- [Narrator] Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, a proud supporter of WQPT, has been serving Quad City families since 1889.

They now have livestream capabilities for viewing your loved one's funeral or memorial service.

- [Male Narrator] At IHMVCU, we've always been here for you.

You are and always will be our top priority.

We care about your financial and physical health.

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- What makes a good father?

A nationwide push for better dads.

Plus, the Moline Foundation's efforts to build a better area and getting chalk dust all over the place in The Cities.

(bright music) We just celebrated father's day last weekend, but we're seeing so many homes that don't have a dad as an influence in their own child's life.

According to newly released 2020 census data, two million more children live in a home with their father present than 10 years ago.

Though a father significantly contributes to happier and healthier children, the data helps illustrate a positive opportunity for dads to be more present and engaged parents.

In 2002 Illinois created the State Council on Responsible Fatherhood, and we talked with its chairman, Jeffrey Leving, in Chicago.

I mean, we are seeing that fathers are more active in their children's lives.

Is it a lot different than it was 20, 40 years ago?

- Absolutely.

Modern fatherhood, being a father, is quite different than it was decades ago.

Right now being a father is being not just a breadwinner, but a nurturer.

Being somebody who really cares and loves their children.

Decades ago, fathers stereotypically were supposed to work 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 hours a week and have little or no contact with their own family.

Their only role was being a breadwinner and a pay-earner support.

Now it's changed and fathers are connecting with their children.

And it's better for our society, better for our families and better for our children.

- Well, and as you know, I mean, every man is different.

Connecting with a child is done differently with every single father.

And I would think that your organization wants fathers to connect positively.

Because I know there's one thing that you say, like in a ball game, it's good enough to show up.

And that's not necessarily true when it comes to fatherhood.

- Exactly.

The key focus of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood is responsible fatherhood.

Making dads great dads, and teaching them how to connect positively with their children.

That's why I wrote a book, "How to Be a Good Divorced Dad" because dads are value- are critical to their children.

If you look at the statistics you'll see father absence is the most reliable predictor of crime in America.

So we know if we want to fight crime in America, re-engage fathers in positive relationships with their children.

And I discussed this with President Obama when I served on his National Finance Committee.

- And let's be honest, I mean, this crosses racial borders, but we do know that it is a major issue with minority population and minority families.

- Absolutely.

And it's a major problem because minority communities not only face issues related to gender bias impacting fathers, but also bias that is race based.

So there's additional barriers, but these are barriers we can all overcome if we want to.

And the Illinois Council of Responsible Fatherhood is doing a great job.

I'm very proud of the council and what we've been doing for years.

- Well and a lot of people may be surprised that it's been around, I mean, it was created what, in 2003?

It has been a part of- by an act of the legislature.

Tell me why is it that so many people may not know that you exist?

- Because the Illinois Council of Responsible Fatherhood has received no funding from the government, even though it's a government body.

I personally contributed my money as well as my time to the council.

So it's hard to run a state council that has no funding, but I've been doing it for 18 years and I've been struggling for 18 years to make it exist and to promote the importance of responsible fatherhood, involved fatherhood, paternal involvement.

It's critical to the lives of children, little girls that are fatherless are more likely to become victims of abuse.

Fatherless children are more likely to do poor academically.

It's very, very important.

And it's an honor for me to be doing this and I've been chairing the council for many governors.

- The council also has some, dictates some ideas of what it believes should be done.

I noticed that you said reforming perceptions within state agencies and other service providers.

Do you feel that many fathers are at a disadvantage when it comes to their ability to be a good role model in their family if they're not there day in and day out under the same roof?

- Absolutely, it's difficult, but it can be done.

And a lot of fathers who are not living with their family can still parent, they can still be involved.

Quality time can be as important or more important than quantity time.

Because a parent can be with their children and not be involved, not be connected.

So the key is quality time, it's very important.

Dads are struggling.

I donate my time to the council, I get no money for doing this, but I also, additionally, outside of the council represent dads, this is the struggle.

I represented one father, dead-broke, no money.

His child, his infant recently died and he was grieving his child's death.

And while he was grieving the death of his child, he was prosecuted for non-payment of child support facing possible jail time.

Thank God we won, thank God I kept him out of jail, but he never should have been prosecuted.

That father should have been provided free counseling therapy from the state, help him go through his grieving process.

Not facing prosecution and jail time for not paying support when he couldn't.

So these are problems you need to correct.

- [Jim] Well, and you've been at it for, well, let's say at least two decades.

So tell me about the legal system when you're talking about prosecutors and you're talking about judges.

I mean, do men get a fair shake or is that one of the key problems that you think still exists?

- Well, it's a problem that exists, but it's changing.

For instance, the Lake County State Attorney's office has a new, has a division chief, who's a personal friend of mine, who is a prosecutor.

But he's also focused on fatherhood issues because he's a great father, and he went through a journey raising his children.

And he's focused on integrity in convictions because no father should be incarcerated for a crime they didn't commit.

Losing their liberty, losing their children, sitting in prison when they didn't commit the crime.

So things are changing and there are a lot of good people out there trying to make changes.

- Is it perception, is it individuals, like you said, prosecutors being individuals, or is there a need for more legislation?

Something that is more broad, you know, broadly accepted across the state of Illinois?

- More legislation is necessary.

I'm working with a friend of mine, Representative Ford in the House of Representatives in Illinois, trying to change laws, trying to make things better.

I'm very proud years ago, many years ago to have co-authored the first real Illinois joint custody law.

And it was so long ago, I hate to tell you the year, but I'll tell you 1986, [Jim Laughing] but the key is we're working on trying to change laws.

For instance, there's a nine percent interest on child support arrearages.

If a parent is dead-broke and has no money, how are they going to pay nine percent interest on child support?

You can't get anywhere near even one percent or a half a percent in a checking account.

So that's unfair.

Another issue that concerns me is driver's license revocation.

A dead-broke parent who has no money shouldn't lose their driver's license because they're behind in child support, because what if they need that driver's license to get a job or to get to work?

What if the dead-broke dad is living in a rural area and he needs a car to drive to work, and he doesn't have a driver's license because he's broke and is behind in child support.

So he gets in a car to find a job, and he gets arrested for driving without a license, and gets locked up.

So these are some laws that need to change, and I'm not going to give up, I'm working on this.

- You did say that there are changes that are occurring and one might be noticed in the 2020 census just released.

It showed an increase of two million more children living in homes with their fathers.

That's a positive development.

- Exactly.

A lot of fathers aren't giving up, they're fighting for their children.

And also there are mothers that are becoming an important part of corporate America.

And they want to grow in corporate America.

I have a good friend who raised his children without the mom, the mom moved out of state and married somebody else after she left him.

And he raised his children by himself and did a great job.

Unfortunately, he dealt with a lot of negative stereotyping because of that, because many people wondered, "Where was the mom?

Did he kick her out?

Did he beat her in a custody case?"

No, he didn't beat her in a custody case, she just didn't want to be a full-time parent and he assumed the role.

A lot of dads are assuming the role of being a full-time parent, being a Mr.

Mom and if not full-time, part-time.

But they're assuming roles that they didn't assume decades ago.

- Jeffery Leving, chairman of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood.

This month, the federal agency with a similar mission released an ad aimed at building better dads under the hashtag "Dadication."

Here's one man's message from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse.

- [Man] You see certain things get reincarnated in your children.

My daughter is very much inspired by my wife's artistic pursuits.

So my daughter started making necklaces.

She makes what we call affirmation fashion.

I tell her every day that your black is beautiful.

Your black is beautiful.

Your black is beautiful.

And if there's anything better than being beautiful, it's being smart.

And if there's anything better than being smart, it's being kind.

And reaffirming that every day is our method of making sure her chin never drops.

(both chanting) My dad wasn't around and I remember riding a bike and falling off and cutting myself, and me never just wanting to get back on it.

People ask "how your children learn how to ride a bike?"

like you did it.

I didn't teach them.

I just created an environment where they taught themselves.

And all I had to do was be there.

- A message from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse and the Ad Council.

We're now officially in summer, and with the 4th of July coming up and pandemic fear is greatly reduced, Laura Adams has some cool ideas for you, your family, and your friends if you want to go out and about.

(upbeat techno music) - [Laura] This is Out and About through June 30th.

We've got museums, river tours, and classes galore.

Plus, it's time for baseball at Modern Woodmen Park to root for the River Bandits.

At Circa 21 catch "Beehive", the sixties musical.

And for kids, "Elephant and Piggies 'We are in a Play'".

The Art of Motion Dance Theater at Bass Street Landing perform the 17th at six, followed by the Gray Wolf Band at seven.

Mississippi Bend Players return with the drama "Red" June 17th through 20th, followed by "Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing" June 24th to 27th at the Brunner Theater.

Every Friday night join the fun at Mercato on Fifth in downtown Moline, and bring your lawn chairs to RME's Live at Five free courtyard series, Fridays from five to seven.

While the 2021 Geneseo Music Fest kicks off the 18th at five.

Join WQPTs virtual trivia night the 18th at seven, while the Quad Cities Juneteenth festival takes place at the Lincoln Center, starting at 11.

Lincoln park is the location for Genesius Guild's production of "Measure for Measure" running the 19th through the 27th.

While Bishop Hill celebrate their Midsommar Music Festival the 26th.

There's improvisational comedy the 26th at the Black Box Theater starting at 7:30, or visit Schwiebert Park in Rock Island for the Quad City Arts' Chalk Art Fest the 26th and 27th.

Plus, catch Sevendust at The Rust Belt the 29th.

For more information visit WQPT dot org.

- Thank you, Laura.

The Moline Foundation just gave out hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities and organizations in the cities, but where does that money go?

And could a retired Hall of Fame NFL player help spread more good works here?

We talked with foundation president Paul Plagenz about that.

Well this month the foundation announced $300,000 in gifts, really, to so many, what, more than 48 agencies I believe?

- Correct, yes, almost 300,000.

- [Jim] That's an amazing amount of money.

Is that unusual or is that the usual spring allocation?

- That's in line with our regular spring allocation.

Last year we were able to do more in response to the pandemic, but this is normal allocation for spring grants.

- And that's what I was going to ask you is, you know, we're getting through the pandemic, and I kind of look at this in two different ways.

One was how badly you were needed last year to help out these agencies that couldn't have fundraisers or were helping more people than ever before.

How tough was it last year, and do you see light at the end of the tunnel right now?

- Well, a couple of things that are really positive about that is, we have not heard of any nonprofit or any health and human service organization having had closed their doors during this pandemic.

That's a little different than 2008 and 2009.

So that's positive news.

So the community rallied to support these organizations, community foundations, other organizations did, and we all stepped up and it was much needed.

And a little preparation goes a long way and we knew there'd be another crisis at some point, and that's why it's great to have an endowment.

- Yeah, well that's exactly it.

And let's talk about Moline Foundation because we were talking about that 300, almost $300,000 that was given out for the spring allocation to groups that were including Bethany for Children, the Beiderbecke Museum, the Moline Township Concert Series.

I just point out those three because they're not necessarily all similar.

So what is it that the foundation uses as it's guiding post on who gets what?

- Sure that's a great question, Jim.

You know, first of all, we, there are certain things in the community that in the last year were a priority, a lot of the health and human service organization and those, but now that we're getting some semblance of normalcy again, and we're getting through the pandemic and we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, there are things like arts and culture that we probably, you know, were a little bit underfunded last year.

So now we can get back to funding those organizations and a few other organizations that perhaps weren't at the top of the need, of, you know, the triangle, Maslow's triangle, you know.

So those organizations that we can support more.

So the beauty of the Moline Foundation's fund is that it's un-designated, this large portion of it.

And so the board can react accordingly based on grant applications and community needs.

- Well and two of your biggest grants are going to two library projects.

East Moline is moving into a different building and also Rock Island is moving into, what, the Tri-Cities Jewish Center?

- Correct, yeah.

- So these are places that actually need money in order to work on their bricks and mortar.

- Sure, yeah, and through the pandemic we asked these big capital projects last year to hold off, if they could, in requests which they did so we thank them for that.

So we could have more money towards operating.

In fact, through the last three grant cycles, spring, spring, and last fall, we allowed operating expenditures to be requested for these nonprofits.

Usually it's just capitals, capital and programs.

So it was nice that we were able to allow for these.

And now these capital projects are coming to roost, and these are great projects that serve a wide range of people in the community, much needed.

So it's exciting for those two capital projects, plus a couple other capital projects.

- [Jim] Long lasting impact as well.

Let's talk about Friday, July- oh July, June 25th, right?

- Right.

- The Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier at the Rhythm City.

This is a very inspirational speech, but it's also a big fundraiser for you guys.

- Sure, right, right.

It's one of our funds, you know, we hold funds for different organizations.

This organization is the Vietnam Veterans Chapter two nine nine Scholarship Fund.

They have an endowment fund here that every year awards scholarships to different students that are veterans.

A great program and wonderful scholarship.

And so they wanted to do a fundraiser as soon as the pandemic was over.

And they were bringing in Rocky Bleier, he's been to town once before to a packed house, he gives an inspirational speech.

It's Friday, June 25th at the Rhythm City Casino.

It's a one man play actually more than a speech.

You know, there's a stage with lights and sound and he takes you through parts of his life.

Everything from growing up in Wisconsin to, you know, going to Notre Dame and winning a national championship, four Superbowls, but really also that Vietnam vet experience that he had, the experience he had in Vietnam.

So it's just a gripping tale, but it's a tale of perseverance, and it's just a, and steadfast determination.

So he's a great motivating speaker for people of all ages.

- Moline Foundation President and CEO, Paul Plagenz.

And find out more about the Rocky Bleier fundraiser at the Rhythm City Casino website.

Rock Island's Charlotte Boyer hit the national stage earlier this spring as a contestant on The Voice.

But before that, Charlotte came to the Black Box Theater in Moline to perform one of her original works.

Here's Charlotte Boyer with "Free Like a Bird."

(guitar strumming) ♪ Whoa wouldn't it be nice ♪ ♪ Wouldn't it be nice if I could fly ♪ ♪ Because I'd be the bravest ♪ ♪ Bravest bird in the sky ♪ ♪ Whoa I'd be free ♪ ♪ Free from all of my pain ♪ ♪ Whoa I'd be free ♪ ♪ Free to fly away ♪ ♪ Yes, I see the little children playing in the street ♪ ♪ They all look so young, wild, and free ♪ ♪ That was exactly what I wanted to be ♪ ♪ Live all my days young, wild, and free ♪ ♪ And now that I am free, can spread my wings ♪ ♪ No there is no worrying for me ♪ ♪ Feel like I'm a little kid again ♪ ♪ Don't worry my friend, I'll see you again ♪ ♪ But just promise me you'll always give and love ♪ ♪ Now you should follow this promise it isn't tough ♪ ♪ And I'll tell you this, you've got to learn to love ♪ ♪ See you've got to learn to give to those who got it rough ♪ ♪ Now I'm sorry friend this is my time to go ♪ ♪ Yeah I've already told you all you need to know ♪ ♪ Whoa wouldn't it be nice ♪ ♪ Wouldn't it be nice if I could fly ♪ ♪ Because I'd be the bravest ♪ ♪ Bravest bird in the sky ♪ ♪ Whoa I'd be free ♪ ♪ Free from all of my pain ♪ ♪ Whoa I'd be free ♪ ♪ Free to fly away ♪ ♪ Yeah I am free, I am free ♪ ♪ I am free just like a bird ♪ ♪ I am free, I am free ♪ ♪ I am free just like a bird ♪ ♪ I am free, I am free ♪ ♪ I am free just like a bird ♪ ♪ I am free, I am free ♪ ♪ I am free just like a bird ♪ - Charlotte Boyer with "Free Like a Bird."

A unique art competition is hitting the streets of Rock Island, literally.

The fifth annual Quad City Arts' Chalk Fest runs Saturday and Sunday, June 26th and 27th at Schwiebert park.

And we talked with Karie Gilson of the Quad City Arts about this unique chance for the public to experience art firsthand.

Well, Carrie, this actually started five years ago.

It's kind of a small event, but this chalk art really was a big deal back then, and it was hard not to continue it.

- Yeah, it really was successful the first year out of the gate.

I think it's unique to this area.

We haven't never had anything like this before, and so people really were excited about it.

And we've grown from having 60 artists the first year to over a hundred, and we just want to keep going with it.

- Now you're talking about chalk art.

Is this just a bunch of adults that just can't give up on their childhood?

(both laughing) Do you know what I mean?

- You would think it's like that, yeah.

It's certainly a unique art form.

These are very large murals that artists are creating on the pavement.

So they're eight by 10 spaces on the pavement and they have to, they work for hours to create these massive murals on the cement to compete for, you know, cash prizes, but also just to showcase their talents to the community.

And, you know, some of them are 3D so it looks like you could even fall into it.

And so it's really just a cool thing to walk through and see, and interact with the artists and get to see them doing their work live.

- Yeah, because let's be honest.

I mean, there are some of these 3D drawings and other things on cement that it really does play a trick on your mind, is that- - Yeah, and it's fun to take photos with them because it does look like you could fall in or get eaten by a shark or, you know, things like that.

So it's a really cool thing to see.

- The problem with it though, is that it's chalk art and all you need is a good rainfall and it's gone.

The permanence, there's no permanence is what I'm saying.

- Right, yeah.

That's the cool thing about it, is that it is temporary and you kind of have to see it while it's going on.

But yes, the weather certainly is a factor.

We are praying for no rain, but the chalk is very pigmented.

So even with a little bit of rain, it's gonna stay on the sidewalk for a while.

And so we've had, you know, seen some of these events where it will rain a little and they will just go inside or they'll go under a tent and then they'll come back to the work when the rain lets up.

So even if, if it's not a total wash out, it still could happen, it still could go on.

- Yeah, and Karie tell me, I mean, we've got some professionals that are really good at this, but that's not what this festival is all about.

It also gives like anybody who can use a little chalk a chance to express themselves.

- Yeah, that's what we want it to be.

We don't want it to just be a cutthroat competition.

We want it to be an experience where any artist can come out and, you know, just express themselves.

And so we have not only an adult category, we have a youth category that's open to kids aged 12 to 17, and they can actually win prizes, but also win art supplies for their school, so kind of a representation of that.

And then we also have just a kids' free chalk zone where, you know, little kids can even get, you know, get in on the action and just create some art of their own.

And then we have a community piece.

So each year we do a different image that we grid out and people can just get a box of chalk for a $5 donation and they can fill in a two by two square of a larger image.

So it just creates this whole community togetherness.

So it's really cool.

- And let's be honest, I mean, when you think of Quad City Arts you think of getting out in the community.

I mean, you do so much that doesn't necessarily involve an art gallery that somebody may not go to on any given day.

I mean, you really do want to get the public involved in a very public space.

- Yeah, that's kind of the way Quad City Arts is structured.

We go into about 200 different spaces every year through our visiting artist series, through community events, Festival of Trees.

We have numerous programs, Metro arts, so we really aren't kind of structured in a way where people are coming to our facility, kind of like the Figge or the Putnam.

We actually are going out into the community and so people don't necessarily always see that it's us doing it, but we're out there all the time.

- Oh yeah, absolutely.

And this Chalk Art Fest is a true festival.

It's not just people getting your hands dirty with the chalk dust.

I mean, you've got vendors there, you're going to have events as well.

- Oh yeah, we have a full lineup of bands.

So this event is free to the public to attend.

So we have a full lineup of bands both days that will be playing throughout the event.

We have face painting for kids.

We have this kaleidoscope bus, we have tons of food vendors.

So yeah, we encourage people to bring their lawn chairs and just come out and enjoy the event for the entire day.

Like, they don't have to just come and see the art and leave, they can actually just relax and enjoy the day.

- Karie Gilson of Quad City Arts.

Chalk Fest starts at 10 in the morning, both Saturday and Sunday, June 26th and 27th.

On the air, on the radio, on the web, on your mobile device, and streaming on your computer.

Thanks for taking some time to join us as we talk about the issues on The Cities.

(bright music) - [Narrator] Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, a proud supporter of WQPT, has been serving Quad City families since 1889.

They now have livestream capabilities for viewing your loved one's funeral or memorial service.

- [Male Narrator] At IHMVCU, we've always been here for you.

You are and always will be our top priority.

We care about your financial and physical health.

And we are here.

IHMVCU is a proud supporter of WQPT.