|
"Housing issues in
each community are unique in many ways and yet identical," said
Kathie Brown, U of I Extension community and economic development
educator based in Macomb. "Every community in Illinois struggles
with problems relating to the supply, affordability and quality of
housing. The Illinois Rural Housing Task Force has worked with many
communities on these very issues."
At each workshop,
successful development practices from around the state will be
presented. The program is designed for local builder association
members, local real estate brokers and agents, local mortgage
lenders, zoning and community officials. The series is organized by
the Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Rural Partners and member
organizations of the Illinois Rural Housing Task Force.
[to top of second column in
this article] |
Registration is $25
and may be completed by contacting the Illinois Institute for Rural
Affairs, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, 518
Stipes Hall, Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Further information can be
obtained by contacting Brown at (309) 836-2084.
Dates and locations
for the daylong program are:
--March 25,
Carterville, John Logan Community College
--April 2, Mattoon,
Lake Land Community College
--April 23, Bourbonnais, University of
Illinois Extension Unit Office
[University
of Illinois news
release] |
|
Sen. Larry Bomke, a sponsor of the
legislation, says Senate Bill 73 will ensure that any future
privatization of state services is contracted due to sound business
decisions.
"Everyone recognizes the need to cut
spending and save tax dollars where we can, but privatization is not
always the best solution," said Bomke, R-Springfield. "If you trade
cost-effectiveness for quality or spend more paying unemployment
benefits to displaced workers than you save by contracting, is
privatization really worth it? Senate Bill 73 makes sure the any
future privatization with state government look at all sides of the
issue, including the impact on local communities."
Known as the Public Service
Accountability Act, Senate Bill 73 is a response to the unpopular
privatization of prison commissary services forced by Gov. George
Ryan last year. Bomke and other lawmakers offered alternative
solutions that would have still saved tax dollars without
privatization, but Ryan proceeded with his plans despite the
cost-saving alternatives.
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this article] |
Senate Bill 73 would set procedural,
record-keeping and reporting requirements for both the private
contractors and state agencies pursuing the privatization of
services valued at $100,000 or more.
Among the requirements in the
legislation is a full reporting of any political contribution made
by management employees of the contracting firm and proof that
privatization would save the state at least 10 percent.
The bill also requires a community
impact report if privatization would displace 50 employees or 50
percent of the facility’s work force. If privatization does proceed,
the private contractor would have to hire displaced state employees
if the employer has positions available.
Senate Bill
73 now advances to the full Senate for further consideration. The
measure is supported by SEIU, AFSCME and the AFL-CIO.
[News
release] |
|
“Both
individuals are well-qualified and bring with them impressive
records of success in their respective fields,” Blagojevich said.
Brunsvold, 61, a Democratic legislator from the
Quad Cities and former chair of
the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee, is
recognized as an authority on conservation and land use issues. He
also served on the House Environment and Energy Committee.
Throughout his tenure as a legislator, Brunsvold has worked closely
with the department that he is poised to lead, often sponsoring its
agenda in the General Assembly. He is currently a member of House
Speaker Michael Madigan's leadership team and serves as chairman of
the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus.
Brunsvold grew up in the Quad Cities area and attended Augustana
College in Rock Island. He worked for International Harvester from
1964 to 1969 and taught school for Sherrard Community Unit 200 until
1983. Brunsvold and his wife settled in
Milan, where he was elected
mayor in 1977. In 1983, he was elected state representative and has
been re-elected ever since.
“I
developed great respect for Joel when I worked with him as a member
of the Illinois House. He understands the complexity of issues the
Department of Natural Resources deals with and has significant
experience as a lawmaker at balancing the demands of conservation
and development,” commented the governor.
Brunsvold will be paid $113,200.
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this article] |
Peralta-Davis, 44, succeeds Scott Fawell at the Metropolitan Pier
and Exposition Authority and will be one of the administration's
highest-ranking Latinas. Her salary will be set by the authority.
Fawell, who was fired by Blagojevich on his first day in office, was
paid $195,000.
Peralta-Davis is founder and president of the financial advisory
firm Davis Financial, which specializes in debt financing, and
chairs the Finance Committee for the Board of Commissioners of the
Chicago Housing Authority. Before starting her firm, she was a vice
president at Bank of America from 1991 to 1993, and vice president
at ABN/LaSalle Bank from 1988 to 1990.
She is a
Chicago native, earned her bachelor's degree in accounting and her
master's in business administration from DePaul University, and received her
certified public accounting certification in 1983. In 1999, she was
selected as the regional Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year by the
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the boards of the
Metropolitan Planning Council, Children's Memorial Hospital and St.
Benedict's High School Advisory Board.
“Ms.
Davis is well respected for her accomplishments as a businesswoman
and community servant. She will help drive my agenda for reform by
providing straightforward, fiscally-responsible leadership,” the
governor said.
[Illinois
Government News Network
press release] |
