Declarations

Identity Theft
“A security freeze puts control of a consumer’s credit report where it belongs — in the hands of the consumer … Until now, only victims of identity theft could place a freeze on their credit reports.”

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan comments on a new Illinois law that will allow all Illinois residents to place a “security freeze” on their credit reports. A security freeze prohibits the credit bureaus from releasing a credit report without the consumer’s permission, making it much harder for imposters to obtain a credit card or open a credit line in the consumer’s. To take advantage of this new law and place a security freeze, consumers must make a written request to each of the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Once the freeze is in place, only the consumer can authorize access to his or her credit report, using a personal identification number using a personal identification number provided by the bureaus to lift the freeze temporarily.

Gay Advocacy
“Gov.-elect Strickland made a promise to voters to appoint a cabinet that looks like all of Ohio … Today, he has taken an historic step in recognizing the contributions and qualifications of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Ohioans.”

Equality Ohio’s Executive Director Lynne Bowman comments on the appointment of Mary Jo Hudson as the first openly gay insurance director. Currently Hudson is on the Columbus City Council and chairs the Jobs and Economic Development Committee. She is also an attorney at Bailey Cavalieri LLC. . From 1989 to 1996, Hudson was a deputy liquidator and special services attorney for the Ohio Department of Insurance and Office of the Ohio Insurance Liquidator. Equality Ohio is an advocacy group for gays and lesbians.

Taco John’s
“It’s our belief that anybody who’s been linked to these illnesses certainly deserves to have their expenses covered.”

President and CEO of Taco John Paul Fisherkeller, comments on the recent outbreak of E-coli that was traced to several Taco John restaurants in the Midwest. Fisherkeller said that the chain’s insurer is prepared to pay sick customers’ claims. Some 76 people were sickened after eating at Taco John’s in Minnesota and Iowa in late November and early December. Health officials in Minnesota suspect tainted lettuce as the likely source of contamination. The Upper Midwest E. coli outbreak followed another unrelated spate of lettuce-related infections in the Northeast. At least 71 Taco Bell customers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware fell ill. The two taco chains aren’t related.

Topics Ohio Illinois