Fuel spills in accident near Lawndale

[DEC. 13, 2001]  A semitrailer overturned on Interstate 55 north of Lawndale yesterday afternoon. The driver was freed by rescue workers and transported to ALMH, where he underwent treatment. It is said that he will be all right.

Nearly 40 gallons of diesel leaked from the fuel tank and ran into the ditch, where some of it made its way into Kickapoo Creek.

Kathy Waldo of the Logan County Health Department was on site to examine nearby wells for possible contamination.

An original alert warned that a boil order might be issued. The official word finally came that there was no need to boil water. According to Terry Storer of the Logan County ESDA, "There was limited migration of the fuel to the Kickapoo Creek."

The Illinois EPA is meeting today with the contractor to discuss plans for cleanup of the spill.

[LDN]

Will bring jobs to Logan County

Elkhart energy plant wants
in enterprise zone

[DEC. 12, 2001]  Corn Belt Energy Corporation, a Bloomington-based energy cooperative, is asking the city of Lincoln to extend its enterprise zone to the company’s planned new power generation plant in Elkhart.

The $140 million coal-powered plant, expected to be up and running by 2004, will bring construction jobs to the area, as well as 45 permanent jobs when the plant is finished, Corn Belt Energy officials told the Lincoln City Council Tuesday.

"This is good news," Phil Mahler, Logan County planning commissioner, told the council. "This company is going to hire a lot of people in this county."

Mahler also pointed out that two of the company’s executives giving the presentation, Dave Hawkinson and Tony Campbell, live in Lincoln. Hawkinson was formerly head of the Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce.

The new power plant will be built adjacent to the Turris Coal Company in Elkhart, eliminating the cost of transporting coal to the facility.

It will be a "clean plant," the first of its kind, using the newest technology to reduce emissions of undesirable gases, according to vice president Campbell. Emission-reducing features include a low-emission boiler system to reduce nitrous oxide while burning the coal and scrubbing systems for both nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide.

"This plant is supposed to prove that Illinois coal can be used in an efficient and environmentally friendly way, and we think it can do that," he said. He said many coal plants in Illinois have been using Western coal instead of Illinois coal because it has less sulfur.

The plant would operate 24 hours a day and produce enough power to serve approximately 27,300 large homes at peak usage, Campbell said.

Construction jobs over the projected 2.3 years it would take to build the plant would bring salaries of about $13.8 million to the Logan County area, and revenues from temporary housing, food and entertainment for construction workers would bring in another $2.53 million, he said.

[to top of second column in this article]

When the plant is complete, 45 permanent jobs will be created, 25 in operations and maintenance of the plant and 20 in coal mining due to increased sales, bringing combined job-related dollars of $3.45 million into the county.

The estimated real estate taxes from the new plant would amount to about $325,000 a year, he added.

"The dollars are floating out there. Attract them to Logan County and Lincoln," Campbell urged the council.

Extending the enterprise zone will give Corn Belt Energy an abatement of sales taxes on supplies purchased within the enterprise zone. The company will not ask for an abatement of real estate taxes, according to company attorney Gary Barnhart.

Corn Belt officials brought in a map showing the proposed extension of the Lincoln/Logan Enterprise Zone, which would follow Interstate 55 in a narrow strip south to Township Road 600 N. in Elkhart.

If approved, the new extension would add .827 square miles to the enterprise zone, bringing it up to about 5 square miles. This would still leave 7 square miles to go before the 12-square-mile limit is reached, Barnhart said.

Lincoln city attorney Bill Bates asked why Elkhart did not set up its own enterprise zone. Barnhart replied that to get the sales tax abatement, the company must buy materials in the enterprise zone, and Elkhart does not have suppliers who sell the materials they will need. Lincoln does have the suppliers.

Both the city of Lincoln and the Logan County Board must vote to extend the enterprise zone. The Logan County Board will see the presentation this week and vote next Tuesday. The Lincoln City Council will vote on the plan at its regular meeting Dec. 17.

[Joan Crabb]

Catch as cat can in Logan County

Is there a "cat-astrophe" in Logan County?

Are you "catpturing" the idea yet?

[DEC. 12, 2001]  What’s the best way to catch a cat?

Clifford "Sonny" Sullivan, chairman of the animal control committee of the Logan County Board, thinks the best way is to set a trap.

George Mitchell, Lincoln alderman, who has been fielding complaints about stray cats lately, thinks the county ought to come out and round them up.

At the request of the Lincoln City Council, Sullivan attended a work session Dec. 11 to explain the county’s stand on picking up stray cats. The city of Lincoln contracts with Logan County for animal control services for a fee of $27,000 a year.

"Is animal control only dog control?" Mitchell asked Sullivan. "Three people called about stray cats. They said they were told by people at the shelter, "We don’t get cats.’"

"We do pick up cats," Sullivan replied. "We have traps available to every citizen of Logan County."

He explained that anyone in the county can pick up a trap for a $10 deposit, which will be returned when the trap is brought back. The county even provides the cat food to use as bait.

"I just don’t understand why you go out and pick up dogs and you won’t go out and pick up cats," Mitchell said.

"George, did you every try to catch a cat?" Sullivan asked. "I own four cats, and they stay in the house. If they don’t want to be caught in the house, they won’t be caught."

"Then why doesn’t the county come out and set the traps?" Mitchell wanted to know.

"We just don’t have the time. We have only two employees to serve the whole county. We’ll let the homeowner use the trap, and we’ll come out and pick it up when the cat is caught," Sullivan told him.

[to top of second column in this article]

"There may be people in the community who are not able to go out and set the traps," Alderman Dave Armbrust said.

Sullivan suggested these people might have friends who would set the trap for them.

He reminded the council that for the past five years, the county has kept the animal control fee for Lincoln the same. The county has an $88,000 yearly budget to pay salaries, utilities and all other expenses. "We’re trying to make do with what we’ve got," he said. "You get complaints, I get complaints."

Mayor Beth Davis said she has had complaints from people who have made five or six trips to the animal shelter to pick up their pets and found no one there. "Perhaps you need more employees," she suggested.

Sullivan said both employees have cell phones, but when there is a dog to be rounded up, both employees have to go out.

City attorney Bill Bates pointed out that the ordinance governing animal control says the agency will go out and catch cats.

"You’re not living up to part of your agreement," Mitchell told Sullivan.

"We will pick them up when they’re caught," Sullivan replied.

"The agreement says you will go out and capture them," Alderman Joe Stone said.

"I’ll talk to my committee. They meet tomorrow night," Sullivan promised.

The meeting ended with no catcalling, cat-and-mousing, or other "cat-astrophes."

[Joan Crabb]

Ryan orders 42 more residents moved from Lincoln Developmental Center

[DEC. 11, 2001]  SPRINGFIELD — Gov. George Ryan today ordered the transfer of 42 residents from the Lincoln Developmental Center to other appropriate care settings because of problems at the facility that place residents in jeopardy.

Ryan also ordered the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health to continue the constant monitoring of conditions at LDC to help maintain a suitable standard of care for all remaining residents. The governor will make a final decision on the future of the Lincoln Developmental Center after the first of the year.

The governor’s latest action follows his unannounced visit to the Lincoln Developmental Center last week. After a tour of the facility, Ryan said he was unhappy with the state of care being afforded residents.

"The things I saw firsthand troubled me deeply and backed up the reports I’ve been getting from outside monitors," Ryan said. "My concern is for the health and safety of the residents at LDC, people that are entrusted in our care. My tour left me less than comfortable with conditions at the facility, and because of that, I’ve decided that we have to move out additional residents."

Some of the residents to be moved from the LDC constitute the most medically intensive cases handled at the facility. Seventeen people in need of extensive medical care will be moved to appropriate health-care facilities.

[to top of second column in this article]

The remaining 25 will be transferred to the Jacksonville Developmental Center. The transfers will begin this week. Once the moves are complete, the number of residents at the LDC will be 244, down from 372 residents in October.

As part of a reform program at the facility initiated in October, the governor ordered 90 residents to be moved to other appropriate care settings in order to improve the resident-to-staff ratio. He also changed management at the facility and placed a state and federal monitoring team in place to report on conditions and help improve care. This reform program is the latest in a succession of reform efforts at LDC that stretch back to 1988.

However, in spite of these latest efforts, federal authorities decided to withhold federal Medicaid funds from the facility in November because the health and safety of LDC residents was once again found to be in jeopardy.

[News release]

Redistricting pulls Elkhart and Lincoln into state Rep. Gwenn Klingler’s territory

[DEC. 8, 2001]  State Rep. Gwenn Klingler, R-Springfield, has announced her candidacy for re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives. Klingler was first elected to the House in 1994; she is seeking her fifth term as a lawmaker.

Under the newly drawn redistricting map, state Rep. Klingler’s district will include southwest Springfield, south of South Grand and the Lake Springfield area. She said she is also happy that she will retain all of the communities in south Sangamon County, which she currently represents. In addition, she adds the communities of Rochester and Pleasant Plains in Sangamon County, Menard County, and southwest Logan County, including Elkhart and Lincoln.

"As state representative, I have made it a goal of mine to provide responsive leadership in helping my communities and constituents solve problems, and to develop and support responsible legislation addressing both statewide and local concerns," said Klingler. "I feel I have done a good job and would like to continue serving as state representative."

Since being elected, Rep. Klingler has focused a great deal of attention on helping the University of Illinois at Springfield. "In my first year we passed the legislation to merge Sangamon State University with the University of Illinois. And later we were finally able to establish the four-year Capital Scholars program. Last year, I was successful in helping UIS to secure $30 million to build new classrooms and office space. I am excited about seeing the campus continue to grow and add new academic programs," said Klingler.

Rep. Klingler is widely known for her efforts on behalf of children. A mother of two and grandmother of one, Gwenn Klingler has stated repeatedly that safety for children has always been her highest priority.

She sponsored the Child Sex Offender Notification Bill in 1995, and it has since become a national model for procedures established to track sex offenders.

[to top of second column in this article]

Rep. Klingler has been recognized by the Illinois Foster Parent Association for her work in passing the Foster Parent’s Bill of Rights, and in 2000 she began addressing needs of foster children for higher education by donating her legislative scholarships to DCFS for foster children.

Last spring, Klingler addressed concerns of constituents about youth injured or killed in automobile accidents driven by underage drivers on learner’s permits by passing Heather’s Law. Klingler was also selected Child Care Advocate of the Year for the Day Care Association for her work in improving access to safe day care.

Rep. Klingler understands that agriculture is vital to central Illinois and is the backbone of our economy in Illinois. She has worked closely with area farmers on issues relating to agriculture and has been recognized by the Illinois Farm Bureau for her efforts. "I am especially proud of the three Friend of Agriculture Awards that I have received from the Illinois Farm Bureau. I have worked very hard to understand the needs of our agriculture community and have responded to their needs," Klingler said.

Rep. Klingler has also made health care a priority throughout her tenure in the Illinois House. In her first term she worked on the problem of "drive-through deliveries" to allow new mothers to stay in the hospital beyond 24 hours. Two years ago the focus was on managed care reform to be certain that patients had the access to quality care promised them when they joined an HMO.

Finally, Klingler stated that she supported the Illinois FIRST program in an effort to secure millions of dollars in funding to help her communities pay for new sewers, water towers, roads, firehouses, village halls and public safety equipment.

"I look forward to forging new relationships in Logan and Menard counties and want everyone there to know that I will be as accessible to them as I am to my current constituency," she said.

[News release]

LDC update:  No decision yet!

[DEC. 8, 2001]  It was the 30-day decision mark on Friday.  He had the special report from Linda Renee Baker, secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, with a recommendation about Lincoln Developmental Center's future, in his hands.  Yet, rather than make that decision, Gov. George Ryan came to Lincoln on Friday to tour the Lincoln Developmental Center.  He took an hour-long tour, seeing for himself the condition of the residents and buildings on the campus.

Repeatedly the governor has stated that his primary concern is for the residents.  If you wrote him with your support to keep the facility open, you received a letter back, and the opening of the second paragraph  said, “My first priority is to the residents of Lincoln Developmental Center and making sure their health and safety are not compromised."  Its closing said, “I am weighing all the options and will make a decision based on what is best for the people who live there.”

U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood said he would like to see the facility continue making the necessary changes that will keep it open: “Correct the things that are wrong.” LaHood committed that he is willing to work to help secure the federal funding that is needed if he is asked.

Residents, parents, employees and all of Lincoln and the surrounding area wait as the governor weighs all the issues regarding this valued home for our disabled children.  Many area residents have posted red "We Support LDC" signs in their shop windows and in their yards.

A decision by Gov. Ryan is expected sometime next week.

[Jan Youngquist]

Governor hears appeal by LDC parents

[DEC. 7, 2001]  Hard-hit Lincoln Developmental Center finds itself struggling to keep its century-old doors open in the wake of one pummeling blow after the next. What began as some needed corrections for the protection and safety of some of its most handicapped residents before recertification is awarded has led to mass disruption for residents and staff at the facility. Upper management was changed, new procedures were enacted, new training for employees began, and some residents were moved to other facilities to improve staff-to-resident ratios.

Things were looking up at the end of last week when they had just survived state budget cuts. But less than one week later everyone is holding their breath as more incident reports were filed against the facility by inspectors with the Illinois Department of Human Resources. Topping the negative charges came the announcement that federal funding has been cut.

[Photo by Bob Frank]

Thursday morning the Lincoln Parents Association called on Gov. George Ryan in an effort to express firsthand the quality of care and the importance of keeping this facility open. They began by meeting for a press conference to release their personal report, "Don’t Close Our Children’s Home." The report featured testimony from LDC residents’ parents. Following the press conference, the governor met privately with the Lincoln Parents Association and concerned persons; no press was allowed.

Following the meeting Linda Brown, president of the parents association, and Beth Davis, mayor of Lincoln, spoke to the press about what was said to the governor:

Linda Brown

When asked about her impression of the meeting with the governor:

"He’s hearing the bad things that have happened, and there are so many positives there and a dedicated staff. I’m very grateful that he met with us, and I am very happy that he took the time that he did. I’m just hoping that he will keep the facility open and they will give us more time and maybe change the 30-day period reports and give us six months, as some of the parents have said. Give us a chance, give the management a chance to get things back on track, because Lincoln is a quality facility."

[Photo by Bob Frank]

When asked by LDN reporter Bob Frank about how long Brown thought it will take to correct the problems at LDC, Brown responded as follows:

"I would say that within six months the facility can be back to where it was over two years ago. Two years ago we had bad management that was brought in. We had a warden from a prison that was brought in. She knew nothing about mental health or disabilities."

[to top of second column in this article]

"They were understaffed, they were working double shifts. They were asked to do the impossible, but they came through."

Brown emphasized that "(bad) things are going to happen. They’re going to happen in your home, anywhere, any type of facility, whether it is a nursing home, a state-operated facility or in the community. Things are going to happen, and they are tragedies when they do. But you have to realize our children are severely developmentally disabled, and it takes special people to take care of them."

What arguments were made to the governor by the parents association?

"We want more time for the new management to get things back together. There are so many changes in the last two months that no one could deal with them. They have moved residents from one building to another building. They have moved residents out. They have changed the staff. The parents are all devastated. The staff’s devastated."

"There have been 84 (residents) moved. Whenever a resident has been moved, the staff have been just as devastated. They’re like a parent to them. We have been told that the staff is not to be attached to our children. To us it is a comfort to have the staff that Lincoln has, and because they are a comfort to us, we feel that our child has had that."

"I would hope that he (the governor) will look at our testimonials and that he will listen to us and that we will weigh in on his judgment on what to do. We realize that he has a hard job to do and that he could be held accountable. But as a parent we just feel that LDC needs a chance to stay open."

Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis

When asked about her impression of the meeting with the governor:

"I felt like it was a compassionate hearing on his part. I think he will take all of this under advisement. I hope he will keep it open and (that he will) think about how it would be to have a child that is a developmental-disabled individual and how he would deal with it on a parent’s perspective. I’m hopeful!"

When asked what will happen if LDC closes:

"The city of Lincoln does not have a plan if the facility should be closed. I met with the governor and a few of the legislators last Thursday. I asked, if he was planning to close this, if he would put another state facility in its place. This would be a very big devastation on Lincoln and Logan County economy."

In speculating what might be a possible replacement for LDC if it should close, Mayor Davis suggested, "Anything that would be of service to help individuals that needed help. We have 700 jobs out there. We have to be realistic about it." She added, "I wouldn’t want another prison, but I would think that that might be a possibility. At least the land would be conducive to that."

The governor is expected to make a decision later today about LDC staying open.

[Jan Youngquist]

LDC supporters now must wait

[DEC. 7, 2001]  A group of Lincoln Developmental Center employees and family members of the institution’s residents gathered in Springfield yesterday in a last-ditch effort to stave off closure of the beleaguered center.

The 125-year-old facility has been subject to extensive negative reports in regard to the well-being and care of residents in the past two years. In an effort to show their side of the institution, supporters painted a different picture of the developmental center, as being the best place for their children to live.

[Photo by Bob Frank]

In what must be considered rare, Gov. Ryan allowed 20 of the parents to meet with him to plead their case that the center stay open. In the governor’s own words the meeting was considered an emotional one.

[to top of second column in this article]

Funding by both the state of Illinois and the federal Department of Health and Human Services will be required to allow the $35 million a year facility to remain open.

Although state funding by itself will not be enough to maintain the facility, it has been widely assumed that federal dollars are following the lead of the state, and a reprieve by the governor could have a positive effect on federal officials changing their mind. Although federal funding was cut as of Nov. 21, the institution’s finances are adequate until March, according to Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.

In the meantime, area leaders, employees of the center as well as residents, and local businesses must hold their breath to see if Lincoln loses its biggest employer. Illinois Department of Human Services chief Linda Renee Baker has reviewed the contents of a report about the care at the facility and will make a recommendation to the governor today about LDC’s future.

[Mike Fak]

Military addresses sought

It is a year like no other. Since Sept. 11 we are a changed nation. Individually, our daily sensitivity toward whom and what we have in our lives has been heightened. We are more conscious and appreciative, first about those we love and see everyday. Next, we have a newfound appreciation for those who risk their lives every day as rescue workers and protectors of life and property in our communities. We also now think more about our military men and women who are committed to serve and protect our country. Many are away engaged in battle, some are in waiting to go, all are ready to lay their lives on the line in defense of our freedom.

Lincoln Daily News is seeking the names and addresses, including e-mail addresses, of friends and relatives who are serving in the armed forces. They need not be from here in Logan County. If you know someone serving, please send the information to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com. A complete list will be made available and kept updated through the site so we might all hold them in our thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

Name of person in military:

Branch of service:

Current location of service:

Postal address:

E-mail address:

Relationship to LDN reader sending information (optional):

[LDN]

It’s on the radio, TV, in all the media. You hear it in the office, on the street and maybe at home — threats of terrorism. America is on high alert. Here in central Illinois, away from any supposed practical target areas, perhaps we feel a little less threatened, but we are still concerned. So how concerned should we be, and how prepared are we for the types of situations that could occur?

Whether the threat is domestic or foreign, violent, biological or chemical, our public health and rescue agencies have been preparing to respond to the situations. Lincoln Daily News has been at meetings where all the agencies gather together as the Logan County Emergency Planning Committee to strategize for just such a time. Our reports have not even provided every detail that every agency has reported; i.e., a number of representatives from differing agencies such as the health and fire departments, CILCO and ESDA went to a bioterrorism and hazmat (hazardous materials) seminar this past August.

Here are some of the articles that LDN has posted pre- and post-Tuesday, Sept. 11. Hopefully you will see in them that WE ARE WELL PREPARED. At least as much as any area can be. Every agency has been planning, training, submitting for grants to buy equipment long before Sept. 11. We can be thankful for all of the dedicated, insightful leaders we have in this community.

[to top of second column in this section]

• LEPC hears plans for annual exercise

• U.S. under terrorist attack
  How is Logan County affected?

• The day after ‘Attack on America’
  Area leaders respond to national tragedy

• ESDA and LEPC conduct successful hazardous materials exercise at water treatment plant 

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs - Part 1

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs – Part 2

• Clinton nuclear power plant safety measures in place

• Logan County agencies meet to discuss protocol for suspicious mail

As promised, the United States led an attack on Afghanistan. The attack began Sunday, Oct. 7. American and British military forces made 30 hits on air defenses, military airfields and terrorist training camps, destroying aircraft and radar systems. The strike was made targeting only terrorists.

More than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have pledged their cooperation and support the U.S. initiative.

Online news links

Other countries

Afghanistan

http://www.afghandaily.com/ 

http://www.myafghan.com/  

http://www.afghan-web.com/aop/ 

China

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/

Germany

http://www.faz.com/

India

http://www.dailypioneer.com/ 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/ 

http://www.timesofindia.com/ 

Israel

http://www.jpost.com/ 

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/ 

England

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/ 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/ 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/

Pakistan

http://www.dawn.com/

http://frontierpost.com.pk/ 

Russia

http://english.pravda.ru/

http://www.sptimesrussia.com/ 

Saudi Arabia

http://www.arabnews.com/ 

[to top of second column in this section]

United States

Illinois

http://www.suntimes.com/index/ 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/ 

http://www.pantagraph.com/ 

http://www.qconline.com/ 

http://www.pjstar.com/

http://www.sj-r.com/ 

http://www.herald-review.com/

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/ 

New York

http://www.nypost.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/

Stars and Stripes
(serving the U.S. military community)

http://www.estripes.com/ 

Washington, D.C.

Announcements

[OCT. 12, 2001]  The city landfill on Broadwell Drive will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for leaf and brush disposal, beginning on Oct. 15, according to Donnie Osborne, street superintendent. Plans are to keep the new schedule in place until Dec. 15, he said. 

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