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* HPV vaccine too pricey for many

For medical practices, however, sales tax and federal excise tax can increase the cost to almost $140 a dose. And then there is the cost of refrigerated storage, insurance and the time it takes to administer the vaccine.

* Bill aims to drop 5% sales tax from textbook sales

* Amtrack struggling to run trains on time

* Dan Hynes: Illinois poised to lead on stem cell research

It will allow the state to strengthen its international standing in the field of medical research and claim its place as the preeminent location of stem cell research in the Midwest. And it will spur the creation of thousands of new jobs and tens of millions of dollars in private sector investment.

* 2 admit fake minority venture in $49 million County contract bid

The contract called for 30 percent minority participation in the deal. Siemens said Faustech Industries was a minority business that had a joint venture in the deal. Prosecutors say it was a sham: The companies arranged to pay Faustech a flat fee of $500,000.

* More jobs cut in latest county budget figures, up to 1,700 occupied positions

* Stroger’s office defends healthcare cuts

* Lawmakers decry $70,000 of fomer state worker as chauffeur:

Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, wanted to know “how many more do we have in a position making a lot of money for doing a job that may not need to be done in the first place.”
Mautino sits on the appropriations committee of the House that reviews state agencies involved in public safety. He said he will question each of the agencies to see if they have people in similar positions.

* Rezko trial put off for a year, bond restrictions stay

posted by Paul Richardson
Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 8:36 am

Comments

It used to be that freight trains had to stop and wait for passenger trains; but the federal government reversed that, resulting in the current delays. In addition to cutting funding, this is just another tactic used to undermine confidence in the ability of public transportation to run efficiently. The intelligent aren’t fooled, however–all they need do it look to Europe and Asia to know that high-speed rail can work very efficiently here in the United States.

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 8:45 am
Regarding Healthcare cuts: As Peracia points out, the people who voted for Toddler wil be hurt the most by his budget. Who knows if Peracia would have been better? I do know that one of the primary scare tactics used against Peracai is that clinics would close. Should we feel sorry for those who voted for Todd and will be hurt most by his budget?

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 8:58 am
>HPV vaccine too pricey for many

Forcing people to choose between food, heat, and vaccination is appalling and immoral.

Why doesn’t the state just pay for it?

Comment by Leroy Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 9:12 am
Cook County govt claims to be planning to lay off 1700 employees but have any of them actually left yet? After all, the new county fy starts tomorrow.
I think Carol Marin needs to do another one of her County FOIA requests.

The medical and legal staff will have no trouble finding other jobs and the rest are likely patronage employees who can easily find jobs in the much larger state Democratic patronage trough.

Does Ms. Wertz still have a chauffeur vacancy?
There’s one right there.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 9:33 am
HPV vaccine too pricey for many

And the public policy need for this vaccine is? It’s not like it’s mumps or measles.

Comment by Pat Collins Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 9:52 am
*REZKO TRIAL*
Rezko’s lawyer Joseph Duffy complained about the complexity of the case, is really an understatement. Joseph Duffy really means the web of complexity. This gives Governor Corruptovich almost a whole year of multiple midnight visits to Rezko’s Wilmette Mansion to figure out who to throw under the bus. Wonder if the Guv will use the Batmobile?

Comment by Concerned Citizen of Chicago Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 11:17 am
Assuming Blago will run for a third term (he isn’t qualified to do anything else), he’d likely prefer to see a Rezko trial now.

The closer it gets to 2010 the worse for Blago; even if Rezko is acquitted, the details will be embarrassing.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 12:16 pm
Cassandra-
Rod could write his autobiography, then the Hollywood types could make into a TV movie.
Titled: Screwed Illinois, But They Never Said Thank you…. Pee Wee Herman could play the lead role.
Or maybe Rod could just go away permanently.

Comment by Concerned Citizen of Chicago Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 1:32 pm
Re the $70k driver — It would be nice if the Reps would do the investigation before the approp hearings instead of asking the questions–but that wouldn’t allow the agencies to fix things before asking the questions were asked. If they really are interested they should check out the salary of the DHS Secretary’s previous driver (the one who ran for alderman) and maybe look to see who was getting pay raises(special merit increase) when no one else was.

Comment by Who cares anymore... Wednesday, Feb 28, 07 @ 6:37 pm