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* EPA and AG’s office clash over cash

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency accuses Attorney General Lisa Madigan of unfairly changing how about $4 million in settlements and fines are allocated.

Madigan wants all of that money to help her office cover legal costs of pursuing polluters, IEPA spokeswoman Jill Watson told The Associated Press on Saturday. That would appear to be a change from earlier practices that made much of the money available for environmental education and grant programs.

The IEPA accuses Madigan of trying to offset $2.5 million in budget cuts ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. And agency officials say the new split is “more in the self-interest of the attorney general than in the interest of the Illinois EPA.”

* Pollution fight at center of state fight

* Fred Giertz: Governor’s aversion to taxing people only skin deep

* Dave Kolata: Urging fight against Cook Co. hikes

* Ralph Martire: School do a good job considering what we spend

* Schoenburg: Unions battling; poll in race to replace LaHood

* TALK Blog: Springfield update

* Not much progress in House

* Rep. Fritchey: Ethics Delayed, Ethics Denied

* We’re simply out of options says CTA

* Lawmakers agree there is CTA problem but can’t agree on funding

* CTA to raise its fares…again

* CTA bus crisis gets bleaker

With its budget deficit growing, the CTA moved Friday to eliminate more than half of its bus routes by early January, threatening to strand tens of thousands of daily commuters and worsen gridlock across the Chicago area.

The new plan, while living up to its label as a “doomsday” budget, would also sharply boost fares and employee layoffs beyond those already set to take effect next month — if the legislature does not approve new funding soon to fill a projected $158 million deficit for 2008.

* Senate makes Cook Co. property tax cap low

* Special Ed money is axed in Illinois Senate

* Senate nixes hiring more prison guards

* Lawmakers skeptical of police layoffs

* Schools vocal on silence

Neil Codell, superintendent of Niles Township High School District 219, said in a prepared statement that legislators “have moved to new heights of buffoonery and uselessness” by not tackling what he considered to be more important issues.

The 4,800 students in his district, he said, already reflect daily through journal writing and class discussions. He noted that both his schools offer a place where students can pray or observe a holiday.

“If I’ve drawn ire here it’s because we are really fed up with their antics which is to avoid dealing with central, pertinent issues that all schools need to deal with which is school funding reform,” Codell said. “No wonder we’re down at the bottom of all the states in school funding because this is what they spend their time on.”

* Burt Constable: God, sleep, teen fantasies can fill students’ moment of silence

* Sun-Times Editorial: Silence is golden but new school law is worthless

* For this teacher, silence isn’t golden

* Teacher to battle ‘moment of silence’

* Pharmacist continues fight against plan B

* Illinois Supreme Court to hear morning after pill case

* No more unclaimed lotteries

Much of that could change, though, under a controversial bill introduced in the General Assembly this year. Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) sponsored a bill to let lottery players create online accounts to buy tickets. Winnings would be directly deposited into those accounts […]

All unclaimed lottery prizes now go into a fund for Illinois public schools.

One school advocacy group opposes Saviano’s bill, saying the lottery is a regressive way to raise money. “We don’t see anything that is intended to be an expansion of lottery sales as a real benefit for schools,” said Clare Fauke, spokeswoman for A+ Illinois.

* Wind farm law could bring $5 million to county

* Wind farms to be assessed the same way

* ComEd users to see relief

* Attorney: Registry vote strengthens STC case; more here

Legislators recently overrode Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s August veto of a bill allowing judges to decide whether juveniles who committed sex crimes can be removed from the state’s sex offender registry if they are no longer a danger to the public.

* Sweeny: SIU President has served the state with honor; more here

* New applications put the hate in online networking

* UIS student takes aim at Libertarian VP candidacy

* YouTube Video: Alex Beinstein interview with Obama economic adviser

* The cost of corruption: city loses millions to clout, fraud

* Tribune Editorial: No cronies need apply

* Debates rage as Chicago to open first public high school run by U.S. Marines

* Chicago felons policy unfair to black cops?

* Clout City: Community policing

* Living conditions deteriorate as other CHA projects are transformed

* Illinois primary may actually be meaningful

The early primary next year also could spell trouble for local political candidates, particularly challengers attempting to unseat incumbents. It means they may need to raise money and garner attention over the holidays and in January - when folks are short on cash and not much concerned about politics.

“The ground troops are going to be less effective,” said Rep. Dave Winters, R-Shirland. “People won’t even open their doors. If somebody is knocking on your door in January and you’re not expecting a visitor, they just don’t open up.”He argued primary campaigns will become more reliant on paid media to convey message, and that in turn makes campaigns more expensive - and therefore more dependent on fundraising. Incumbents, who already enjoy name recognition and possible fully stocked campaign funds, could gain an advantage.

* Green Party to meet in Crystal Lake; Libertarians in Rockford

posted by Paul Richardson
Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 9:17 am

Comments

Hey what does Enemybook have to do with Illinois politics. Is this an idea for us citizens who hate these politicians? LOL!

Comment by Levois Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 9:30 am
The “moment of silence” is nothing but “feel-good” legislation that does nothing to improve student learning. It does, however, add another mandated lightning rod that will focus undue controversy on school officials.

If the GA wants to help schools, revise the funding formula to make state funding equitable and rescind this silly legislation.

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 9:37 am
In the ‘Can you believe it’ department. Alderman Tunney gets ticket for talking on the cel phone, while driving?

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 9:52 am
What’s the status of House Bill 0001?
Did Tony Rezko return from the wedding out west?
When is the voting public going see Governor Blagojevich’s federal subpoenas?
How much has it cost the taxpaying citizens of Illinois in legal fees to keep Governor Blagojevich out of very hot water?

Comment by When? Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 9:55 am
“Until this issue is appropriately resolved, the Illinois EPA will cease referring matters to your office for enforcement,” IEPA chief legal council, Robert Messina, wrote in a Sept. 27 letter to Madigan’s office.

I don’t care what the issue, this is NOT the appropriate response. Completely irresponsible.

“Atheist and activist Rob Sherman said once the law is implemented at Buffalo Grove High School where his 14-year-old daughter Dawn is a freshman, he’ll sue Township High School District 214 and immediately seek an injunction.”

Thank God. (Pun intended.)

“Brian Bown has fought the moment of silence before and lost, but that’s not stopping him from protesting the new law in his Waukegan classroom.”

Kudos to Bown. I support him 100 percent.

Next, they’ll try to bring back the Bellamy Salute.

Bernard Schoenburg wrote, “Bennett doesn’t think the country’s leaders are adhering to the Constitution, including going to war in Iraq without a formal declaration of war.”

Here here. Kudos to Bennett, the Libertarian candidate for Vice President, on that analysis.

“Chicago Public Schools, which already has the largest junior military reserve program in the nation, on Monday will commission the country’s first public high school run by the U.S. Marines, much to the chagrin of activists who have fought to keep the armed services out of city schools.”

Insane. Where is the peace academy?

Aaron Chambers wrote, “Democratic and Republican nominees for president may remain undecided on Feb. 5, when Illinois holds its primary election, and the state could help decide them.”

There was no excuse for Chambers to mention only the Democratic and Republican candidates–there are three statewide established political parties in Illinois that will be holding a primary. Several candidates are also seeking the Green Party’s nomination for this office.

Regan Foster wrote, “Two separate partisan gatherings, taking place in Crystal Lake and Rockford, respectively, will give residents the chance to learn more about the Green and Libertarian parties.”

I can’t speak for the Libertarian meeting, but the Green meeting was good. Fox News sent a cameraman; but so far, I haven’t seen anything from them.

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 10:36 am
first public high school run by the U.S. Marines,

I imagine the activists will be even more upset by the long waiting list to get into that school.

Comment by Pat collins Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 10:52 am
Wow, what a concept — Concerned and involved parents, in-school discipline and comradeship, more time spent in an orderly classroom on academics.

And Free.

I would imagine that competent teachers at CPS would love to instruct here.

Any critics out there who can devise a better method of educating our young men and young women and make it available today, please step up to the table.

Otherwise, take two steps back.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 11:15 am
Ralphie spins his well paid blather in support of something that has been outlawed in the private sector — the closed shop union.

Remember the quality downfall in the American automobile industry which turned Detroit iron into lemons. Only the competition of foreign manufacturers building here raised quality.

Competition — choice, charters — that’s what will raise the education level. And at lower cost. That’s what parents, children, and the country need.

Speak up, Martire, why desn’t A+Illinois want that as well. Or is it just the money?

Comment by Pete Speer Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 11:17 am
=Closed shop unions have been outlawed in the private sector?=

That’s news to me and most union contractors in Chicagoland.

Comment by 1930s Labor Racketeer Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 11:46 am
Pete Speer wrote, “Competition — choice, charters — that’s what will raise the education level. And at lower cost. That’s what parents, children, and the country need.”

Let’s look at higher education to see if that’s the case. How many of us are able to afford to get into schools like Yale, Stanford, Princeton, or Harvard? I offer the following quotes:

“That education should be regulated by law and should be an affair of state is not to be denied, but what should be the character of this public education, and how young persons should be educated, are questions which remain to be considered.” –Aristotle

“Education is, if possible, to be, as the phrase goes, compulsory for every mother’s son, on the ground that the child is even more the property of the state than of his parents.” –Plato

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 12:00 pm
Everything will improve dramatically when Milarod Blagojevich is no longer governor of Illinois.
Then exile him from Illinois for life.

Comment by Northside Bunker Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 12:51 pm
Hey Squid - how about you Greens set up a ‘Green Academy’? That might be interesting….

Comment by Leroy Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 1:15 pm
Anyone complaining about the Marine academy should take a deep breath. Chicago currently has a Naval Academy (Rickover), a military academy (Chicago Military Academy), an Air Force Academy is planned, and this Marine Academy. So there ya have it, Navy, Army, Air Force Marines. The Coast Guard is conspicuously absent thus far.

Fact is the Chicago Military Academy has been around for a bit and doesn’t really have the high of a recruitment rate into the armed forces. It’s more about getting a decent education away from the gang bangers.

Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 1:30 pm
A marine academy might instill alittle discipline I dont know if I would send my child there but the choice is nice. Fighting cook co tax hikes is a good idea but stroger is corrupt and so is the system that installed him good luck. Mismanagment and corruption are the reason for the city county and state fiscal problems.Its sad that all three levels are run by individuals with multiple federal investigations ongoing for various types of corruption but all want more and more tax money.

Comment by FED UP Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 2:11 pm
Squid, I disagree with your point on higher ed. The Ivy League schools offer more tuition assistance per capita and in absolute dollars than the Big Ten schools. If a young person is accepted at one of those institutions and does not have the financial ability to attend, more often than not the school will work with the student and family to establish a grant/loan or other arrangement.

“I’ll pay for the University of Illinois. If you want to go to some high-falutin’ place out East, it’s on your own dime.” -AA’s late father

“University of Illinois, here I come!” -AA

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 5:27 pm
This is what I don’t get. The CTA’s operating expenses were a little over 1 billion dollars in 2005 (See CTA’s 2005 operating expenses in their 2005 Budget, that year they said expenses were 10 million over budget). According to my calculations, the 158 million is (only) 16% of the 2005 operating budget. On July 1, 2006, CTA stopped providing paratransit and that was shifted to Pace. That should have saved about $50 million / year, or 100 million less operating expenditure since then. What’s going on? I’m not a budget expert, but to the average reader it doesn’t make sense. It seems to me they should have an extra $50 million annually since July 1, 2006 and that over a few years they ought to catch up and surpass the deficit.

Comment by NoGiftsPlease Monday, Oct 15, 07 @ 9:50 pm