Morning Shorts
Thursday, Mar 15, 2007 - Posted by Paul Richardson
* Kane County to retain its lobbyists in Springfield
* Illinois budget: 2.3% more for higher ed?
* ‘Scott’s Law’ put under the microscope
According to numbers provided by the Illinois State Police, the number of tickets issued has moved up and down since the law was enacted, peaking with 796 in 2002 and dipping to a low of 355 in 2004.
As of February 28 of this year, motorists have been assessed 216 tickets this year, setting 2007 up as a record-setting year in terms of the most tickets written.
* ICC: Ameren must explain the effect of credit drop; copy of letter [.pdf]
* Commerce Commission challenges Ameren’s cutback threat
Paul Justice, an analyst who follows the electric industry for Morningstar Inc., said both Ameren and regulators appear to be posturing to an extent. But he added that the rating downgrade would put financial pressure on Ameren.
* More stormy weather for Ameren
* Electricity rates under siege
* Editorial: Ameren’s credibility, consumers suffering
It’s doubtful that an electric rate freeze is going to happen.
But Ameren’s lack of credibility, and the strange timing of Moody’s announcement, won’t give consumers the feeling they are being treated fairly. It’s hard to blame them.
* Rate rollback gets through Senate panel:
Despite Jones’ past rejection of rolling back rates, Forby said Wednesday that the president assured him he wouldn’t hinder a Senate discussion'’He’s the one that’s letting my bill run anyway,'’ Forby said of Jones. ‘’He’s the big man. If he said no, it wouldn’t be in committee or it wouldn’t go to the floor.'’
* CTA audit urge with gripes of filthy trains and buses
* Editorial: Don’t outlaw smoking in car with children
But having the government decide for everyone what is the “right” way to rear a child is more frightening than having “unlicensed” parents doing the best they can, even by the trial-and-error method.
* Strict smoking ban begins in suburban Cook Co.
* Michael Sneed: Jackson Jr., Giannoulias, Reilly
* Sun-Times Editorial: Gap in city schools needs to close
* Tinley Park Mental Health Center loses right to bill government for care
* Ex jail directors in Lake County deny pension fraud
* State Reps call for increase in blood donations
* Stiffer fines proposed for parking cheats
* Chicago city Council toughens measure on dog owners
* Kristen McQueary: Gorman vs. Peraica: Who’s right? And where’s the pork?
Editorial: Openness vow by governor gives way to self-interest
That fact is that the governor was right when he vowed to increase access to government records and documents. The residents of Illinois, who pay the bills, have a right to know what government workers and politicians are doing with their money and in their name. The governor’s claims to be concerned about privacy serve his personal interests, not the public’s.
* AG Madigan: Board’s Chief vote ends legality question
* Schoenberg: Davlin, Giannoulias
* Group begins airing commercials against Rockford area sales tax increase
* McLean County Clerk indicted
- Johnny USA - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 8:50 am:
“Don’t outlaw smoking in car with children”
Oh right - I am sure those bomb throwing anarchists over at the Pantagraph editorial board are against mandatory car seats for children, bicycle helmets for children, mandatory immunization…
I can’t believe they are advocating that we should allow children - the most defenseless people in our society - to be slowly poisoned.
And the cost of treating their ill health is going to be a great burden on the taxpayers. Funds will be used to treat this when we could be using them to treat people with real problems, like cancer victims.
The Pantagraph Editorial Board is absolutely sickening.
- Guy Montag - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 10:16 am:
While I agree with you, don’t spout on here about it. Write a letter to the edit board you despise so openly.
- Cassandra - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 10:20 am:
Isn’t Tinley Park under the Department of Human Services?
It appears that Carol Adams and her top aide, the Pajama Lady, weren’t paying much attention to it
when they were being chauffeured around the state and TP was getting all those bad reports from the feds. This was not a surprise decision. They’d been warned.
On the other hand, if all of Tinley Park’s affected patients can go to two other area state mental hospitals, do we really need three local state hospitals in the Chicago area. Maybe we could upgrade quality and get rid of TP at the same time. Or maybe not. Too many patronage job
holders might have to go job hunting.
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 12:33 pm:
Why is anyone surprised by the scores of the magnet and selective enrollment schools being higher than the rest of CPS? Magnets benefit by having children of families that are at least together enough to apply. Selective enrollment schools are just that, they select students on the basis of test scores. Of course these students will score higher on state tests.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 1:00 pm:
McLean County Clerk indicted!
We are constantly seeing government offials indicts on official misconduct.
I believe that they bring these indictments on themselves by refusing to do the right things.
When will government officials learn that it is in their best interest to do the right things, not only for their employees but for the tax payors?
- One_Mcmad - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 3:51 pm:
“McLean County State’s Attorney Bill Yoder said the case was referred to a special prosecutor and Yoder’s office was not involved in the investigation. He said his office would not be involved in either her prosecution or defense.”
It was an excellent idea for the Mclean State’s Attorney to appoint a Special Prosecutor and not be apart of the prosecution nor defense to avoid conflicts of interest.
- One_Mcmad - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 4:24 pm:
Johnny USA - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 8:50 am:
Johnny I believe what the Pantagraph is trying to say is that the government cannot control everything that the citizens do up to and including with their children.
We live in a democracy and if the government starts to control everything, then we’ll be in a dictatorship.
There are somethings that should be left up to parental control. For example, in my opinion sex education should not be a school curiculum. It should be a subject that parents teach their children the do’s and don’t and not the government. Some parents might want to follow religious beliefs when teaching their children about sex education and others may not.
I agree with the Pantagraph in that the government should not create a law, but should leave it within the decretion of the parents.
- decaturboy - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 8:48 pm:
Maybe it time to hire the McLean special attorney
to go Blago and the gang.
- Tessa - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 9:42 pm:
Tinley Park is the property that the Gov wanted to sell off several years ago to make money. Now Equip for Equality wants Howe DC closed, which is right next door to Tinley MHC. How convenient that Tinley had funding cut. Mental health advocates in the area don’t want to lose Tinley because the other Chicago are centers are too far away from where this one is located. If the Gov gets his hands on the property for both of these centers he’ll get bucko bucks and 400+ persons with developmental disabilities will be displaced from what they consider home. Persons with mental illnesses will be without services that the state now provides close to home. Of course, many of these people can’t speak of for themselves and the Gov doesn’t listen to them, so it won’t matter in the long run. E for E doesn’t care what the families want, they want what they want; same with ARC. Most private sector placements can’t provide the same services and aren’t ready to deal with the behaviors “these people” have.
Been there, done that. This truly bites.
- In the Sticks - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 11:05 pm:
There is some well-connected person who will significantly benefit from the sale of Tinley - the money certainly won’t show up in the general fund. Just ask about Elgin - where Bruce Washington of CMS/IPAM fame sold part of Elgin Mental Health - including the power plant and several other buildings that are still needed and occupied. Don’t think any of that money ever made it into the general fund.
- Snidely Whiplash - Thursday, Mar 15, 07 @ 11:13 pm:
Seems as if it’s always easiest to take away from people who are incapable of defending themselves, doesn’t it? Shame on you, Elvis!
- Tessa - Friday, Mar 16, 07 @ 5:19 am:
Snidely, DHS is currently undergoing a review by the same consulting firm that did Corrections to see where it can save money (i.e. cutting frontline staff). It’s not going to be pretty when it’s finished, I’m sure. Who’s gonna be hurt, besides the staff already working tons of OT, the people served. The people at the top of the heap don’t care because they don’t have to deal with the families or the individuals firsthand.