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Illinois

* Media Shield Law Passes Senate, Without Feinstein-Durbin Amendment

* Lawmakers Seek Emergency Steps to Halt Asian Carp

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday to close shipping locks on a waterway south of Chicago that could provide a pathway for the carp to reach Lake Michigan.

* Daley Hasn’t Ruled Out Closing Locks

* Alorton mayor’s son is charged in 2 killings

* City won’t face up to parking meter Q&A

* Kill the jobs tax

* Chicago Public Schools may shake up magnet schools with new policy

Plan could reduce number of spots for non-sibling, out-of-neighborhood applicants

* City cites progress in public housing overhaul

* Modern train service slowed by freight

And to do that, there needs to be more work done on the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program to improve freight, passenger and automobile traffic, according to U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski.[…]

“You cannot have efficient passenger train service without the freight rail out of the way,” Lipinski said. “They’re all using the same track.”

* CTA’s online Bus Tracker rolls into sight at Wicker Park shops

* Feds: Black workers harassed at Chicago Ridge terminal

* 9 new H1N1 deaths in state

* New Cases of H1N1 are Declining, But Health Officials Warn Against Complacency

* Swine flu: Hospitals weigh continuing ban on children over concerns about spread of H1N1

* For some Highway 40 drivers, buyer’s remorse

* Step aside until investigation is over

The DuPage Water Commission lost $19 million and its managers want you to foot the bill to clean up their mess.

It’s not clear what happened. Forensic auditors are crunching numbers and pricey lawyers are investigating. Meanwhile, water rates likely will be increasing.

* Hospitals battle county on care for the poor

* McHenry County Board bans video gambling

* Sangamon County seeks applications for board, panel spots

* Downers Grove cuts payroll, programs in 2010 budget

* More Buffalo Grove FOIA e-mails revealed

* Another audit ’surprise’ shows need for scrutiny

* Union fears Palos fire officials eyeing layoffs

* Governments brace for more tough budget choices in 2010

* Minority business owners: Contract policy ‘lacks teeth’

A procurement policy adopted by aldermen in 2006 has done little to boost the number of contracts awarded to businesses owned by women and minorities.

Less than 2 percent of city contracts went to minority- and women-owned firms in 2006. And today, about 2 percent of those contracts are held by minority-owned companies, while another 2 percent are held by businesses owned by women, said Ron Moore, the city’s diversity procurement officer.

* Talks continue in SD 144 strike

* Our Opinion: How will city handle its budget crisis?

* Tim Davlin and Andy Van Meter: A golden chance to make right rail decision

* CWLP rehires managers despite layoff warning

* Batavia tax rate lower than 1962

* Teachers OK possible walkout

posted by Mike Murray
Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 10:06 am

Comments

Looks like there’s been some real razzle-dazzle in the bookkeeping at the DuPage Water Commission.

Can a water commission have a “slush” fund? Or is it a “splash” fund?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 14, 09 @ 11:35 am