Morning shorts
Tuesday, Oct 28, 2008 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Burge hearing draws crowd
* Burge Pleads ‘Not Guilty’
* Lottery deal legality questioned
Plans to lease out the Illinois Lottery for billions of dollars could be in jeopardy after federal authorities recently said such deals might be illegal.
On Friday, Indiana’s governor abandoned the idea of privatizing the Hoosier Lottery, pointing to a Department of Justice opinion saying states must retain control over all significant business decisions and equity interest in lotteries.
Federal law prohibits lotteries but has exemptions for those run by states.
* Pontiac distraught as prison closure threat becomes a reality
* More prisoners transferred in Illinois
* Amid budget pain, aldermen try to save “jumping jacks”
Chicago aldermen afraid of catching grief in their wards are looking for ways to keep the “jumping jacks” program that provides bouncy, inflatable playgrounds for children but is slated for elimination in Mayor Richard Daley’s proposed 2009 budget.
“We, as elected officials, are going to hear it,” Ald. Ed Smith (28th) said Monday, contending residents would be upset at the demise of a program that provides entertainment for many children who don’t have much. “People are not going to understand why the program is taken out.”
One alderman said the cut, which is slated to save $800,000, simply would not go through.
* Popular Chicago festivals to be cut
* ‘Power shift’ cuts overtime at 911 center
* Cook Co. hospital system says it will cut 464 jobs
* County Health Bureau Asks for More Money
* Cost of riding cabs going down
At 12:01 a.m. Friday, the $1-a-ride surcharge imposed last spring to provide relief to cabdrivers squeezed by skyrocketing gasoline prices will be reduced to 50 cents.
Noting that Chicago has 6,900 taxicab medallions and 6,800 active vehicles, Reyes said, “We will have done everything we are requierd to do to notify owners and drivers. And if they’re charging more than 50 cents a ride, they will be subjecting themselves to a fine.”
* Chicago Public Libary circulation skyrockets
* U of I gets $2 million for biofuel infrastructure study
* Agreement reached on wind farm
* Boeing, machinists in tentative deal to end strike
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 28, 08 @ 11:23 am:
Sad to see the festivals cut back. Nothing better than goofing off on a sunny afternoon at BluesFest. I’m wondering if they’re maximizing fees from vendors? How about naming rights?
- DzNts - Tuesday, Oct 28, 08 @ 2:31 pm:
Closing Pontiac in the absence of legislative authority will prove to be a huge mistake. It is yet another example (as if we need any more) that a dictator has replaced a person elected to change business as usual. The legislature clearly appropriated money to continue funding operations at Pontiac. Yes, the Governor can transfer a small percentage of budget dollars, but I suspect transfering an entire prison population and creating an economic bomb in the Pontiac area will most certainly have political consequences.
Never underestimate the fire and persistance of Senator Rutherford to do what is right for his constituents, for taxpayers and for the integrity of the constitution. I’m no lawyer, but this seems like a crystal clear case of one person usurping constitutional authority. I would not be surprised to see impeachment proceedings begin and ultimately make its way to the Senate once Jones is gone. I don’t take impeachment lightly, but I do believe people smarter than me could probably produce enough tangible examples of how the Governor has repeatedly exceeded his constitutional authority, making a strong case for impeachment based on misfeasance of office.