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Show
your appreciation to those who
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[MAY
25, 2001] American
Legion veterans will be distributing poppies this weekend. If you
see these guys, go out of your way to get a poppy. They are handmade
by veterans in VA hospitals. All of your donation goes directly to
the disabled veterans who made them and to the hospitals.
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Attorney
Wright in the running
for statehouse seat
[MAY
25, 2001] Lincoln’s
city attorney, Jonathan Wright, has announced that he is a candidate
for the seat in the Illinois House of Representatives being vacated
by Rep. John Turner of Atlanta. Wright’s candidacy brings the
number of those vying for the seat to at least seven, three of them
from Lincoln.
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The
other Lincoln area candidates are Carla Bender, clerk of the Logan
County Circuit Court and former campaign manager for Turner, and
Eric Spanton, an Illinois State Police officer. Also on the list are
Joe Alexander of Clinton, former aide to recently retired U.S. Rep.
Tom Ewing of Pontiac; Jerry Davis, former mayor of the town of
Leroy; Jered Hooker, DeWitt County Republican chairman; and Tim
Siekmeyer of Mason County.
The
90th District statehouse seat will become vacant June 1, when Turner
takes a seat on the Illinois Appellate Court for the 4th Judicial
District.
The
seat will be filled by a candidate chosen by the Republican county
chairmen
in the
counties of the 90th District. The district includes all of Logan,
Mason and DeWitt counties, small parts of Tazewell and McLean
counties, and a very small part of Piatt County. The appointment
must be made by July 1.
Wright,
who grew up in Carol Stream (a western suburb of Chicago), graduated
from Monmouth College, Monmouth, and received his law degree from
Chicago-Kent College of Law. He practiced law in Monmouth and then
worked for the attorney general’s office in Springfield.
In
1995 he began practicing law in Lincoln, then joined a Pekin law
firm, but returned to full-time practice in Lincoln in 1997. He has
lived in Logan County since 1994.
In
April of 1998 he became city attorney for Lincoln, and he also does
work as an attorney for the city of Atlanta and the village of
Middletown.
He
says it is a loss for the 90th District that Turner is stepping down
from the house seat, but Turner’s appointment is a gain for the
Appellate Court. He also believes the district is "at an
advantage having so many qualified candidates turn out to fill the
vacancy."
Wright
says that while he doesn’t believe a person must have a law degree
to be a good public official, it is an added benefit.
"There
are a number of duties you take on as a state legislator, not the
least of which is reading, interpreting and analyzing legislation.
Not only my educational background, but my experience in court and
legal work can help when legislative issues come to a vote.
"In
addition, the training and experience I have had as an attorney will
greatly assist me in terms of my ability to think on my feet and to
communicate, not only one-on-one but also to a group."
He
also thinks his legal training will help him to make difficult
decisions. "It’s one thing to make a decision knowing
everyone is going to support you. It’s another thing to make a
decision under pressure, knowing that no matter what you decide,
someone is not going to agree. Whether in municipal or private
practice, I have to be in a position to make such decisions and be
able to support them and argue persuasively for them. As a state
legislator, it will be important at some time for me to be able to
do that."
Wright
believes the experience of starting and operating his own business
successfully is another asset. "Most people don’t think of a
law office as a business, but it is that," he explains.
An
active member of the Park Meadows Baptist Church in Lincoln, where
he coaches the church’s basketball team, Wright defines himself as
a Christian and a family man. "I define myself by my faith in
God and my Christian beliefs," he says. "That is a
valuable insight on who I am and what my values are.
"The
other way I would define myself is by introducing my wife and
children," he adds. Wright is married to the former Melanie
Usherwood and has three daughters, Kate, age 5, Alison, 3, and
Melissa, 1. "My family life is important, I actively schedule
time with my wife and children."
White
says if he is appointed, he will seek re-election when Turner’s
term expires in January of 2003, even though redistricting may
change the borders of the district he would have to run in.
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this article]
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"When
I considered seeking the appointment to fill Representative Turner’s
term, I tried to play out in my mind the likely scenarios, even
including that this district would no longer exist and I would have
to be running against an incumbent.
"If I were given the
honor of being a state representative, it would be incumbent on me
to run for re-election," he says.
[Joan
Crabb]
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Council
OKs animal-control
contract with county
[MAY
24, 2001] Its
questions about fees answered, the Lincoln City Council approved a
three-year contract with Logan County for animal-control services.
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Under
the contract, the city will pay a fee of $27,950 per year for the
next three years. After former Alderman Steve Mesner said the city
and other municipalities paid fees but the county did not contribute
a fair share, council members questioned whether the city was paying
more than it should.
"The
question we wanted answered is whether the city is getting its fair
share, what we pay for," Alderman Steve Fuhrer said. Several
Logan County Board members who were in the audience provided the
answer.
Dick
Logan, board chairman, said the animal-control facility
"operates at a loss, and we pay the extra out of the general
fund."
Rod
White, finance chairman of the board, said the budget for the
animal-control facility is $77,500, but last year the county had to
add $12,000 from the general fund to meet expenses. Some years the
county has added as much as $20,000, White said.
The
city of Lincoln contributes $27,950 to the animal-control budget,
smaller communities in the county contribute another $21,067, and
the county picks up the rest, officials said.
"I
feel the contract is fair," said Alderman Verl Prather,
chairman of the sanitation committee. "We couldn’t hire
someone to do this for $27,000."
Reimbursement for road damages
The
council also agreed to reimburse West Lincoln Township $16,000 for
damages incurred when a water main break on Route 10 last February
made it necessary to reroute traffic along Connolley Road to Fifth
Street. The $16,000 is the cost of returning the street to the
condition it was before the traffic was rerouted. However, the city
will also see whether reimbursement is available from the city’s
insurance company, since the Illinois Department of Transportation
directed the city to reroute the traffic when the water main broke,
and the city had no choice in the matter.
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Policemen promoted; awards given
Police
Chief Richard Montcalm announced two promotions within the
department, Paul Adams to corporal and David Sielaff to sergeant.
Adams, who has been with the police department for four years, was
injured in the line of duty and is presently home recuperating,
Montcalm said.
Montcalm
also presented awards for participation in violence-prevention
programs to representatives of three area schools: Carroll Catholic,
Chester-East Lincoln and West Lincoln-Broadwell.
He
also presented an award to Sgt. Darrell Sisk, retiring after 30
years, and announced that James Raymond has completed his probation
and is now a regular officer. Two new officers will be added to the
department as of May 31, Christi Jackson and Jason Lucas.
Upgrade plans for wastewater plant
approved
The
council also approved the final design and the overall project
approach for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, along with
approval of additional engineering charges. The $10 million upgrade
is necessary to remain in compliance with Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency requirements.
Low interest rates on investments
City Treasurer Les Plotner
reported that the city at present is receiving "very poor
interest rates" on its investments, ranging from 4.31 percent
to as low as 3.51 percent.
[Joan
Crabb]
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New
business brings life to downtown and cutting-edge technology to
Lincoln
[MAY
22, 2001] Integrity
Data, a technology consulting and computer programming organization,
has recently completed renovations of its new office at 110 N.
Kickapoo St. in downtown Lincoln. Integrity Data purchased the
former Schick buildings at 604 Broadway and 110 N. Kickapoo St. The
firm’s new office space is on the second floor of the Kickapoo
Street side of the building, which is now referred to as the
Integrity Building. Midwest Bible School will occupy the first floor
of the building.
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Integrity
Data designs and develops custom computer software solutions to
improve business management processes. A majority of Integrity Data’s
clients are organizations that use software developed by Great
Plains Business Solutions, which was recently acquired by Microsoft.
Integrity Data’s clients are located in all regions of the United
States. Integrity Data develops its products using the latest
software development tools and data management systems from
Microsoft and Great Plains. In addition to its core business,
Integrity Data also offers communication and computer network cable
installation services.
Integrity
Data, Inc. is owned and operated by Patrick Doolin, a Lincoln
native, and Mark Hisken of Willmar, Minn. Hisken manages the
Integrity Data office in Minnesota.
The downtown Lincoln location is
an attractive investment due to the opportunity to enhance an
otherwise vacant building, as well as bring a new type of business
to the local economy and, in doing so, demonstrate that Lincoln is a
business-oriented community.
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The
building located at 604 Broadway, which faces the courthouse,
encompasses nearly 6,000 square feet and became available for lease
on May 1.
A
ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house was from 5 to 7 p.m.
Monday, May 21, at the main entrance, located at 110 N. Kickapoo St.
[News
release]
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Lincoln
statue proposal brings
crowd to council meeting
[MAY
22, 2001] The
Lincoln City Council chamber had a full house Monday evening for a
presentation by the Rev. S.M. Davis. Davis presented a proposal to
erect a giant statue of Abraham Lincoln depicting him christening
the town of Lincoln with watermelon juice.
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The
305-foot statue (the height of the Statue of Liberty, including its
base) would be a city landmark and tourist attraction, Davis said.
It would be visible as far as 50 miles away on Interstate 55 and
could be the focus of a theme park or playground, with an
observation deck, a visitors center pointing out Lincoln sites in
the area, an I-Max theater, and perhaps other attractions.
"If
this were to happen, it would forever change the city of Lincoln and
Logan County," he told the audience. It could bring in from
5,000 to 15,000 tourists per day, promote the building of motels and
restaurants, bring a rise in property values, and perhaps double the
size of the city.
Davis
believes corporate sponsorship is the best way to fund the project,
and he noted that a two-man committee of Larry Steffens and Daris
Knauer has been appointed to look into such funding.
[The Rev. S. M. Davis of the Park Meadows Baptist Church, originator
of the idea of the giant statue of Abraham Lincoln as a city
landmark, and Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis display a T-shirt with a
picture of the proposed statue.]
Asked
by Alderman Steve Fuhrer if any corporations have come forward to
show interest in financing the project, Davis said none have at
present, but a "millionaire from Springfield" had
contacted him about building a smaller version of the statue in the
state capital, a proposal which he turned down.
The
statue should be in Lincoln because "that is our claim to
fame," he said. People all over the world know Lincoln, but
very few know that he christened the town of Lincoln with watermelon
juice.
He
suggested the statue might have a "watermelon juice
waterfall" 200 feet high and stairs and elevators to take
visitors to an observation deck inside Lincoln’s hat. In the
sketch of the proposal, Lincoln is standing by a barrel, which would
house the theater and information center. The statue is based on a
sketch by Lloyd Ostendorf, whose paintings of events in Lincoln’s
life are on display in the State Bank of Lincoln on Sangamon Street.
Davis
suggested that the information center emphasize the character of
Lincoln, with exhibits which explained his determination, wisdom,
justice, honesty, sensitivity and boldness.
As a
step toward building the statue, he asked for a "straw
vote" from the council indicating their approval, as "It
is not going to go forward if leaders of our community are not in
favor of it."
After
being assured that the straw vote did not mean a financial
commitment by the city, Alderman Michael Montcalm voted
"yes," followed by "yes" votes from eight of the
nine other council members present. Alderman Patrick Madigan voted
"no." He later told the Lincoln Daily News that he
thought the project was "out of character" for Lincoln.
"Something else could be more tasteful and less grandiose. Of
course, I could be wrong."
The
Rev. Davis has been a pastor in Lincoln for 26 years and said he
"loved being in Lincoln. I have been praying for some way to
serve the leaders of the city and the county."
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He has
been promoting "what I called for a long time my ‘crazy idea’"
to groups in the area, including the tourism board and Main Street
Lincoln. Representatives of both groups attended the meeting, along
with several members of the Logan County Board.
At the end of the
presentation, Davis passed out T-shirts, provided by Lincoln IGA,
with a picture of the proposed statue.
[Joan
Crabb]
[Lincoln Scout Troop 102 attended the council meeting
May 21 as part of their work toward a merit badge in communications.
Right to left, front row, are Aaron Uphoff, Joe Gillen, Aaron
Meyrick and Sean Weaver. Left to right, back row, are Cory Bell,
Marty Oltmanns, Andy (Jesse) Cummings and assistant troop leader
David Weaver.]
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At
first meeting, Logan County Arts Association refines constitution
[MAY
22, 2001] Seven
people attended the first meeting of the Logan County Arts
Association, formed to promote the arts and make them an integral
part of life in Logan County. Marshall Jacobs chaired the meeting
Monday night at Lincoln Public Library.
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The
group considered issues raised by a constitution and other documents
composed by Jacobs during the last two months. After input has been
incorporated, the final copy of the constitution will be drawn up by
an attorney, and the group will apply for tax-exempt status as a
charitable organization. Jacobs said he has already written Sen. Bob
Madigan and Rep. John Turner asking for start-up funds from Illinois
First.
[Louella Moreland and Dan Bailey, both active in
Lincoln Community Theatre, made suggestions for revising the
constitution of the Logan County Arts Association.]
As
modified by the group, the constitution defines a three-tiered plan
of organization, consisting of the general membership, the board of
directors and the executive committee, which will include the
officers and one other board member.
One
working paper identified eight classes of members, based on monetary
contribution and named with various terms from the arts such as
cast, orchestra and choreographer. The group spent some time
suggesting names that would represent all the artistic disciplines:
visual, dance, music, theater and literature.
Monetary
levels of membership range from $25 to $5,000. Jacobs said the range
should be broad to include corporate giving, matching funds programs
and estate planning potential.
Jacobs
first became interested in forming the association when he
discovered that committees putting on local festivals did not always
know about available sources of funding and that Logan County did
not have an arts association to inform them. He sees the association
as a complement to other organizations already in existence, such as
the Lincoln Logan County Chamber of Commerce and Looking for
Lincoln.
A
preliminary meeting to gauge interest in an arts association was
held a month ago, with Sen. Madigan and Rep. Turner present. Out of
that meeting came a founding board of five directors, three of whom
were present Monday: Jacobs, Richard Sumrall and Chris Gray. They
signed a document establishing the Logan County Arts Association as
an organization in the state of Illinois. The other founding
directors are Jean Gossett and Larry Steffens.
[to top of second column in
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[Chris Gray, Richard Sumrall and Marshall Jacobs
are among the founding directors of the Logan County Arts
Association. Jacobs chairs the group.]
Of
the two major roles played by arts councils, hands-on or
facilitative, Jacobs is primarily interested in the latter, seeing
the arts association as a clearinghouse of information for other
organizations. However, the issue has not yet been decided by the
association, and at some time it may offer classes or conduct other
hands-on activities.
Programs
supported by other arts associations include bringing in artists
from outside the area as well as encouraging and supporting local
artists. In addition, Jacobs said, the Illinois Arts Council has an
initiative for increasing arts in the school system.
One
of several statements of the group’s mission includes the
possibility of involvement beyond Logan County, saying that the
association is formed "exclusively for the educational purpose
of encouraging and promoting the study and cultivation of the arts
in Logan County and adjoining counties." Jacobs said people
from Clinton have expressed interest in working with the new
association. Logan and DeWitt counties are complementary in the
arts, he said, because Lincoln has a greater emphasis on performing
arts and Clinton on visual arts.
Another
possibility mentioned by Jacobs is working with the Chamber to
acquire the Lincoln theater building and adapt it to provide areas
for dramatic performances and for display of visual arts. The
building, classified as a "contributing historical
structure," was dedicated on Lincoln’s birthday in 1923.
Jacobs,
who has worked five years for the Springfield Zoological Society,
holds an MBA in finance and has experience in grant-writing. Last
weekend he attended a seminar sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council
and the Illinois Arts Association. He chose sessions on
technological implementation and talked with consultants from
Chicago about creating and using databases for arts associations.
The
Logan County Arts Association meets on the third Monday of the month
at Lincoln Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Anyone interested in
promoting the arts in Logan County is encouraged to attend.
[Lynn
Spellman]
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What
impact will the new Presidential Library in Springfield have on
Lincoln?
[MAY
19, 2001] At
a special presentation on Tuesday, May 15, Lincoln and Logan County
residents had the opportunity to learn more about the potential
impacts of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in
Springfield. The session was in the Pegram Room of the Lincoln
Public Library in Lincoln.
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David
Blanchette, public information officer for the Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency, gave an in-depth presentation on the facilities
and programs, along with information on Abraham Lincoln and related
U.S. history. The two major buildings will be the library and museum
that face Jefferson Avenue and Sixth Street.
The
Presidential Library will be the new home of the Illinois State
Historical Library and its world-renowned Abraham Lincoln
Collection. This 46,000-piece treasure trove is the world's largest
Lincoln collection and contains some of his most important
significant historical documents and artifacts. Included are the
Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation and his inaugural
speech. Other areas of the Presidential Library will include the
reading room for the Lincoln Collection, the main reading room and
reference department, and newspapers on microfilm. There will also
be a conservation lab, photography lab and microfilming lab on the
third floor, for the use of the staff.
Museum
visitors will first enter the plaza, a grand, elegant space
featuring a 70-foot atrium, which will be the location for many
public and special events. From there, visitors will see the entry
points to Lincoln's life. A reproduction of his boyhood cabin in
Indiana is the entry to Journey One, an immersive exhibit that
covers the period from his childhood to his election as president. A
reproduction of the White House as it looked in 1860 is the entry
point for Journey Two, which spans Lincoln's presidency to his
assassination. Some of the highlights of the journey will include
Lincoln reading a book near the fireplace of his boyhood cabin in
Indiana, a slave auction such as Abraham might have seen on a
flatboat journey to New Orleans and an education center, featuring
classrooms and a computer lab, available for use by pre-scheduled
school groups.
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There
will be numerous other venues to visit, such as a special-effects
theater that will use three screens and surround sound to totally
envelop the audience. Other attractions will be a "kids
area," available just for children, and an American Holavision
Theater, featuring "Ghosts of the Library." Other features
will include a restaurant, gift shop and administrative offices.
Space has been set aside for traveling exhibits to highlight other
Lincoln sites across the country and encourage visitation at those
sites as well.
The
Union Station across the street from the museum will be the gateway
for visitors to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
complex. This 1890s train station, which for the past 11 years has
been office space for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency,
will be rehabilitated to serve as a bus drop-off point and visitor
orientation center. There, people can obtain tickets, make
reservations and learn about Lincoln sites in Illinois, such as
those in Logan County, as well as in Kentucky, Indiana and other
states.
At
a cost of $115 million and estimated annual attendance of half a
million people, the Presidential Library and Museum is important to
Logan County. Residents need to be informed in order to take
advantage of the tourists it will bring to the area. The library is
scheduled to open in October 2002, and the museum is to be completed
in late 2003, the same year as the city of Lincoln's
sesquicentennial.
[Kathleen
McCullough]
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‘Crown
jewel’ found in Lincoln — Lincoln’s well at Postville
By T.
W. Werth
[MAY
19, 2001] The
Deskins hotel was built in 1836 at the site of the present VFW
Hall, located on Fifth Street in Lincoln. Directly in front
of this site was and still is the well used by the hostelry — a well
that Abraham Lincoln would have used to quench his thirst. Our
intentions are to restore the well and make it possible for
everyone to follow in his footsteps and drink from this same well.
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The
Deskins building was at the original site of
the town of Postville, across the street from the historic Postville
Courthouse. While working as a circuit lawyer, Lincoln ate at the tavern during his visits to Postville.
Lawrence
B. Stringer’s "History of Logan County Illinois,"
published in 1911, provides this background information:
Soon
after the platting of Knapp, Bird and Tinsley’s addition in 1836,
Dr. John Deskins built a one story house on Fifth street, almost
opposite the site where the first county court house was erected
four years later, and in 1837 he added a second story. This was the
recognized hostelry of the town during terms of court. Dr. Deskins
was the first sheriff of the county and later a member of the State
Legislature from this district. His "hotel," being
substantially the first one of much consequence in Postville, is
famous for the many happenings that there took place when the
lawyers "traveling the circuit" and the court, jurors,
witnesses and litigants made it their headquarters. It was conducted
for a while by John Allison. It was the regular stopping place for
Abraham Lincoln. For incidents associated with Abraham Lincoln and
his temporary stay at the old Deskins’ hotel, reference is made to
the chapter on "Abraham Lincoln." Further references have
also been made to this early hostelry in the chapters on "Bench
and Bar" and "County Government." The doors, sashes
and stairs of this hotel were made by George W. Edgar and it was
weatherboarded with black walnut from Orendorff’s mill. The old
building was dismantled about ten years ago. (Volume I, page 568)
[to top of second column in
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The
city of Lincoln truly has a "crown jewel" of great
historic significance "in their back yard." Cars and
people have been passing it by for over 150 years.
We
did not know until we removed the pump from the old wooden platform
if the well still existed. To our delight, when the workers pulled
the pump a few weeks ago, we found the original moss-covered,
brick-lined well still there!
The
Logan County Health Department was asked to sample the water to see
if it could be made into safe, drinkable water. From the reports we
have received, we feel it will be possible. Our purpose is to
begin the process of restoring this well.
In
the future, we hope to have the water available for purchase as
souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. We are anxious for
Looking for Lincoln followers to participate in this historic
experience by drinking from the same well Abe did when he worked and
visited in our fair city.
[T.W.
Werth]
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Senate
Week in Review
[MAY
19, 2001] Legislation
passed by the Illinois Senate this week brings sunshine to state and
local government decisions regarding land purchases and lawsuits,
according to state Sen. Bob Madigan, R-Greenville. The Senate
approved and sent to the governor a bill that requires the state to
disclose the beneficiaries of any trusts involved in the state
purchase of land for airports or prisons. House Bill 3078 also
requires that the amount of money paid by the government in a
lawsuit settlement be available for public disclosure.
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Taping meetings
Meanwhile,
a Senate executive committee is continuing to study a bill requiring
verbatim records of executive sessions called by government bodies.
In a public hearing, representatives of local governments strongly
objected to the measure. Opponents said taping meetings for verbatim
records will force people to censor themselves and not fulfill their
proper roles — asking tough questions, giving opinions, etc. —
because the tapes could eventually be disclosed. Others were
concerned about the improper disclosure of taped information,
especially personnel matters and legal advice. The committee will
continue its work to improve the legislation.
New
charitable and commemorative license plates
The
Senate also approved legislation creating new charitable and
commemorative license plates. House Bill 293 creates charitable
plates for the Illinois Lions Club, pets, hospice services,
corrections employees memorial, Gulf War memorial, elementary and
secondary education, park district after-school programs and coal
research. New commemorative plates honor union members, paratroopers
and small businesses. House Bill 293 returns to the House of
Representatives for concurrence with changes made in the Senate.
House
bills that have been approved by the Senate and now go to the
governor for consideration include these:
Public
safety pensions (HB 250) —
Improves pension benefits for state police troopers, Illinois
Department of Corrections prison guards and Illinois Department of
Human Services security officers.
Firefighters’
widows (HB 254) —
Improves pension benefits for widows of Chicago firefighters.
Scott’s
Law (HB 180) —
Requires motorists to take certain precautions when approaching a
barricade or a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing
warning lights. Violators will face suspension of their driving
privileges and a fine of up to $10,000. Named after Lt. Scott
Gillen, a Chicago firefighter who was killed by a reckless driver on
Dec. 23, 2000, when he responded to a traffic accident.
Meth
labs (HB 978) —
Allows judges to impose stiffer prison sentences on those convicted
of operating an illegal drug lab if emergency response personnel are
injured or killed in connection with illegal drug lab fires or
explosions.
Grand
juries (HB 222) —
Allows a statewide grand jury to be convened to investigate and
return indictments for any sex offense.
Genetic
marking (HB 452) —
Requires felons convicted of several violent crimes to submit
specimens of blood to the Illinois State Police for analysis and
categorizing into genetic marker groupings.
Statewide
alert (HB 643) —
Requires the Department of State Police to develop a coordinated
program for a statewide emergency alert when a child is missing or
kidnapped.
Whirlpool
safety (HB 1551) —
Prohibits, after May 1, 2002, the operation of a public swimming
pool, spa, whirlpool or water slide without obtaining certain
licenses from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Railroad
crossings (HB 579) — Authorizes
a pilot project in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties to test the
utility of stationary automated audible warning devices as an
alternative to trains having to sound their horns as they approach
highway-rail crossings.
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House
bills that have been passed by the Senate and now return to the
House for concurrence with changes made in the Senate include
these:
License
plates
for disabled people (HB 846) —
Tightens requirements for the issuance of license plates or placards
for disabled people and allows police officials to seize improperly
used plates or placards.
Gang
crime (HB 1812) —
Strengthens penalties for street gang members who violate laws
against murder, assault and battery.
Restricted
call registry (HB 176) —
Creates the statewide Restricted Call Registry for consumers who do
not want to be called by telemarketing sales companies.
Incest
penalties (HB 1125) —
Increases criminal penalties for incest and sexual assault within
families.
Senate
bills that have been passed by the House and now go to the governor
for consideration include these:
Zero
tolerance (SB 1032) — Codifies
into law the Illinois Department of Corrections’ and the Illinois
State Police’s current zero-tolerance policies for drug abuse.
Project
Exile (SB 5) —
Encourages the federal prosecution of all persons who illegally use
firearms in crimes against others. Requires a five-year prison
sentence for convicted felons found in possession of firearms.
Teen
traffic tickets (SB 627) —
Creates a pilot program in DuPage, Kendall and Sangamon counties to
notify vehicle owners when a person younger than 18 is issued a
traffic citation when driving their vehicle.
Seat
belts (SB 98) —
Requires every person who is transporting passengers from ages 4 to
younger than 16 to be responsible for ensuring that passengers are
either in child restraint systems or seat belts.
Disabled
hunters (SB 874) — Allows
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to issue permits to
disabled people to allow them to hunt from vehicles. The department
would set the requirements for the permits.
Insurance
ombudsman (SB 1505) —
Establishes an ombudsman program to help educate uninsured
individuals about health insurance benefits options and their rights
under state and federal law.
Southern
Illinois water (SB 153, SB 298) —
Helps the Gateway Water Company provide a stable and quality water
supply for residents of six southern Illinois counties. Allows the
company to use Carlyle Lake east of St. Louis as their major water
supply and gives the company a property tax break on a new water
treatment plant.
Adoption
(SB 838) —
Encourages and facilitates adoptions by redefining the kinds of
homes — adoption-only vs. foster — that care for children placed
with them by the Department of Children and Family Services.
DCFS
publications (SB 842) —
Allows the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to
use royalties earned from the publication of materials owned by or
licensed by the department as an additional funding source for its
foster parent training programs.
Senate
bills that have been passed by the House and now return to the
Senate for concurrence with changes made in the House include
these:
Genetic
testing (SB 42) —
Bans discrimination against workers and applicants for health
insurance based upon genetic testing.
Mental
health (SB 435) —
Requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to establish
standards and procedures for the provision of mental health and
developmental disability services to people with mental illness and
people with developmental disabilities who are confined in local
jails or juvenile detention facilities. The department must inspect
each facility at least once each year and make the results of the
inspection available to the public.
Insurance
(SB 935) —
Requires insurance companies to notify their health insurance
customers of changes in lists containing information about the
prices of approved medications.
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