February and winter 2002-2003
just plain cold

[MARCH 8, 2003]  ^"February 2003 was the 28th coldest February in Illinois since 1895, with temperatures of 25.7 degrees (4.5 degrees below average), and December-February was the 29th coldest winter on record. Quite a plunge from last year when December-February ranked as the second warmest winter on record in Illinois," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Precipitation across Illinois in February was 1.95 inches (101 percent of average), continuing the pattern of the last six months: dry in northern Illinois but near average in southern Illinois. February snowfall ranges were 1-8 inches (north), 8-12 inches (central) and 10-15 inches (south), compared with what usually occurs: 6-10 inches (north), 4-6 inches (central) and 3-4 inches (south). Statewide, precipitation this winter was 4.89 inches (75 percent of average).

February temperatures ranged from a high of 67 degrees at Grand Tower on Feb. 3 to a low of minus 10 degrees at Mundelein on Feb. 25. December-February temperatures averaged 26.6 degrees (1.6 degrees below average), compared with an average of 19.6 degrees during 1977-1978, the coldest winter on record.

[to top of second column in this article]

"Historically, a colder than average winter does not necessarily lead to a cold spring or even a dry spring, but there is an increased chance of a cooler than average summer," says Angel.

The National Weather Service is calling for slightly cooler and drier than average conditions in March and a drier than average March-May. The current El Nino event, never strong, has weakened further, so its influence on Illinois weather also should fade.

"You've probably already noticed the extra daylight. Be patient. Spring is just around the corner," advises Angel.

[Illinois State Water Survey press release]

Blagojevich says top-level term positions were improperly secured

A 'blatant fraud on the citizens of this state'

[MARCH 8, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- Continuing his efforts to root out fraud and fight for reform of state government, Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Thursday that disciplinary proceedings have begun against top-level state employees who last year improperly sought to lock in their state employment.

These employees left their positions for as little as four days and assumed a new role, only to return to their original position in a move designed to extend their protected status.

"I will not allow this blatant fraud on the citizens of this state to stand," Blagojevich said. "These individuals have manipulated and circumvented the state's personnel system and in many, if not all, cases with the express approval and direction of the previous administration."

Letters notifying 38 of the employees identified so far by the administration's investigation are to be hand-delivered by the close of business Friday, and the workers are to be immediately placed on administrative leave pending possible discharge. They have five working days to respond to the charges to personnel staff at the agency where they are employed, and the agency, in turn, has five days to consider a response.

The administration's investigation is continuing, and further disciplinary actions will follow.

The governor's staff began an investigation of these employees shortly after taking office in January, and they are among a couple hundred state workers who have been identified as taking a variety of maneuvers to inappropriately protect their jobs.

Blagojevich said that beginning last summer and lasting into the fall these employees filed false statements that suggested they were resigning their jobs and taking a new position. In most cases, the employee purportedly was in the "new" job for only four days, resigned that position without performing any different duties and then was reinstalled in the old job with a new four-year term appointment.

[to top of second column in this article]

"It's understandable why the taxpayers and hardworking people of this state have become cynical about how government conducts its business," Blagojevich said. "While various attempts have been made to burrow politically-connected people in high-paying jobs, … longtime insiders were surprised at the audacity of the action. As I discover ways state workers attempted to manipulate the system to protect their job, I will take swift action to protect the integrity of state government."

Published reports indicate that members of Gov. George Ryan's administration instructed the workers on how to scam the system and fully participated in the attempt to secure their long-term employment with the state so that the new administration would not be able to undo the action. The employees were in term positions that would have expired after Ryan left office in January.

The names of the employees targeted for disciplinary action will not be released until they have had the opportunity to respond to the charges and had their appeals heard by the various agencies involved.

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]

Articles from the past week

Back to top