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Friday, Mar 30, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson

* Friday Beer Blogging: 32 Edition

* Koehler looks to alter state pension code

* Truck speed limit may go up

* Editorial: Keeping kids out of school has a wider cost

* Need a student loan? State might help those who stay

For the first time, the state would give Illinois students who study in Illinois a break on interest rates for student loans. Then, the break gets better if those students find jobs in-state after graduation, or opt for smaller-paycheck professions such as public service or health care in underserved areas.

* Sun-Times Editorial: Springfield must extend ‘7% solution’ for Cook Co.

* Will lost license stop teen drinking?

* Governor will decide future of hospital board

If the plan were allowed to expire Sunday night, regulation involving hospital construction would cease to exist, meaning any hospital could be built provided it complies with local zoning restrictions. Hospitals still would be required to be licensed by the state before opening.

* Gambling expansion bill is revived

* House OKs housing at community colleges

* Lawyers seek to question Daley in torture suit

* Three city workers accused of bribery

* Voter registration jumps in wards with runoffs

* Foie gras purveyor fined

* Carol Stream preparing for change as 2 run to be new mayor; taxes are #1 issue

6 Comments

- From Meigs Field - Friday, Mar 30, 07 @ 8:40 am:
I’m shocked! Three City of Chicago workers were accused of bribery.
How could this happen? Isn’t this the city that works

- So-Called "Austin Mayor" - Friday, Mar 30, 07 @ 8:48 am:
“* House OKs housing at community colleges”

Link no work for me.

- Bridget Dooley - Friday, Mar 30, 07 @ 9:47 am:
It’s about damn time the state created some incentives for people to go to in-state schools and work here afterwards.

As far as the lost school funding due to “elective absenteeism”, I think that a public education initiative could do wonders to cut down on that. I had no idea that schools lost funding when kids are pulled out of school for vacations and other elective reasons. I bet parents don’t know it either.

- Levois - Friday, Mar 30, 07 @ 9:54 am:
Well I guess the rise of registration of voters in those runoff wards is a good thing. The things is will they actually vote?

- Bridget Dooley - Friday, Mar 30, 07 @ 11:10 am:
It’s very labor intensive to get new voters to actually vote, for a variety of reasons but especially if there are language issues. It really requires follow up training to go over the ballot and the process step-by-step as well as more intensive GOTV. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights managed to register many new voters over the past year, but really dropped the ball on the follow-up.

I suppose turnout depends on how motivated each of the communities are.

- Squideshi - Friday, Mar 30, 07 @ 11:26 am:
In regard to voter registration increasing in wards with runoff elections…

We have seen the same thing happen when Instant Runoff Voting is used; and that is why Greens say that not only does IRV eliminate the spoiler effect, ensure majority elections, save taxpayer money, and reduce negative campaigning but it also increases voter turnout.

There is absolutely no reason not to use IRV in all single-seat elections throughout the state; and with Democratic control of the House, Senate, and Governor’s mansion, Democrats have the power to implement this election reform at any time here in Illinois. I encourage you to learn more.

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