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Bankruptcies in the region jumped more than 18 percent in 2009, despite federal changes that took effect in 2008 and made it harder to wipe out debt. More than 10,700 central Illinoisans filed for bankruptcy last year.

* CTA snow removal violates union deal, arbitrator says

The CTA continued to use its outside snow-removal contractor, Christy Webber & Co. Inc., to clear and salt station walkways and platforms, instead of calling on the CTA’s unionized janitors, during the snowfall that occurred Sunday and Monday.

* A year later, no answers in parking ticket probe

Chicago police say their investigation into the matter continues, but many questions remain in what ranks as one of What’s Your Problem’s most bizarre cases.

* Firms to Submit Proposals to Redevelop Union Station

* City to settle suit with wrongly imprisoned man

* Judge: Aldermen May Have to Testify

Attorneys for Calvin Boender have subpoenaed 10 aldermen for testimony about their knowledge of how Boender’s development, Galewood Yards, won approval from the city.

* It Pays To Have An Alderman In Your Pocket

The developer who allegedly bribed Ike Carothers got more than just a zoning change.

* How open is an “open” council meeting?

* Aldermen Raise Questions About City’s School Closures

* Daley Against Moratorium on School Closings

* Huberman Defends Practice of Closing Schools Before City Council

* CEO vows to change school-closing process

Huberman conceded that reforms he announced a few months ago didn’t go far enough and said he will hold public hearings to gather input on needed changes.

* Time to reconsider school mandates

While we’re not willing to go so far as to support an Illinois bill that would let school districts ignore mandates that aren’t funded, we wholeheartedly agree that mandates need to be examined through a new lens - one that acknowledges the difficult economic situation our schools face.

* School districts ax teachers, blame state for financial meltdown

* Ax falls in Oswego

The Oswego School Board voted 6 to 1 to approve a $5.5 million reduction plan that would include 80 employee reductions, furlough days and program cuts, the first phase of reductions to help balance a budget for the upcoming school year.

* D204 gets mixed news on state funding

According to Assistant Superintendent for Business Dave Holm, the district estimates it will receive between $3.5 million and $4 million in federal funds that Springfield will use to make three general state aid payments to District 204. The state owes the district more than $7.8 million for the 2010 budget.
…
Bur earlier this month District 204 — like many others in the area — informed its residents that state funding for next year is, what Holm called, “the big unknown.”

* District 300 slashes budget $4.6 million

* Moline schools prepare for nearly $4 million in cuts

* District 150 approves new superintendent’s contract

* Unit 5 board to review $7.48 million in cuts Wednesday

* Cuts wouldn’t hit classroom teachers, Milton says

His proposal to eliminate 56 teaching positions applies to non-classroom teachers, he said, such as reading coaches, post-secondary coaches and teacher leaders.

“Classroom teachers are OK,” Milton said.

Of the district’s 1,201 certified teachers, 427 work outside the classroom in various academic support roles, according to Alexander Ikejiaku, the district’s personnel director.

* Our Opinion: Spare front-line workers from school cuts

* Buffalo Grove Says ‘Stop’ To Red Light Cameras

* Hoffman Estates OKs red-light cameras

* Belvidere police union takes benefits concerns to council

* Rockford delays bond sale for flood-damaged homes

The city found out Monday that a $10 million line of credit with Associated Bank, which has been funding the Rockford Local Development Corp.’s purchase of the homes, has been extended for 60 days. City leaders also learned they may be able to further extend the line of credit with another bank after the city closes with Associated, said Ald. Carl Wasco, chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee.

* Rock Island aldermen approve plan for $3.1 million grant

* Fiscal budget hearing dates set in Gurnee

* City to follow recommendation to focus on developing hydropower operations at Quincy, Clarksville

* Downtown [Peoria] hotel project scaled back; state bond sought

Also, according to a document from the Illinois Finance Authority, the project’s estimated cost is $90.2 million, down from the original $102 million.

City Manager Scott Moore said on Monday that city officials received a debt payment schedule on revisions to the project but are waiting for changes to the overall plans from developer Gary Matthews of East Peoria-based EM Properties.

* NIU’s proton-therapy cancer center back to square one

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 9:06 am

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