Monday, November 21, 2011

Kinzinger Questions Energy Secretary Chu over Solyndra Loan Guarantee

Illinois 11th Congressional Congressman Adam Kinzinger questioned Department of Energy Secretary Chu over the Solyndra Loan Guarantee:


Solyndra was awarded an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Loan through the Department of Energy.  Solyndra declared bankruptcy in the fall of 2011.  The following information about Solyndra was listed on the government website recovery.gov:


AWARD OVERVIEW

AWARD OVERVIEW
Award NumberCF0000036Funding AgencyDepartment of Energy
Total Award Amount$535,000,000Project Location - CityFremont
Award Date09/03/2009Project Location - StateCA
Project StatusLess Than 50% CompletedProject Location - Zip945387307
Jobs Reported118.00Congressional District13
Project Location - CountryUS

RECIPIENT INFORMATION (LOANS)

Recipient Information (Loans)
Recipient NameSOLYNDRA, INC.
Recipient DUNS Number610713286
Recipient Address47700 KATO RD
Recipient CityFREMONT
Recipient StateCalifornia
Recipient Zip945387307
Recipient Congressional District13
Recipient CountryUSA
Required to Report Top 5 Highly Compensated OfficialsNo

PROJECTS AND JOBS INFORMATION

Projects and Jobs Information
Project TitleInnovative Energy Technology
Project StatusLess Than 50% Completed
Final Project Report SubmittedNo
Project Activities DescriptionSemiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing
Quarterly Activities/Project DescriptionDevelop, construct, own and operate a thin-film solar photovoltaic manufacturing facility
Jobs Created118.00
Description of Jobs CreatedProject Managers - Manages specific projects that may be non-technical, such as vendor management. Works closely with supply-base/purchasing dept. Mechanical Engineers - Designs/develops mechanical systems for equipment build. Some will take the lead (typically senior level) as the expert in mechanical design. Mechanical Designers - Works on design projects of moderate scope, using application that will translate to equip build. Software Engineers - Responsible for the development of integrating sw programs or s/w enhancements to new equipment designs. Will also use tools to develop or trouble shoot s/w design or enhancements Automation Mechanical Engineers - Responsible for the design and enhancement of equipment utilizing robotics, hydraulic mechanisms, or other complex technologies. Automation SW Engineers/Sr. Controls Engrs - Responsible for designing power and/or controls to new equipment or enhancements. Electrical Engineers - Designs, develops, modifies and evaluates electronic parts, components or integrated circuitry for electronic equipment, or other hardware systems and/or electrical engineering applications. Determines design approaches and parameters. System Engineers - Determines system specs, process, mechanical and sw compatibility. Coordinates design of subsystems (if required) and integration of total system. Also responsible for analysis of specific situation or data which may require review. Works with other disciplines of engineering, i.e., mechanical, software or electrical engineers. Technical Staff - Work on a variety of engineering projects. Process Engineers - Works closely with process/technology managers to ensure processing techniques are followed. Will apply knowledge to data analysis and resolution. Product Development & Test Engineers - Responsible for conceptualizing new design or enhancements for current equipment design. Must test and gather data to analyze and problem solving. Manufacturing Engineers - Responsible for uptime of equipment; technical support and maintenance. May be required to record issues for resolution. Provides support for repair and process engineering issues. Manufacturing System Engineers - Works with the MES team to define and implement manufacturing floor documentation: integration, metrology, reporting, and yield. Can be the technical expert in MES, trouble-shooting and floor operations. Engineering Management - Provides overall direction, development and implementation of engineering projects. Responsible for budget and resource planning. Business Application/Programmer Analysts - Analyzes, designs, programs/codes software enhancements for current business applications. Must work closely with engineering development group to ensure output if reliable and used for continuous improvements. Facilities Managers - Manages specific projects related to facilities: fab design, office space and space planning. Tech Writer/Doc Control - Responsible for documenting new engineering standards and changes. Works with Quality to ensure systems are used and CIP practices are in place. EH&S - Responsible for the environmental health and safety practices are communicated and resources are available. Mechanical Engineer - Designs/develops mechanical systems for equipment build. Some will take the lead (typically senior level) as the expert in mechanical design. Contracts Manager - Conducts the preparation, negotiation, acceptance and management of government contracts and sub-contracts to ensure satisfaction of government specifications and requirements.


PURCHASER INFORMATION (LOANS)

Purchaser Information
Contracting Office IDNot Reported
Contracting Office NameNot Available
Contracting Office RegionNot Available
TAS Major Program89-4576

AWARD INFORMATION

Award Information
Award Date09/03/2009
Award NumberCF0000036
Order Number
Award TypeLoans
Funding Agency ID89
Funding Agency NameDepartment of Energy
Funding Office NameNot Available
Awarding Agency ID89
Awarding Agency NameDepartment of Energy
Amount of Award$535,000,000
Funds Invoiced/Received$21,380,155
Expenditure Amount$21,381,155
Infrastructure Expenditure Amount$0
Infrastructure Purpose and RationaleNot Reported
Infrastructure Point of Contact NameNot Reported
Infrastructure Point of Contact EmailNot Reported
Infrastructure Point of Contact PhoneNot Reported
Infrastructure Point of Contact AddressNot Reported
Infrastructure Point of Contact CityNot Reported
Infrastructure Point of Contact StateNot Reported
Infrastructure Point of Contact ZipNot Reported

PRODUCT OR SERVICE INFORMATION (LOANS)

Product or Service Information
Primary Activity Code334413
Activity DescriptionSemiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing

SUB-AWARDS INFORMATION

Sub-Awards Information
Sub-awards to Organizations0
Sub-award Amounts to Organizations$0
Sub-Awards to Individuals0
Sub-Award Amounts to Individuals$0
Number of Sub-awards less than $25,000/award0
Amount of Sub-awards less than $25,000/award$0
Number of payments to vendors greater than $25,0001
Total Amount of payments to vendors greater than $25,000/award$530,386
Number of payments to vendors less than $25,000/award1
Total Amount of payments to vendors less than $25,000/award$10,020



VENDOR TRANSACTIONS

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati - Award Number CF0000036 - Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati

Award NumberCF0000036
Sub-Award NumberN/A
Vendor DUNS Number089950233
Vendor HQ Zip Code + 4943041050
Vendor NameWilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati
Product and Service DescriptionLegal
Payment Amount$530,386



PROJECT LOCATION DETAIL

Location Information
Latitude, Longitude37º 28' 12", -121º 55' 44"
Congressional District13
Address 1
Address 2
CityFremont
CountyAlameda
StateCA
Zip945387307

Friday, November 11, 2011

Occupy Naperville March Saturday

The group Occupy Naperville has planned a gathering, assembly, and march for this Saturday, November 12, 2011 .  From the Occupy Naperville website, more details on the march:

"will assemble in peaceful solidarity of the Occupy Wall Street movement, starting at 10am in front of the PNC Bank at the NE corner of Ogden Ave. and Washington St. We then arrive at the Riverwalk Amphitheatre and began our General Assembly (GA). We will than march back to Ogden and Washington; the march will conclude at 1 p.m. We encourage that all protesters bring signs, American Flags, musical pieces, chants, and other pieces of artwork in support of the movement. Don't forget to dress warmly for this event. For those who cannot march: we will arrange drivers to transport elderly, injured, or disabled protesters to and from the GA. Please speak with Evelyn, Zack, or Steve if you wish to take advantage of this option. As a reminder, this is a peaceful assembly. No violent language or actions will be tolerated! For questions, please contact us at occupynaperville@gmail.com."

Here are some videos of previous Occupy Naperville events:

Video from the DuPage County Green Party YouTube Page:



Video from YouTube user Cut2gether:

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

South Suburban Council of MoveOn.org Sponsored Book Discussion in Frankfort

The South Suburban Coucil of MoveOn.org is sponsoring a discussion of Ha-Joon Chang’s books: Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade And The Secret History of Capitalism and 23 Things They Don’t Tell You about Capitalism. Ed Cole will lead a review of contents and discussion of the book on Saturday, November 12 from 7 to 9 PM at the Frankfort Township Building, 11000 Lincoln Hwy. (Route 30), Frankfort, IL.  People do not need to have read the books in order to attend.  People with questions may phone 815-464-2270.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Foreclosure Memorial Rally at Bank of America in Joliet

Members of South Suburban Moveon.org organized a rally outside the Bank of America branch on Jefferson Street in Joliet today.  People gathered around a large sign with the words "Foreclosure Memorial, Bank of America."  Others held signs saying, "We are the 99%" and "Why aren't the Wall Street bankers in jail?"

Here is a video of the event outside the Bank of America in Joliet, Illinois:

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Office of Congressman Adam Kinzinger To Hold Traveling Office Hours Throughout 11th Congressional

The office of Congressman Adam Kinzinger will hold traveling office hours for residents across the Eleventh Congressional District. Constituents are encouraged to stop by and ask questions or seek assistance about any issues they may have with federal agencies ranging from Medicare and Social Security to veterans benefits and immigration issues.
Caseworkers and field representatives will be available at the traveling office hours to facilitate questions and personally address any problems residents may have. No appointments are necessary.

WHEN & WHERE:

October 26th
11:00am – 1:00pm
Bloomington City Hall
Council Chambers
109 E. Olive St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
November 1st
11:00am – 1:00pm
Walnut Village Office
114 Jackson Street
Walnut, IL 61376

November 8th
11:00am – 1:00pm
Morris City Hall
Community Room
700 N. Division St.
Morris, IL 60450

November 15th
11:00am – 1:00pm
Braidwood City Hall
141 W Main Street
Braidwood, IL 60408

November 22nd
11:00am – 1:00pm
St. Anne Village Hall
Board Room
190 W. Station St.
St. Anne, IL 60964

November 30th
11:00am – 1:00pm
Village of Stanford
Board Room
100 W. Boundary
Stanford, IL 61774

Due to the House schedule, Congressman Kinzinger will not be present at the traveling office hours.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

State Senator AJ Wilhelmi Hosts Umemployment Workshop for Local Businesses

JOLIET - On September 28, 2011 State Senator AJ Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) hosted a
workshop on unemployment insurance and the services offered by the
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) at Joliet Junior
College.

"I am committed to working with local business leaders to improve our
state's business climate and help them create good-paying jobs,"
Wilhelmi said.  "Unemployment insurance is an important partnership
between businesses, the State, and workers.  The purpose of this
workshop is to help employers learn the ins and outs of the unemployment
system."

More than 40 business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs attended the
workshop, where a representative from IDES answered questions and
explained some of the services the department offers to Illinois
companies.  He explained how businesses can file unemployment insurance
complaints, detailed various state incentives for hiring new workers,
shared Illinois labor market information, and demonstrated the Illinois
Skills Match Exchange System, an online tool that helps employers find
workers with the skills they need.

"The Department of Employment Security does more than just manage the
unemployment insurance system," Wilhelmi explained.  "It works with job
creators and other state agencies to make sure state government is
helping our economy grow and producing jobs.  It is important for local
businesses to be aware of the tools the State of Illinois has developed
to help them succeed."

Wilhelmi emphasized that he wants to work with local businesses to
improve the Will County economy and strengthen Illinois' place in the
global economy.

"I encourage any business owner or manager who has a question or concern
about state rules and regulations to contact my office," he added.  "I
also welcome ideas about how state government can help develop our local
and state economy.  My door is always open."

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Sign of the Politicial Times: "This is Lisa Dugan Country"

I noticed this sign at the curve in Wilton Center:

"This is Lisa Dugan Country" sign in Wilton Center, Illinois.
Democrat Lisa Dugan is the Illinois State Representative for the Illinois 79th State House District.  When she was re-elected in November of 2010, the district was comprised of the following territory in Will, Kankakee, and Iroquois County:




Since the publication of the 2010 Census, the boundaries of the 79th Illinois State House seat have changed.