Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Morning Shorts

Posted in:

Illinois

* More Illinoisans than ever on food stamps

The state Department of Human Services announced Tuesday that the June caseload is 786,162 households, an 11.9 percent increase over June, 2009, a release from IDHS said. The SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is fully federally funded.

SNAP applications increased 27 percent from a year ago, from 140,473 applications in June 2009 to 178,415 in June 2010, the release said. This is part of a national trend. For the first time in U.S. history, more than 40 million Americans are on food stamps, and the USDA projects that number will reach 43 million in 2011.

* Examiner: 2 Tribune execs engaged in fraud during sale

Two top executives at Tribune Co. engaged in “intentional fraud” in late 2007 when working to finish the $8.2 billion sale of the company to Sam Zell, an examiner said in a 1,500-page inquest into its bankruptcy.

Chandler Bigelow, a company treasurer who was promoted to chief financial officer after Zell took over, and former Senior Vice President of Finance Donald Grenesko falsely assured the deal’s financiers that the company had an opinion from Morgan Stanley that it could refinance debt in 2014, the examiner said. The assurance, which Morgan Stanley told the examiner it never gave, was essential for Zell to complete his debt-loaded takeover.

* Tribune Co. report made public, reorg hearings delayed

The release of the examiner’s report also forced the company to push back the scheduled start of hearings to confirm its reorganization. Junior creditors said the report makes billions of dollars of first-in-line claims on the Tribune estate subject to legal attack.

* Tribune Co. mulls new business offices in Texas, Indiana

* Daley walks fine line on crime

“The number of homicides today is far lower than a decade ago. But numbers don’t provide much consolation if you’ve lost a family member or a friend to violence or feel vulnerable to its awful grip,” Daley said Tuesday after a crime-fighting summit with State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and aides to Chief Circuit Judge Tim Evans.

Weis noted that crime has dropped for “19 consecutive months” and that July homicides were down 24 percent from the same period a year ago.

He blamed a “24/7 news cycle” for creating the mistaken impression that crime is on the rise.

* Daley puts Weis on spot on crime issue

* Daley to tap federal funds for more police overtime on weekends

* Daley told CPS officials not to ax sports programs

* Teachers union suing to stop layoffs

The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Chicago, claims the teachers’ rights were violated under the Illinois school code and the union contract because at least some layoff decisions were not made based on seniority. The union further argues that teachers’ due process rights were violated.

“CTU’s affected members have had no opportunity or other procedural due process required … to be heard as to why they should be retained,” the complaint states.

The suit also challenges the district’s plan to terminate about 200 teachers who were rated unsatisfactory. The union claims the move would violate the teachers contract, but school officials argue it is allowed under the Illinois school code.

* Chicago teachers challenge job cuts in court

* CPS Slapped with Lawsuit Over Teacher Firings

* Munoz: Politics Played No Part in My Announcement

* Sun-Times: Munoz sheds light on abuse

* Stroger chief of staff resigns, to take job with county treasurer

Chief of staff Joe Fratto, 55 and hailing from Bridgeport, is leaving in August for another county job: chief of staff for Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

Pappas is charged with collecting the county’s property tax bills. Her current chief of staff is retiring.

* FEMA to begin assessing storm-damaged areas

* Officials beg for federal help with local flood damage

* Bailing out, once again, on Aurora’s East Side

* Aurora newspaper law sparks debate

The proposed law would require anyone soliciting or distributing materials on private property to obtain a city permit. This includes publishers of newspapers, but it also includes those handing out fliers or collecting for charity.

The new law would prohibit delivering those materials to any house with “no trespassing” or “no soliciting” signs and, in all other cases, require the printed matter to be secured so the wind does not blow it.[…]

Alayne Weingartz, the city’s top attorney, heard strong opposition from two newspaper companies, Sun-Times Media (publishers of The Beacon-News) and the Chicago Tribune. Tiffany Wohlfeil, attorney for the Tribune, cited the First Amendment and promised newspaper companies would sue.[…]

* [Niles] tries out incentive package to attract grocer

* Kane courts poised to get more space soon

* Kendall board: No acting planning chief for now

* McHenry County objects to portions of Chicago regional plan

County board members Tuesday unanimously endorsed a formal letter to CMAP officials objecting to several key portions of the plan, most notably its call for tax reform that may include imposing a state sales tax on service and ridding the state’s flat income tax in favor of a graduated tax.

“The biggest point we want to make is that we do not want any tax increases,” said Tina Hill, chairman of the McHenry County Board’s planning and development committee. “There’s plenty of tax dollars (to the state government). They just have to decide how to spend it.”

* Antioch police chief on leave as officials probe attack claim

* Machesney Park OKs 1% raise for road maintenance firm

* LeRoy seeks $2.25 million in bonds for drainage upgrade

* [Bloomington] saves $2,400 in 1 month, recycling up 30 percent

* [Springfield] Aldermen expected to OK purchase of vacant properties

* [Springfield] to receive $2 million for redevelopment

* [Sangamon] County board likely to seek voter guidance on school tax

* O’Fallon moves ahead with plan to add office park to special district

* East St. Louis planning to rehire 19 laid-off police officers

* State police district chief stepping down after 32 years

* News-Democrat: Wait for levee fixes

We understand that lawmakers and area leaders are trying to prevent a chilling effect on economic development here. However, they also need to think about what happens if this bill encourages new development and there’s a flood before the levee repairs are completed.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 9:45 am

Comments

Is the food stamp story supposed to be a good story? Who spends over $500 for three people a month for food?

Comment by Iworkforaliving Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:05 am
Wanted Felons get food stamps in Illinois. Dad’s that haven’t paid any child support - retain their food stamps. The amount of Chips and soda that are purchased with food stamps is outrageous!!

A few simple ideas, like:
1. Prohibitting the purchase of “junk food”
2. Placing photo id’s on the Links card.
3. Revoking food stamps for someone listed as a wanted felon, or a dead-beat dad.

These are just a start. But of course, they’ve all been proposed and held up in our general assembly by the “enablers” called Democrats.

Get some guts guys! When you are afraid of putting some “teeth” into our entitlements because you are afraid of wanted felons and dead beat dads, you’ve been fully walked away from your responsibilities and the right to call yourself a “leader”.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:05 am
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is going off big time on Governor Pat Quinn on WLS radio (10:10 AM) Said his staff promised he would not sign bill about changing date of tax scavenger sale and than signed it 2 days later. Cisco Cotto show

Comment by Bob Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:15 am
How come normal private sector people can get fired so easily, but if a teacher is to be fired it seems like it takes 45 steps? Why is union protection so strong?

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:17 am
Klee does not blame Zell or aides for involvement in any fraud. But he notes the pressure they applied to complete the sale and suggests Bigelow cooperated because he expected Zell would retain him at Tribune. Klee has a memo from Zell associate Nils Larsen, now a Tribune executive vice president, that listed Bigelow as one of three Tribune insiders who could be trusted to “drink the Kool-Aid.”

We believe Mr Nils was the mope trying to cut the Wrigley deal with Blagoof who “forgot” to run down to the USA to report the propsed crime.

Q: Let’s all wonder out loud who listens to these dopes anymore? Is the Trib endorsement something to promote or hide?

A: No One and cover like a big pimple

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:20 am
Is it Mike Shine, aka Smoking Man, who is retiring from
Pappas’ office?

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:21 am
*Wanted Felons get food stamps in Illinois. Dad’s that haven’t paid any child support - retain their food stamps. The amount of Chips and soda that are purchased with food stamps is outrageous!!*

Just like in the private sector, fraud happens. Sure things can be improved, but we need to balance measures that eliminate fraud with systems that treat people with dignity and respect. And, really, you care if someone buys some chips? That is what keeps you awake at night? If so, put your energies into general nutritional education for the whole population. A whole lot of folks are eating unhealthy.

*How come normal private sector people can get fired so easily, but if a teacher is to be fired it seems like it takes 45 steps? Why is union protection so strong?*

That is the whole point of a union. Protect its members.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:26 am
RE: Aurora newspaper law sparks debate

Think about what this means for campaigns. I smell lawsuit coming.

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:27 am
Montrose,
Thanks for the reponse. Doesn’t it strike you a little odd that we, as taxpayers, are paying for people to eat unhealthy food, for which we’ll have to pay their medical bills in the future?
Our dear Governor finds time to hire a kayak czar for the state, but doesn’t think it’s worthwhile to review our food stamp policies that represent an ever greater portion of our state budget.
If you are going to root out fraud and waste, and really care about “responsible spending” then you start with the largest budget items.
The Dems have held up every responsible piece of legislation that attempted to reign in the waste and abuse in our food stamp program.

I guess we just need to get deeper in debt before anyone really cares.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:33 am
DBS, the unions have fought for years for those protections. THey have stregnth in numbers and political sway.

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:34 am
Downstate-

Again, if your great concern is about the cost of medical care to our society due to poor eating habits, I suggest you focus on ways we get everyone eating better. Lets get pop out of schools, help get grocery stores with healthy options into poor neighborhoods, limit marketing of unhealthy food products, regulate the use of transfats. I mean, homeowners that take advantage of the government program to reduce their tax burden may turn around and use that money they saved to buy some fritos.

Also, the feds pick up the tab for food stamp benefits. Yes, I know the money is coming from the same taxpayers, but your recs for controlling these assumed rule breakers is to increase the administrative costs of the program, which the state DOES pay for (at least in part), so all you have done is make suggestions that increase the state budget.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:47 am
Montrose,
Thanks for the response. I agree on the education front - but sadly, many don’t have the discpline or self control to regulate themselves, even with education. (ie. Why do we have so many young smokers given the education and warnings that have been imparted?)

Matching up dead beat dads, and wanted felons with the food stamp list is not that exhaustive. It’s some computer searches.

Similarly, restricting soda and chips (and other unhealthy food) from “purchasable items” is a keystroke or two for the state. We just lack the courage.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 10:59 am
Montrose,

“Again, if your great concern is about the cost of medical care to our society due to poor eating habits, I suggest you focus on ways we get everyone eating better”

One flaw in that argument is that the initial purchase of “unhealthy” food is made with taxpayer dollars instead of private individual dollars. No matter the long term consequences, this is a big difference.

I quickly checked my monthly finances, even when my family of three goes out for dinner once a week, we don’t even spend half of the $500 per month allowance for food stamps. Of course, we buy food that needs to be cooked and not pre-processed, pre-chewed food in a box or bag.

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:08 am
Downstater-

At the end of the day, I have a fundamental philosophical problem with the idea that we have the right to control the eating habits of families using food stamps because we are nice enough to help them. Laws like the one just signed that allow folks on food stamps to use their cards at farmer’s markets are a much better way to encourage healthy eating then to hand down dictates to families that already hurting.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:19 am
Montrose,
You indicated that you are opposed to controlling people’s eating habits, because we pay for their food. Well…….
We control people’s speed on the roads, that we provide as a state.
We severly restrict people’s use of education dollars (Voucher programs are very limited).
Our school lunch programs don’t serve soda, even though those are tax dollars being spent on food.
Money we spend on foster care programs, has to go through the state approved foster care providers. Recipients can’t choose whoever they want for those services. Same is true of counseling dollars paid by the state.

We control the speed, and school lunch programs, and counseling- all for the safety of our citizens. But when it comes to food stamp dollars, that concern for their well being is thrown out the window. “Buy what you want, in whatever quantities you chose.”

I’d rather eliminate soda as a purchasable item then continue to see the grocery carts loaded ONLY with soda, being pushed by food stamp recipients. It’s a waste of tax payer dollars, and does nothing to provide (nutrition), what food stamps were intended for.

Food stamps are a privledge and certainly not a right.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:30 am
Cincinnatus-

We all have more money in our pockets because of government spending and programs. Food stamps is a direct way, and you and I benefit in indirect ways. I am not a big fan of the us vs. them dynamic.

We can have a substantive conversation about whether the maximum benefit amount for a the poorest families is higher than it needs to be, but what I am not interested in is reducing the conversation about food stamps to simple “people make bad choices.” It is more complex than that. Where people live, what they have access to, what their transportation options are, etc., all factor into eating habits. If we want folks to use their resources on better food options, than we need a comprehensive solution, not just punitive restrictions.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:33 am
Downstater-

Food stamps are an entitlement, so, if you meet certain criteria, you have a right to them (as opposed to programs like housing assistance.)

You are right about reasonable limitations to protect the rights/safety of others. If I truly thought, and you may be coming from a position of genuine concern, the majority of people that were bothered by families using food stamps for pop were concerned because of the health implications, I may feel differently. The reality is, though, they are concerned about making sure to control the people using tax payer money.

Again, if we want folks to eat healthier, lets have a nuanced, comprehensive discussion and stop singling out people that need help paying for their food.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:39 am
Montrose,

Well, we already control what food stamps can buy. No smokes or beer for instance. I see no difference between those items and any other items that can be legally bought and consumed. If it is appropriate to place limits on food stamps for those items, one could argue that the government can place other restrictions on food stamp usage.

I see your second point on maximum benefits (with the exception of transportation since a bag of groceries is a bag of groceries no matter what is in the bag). Can not those parameters you lay out be used to vary the amount given as the food stamp benefit?

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:52 am
OK, people. Limiting what can be purchased with food stamps is a federal question, not a state question. Let’s wrap this up, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 11:59 am
*If it is appropriate to place limits on food stamps for those items, one could argue that the government can place other restrictions on food stamp usage.*

Limits are not unreasonable. Based on our world views, though, we want that line drawn in very different places.

*Can not those parameters you lay out be used to vary the amount given as the food stamp benefit?*

Perhaps. I think varying benefits by geography/cost of living in a given area has merit. That being said, my point was more about the complexity of the problem. If I am living in generational poverty and in a neighborhood that only has corner stores with expensive food of poor quality, how I use my food stamps is about much more than the size of the benefit. I may make “bad choices” because I don’t know I have other options.

I think a thoughtful conversation grounded in these issues is useful. Playing a gotcha game regarding who is gaming the system is not.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 12:03 pm
aye-aye, Rich. I am done.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 12:04 pm
****OK, people. Limiting what can be purchased with food stamps is a federal question, not a state question. Let’s wrap this up, please.****

Will that be paper or plastic?

Comment by Slick Willy Wednesday, Aug 4, 10 @ 12:33 pm