A few tix still available
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I have a few tickets available for Monday night’s White Sox game vs. the KC Royals. The game starts at 7:11.
If you want one of the free tix, please e-mail me: capitolfax (at) aol (dot) com. Include your full name and a phone number and I’ll leave the tickets at the park’s “Will Call” window on Monday.
First come, first served. I’ll send you a confirmation e-mail tomorrow.
Go Sox.
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[Posted by Mike Murray]
CPS is looking for a property tax increase to partially make up a $475 million gap in this year’s budget…
* Chicago schools putting property tax hike on table
Chicago Public Schools leaders want a 1.5 percent property tax increase to balance this year’s budget — a hike they estimate would cost an extra $18 a year for the owner of a $262,000 home.
Schools CEO Ron Huberman delivered the tax news Tuesday at a news conference where he laid out a “dire” financial situation for this year and next. Huberman listed increasing employee pension costs and the state’s money woes as leading pressures on the district’s spending plans.
City school officials for months have been warning of a budget gap of $475 million or more in their $5.33 billion budget. The $475 million is the largest dollar deficit since Mayor Richard Daley took over the district in 1995. Next year, Huberman is projecting a budget hole close to $1 billion.
“This year, [students and parents] should not see any difference at the classroom level,” Huberman said. “If we don’t figure out something different for next year” they will, he said.
-And Mayor Daley has the stones to call this tax abatement, what utter hog-wash…
* Daley to taxpayers: Increase is an ‘abatement’
Concerned about a political backlash from struggling homeowners, Mayor Daley tried Tuesday to portray a $43 million property tax increase for Chicago Public Schools as an “abatement.”
That’s because his handpicked school officials wanted to raise property taxes by the maximum allowed by the property tax cap, as they have for 11 of the 14 years since Daley’s school takeover.[…]
“They’re not raising property taxes. We’re abating 50 percent of the property tax. … Instead of going up to $83 [million] or $100 million, we’re abating about fifty-some million,” Daley said.[…]
Daley refused to discuss the record $900 million deficit the Chicago Public Schools are facing in 2010, telling reporters, “One year at a time.”
- To his credit, though, Mayor Daley is calling for a solution that includes some shared sacrifice…
* Daley Hints at Concessions for Teachers Union
Mayor Richard Daley is hinting Chicago Public Schools teachers may have to forgo a scheduled pay raise to help balance the district’s budget.
Chicago teachers are due for a four percent pay bump next year, thanks to their union contract.
But Chicago Public Schools released a dismal budget estimate Tuesday, complete with a $900 million deficit for next year.
To help close the gap, Daley says “everybody has to chip in.”
-Not Surprisingly, this idea did not go over well with the teacher’s union….
* Teachers Union Not Happy About Prospect of Skipping Pay Hike
GENOVA: For us to go back to our members, and tell them that we’re now going to forgo a four-percent salary increase that they deserve is really just something we can’t accept at this time.
Genova says it was the Mayor’s office that pushed for the four percent hike in the first place.
She says it should have been able to foresee the revenue shortfall.
And she faults Chicago Public Schools for not paying into the teachers’ pension fund while the economy was strong.
- The real fiscal problem, much like at the state level, is the government’s (in this case the City of Chicago) huge unfunded pension liabilities.
* Property tax hike likely to pay for public schools
And, he warned, even worse news is ahead. The next budget deficit, in fiscal year 2011, could top $900 million — a hole so big the system would have to increase class sizes and eliminate teachers unless “cost containment on the pension and wage fronts’’ is achieved, Huberman said.
Some classroom teacher job cuts may even start this coming school year. After shaving 572 jobs outside the classroom, another 450 job cuts are planned this year — and some may be in schools, Huberman said.[…]
Their biggest obstacle was a teacher pension tab that that will balloon 70 percent — from $177.8 million to $307.5 million in the coming fiscal year — and is expected to skyrocket to $536.3 million in fiscal year 2011. By then, officials said, CPS probably won’t be able to raise property taxes because such hikes are tied to the consumer price index, which is expected to be flat.
“The Chicago Public Schools face a pension tsumani,’’ said Civic Federation President Lawrence Msall. “The next two years are going to be very difficult.’’
-And again, just like with the state pensions, the problems do not stem from the high cost of pension payments. (e.g. it is not high cost of salaries or fattened unions) I am not saying that lower salaries would not help solve the problem, but a contract is a contract and governments should be fiscally responsible and make their payments to avoid huge accumulated debts and the extraordinarily burdensome interests payments.
The cause of the pension problem comes from poor management by elected officials and government agencies. In this case it was CPS…
The CTU pension fund is out roughly $2 billion dollars because CPS diverted money it should have contributed to the pension fund to balance its budget from 1995 to 2005, Genova said.
“We’re not the federal government, and we’re not going to provide a bailout to CPS. They need to go back to the Legislature to get needed revenues,’’ Genova said.
-Mayor Daley, however, makes a very fair point in regards to pensions. It does not let CPS off the hook, but it does help explain why taxes ‘have’ to go up to fill the budget gap
* Daley: Taxpayers ‘double-taxed’ for teacher pensions
Chicago taxpayers are being “double-taxed” for teacher pensions, setting the stage for a $43 million school property tax increase, Mayor Daley charged Wednesday.
Daley said he gave Schools CEO Ron Huberman the green light to raise real estate taxes — but not by the maximum allowed by a property tax cap — because it was the only way out of the pension dilemma created by the General Assembly’s double-standard.
“We pay a double-tax. The pension is picked up by state government for all teachers outside Chicago. As a taxpayer in Chicago, you pay a tax there. Then, you pay another tax because the state excludes Chicago teachers. So, you’re paying two pension taxes: one for the state and one for the city,” Daley said.
“We’re the only, only local government doing that in the whole state. That puts a huge burden upon the school system. … You’re paying two taxes. This is really unfair and we have to do something about it immediately.”
So how does all this relate to the Olympics… I could not find the article that states the amount stockpiled TIF funds Chicago has, but I remember it is in the 100’s of millions. If someone could post it in comments that would be great, but I do not have time to find it.
Anyway, that pot of money could be used to help the city’s budget problems, including CPS. Instead the mayor is saving it away. I suspect it will be used for infrastructure improvements, improvements meant to bring Chicago the 2016 Olympics.
As possible evidence, well lets look at these…
* Park Dist. OKs 2 new lakefront harbors
It’s also designed as a short-term option for boaters displaced from Monroe Harbor should the city win the 2016 Summer Olympics.
One new harbor would go in at 31st Street, south of the proposed Olympic Village. A second, smaller “Gateway Harbor” would be created south of Navy Pier and north of the Chicago River, according to a plan approved Wednesday by the Chicago Park District Board.
The price tag for the two harbors is put at $110 million.
Construction costs will be paid for by an alternative revenue bond, covered by boat owners who buy the slips over the next 20 years, said Park District Supt. Timothy J. Mitchell, who says the harbors are moneymakers.
[emphasis added]
* CTA moves to extend L lines
The Chicago Transit Authority board voted today to accept proposals to extend the Red, Yellow and Orange lines on the L system.
The CTA is hoping to be able to get federal funding for its plans to extend the Red Line to 130th Street, the Orange Line to Ford City mall and the Yellow Line / Skokie Swift to Old Orchard shopping center in Skokie.
This is the first step of many the CTA will have to take before ground is actually broken on any of these projects. The next step: preparing an environmental impact statement needed to qualify for federal money.
* CTA Approves Next Steps For Rail Extension
The Chicago Transit Authority Board has approved plans to extend three rail lines. The projects are estimated to cost nearly $2 billion.
* CTA proposes one ‘L’ of a dream
- The city does have some funds set aside for the Olympics though.
* Chicago 2016’s final fundraiser nets $5 million
Chicago’s final fundraiser for its 2016 Olympic bid drew the biggest crowd yet, but raised only about $5 million Wednesday evening, the lowest tally of three major events aimed at luring private cash.[…]
The first major fundraiser, in March 2007, raised $9.4 million, and the second, in July 2008, raised more than $12 million. This fundraiser comes at a time of deep recession and at a point when the bid has met its main targets.
Before the gathering, the bid committee had raised $66.6 million in cash and $9.5 million in pledges. These funds were raised to pay for the $9 million domestic phase of the competition and the $49.3 million international campaign, and to finance World Sport Chicago, an affiliated non-profit group that fosters amateur sports. Most proceeds from Wednesday’s event will further fund World Sport Chicago.
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Round-Up: 2010 Elections
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
* Former Sen. Adlai Stevenson III endorses Dan Hynes for Illinois governor
Former Sen. Adlai Stevenson endorsed Comptroller Dan Hynes for Illinois governor on Wednesday, where he faces Gov. Quinn in the Illinois Democratic primary. Not a mention about Gov. Quinn in his statement. Stevenson ran twice for governor, never made it.[…]
“I am proud to support Dan Hynes for Governor because he is the right man for the moment. The challenges we face are many, and we need a strong leader with a clear vision for the future of our state. The first step is to address the budget, which is nothing short of a crisis. Dan’s record of strong fiscal management speaks for itself, and he is uniquely qualified to put our state finances back on track. Furthermore, I have come to know Dan as a man of integrity, and a leader with the courage of his convictions. These are progressive principles that I share, and I am proud to lend the Stevenson family name, and all it stands for, to the effort to elect Dan Hynes the next Governor of Illinois.”
Adlai E. Stevenson III represented Illinois in the United States Senate, and was twice the Democratic nominee for governor. His father, Adlai E. Stevenson II, was a former Illinois Governor and two-time Democratic Presidential nominee.
“I am honored to have Senator Stevenson’s support,” Hynes said. “The name Adlai Stevenson has special resonance across Illinois, representing an undying commitment to progressive principles and basic decency. Senator Stevenson is a proud heir to that legacy, and his contributions to Illinois are immeasurable. I am tremendously proud to have him involved in our campaign.”
* Franks for Governor?
State Rep. Jack Franks, a Democrat from Marengo, has often toyed with the idea of running for governor. He says he’s not yet made up his mind for 2010.
“I don’t know yet, I’ve got to figure it out,” he said. “It’s either re-election or governor.”
He says the decision won’t be based on money or the other candidates.
“The only consideration at this point is my children,” he said. “That’s my only concern. Whether its fair to my wife to basically make her a single mom for the next year and a half, because I know what I was doing when I was in high school.”
* Republican governor candidate touting DuPage’s rejection of video poker in campaign
Republican governor candidate Bob Schillerstrom is using his DuPage County Board’s rejection of legalized video gambling in bars in unincorporated territory as an early theme to try to stir interest in his campaign.
Schillerstrom, county board chairman in DuPage, is planning to use his opposition to video gambling as part of a road show aimed at promoting his candidacy as well as to urge other municipalities to reject video gambling.
* Cullerton: I have support to replace DeLeo in Senate
Patricia “P.J.” Cullerton, Democratic committeeman of the 38th Ward, says she has the support of most of the committeemen in her state Senate district to be slated to succeed Sen. Jimmy DeLeo, who is retiring at the end of this term.[…]
Cullerton is a scion of the Irish-American political family that has held office in Chicago since the 1800s. State Senate President John Cullerton is a “distant cousin” of hers, she said.
* Giannoulias Consolidating Support in Illinois
It’s looking increasingly likely that state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias will be Democrats’ anointed candidate in the 2010 Illinois Senate race.
Giannoulias’ aides confirmed a local report that the powerful state chapter of the Service Employees International Union will endorse Giannoulias — a sign that he will be national and local Democrats’ pick to face Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) in the general election.[…]
The window of opportunity for other candidates to get into the race continues to close as petitions to get on the ballot started circulating last week.
Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson (D) announced this week that she is running, but local operatives say she will have trouble overcoming Giannoulias’ head start. And now that the young state treasurer has picked up the backing of the most prominent union in Democratic politics, it will be even more difficult for Jackson to catch up in the less than six months before the Feb. 2 primary.
* Senate candidate is wise beyond his years
LeAlan Jones has never let youth or inexperience hold him back.
That’s why at 30 Jones is bold enough to join the race for the U.S. Senate seat recently held by his fellow South Sider, President Obama. Jones is running on the Green Party of Illinois ticket.
He’s green all right. He has never sought political office. So he knows what you’re thinking: He’s a kid. He must be nuts. He doesn’t have a chance.
“That’s what they said about Barack Obama,'’ Jones said. “They said he was too young, too inexperienced. Nobody gave him a chance either.'’
He doesn’t have a political war chest stuffed to the brim with fat-cat contributions. “I’m not trying to keep up with the Joneses,'’ he said. “I’m already a Jones.'’
Jones swears he is not crazy.
* Former Rep. Robin Kelly Runs for Illinois Treasurer
* Dodge to run for comptroller
Jim Dodge, an Orland Park Trustee, will formally announce his candidacy for Illinois Comptroller next week. Dodge joins Dennis Cook and Judy Baar-Topinka as a possible candidates for the office.
* County to get new judges next year
Gov. Patrick Quinn recently signed legislation that will add judges to Will County. […]
The new judges are to be elected in 2010 in subcircuits 3, 4 and 5.
Judges are to be added in the other two subcircuits after two current circuit judges retire.
County board member John Anderson (D-Monee), a lawyer who works in Chicago, has announced he will seek the judgeship in the 3rd subcircuit. Associate Judge Ray Nash, a Republican, is expected to announce his candidacy for the same judgeship.
* Debbie Halvorson’s big problem
T he latest Democrat targeted over the national health care debate is the one not holding a town hall meeting.
Freshman U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, of Crete, is keeping a low profile on health care during the House August recess.[…]
Halvorson remains undecided on the health care proposals floating through the House, but she’ll be forced to make up her mind when the House resumes work Sept. 7.
The question is whether she’ll use her freshman status as a crutch and vote against whatever plan emerges - or whether she’ll fulfill the promises on which she built her political brand to change the health care system status quo.
* 11th CD voters call on Halvorson to hold health care town hall
* PJStar: More debates needed on health care - not fewer
* Naperville Town Hall Meeting Closed To Cameras
A press release invited CBS 2 to a forum in Naperville Wednesday afternoon. When we got there, though, we discovered that our cameras were not allowed in.
Electronic recording devices of any kind were strictly prohibited inside the Naperville hotel ballroom where two suburban members of Congress were about to discuss health care reform.[…]
There were heated exchanges inside. North Shore Rep. Mark Kirk and DuPage County Rep. Judy Biggert were interrupted several times by small business owner Mark Garrity, who shouted, “Tell the truth!”
“We don’t really want to listen to them obfuscate about it and tell lies,” said Mark Garrity, Downers Grove, Democrat.
* GOP Has Health Care Ideas but Prefers Attacks on Obama
The moderate plan has been proposed by Reps. Mark Kirk (Ill.) and Charlie Dent (Pa.) and reportedly will form the basis of a full-blown GOP alternative developed by the GOP Health Care Solutions Group headed by Rep. Roy Blunt (Mo.), but not yet unveiled.[…]
Democrats may want to ignore Republican ideas and label the GOP “the party of no,” but they’d have a harder time if the GOP were more assertive in pushing its positive ideas. Moreover, voters might think better of Republicans.
* Biggert, Kirk sound off on health reform
Each representative made a brief opening statement followed by questions posed by chamber President John Schmitt, who touched on all four topics followed by a brief question and answer period.
Biggert, R-Hinsdale, consistently responded to questions in broad strokes, while Senate hopeful Kirk, R-Highland Park, repeatedly used statistics and a variety of references to world-based issues seemingly aimed at portraying him as a figure with greater political aspirations.
Kirk said this was a crucial economic time for Illinois.[…]
Both representatives spoke during a PowerPoint presentation on health care, which showed comparisons of a number of issues, including wait time to see physicians in other countries, cost and survival rate. According to the data presented, health care in the U.S. is far superior to either Canada or England despite its increased cost. Both Kirk and Biggert support the Medical Rights Act, which allows patients to continue to act on decisions made with their private physician, cost reform — including fully electronic medical records and lawsuit reform — and using interstate insurance pools.
* Durbin, Shimkus won’t do town halls
Spokespersons confirmed Tuesday that Durbin and Shimkus will be meeting in smaller groups with constituents and advocates to talk about the issue, instead of using the town hall approach.
Durbin, the assistant Senate majority leader and a leading backer of Obama, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch late last week he had no interest in providing a venue for chaos.
“I won’t be doing sucker-punch town hall meetings,” Durbin said. “They can do all the political theater they want, but I don’t have to supply the stage for them.” […]
On the other side, Shimkus spokesman Steve Tomaszewski said the Republican regularly offers constituents in his 19th District office hours for one-on-one meetings to talk about their views on health care and other issues. Tomaszewski said the congressman has seen a 75 percent increase in such contacts this year, with health-care reform the top issue in recent weeks.
* Durbin plans small meetings on health care
President Barack Obama and many lawmakers are conducting town hall meetings on health care, but Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Springfield says no thanks.
Instead, Durbin plans smaller group meetings with constituents and advocates to talk about the issue.
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Round-Up: State Governance
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
* Illinois tollway chief resigns
The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority’s longtime board chairman resigned today, saying he will serve until Gov. Quinn appoints a successor.
Energy executive John Mitola has overseen one of the tollway’s success stories — a vast expansion of its electronic toll-collection system and reconfiguration of toll plazas so I-Pass users don’t have to stop — since ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed him in May 2003.
* State tollway authority chairman resigns
Quinn is expected to address finding a successor to Mitola at a news conference Thursday and could also talk about replacing board members.
The departure of Mitola comes at a time when the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is under scrutiny from Quinn, who had vowed to clean house at the agency, and from lawmakers, who plan hearings this September on several controversies. A tollway spokesman said Mitola’s decision was strictly personal.[…]
During Mitola’s tenure, the agency instituted electronic tolling, extended I-355 and embarked on a massive widening and reconstruction program.
* Suburban lawmaker wants tollway information
On Wednesday, state Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, requested documents from the tollway regarding the agency’s dealings with Wilton Partners, the private firm that redeveloped and operated the tollway oases. Wilton and the oases are now the subject of foreclosure proceedings and at last count still owed the tollway about $1.3 million in rent.
Franks also sought information about board-member benefits, terminated employees and consulting contracts.[…]
A spokeswoman for the tollway said she first learned of Franks’ requests when the Daily Herald forwarded them to her for comment. She said the agency’s Freedom of Information officer would be preparing a response to the lawmaker.
Next month, state lawmakers will assemble in Chicago to begin publicly examining the Wilton deal and other tollway sore spots. The meeting of the Illinois Senate State Government Committee is scheduled for 11 a.m., Sept. 9 at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.
* Layoffs mean more limbo for Lincoln Developmental Center
This fall, for the first time in over a 130 years, a once-bustling state facility in Central Illinois will be completely vacant.
Lincoln Developmental Center, which had been Logan County’s largest employer for decades, will have no permanent workers on site beginning Sept. 30.
The three remaining workers are being let go as part of Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget cuts, raising questions about security and maintenance of the grounds.
“Once you stop maintaining facilities, it costs far more to bring them up to speed,” said state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, who represents a part of Logan County. “It just defies imagination.”
* New law gives parents 30 days to drop off babies at havens
Gov. Pat Quinn signed Wednesday a new law allowing parents to drop abandoned newborn babies at a hospital, fire or police station up to 30 days after they’re born.
“Rather than abandon the baby, which has unfortunately happened in Illinois, we’d rather have the parent bring the baby to a safe place, a Save Haven, and we save the lives of many, many babies,” Quinn said before signing the bill on FOX Chicago.
* Safe havens give unwanted babies a chance to live
* New law makes sex offenders’ use of Internet social networking a felony
Gov. Pat Quinn signed new laws Tuesday designed to limit sex offenders’ use of technology as a way to find more victims.
One law taking effect Jan. 1 makes it a felony for registered sex offenders to use social networking sites, a move aimed at taking another step toward shutting down an avenue of contact between an offender and victim.
“Obviously, the Internet has been more and more a mechanism for predators to reach out,” said Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), a sponsor of the measure and a governor candidate. “The idea was, if the predator is supposed to be a registered sex offender, they should keep their Internet distance as well as their physical distance.[…]
Quinn also signed into law a new offense known as grooming, where a predator over time coaxes a minor into meeting for sexual activities. The law, whose sponsors included Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), is aimed at closing a loophole in the current sex registration law, he said. It takes effect immediately.
* Illinois increases protections for victims of domestic violence and stalking
Under existing law, stalking victims are unable to obtain an order of protection unless they have a domestic relationship with the stalker or have suffered an attack.
Beginning Jan. 1, a victim will be able to secure an order of protection against anyone who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly engages in repeated and unwanted contact with them or with a member of their immediate family or household. Victims must prove they are alarmed or experience reasonable apprehension regarding their safety or the safety of family members.
A second law requires that parolees accused of domestic violence be automatically arrested for violating their parole.
It also doubles to 4 years the mandatory supervised release term for a number of domestic crimes and requires 40 hours of domestic violence training for parole officers handing offenders convicted of domestic violence felonies.
* State law seeks to protect college students from credit predators
With college students about to head off to campus, Illinois is enacting a new law intended to crack down on freebies credit card companies use to entice students to apply for cards.
Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday signed into law a prohibition on free gifts that have included things like T-shirts and pizza.
The prohibition is intended to prevent students from being bombarded with card applications and then impulsively signing up for credit cards they can’t manage and ending up thousands in debt before they leave school. It was pushed by Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and overwhelmingly supported by lawmakers.
* Quinn signs 3 public safety laws
Quinn signed the bills Wednesday at a news conference on Chicago’s South Side. Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez also was at the event, where she announced the opening of the county’s second Community Justice Center.
One of the news laws Quinn signed increases penalties for disarming a peace officer or correctional institution employee. Another law adds the street drug commonly known as BZP to the state’s list of Schedule 1 controlled substances. A third law allows stalking victims to pursue court orders of protection.
* All-out blitz as state targets steroids
Against that backdrop, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn last week signed legislation that should mean hundreds more prep athletes will be tested each year across Illinois — an estimated 1,000 students, compared to last year’s 700.[…]
At this point, it’s also unclear when and how the new law will shape high school sports in this state.
“We are still awaiting word from the Illinois (Department) of Public Health on how the structure of the new testing will look,” IHSA spokesman Matt Troha wrote in an e-mail Tuesday. “We do not anticipate it being in place for the fall sports this year, in which case we would likely continue using last year’s testing plan.”[…]
Of Illinois’ 700 athletes who were administered tests, less than a dozen tested positive; all were eventually granted medical exemptions.
* State Capitol Q&A: Distracted driving measures
* What you need to know about the state fair
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[Posted by Mike Murray]
* Local Opt-Outs Cut Into Illinois Gaming Expansion
The county[DuPage] –Illinois’ second largest with a population approaching nearly 1m people – follows the Chicago suburb of Rosemont in choosing to opt out of the gambling expansion that analysts had originally predicted would create demand for up to 45,000 new gaming machines in the state. Other areas of Illinois, including Will and Peoria counties, are also discussing a possible ban, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Governor Quinn’s ‘Jobs Now!’ package allows up to five electronic gambling machines - a term awaiting further determination by the Illinois Gaming Board - in each of the 14,000 venues in Illinois licensed to sell liquor. However, section 27 of the act allows local municipalities and county boards to pass ordinances to bar the machines from being installed within their local areas.
Section 70 of the Video Gaming Act further allows local governments to hold referenda to ban video gambling based on popular consensus, while the law automatically precludes the machines from being installed in any bar or restaurant within 1,000 feet of schools or churches, or pre-existing gambling facilities such as licensed racetracks and the docking area of Illinois’ riverboat casinos.
Analyst and industry estimates of how many machines would eventually be rolled out under the Illinois machine program have varied from 20-25,000 machines up to a possible maximum of 50,000, but that figure was always contingent on how many local governments would choose to opt out from the scheme.
-2 bans count as a trend to me. Especially since Peoria, Will and Cook Counties are also considering bans in their unincorporated areas. But Quinn is OK with this I guess…
* DuPage County bans video gambling in certain areas
Local governments across the Chicago area have been lining up to bar video gambling from their establishments, potentially dealing a blow to Gov. Pat Quinn’s capital plan to pay for new mass transit, roads and schools.
The DuPage County Board on Tuesday became the first county in the state to ban video gambling within its unincorporated areas. Rosemont and Country Club Hills have instituted bans, and opposition is building in New Lenox and Frankfort. Will and Cook Counties are also poised to consider bans.[…]
Quinn said he isn’t worried that an anti-gambling movement could put a dent in the state’s $31 billion capital budget, which was signed into law last month and depends, in part, on revenue from newly legalized video gambling. Quinn said there are other revenue streams to help pay for the construction program, such as increased drivers’ fees and taxes on beauty products, candy and alcohol.
“We have financing from other sources of money for the capital bill, and it’s going to take a little while to get everything going on the video gaming to begin with, and so if some communities choose not to have it, it’s OK by me,” Quinn said.
* Quinn OK with Gambling Response
A growing number of Illinois communities are saying “no” to video gambling, and Governor Pat Quinn says that’s fine with him.
Quinn says video poker will pay for about 25-percent of the billion dollars the state must pay towards 30-billion dollars in statewide construction. But he doubts enough communities will ban the machines to make a dent in the expected earnings.
DuPage County voted to ban the machine this week. Officials in Peoria and Will counties are considering the same.
-Well I must admit that I am a little more worried then the Governor. I would rather not have any threat to the decade overdue capital bill, but it’s not like Quinn has had a problem getting funding measures in place in the past. LOLOL.
-So I have to protest editorials like the one in today’s Sun Times…
* DuPage has right idea with video poker ban
Populism is a funny thing. It can undermine even the idea of a populist like Gov. Quinn.
That’s what we see happening to the Quinn-supported idea of introducing video poker to towns and cities across the state to help pay for the state infrastructure bill.
As we’ve said before on this page, video poker is a terrible idea.
It puts a mini-casino at every corner tavern.
News flash, they are not at every corner, but they are already all over the place. That is a poor reason to sink the capital bill. The Sun Times then goes on to praise efforts to pass a ban in Cook County.
A similar measure to ban video poker will be put before the Cook County Board in early September, thanks to the leadership of Commissioner Bridget Gainer and her four female board colleagues.
It’s a no-brainer.
Here’s hoping the Cook County Board gets on board the Populist Express.
- Well it may be a no-brainier for the Sun Times, but I think Mayor Daley has a thing or two to say on that proposal’s future in Cook County. I would bet against a ban in Cook County, but I would not bet on slot machines. HA!
They are for suckers, but if they get this state much needed infrastructure investment and jobs then I say let grandma play the penny slots….
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Round-Up: Municipal and County Governance
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
* Retirement party for Ald. William J.P. Banks canceled
A retirement party for powerful Ald. William J.P. Banks (36th) has been canceled, just days after the Tribune reported that invitees were asked to make their checks for $200 tickets payable to Banks personally.
* Cook County State’s Attorney Reopening Neighborhood Offices
Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez is making good on one of the major campaign promises she made.
The theme that repeatedly came up during last year’s race for state’s attorney was the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color. Then candidate Alvarez said small state’s attorney’s offices in neighborhoods were key to restoring that relationship. Today, she used a giant pair of scissors to open the second such office on Chicago’s south side. The first office opened up on the city’s north side a few months ago and it’s run by Joy Repella. She says people now have a convenient place where they can get legal questions answered, like one resident who got a strange check in the mail.
-Another elected official that refuses to just go away and stop causing problems…
* Flowers’ move jeopardizes bus driver training
School bus instructors have voiced concern to the Illinois State Board of Education that Flowers is threatening to cancel bus driver training classes, withhold instructor payment and refuse to certify bus drivers if there aren’t at least 50 participants in each class, documents obtained by the SouthtownStar reveal.
The Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education received more than $15,000 in grant money from the state for the program, according to ISBE records. In addition, the office receives about $6 per class participant.
Bus drivers are required to take an initial class - which typically lasts eight hours, covers things like how to deal with rowdy kids or students who have seizures on the bus, and culminates with a 65-question test - before they can be certified. Every year after, they have to take a brief refresher course.
In her 30 years as a bus driver and two years as a bus driver instructor, Kathryn Bruck has never seen a class of 50.
* Chicago 2016 revises statement on Scott land deal
Michael Scott’s role in helping West Side ministers develop city-owned land near a proposed Douglas Park Olympic venue raised the perception of a conflict of interest and should have been disclosed up-front, Chicago 2016 acknowledged Wednesday.
“In hindsight, given Mr. Scott’s role as agent for the group, it is understandable that a third party, without knowledge of the facts, might perceive a conflict of interest,” Chicago 2016 said in a prepared statement.[…]
The statement went on to say that Scott, who also serves as Chicago School Board president, “intends to submit a revised conflict of interest statement” outlining his role in the proposed development and “affirming that he has no financial gain from the project.” He also “intends to accelerate his separation as agent for the group,” officials said
* Chicago 2016 defends member’s plan to build near cycling venue
“Chicago 2016 has concluded that Mr. Scott had no conflict of interest between his volunteer role with Chicago 2016 and his efforts on behalf of the religious leaders seeking to improve the community surrounding Douglas Park,” the statement said. “Mr. Scott has had no role in the determination of venue locations and was not involved in the decision to utilize Douglas Park for certain venues.”
The Olympic committee’s conflict-of-interest policy requires officials to declare any interest in any project that could benefit from decisions made by Chicago 2016. Experts have said that the property in Scott’s project would increase in value if the cycling venue is built in Douglas Park.
-Brown makes a great point in his column about how we treat felons…
* City ordinance steals livelihood from repo man
Since May, however, Shrewsbury and many others like him have found themselves barred from repossessing cars in Chicago under a new city licensing ordinance that disqualifies everyone with a felony conviction in their past.
This has to be the ultimate in the hypocritical treatment accorded ex-offenders in this country.
We tell them to rehabilitate themselves and then we shut off one potential avenue of legitimate employment after the next by passing new laws prohibiting them from an ever longer list of jobs.
- This is a rarity, but Kass also makes a good point that is not simply conjecture for once…
* Lincoln Park punches felt down at City Hall
There’s worse crime out there.
How many weekend killing sprees in other neighborhoods are answered with residents marching by torchlight, clergy calling for an end to the terrible violence, the mayor or someone from his office marching with the people as they hold hands, TV camera crews walking nimbly backward, to chronicle the steps?
Children are being slaughtered in some corners of the city, but there’s no real political heat once the cameras leave.
Yet when insulation is lost by taxpayers with access to power, by folks who pay more in property taxes than many Chicagoans earn in a year, you bet it’s a political story.
- Brown has another good article on tax oddities in Cook County, it’s worth a read…
* One restaurant’s lease is another’s $1 million license
To cover those situations, we have something called a leasehold tax, which is assessed against leases on otherwise tax-exempt property. You can understand the reasoning. Businesses that don’t have to pay property taxes shouldn’t be given an edge over those that do, nor should the public be deprived of the revenue.
As a result, the owners of Tasty Dog learned just last year that Cook County officials were billing them for $106,588 in back leasehold taxes that should have been paid since they moved into the new location — about $19,000 a year.[…]
That’s because the Illinois Appellate Court ruled that the “concession permit agreement” under which Park Grill pays a fee to occupy space in Millennium Park is not a lease at all but a license — and therefore exempt from the leasehold tax.
The ruling was a setback to the Cook County assessor’s office, which had sought to put the Park Grill on the tax rolls after the Sun-Times reported in 2005 that the restaurant, which opened with backing from clout-heavy investors including mayoral pal Fred Barbara, wasn’t paying property taxes. The assessor argued that the restaurant really does have a lease, even if Park District officials chose to call it something else. So far, this has saved the Park Grill $982,239 in taxes and interest, the county treasurer estimates.
-And there are a whole host of new revenue generating / budget reducing efforts at the municipal level…
* Utility tax plan causes concern
PEORIA —
Increases in golf fees, swimming lessons and a spike in hospital costs could be consequences of a utility tax being discussed to help fill a gaping hole the city’s budget.
With the City Council weighing a possible 5 percent utility tax on water, not-for-profit organizations such as hospitals, colleges and local governments like the Peoria Park District are examining how they can absorb a cost that could impact their operations.
Especially a concern for these organizations is how the city tax will affect their bottom lines at a time when Peoria’s water provider, Illinois American Water, is seeking a 28.39 percent water rate hike from the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Chief financial officers at the city’s cash-strapped hospitals — OSF Saint Francis Medical Care Center, Methodist Medical Center and Proctor Hospital — say the proposed increase could lead to operational changes within their organizations.
* Winnebago County officials expect protests as property assessments sent
Property values are on the rise again this year for most of Winnebago County despite the continuing economic problems.
The Winnebago County Supervisor of Assessments office sent out assessment notices to 40,000 property owners this afternoon. An additional 80,000 or so property owners won’t get assessment notices in the mail, but their taxes will likely go up, said Beverly Campion, the county supervisor of assessments.
The reason is 10 of the 14 townships in the county have listed multipliers that go up anywhere from a little over 1 percent to nearly 5 percent this year. Cherry Valley, Durand, Laona and Burritt township multipliers remained flat.
“It is based on the prior three years,” said Rockford Township Assessor Ken Crowley, who conducts assessments for the county’s largest township.
* Geneva weighs tax hike on all phone lines
Aldermen appear to favor increasing the telecommunications tax on every land line, cell phone and Internet-based phone in the city.
In Committee of the Whole this week, the council voted 8-0 to hike the tax from 4.5 percent to 6 percent, which is the limit state law allows the city to charge.
A final vote still will be taken at the full City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 in City Hall, James and First streets. Tentative approval came after a long discussion of revenue losses and budget cuts in the 2009-10 fiscal year.
* Aurora gives approval to red light cameras
In about a month, the city of Aurora should be operating red-light cameras at its intersections.
* City to license hotels, eyes towing firms
On Tuesday, the City Council passed a new law putting hotel businesses under city regulation. The vote was 9-2, with Aldermen Rick Lawrence, 4th Ward, and Bob O’Connor, at-large, voting no. (Alderman Stephanie Kifowit, 3rd Ward, was absent.)
The city is still considering a plan to license auto shops and is developing a tow company licensing program. At Tuesday’s meeting, Sue Vos, head of the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, suggested using these proposals as a springboard toward licensing all businesses within the city.[…]
All existing hotel owners will get a license for free, one that will run until December 2010. New hotel owners will have to pay $200 to get a license, and all will have to pay $100 to renew a license.[…]
This law would cover any commercial towing operations in the city that remove cars from private property. Licenses for these companies will cost $125 per year.
* Oak Lawn mayor seeks delay in imposing layoffs
Trustees approved some further cost savings and agreed to consider a request by Mayor Dave Heilmann for a 60-day extension to the Aug. 31 target date for laying off 36 village workers.
Residents along with representatives and members of Oak Lawn’s employee unions packed the village auditorium to watch trustees spar over several issues - among them the planned layoffs, hiring a new law firm and privatizing the village’s family services department, which provides affordable counseling to local families. The latter two items were approved by the village board.
* Oak Lawn officials spar over layoffs
Meanwhile, even some of the officials who backed Deetjen’s plan Tuesday say they hope the Aug. 25 vote isn’t even necessary.
They’re hoping Heilmann can step in the upcoming weeks and help smooth things out between the village and its unions, some of which have offered concession packages that the village rejected for not going far enough. […]
But what’s clear is that the village’s estimated $2.65 million budget gap isn’t getting smaller.
Finance director Brian Hanigan said that Oak Lawn’s monthly payroll is $1.2 million and the “village doesn’t have 60 days.”
-Kadner’s column gives great context to this Oak Lawn showdown…
* Is there a new mayor in Oak Lawn?
L arry Deetjen is the new mayor of Oak Lawn, although he has never run for the office or received a single vote.
Hired out of Deerfield Beach, Fla., to become Oak Lawn’s village manager in July 2007, it became clear at a village board meeting Tuesday night that Deetjen is now running things - while an impotent Mayor Dave Heilmann protests that he is kept in the dark and implies that secret deals are being made.
The village manager form of government, common in the suburbs of Chicago, is an odd creature. While voters elect mayors and trustees, the village manager (their employee) has the legal authority to hire and fire department heads, law firms and even auditors. Because most suburban elected officials are part-timers, the village manager is a professional who runs the day-to-day government operation.
In addition to his other powers, Deetjen is also the chief negotiator for the village on union contracts and recently announced plans to lay off nearly 40 employees, including 11 firefighters, in a move to plug a $2.5 million budget hole. He has put together a 19-point plan to balance the budget that has never been voted on or even discussed in its entirety at a public meeting, according to Heilmann.
* Oak Lawn trustees agree on new law firm
* Midlothian misses out on stimulus funds
Midlothian will have to put three public works projects on hold indefinitely, now that the village’s application for federal stimulus funds has been turned down.
Mayor Terry Stephens announced the federal government’s decision at Wednesday’s village board meeting.
Stephens said the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which is administering the federal Public Water Supply Loan Program, reviewed the first 250 applications it received and Midlothian’s was not among them.
The village sought $2.6 million in loans to build a new water tower and replace sanitary sewers and aging fire hydrants. The federal program would have allowed the village to pay back the loan at 3 percent interest over 20 years.
* O’Fallon High School teachers voting on tentative contract agreement
The O’Fallon High School District Federation of Teachers had filed notice of their intent to strike. That appears to have been avoided with the proposed contract, which includes raises of 3.5 percent per year for two years for the high school’s 154 teachers.
-And Elgin can’t even give money away to people to get fit, man we are a fat nation. LOL
* Elgin gets no response for fitness grants
Worried by a “report” citing Elgin as the fattest city in Illinois, officials put the weighty news on a Web site and launched a fitness program — only to learn recently that no one knows if the fat title fits.
One thing is for sure in this suburban battle of the bulge: It hasn’t prompted the stampede toward healthiness officials hoped for.
With a Sept. 1 deadline looming to apply for $1,000 “wellness mini-grants” to subsidize healthy living initiatives, the Greater Elgin Area YMCA’s effort to help the community shed pounds has received zero requests for the cash, its coordinator says.
Not one — and the heavy silence has some officials worried.
* Pizzeria owner fights Mt. Prospect with slice of federal law
A federal law often used to attack organized crime syndicates and interstate business scams has been leveled by a Mt. Prospect pizza man against village officials he thinks are making a grab for his land.
Pizzeria owner Tod Curtis has launched a civil racketeering lawsuit aimed at Mt. Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilks, other municipal employees and local real estate developer Errol Oztekin, alleging they have formed an “ongoing enterprise and scheme” for nearly a decade to force him out of Ye Olde Town Inn, which he has owned for 41 years.
Village officials said they regard Curtis’ racketeering charges as absurd. Village Manager Michael Janonis called the conspiracy claims “the stuff of Oliver Stone movies.”
* Oak Forest settles on new law firm
-No offense to the residents of Calhoun County, but in what way was this a surprise. I don’t like when people in tornado valley complain about twisters either. Know the negatives and positives of your environment…
* Residents complain of fish reek from lake draining
Residents near the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge in Calhoun County say their area stinks because the draining of lakes has left millions of dead fish rotting in the water.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources periodically drains the lakes, leaving dead and rotting fish, many of which are pumped into the nearby confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.
The (Alton) Telegraph has received multiple complaints about the recent draining of Swan Lake, which covers 2,500 acres, but averages only three feet in depth.
Refuge Manager John Mabery says the lake gets silted in so badly it is necessary to drain it out every few years so new vegetation can grow. He also says 90 percent of the fish killed are unwanted species such as Asian carp and gar.
-Speaking of Asian Carp…
* Biggert pleased with Asian Carp decision
U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert says she’s pleased at increased efforts to protect Lake Michigan from the Asian Carp fish.
Biggert said in a news release Wednesday that expanded parameters for the lake’s electric fish barrier are “a long time coming.” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Coast Guard announced the plan increase in use of the barrier.
- It’s about time the CTA got with the 21st century…
* New, quicker ways of paying CTA fares sought
* Disabled riders to protest more fees
Disabled transit riders are expected to protest possible fare increases on Wednesday in a rally outside the Regional Transportation Authority headquarters in Chicago.
Paratransit, a ride service operated by Pace for people with disabilities, is facing a $20 million shortfall. A short-term solution to bridge the gap failed to gain support at an RTA meeting in July.
That plan would have involved minimal fare hikes plus contributions of money intended to be spent on capital projects from Pace, Metra and the CTA. The result could be doubling of paratransit fees, officials have warned.
Disabled community advocates say any increases will hurt a vulnerable population, many of whom are low-income. The rally is organized by Access Living, a support organization for people with disabilities.
* Cost of a cab ride going back up
Get an 50 cents ready for the cabbie again. Because Chicago area gas prices have averaged above $2.70 a gallon for the past six business days, the city said Tuesday that the surcharge on cab rides resumes at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.
The surcharge is applied when gas prices rise above $2.70 for seven consecutive business days. AAA said the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the Chicago area was $2.77 Tuesday, up from $2.71 (but down from $4.06 a year ago).
While in the taxi, passengers should look for an orange sign displayed in the seating area announcing the surcharge. Without the sign, drivers are not permitted to collect the fee.[…]
The surcharge is dropped when gasoline averages below $2.70 a gallon for seven consecutive business days.
* Land for failed condos to become park
In a nod to the old adage “One man’s loss is another man’s gain,” the City of Chicago will expand a park on the Northwest Side after buying a 1.6-acre lot from a developer who backed out of plans to build condos in the area.[…]
The city plans to turn the land into the southwestern tip of 13-acre Ronan Park, which runs along the Chicago River’s North Branch between Argyle Street and Lawrence Avenue — a rare find in a predominantly residential area, Brawley said.
* 872 may be opportunity calling
The new 872 area code spells a new round of opportunity for connoisseurs of the creative phone number.
While an area code mathematically has the potential for 10 million combinations of numbers, each creates about 7.8 million usable numbers, according to the Illinois Commerce Commission, which announced the new area code. That’s because about 20 prefixes, such as 911, 000 and 555, are not used.
* Kids attack digital divide
Roughly 25 percent of Chicago residents don’t use the Internet, and 15 percent have limited access, according to a study by the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Iowa. The report, “Digital Excellence in Chicago: A Citywide View of Technology Use,” was released last week.
Researchers, using a telephone survey, found that seniors and Spanish-speaking residents were far less likely to use the Internet than respondents who were younger and spoke English.
There wasn’t much disparity between black and white residents in terms of online use, though white residents were more likely to have Internet access at home, said UIC professor Karen Mossberger, who co-authored the study. Black respondents were more inclined to use public libraries for Internet access than white respondents. Latinos reported the lowest levels of use or access.
* Scooter’s, city reach compromise on seating
At a meeting Tuesday morning, city officials invited the owners of Scooter’s to apply for permits to place benches alongside their building. Dennis Moore, owner of Scooter’s, left the meeting with representatives of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the Department of Transportation confident that the applications will be approved.
* Doc who slipped, fell at O’Hare gets $800K
The City of Chicago has agreed to pay $800,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a doctor who slipped on the floor and injured her knee at O’Hare Airport.
* Chicago Young Republicans say it’s OK to be right
Despite a defensive tendency by some to keep their political views to themselves, there’s been an organized effort for the last two months by Chicago Young Republicans to change hearts and minds. And it has people coming out of the woodwork, the group says.
Membership is up to 500, 10 times what it was last year, said board member Corrine Williams. A party the group threw at the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville in June, featuring cover band Sixteen Candles, drew more than 800 people and was one of the largest Republican events in a decade, she said.
* Chicago Air & Water Show will be a 2-day event this year
For 51 years, the Chicago Air & Water Show has been roaring up and down the lakefront. This year’s event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday — not a three-day show like last year’s half-century celebration. But it’s still expected to pack plenty of razzle-dazzle.
* WBBM beefing up coverage of Air and Water Show
In addition to the traditional radio coverage, WBBM is for the first time adding several forms of video coverage. Cameras along the Lake Michigan waterfront will stream live action images along with the audio feed via the WBBM Web site at www.wbbm780.com/airandwater.
* Navy Pier wants to try balloon rides
Hoping to send tourists — and spending — up, up and away, Navy Pier plans to open a new balloon ride as early as this year.
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Round-Up: Clout U; Clout comes to CPS
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
So I still think this story is way over blown, but no one else seems to. So here you go…
- U of I President Joseph White held a closed door meeting yesterday with the heads of the other two branches of the University.
* U. of Ill. leaders to meet over admissions scandal
Leaders from the three University of Illinois campuses will meet to end the school’s Category I clout list and discuss other recommendations for erasing the influence of political connections on admissions.
University President B. Joseph White and other campus leaders will meet behind closed doors Wednesday afternoon.
- The result, no more clout list, in 8 weeks from now anyway…
* University Of Illinois President Cuts The Clout
Months after state officials first brought to light fraudulent admissions practices at the University of Illinois, President Joseph White announced he has officially gotten rid of the school’s clout list.
Wednesday, White gave university trustees eight weeks to review admissions practices.
* U of I president sets deadline to reform admissions
University of Illinois President B. Joseph White has given leaders from the school’s three campuses eight weeks to build a wall around their admissions processes and wrap up other a number of other reforms intended to prevent future scandals.
White told leaders and admission officials from campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield in closed-door meeting Wednesday that the school will follow recommendations made last week by the Illinois Admissions Review Commission.
- So up to this point, President White has been very quite regarding what will become of Chancellor Herman. He will have to make a decision sooner or later. Chancellor Herman, on te other hand, has not been so quite…
* University of Illinois chancellor apologizes for scandal
University of Illinois Chancellor Richard Herman apologized Tuesday for his role in a far-reaching admissions scandal but said he has no plans to resign.
“I am sorry for my role in this without a doubt,” he said in a brief interview with the Tribune, among his first public remarks since a state commission concluded last week that he acted unethically in admitting subpar but well-connected students. “My intention is to work toward creating a new [admissions] process.”[…]
He said his desire to stay is not motivated by a $300,000 retention bonus he would get in June on his fifth anniversary as chancellor.
“The incentive is really the institution itself,” Herman said. “If I look at my entire record here, I believe I have helped bring about a lot of wonderful things over a course of a decade, and given continued support, my hope is that I can, in fact, continue to work toward making this institution better.”
- And Governor Quinn is still trying to use a light touch with remaining 6 trustees who have not heeded his previous call for their resignation…
* Gov. Pat Quinn calls again for trustees to resign
Gov. Pat Quinn renewed his call Tuesday for all University of Illinois trustees to submit resignation letters in the wake of an admissions scandal, but some board members continue to push back against the request.
No trustees have offered to step down since the governor asked them to last week. Meanwhile, Quinn has asked the school’s alumni association to forward the names of possible candidates for two vacancies.
The recommended candidates would most likely be considered to replace Chairman Niranjan Shah and trustee Lawrence Eppley, who stepped down before the governor asked trustees to resign. Quinn has accepted their resignations.
Trustee Edward McMillan, a Quinn appointee who joined the board in May with the alumni association’s endorsement and was not involved in the admissions scandal, stepped down but is expected to be reappointed.
* Governor Pat Quinn Renews University of Illinois Resignation Calls
Still, Quinn says he expects a new board to be in place by next month.
QUINN: I think it’s better for everyone for the trustees to understand that putting the university’s interests first is all of our concern, and individual interests should yield to the university’s interest.
* Quinn U of I trustees have ‘few more days’
Gov. Pat Quinn says University of Illinois trustees should have more time to reflect on his call for their resignations following a report on an admissions scandal at the school.
Quinn told reporters Tuesday the six remaining trustees should have “a few more days” to make their decisions. But he didn’t say what he would do if they didn’t quit.
-With some trustees, however, Quinn might need to use a jack-hammer. This is the worst defense I have heard so far. LOL…
* U of I Trustee Blames Chief Illiniwek for Admissions Controversy
A University of Illinois trustee is refusing to resign amid the school’s admissions scandal.
Frances Carroll says she’s not responsible for the admission of unqualified, politically-connected students to the school. Carroll says demands that she step down are being fueled by an earlier school controversy.
CARROLL: This call for all the trustees to resign, I feel, is pressure about Chief Illiniwek as the mascot, a symbol, for the University of Illinois.
U of I trustees retired the controversial school mascot in 2007. That caused a backlash among some alumni.
-The Pantagraph uncovers some new clouted areas at U of I: Legislative Scholarships
* Another reason to end legislative tuition waivers
State law says recipients “shall be admitted to the university on the same conditions as to educational qualifications” as other applicants.
However, the report of the Illinois Admissions Review Commission uncovered at least five instances where a student’s receipt of a General Assembly scholarship apparently influenced the admissions process.
In one example, Rep. Ron Wait, R-Belvidere, awarded a scholarship to a member of a family he knew even though the applicant “may not be as needy as some other students” who applied. According to the report, the university refused to reconsider the student’s application to the U of I unless he was awarded a scholarship by the lawmaker. After being awarded the scholarship, he was admitted.
In another example, Rep. Kevin Joyce, D-Worth, reportedly wanted a student admitted before awarding a scholarship because, according to an admissions counselor, he didn’t want it to seem the student was admitted because of the scholarship. However, after Abel Montoya, then associate director of undergraduate admissions, said, “she probably will not be admitted without the GA scholarship.” The student was later admitted and the university says the decision was based on merit.
- And here is why this is a clout issue and not just U of I trying to make a buck (from the above cited Pantagraph editorial)
In fact, Richard Herman, chancellor of the Urbana-Champaign campus, told the commission that the scholarships cost the U of I more than $8 million a year.
So why do it? “Clout” and the desire not to offend lawmakers who decide how much money to appropriate to the university.
- And speaking of clout in education…
* Alderman helps his kid get into top high school
Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd) acknowledged Wednesday that his daughter was admitted to Whitney Young Magnet High School for the upcoming school year after he called the principal to ask that his daughter be allowed to follow in her brother’s footsteps.
The self-styled reformer denied that his personal appeal placed undue pressure on Whitney Young Principal Joyce Kenner — and he made no apologies for it.
In fact, the alderman disclosed that he makes “at least 10 to 15″ calls every school year seeking similar treatment for the children of his constituents.
“I wanted my daughter to attend Whitney Young. The curriculum there is great. … Parents are gonna do whatever they can [for their children], but I do it for community kids also,” he said.
-To be fair though, Ald. Munoz does provide explanation that shows he followed legal and ethical procedure…
Munoz said his son “tested into” Whitney Young four years ago with no behind-the-scenes help from his father. But when the alderman’s daughter applied last spring, test results alone were not enough.
“We didn’t get an admissions letter,” Munoz said, acknowledging that he started “getting nervous” as the last school year drew to a close.
“I talked to people. I said, ‘Hey, look. Because she has a sibling at the school, could you reconsider?’ After that, we got the acceptance letter. It’s part of the process. If a student has a sibling at the school, you can appeal it.”[…]
One of five criteria to join a select group of students hand-picked by principals of the city’s nine elite public college prep high schools is to have a sibling at the school.
- I guess the next question would be, what are the other 4 criteria. Specifically, does a call from an elected official (i.e. alderman) make the list.
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Round-Up: Ethics and Reform
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
At least on Constitutional officer was able to aviod this headache….
* Giannoulias only statewide officer with state cell phone
Gov. Pat Quinn isn’t the only constitutional officer who doesn’t have a cell phone provided by taxpayers.
In fact, just one of the statewide elected officials, state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, has a taxpayer-funded cell phone, a BlackBerry. He also carries his own BlackBerry for personal use, said Scott Burnham, spokesman for the treasurer.
Policies vary on whether call records would be released under the state Freedom of Information Act.
“It (a request) would be denied,” said Henry Haupt, spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White. “Our reasoning is, the records are not kept by the state, for one. Nor are the calls reimbursed by the state. As a result, they don’t fall under FOIA.”
-AG Madigan views the private cell phone records of public officials as not subject to FOIA, even when the elected official is using that cell phone to conduct state business. Although, the first part of the explanation given from here office does not seem to completely jive with the last part and she would be subject to FIOA if she concluded otherwise.
I am no lawyer, however, so I make no accusations. I Just don’t see a difference between calls and emails. Are there lawyers out there who can explain?
* Do private phones keep the FOIA’s away?
Cara Smith, Madigan’s deputy chief of staff, used the analogy of a government employee who buys his own paper and pencil and uses it to write an agenda for a city council meeting. Such an agenda is a public document even though the paper and pencil weren’t purchased with public funds, she said. In the same way, e-mails about official government business sent on privately owned BlackBerrys are public records, she said.
“To conclude otherwise, when it comes to e-mail records, would create a gaping hole in the law,” Smith said.
Billing records for cell phones used and paid for by elected officials, however, are another matter. Smith said she doesn’t believe such records are subject to FOIA requests.
“The short answer would be no,” Smith said. “And the reason is that if the private phone bill is not paid for and doesn’t implicate the use of public money, there’s no reason the public body would maintain or keep a copy of that bill.”
And of course, editorial boards are enjoying this issue…
* Why the private phone, Gov. Quinn?
On one hand, we applaud you for taking it on the chin and paying the monthly bill for your own BlackBerry in these turbulent budgetary times for the state of Illinois.
But that’s penny-wise and pound-foolish in the sense that you’re losing political capital.
The people of Illinois have a healthy distrust of their political leaders, borne of years of abusive relationships. Rod Blagojevich was only the most recent person to let us down. And for that, we showed him the door.[…]
So do your business on a phone paid for by the state - so we can keep tabs on you as the law allows - or make your phone records public.
* SJ-R: State can afford to buy Quinn a phone
BUT QUINN’S refusal to use a state phone for state business is both odd and inconsistent with his stated desire for open and accountable government. His use of his personal cell phone for phone calls and e-mail allows him to conduct the state’s business without such communications being subject to the state’s Freedom of Information Act, according to a story published Monday by The Associated Press. The governor won’t voluntarily release his phone records.
“His personal cell phone/BB (BlackBerry) usage is not public, so those records do not have to be released,” Quinn spokesman Bob Reed told the AP.
GOVERNMENT watchdogs are right to be concerned about the use of a personal phone to conduct state business. The people of Illinois have a right to see what officials of the government whose salaries they pay are doing and why.
“This is vintage Pat Quinn, doing something in his own quirky way that in this case blurs the line between transparency and privacy in a way that’s hard to resolve,” Andy Shaw, executive director of the Better Government Association, told the AP.
- Quinn might not comment on the FOIA changes, but his intent comes across kinda strong in the last paragraph below. Or at least it did to me…
* Quinn won’t comment on state’s attorneys concerns about open records changes
Alvarez, who Quinn appointed to serve on his blue ribbon ethics panel following the arrest of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has said she is worried that changes aimed at making it easier to access government documents could lead to the inappropriate release of some crime victim information.
She’s also suggested the legislation awaiting Quinn’s signature could result in the exposure of secret informants that could potentially jeopardize criminal cases. The open records rewrite extensively narrows exemptions for law enforcement officials when it comes to releasing documents. […]
Quinn would not comment on Alvarez’ concerns, but said he is reviewing that letter along with others, including one from the Illinois Press Association urging Quinn sign the measure as-is. The governor said he would take action soon on that and other ethics bills, and previously has hinted he is considering using his amendatory veto power to change at least one other ethics bill dealing with campaign finance laws.
“I’m going to examine their letter and study their letter, along with many other letters I’ve received on that matter,” Quinn said. “But it’s going to happen soon… We are going to make 2009 a year of reform and that’s my job as governor, to sign into law fundamental, far-reaching reforms that will change our government forever. And I’m committed to that, and that’s why I’m here.”
- The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform makes a interesting argument in opposition to HB 7 that I have not heard voiced previously from the bill’s opponents. I am not saying I am completely sold, but it is worth a read and should spawn some interesting discussion…
* HB 7 in Detail: Defining when a committee “receives” a contribution
n revisions to the Election Code, HB 7 changes the definition of when a committee “receives” a contribution. The date of receipt determines when a committee must report a contribution, and is especially important during the A-1 reporting period: the final 30 days before an election, when committees are required to report contributions over $500 within two working days of receipt. The date of receipt also becomes a factor around the end of the regular reporting period, in determining when the public is told of a contribution.
Current law uses the word “receipt” but does not define it in statute, relying instead on the common sense of the word. The State Board of Elections has defined the word in regulation, relying again on the common sense meaning of the term.
HB 7 changes the definition to when the “candidate or campaign treasurer” has “actual personal physical possession of the contribution.” This greatly narrows the definition in ways that are deeply problematic. When, for instance, would the candidate or treasurer have “actual personal physical possession” of an electronic funds transfer? An on-line contribution? An inter-bank exchange?
But there are deeper problems, and an example will illustrate: In 2006, Todd Stroger, then a candidate for Cook County Board President, missed statutory deadlines to make public reports of more than $250,000 in contributions received in the final weeks before the election. He later claimed that the contributions had been “received” by the committee but were being vetted, and so were not “received” by the officers of the committee. After much haggling, the State Board of Elections disagreed with Stroger’s interpretation. Under current law, he was found to have violated the Election Code and was fined just over $25,000. This provision in HB 7 would validate his failure to disclose.
And ICPR continues
With this change, a committee could receive a contribution without triggering reporting requirements. Until the candidate or treasurer of the committee directed a staff person to hand the contribution to the treasurer or candidate, creating the necessary “actual personal physical possession,” there might be no obligation to report a contribution. There is nothing to require a committee to disclose once a staff person has told the candidate or treasurer of the receipt, so long as the staffer does not deliver “actual personal physical possession” of the contribution. The chair of the committee or other staff could have “actual personal physical possession” of a contribution indefinitely without ever triggering disclosure. Contributions received by the committee before Election Day could, under this proposal, be held until after the voting is over, then delivered to the treasurer, deposited, and used to pay debts incurred before Election Day. This could postpone disclosure for months, completely defeating the purpose of A1 reports.
This is a huge step backward, and one of several reasons why ICPR believes that HB 7 is worse than nothing.
- I should have no from what he is charged with, but his guy has a lot of …well let’s just call it Chutzpah. LOL…
* Cahnman rejects requests to step aside
“I will not run away from the job my constituents sent me to the city council to do,” Cahnman said. “But because of the sensitivity currently involved in the Springfield Police Department, I will recuse myself from any votes involving the department.”
* Democracy without elections
The unfortunate truth is that 4 of the 100 members of the Senate got there without the consent of the governed. They were appointed to fill seats abandoned by someone who moved on to another job (including Barack Obama and Joe Biden). In the House, by contrast, vacated seats can be filled only by special elections.
The number of unelected senators will soon rise. Republican Mel Martinez of Florida is stepping down rather than serve the last 17 months of his term, and Texas Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison plans to leave this year to run for governor. Once their successors are sworn in, 27 percent of Americans will be represented by senators who didn’t get a single vote in a free election.
Among these unfortunates are the people of Illinois. Not only did they have no say on their new senator, but they are stuck with a risible appointee, Roland Burris, named by a governor, Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached for his corrupt selection methods.
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Round-Up: Law & Order; Crime & Punishment
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
* Police seize 26 weapons on Northwest Side
A specialized Chicago Police unit recovered 26 weapons while executing a search warrant at a Northwest Side home Tuesday night, police said. […]
Nobody was home when the warrant was executed, but officers did recover 26 weapons in the residence — including handguns and assault rifles, Greer said.
- I advocate ‘common sense’ gun laws, but it’s busts like this one that make me question strict gun regulation like Chicago’s hand gun ban. Criminals don’t follow the rules, so it does seem like it might just be red tape for law abiding citizens. It’s a complicated issue, but I am sure Todd will have more to say on the subject. LOL
* More potential Degorski jurors dismissed
* Drug dealer takes the stand in murder case
When Eric Kaminski showed up to a Pilsen apartment building on Feb. 5, 2004 - the last day the Oak Lawn man was seen alive - he thought he was looking at a paint job he could do on the side.
Instead he was ambushed by a dirty Chicago police officer who dug the bullets out of Kaminski’s dead body before ordering Daniel Nevarez to bury Kaminski in the basement, Nevarez testified at in his own defense today.
Prosecutors say that Nevarez, not accused crooked Chicago cop Jerome Finnigan, killed Kaminski.
“You’re going to bury him or you’re going to dig three (graves)” Nevarez said Finnigan ordered before digging out slugs from Kaminski’s head and shoulder with needle-nose pliers. “I’m making sure this s— doesn’t come back to me,” Nevarez testified the officer told him.
* Cabdriver’s lawyer wants to make a deal
An attorney for the Buffalo cabdriver who accused Blackhawks star Patrick Kane of beating him over a 20-cent fare dispute said Tuesday he’s hoping the issue can be settled with his client being compensated out of court.
The comments from attorney Andrew LoTempio to WGN-AM radio come after the Buffalo News reported that cabbie Jan Radecki was driving his cab without a valid driver’s license after several drunken driving arrests.
The statement also follows LoTempio’s comments on Monday that he thought the incident, which landed Kane with a felony robbery charge, was “blown out of proportion.”
-I can’t wait till I am super wealthy so I can just commit crimes and pay the victim to drop the charges. That way I can still be a jerk while also having no legal consequences. BTW- insert sarcastic tone here.
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Round-Up: Economic News
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
* Fed signals vote of confidence in economy
he Federal Reserve delivered a vote of confidence in the recovery today, declaring that economic activity is “leveling out.” The central bank also signaled that it would end one of its programs aimed at propping up the economy, and kept a key lending rate at a record low.
The Fed said it would gradually slow the pace of its program to buy $300 billion worth of Treasury securities so that it will shut down at the end of October, versus September. It has bought $253 billion of the securities so far.
* A congressman’s tough lesson
This week, it turned out that neither threats, nor TARP funds nor other bailouts influenced the lenders, sellers or buyers of Seaford’s parent, Hartmarx. The deal went through with Wells Fargo financing the London-based Emerisque Brands, but left out some 300 employees at Seaford’s Rock Island plant.
Our hearts go out to those workers, who are prime examples of working Quad-Citians doing everything right, then being cast aside by out-of-town corporate interests.
The decision is devastating for the workers and for the Quad-Cities, which cherishes every manufacturing job. It also has to devastate Hare, who cut his political teeth as a union organizer while he was cutting suit linings as a Seaford employee.
Still, that threat is hanging out there. Fueled by Hare’s rhetoric, Illinois State Treasurer (and U.S. Senate candidate) Alexi Giannoulis leveled his own threat to pull all state funds from Wells Fargo if it withheld credit from Seaford’s buyer. Technically, Giannoulis is off the hook. It appears Emerisque, not its lender, pulled the plug on Seaford
* Insurer Blue Cross to cut 650 jobs
The parent of Blue Cross and Blue Shield in four states, including Illinois, has announced it will shed 650 jobs as it prepares for operations after the expected adoption of health care reforms.
Chicago-based Health Care Service Corp. operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The company on Wednesday announced plans to reduce its work force about 4 percent by the first quarter of 2010.
* Ameren to lay off 80 at Illinois power plants
Ameren Corp. today announced plans to eliminate more than 80 jobs at three Illinois power plants, including 47 at the Meredosia power station about 20 miles northwest of Jacksonville. It was the second such layoff notice in three weeks.
* Wal-Mart posts flat 2Q profit; boosts outlook
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday reported second-quarter income virtually unchanged from a year ago, but results beat Wall Street expectations.
The world’s largest retailer also raised the low end of its profit outlook as it benefits from a series of cost-cutting moves and draws frugal shoppers away from rivals.
Wal-Mart earned $3.44 billion, or 88 cents per share, in the quarter ended July 31. That compares with $3.45 billion,or 87 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue fell 1.4 percent to $100.08 billion.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters projected earnings per share of 85 cents on revenues of $102.9 billion.
* For FBOP, $500M may not be enough to right the ship
Capital levels at the Oak Park-based company — with $18.6 billion in assets, mainly in subsidiary banks in California, Texas and Arizona and at Park National Bank in Chicago — have fallen to the point where the holding company is “critically undercapitalized.” That designation by law requires regulators to seize a lender within 90 days unless they specifically find another course to be preferable.
FBOP has been trying to raise $500 million in equity and debt for months, and more recently became embroiled in litigation with its own bank lenders, led by J. P. Morgan Chase & Co.
The continuing deterioration at FBOP, though, may mean that $500 million won’t be enough.
Based on its June 30 results, FBOP needs to raise between $900 million and $1.1 billion.
* Sara Lee Posts Smaller Quarterly Loss
The maker of Sara Lee breads, Jimmy Dean sausages and other foods said Tuesday that it posted a loss of $14 million, or a loss of 2 cents per share, compared with a bigger loss of $672 million, or 95 cents per share, a year ago. Excluding impairment charges of $207 million at its Spanish bakery business and $61 million in other charges, earnings per share were 29 cents.Revenue declined 10 percent to $3.16 billion.
* Durbin Backs High Speed Rail In Normal
Normal Mayor, Chris Koos said, “We’re currently in our region the fourth busiest Amtrak stop behind Indianapolis, Chicago and St. Louis and we’ve been told by the Amtrak people that we’re likely to overtake St. Louis in another year or so”.
Durbin says this is not the same high speed rail system sought earlier.
He says the goal is to make the existing Amtrak rail capable of traveling 110 miles per hour and is more realistic for shovel-ready stimulus dollars.
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Round-Up: Blago News
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
I wish he would just go away, but with his ego and lack of shame and the fact that we still have a very lengthy trial coming up, it looks like Blago will be around for years to come. So might as well keep track of his antics and the like…
* Blagojevich gets fresh legal firepower
Now, Chicago attorney Jay Edelson has been brought in to fight civil lawsuits being filed against Blagojevich.
In a telephone interview Tuesday, Edelson said he’s taking the case free of charge because Blagojevich is facing serious legal issues and needs the help.
Among other cases, Edelson will be representing Blagojevich in a tug-of-war over $90 million that riverboat gambling casinos have paid into a state fund designed to subsidize Illinois racetracks.
The casinos contend they were forced to pay as the result of a corrupt deal.
* Blago: Crazy like a fox, or just crazy?
His new Web site flogs his act (”Gov. Rod Blagojevich is one of the most sought after public figures for public speaking and appearances.”) and I couldn’t help but inquire — what would it cost for the governor to show up at the Sun-Times Christmas party?
“It all depends what you have in mind,” said his publicist, Glenn Selig.
“I see him in a chicken suit, walking around, passing canapes,” I replied, and here Selig surprised me.
“He gets more offers than he can take,” he said. “I gather he would not want to walk around in a chicken suit.”
* Blagojevich won’t be taking lie detector test
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich will not be taking a lie detector test before his upcoming book is released.
• • Hmmm. Isn’t that what Blago’s publisher Michael Viner, who died recently, told a New York columnist a few months ago.
• • The flip side: Blago’s publicist, Glenn Selig, is denying the report. “It was never true. I don’t know where it came from,” Selig said.[…]
• • Net hits: Selig claims there has been a lot of traffic “on Rod’s new Web site and a lot of people have signed up for his newsletter.”
8 Comments
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Round-Up: Other Newsworthy/Interesting Stories
Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - Posted by Mike Murray
[Posted by Mike Murray]
* About 60 Ill. soldiers return from Afghanistan
* Schakowsky son-in-law dies snorkeling
The son-in-law of Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Michael McLaughlin, died Sunday while snorkeling near Tulum, Mexico.
* Remembering Eunice Shriver
I hadn’t given much thought to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Kennedy matriarch who died Tuesday, since a chance meeting in 1960.
* Univ. of Chicago prof to get Medal of Freedom
* Report: NASA can’t keep up with killer asteroids
That’s because even though Congress assigned the space agency this mission four years ago, it never gave NASA money to build the necessary telescopes, the new National Academy of Sciences report says. Specifically, NASA has been ordered to spot 90 percent of the potentially deadly rocks hurtling through space by 2020.
Even so, NASA says it’s completed about one-third of its assignment with its current telescope system.
NASA estimates that there are about 20,000 asteroids and comets in our solar system that are potential threats to Earth. They are larger than 460 feet in diameter - slightly smaller than the Superdome in New Orleans. So far, scientists know where about 6,000 of these objects are.
-Kinda unnerving, but I am not going to send a check to NASA anytime soon…
* Chicago Scientist Finds Evidence of High-Speed Evolution
Evolution takes place over long stretches of time: millennia and epochs. But some new research shows that animals may be changing much faster than nearly anyone thought. And those changes seem to be linked to humans.[…]
HEANEY: The implication is, these animals are changing very, very rapidly in response to changes that humans are largely responsible for. So in a sense, it’s good: they can change. But the other side of the coin is, they’re having to change.
-I am a dog lover, but I was also raised with the mentality that no dog is worth $4,000. If it can’t hunt, we just put it down and certain relatives of mine are too cheap to use a vet if you catch my drift. Maybe it’s cold blooded, but my point is that this story is ridiculous, but every other paper in IL seemed to find it news worthy. Thus, here you are…
* 5 legged puppy case heads to Chicago
The case of a puppy that used to have five legs and was saved from a Coney Island animal show is going before a court TV judge in Chicago.
* Chicago TV judge rules on 5-legged puppy case
Thanks to a Chicago TV judge, a Coney Island freak show operator is up $4,000, but he’s still down one five-legged puppy.
Judge Jeanine Pirro ruled Wednesday that freak show owner John Strong is entitled to the cash after the dog’s original owner backed out of a contract to sell the Chihuahua-terrier mix to him.
* Lincoln penny will be unveiled today
The third of four 2009 commemorative Abraham Lincoln pennies will be unveiled at 10 a.m. today at the Old State Capitol. It represents Lincoln’s professional life as an attorney in Springfield.
* White Sox pad the roster with August recruits
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