December 06, 2004

Media Advisory: Illinois Retiree Volunteer Program

Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, Jr.; David Hilquist, president of the 12,000-member State Universities Annuitants Association; and higher education leaders from throughout the state will hold a news conference on Tuesday, Dec. 7, to launch the Illinois Retiree Volunteer Program. The news conference is set for 11:15 a.m. during the , meeting at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The event is in the Illinois Room of the Chicago Circle Center, 750 S. Halsted.

The Illinois Retiree Volunteer Program will tap the talents of retirees from universities, community colleges and local communities to promote college readiness in young learners. By 2007, university and college presidents and chancellors, in cooperation with annuitants and local schools, will establish retiree volunteer programs throughout Illinois. Two pilot programs are in place this academic year - - one at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the other at John Wood College in Quincy.

In addition to Jones and Hilquist, speakers at the news conference will include James L. Kaplan, chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education; Jane Angelis, director, the Intergenerational Initiative at SIUC; Frances Carroll, member, Illinois Board of Higher Education; and Glenn Poshard, chair, SIU Board of Trustees.

Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend the news conference.