Thursday, June 13

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[JUNE 13, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Budget cuts will hit local areas hard, according to Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield. Bomke fought to restore cuts directly affecting local counties — such as the closing of LDC and cuts to education.

"Closing LDC was vindictive on the part of the governor," said Bomke. "He’s targeted this facility all along and saw these reductions as his way to close the facility once and for all without any regard to the Lincoln community or the residents and their families."

Bomke voted to override the motion, which failed despite his urging the facility be kept open. Seventeen Republican Senators and only four Democrats voted in favor of keeping LDC open.

Education was another area targeted for cuts in the governor’s vetoes. Bomke fought to override many of these because the additional funding will greatly benefit local school districts.

"Our local schools are already stretching to make ends meet. Cutting these programs will negatively impact the quality of education our children receive, and none of us want to see that happen," Bomke said.

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The Senate restored many of the cuts to education lines, including general state aid to school districts ($31 million); education assistance funding known as EAF — funded by riverboat taxes — to state universities ($5.8 million), including nearly $3 million for the three University of Illinois campuses; mandated categorical grants to schools ($8.8 million) that provide reimbursements for programs like transportation and special education; and early childhood development programs ($6.2 million).

The House of Representatives will now consider the budget override motions, which gained approval in the Senate. Those that failed will stand with the governor’s changes. Both chambers must vote to override for the budget lines to be restored.

Bomke also supported the Senate’s override of a total veto on House Bill 3714, which would have prohibited the Department of Corrections from privatizing food services at Illinois correctional facilities. The motion failed by a narrow margin (33-19-3) Tuesday; 36 votes were needed to override.

[News release]

State representative candidate Rich Brauer disappointed with closure of LDC

[JUNE 13, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD —Rich Brauer, Republican candidate for state representative, expressed his disappointment over the looming closure of the Lincoln Developmental Center.

Brauer praised the work of state Reps. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, and Jonathan Wright, R-Lincoln, and Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, who all continuously fought for funding to keep the facility open. He commended Sen. Bomke for voting to override the governor’s proposed cut.

"These three legislators repeatedly called for funding in the FY03 budget for the Lincoln Developmental Center," Brauer said. "I am disappointed about this closure, as I am sure they are. LDC is an important part of our community, and it is also important to our local economy. Not only will the residents of LDC be impacted, but the loss of jobs will be devastating."

"The House Republicans found more areas that could have been scaled back in order to restore funding to the Lincoln Developmental Center. It is a shame that the cuts were not overridden in the Senate," Brauer said. "The state should have used its current assets during this financial emergency, so that the closure of LDC and many other facilities could have been avoided."

Rich Brauer is the Republican candidate for state representative in Illinois’ new 100th District.

[News release]

[JUNE 13, 2002]  Severe weather snuck into Logan County under the cloak of night about 2 a.m. Thursday. A tornado warning was issued at 1:30 a.m. Doppler radar indicted a severe storm with a possible tornado. A confirmed wall cloud was identified stretching from New Holland to San Jose, moving southeast. The storm did dissipate some as it entered the county.

Heavy winds and up to 1.6 inches rain accompanied the storm. According to Dan Fulscher the most dangerous aspect of the storm was lightning. Lightning struck the hospital, taking out their radio communications, and the weather station had some problems.

Area creeks are near flood stage. Sugar Creek is 2 feet from the banks and will crest in about 30 hours. Salt Creek is at its banks.

City crews are out picking up limbs and storm debris.

[Jan Youngquist]

Articles from the past week

• Ryan to close LDC; union says set up to fail

• Mitchell upset by LDC funding veto

• LDC residents get loving care

• Safety concerns force closure of Lincoln Developmental Center

Monday:

• LDC citations are ‘suspect,’ AFSCME spokesman says

• Circuit clerk improves service with technology

Saturday:

• Crime Stoppers donates funds for new ERT vests

• Teachers retiring in Lincoln area (Teaching & Learning)

• Department of Public Health cites LDC

• Mount Pulaski death under investigation

• Illinois Senate week in review

• Senate prescription drug plan awaits action by the governor

Friday:

• Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center helps the disabled meet their goals  (Part 2)

• Wednesday seminar focuses on assisting domestic violence victims in the workplace

Thursday:

• Gov. Ryan commends legislative action on Lincoln Presidential Library

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