[APRIL 9, 2002]  The Lincoln City Council’s budget committee continued its efforts to chip away at the remaining $253,000 of the city’s budget deficit Monday night, this time with some help from the city treasurer, Les Plotner.

At the end of the two-hour session the committee had found about $274,000 that could be moved from other funds into the general fund, from which most day-to-day expenses are paid. Although shifting bank balances from one fund to the other does not mean there is an increase in revenue, it could mean the city does not have to lay off workers in the coming fiscal year.

Steve Fuhrer, finance chairman, has said repeatedly that he wants to avoid laying off any city workers during the next fiscal year, which runs from May 1, 2002, to April 30, 2003.

Transfers might include moving $129,000 out of the budget for a west-side fire station: $100,000 out of the set-aside that pays death benefits for city fire or police department employees, and $45,000 out of the working cash fund.

The finance committee has already made a number of painful cuts to slash about $1 million out of a proposed $4 million budget. That includes a wage freeze for all department heads, a hiring freeze for all departments, no new vehicles for the police or the building code department this year, and no expense money for aldermen to attend seminars and conferences.

Alderman Benny Huskins objected to taking money out of the west-side fire station fund. He said the response time for the fire department to get to the far west side is now six minutes and should be shorter. Alderman Bill Melton suggested an arrangement with Lincoln Rural Fire Department to respond to fires on the west side.

Plotner said he thought the city had more than enough funds in the set-aside for death benefits. The city pays $8,500 in the event of a death and has $188,000 in the fund. "Why do we carry such a big balance?" he asked. "You’d have to wipe out the entire fire and police department to use it up."

The working cash fund has not been used for many years, and it is not a legal requirement for the city to have such a fund, he said.

The committee also discussed offering early retirement to employees at the top of the salary schedule. Although the city must pay some costs in the first two years, it will save money over the long term, City Clerk Juanita Josserand said.

Not only is the city faced with a budget squeeze, it is almost certainly looking at more cost increases when all expenses for the fiscal year 2002-2003 are in, Josserand pointed out. City employees who are union members, such as members of the police, fire and street departments, along with clerical workers, are or will be negotiating new contracts this year and will probably ask for wage hikes. Also, premiums for liability insurance are likely to go up, she said.

Outlining his budget proposals, Plotner told the committee there were four reasons for the present financial crunch. First, the city has overspent its revenue for the past three years. Second, the city recently spent $1 million for the west-side sewer project, thus depleting the general fund budget surplus.

Third, Plotner said, the city took over paying fees for hydrant maintenance, instead of passing those fees on to water users. In a recent budget session, the city agreed to stop paying the hydrant fees and pass them back to water users, which will raise rates about $5 on each bimonthly bill.

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Fourth, Plotner said, the city has reduced its levy in the general revenue fund in recent years. He suggested the city levy less in other funds and bring the levy in the general revenue fund closer to its maximum. This step will help increase revenue in the 2003-2004 fiscal year but won’t add revenue in the coming fiscal year, he pointed out.

Funds that do not need as large a levy as they now have include the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and the liability insurance fund, he said.

Tax caps also hurt the city because they limit the amount the city can levy to the rate of inflation, Josserand pointed out. Logan County voters approved the tax cap resolution several years ago.

The underlying problem, Plotner told the committee, is that revenues have gone down, not just for the city but for other governing bodies as well.

"You’ve been taking a heck of a beating on interest rates [on city investments]," he pointed out, adding that he did not foresee any appreciable rise in interest rates for at least two years.

Plotner also noted that sales tax receipts are down, $98,000 less this year than last, and that income from the state income tax and other taxes has also dropped. In addition, he said, if tax bills are not out by June 1, the city will be late getting revenue.

Josserand pointed out that if the state delays paying tax receipts to municipalities, that also will hurt the city.

She also said that if the state is forced to lay off employees, the trickle-down effect will be felt in lower sales tax and other revenues, and the city will face several years of a very slim budget.

Mayor Beth Davis said the city will also need money to begin working on the sesquicentennial celebration, and suggested $50,000 for this year and another $50,000 for next year.

Fuhrer suggested that the budget include a line item for the sesquicentennial with a budget of $1,000. The sesquicentennial committee is hoping to get donations to help fund the celebration, Davis said.

In spite of the current budget squeeze, Fuhrer told finance committee members that he hoped they would give some consideration to ways to fund the proposed north side Commercial-Industrial Park. The Economic Development Committee has suggested the city’s share of developing the site would be about $1.1 million, for running sewer lines out to the property at Interstate 55 and Kruger Road.

"For the future of Lincoln, I think we’ve got to do something," Fuhrer said. "At least get the ball starting. Get off home base and see what we can do, not this year but next. Without more revenue coming in, the city will have this financial problem every year."

Davis also spoke in favor of the new north-side industrial development. ‘The city council should start thinking out of the box," she said. "I know it’s going out on a big limb, but look what running the sewer out to the west side did for the area."

[Joan Crabb]

[APRIL 9, 2002]  The first police substation in Lincoln will open an office tomorrow in Centennial Courts, according to Officer Tim Butterfield, who is in charge of the new facility. The public is invited to the grand opening on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

The substation will be a link with the residents of the 130-unit low-income housing complex and others in the community. "It will provide a non-traditional law enforcement setting, more of a friendly environment and not as structured as the Safety Complex on Pekin Street," Butterfield said. "It will be a place where people who would feel intimidated by the Pekin Street office can come to make a report or just to talk to a police officer."

Anyone, not just the residents of Centennial Courts, is welcome at the substation, he emphasized. "If someone in that area has a problem and doesn’t want to come to the Safety Complex and the substation isn’t staffed right then, they can call us and an officer will come out and meet with them there," he said.

The city’s first police substation isn’t a new idea, said Police Chief Richard Montcalm, but was "on our agenda when I became chief." He was appointed by Mayor Beth Davis in May of 2001.

"We saw a need for the Lincoln Police Department to be more in touch with the community as a whole," Butterfield explained. "This area has a large number of children and is a perfect place for us to interact with the children, get them started going the right way.

"What we hope to do is provide building blocks with people there and get them to help support the Police Department in various activities," he added.

Although he concedes that with any housing complex there are always problems, Butterfield is excited about putting positive programs in place at Centennial Courts. He is planning a "Picnic with the Police" for the children, and if he can find the resources, a summer fair with games and activities. He wants to start a neighborhood watch, appointing block captains to help keep youngsters safe. A job support for young people is also on his list of ideas.

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One problem that will not be tolerated, however, is any kind of drug activity in the housing complex.

Chief Montcalm said the new substation will be staffed Mondays through Fridays, at least 15 hours a week right now, and officers will be there "off and on any time of the day."

Officers won’t just be sitting in the station waiting for someone to drop in, Butterfield said.

"We’ll be out walking the courts, going door to door, talking to people, finding out what their concerns and problems are and trying to handle them the best way we can. In summer the bicycle unit will be riding around here."

The two-room office is being donated by the Logan County Housing Authority, which manages Centennial Courts, because manager Steve Allen wants to make sure that everyone who lives there is safe, according to Butterfield.

Like other city departments, the Police Department is on a tight budget this year, and most of the equipment at the new substation has been donated. More donations would be appreciated, Butterfield added.

Desks have come from the Logan County Board, and a computer came from the Logan County Housing Authority. Butterfield would like to find someone to provide funds for local telephone service and someone to donate plants to landscape the front of the building.

[Joan Crabb]

[APRIL 8, 2002]  Even though the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board has said Gov. George Ryan does not need a permit to move residents from Lincoln Developmental Center, the injunction handed down by Logan County Circuit Court Judge Don Behle still prevents the governor and DHS from moving any more residents out of the facility.

Spokesmen for both the Department of Human Services, which oversees facilities for the developmentally disabled, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, the union which represents employees at LDC, agreed today that the injunction is still in force and no residents can be moved until some further action is taken.

Tom Green, DHS spokesman, said the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board ruled late last week that the governor did not need a permit to move residents and also did not need to hold a public hearing before moving them. He said the attorney general’s office is "looking at the situation to advise us on how to proceed."

Dan Senters, spokesman for AFSCME Local 425, said AFSCME attorney Steve Yokich also agreed that the planning board’s decision had no effect on the court ruling.

"If they (DHS) move one individual out of that facility without getting a permit, they are in violation of the injunction," Senters quoted Yokich as saying.

The injunction is one of several avenues AFSCME, the LDC parents organization and area legislators are pursuing in order to keep the 125-year-old Lincoln Developmental Center form being downsized to 100 residents and about 210 employees. Gov. Ryan announced that plan in February of 2002, after charges of safety violations against LDC. Last October, LDC had more than 375 residents and about 700 employees. Currently, there are 259 residents and about 600 employees, Centers said.

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Eighteen legislators have signed a letter to Gov. Ryan asking that further moves be delayed until the General Assembly has had time to investigate the situation. State Reps. Jonathan Wright, R-Hartsburg, and Bill Mitchell, R-Forsythe, have sponsored a bill in the House to restore funding to keep LDC at 240 residents, but so far the bill has not been passed.

Senters said AFSCME is concerned about keeping adequate staff at LDC to care for the residents, as 372 of the about 600 staff members received layoff notices in February.

The first wave of layoffs was to begin April 16, one day after more than 90 residents were scheduled to be moved from LDC, Senters said. Sixty of the present LDC employees had agreed to take jobs at other state-operated facilities for the developmentally disabled and were scheduled to show up for work at those facilities on the 16th, he said. Other layoffs were to occur April 30.

Senters said DHS has indicated that staff moves are still scheduled.

"Our concern is that we have the staff to provide for the individual care and safety of the residents at LDC," he said.

Reginald Marsh, spokesman for DHS, said last week that "DHS would not lay people off to the point where we can’t run the facility in a safe and effective manner."

[Joan Crabb]

[APRIL 8, 2002]  Illinois taxpayers can file their state tax returns electronically. Taxpayers can use one of four electronic options and can expect to receive their refund in about one week.

To file your taxes online or check the status of your refund, visit the Illinois e-file website.

[APRIL 6, 2002]  ^"With temperatures 3.8 degrees cooler than average across Illinois, March 2002 was the 35th coldest March on record since 1895, reversing a trend of warmer than average months that began in November 2001," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu), a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

DeKalb, in northern Illinois, reported minus 17 F, the coolest reading, on March 4; McLeansboro, in southern Illinois, reported 77, the warmest reading, on March 9.

Angel also says this was the 31st wettest March on record since 1895, with 3.59 inches of precipitation, 112 percent of average. Several stations in the southern third of Illinois reported monthly precipitation totals in excess of 5 inches, including 7.27 inches at Anna, the highest monthly total. Rend Lake reported 2.18 inches on March 9, the highest daily amount. These measurements include rainfall and water content of any snowfall.

Snowfall was much above average in the northern two-thirds of the state, primarily from storms on March 1-3 and on March 26, but near to slightly above average elsewhere. Average March snowfall ranges from 2 inches (southern Illinois) to 3-4 inches (central Illinois) to 4-6 inches (northern Illinois). Midway Airport reported 13.2 inches, the highest monthly total.

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An intense low-pressure system produced strong winds that downed trees and power lines and damaged roofs and siding on March 9. Several stations reported gusts in excess of 50 mph, including 56 mph at Springfield and Moline, and 52 mph at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and at Peoria.

"March had a little bit of everything: temperature extremes, rain and snow, and high winds. One thing we did not see was any tornado activity, even though March signals the start of tornado season. Traditionally, most tornadoes and associated deaths and injuries occur in April, so remember to take necessary safety precautions and heed any warnings from the National Weather Service," concludes Angel.

[Eva Kingston, editor, Illinois State Water Survey]

[APRIL 6, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Prescription drug discounts, a restricted call list for telemarketers, DNA testing of inmates and public notice of water contamination were among the many measures passed this week as the Illinois Senate concluded action on Senate bills, according to Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone, R-Morton.

The Senate will reconvene next week to consider legislation already approved by the House of Representatives and continue work on the state budget.

Stone indicates the budget will continue to be the General Assembly’s major focus this week, as the House of Representatives approved a plan exceeding the governor’s original recommendations and far exceeding available revenues. Republican senators believe the House plan is unrealistic and irresponsible in light of decreased state revenues.

A Senate Republican initiative to help seniors citizens access prescription drug discounts without further taxing the state’s already tight budget gained approval this week. The three-point plan includes expanding the existing Senior Health Assistance Program to provide a clearinghouse of information about public and private discounts, a study of catastrophic pharmaceutical assistance, and public and legislative oversight of existing public discount programs.

The Senate approved two measures to relieve consumers from harassing telemarketing calls. Senate Bill 1637 completely prohibits any telemarketing calls to a cellular phone unless receiving the call will not cost the consumer, such as calls from the cellular provider.

Senate Bill 1830 creates a restricted call registry, where consumers can sign up if they do not wish to receive telemarketing calls. This will not completely eliminate, but will reduce, the number of telemarketing calls a consumer receives.

A new DNA database will better equip law enforcement to close unsolved cases and put offenders behind bars. Senate Bill 2024 expands the current list of criminals — primarily sex offenders and felons who commit violent crime — who must give DNA samples to all convicted felons. The state police would be required to oversee sample collection and use. To pay for the database, the inmates with financial means will pay $500 for the testing.

Another measure will give the public more information about safe drinking water. Prompted by an incident where two wells were closed without public notification after finding carcinogens, Senate Bill 2072 requires public and local government notification of drinking water contamination.

All five measures now await consideration by the House of Representatives.

Other legislation gaining approval in the Senate and advancing to the House this week includes:

Child support (SB 1966) — Requires parents to pay financial support until age 19 if the child is still in high school.

Privatization (SB 1982) — Allows prison commissaries to increase their costs and profits, using the additional $4 million profit for operation of the commissaries to avoid privatization and employee layoffs at Illinois correctional facilities.

Inmate reimbursement (SB 2195) — Requires inmates to provide financial information so the state can collect reimbursement for incarceration expenses.

Credit card theft (SB 1577) — Makes it a crime to steal credit card information by "scanning" or "skimming" a person’s card when someone makes a purchase at a retail outlet.

Resisting arrest (SB 2030) — Increases penalties for aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and resisting or obstructing a police officer.

Juvenile drug court (SB 1638) — Creates juvenile drug courts to address drug-related crimes committed by youths.

Stealing utilities (SB 1646) — Sets penalties for stealing or helping someone steal cable, Internet or other communication services companies provide paying customers.

School fire plans (SB 1545) — Allows local fire departments or the state fire marshal to conduct fire safety checks in public schools.

School bus drivers (SB 1611) — Requires all school bus drivers to be fingerprinted for background checks. (SB 2164) — Requires charter bus drivers to have a valid permit if they are hired to transport students.

HR 1 (SB 1983) — Implements the first phase of the federal House Resolution 1 education requirements concerning assessment, school report cards and bilingual education.

Community college (SB 2018) — Taps federal funds for Career and Technical Education grants to community colleges.

School zones (SB 1808) — Allows law enforcement to issue tickets for speeding on school property.

Teacher quality (SB 1953) — Prohibits students from enrolling in a teacher preparation program at a recognized teacher training institution until they pass the basic skills test required for teacher certification.

Teacher certification (SB 1707) — Increases a resident teacher certificate from two years to four years for employment as a resident teacher in a public school to address teacher shortage issues.

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Energy efficiency (SB 1565) — Creates a low-interest loan program for the purchase and installation of high-efficiency energy equipment or appliances, energy monitoring devices, or clean small-scale energy production devices.

Brownfields (SB 1803) — Expands the Brownfields Redevelopment program to help businesses clean up contaminated sites.

Postpartum depression (SB 1782) — Requires DHS to develop and distribute a brochure or other information about the signs, symptoms, screening or detection techniques, and care for postpartum depression.

Stroke (SB 2050) — Creates a Stroke Task Force to discuss stroke prevention and treatment efforts and develop an education program on stroke prevention.

Emergency evacuation (SB 1537) — Requires high-rise buildings of at least 80 feet to develop emergency evacuation plans to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Sept. 11 (SB 1531) – Establishes Sept. 11 as a commemorative holiday and school study day and creates special Sept. 11 license plates with proceeds aiding victims of terrorism and local governments in preparing for and preventing future acts of terrorism.

Furloughs (SB 1779) — Gives state employees pension credit for the time taken as furlough days during the state’s budget crisis.

Employee health insurance (SB 1859) — Saves the state an estimated $24 million by allowing state employees to opt out of the state health insurance plans if they have another source of health insurance.

Electronic voting (SB 1972) — Authorizes "touch screen" voting in Illinois.

Mansion curator (SB 2130) — Authorizes a curator, appointed by the governor, to manage and control artifacts of the Executive Mansion, along with the Historic Preservation Agency.

Sales tax collection (SB 2319) — Takes away the city of Chicago’s extra territorial authority to collect a 1 percent sales tax on items mailed to Chicago addresses from retail outlets in other parts of the state.

Disabled parking (SB 1530) — Allows those suffering from peripheral vascular disease to obtain disabled parking permits.

License plates (SB 1552) — Creates special "Route 66" license plates to benefit education, interpretation, preservation and promotion of the former U.S. Route 66 in Illinois. (SB 2185) — Creates "Stop Neuroblastoma" license plates to benefit cancer research, specifically neuroblastoma. (SB 1623) — Creates "park district youth" license plates to benefit after-school programs sponsored by park districts.

Regional airports (SB 1556) — Allows 25 regional airports in Illinois to use up to 3 percent of their property tax levies for capital improvements.

Red-light cameras (SB 2159) — Allows counties or municipalities to mount cameras at traffic lights to catch motorists running red lights.

Pickup trucks (SB 2157) — Allows pickup trucks to display car license plates unless the vehicles are used for commercial purposes.

Car insurance (SB 1839) — Requires insurers to provide a written explanation of underinsured motorist coverage to their insureds.

Abandoned vehicles (SB 2161) — Requires a person who abandons a vehicle to pay all fines and costs before he or she can obtain or transfer license plates for another vehicle.

Illegal driving (SB 1726) — Increases penalties for driving with an expired license or permit, driving without obtaining a driver’s license, and taking a driver examination for another person. (SB 1730) — Seizes the vehicle if a driver drives on a suspended or revoked driver’s license or permit from a DUI, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving personal injury or death, reckless homicide, or statutory summary suspension.

OUI/DUI (SB 1752) — Standardizes penalties between land, water and snow drunk- driving accidents that cause permanent and disfiguring injury.

Truck tarps (SB 1763) — Requires trucks (larger than pickup trucks) carrying dirt, rock, stone or other aggregate materials to tarp their loads to ensure the materials will not escape the vehicle.

Driver’s license (SB 1926) — Requires each driver’s license, state ID card or disabled individual ID card issued to people younger than 21 years old to display the date they reach ages 18 and 21.

Tolls (SB 2067) — Increases the fine for failing to pay tolls from $5-$100 to $20-$250.

National Guard (SB 1583) — Gives state active-duty National Guard members the same civil protections as active-duty federal military.

Military education (SB 2204) — Requires military dropouts to repay any education grants they received.

[News release]

[APRIL 6, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate unanimously approved a prescription drug plan Thursday for senior citizens at all levels of income, according to Sen. Claude Stone.

"Given the state’s current budget crisis, this proposal seeks to do as much as possible to address the need for prescription drug assistance without creating a huge new entitlement," said Stone. "It’s certainly not a cure-all, but it is a step in the right direction."

Senate Bill 2098 creates a toll-free informational hot line, a central clearinghouse where seniors can get information on how to access public and private discount programs already in existence. The hot line will become more important later this year when Illinois begins administering a $110 million federal pilot program called SeniorCare. SeniorCare will cover the cost of all prescription drugs. The plan also authorizes a study to determine whether there is a need for catastrophic pharmaceutical assistance coverage options for those seniors who do not qualify for public discount programs but have a higher percentage of prescription drug costs. Finally, the proposal will require legislative and public oversight of the state’s various prescription drug discount programs.

"I’m pleased by the overwhelming response of the Senate in voting to advance this legislation onto the House," said Stone. "This plan, which Republican members of the Senate introduced last month, is supported by the AARP, and clearly their support helped to pass this bill."

Amy Paschedag, AARP’s incoming state legislative chairman, has said Senate Bill 2098 was part of the building-block process in meeting the prescription drug assistance needs of Illinois seniors. "We are fortunate in Illinois to have a strong foundation for our efforts, she said. "This will provide the critical road map for seniors and their families who would benefit from the help that is already out there."

•  The Illinois Department on Aging would operate a toll-free hot line, which would be a clearinghouse for pertinent prescription drug discount information for Illinois senior citizens.

•  Information would also be available from local Area Agencies on Aging.

•  The goal is a "one-stop shop" where senior citizens could receive information on public and private services and discounts available to senior citizens, including state programs, drug company discounts and retailer-sponsored specials. All entities offering a special service or discount for senior citizens would report their program guidelines to the Department on Aging.

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•  The Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Program, called CHIP, will complete a study of the need, cost and operation of a catastrophic pharmaceutical benefit for senior citizens who spend a significant portion of their income on prescriptions.

•  The study also would examine what could be done for senior citizens who have incomes above 250 percent of the poverty level and who are ineligible for current prescription assistance programs.

Legislative and public oversight committee

•  A new legislative and public oversight committee will make certain the programs operate smoothly. The committee will advise appropriate state agencies regarding the establishment of proposed programs or changes to existing programs.

•  The committee will be composed of 17 members — two legislators and one public member appointed by each of the four legislative leaders; as well as the directors of the state departments of aging, revenue, public aid, human services and public health.

•  Senate Republicans have already pledged their public appointment will be a representative of AARP, giving Illinois senior citizens a voice on future prescription drug decisions.

•  Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled, or AABD: This Medicaid-based program was expanded in 2000. The third and final phase of the expansion, effective July 1, will allow senior citizens with income levels up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level to participate in the program, which is administered by the Department of Human Services.

•  Circuit Breaker: The income requirements for this program were expanded in 2000 to include senior citizens and disabled individuals at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($28,480 for a family of two). The state pays the first $2,000 (with a $25 card fee and co-pay for each prescription) and then pays 80 percent above the threshold. The program covers medications for the following conditions: Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, and lung diseases or smoking-related illnesses. This program is administered by the Department of Revenue.

•  SeniorCare: SeniorCare will be funded by a federal grant and will provide prescription drug coverage to an estimated 368,000 lower-income citizens through the state Medicaid program, starting in June. The state’s newest program will serve senior citizens at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($23,200 for a family of two). The program will cover the cost of all prescriptions (with a co-pay for each prescription) up to $1,750 each year and then pays 80 percent above the threshold.

[News release]

[APRIL 5, 2002]  The Department of Human Services is "evaluating the next course of action" following an injunction against moving any more residents from the Lincoln Developmental Center, according to DHS spokesman Reginald Marsh.

"There has not been a decision made," Marsh said. "We are working with the attorney general’s office to see what our options are." The attorney general’s office serves as legal counsel for DHS.

On March 27, Associate Judge Don Behle of the Circuit Court ruled on the second count of a lawsuit brought by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union that represents LDC employees and other plaintiffs. Judge Behle ruled that DHS must get a permit from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board before moving any more residents from the facility.

A spokesman for AFSCME said recently that among the options available to the DHS were appealing the ruling or getting a permit from the Health Planning Board for the transfer for residents. Getting the permit requires a public hearing, at which parents, employees and other interested parties could testify.

The March 27 ruling effectively stopped the moving of residents from LDC to other state-operated facilities or to group homes. As of now, 248 residents remain at the Lincoln facility, from a high of about 375 last October. The plan outlined by Gov. George Ryan was to downsize LDC to 100 residents and cut the number of employees to 210. Currently about 600 employees are still at LDC.

In February, 372 employees were given notice that they would be laid off as the downsizing continued. Notice of possible layoffs must be given 60 days ahead of time. Layoffs were scheduled to start on April 30.

Marsh said he could not say at this time whether some staff would be let go while DHS is determining its course of action. He did say LDC now has the highest ratio of staff to residents of any of the 11 state-operated facilities for the developmentally disabled, but he said the safety and health of the residents would be the first consideration.

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"We’re not going to lay off people to the point where we can’t run the facility in a safe and appropriate manner," he told the Lincoln Daily News.

Marsh also said that of the 372 employees who received layoff notices, 60 had opted to take jobs at other state-run facilities. Those 60 were scheduled to be transferred in April, the first wave on the 16th and the rest April 30. However, because residents are not being moved, the scheduled move of employees "may not happen," he added.

He also said the preliminary injunction against moving residents has raised questions about keeping federal Medicaid funding for the facility. Federal funding pays about one-half the cost of maintaining the residents at LDC.

Federal funding was discontinued last November when a survey by the Department of Public Health showed the facility was in "immediate jeopardy," but was reinstated in December when reforms were ordered.

However, Marsh said, the funding was to have ended March 21, but negotiations that allow the funding to continue have been under way while DHS works on the downsizing plan.

"The preliminary injunction has called into question the state’s ability to maintain federal funding. Negotiations have been contingent on downsizing to 100 residents by June 30," Marsh said.

In either case, whether the Lincoln facility is maintained at 248 residents or is downsized to 100, it must still go through another survey (an inspection to be sure it is meeting health and safety requirements) in order to maintain federal funding, Marsh said.

"This whole thing started because the facility was decertified because of health and safety issues," Marsh said. "But we feel the facility can pass a survey if it is downsized to 100 residents. That is a controllable level."

The situation at LDC is still "up in the air," Marsh added. "We will have to wait for some clear-cut answers."

[Joan Crabb]

[APRIL 4, 2002]  President George Bush spoke to the nation at 10 a.m. (CST) about the situation in the Mideast. He opened by saying that he had been monitoring the situation but lost hope of a peaceable ending when terrorists attacked a group of innocent people. In another event an 18-year-old Palestinian girl took the life of an 17-year-old Israeli girl in a suicide attack. He condemned a nation where parents sacrifice their children’s lives

He clearly stated, "Terrorism must be stopped. There is no way to make peace with those whose only goal is death."

In Israel’s defense he said, "Israel has the right to exist." Israel has recognized the right of a Palestinian state.

Addressing the nations, the president reiterated that every one must choose to side with civilization or terrorists. "Middle East authorities must also choose."

President Bush said Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat must choose. He has missed his opportunities. Attacks are only a temporary measure.

To the Palestinian people and authority, he pronounced, "Blowing yourself up does not help the Palestinian cause." To the Palestinian authorities and all governments, he declared, "Stop the terrorists. They are not martyrs. They are murderers."

"To all who oppose peace process and seek the destruction Israel: Israel has the right to exist! Accept them as a nation."

Palestinian people deserve peace and prosperity. They deserve to have Israel as a neighbor. They should seek peace and economic development. They can be politically and economically viable. Occupation must stop. They have the right to secure and recognized boundaries. The same as between Israel and Syria, and Israel and Lebanon.

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Israel must show respect for Palestinians. They are and will be neighbors. They should practice compassion at checkpoints. Israel should allow people to go back to work.

"America recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself," he said. However, the president commanded that they should halt incursions of Palestinian areas and withdraw from the areas they occupy.

He declared that Syria must decide which side of the conflict it is on.

And finally he announced that he is sending U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to the area next week to implement an immediate ceasefire.

He concluded by saying, "The Middle East could have free trade, economic development and democracy. This will only come in an atmosphere of peace."

[Jan Youngquist]

[APRIL 4, 2002]  A plaque and an official Tree City USA sign were presented to the Lincoln City Council Monday evening, marking the first time the city has won this national honor.

The Tree City USA award is presented by the National Arbor Day Association and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The award was presented to city officials last week by Ms. Reinee Hildebrandt of the State Forester’s Office, at an awards luncheon in Springfield.

Attending the luncheon were Aldermen Dave Armbrust, George Mitchell and Glenn Shelton, as well as Street Superintendent Donnie Osborne and the sewer plant manager, Grant Eaton.

[Photos by Joan Crabb]

[Donnie Osborne, Lincoln’s street superintendent (left), and Alderman Dave Armbrust, chairman of the forestry committee, present to Mayor Beth Davis an official sign and a plaque naming Lincoln a certified Tree City USA.]

The city learned in February that it had been named a 2001 Tree City. A letter from the National Arbor Day Foundation congratulated the city on receiving recognition for its tree-care program.

The letter said, in part, that communities are recognized when they have proven their commitment to "an effective, ongoing community forestry program, one marked by renewal and improvement.

"Trees help clean our air and water, moderate heat and cold, and bring warmth and grace to our homes," the letter said.

Alderman Dave Armbrust, chairman of the forestry committee, presented the plaque to Mayor Beth Davis, and Donnie Osborne, superintendent of the city’s streets department, presented the official sign.

To win the award, Osborne explained, a city must have a forestry commission and a forestry ordinance, both of which Lincoln has. The commission must show a budget item of at least $2 per capita; with a budget of $78,000, Lincoln well exceeds that mark. The city also has to have an Arbor Day declaration and observe Arbor Day.

The city has observed Arbor Day with tree plantings at nursing homes and other locations in recent years. The Lincoln Community High School’s National Honor Society tree planting has also become a valuable part of Arbor Day, Osborne said. First- graders from area schools also help with the planting.

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Armbrust thanked the Lincoln Rotary Club, Environmental Management Corporation, the Lincoln Park District and CILCO for donations of trees. He also thanked the Logan County Parks and Trails Foundation and John Sutton, the Lincoln Community High School National Honor Society, all area grade schools, the Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District, Lincoln area nursing homes, Eric Jenkins, Melanie Riggs, Dennis Hartman, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and former District 27 Superintendent Les Plotner for their help and participation in planting trees throughout the city.

Mayor Davis said the biggest "thank you" should go to Donnie Osborne and his staff.

"Don has really been the arborist for the city. He has worked with the schools, especially the high school Honor Society, to plant new trees, and he has taken care of our trees, making sure the staff keeps them trimmed and keeps our trees replenished. The plaque really belongs to him."

Osborne, however, maintains that the credit goes to many different people, including LCHS teacher Judy Dopp and the National Honor Society, which each year plants trees and involves first-graders from the various schools in the activity. He also thanked city officials.

"Without the support of past and current mayors and administrations, this couldn’t have been done," he added

"An urban forest is a valuable and beautiful asset," Osborne said. "We all take it for granted, but maintaining it is a never-ending job."

Keeping up the tradition, Osborne and the National Honor Society will again be planting trees on Arbor Day, which in Lincoln is always the third Wednesday in April, and again on Earth Day, April 22.

Osborne said the city will eventually receive five official signs, which will be posted at each major entrance to the city. And this year, for the first time, a Tree City flag, a tree on a white background, will fly at the Route 10 East gateway on Arbor Day.

[New Tree City USA signs will soon go up at all major entrances to Lincoln.]

[Joan Crabb]

For more information on Tree City USA, see http://arborday.org/programs/treecityusa.html.

[APRIL 3, 2002]  Eighteen Illinois legislators, most of whom were members of the committee that heard testimony about closing or downsizing Lincoln Developmental Center, have sent a letter to Gov. George Ryan asking him not to downsize the institution until the "unanswered questions" about the moves have been resolved.

The letter, dated April 1, was signed by, among others, Sen. Larry K. Bomke, R-Springfield; Sen. Claude U. Stone, R-Morton; Rep. Gwenn Klingler, R-Springfield; Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsythe; and Rep. Jonathan Wright, R-Hartsburg.

The committee, headed by Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, had four sessions during which it heard testimony from the Department of Human Services, which oversees LDC and other facilities for the developmentally disabled; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union which represents workers at LDC; members of the developmentally disabled community; and parents of the residents of LDC.

The letter sent to Gov. Ryan noted that family members of LDC residents "remain firmly supportive of the facility and wish their loved ones to stay there." Because of the family’s opposition to closing LDC, the letter said, "We have real doubt as to whether the DHS plan to downsize is in the best interests of residents" and asked that DHS halt the movement of any further residents until the General Assembly has an opportunity "fully review the situation."

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Other moves to keep the 125-year-old facility open include an injunction issued by Associate Judge Don Behle of the Circuit Court in Logan County to cease moving residents until further notice. The injunction was a result of a lawsuit filed by AFSCME, Sen. Bomke and parents of LDC residents.

A bill introduced into the House of Representatives by Reps. Wright and Mitchell also seeks to keep LDC at 240 residents, with about 480 employees. Gov. Ryan’s plan has been to downsize LDC to 100 residents with about 210 employees.

The complete letter appears below.

[Joan Crabb]

Know where you are

Emergency cell phone use

[APRIL 3, 2002]  There is no doubt that technology has given us a better, easier, higher quality of life. But if you’re working in a field that relies on technology, the rapid rate of development can cause more than a few headaches on an ordinary day. As director of the Emergency Services Disaster Agency, Dan Fulscher takes advantage of all that modern technology has to offer, including advanced communication systems. He also oversees the E911 system. He will tell you, "As technology has grown, problems have increased."

In 1993, when the 911 service began, there were 239 calls the first month. That was thought to be a lot of calls. Now 1,600-1,800 land-based calls and 600-800 cell calls are received each month. This constitutes an increase to12 times as many calls as in the beginning. This increase is not due to an increase in crime or fire but rather because people are more aware of how to call, and they use it like a security blanket. The goal of a simple number to call for help has been achieved.

To illustrate his point, Fulscher said that a recent Police Magazine article on domestic violence said that most victims used to say, "I’m going to call the police." They now say, "I’m going to call 911."

Cell phone calls started showing up the first year 911 was in place and are rapidly on the increase. Chicago’s 911 system now logs 35 percent cell calls. Logan County calls monitored over the last two months indicate that 30.5 percent — nearly one-third — of the 911 calls are from cell phones.

It used to be that a person could expect to make two to four emergency phone calls in a lifetime. Now, that number has doubled, and a person will make eight to 20 calls. Part of that is due to the availability of a phone while traveling, in addition to increased time spent in the car. At one time we traveled 15,000 miles per year, including special trips as a family. Now the average on-the-go working family drives twice that in everyday driving, plus special trips and vacations.

It is the good fortune of Logan County that, through vision and hard work, we have a fully completed and operational enhanced 911 system, E911. When you call from a land-based phone, your call shows enhanced caller ID information, the e-mapping system instantly shows where the call is coming from, the destination is mapped and coordinated, and the information received is disseminated quickly to all emergency services needed via a dispatcher.

"E911 is what America thinks is available nationwide. It is not," Fulscher says.

Callers need to be aware that there are 911 systems without enhanced features and that those calls and cell phone calls will take a little longer than a land-based call to an E911 system. The dispatcher will need to know who the callers are, where they are and possibly what services need to be called. Remember, it takes more time to process a cell phone call since the automated features of E911 are not enacted.

The growth of cell phone use has reduced the efficiency of the E911 system. The E911 system is driven by the information provided by their enhanced caller ID system. Cell phone calls do not provide any usable caller ID information beyond the cell phone number that the call is coming from. A cell phone call could be made from any location.

(For those who may be wondering, cordless phones are considered land-based.)

When you dial 911 on your cell phone, it connects you to the closest 911 dispatch in Illinois. If you are in Logan County, it connects to the Lincoln dispatch center. Other than the phone number being displayed on the caller ID, the E911 service provides no more benefit.

Tips for calling 911 from a cell phone:

1.  When using cell 911, look at your surroundings as you are traveling; periodically check road coordinates, route signs and towns just passed.

[Photos by Bob Frank]

2.  If you are carrying a cell phone, get used to looking at addresses before going into a home or business. When at a social or recreational event, note the town, a building name, an address if possible, and note where you are specifically located in a building or town. A constant check on your surroundings could speed up rescue and make the difference in life-saving measures.

3.  Leave your cell phone on after making a call.

4.  Do not make other calls, in case dispatch needs to call you back for more information or clarification.

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Please remember that terrorism and domestic violence are on the rise. Although you may not be a target, you could happen upon an incident as it occurs. Remember to speak clearly and slowly because the dispatch will have to document information instead of simply typing it into a computer. Since location information is not automated as with a land-based call, be aware that gathering information could take from one to two minutes. You can help speed this process by being prepared to answer any other questions dispatch may ask.

Many calls are made when an accident is witnessed on an interstate highway. If you can be specific about location, your call will be most helpful. The following are some recent bad examples of calls from highway drivers trying to report an accident: "I’m about 1½ hours south of Chicago"; another driver reported, "I’m on Route 136, between Havana and McLean."

Keep in mind that in Logan County there is Interstate 55 (I-55) and there is Interstate 155 (I-155). Be clear about which highway you are on. The mile markers for the two interstates are slightly different, with I-55 having the higher numbers. The problem of similar highway numbers that are easily confused exists elsewhere as well.

James Courtwright of American Freightways in Lincoln said that most of their drivers have been driving a long time and generally drive the same daily routes. The drivers keep aware of the following information as they travel:

1.  Major highway arteries: i.e., I-55 and Route 136.

2.  Mile marker numbers

3.  Exit numbers

4.  Proximity to towns: north, south, east or west

5.  Direction of travel

6.  Landmarks

7.  Other tangible information

Giving directions

Use right, left, straight; not north, south, east or west. You may start out indicating a geographical direction, but the remainder of your coordinates should be provided as "right," "left" or "straight" terminology.

Example: Go north on Nicholson Road from Business 55, turn right at Krueger Road, go straight about two miles and look for the grain elevator on the left at the end of the road just over the tracks.

While there are many cellular phone companies to choose from in Logan County, there is only one land-based phone service. E911 services must be coordinated with the phone system to provide enhanced services. Cellular coordination will require not only development of technologies, but also daily updating with all telecommunications systems.

At the Logan County E911 site, office manager Dianne Ruff communicates with our only land-based phone provider, Verizon, keeping our land-based phone information current. Weekly she manually processes 125 changes related to location moves and phone number changes.

At present, surcharges added to telephone bills support our E911 system: 85 cents per month on land-based and 43 cents per month on cell phone bills. These fees pay for technical improvements. The Logan County 911 board is assessing the effects that increased cell phone use is having and is monitoring finances while looking to the future.

While enhanced cellular 911 is on its way, it will probably be many years before it has the capacity of the current land-based enhanced 911 system.

"It will take as many years as it did to develop from what we had at first in 1993 to what it is in 2002," says Fulscher. "It will be great when it gets here, but in the meantime we need to do our part in being prepared to supply good directions when making emergency calls."

[Jan Youngquist]

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.

[Click here for names available now.]

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.

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• 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/ 

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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

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