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Proposed wind energy developments will bring billions in economic investment to Illinois

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

New Report Entitled “Investing in Illinois” Shines Light on Significant Economic Benefits of “Shovel-Ready” Wind Farms

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS –As many as 20,000 jobs would be created with the development of the 3,200 MW of utility-scale wind generation currently permitted in Illinois, according to a report from three leading wind energy organizations. The report—entitled “Investing in Illinois” and released by the Illinois Wind Energy Association (IWEA), American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), and Wind on the Wires (WOW) — is being released at a crucial time, as state lawmakers consider legislation to overhaul the state’s electric market. The study highlights why any major energy bill passed this year must include provisions that accelerate development in Illinois of clean, affordable, homegrown renewable energy.

Using the U.S. Department of Energy’s Job and Economic Development Impact model, the report finds that if all 3,200 MW of the current permitted wind projects were developed in Illinois, the state would likely:

· generate more than $930 million in construction wages and $34 million in annual operations and maintenance wages;

· produce over $32 million in annual local taxes, approximately 70 percent of which would go directly to local school districts;

· generate over $9 million in annual lease payments to Illinois farmers; and

· spur millions of dollars in orders for local supply chaincompanies working in tower and gear manufacturing, transportation, engineering and materials services.

The full text of the report is available at: www.WindforIllinois.org/news

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Question of the day

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I’ll be putting up an automated news feed for the Rod Blagojevich trial in a day or so. I already designed it, but the guy who actually turns it into a program is out of town. Anyway, I was wondering…

* The Question: Your Blagojevich trial predictions? Explain fully, please.

* This morning’s coverage…

* Harris testimony: Blagojevich asked what he could get for Senate seat

* Defense rattles prosecution from the get-go

* Blagojevich jury to see how former governor condemned Gov. Ryan’s act

* FBI describes “Wire Room”

* Judge rebukes Blagojevich defense during cross examination of first witness: A visibly agitated judge scolded Rod Blagojevich’s defense attorneys as they cross examined the first witness at the ousted Illinois governor’s retrial. U.S. District Judge James Zagel’s rebuke came after a Blagojevich attorney repeatedly tried to ask FBI agent Dan Cain how many hours of FBI wiretap recordings exist. Prosecutors objected to virtually every one of her dozen questions.

* Former Rod Blagojevich Chief-of-Staff John Harris Testifying Early in Retrial: Harris testified that Blagojevich was very concerned in 2008 with the size of his campaign fund because he had $1 million due in legal bills that he didn’t want made public. Harris said that the size of a campaign fund is generally seen to be an indicator of a politician’s strength. Blagojevich was also having trouble fundraising because of the rumors of legal troubles, Harris testified.

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*** UPDATED x2 *** Springfield Chamber proposes big borrowing plan as Senate soundly defeats bill to reduce local governments

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce announced a proposal today for a $6.1 billion state borrowing plan. The four-year bond would be used to pay off past-due state bills to vendors.

Chamber President Gary Plummer said slow state payments “have created a tremendous financial hardship” for his members and is slowing economic recovery in the state of Illinois. Plummer said he estimated the bonds would carry a 6 percent interest race, but said it could end up being lower than that.

Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka issued a recent report claiming that the state will end the fiscal year with $8.3 billion in unpaid bills.

The Springfield area is represented by three Republican legislators who have all said they were highly skeptical of any borrowing plans.

Video of Plummer’s statements…

Thanks to BlueRoomStream.com for the video.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…

“The Quinn Administration applauds the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce for its support of a plan to immediately pay past due bills by restructuring these debts at attractive interest rates. Today, the Chamber proposed a four-year, $6.1 billion bonding plan to pay off state debts.

“The Springfield Chamber - an established and experienced organization - whose goal is to stimulate the economy, agrees with the Quinn Administration that debt restructuring makes good business sense and is paramount to stabilizing the budget. We encourage those who have provided services to the state to come forward and urge legislators to support debt restructuring, a sound and reasonable step needed to return the state to solid financial footing.”

[ *** End Of Update 1 *** ]

* In other news, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected legislation this morning by Sen. Terry Link to shrink the number of local governments in Illinois. The bill was apparently modeled on the US government’s military base-closure commission. From the legislation’s synopsis…

Creates the Local Government Consolidation Commission Act. Establishes the Local Government Consolidation Commission to create a recommended list of units of local government to be abolished or consolidated. Provides that the Commission shall submit its recommended list to the General Assembly by no later than April 1, 2012. Sets forth the requirements for the recommended list. Provides that the General Assembly may disapprove the list of the Commission in whole, but may not disapprove of specific types of units of local government or specifically named units of local government on the list, within 30 calendar days after each chamber next convenes after the list is submitted to the General Assembly, by adoption of a resolution by a record vote of the majority of the members elected in each house. Provides that if the recommended list is not disapproved by the General Assembly within the time period for disapproval, then the Legislative Reference Bureau shall prepare for introduction a revisory bill effecting the changes in the statutes as may be necessary to conform the statutes to the changes in law made by the recommended list.

Just one Republican voted for the bill, Sen. Tom Johnson. Only 14 of 35 Democrats voted “Yes.” 30 members of both parties voted “No” and two went “Present.”

Illinois has almost 7,000 taxing districts, by far the highest number in the country.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From Sen. Link…

“I’m not opposed to good, efficient government that provides service to the community,” Link said. “But Illinois has too many units of government many of which can levy taxes on their citizens. Today, local government lobbyists won in their effort to ensure that Illinois has more government than any other state in the union. While they celebrate, I intend on going back to the drawing board to continue my efforts in reducing inefficiencies.”
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Quinn vows veto of concealed carry bill

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Gov. Pat Quinn has been coy about what he thought about the concealed carry bill, fending off reporters’ questions by saying he didn’t want to take a stand on the legislation until it got to him…

Gov. Pat Quinn has indicated his opposition to concealed-carry in the past (as has Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel), but Quinn recently issued a statement saying he’d give the proposal “the thorough review it deserves should it arrive on (his) desk.”

* Well, that all changed today when he told reporters that he was opposed to the bill and would veto it if it passed both chambers. Quinn said he appointed an anti-violence commission last year and said it unanimously recommended that he oppose the legislation.

Quinn repeatedly used the “concealed, loaded handguns” phrasing that seemed to poll so well earlier this spring. From that poll, which was commissioned by the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. Statewide opposition jumped from 56 percent to 65 percent when the phrase “concealed, loaded handguns” was included in the question.

The governor said he would also oppose a “two-tiered system” that would allow concealed carry outside Chicago.

“I campaigned in the primary and the general election against allowing private citizens to carry loaded, concealed handgun,” Quinn said. “It’s important that they defeat this bill,” he added.

A gubernatorial veto won’t mean a whole lot since the bill requires a three-fifths majority to pass anyway. But an active gubernatorial intervention could be crucial since the pro-concealed carry folks are just on the cusp of having enough votes.

* Raw audio of the governor’s press conference…

Click to download

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A good idea and some bad propaganda

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is not a bad idea at all. The General Assembly has sent Gov. Pat Quinn a bill to allow museums and aquariums to stop giving free passes to out-of-staters…

The Illinois House passed a measure Thursday by a vote of 107-0, with one lawmaker voting present. It would bar non-Illinoisans from taking advantage of the 52 free days that museums and aquariums are required under state law to offer each year.

The measure could bring in $11 million for Chicago’s cultural institutions.

The sole “Present” vote was Rep. Sandra Pihos.

…Adding… Or maybe it isn’t a good idea. From Yellow Dog Democrat in comments…

The bill might save museum’s money, but the big trade-off is that you’ll also likely see a big drop in attendance, and dropping attendance from out-of-state visitors means a drop in significant tourism dollars.

For example, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum are pretty much day long affairs. Getting a couple and their two kids to spend an extra day and hotel night in Chicago so they can save $120 on admission to a museum is a VERY good deal.

Plus, the free days tend to be middle-of-the-week when museums are open but traffic is low.

* An e-mail message from the Illinois State Rifle Association…

We have good news and bad news regarding HB148, the 2011 Concealed Carry Bill.

The good news is that this year’s concealed carry bill enjoys broad bi-partisan support from around the state. The reason for this success is that the bill has been carefully crafted to address some legislators’ concerns about public safety while, at the same time, ensuring that the provisions of the bill will allow for citizens to protect themselves and their families from dangerous criminals. This bill has been so fine-tuned that there is absolutely no practical reason for anyone to oppose HB148.

The bad news is that the Chicago Gun Grabbing Machine has switched into overdrive in its efforts to kill off H148 so that you and your family remain defenseless against muggers, murderers, robbers and rapists. The gun control movement is using threats, intimidation and outright lies in its attempt to coerce members of the House of Representatives to vote against HB148.

I’ve asked for details about the alleged “threats, intimidation and outright lies” by opponents, but I’m still awaiting a response.

…Adding… From the other side of the equation comes this e-mail…

Help Stop “Ticking Time Bomb” Gun Bill

Dear xxxxx,

HB 148, a dangerous gun bill that will allow mentally ill individuals to carry concealed, loaded guns in public, will be voted on this week by the Illinois House.

Please call your state Representative today and say VOTE NO on HB 148 - this dangerous bill will put Illinois lives at risk.

* The Illinois Review has questions about Rep. Lou Lang’s medical marijuana bill…

•Will medical pot smokers be allowed to take their medicine in public facilities, or will they need to stand 15 feet outside the doors as tobacco consumers are required to do?
•Will legalized medical pot be allowed inside junior high, high schools or college dorms?
•Will Illinois lawmakers authorize local law officials to ignore federal law concerning medical cannabis?

All they have to do is read Lang’s amendment and their questions would be answered. This ain’t brain surgery.

The answers to the first two questions are included in the section on possession and usage prohibitions…

(2) Possessing cannabis, or otherwise engaging in the medical use of cannabis:
(A) in a school bus;
(B) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school; or
(C) in any correctional facility.

(3) Smoking cannabis:
(A) on any form of public transportation; or
(B) in any public place.

And the answer to the third question is in the preamble…

States are not required to enforce federal law or prosecute people for engaging in activities prohibited by federal law. Therefore, compliance with this act does not put the state of Illinois in violation of federal law.

* Related…

* State Senate to get new workers comp reform plan

* Bill aims to expand medical district to Belleville

* Many area bars still allow smoking despite state ban

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*** UPDATED x3 - Levee topped in Olive Branch as Kirk lands in Cairo - Birds Point levee photo *** Ohio River recedes at Cairo, but problems persist all over southern Illinois

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** UPDATE 2 *** The river has topped the levee in Olive Branch…

A flooded Mississippi River has flowed over the top of a levee in southern Illinois.

Patti Thompson is spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. She says officials received a report that water was higher than the levee at Olive Branch in Alexander County.

Thompson didn’t know if anyone was hurt or property damaged, but she says it appears the water had begun backing off.

The Wabash River on the eastern border of Illinois was also flowing over a levee in Lawrence County. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the county.

* And despite what his press release said earlier today, Sen. Mark Kirk is now on a ground tour of Cairo. He didn’t just fly over. Good for him. A photo of Kirk in Cairo just after landing…

Kirk being briefed by Army Corps of Engineers, with the big Cairo sandboil in the background…

Checking out that big sinkhole…

*** UPDATE 2 *** Courtesy of Sen. Kirk, here’s the Birds Point levee, which was blown up by the Corps of Engineers last night…

*** UPDATE 3 *** A much better video of the Birds Point explosion…

[ *** End Of Updates *** ]

* As of 9 o’clock this morning, the Ohio River was at 60.45 at Cairo. That’s down from 61.72 feet at its peak yesterday before that Missouri fuseplug levee was blown. Here’s the chart…

The previous Cairo record was was 59.5 feet. There’s still a ways to go before the river even gets that low. At least four more days, according to that chart.

* If you haven’t yet seen the video of the Missouri levee’s demolition, click here. Boom!

Here’s the audio version…

Click to download

* Oh, ye of little faith…

Missouri officials fought hard to stop the plan, filing court actions all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Rep. Jo Anne Emerson, a Republican from nearby Cape Girardeau, stood beside Walsh as he announced his decision Monday, but she was clearly unhappy.

“We’re uprooting families that have been here six generations and you don’t even know if it’s going to work,” she said.

* A second blast at the southern end of the levee to allow outflow was delayed last night due to weather conditions.

* Illinois’ problems persist, however…

Hardin County volunteers were sandbagging in Elizabethtown as the Ohio River keeps rising, a sheriff’s dispatcher said Monday night. There has been no mandatory evacuation order, but some residents are leaving, she added. Illinois 146 was still open in Elizabethtown.

* The Little Wabash River is about to hit its second highest flooding stage in history…

Sandbagging occurred throughout low-lying areas of the city Monday, as well as along Possum Road just south of town. And officials were hopeful that this would keep the water at bay long enough for the river to crest and the flood to recede.

Hopes that the Wabash River had crested have proven premature. At Mt. Carmel, where flood stage is 19 feet, the Wabash was measured at 33.5 feet at 2 p.m. Monday and is expected to crest Thursday evening at 34.1 feet—just above the all-time record of 34 feet.

Downstream at New Harmony, Ind., where flood stage is 15 feet, the Wabash was measured at 23.29 feet at 4:30 p.m. Monday, with a crest of about 23.5 feet expected Tuesday evening.

And at Old Shawneetown, where flood stage is 33 feet, the Ohio River was measured at 54.86 feet at 4:30 p.m. Monday, with a crest of about 56 feet expected Wednesday evening.

* There’s also trouble in Alexander County…

Residents of Urbandale scrambled to gather be-longings and evacuate homes Monday as flash flooding overtook the small town that resides along the Ohio River be-tween Mound City and Cairo.

Sue Travis ran back and forth from her front door to her PT Cruiser, packing it with blankets and pillows, as water completely engulfed her backyard.

“None of this water was (here) at 9 this morning,” Travis said.

At the same time, Michael Woodworth was readying his family to evacuate to Anna. They had fled Cairo for Urban-dale last wee

* The rain continues unabated…

The month of May has only just begun, but it’s already shaping up to be a wetter-than-normal one.

In fact, the first two days of the month may have already topped the monthly average for Southern Il-linois.

“So far, we’re four inches and counting,” meteorologist Rick Shanklin of the National Weather Service in Paducah said Monday afternoon. “Normal rainfall in May is 4.82 inches and we may exceed that before the end of (Monday). In two days, we’ve basically made our average for the month.”

* The flooding is straining local resources to the limit…

Marty Nicholson with Alexander County’s emergency management office, said she hopes that the feds show up soon.

“There are so many costs right now. I just hope (we get) a federal disaster declaration to help pay for all of this,” she said.

Nicholson is quick to say that Alexander County is “already deep in debt” so it can’t pay for much. As the only paid employee in the county’s emergency management office, she said she’s taking time off from her other job to do her duty as emergency manager.

“I’m using my vacation days from the Cairo Police Department to be able to fight these floods,” she said.

Alexander County can’t even pay for meals for the emergency workers. Nicholson said volunteers are bringing in food.

“Ladies from the local churches down here are doing a fantastic job of feeding and taking care of us,” she said.

* And the Red Cross is still in dire need of volunteers…

The Red Cross is still in need of volunteers to give any amount of time they can to assist with needs of flood victims. As area rivers continue to rise and rain continues to pelt Southern Illinois, many residents are forced to leave their homes and stay in emergency shelters.

Red Cross volunteer Linda Parker is coordinating volunteer efforts during the flooding. Both trained volunteers and “spontaneous” volunteers (who have not had Red Cross training) will be welcomed, she said. Those willing to serve are asked to call the Red Cross office at 618-529-1525.

* Meanwhile, Gov. Pat Quinn smoothed over some ruffled feathers after he failed to visit Cairo last week…

State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said Quinn’s trip on Monday made up for hurt feelings from last week.

“It is important that the governor’s presence being made known in those areas where they are suffering the most,” Bost said.

Cairo Mayor Judson Childs said it was good to have Quinn and officers from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers standing behind him on Monday.

“I’m glad to look up at their faces,” Childs said. “When you have a team, when you are playing ball, you look around and you look for some support, and it makes you feel much better.”

* And Sen. Mark Kirk may be making the same mistake Quinn made last week by holding a presser in Marion and then flying over the real damage. From a press release…

Following a briefing by Illinois emergency management officials on Mississippi and Ohio River flooding, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) will hold a media availability at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the need for federal assistance in flood-ravaged Southern Illinois towns. Senator Kirk also will take a helicopter tour of flooded Southern Illinois towns like Cairo

* Roundup…

* Ohio River Sets New Record, Mississippi Waters Still Rising

* Q & A about insurance in the wake of storms

* Ameren Illinois activates emergency operations center

* Illinois Prisoners Help In Southern Illinois Floods

* Equality residents cope with flooding

* Brookport-Paducah Bridge closed

* Flood gates being closed in Golconda

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More budget games

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Last week, the Department of Human Services told a House appropriations committee that it might have to close two state schools in Jacksonville for the blind and the deaf if the department had to cut an additional 6.5 percent from its budget. That claimed sparked outrage from Republicans on the committee, and now AFSCME has weighed in…

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said the agreement between the union and Gov. Pat Quinn prevents any facility closures or layoffs until after June 30, 2012, the end of AFSCME’s current contract.

“Our union reached a cost savings agreement with the Quinn administration that is very simple and clear,” said AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall. “We made concessions including deferred pay increases and unpaid furlough days and the state agreed there will be no layoffs, no facility closures through the end of (June, 2012). Any plan advanced to the contrary would be a direct violation of a collective bargaining agreement.”

The department’s response? It was all just a “budget exercise”…

“The General Assembly came to DHS and asked the agency to do a budget exercise related to what would happen if an additional 6.5 percent were to be cut from the governor’s proposed DHS budget,” said spokeswoman Stacey Solano. “The department would be forced with making the extremely tough decision of closing these schools, as well as moving approximately 6,400 individuals out of the Home Services program.”

But Solano said it was “just a budget exercise. As of today, there are funds in the line items for these schools in the budget.”

DHS has done this time and time again. They told human service providers in January, for instance, that they could face gigantic cuts, but then the budget office claimed it was all just an exercise. It would be helpful if everybody could ratchet down the rhetoric, including the GA, and focus instead on getting the job done.

* On a related note, a Senate Appropriations Committee chairman is warning of possible cuts to the two state fairs…

“Every line item is on the table,” said state Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge. “There is limited money available. Everything is being reviewed for significant reductions.”

And Republican legislators who represent the two fairgrounds are, predictably, opposed…

State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said the fair could give Illinoisans an in-state vacation option during a time of higher fuel costs.

“Given the economy, where people are less likely to be able to travel because of the gas prices, you’re taking an option away from people to take a little vacation,” Bomke said Monday. “It doesn’t surprise me that it might be considered. But it can’t be that much of a savings.”

State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, who represents Du Quoin, said a battle over fair funding wouldn’t be a surprise.

“I’m going to fight for it, but I would say it’s a possibility,” Bost said.

* Meanwhile…

More than a year after winning a landmark Illinois Supreme Court case that stripped a Downstate hospital of its property tax exemption, Illinois officials are seemingly stumped about what to do with their victory.

The Illinois Department of Revenue, which reviews requests for tax exemptions, hasn’t decided on a single hospital case since March 2010, when the state supreme court upheld a department decision depriving Provena Covenant Medical Center in Urbana of its property tax exemption for 2002 and following years. More than 95 hospital parcels await rulings on their status, according to documents provided by the department.

The Naperville-based Illinois Hospital Assn. has asked Revenue Director Brian Hamer to “hold off on denying property or sales tax exemptions,” according to a Jan. 26 letter to Mr. Hamer, a copy of which was obtained by Crain’s.

The association asked for the moratorium so that the two sides could “continue that dialogue in search of a mutually acceptable resolution,” according to the letter.

* Related…

* Quinn administration looks at options to pay Medicaid bills

* Senate may be roadblock for Quinn’s latest bill pay plan

* Line-by-line budget could save Illinois from budget woes

* VIDEO: Leader Radogno on borrowing

* VIDEO: Frank Mautino on budget process

* Suburban lawmakers play key roles in budget talks

* Winnetka opposes state revenue cuts to municipalities

* Home care for disabled targeted for state cut

* Nursing home residents protest proposed Medicaid cuts

* Another jobless summer for Illinois youth - Teens, whose unemployment in the state has reached a record high of 27.5 percent, tell officials about their need for summer jobs

* Gov. Quinn paid $42,300 in income taxes last year

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HB 14 Gives Customers Tools to Save Money

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Advertising Department

[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Grid Modernization will give customers new tools and options that can make a real difference in their monthly energy bills.

This is not guesswork or hyperbole. ComEd has been running field tests on customer benefits where real-time pricing and smart meters are available. Here’s what we found:

• The savings extend across all demographic groups. Nine in 10 program participants aged 65 and over saved an average of nine percent off their electric bill.

• 70 percent of the 6,000 customers enrolled in dynamic pricing as part of the smart meter pilot have saved money.

• The lowest income group has the highest percentage of customers saving money. In the group earning less than $20,000, 78% of customers saved money under the pilot program, compared to 69% of customers in the highest income group.

It’s just another reason why grid modernization is an important part of Illinois’ future.

To learn more, visit www.SmartEnergyIL.com

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

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Protected: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

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