria later this morning and signing a bill which is devised to save hundreds of jobs at the Keystone Steel & Wire Company. The President and CEO of the Keystone Consolidated Industries, David Creek, will also be present, along with Vic Stinaman, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Senator Dave Koehler, and Representative Mike Smith.

At 1:45 p.m. today, Governor Quinn will visit the Pine Lounge at Illini Union in Urbana to announce an energy efficiency project. The project, created to decrease operating costs, also promises the creation and retainment of jobs here at the U of I. Also in attendance will be Dick Warren, the director of U of I’s Sustainability Office.

Governor Quinn’s tour will complete in Marion at the Man-Tra-Con Corporation at 4 p.m. today to present free tax assistance counseling sites for working Illinois families. Representative John Bradley and Senator Gary Forby will also attend, along with David Marzahl, the Executive Director for the Center for Economic Development, and Dan and Sheila Scott, the managers of the Marion Tax Site.