Wednesday
Around and About in West Chicago - 31 Aug 2011
- Chief Ron Ackerman
- Tuition-free adult classes of English as a Second Language
- WeGo Drama presents “With Their Eyes”
- Historical Society Annual Ice Cream Social and Silent Auction
- First Place for the Legislative Map in Ohio
-
St. Andrew’s Golf & Country
Club 85th Anniversary - Master Club Fitter and Master Club builder
- Top 20 Hispanic–owned businesses in Illinois
- Contributing to West Chicago Organizations
The Case for the West Chicago
Community Recreation Center -
www.youtube.com
"Since 1990, the population of West
Chicago, Illinois, has doubled, necessitating more community services and,
specifically, greater demand for parks and recreational facilities among our
seniors, adults and youth. This greater demand was emphasized in 2008 when more
than 70 percent of West Chicago residents asked for new indoor recreation space
and expanded outdoor recreation facilities, according to a community-wide
survey."
"Since 1990, the population of West
Chicago, Illinois, has doubled, necessitating more community services and,
specifically, greater demand for parks and recreational facilities among our
seniors, adults and youth. This greater demand was emphasized in 2008 when more
than 70 percent of West Chicago residents asked for new indoor recreation space
and expanded outdoor recreation facilities, according to a community-wide
survey."
"The
West Chicago Police Department will be partnering with Kid Care Medical to
provide flu vaccines to children and adults at two Neighborhood Resource Centers
(NRCs). The vaccinations, which are $5 for children and $18 for adults, or
free with the AllKids Card through Medicaid, are being offered on the following
dates at the listed locations: - September 27, 2011 at the Main Park NRC from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- September 28, 2011 at the Riverwoods NRC from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and the Main Park NRC from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- October 4, 2011 at the Riverwoods NRC from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Appointments may be made in advance by calling (630) 231-3304 between 3:00 - 6:00 p.m., or by leaving a message. Walk-ins are also welcome.
"
"West
Chicago celebrates its multi-cultural roots this fall with two special events.
An Oktoberfest-style community dinner, planned for Friday, September 9, 2011,
will honor twenty-seven guests from West Chicago’s sister city, Tuafkirchen
(Vils), Germany who arrive on September 2, 2011 for a ten-day visit."
"Carol Stream Police Chief Kevin Orr said
Ramey was stopped at 2:10 a.m. Sunday because “he was basically crossing over
the centerline on Lies Road” near Bedford Drive. Orr said Ramey failed
four field sobriety tests, before being taken to the police station, where a
breath test recorded a .179 percent blood-alcohol concentration, more than twice
the legal threshold."
"Hultgren heard from both sides of the debt
ceiling issue, including beliefs about who would be and should be taxed under
both Democratic and Republican philosophies. Some came to the meeting with signs
that said, “Tax Wall Street millionaires,” and “Jobs Now. No tax breaks for the
wealthy.”"[See also previous posting, Town Hallers Embarrass Rep. Over Bush Tax Cuts. - Bob]
"It’s the latest battle over a bill that has
raised the hackles of consumer groups because of rate increases they say are
overly generous to utility companies and supporters of the measure contend are
needed to finance a so-called modern “Smart Grid” that can monitor energy use
and reduce waste. The $3 billion, 10-year plan also would give ComEd and Ameren
money for basic infrastructure."
"The smoking-cessation programs that insurance
companies would be required to offer coverage on include various medical
treatments and counseling by physicians."
"After being stopped, Ramey told police he
had been drinking, failed four field-sobriety tests and registered a .179
blood-alcohol level, which is more than twice the .08 legal driving limit, Carol
Stream Police Chief Kevin Orr said."
"Illinois Central officials said
the company has "pulled in numerous additional veteran staff members to our
West Chicago-Batavia location in order to alleviate
the busing problems as quickly as possible."""“I regret and take full responsibility for my actions, and I am prepared to face the consequences,” Ramey said in a statement. “I am deeply sorry to disappoint my family and my constituents.”"
"Gov. Pat Quinn’s signing of House Bill 1716
amended the state’s Freedom of Information Act laws in four areas... Creates
“recurrent requesters” who submit more than seven requests in a week, 15 in a
month or 50 in a year and allows government to delay responding to their FOIA
requests."
"The Board of Trustees of the West Chicago
Public Library District is conducting a Library Patron Survey online through the
Library's web site from September 6 through September 26. You are encouraged to
take the survey at
www.westchicago.lib.il.us ..."
"In a letter obtained by The Associated Press,
the officials invited colleagues in 27 other states to join a lobbying campaign
to separate the two watersheds, contending they have as much to lose as the
Great Lakes do from migration of aquatic plants and animals that can do billions
in economic damage and starve out native species."
"Still, he said, “My hunch is
that a lot of folks in the middle are saying, ‘Ok, yeah I get that, I understand
that’s an obligation of government. But where are you going to come up with (the
money)? Roskam’s comments came as
Illinois' two U.S. senators and 17 members of the
state's congressional delegation signed a letter to President
Barack Obama in support of Gov.
Pat Quinn’s request for a federal disaster declaration
for three western Illinois counties impacted by storms and flooding late last
month. Roskam and U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, a Hinsdale Republican, did not sign
the letter."
"Raj Batra, president, Industry
Automation division Siemens (NYSE:SI) said that, “This is a proud day for
Siemens as our West Chicago operations will continue to position the company as
a leader within the solar industry, and further support the demand for new,
clean sources of energy in the US. The production of our solar inverters is
helping to transform the American manufacturing landscape from one of
blue-collar to green-collar jobs.”"
"In his ruling, Schmidt said no one, including Catholic Charities, has a legal right to a contract with state government. He did not address the more sensitive issue of whether a state contractor that refuses to serve gays and lesbians is violating the state’s new civil unions law. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services ended $30 million in contracts with Catholic Charities in four church dioceses in July, but Schmidt had temporarily reinstated them while he considered the case."
"“Executive Excess 2011: The
Massive CEO Rewards for Tax Dodging“ shows the 25 tax-dodging CEOs the IPS
report spotlights averaged $16.7 million in pay last year, well above the $10.8
million Standard & Poor’s 500 CEO average. Most of their companies registered
substantial profits. Yet these same companies actually came out ahead at tax
time. They collected, on average, $413 million in refunds from the IRS."
"However, some experts are concerned that the new ruling opens the door for the allowance to be applied to multiple homes used by leaders of wealthier ministries. John "Buck" Chapoton, a former assistant secretary of the Treasury for tax policy, said he believes the decision to broaden the parsonage allowance to include multiple homes "invites abuse.""
Three Charts to Email to Your Right-Wing Brother-In-Law - T
ruthOut
- "Government spending increased dramatically under Bush. It has not increased much under Obama."
- "Peoplewho claim that Obama "tripled the deficit" are either misled or are trying to mislead."
- "The leveling off on the right side of the chart shows what happened as the stimulus started to wind down: job creation leveled off at too low a level."
Monday
"Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) was confronted by
constituents at a town hall in Geneva over the Bush tax cuts failing to create
jobs. The Congressman was stumped and tried to change the subject. The Young
Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down."[Would anybody like this openned up as a discussion topic? - Bob]
"Shortly
before 1 PM today, I had a conversation with IL Central Director of Operations,
Ron Howard, who reported that his company still did not have drivers assigned to
all our routes. They will continue to work through the day in an attempt to
cover all routes.""Feltner, of the Woodstock Institute, said there's a few key ways to tackle the problem. First, every community should have a vacant property registry. Residents should report vacant properties to their local government, but those governments should also be proactive in communicating with the post office, local police and utility companies that already have extensive vacant property lists. Next, local governments must take the time to go through the legal process and force the responsible parties to the surface. At that point they can be held accountable to local ordinances through fines, condemnation or whatever other measures local laws provide for."
"Tom Stephenson had his homeowners insurance
rescinded on his home in West Chicago, Ill., after his insurance company said he
had two pit bulls. But Stephenson has two American Staffordsire Terriers that he
says are not pit bulls."
"Yes, at its Aug. 15 meeting, it finally was
the school board’s turn to weigh in on the formal complaint filed by D303 parent
Jennifer
Nazlian. Of course, her protest only came
after Fox News nitwit Glenn Beck slammed the book for being a liberal tool of
the devil. To recap, Nazlian declared the paragraph beginning with
“Sometimes people discriminate against immigrants” was “so far from the truth,”
and she also took issue with a second passage that read, “Jen’s athletic shoes
might cost a lot more if they were made in the United States.” Instead, Nazlian
said, “We should be buying things locally.”"
"The 24 percent
increase — about 350,000 additional young Hispanics in college in 2010 compared
to the year before — was reported Thursday in a study of Census data by the Pew
Hispanic Center. It’s the largest such increase on record, and is noteworthy
because it’s substantially higher than the 7 percent increase in the overall
population of Hispanics that age."
"About 60 percent of Metra riders use monthly passes.
Others purchase 10-ride tickets or one-way tickets. Metra riders generally
use clear plastic sleeves, provided by Metra, to protect the paper passes from
wear and tear. Conductors can remove the passes to inspect them if they look
suspicious, spokeswoman Meg Reile said."
"Schoenberg said a veto override — a clear possibility because SB 178 was approved with veto-proof majorities in the Senate and House — would pave the way for more political influence in the contracting process. The result would be reduced savings for state taxpayers, he said. “This could open a Pandora’s box of other disgruntled vendors,” he said."
"According to a United Church of Christ spokesman, it isn’t news that the liberal Protestant denomination is moving to delete a reference in its constitution from "Heavenly Father" to "Triune God." Decades of theological change lay behind it. Yet now it is putting the change on record."
"The Commerce Department said on
Monday consumer spending increased 0.8 percent on strong demand for motor
vehicles, after slipping 0.1 percent in June. Economists had expected
spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity, to rise
0.5 percent. When adjusted for inflation, spending rose 0.5 percent last
month, the largest gain since a matching increase in December 2009, after being
flat in June."
"Advertising Age, the marketing industry's top
publication, has curtly declared that "mass affluence is over." Nearly half of
consumer spending today is done by the richest 10 percent of households, and the
richest of these richies are deemed to be the most desirable of consumers."WeekEnd
"“I would only vote in favor of it if it
were allocated specifically to road repair,” Reyes said. “I am not in favor of
wasting any more new revenue on pet projects, silly studies or things that are
unnecessary, such as the Riverwalk. We need to give every new revenue source to
road repair.”"
"Julia Conard,
West Chicago, Sr., OHIllinois recruit helped put West Chicago back on the map last year."
"The site will be
designed to give consumers more useable information about licensed professionals
and businesses. They include barbers, banks, veterinarians, and architects.
Officials say it will be easier to navigate. It will also be more
convenient to find license applications, renewal forms and other information
needed by agency-regulated professions to comply with state law. The
website's URL is http://idfpr.com/
"
"The law, signed Friday, brings state law into line with
consumer protections required by the federal Affordable Care Act [AKA ObamaCare
- Bob]. The new law also extends appeal rights to consumers whose coverage
has been rescinded and consumers who've been denied a benefit due to a
pre-existing health condition."
"Illinois’ regional school superintendents might turn
to the legislature next after Sangamon County Judge John Schmidt ruled Friday
that he does not have the power to force the state to pay their salaries.""Working women make up nearly half of the American workforce. Three quarters of women in today’s workforce will become pregnant while employed. Nearly 30 percent of employed women in the United States take prenatal leave. But for too many women workers, pregnancy leave is simply not affordable. And for low-wage workers like Victoria, it is especially hard."
"The
Fellowship of
Presbyterians plans to continue its meeting Friday to discuss how to reform
a denomination that the group's leaders say has become "deathly ill" from
declining membership, theological disagreements, increased bureaucracy and, most
recently, the contentious debate over gay clergy.""In July of 1798, Congress passed – and President John Adams signed - “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen.” The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and mandated that privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance. Keep in mind that the 5th Congress did not really need to struggle over the intentions of the drafters of the Constitutions in creating this Act as many of its members were the drafters of the Constitution."
Friday
Dear Parents/Guardians: - Moses Cheng
"As you know, there
have been issues with bussing both yesterday and this morning. We want you
to know that the missed routes and late pick-up times are not acceptable to us
as well. Illinois Central is a new bussing company that District 94 has
contracted with this year and we are meeting with them this morning to rectify
the problems. It is our priority that students are transported to and from
school safely and in a timely manner. We apologize for the difficulties
that have been created and thank you for your understanding and patience with
this matter."
Market Day
Day will be in full swing for our
first September sale on Thursday, September 8th. Stock up on those lunch items
for your children..
- With any $90 purchase on marketday.com and promo code: SEPBONUS, customers will receive a Free Apple Pie.
- Click on the following website to access Market Day to place your order: http://www.marketday.com//
"The City of West Chicago invites residents to
consider making a difference for the environment or the arts in the community
through public service as a volunteer on either the Environmental or Cultural
Arts Commission. There are currently two vacancies in both Commissions."-
Two Commission Openings
"The City of West Chicago invites residents to
consider making a difference for the environment or the arts in the community
through public service as a volunteer on either the Environmental or Cultural
Arts Commission. " -
Audition Call for The Gallery Theater
"The Gallery Theater announces auditions
for the mystery spoof Test of Wills. Auditions will be held at Gallery
200/STUDIO, 203 Turner Court, in West Chicago on September 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
and September 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m."
"While projecting construction
jobs is fairly straightforward, permanent jobs — some of which are based on
expectations of economic development — are a different animal, University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign economist Fred Giertz said. Overall, it’s
best to take such job projections with a grain of salt because “almost every
estimate is exaggerated for political reasons,” Giertz noted. “The multipliers
are wildly optimistic.”"
"As for the long-sought western
terminal at O’Hare, there’s uncertainty about when it would be built. It hasn’t
been determined who would pay for it. “I don’t think there’s any doubt
that there’s going to be western access,” Soto said. “The question is whether
it’s going to include an international terminal or whether it’s going to be a
parking facility with people movers.”"
"Hultgren touched on several issues
during the 50-minute chat. He said he voted opposite party lines and against
extending the debt ceiling because the final version didn’t include a
balanced-budget amendment."["Opposite party lines" doesn't describe it. He voted the Tea Party line. - Bob]
"The first is that the troubled economy has caused
revenue from the RTA sales tax to plummet. That sales tax is the major funding
source for Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority. The projected
cumulative shortfall in sales tax revenue, from 2008 to 2013, is $350 million,
according to Metra. A second factor is the cost of diesel fuel. This year,
diesel fuel will cost Metra about $18.3 million more than budgeted."
"The ceremony came 83 years after such a
bridge first was proposed, in the city of St. Charles’ comprehensive plan for
1928. In fact, the ground was being broken about a month after preliminary work
for the bridge construction — cutting down trees and moving soil with some
equipment much beefier than a hand-operated shovel — had begun on the other side
of the Fox River."
"“I don’t want to
understate (the cost), but it is what it is,” Weisner said. “The last time I
bought a pack of gum it was more than (the cost of the toll increase).”
The 15-year program calls for rebuilding, widening, expanding and overhauling
large chunks of the tollway system’s 286 miles of highways: ""Destined to pay
nearly twice as much in tolls starting Jan. 1, drivers may begin seeing
something for their money next spring when work begins on ramps connecting the
Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294) and Interstate 57. But the biggest
traffic project — the rebuilding and widening of the Jane Addams Tollway
(Interstate 90) — isn’t scheduled to start until 2013. And yes, that’s the same
Jane Addams now being resurfaced, only to be torn up again.""Although the 7th Circuit of Appeals upheld
the lower court’s ruling, it disagreed with U.S. District Judge Robert M. Dow’s
opinion that the “plaintiffs cannot establish a showing of irreparable harm.”
“We are less sanguine about the prospects of keeping the carp at bay,” the panel
wrote. “If the invasion comes to pass, there is little doubt that the harm to
the plaintiff states would be irreparable.”"""The tollway has to do what's necessary to
protect safety, lessen congestion, make sure that we have roads that are
efficient," Quinn said at an unrelated news conference. "Clearly there is public
support for making sure that we do this and do it right." The tollway is
seeking to hike the basic I-PASS rate from 40 cents to 75 cents, an 87.5 percent
rate increase. Tollway board member Bill Morris has said that big of a jump is
unnecessary and argues a 15-cent increase is all that's needed at this time."
"Employment was down
in local government, construction, tourism and information services. The local
rates include Sangamon and Menard counties. Job growth was fastest in
Peoria, where total employment of 184,800 in July was up 3.5 percent from a year
earlier. The state employment agency attributes most of the growth to a rebound
in manufacturing."
WHAT'S NEW Robert L Park Friday, 19 Aug 11
- HOMEOPATHY: THE DILUTION LIMIT AND THE CULTURE OF CREDULITY.
- DARPA: THE SEARCH FOR INTELLIGENT LIFE COMES UP SHORT.
- NEON: THE NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATORY NETWORK.
- ENVIRONMENT: REPUBLICAN SKEPTICISM ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.
"The growing rift between labor and their Democratic allies was on full display Thursday, as AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told reporters that labor groups are planning to scale back their involvement with the Democratic Party in advance of the 2012 elections. Going forward, Trumka said, the labor movement will build up its own political structures and organizations rather than contribute to and depend on the Democratic Party’s political operation."
"The question will appear on applications
for those freshman and transfer students hoping to start in the fall of 2012.
Like admissions questions about race, ethnicity or religion, answering the
question is completely optional and does not affect admission decisions.
Students can check “yes,” “no,” or “prefer not to answer.” Those who
answer “yes” may be eligible for a scholarship worth up to one-third of tuition,
not unusual because about 60 percent of incoming students receive some type of
scholarship aid, Rold said."
"It's unclear exactly how much of an
impact -- if any -- Schultz's CEO pledge might have. But a relatively small
number of Americans do wield an outsized influence when it comes to political
donations. Only 0.04% of Americans give in excess of $200 to candidates,
parties or political action committees -- and those donations account for 64.8%
of all contributions."Wednesday
Around and About in West Chicago - 24 Aug 2011
- Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6791 65th Anniversary Open House
- West Chicago Sister Cities Host Oktoberfest Dinner
- Historical Society Hosts Annual Ice Cream Social and Silent Auction
- West Chicago Public Library Recycling
- 46th Annual New Teachers Luncheon
"But in a surprise
8-8 vote, the DuPage board’s finance committee on Tuesday night failed to give
Cronin permission to negotiate a possible agreement with Kane. Some board
members expressed concern that they might be forced to approve the final
agreement — even if the financial terms end up being unreasonable. Others
pointed to the fact that several judges and law enforcement officials want to
see DuPage’s youth home stay open."
"Now completed is a state-of-the-art homeland
security training facility, a culinary and “hospitality center,” a new student
hall and a revamp to one-half of the school’s Berg Instructional Center.
The new construction and renovation is paid for with money raised by a $183
million tax increase approved by voters.""The 11 consisted of six physicians and five nurses, and more revocations are expected throughout the week, state officials said... Their crimes included child pornography, battery of a patient and aggravated criminal sexual assault, according to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation."
"Quinn, for his part, talks up
Illinois’ successful bid last year to keep Navistar International Corp.’s
headquarters in state and bring about 1,000 jobs with it from Indiana. For
months now, though, a number of Illinois businesses have said they just might
leave if the state doesn’t listen to their complaints."
"Schmidt said he
understands that the superintendents are not being paid, but said the lawsuit
involves constitutional issues and he doesn’t want to make a ruling until he’s
seen the state’s written arguments. He told attorneys for the state they could
not have until Monday to file as requested.""Just in case anybody wondered
if Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) give a whit about
jobless workers in their states, we’ve got an answer. They don’t. Both
let a Monday
deadline pass to apply for hundreds of millions of dollars—$555 million in
Texas and $176 million in Ohio—in federal funds for Unemployment Insurance (UI)
benefits. The money was part of the 2009 economic stimulus package."
"CERN's statement said new results, which
updated findings that caused excitement at another scientific gathering in
Grenoble last month, "show that the elusive Higgs particle, if it exists, is
running out of places to hide.""
"He cited secret data collected
by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission which showed that Goldman Sachs,
Morgan Stanley and other banks and hedge funds dominated oil markets in 2008
when prices rose sharply and topped $140 a barrel. The records - first made
public by Sanders - shed light on the role of speculators at a time when oil
prices soared and the pump price for gasoline spiked to around $4 a gallon."
"In a
memo Tuesday, the NSF's Inspector General's office said that "the research
in question was originally completed over 10 years ago. Although the subject's
data is still available and still the focus of significant critical examination,
no direct evidence has been presented that indicates the subject fabricated the
raw data he used for his research or falsified his results.""[After exhoneration by 5 independent investigations, is it about time for Faux News, Limbaugh, Inoufe and all other climate change deniers to apologize to this man? - Bob]
Monday
"The West Chicago Public Library District
will be collecting
old cell phones and dead household batteries
for recycling during the months of August and September of 2011. Members of the
Library Green Team will then deliver these items to the DuPage County SCARCE
(School & Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting Education) facility in
Glen Ellyn. To learn more about specialized recycling programs visit
www.scarceecoed.org/"
An Introduction to Happy House -
www.youtube.com
"A small hot dog joint a little west of the
Windy City, Happy House sells true Chicago style hot dogs with Vienna beef
plopped right in the center of a golden..."
[This has only 36 views and deserves a lot more. - Bob]
"A small hot dog joint a little west of the
Windy City, Happy House sells true Chicago style hot dogs with Vienna beef
plopped right in the center of a golden..."[This has only 36 views and deserves a lot more. - Bob]
"West Chicago thanks all that rode to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes."
Oktoberfest Dinner - FB,
Melissa Birch
Sponsor:
Sister Cities
Location: VFW Post 6791, 431 N Neltnor Blvd
Time: 6:00PM Friday, September 9th
Sponsor:
Sister CitiesLocation: VFW Post 6791, 431 N Neltnor Blvd
Time: 6:00PM Friday, September 9th
"A Roadside Safety Check will
be conducted by the West Chicago Police Department and the DuPage County
Sheriff’s Department during the month of August 2011... The safety check will be
used to detect persons who are operating a motor vehicle with defective
equipment, have no valid driver’s license or permit, no proof of insurance or
are under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
"According to West Chicago firefighter Kevin
Siercocuck, the man, who looked to be in his 40s, had stripped off his clothing
and was attempting to play football. Siercocuck said the man appeared to be
under the influence of drugs at the time and was taken to Central DuPage
Hospital for treatment."
"Existing home sales
in the area spiked 19.2 percent in July compared to a year ago, the Illinois
Association of Realtors reported Thursday. In the nine-county Chicagoland
area, 6,625 single family homes and condominiums were sold during the month, at
a median price of $182,500. This price is down 5.4 percent compared to last year
in July when it was $193,000.""Julia Conard, West Chicago, Sr., OHIllinois recruit helped put West Chicago back on the map last year."
"Get the picnic basket ready,
hitch up the horses, and straighten your bonnet — the Forest Preserve District
of DuPage County’s Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago invites you to a country
fair! Join the fun on Sept. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are not
needed for this free event.""Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill into law today during an
appearance in East Alton. It allows the Illinois Department of
Transportation to issue permits for the larger loads for travel on state
highways if the load is going less than 5 miles and won't harm pavement
conditions. Previously, such loads had to be broken into separate
shipments to meet truck weight limits, increasing costs."
"The Illinois Natural History
Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois
State Archaeological Survey and Illinois Sustainable Technology Institute last
year shared a state appropriation of $15.8 million.""The strategy makes no difference for a
retailer such as a grocer, where customers leave the store with the product. But
Illinois is among a few states that apply sales tax where an offer is accepted
rather than where a product is delivered to a customer. A sale based on an order
that is delivered later can be accepted away from the store.""“Our funding is in the budget
implementation bill,” Miller said. “It’s complicated. I’ve been in state
government 26 years, and I’d never heard of (the budget implementation bill)
until two years ago.” Miller said the House and Senate disagreed this
spring over some items in the bill. “The disagreement was not over our
funding,” he said. “They just ran out of time to resolve all those issues in
that bill.”""One in four California households with children reported food hardship, according to a new analysis of Gallup data released last Thursday by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)... “It sends a clear signal of economic distress, particularly for families with children,” noted James Weill, president of FRAC. “The answers to the question reveal there are times that these families are going without eating a meal, or the parents are skipping a meal for their children, or children are skipping meals.”"
"The site regularly used by Fort
Sill, for example, is Oakridge Camp & Retreat Center, which has received over
$500,000 in DoD contracts and has hosted approximately 60 retreats. Oakridge not
only requires its employees to be Christians, but even goes as far as requiring
on its employment application that the applicant state their views on issues
such as abortion and homosexuality. While a private religious organization is
free to impose a religious test on its staff, it is quite a different matter for
a DoD contractor to do this. And, in the case of Oakridge, it is not only the
facility's staff who must adhere to the its Christian beliefs, but all of its
guests as well, including the soldiers attending Fort Sill's Strong Bonds and
Spiritual Fitness retreats."
"This
will be the season, even more than 2008, of Dominionist Trojan Horse candidates.
With the struggling economy, angry electorate and greedy corporations lurking at
the door, our nation is vulnerable to a takeover masquerading itself as common
sense values from the heartland. ""Two weeks after Lehman’s bankruptcy in
September 2008, Morgan Stanley countered concerns that it might be next to go by
announcing it had “strong capital and liquidity positions.” The statement, in a
Sept. 29, 2008, press release about a $9 billion investment from Tokyo-based
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., said nothing about Morgan Stanley’s Fed
loans. That was the same day as the firm’s $107.3 billion peak in
borrowing from the central bank, which was the source of almost all of Morgan
Stanley’s available cash, according to the lending data and documents released
more than two years later by the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission."WeekEnd
22 10am» Children’s Story Hour
1:30pm» Children’s Farm Chores
7pm» City Public Affairs Com
25 1:30pm» Children’s Farm Chores
7pm» City Finance Com
27 12pm» Annual Salad Luncheon
1:30pm» Blacksmithing Demonstrations
8pm» Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday
Coffee with the Mayor - FB,
Annie Ooton
"Coffee with the Mayor this morning was an enlightening
and positive experience. I will be attending more often and would encourage
others to do so as well if you can. It was nice to see someone from District 94
there and disheartening and frustrating to see that not one of the highest paid
administrators from District 33 could bother to show up. Thanks Mike and Mr.
Early and Al Murphy and those whom I've forgotten for doing what you do."
"Coffee with the Mayor this morning was an enlightening
and positive experience. I will be attending more often and would encourage
others to do so as well if you can. It was nice to see someone from District 94
there and disheartening and frustrating to see that not one of the highest paid
administrators from District 33 could bother to show up. Thanks Mike and Mr.
Early and Al Murphy and those whom I've forgotten for doing what you do.""The 35-cent toll
hike would fund the tollway's proposed $12 billion construction program for the
next 15 years. It's twice as big as the tollway rebuilding program launched in
2004. The program includes billions for maintenance of the 286-mile
system, including the rebuilding and widening of the Jane Addamss Memorial Tollway (Interstate-90).""After mini-shopping sprees, many students eagerly
await a chance to show off their new fashions. However, for an increasing
number of children in DuPage County, it also brings with it the fear of showing
up without even the most basic necessities, such as school supplies. But many of
the county’s school districts and charitable organizations hope to ease that
fear for as many children as they can.""Early versions of
the plan involve Kane County receiving a daily, per-inmate fee to take all of
DuPage’s juvenile offenders. In trade, DuPage County would also receive a daily
fee to take Kane’s work release inmates. The deal was pitched as a money-saver
for DuPage and a revenue-generator for Kane.""The elected school chiefs inspect local public
schools, do employee background checks, certify teachers, operate area
alternative schools and more. But Quinn calls them unnecessary bureaucrats and
halted more than $10 million to operate their offices for the budget year that
began July 1.""Dubbed the “Immersive Interior Training Lab,”
it’s part of the new Homeland Security Education Center at College of DuPage, a
$25 million facility designed to provide realistic training for police,
firefighters and other first responders.""I especially like
this one: "Kick any CEO off of federal advisory boards or jobs councils who has:
(1) not created net new American jobs over the past five years, or (2) is
expanding the company's foreign workforce at a faster rate than its domestic
workforce. Replace them with CEOs who are committed to investing in America.
Shame is a good motivator."""But Perry's precise words -- "in Texas we
teach both creationism and evolution in our public schools" -- weren't exactly
spoken in error. Texas biology teachers must teach evolution, can't teach
Creationism, and can't teach Intelligent Design or any other forms of
crypto-Creationism. But the state's curriculum does require schools to teach
students to analyze and critique all scientific theories. And that means
conservatives like Perry can pretend a loophole exists."""The biggest unknown
right now is driver behavior, and all the factors that go into what a driver is
willing to do," said Shad Balch, a spokesman for General Motors, which is
selling the all-electric Chevrolet Volt. "All of these things will help drive
what we do next as far as creating a market for electric vehicles.""
"This is an identity theft
alert. Petitions are being circulated door-to-door and at public locations
throughout the county that require your name, your address and your signature.
The State of Michigan does not require a license or bond for signature gatherers
and anyone can collect signatures regardless of their police record."[When a group resorts to this, do you conclude that THEY THINK they have no good arguments that could convince you they are right? The Reps should spend some of those millions on commercials repudiating this. - Bob]
Friday
"Some constituents held signs that read
“Where are the jobs?” and “Tax Wall Street Millionaires.” Others stood outside
with a greeting of “Throw the bum out” while passing out literature with a photo
altered to show President Barack Obama with crossed eyes and a Hitler-esque
mustache."[Hultgren is NOT a member of the House TeaParty caucus, but unless (or until) he has the guts/will to defy them, does it really matter? - Bob]
"Peter Lennon, the
authority’s interim executive director, said the measures bring the
Wheaton-based agency into conformance with what DuPage County government is
doing. “A lot of these policies are based upon a review of DuPage County’s
policies,” he said. The new policies, which include stricter travel
guidelines, are being praised by county board Chairman Dan Cronin."
"Meanwhile,
a collection of Islamic organizations in the Chicago area is calling on DuPage
to consider modifying a 36-foot height restriction in unincorporated residential
neighborhoods to make the rule “more accepting” of religious design elements.
The
Muslim Educational and Cultural Center of America is one of two Islamic
groups to be denied a height variance request this year by DuPage."
"But Schmidt wrote in his ruling
released Thursday that the longevity of the relationship between the state and
Catholic Charities in Joliet, Peoria, Springfield and Belleville did not
entitle them to automatic renewal of their contracts. "No citizen has a
recognized legal right to a contract with the government," Schmidt wrote.""A number of his constituents sent a clear
message to U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren on Wednesday night — go ahead and raise
taxes. “Stop coddling the mega-rich,” said David Edelman, an Oswego
resident, quoting America’s wealthiest taxpayer, Warren Buffett. “Everyone
understands we have a problem, and the solution is shared sacrifice.”
Edelman and about a hundred others crowded the chambers of the Sandwich City
Council on Wednesday for an hour-long townhall-style forum with Hultgren...""Overdevelopment
is part of the problem, the group says. There are certain areas where they think
anyone planning to build should be fully informed of the site’s potential — even
if it’s relatively minor — to experience a catastrophic flood. Commissioner J.
David Mullan said the discussion needs to convey that possibility, rather than
centering on 100- and 500-year floods."
"Under the new law, anyone found
guilty of dealing drugs or an associated crime will face additional fines. In
addition to helping fund law enforcement agencies, who will receive the fine
revenues, officials hope the measure will be an added deterrent to dealers.""Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says lawmakers may want to reconsider a
new law that paves the way to exempt the Amish from having pictures on
identification cards. White says he doesn't understand how the cards can
be used as identification if there are no pictures. White's office issues state
identification cards and drivers' licenses.""The computer giant
dropped out of the project to build one of the world's fastest supercomputers,
saying it requires too much
financial and technical support.
The move leaves the university looking for someone to build the $300
million-plus system it still hopes to deliver by the fall of 2012.
University officials say the goal of building a sustained-petascale
supercomputer remains achievable in a timely manner. Melchi says it is still too
early to say who the next vendor will be."
"“If the Republican Party
wants to again become the majority party in Illinois, we have to be open and
welcoming to new voters and new ideas,” Oberweis said. “I want to let them know
that this is not a closed society like it used to be under Mr. Kjellander and
Cellini and so on, that we welcome new ideas.”""Cory Johnson is a union representative and Yorkville resident who came to a public hearing at the Kane County Government Center on Tuesday to support a new capital plan for the Illinois Tollway — and the higher tolls proposed to finance the plan... It would go a long way toward putting construction workers, engineers and other professionals back to work, he said. “Good jobs don’t grow on trees,” he said. “They grow when we build things.”"
"The primary goal in foster care and
adoptive services must be the best interest of the children in need of loving,
secure homes. The State has a responsibility and constitutional obligation to
assure that all decisions about foster and permanent homes for children are made
in the best interest of the child – not other factors including the religious
views of the contractual provider.""THERE have been some sweeping historical claims made in the wake of last week's unrest, with commentators of left and right decrying an unprecedented collapse in moral standards, parenting and discipline among the young. There have been cultural claims too, with calls to blame African-American rap music from broadcast."
"In other words: Growth is weak and policymakers are hurting rather than helping. The debt-ceiling debate hurt. The dithering response to the euro zone’s debt crisis hurt. And the expected austerity in both the United States and Europe is going to hurt even more."
Wednesday
Wisconsin Recalls over... score Rep-4 and Dem-5 ... Reps Claim Victory. If so, the loser is reality. Five is greater than Four. - Bob (BS, MA math NMU)
Around and About in West Chicago - 17 Aug 2011
- Memorial Garden in Reed-Keppler Park
- Wildcat Sports Festival
- Uttarayan Style Kite Flying Festival
- Brilliance in Business Awards Program
"But on Tuesday, Berlin joined a list of judges and law enforcement officials who say it would be better to set aside money in the 2012 budget to keep the DuPage facility open. “We’ve made tremendous progress with our juveniles in this county,” Berlin said. “We have a great juvenile justice system. We’re recognized leaders. “If there’s a way to make cuts elsewhere and use that money to keep it (the youth home) open, I think that’s the way to go,” he said."
"Results of the ACT college entrance exam offered a
sobering portrait of students ending their high school years, with only a
quarter of graduates who took the test nationwide posting scores high enough to
be considered college-ready in all main academic areas."Model trains stolen at DuPage County Fair and more
-
"Two model trains were stolen from display cases at the DuPage
County Fair between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. August 14." - "A 19-year-old-woman of the 1200 block of Elizabeth Street in West Chicago was arrested at 10:08 p.m. August 4 in the 600 block of Delles Road and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis."
- "Two 20-year-old-women were arrested at 6:12 p.m. August 2 in the 400 block of S. County Farm Road. Both women, of the 300 and 400 blocks of Stimmel Street in West Chicago were charged with retail theft."
"Northwestern Memorial's
Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, Edward Hospital in
Naperville and Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur
were informed of the decisions Tuesday morning, Revenue Department officials
told The Associated Press. They follow last year's Illinois Supreme Court ruling that found
a central
Illinois hospital wasn't doing enough free or
discounted treatment of the poor to qualify for an exemption, obligating it to
pay $1.2 million in local property tax payments per year."-
Quinn
goes after gambling bill at state fair
""I don't think we can have what's called
cannibalization of gaming in
Illinois, where there's so many different places
there's gambling that it ends up hurting the overall product," Quinn said. "We
have to do this in a prudent way." Lawmakers haven't sent the gambling
bill to Quinn out of fear he will veto it, and the governor continued his
practice of picking apart the measure without saying whether he would reject it
or sign it." - Quinn to Rahm: Slow down on Chicago casino
"The graduates appear to be least prepared
for college science courses. Only 28 percent of the 2011 Illinois graduating
class scored high enough to predict they may get a C or better in the typical
college freshmen biology course."
"State officials received the go-ahead Tuesday
to work out extensions of temporary contracts with
Health Alliance and several other
insurance companies so health plans serving almost 200,000 state employees,
retirees and dependents can continue through June 30.""After Maine Gov. Paul LePage and the state legislature repealed the state’s Election Day voter registration earlier this year, the Protect Maine Votes coalition, which includes the Maine AFL-CIO, went to work gathering signatures to put repeal of the measure before voters this fall. Last week, the coalition submitted 69,296 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office, well above the 52,277 needed for the referendum to qualify."
"“There has to be grounds in Illinois law
for (canceling the contracts),” said Thomas Brejcha, an attorney for Catholic
Charities. “There is none.”
Attorneys for the state said state law does not allow discrimination against gay couples. They also said it is the state’s prerogative to set out contract terms within the boundaries of the law. “Contracts must contain a provision to comply with civil unions,” said Assistant Attorney General Deborah Barnes. “Catholic Charities aren’t required to provide adoptive or foster care. They are completely free not to enter into contracts.”"
"“I have worked with investors for 60
years and I have yet to see anyone – not even when capital gains rates were 39.9
percent in 1976-77 – shy away from a sensible investment because of the tax rate
on the potential gain. People invest to make money, and potential taxes have
never scared them off.”""The “debt explosion has resulted not from big spending by the Democrats, but instead the Republican Party’s embrace, about three decades ago, of the insidious doctrine that deficits don’t matter if they result from tax cuts.”"
Monday
"Community High School District 94 in West Chicago would like to invite the community to our 2nd Annual Wildcat Sports Festival.
Friday - August 19, 2011,
4:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Click here for full schedule and details
We look forward to seeing all of you there!!"
"The West Chicago Park district is planning a day trip to
the 16th annual Senior Lifestyle Expo, Chicagoland’s largest event for active
adults 50 and over on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Drury Lane Theater
and Conference Center. The $5 fee covers admission and transportation."
"The West Chicago Police
Department announced that Campaign #7 of the Illinois Department of
Transportation funded grant was successful in educating the motoring public on
child restraint, seatbelt, speeding, and alcohol related violations.""A successful partnership
between the B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County and the City of West
Chicago Police Department's Neighborhood Resource Centers resulted in over 100
West Chicago children enjoying a weeklong adventure of fun with friends."
"Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget spokeswoman Kelly Kraft said Quinn set aside $8 million
from his discretionary money to pay for the jobs through the Illinois Youth
Corps program. That money — which aimed to create 3,100 new jobs — wasn’t
available to spend until the state’s fiscal year began July 1, well past the
time most districts do their summer hiring.""The commuter rail agency’s directors threw cold water on
a plan floated last month to cut 31 weekday trains on 10 of Metra’s 11 lines.
They seemed more receptive to a less-severe option, introduced Friday, that
calls for trimming weekend service on three lines and two little-used daily
runs.""Asked about unemployment, he reiterated
his stance that increased taxes will only hurt, and said lawmakers can help
businesses by “reigning in bureaucracy.”"[OK, so he doesn't have a jobs bill... he's offerening lower taxes for corps and lead paint toys for your kids... isn't that enough? - Bob]
"The measure updates the Let Them Rest in
Peace Act, spearheaded by Quinn while he was still lieutenant governor and
enacted by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2006. Keeping with the spirit
of the old law, it bans picketing 30 minutes before and after military funerals,
but it keeps protesters further at bay by increasing the distance they must
maintain from 200 to 300 feet."
"“Everybody is suffering from drying up
sources of funding,” Peters said. “But a lot of these projects actually were
done by communities where state funding was not key.” He said private
funds and community support will play an increasing role in preservation efforts
in Illinois and elsewhere.""During the past five years, McCaw has proved to be one of the most blatantly anti-union employers in California, if not the whole country. She has racked up more than 25 violations of federal labor law, lost four trials before federal labor law judges, and two out of four appeals so far, with two still pending before the NLRB. One judge cited News-Press management for its “widespread, general disregard for the fundamental rights of the employees.”"
"The professors were not disavowing the role
of God or of their church, but were arguing that modern science challenges
traditional, literal readings of the Book of Genesis in ways that may require
theological shifts. Nonetheless, the reaction from readers of The Banner,
as expressed in many (but not all) comments on the website, was clear: no
deviation from Genesis as literal truth could be tolerated."
"Salon reports that the story originated on an
Onion-like satirical site
in Pakistan called Roznama Jawani. Today Roznama Jawani carries
headlines such as “Columbus Sends Message from Grave. Regrets Finding America”
and “Intel’s latest AI Chip Inspired by Indian Prime Minister”.""Alternatively, 12% of the respondents said they would have to sell or pawn some assets to come up with $1,000 and 9% said they would need to take out a loan. Another 9% said they would get a cash advance from a credit card, according to the NFCC."
WeekEnd
[I will trade a printout of the Ryan Budget for a lightly used copy of this... even up. - Bob]
"Metra’s board today threw cold water on a proposal unveiled last month to eliminate 31 weekday trains. Board members took no formal vote but expressed disfavor with any significant service cuts. “We’re not in the business of cutting service,” board member Jim LaBelle said."
"Illinois officials hope a new commission can come up
with ways to trim the state's huge number of local government agencies...
Illinois has more than 7,000 units of local government, from counties to
townships to mosquito-abatement districts. That's far more than any other
state.""The measure allows the Illinois Department of
Transportation to use asphalt made from recycled roofing shingles.
House Bill 1326 also instructs IDOT to use recycled materials in its projects as
much as possible, a move Quinn's office says will save $8 million a year."
"The State Journal-Register reports that the deputy
director of traffic safety at the Illinois Department of
Transportation is being disciplined for allegedly driving without wearing a
seat belt. Roy Dolgos, 66, was given a 15-day suspension without pay after
the Aug. 1 traffic stop by Springfield police, the newspaper reports.""Madigan and Cross co-sponsored Senate Bill
512 in the House, which gives state employees three options for their pensions:* Keep the same level of benefits but pay more;
* Accept the reduced benefits approved last year for new employees; or
* Choose a defined-contribution plan commonly known as a 401(k)."
"The legislation would allow for five new
casinos, expanded gambling at 10 existing casinos and the addition of slot
machines at racetracks, including at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in
Springfield. Among the new gaming facilities would be Chicago’s first casino, an
element strongly supported by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Supporters of the measure are
outpacing opponents in calls and emails to the governor’s office. A Quinn
spokeswoman said 11,064 people have expressed support, while 2,961 are opposed."WHAT'S NEW Robert L Park Friday, 12 Aug 11
- MENDING: SORRY TO HAVE MISSED A WEEK.
- THE DEBT DEAL: STRONG MEDICINE, OR A DOOMSDAY MACHINE?
- THE POPULATION: DEBT CEILINGS ARE SIMPLY A DISTRACTION.
- ArXiv: THE FUTURE OF SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION.
"The union now must reach a higher threshold of 75 percent of members voting to strike. And the reforms lengthen the timeline, requiring steps that would take four to six months before a union can strike after an impasse has been reached. While acknowledging that heading to a strike is now a longer process, Lewis said the 75 percent threshold can be reached."
"The West Virginia AFL-CIO and allied groups are holding 10 “Help the Really Rich Hot Dog Sales” around the Mountain State Saturday and Sunday. In honor of the 76th anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt’s signing of the Social Security Act, the dogs will go for just 5 cents each—don’t know if chili and slaw are extra."
"Late
last month, the UN issued a new statement on the extent of freedom of speech
under international law. It says that laws restricting blasphemy as such are
incompatible with universal human rights standards. The statement came
from the Human Rights Committee, the body of eighteen “independent experts”
mandated to monitor compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, or ICCPR, the 1966 human rights treaty that provides for
freedom of opinion and expression and other fundamental rights.""Now that Standard & Poors has confirmed that the chorus of default doubters in the GOP was part of what spooked them into downgrading the U.S. credit rating, Republicans will do all they can to pretend that they never questioned the risk of missing payment obligations, or allowing borrowing authority to lapse. But they sure did! Here's a long, partial timeline of influential Republicans either vouchsafing default, or downplaying the consequences of passing the August 2 deadline without raising the debt limit."
Friday
22 10am» Children’s Story Hour
1:30pm» Children’s Farm Chores
25 1:30pm» Children’s Farm Chores
27 1:30pm» Blacksmithing Demonstrations
8pm» Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday
"There are NO
tee times, so it's first come, first putt.Time: Wednesday, August 17
· 7:00pm - 8:00pmLocation: West Chicago Fire Protection District Station, 21651 Atlantic Drive
"We are interested in receiving your input for future planning at the West Chicago Park District. Accurately identifying the recreational needs of the community is the purpose of these meetings."
"Stage 2 is tentatively scheduled to begin
between the dates of Monday, August 15, 2011 and Friday, August 19, 2011,
weather permitting. All construction is scheduled to be completed by October
2011.
"DuPage County as
well as the state overall saw record decreases in foreclosures during July
compared to a year ago, according to a report expected to be released today by
RealtyTrac Inc. Other suburban
counties also saw large drops ranging from 40 percent in Lake County to 57
percent in Kane County. DuPage County dropped 64 percent.""Hultgren, who garnered tea party support
when running for the office, said he was frustrated the debt ceiling issue was
not addressed sooner. While he said he did not want to see the country default,
he also wanted structural changes to rein in spending sooner rather than later.
“I said we have to make sure we have real cuts right now because people don’t
trust us to say, ‘Yeah we’re going to cut in 10 years,’” he said.""Among the
suggestions that already have been addressed are the green roof recently
installed atop the cafeteria area of the Jack T. Knuepfer Administration
Building, the business center of the county complex in Wheaton. The county’s
vehicle policies have been amended to boost the segment of hybrid and
alternative-fuel trucks and cars in the fleet. Currently more than one-third of
the 500 road vehicles are earth-friendly."- New law will increase electronics recycling in Illinois
- Quinn wants scholarship program ended
-
Gov. Quinn blasts legislative scholarship program
"llinois Gov. Pat Quinn said "you can't put perfume
on a skunk" after he used his veto power to try to end a longstanding program
that let legislators hand out college scholarships."
"“Every parent wants their child to be raised
in a healthy, happy environment,” said Gov. Pat Quinn, who signed the measure into law today at
the University of Illinois-Chicago. “Expanding our safe haven laws to include
universities and Illinois State Police facilities will help make sure that more
parents are able to relinquish infants in a safe and legal way.”""A state program offers
confidential help for veterans who might be suffering from such injuries as
post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The Illinois
Department of Veterans' Affairs says its Illinois Warrior Assistance Program
offers confidential help for veterans trying to transition back to their
everyday lives."
"On the federal budget, the first-term
senator pointed in particular to two of the 12 members of the congressional
“super committee,” Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio. Both have
“extremely good records when they’ve been allowed to build a bipartisan
consensus,” he said.""Over in Ohio, where Gov. John Kasich passed similar legislation, labor and other liberal groups have pursued a different tack under that state's election procedures: Triggering a referendum for this November, in which voters will be able to strike down the legislation directly, and which has in fact placed the very law itself on hold pending their decision."
"“We challenge homosexuals and
heterosexuals to live out the sexual ethics taught in Scriptures, which
encourage sexual expression between a man and a woman in the context of
marriage,” said Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek. He added that the Bible
prescribes “sexual abstinence and purity for everyone else.” This week,
Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks Coffee Co., canceled his scheduled
appearance after a petition posted at change.org asked him to denounce Willow’s
views about homosexuality before speaking there.""The devil is in the details. Here’s a comparison of what is in the debt deal from last week, both for the haves and for the have-nots."
"Gallup also asked registered voters how a Tea Party endorsement would affect their likelihood of voting for a congressional candidate. The effect is nearly 2-to-1 negative, with 42% saying they would be less likely to vote for such a candidate versus 23% saying they would be more likely. About a third say it would make no difference or are unsure."
Wednesday
- Elementary School District 33 Transportation
- Rep Randy Ramey Seventh Annual Family Golf Outing
- Washington Street Pavement Rehab Project
- Potential Acquisition of 151 West Washington Street
- Citywide Metering infrastructure
- Ethics Reform Package
- Governor Signs Two of My Bills
- Upcoming Events
"In a special presentation at the West
Chicago City Council meeting on August 1, 2011, an Official Proclamation was
read honoring West Chicago Fire Protection District Chief Ron Ackerman on the
occasion of his retirement after 31 years of service to the community.""West Chicago Community High
School has contracted with a new bus company, Illinois Central, and as a result
there will be some changes from the previous bus service. Route numbers and
pick-up locations will remain the same, but some pick-up times have been
revised to an earlier schedule. Be certain to check the (d94.org) school web
site for the revised pick-up times. Also, bus information will be available in
the commons during Orientation Days on the August 9th (freshmen only), and
August 10th and 11th (sophomore-senior)."Morning Bus Routes
Afternoon Bus Routes
"Designed to improve the overall health and fitness of children in the West Chicago community, kids ages 5-12 will be movin’ and groovin’ to a healthier lifestyle Saturday mornings beginning Sept. 3 and running through Oct. 29, from 9-11 a.m. The first session kicks off at Turtle Splash Water Park, 129 W. National Street. All other sessions will meet in the Middle School gym, 238 E. Hazel St."
"“A democracy isn't cheap to run,” said
Republican state Rep. Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake. “I don't think the taxpayers
expect you to eat the cost of the mileage or the cost of living in Springfield.
Your costs of doing the job need to be reimbursed.” But some government
watchdog groups argue that legislators already are being reimbursed for doing
the job.""In DuPage County, 110 couples had received
civil union licenses, and 1,176 couple had received marriage licenses... Not all
of the couples getting civil unions are same-sex pairs, officials said.""DuPage already is
contributing $30,000 to Ruscitti’s annual salary. If the latest proposal is
adopted, it would cost the county an additional $42,500. DuPage would try to
recoup the money later from the state. Board member Don Puchalski says the
county’s financial support makes sense considering the size of Ruscitti’s office
and the number of services it provides.""Illinois law states school districts can’t punish or
discriminate against students if parents don’t pay fees, but oversight is
limited and only minor penalties apply if districts violate the law, the Tribune
has found.""Participants will be divided in
age appropriate groups and must wear gym shoes. A healthy snack will be provided
each week. In addition, an informational packet with a variety of daily
activities will also be given to every child at the end of each session.
Children keeping track of their daily activity will receive points to redeem for
prizes."
"Designed for children and adults, the
Observance aims to educate, inspire and commemorate the events of that fateful
day, while paying homage to the fallen. In addition, the ceremony will pay
tribute to our daily heroes who risk their lives every day to protect us and our
nation including our armed forces, police officers, and fire protection
personnel. "
"The West Chicago U12 girl’s 3v3 soccer team
has started off the 3v3 season with a perfect record of first place finishes!
The girls competed in the Kick-it 3v3 sectional tournament in Des Moines, Iowa
and went undefeated to win the tournament."
"Shelters also are required to reach out
to the person registered with the animal’s microchip by phone or e-mail.
Currently they only need to send a letter, a process that can be ineffective if
the owner has moved. Quinn says pets are part of people’s families and the
state wants to do everything possible to reunite lost animals with their owners.
Quinn’s own dog, Bailey, recently died.""Hultgren talked in general terms about the
challenges to sustaining Medicare. Hultgren affirmed his pledge that he would
not support any changes to Medicare that would affect anyone over 55.
Hultgren said there is no truth to stories that say there is an effort by some
members of the House to kill Medicare."[Maybe not kill it, but end Medicare as we know it.... - Bob]
"Synergy Builders, a
design-build home remodeling company held its Facebook raffle for a brand new
IPad 2. They would like to thank everyone who participated and helped in
spreading the word about Synergy Builders. The winner of the brand new IPad 2
was Barbara from West Chicago. They are also thankful to those who posted
comments on the FaceBook wall and encourage everyone to enter in our upcoming
raffle that will be held on December 5th 2011.""American Standard Circuits, Inc. (ASC) has announced the addition of a new Tin Lead plating process, as well as a hot oil reflow process to their operations. These newest additions to their operation comes on the heels of their polyimide qualification under MIL-PRF-55110, Amendment 3 and MIL-PRF-31032, and serves to further underscore their significant commitment to, and participation in the manufacture of product for the Military/Aerospace market sector."
"After a passerby Monday night noticed water
leaking from the first-floor ceiling of the building at 117 W. Main St., the
fire department discovered two columns in the middle of the building failed and
dropped about 18 inches, according to Bob Vann, building and code enforcement
division manager for the city... An eastbound lane on Main Street (Route 64)
also is closed to minimize vibrations to the unstable building, Vann said.""The law brings back a
popular web-based tool available in Illinois for about two years. The state was
forced to halt the feature when the Illinois Supreme Court struck down a
medical malpractice reform law in its entirety. The doctor profile tool went
dark when the court found the law unconstitutional.""Treasurer Dan Rutherford said
investors on Monday were leaving the domestic stock market and buying up U.S.
Treasury investments, which had the effect of driving down interest rates paid
on them. Part of the treasurer’s investment portfolio includes U.S.
Treasuries. “It absolutely will hurt our returns, but we don’t know what
the impact will be,” Rutherford said. “In June of this year, we made $50
million worth of interest. We are nowhere near that going into August.”""In the CNN poll, 63% of Americans supported "increases in taxes on businesses and higher-income Americans," vs. 36% opposed. 66% agreed with "raising taxes for upper-income Americans" in the Gallup survey, including 45% of Republicans and 37% of Tea Party supporters. The Marist poll showed support for two types of new revenues: increasing taxes on those making more than $250,000 got 68% approval, and eliminating subsidies for oil and gas companies got 60%."
"Certainly, we are focused on
bringing a new recreation center to West Chicago, and also concerned about
expanding the opportunities at several of our fine parks. How do you feel,
what do you think the needs are for the next 25 years; what amenities do you
think are important? Please join us at the next Town Hall Meeting, share
your input and hear what plans are evolving."
"“It’s not that what
we have is different,” Lisle Savings Bank President Jim Renn acknowledges. “It’s
just having the Hispanic community know that the doormat is out to them.”
Renn hopes the bank’s tweaks — displaying bilingual signage and offering Spanish
language publications in the lobby — will be seen as “a way to be a bit ahead of
the curve and court that business.”"
"The First United
Methodist Church of West Chicago invites residents of the community to join the
Chancel Choir for the First United Methodist Church of West Chicago. The
Director of Music is Ron Benner. Choir rehearsal resumed on Wednesday, September
7, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at 643 E. Washington St., West Chicago. You don't need to
read music, although that is always a plus. The Chancel Choir rehearses on
Wednesdays and sings during the 10 a.m. Sunday worship service; with a warm-up
starting at 9:00 a.m.""No layoffs are planned but open positions on the
dorm's staff will remain unfilled for the time being. The university's
freshmen enrollment dropped by approximately 200 students in fall 2010 after
declining by about 100 students the year before.""The reports, obtained by
The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act, describe other
serious problems seen during the past year by inspectors trying to stop the
spread of dangerous bacteria and viruses:...""The bill allows prostitution defendants who
are the victims of trafficking to file a motion to have their convictions vacated. The measure also creates a filing timeline for victims, who officials say may endure years of abuse before seeking help."
"But officials at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services say Illinois’ debt-riddled state government needs to save money, and the proposed rates are in line with what the private sector pays. The department proposed the new rates, which would cut reimbursement rates for Medicaid patients’ prescription drugs by 4 percent, on July 29."
"…[Prior to 1973,] unions offered
an alternative to an unbridled market logic, and this institutional alternative
employed over a third of all male private sector workers. The social experience
of organized labor bled into nonunion sectors, contributing to greater equality
overall. As unions declined, not only did the logic of the market encroach on
what had been the union sector, but the logic of the market deepened in the
nonunion sector, too, contributing to the rise in wage inequality."
"Verizon said it was asking for
changes in the contract because its wireline business has been in decline for
more than a decade as more people switch to using cell phones exclusively. It
had 25 million landlines at the end of the second quarter, down from 26 million
at the end of 2010. It has been selling off some of its landlines to other phone
companies."[As I understand it, Verizon turned $24 Billion in profit, $0.00 in federal income tax (+$1.4 Billion refund) and seeks rollback in pay for workers. - Bob]
"A close relative had died
many years earlier in a botched illegal abortion, shaping Romney's stance in
favor of safe and legal access to abortion for all women. But in the many years
since that revelation, even as Romney flipped his position and became an ardent
opponent of legal abortion, the details of his young relative's story, including
even her name, have never been reported.""AFP deception is not limited
to vote-caging and wrong-date ballot mailings. In Detroit, MI earlier this year,
AFP sought to effectuate their opposition to the planned
Detroit River International Crossing Bridge by mailing
fake eviction notices, which deceptively informed homeowners that their
homes would be taken by the MI Department of Transportation.""This willingness to consider
revenue increases appears to be a significant shift in position for Ryan and the
GOP, who have previously insisted that any tax reform be “revenue
neutral,” i.e. offset every dollar in revenue increases with cuts to tax
rates, ensuring no extra money flows into the Treasury."WeekEnd
"The Zeppelin is not to be confused with a blimp because the airship's hull is made of a state -of-the-art laminate material from the same company that creates the NASA space suits, and is filled with nonflammable helium. Farmers Flight Operations Specialist David Finney also touted the unique stability of the airship that is based on a rigid inner structure made of aluminum and carbon fiber."
"You and your fellow
Congress members are hired by your constituents with our votes. Unfortunately,
the one with the most money always gets the most votes, and when you get to
Washington, you pay back your donors by protecting their tax breaks.""Last year at
Blooming Fest, the Green Disciples signed-up to clean the roadside on Washington
St. from Route 59 east to Prince Crossing Road. The second organized cleanup was
held on Saturday, July 16, 2011. The day warm and humid, but a determined group
of nine cleaned both sides of the roadside and filled three two bags with
garbage."
"The
opinion is not unanimous of course. Aurora Cmdr. Joe Groom said he shared the
concealed carry question at a meeting of department leaders. In a city with a
history of gun violence, the leadership’s opinion was split, Groom said.
Personally, Groom has no problem with concealed carry. “The bad guys are
going to carry the guns regardless,” Groom said.""Mosquitoes taken in a trap
on the East Side of Aurora have tested positive for the West Nile virus, the
Kane County Health Department said Friday. This is the first positive test
reported in the county this year. Health officials noted that so far there have
been no reported West Nile cases in humans, and no birds have tested positive in
the county."
"The company on Thursday sent out an email to customers
explaining that another company, as yet unnamed, had purchased the rights to
produce the B-Radical harmonica, an innovative instrument created by the
company’s founder, Brad Harrison. The company had marketed the B-Radical
as the Steinway of harmonicas and targeted professional players who have long
complained about the inconsistent quality of standard, mass-produced
instruments.""From time to time, someone under
30 will ask me, "When did this all begin, America's downward slide?" They say
they've heard of a time when working people could raise a family and send the
kids to college on just one parent's income (and that college in states like
California and New York was almost free). That anyone who wanted a decent paying
job could get one. That people only worked five days a week, eight hours a day,
got the whole weekend off and had a paid vacation every summer.""The members meet every month when the unemployment numbers are released to help raise awareness and to advocate for policies that create sustainable living wage jobs. “We’ve gotten a lot of support,” said Laesch, a former Democratic candidate for the 14th Congressional District. “It lets us know we’re not alone.” And he isn’t."
"The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a theologically conservative denomination, said Wednesday that direct work with its larger and more liberal counterpart, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has become "difficult if not impossible," because of doctrinal conflicts, including the 2009 decision by liberal Lutherans to lift barriers for ordaining gays and lesbians."
"Conservatism, at least at the state level, appears to be growing stronger. Ironically, this trend is most pronounced in America's least well-off, least educated, most blue collar, most economically hard-hit states. Conservatism, more and more, is the ideology of the economically left behind. The current economic crisis only appears to have deepened conservatism's hold on America's states. This trend stands in sharp contrast to the Great Depression, when America embraced FDR and the New Deal."
"The remainder, about 24
percent, was spent on projects such as infrastructure improvement, health
information technology and research on renewable energy. The White House
points out that Recovery Act dollars didn't just fund salaries -- as the blog
item implies. Lumping all stimulus costs together and classifying the total as
salaries produces an inflated figure."Frieday
"As plans for the commemoration of the 10th
anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on America are being
finalized in West Chicago, the community is asked to provide their written
memories or reflections on the fateful day for a multi-media presentation which
will be part of “Remembering 9/11: A West Chicago Observance”, to be held at
Reed-Keppler Park on Sunday, September 11, 2011."
"Kotecki
said he’s announcing his decision early so potential candidates have ample time
to mount a campaign. “This is a job which deserves somebody who
understands all that it involves,” Kotecki said. West Chicago Alderman Al
Murphy and advocate Shannon Burns, also of West Chicago, both already announced
that they will run for the District 6 seat.""This year, Zaruba
was forced to cut costs within the department to raise the roughly $350,000
needed to pay for seven positions that weren’t included in the county’s current
budget. “I implore you to fully fund these positions in 2012,” Zaruba said
to county board members.""But unresolved is the matter of who has
jurisdiction of the campus. College officials have maintained that the school is
not subject to local building codes, and that the school’s peer review
inspection process goes above and beyond what the village would require. The
village has sought written assurances from the college’s architects and
engineers in the form of certificates of compliance to verify the buildings
comply with local codes.""The first United
Methodist Church of West Chicago entered its first float in the City of West
Chicago’s centennial celebration parade in 1949. The church has continued the
tradition by entering floats in the annual Railroad Days parades."
"The United
Methodist and Congregational Women will host their annual Salad Luncheon on
Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. The luncheon will be held at the First
United Methodist Church located at 643 E. Washington St. in West Chicago. This
event is free and open to all women in the community. If you plan on attending
please call 630-231-3344 to reserve your seat at the luncheon.""But though the mosquitoes
are bad this year, the numbers are on par with what the region saw last year,
according to George Balis, a 20-year entomologist for Clarke, a Roselle-based
company used for mosquito abatement in the collar counties of DuPage, Kane,
Lake, McHenry and Will.""Breast-feeding moms across Illinois plan to join an international attempt to break a world record. The "Big Latch-On" is part of the World Health Organization's World Breastfeeding Week and is being sponsored, in part, by La Leche League USA."
"“While most return preparers are honest and
provide an excellent service, a few unscrupulous return preparers file false and
fraudulent returns to defraud the government and their clients. Don’t forget
that even if you pay someone to prepare your tax return you, the taxpayer, are
ultimately responsible for all of the information on that tax return.""Legislation being drafted by the governor's office
“will address ways in which we can be paid starting in November or December,”
the Illinois Association of Regional
Superintendents of Schools said in a prepared statement. Among duties
of the regional offices are inspecting schools to make sure they’re safe,
checking the backgrounds of school employees, training bus drivers and offering
GED programs for students who have left school."
"The
trend of friends and family members moving in with each other to save money is
something social-service agencies in the Springfield area have noticed for
several years.
Data
released this week from the 2010 Census appears to document how the
recession that began in 2007 has slowed a decades-long decline in average
household size in Illinois and many other parts of the country.""Although the administration of
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has abandoned the heated, anti-union
rhetoric of his predecessor and has engaged in apparently good-faith efforts to
improve the environment for working men and women, Trumka said, Colombia is
still the most dangerous place in the world for union members. The 51
trade unionists killed in 2010 represented an increase over the murders of trade
unionists in 2009 and 17 have been killed in 2011, including 10 just since the
announcement of the Obama administration’s “Labor Action Plan,” in April.""When the hospital has a
deceased baby case, the staff, who are openly involved, are instructed
to immediately notify the medicine company. The documentary team reveals the
super secret process of how the Dead Baby Pill is made."[I so hope this is not true. - Bob]
"Prosecutors have charged a
state Capitol worker with disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon for using a
knife to pop a protester's balloon and then slamming her into a bathroom door.
Ron Blair, the state Department of Administration's assistant facilities
director, could face up to nine months in jail and $1,000 in fines if convicted
of the misdemeanor count. Blair, 56, stood mute during his initial court
appearance Thursday.[Is this guy also guilty of taking a protestor's Tootsie Roll Pop and throwing it on the ground? - Bob]
"At the Union Correctional
Facility, a maximum security prison in Florida, inmates from a nearby
lower-security prison manufacture tons of processed beef, chicken and pork for
Prison Rehabilitative Industries and
Diversified Enterprises (PRIDE), a privately held non-profit corporation
that operates the state’s forty-one work programs. In addition to processed
food, PRIDE’s website reveals an array of products for sale through contracts
with private companies, from eyeglasses to office furniture, to be shipped from
a distribution center in Florida to businesses across the US."Wednesday
- Farmers Airship Eureka
- Sabbatical Send Off for Father John
- Fourth Annual Secret Garden
- First United Methodist Church Rummage Sale
- Mexican Independence Day celebration
-
2011 STREET RESURFACING PROJECT - FB,
Mike Kwasman
"This newsletter is to inform you that the 2011 Street Resurfacing
Project is tentatively scheduled to begin the week of August 1, 2011. The
proposed work includes milling and resurfacing the following City streets: Wood
Street, between the Union Pacific Railroad and Geneva Street..." - Info on Hometown Hero award - FB,
Mike Kwasman
http://westchicago.org/News/PDFs/2011HometownHero.pdf
"We know it's still early August and summer is in
full swing....but the new school year is just around the corner and the Wildcat
Boosters are getting ready for another successful year! We are looking
for smiling faces to staff our outdoor concession stand for the fall football
season on the following dates:August 19, September 2, September 16, October 7, and October 14.
You will not be expected to work every date, but we won't say no if you want to! We need a pool of 50 volunteers by August 7. We already have six people so hurry up before all the slots are filled! Reply to WEGOboosters@aol.org for further information."
"In its ongoing
efforts to improve the City of West Chicago's infrastructure, the Public Works
Department will be conducting a program to identify locations where storm water
is entering the City sanitary sewer system. The smoke testing will be
started in mid to late August and is anticipated to be completed by early
September. Additional notification will be provided by door hanger cards 24 - 72
hours before the smoke testing is to start in your area and signs will be
posted at highly visible intersections when the crews are testing.""The organization will
host “An Evening in the Garden” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at
Ball Horticulture, 622 Town Road in West
Chicago, to help raise money for
University of
Illinois Extension programs. Lovers of gorgeous gardens and summer
nights are invited to enjoy wine, hors d'oeuvres and live music for the group's
second annual event.""Because of what he says were insufficient
workers, he said he had to shift workers from other areas of the fair to make up
for the gap. But one of the parents, Cathie Sanzeri, said that decision
was McGuire’s and that it was unnecessary because they met the terms. She said
both sides agreed that four students and a parent would suffice for the early
morning shift. McGuire said DuPage fair officials had yet to determine how
much they would pay. Sanzeri said she did not expect the full $10,000 that had
been promised to the booster club, but that they should be paid for their two
days of work.""Grana isn’t alone. In other
cases, disciplinary recommendations by Meza’s office were either ignored or
reduced as well, allowing rule-breaking employees to serve suspensions, resign
with benefits or simply move to another department without repercussion.""DuPage County Fair officials say they fear they
were taken for a ride by a group of West Chicago High School football parents
who promised that players would handle parking lot duties, then did not supply
the necessary bodies to do so.""The United
Methodist and Congregational Women will hold their annual rummage sale on
Friday, August 12, 2011 from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale will be held at the First United Methodist Church
located at 643 E. Washington St. in West Chicago.""West Chicago Park District
crews paved the way for a new adventure trail in Easton Park as part of a
$32,000 Illinois Youth Recreation Corps grant awarded to the district from the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)."
"Just a standard roundabout, near a standard
business park, surrounded by a standard rural Midwestern flatness, sandwiched
between Illinois Route 38 and Fabyan Parkway. As traffic circles go, it’s
nothing special. Certainly nothing super. In fact, the only distinction to this
patch of nondescript blacktop is that it is tucked alongside the DuPage County
Airport, found in West Chicago, and being used in the next Superman movie.""Under the proposal announced by DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin and Kane board Chairman Karen McConnaughay Tuesday, DuPage’s juvenile offenders would be housed at the Kane youth center in St. Charles Township, and Kane’s adult work release program would be housed at the current DuPage Youth Home in Wheaton."
"Illinois cases
range from a 3-year-old to a 60-year-old. The state Department of Public Health
says they have occurred in Oak Park and in the following counties: Cass, DuPage,
Madison, Peoria, Will and Williamson. Department spokeswoman Melaney
Arnold says the first illness in Illinois began in March, while the last
reported case was June 29.""In addition, six new courses move the provided
training beyond the certificate level: Multiculturalism and Diversity in
Criminal Justice, Continuity of Operations, Critical Incident Management,
Disaster Management and Response, Introduction to Intelligence for Homeland
Security and Introduction to Bio-Security and Bio-Terrorism.""Quinn on Tuesday signed "Zach's Law," which
requires all moveable soccer goals made or sold in Illinois to be tip-resistant.
Quinn says improperly secured soccer goals are a "serious threat" to young
athletes. Zachary Tran of Vernon Hills died in 2003 when a goalpost fell
on him at a suburban Chicago soccer practice.""Under
the law, signed Tuesday, felons convicted of unlawful use or possession of a
weapon face two to 10 years behind bars. Additional violations by felons
caught with guns while on parole or supervised release will carry a sentence of
three to 14 years in prison."
Hospitals, physicians worried about debt-reduction deal
"Spokesmen for Illinois hospitals and doctors say Tuesday’s debt-reduction package could lead to further cuts in Medicare and Medicaid funding that would harm hospitals and make it harder for poor and elderly patients to get health care."
"Spokesmen for Illinois hospitals and doctors say Tuesday’s debt-reduction package could lead to further cuts in Medicare and Medicaid funding that would harm hospitals and make it harder for poor and elderly patients to get health care."
"As the election draws near,
right-wing money is flooding into the state at an unprecedented rate. Just
recently, Americans for Prosperity and the Koch Brothers purchased $150,000
worth of airtime. Yesterday, the Presidential Coalition, an affiliate of the
conservative group Citizens United, announced a $270,000 ad buy. A last minute
Tea-Party and right-wing spending influx is expected.""Planned Parenthood argued
that the provision unconstitutionally imposes additional conditions of
eligibility for a federal program that are not required by federal law and
contended that as a result of the law it would be forced to close one or more
clinics and raise fees.""Given many evangelicals' commitment to baptizing the Founding Fathers and praising the cross as a "statue of liberty," it may seem strange that they have greeted the pro-democracy movements agitating the Middle East and North Africa with distinct ambivalence. But if it's surprising, that's only because so many observers of American politics are out of touch with the evangelical worldview, particularly evangelicals' understanding of themselves as embattled outsiders who have much to lose when democracy doesn't go their way."
"Working off ALEC’s proposed legislation--recently leaked
by a whistleblower to the Center for Media and Democracy, and viewable on the
web site ALEC
Exposed--Republicans are pushing private-school voucher bills for kids with
disabilities in states across the country. At first glance, these bills
don’t seem all bad... Advocates for the disabled strongly oppose special ed
voucher legislation—and not because the vouchers drain resources from the public
schools. What a lot of people don’t understand, says Jeff Spitzer-Resnick,
managing attorney for
Disability Rights Wisconsin, is that disabled students who take advantage of
special ed vouchers forfeit their rights under the federal
Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act."Monday
- Change of Ownership at the Sandpiper Restaurant
- Jonathan Roth - classical guitarist and teacher
- Augustino’s Rock & Roll Deli - Gluten Free Products
- DuPage National Bank - 120th Anniversary
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- Apartment Fire Update - FB,Mike Kwasman
"Apartment management has paid to have the 11 remaining
families stay at the Red Roof Inn overnight, so the Community High School Gym
will not be needed."
- Fire at Riverwoods - FB,
Mike Kwasman
"Late Sunday afternoon, firefighters responded to 1641-1643 Windsor Drive in the Riverwoods Apartment Complex as a fire had broken out in the basement storage rooms; there are no injuries, though early reports indicate that there is relatively significant smoke damage to the 24 units in the building. The Red Cross is now at the scene, and the High School has agreed to provide temporary lodging, if necessary."
"About 50 firefighters from eight
departments responded to the blaze about 5:30 p.m. and found smoke billowing
from the front of the building. Firefighters reached the trapped father and
middle school-aged son with a ladder. Neither was injured, according to fire
officials... The fire was contained to the first-floor storage room, where it
started and was brought under control in about 20 minutes, Stott said."
"State Rep. Randy Ramey, R-West Chicago,
who serves as chairman of the DuPage County Republican Party, said Lauzen’s
potential candidacy comes as a bit of surprise. Ramey said he had
understood that Lauzen was looking at several possible races to run in, but had
been leaning most strongly toward seeking the Kane County Board Chairman
post...“I think he’s done a good job in Springfield,” Ramey said. “But because
of some of the stances he holds on issues, he’s not been able to get a lot done
there (in the Democrat-dominated Illinois General Assembly.)"
"“It Can Take a Scientist to Help Understand Redistricting,”
reported by Kristen McQueary, also appeared in the New York Times and in
an audio format on Chicago public radio station WBEZ. Fortner, the
former mayor of West Chicago, was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2007. He
came to NIU as a postdoctoral student in 1987 and began teaching here in 1993."The Eureka is on a six-month barnstorm covering 26 states. Tours will be offered in the Chicago area Friday through Sunday, Loya said. The airship will be based at DuPage Airport in West Chicago."
"A West Chicago father and son were rescued
from a third-floor balcony Sunday night after a fire inside an apartment
building filled the stairwells with heavy smoke, preventing them from escaping,
according to fire officials.""Over 1,400 Los
Angeles janitors, members of United Service Workers West SEIU, protested the
firing of immigrant workers by Able Building Maintenance... The janitors are not
working for the low wages that are common in the worst workplaces. Union
janitors make more than minimum wage and have medical and other benefits. That's
what people are trying to defend - jobs capable of supporting families. That is
the goal of most unions and most working people. Immigrants are no different.""In the end, this plan guarantees
that most of the savings come from programs that don't really need, and can't
easily afford, to be cut. It doesn't change the nature of government, as
conservatives might want, and it doesn't take the "deficit" issue off the table,
as battle-weary liberals might want. In that way, it's just sort of mean. It
also contains zero guarantees that we'll see any fresh sources of federal
revenues.""Despite being a credentialed member of the press and standing in a public area around other people, he was arrested and charged with obstruction of governmental administration. In May, a woman in Rochester, N.Y., was arrested on her lawn after videotaping police. Gizmodo reported last year that more people are being arrested for videotaping police, often under laws that prohibit eavesdropping without all parties’ consent."
