County general fund
dropped $239,000 in 2001

[APRIL 17, 2002]  The Logan County Board learned from its accountant Tuesday night that its general fund decreased by $239,103 during 2001 because of overly optimistic income projections. In the first third of 2002 revenue is also below budget.

On a 10-2 vote with one abstention the board voted to "renew by continuance" the county health insurance policy with Health Alliance of Champaign for one year. And it unanimously voted to establish immediately a committee composed of township, city and county officials to discuss the north-side commerce park proposal, with the possibility of including other development options as well.

Andy Lascody, of Sikisch Gardner & Co., presented tentative results of his audit of county books for fiscal year 2001, ending Nov. 30. To become final the audit must pass internal review within the accounting firm. The report shows that revenues from fines, personal property replacement tax, 1 percent sales tax, state income tax and interest income were all low, totaling $328,327 short of budget expectations. Lascody attributed some of the shortfall to the weakened national economy, resulting in lower sales tax income and interest rates. He said fines, such as traffic fines, are variable and difficult to estimate.

The shortfall was apparently not caused by out-of-line expenditures. "All departments stayed pretty well within what they were allotted," said finance chair Rod White. Lascody explained that most apparent exceptions were offset by grants or other considerations. For example, the sheriff’s department appears to have overspent by $107,000. However, the department received a grant for $102,000 for a defibrillator, which does not appear on the audit.

Similarly, the Health Department’s $327,353 over budget includes extra payment on principal when refinancing a mortgage note and $170,000 for vouchers for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, paid for by a grant of the same amount. White pointed out that the Health Department has a separate governing board to oversee expenditures. "We don’t have direct control" over them, he said. County board member Dave Hepler sits on the Health Department board.

Lascody said four funds had deficit balances on Nov. 30: the drug investigation fund, the sheriff’s drug forfeiture fund, the senior citizens tax fund and the Grid Information System fund. White said the finance committee will review GIS, a Global Positioning System-like mapping system, and has taken action to bring the other three out of deficit.

Roger Bock, a member of the finance committee, reported that a third of the way through the 2002 fiscal year revenue sources fall short of the expected 33 percent of budget: Personal property replacement tax is at 23 percent, 1 percent sales tax at 27 percent, one-fourth percent sales tax at 29 percent, interest income at 28 percent, and fines are at 31 percent.

On the plus side Dale Voyles, also on the finance committee, said that in the first third of the year officeholder and departmental expenses are 3.3 percent under budget. The two exceptions he mentioned were county development fund at 5.5 percent and the coroner’s office at 4.2 percent over for March. In the county development fund nothing has been budgeted for waste management salary, so White said the problem might be a bookkeeping error.

In an issue that has occasioned vigorous discussion, Voyles, chair of the insurance committee, made a motion to continue the county health insurance policy with Health Alliance of Champaign, saying that the renewal is for one year only and that the committee expects to begin checking other options in January or February 2003. At that time, he said, issues such as deductibles and cost sharing will be discussed in an effort to control costs.

The Health Alliance renewal raises premiums 23 percent, for an additional cost of $71,000. At the board-of-the-whole meeting on April 11 Sara Heidbreder of R.W. Garrett Insurance Agency in Lincoln, the agent for Health Alliance, told the board that claims during the first year of coverage have been unusually high, exceeding premiums by $158,000.

Jim Griffin and Cliff Sullivan opposed renewing the policy; Dave Hepler abstained. Besides questioning the availability of deductibles, Griffin said he believes a contract worth over $10,000 should be bid out.

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Voyles also made the motion to form a development committee consisting of Beth Davis, Lincoln mayor; Dick Logan, county board chair; Steve Fuhrer, Lincoln City Council finance chair; Rod White, county board finance chair; Rodney Alberts, East Lincoln township supervisor; Gary Long, West Lincoln township supervisor; Tom Hickman, county highway engineer; and Mark Smith, director of economic development.

Originally, the motion included improvement of Fifth Street Road west from the Lincoln city limit as well as the commerce park proposed for a 63-acre tract near Kruger elevator. However, after Griffin and Doug Dutz questioned how the projects are connected and whether they would be voted on separately, White moved to delete Fifth Street Road from the motion. Still, he made it clear that the committee’s topics could include any development issue, including Fifth Street Road. Both the amendment and the motion passed unanimously, though Dutz and Griffin said they opposed the commerce park.

Voyles said the purpose of the committee would be "to see if it is feasible for the city and county to work together to try to do something very positive for the county" in financing the commerce park.

In another matter Dutz, chair of the law enforcement committee, said a tentative agreement has been reached in contract negotiations with the sheriff’s deputies’ union, and it appears that arbitration will not be needed.

Community Action committee member Gloria Luster reported attending a National Community Action Foundation convention in Washington, D.C. Focus of the meeting was on the weatherization program for needy families.

In other business the county board voted to:

•  Rezone two acres on Lazy Row Road near Atlanta from agricultural to country homes use at the request of Merlin Willmert, who plans to give it to his granddaughter to build a home. The Logan County Regional Planning Commission had approved the request 15-0, and the county appeals board had approved it 4-1. White voted against the measure.

•  Award the bid for re-roofing the Broadwell Highway Department garage to Tremont Roofing. The $10,450 bid specifies a rubber roof and a 10-year warranty.

•  Award the bid for painting the state’s attorney’s office to Mike Simonson Painting for $3,790.

•  Honor the Hartsburg-Emden and Mount Pulaski junior-high girls volleyball teams for their "dedication, hard work, sacrifice and spirit" shown in winning the seventh- and eighth-grade Class A state championships, respectively. The Hartem team attended the board meeting. The Mount Pulaski resolution will be presented at a school assembly.

•  Appoint the following members of fire protection districts: Richard L. McKown, Atlanta; Gary Jackson, Latham; Brent E. Hellman, Emden; James Graff, Middletown; Stanley L. Anderson Sr., Elkhart; Nicholous Tibbs, New Holland; Scott Behrends, Hartsburg; Marvin VanHorn, Beason; William W. Zimmer, San Jose; Kurt Walker, Armington; and Lynn Haseley, Lincoln Rural.

•  Appoint Bunnie L. Murphy and Dwain Marten to the Beason-Chestnut water district.

•  Appoint Kathy Sommers, Gail Apel-Sasse and Charles Ott to the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County.

•  Encourage citizens to participate in the Logan County Heritage & Treasures festival on June 15-16. At the April 11 board meeting Don Ritchhart of Lincoln spoke in favor of the event, which will feature vendors, tourism information and entertainment throughout the county. The board resolution, written by board historian Paul Gleason, said the towns of Logan County are "rich in heritage and treasures."

•  Allow a farmers’ market at Latham Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon from May 4 through the end of October.

•  Permit Lincoln Christian Church to use the courthouse rotunda May 2 from noon to1 p.m. for a National Day of Prayer observance.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

World War II and Korean War veterans sought for graduation honors

[APRIL 17, 2002]  The General Assembly amended the school code to say that school districts shall award diplomas to veterans of World War II and the Korean War who have an honorable discharge and left high school to serve their country before receiving their diploma.

Local qualified veterans will be honored on Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m. in the LCHS auditorium. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend this ceremony.

Wayne Schrader from the American Legion will be the guest speaker.

Several local veterans are already on the roster for Sunday’s ceremony. If there are other veterans of World War II and the Korean War who would like to receive a diploma, please call the high school at 732-4131, Ext. 226.

[LDN]

City ready to adopt deficit budget

[APRIL 16, 2002]  In spite of deep cuts, the city of Lincoln is looking at a working budget with spending estimated at about $270,000 more than revenue for the next fiscal year. Estimated revenues in the general fund are $3,995,004 for fiscal year 2002-2003, while estimated expenditures add up to $4,292,053. Most of the payroll and other day-to-day expenses are paid from the general fund

[The city council at work.]

The difference will be made up by transferring money from set-aside funds that may not be needed in the near future and from an unused working cash fund.

Even though the transfers come close to balancing income and expenditures, they do not increase the city’s revenue, Juanita Josserand, city clerk, pointed out, but simply shrink the city’s overall bank balance. "It’s like spending your paycheck and digging into your saving account to meet daily operating expenses," she said.

The coming fiscal year, which begins May 1, will see the city starting out with a $781,294 bank balance, but the projected year-end balance will be only $487,245. The city must start out with a substantial bank balance because tax money does not start coming in until July, well after the fiscal year begins.

The council approved several fund transfers at its meeting Monday evening, moving $103,147.16 from the fund for funeral expenses for police and fire personnel and $118,184.44 from the fund for a proposed fire station on the west side.

The city still has $85,000 in the funeral expense fund, which would provide benefits for 10 people, and $50,000 in the fire station fund, which could be used to purchase a site for the proposed station. Alderman Benny Huskins, who has previously opposed taking money from the fire station fund, and Alderman Joe Stone voted against the transfer.

Alderman Steve Fuhrer, finance committee chairman, said the fund for the proposed station was one of the last places the budget committee looked for extra funds. "I don’t like to take money out of a fund that has been building up for years, but we only have one option, spend what we have," he said.

The council also voted to abolish the working cash fund, which has not been levied for many years, and transfer the $45,000 balance to the general fund.

[Cindy McLaughlin, new Main Street Lincoln program coordinator .  McLaughlin started work a week ago.  She said she had an "exciting first week and is ready to hit the second week with a smile."]  

Budget cuts have included a moratorium on purchases of new vehicles for the police and for the zoning, building and safety office; a wage freeze for all department heads; a hiring freeze in all departments; and cutbacks in funds for alderman to attend conferences and seminars.

The council agreed last night that the hiring freeze would have to be looked at on a case-by-case basis, as some key employees may have to be replaced. One exception may be in the city police department, where Faye Huneke is retiring May 31 as secretary, and no other employee is available to take over those duties.

Finance chairman Steve Fuhrer outlined some of the cuts made over the last month to try to balance the budget. The building and zoning department started out with a budget of $105,000 but was cut to $71,000; funds for schools and conferences were cut from $20,000 to $5,000; the mayor’s office budget was cut by $7,500; the public grounds and buildings department started at $180,000 and is now $114,000, cutting out funds for demolition of buildings; the Elm Street and West Kickapoo road rehabilitation project was cut from $218,000 to zero. The city attorney, Bill Bates, also took a wage freeze; his salary remains $64,200, not the $65,800 he requested.

In another budget-cutting move, the city recently voted to stop paying fees for hydrant maintenance and pass those fees along to water customers, saving about $212,000 annually and adding about $5 to the average bimonthly water bill.

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Fuhrer has said he would like to avoid layoffs of city employees if at all possible.

To add to the budget woes, some expenses have gone up and others may do so later in the year. Alderman Glenn Shelton reported that the city has a 15 percent increase in the cost for health insurance because of the increase in claims filed by city employees, several of which were very high.

In addition, negotiations with all four unions that represent city workers are or soon will be under way this year, and union members are expected to ask for raises in pay.

City treasurer Les Plotner has been warning the council that its income is declining because of a drop in tax revenues and drastic cuts in interest rates on the city’s investments. At Monday night’s council meeting, Plotner continued reporting bad news on the revenue front, with sales taxes for the current year $104,978 short of what was projected, and other taxes, including income taxes, also $110,183 short of projections.

Plotner did say he had changed his opinion on offering early retirement incentives to longtime city employees. He said there were sufficient funds in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to offer early retirement this fiscal year. Early retirement saves money over time because highly paid employees leave and, if they are replaced, are replaced by those lower on the salary scale.

In other business, Steven Aughenbaugh, president of the State Bank of Lincoln, announced that the bank was contributing $2,500 for the sesquicentennial celebration, set for Aug. 25-31 next year. Mayor Beth Davis is working with a committee to plan the celebration for the city’s 150th anniversary.

[Mayor Beth Davis]

Jan Schumacher, president of the Main Street Lincoln board, introduced the new program manager, Cindy McLaughlin. McLaughlin is replacing Wendy Bell, who is now working for the Illinois Main Street program.

Rachael Liesman, a member of the Lincoln Community High School National Honor Society, accepted the Arbor Day award for the society and its sponsors, teachers Judy Dopp and Debbie Schweitzer. The city’s street department and the Honor Society students will be planting trees tomorrow and again on April 29 in the Lincoln area.

[Rachael Liesman, member of the Lincoln Community High School Honor Society, accepts  the Arbor Day award for helping with the tree-planting around Lincoln.  Presenting the award was Alderman Dave Armbrust.]

Bates reported that the fee quoted by attorney Tom Kelty of Springfield for reviewing, analyzing and, if necessary, rewriting the city code would be $3,500. A Charleston firm which builds community group homes for the developmentally disabled has purchased a lot in an R-1 zoned community and plans to build there. The present city zoning code prohibits such homes in R-1 zoning, but the attorney for the Charleston firm says the city’s code is illegal.

The council turned down a petition for installing curbs and gutters at 1316 Delavan St. at city expense, citing the tight budget and the probability that other residents without curbs and gutters would also ask the city to provide them. The council did agree to install handrails at the curb at 410 Broadway in front of Dean Leith Plumbing and Heating Service.

[Joan Crabb]

Man barricades himself in house

[APRIL 16, 2002]  Lincoln Police Department officers were doing a routine follow-up call at 4:58 p.m. Monday when they encountered a man attempting suicide. Officers went to a residence in the 400 block of South Kickapoo Street to check on the man, who had a violation of an order of protection placed against him. The distraught 20-year-old male would not allow police inside the house. He had filled the house with natural gas and was threatening to blow himself up.

Police negotiators and the Emergency Response Team were called out. The neighborhood was blocked off from traffic, and three nearby homes were evacuated until the threat of explosion was eliminated.

CILCO was contacted, and gas and power to the house were shut off.

The man threatened to kill himself with a knife.

At 11:40 p.m., after five hours of attempted negotiations, the Lincoln ERT used less than lethal force to subdue the man so that he did not follow through with his intentions. They shot him with a special gun that fires a beanbag. He was taken to ALMH for treatment.

LPD was assisted in the situation with support from the Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln Fire Department, Sheriff’s Auxiliary, Lincoln/Logan Paramedics, Red Cross and the city street department.

[Jan Youngquist]

[APRIL 15, 2002]  Sunday spoiled us with another incredibly beautiful spring day at near-record temperatures. It was a perfect day in Kickapoo Creek Park for those walking to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The comment "What a nice day!" raised chuckles as volunteers looked from one to another and then recalled the other night’s last preparatory meeting. For the second year straight, rain seemed an absolute according to weather forecasters. As usual someone ventured to say so. Without hesitation and in a strong voice full of conviction, third-year chairman Brenda Centers pronounced, "It is NOT going to rain!" And like last year, it did not. The volunteers joke that Centers either has connections higher up or the heavens simply will not defy her strong will.

Approximately a hundred walkers turned out for the 1:30 walk. There were 86 pre-signed and a good number of additional walk-ons. Twenty-five to 30 volunteers assisted with setup, refreshments, record keeping and numerous other chores. Door prizes were added to this year’s event. The walk is approximately 3 miles, or two times around the park.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It’s generally diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms can range from numbness in the limbs to paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatments are giving hope to those affected by the disease.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides programs and services that make life better for the third of a million Americans with multiple sclerosis and their families and friends. The programs are designed to inform and empower people to maximize their health and independence. In the Greater Illinois region, there are more than 10,000 people with MS.

The annual MS WALK® to benefit the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society had 22 sites in northern and central Illinois, including Chicago’s lakefront, scheduled to walk Sunday. Goals of 10,000 walkers and revenue of $2.4 million were expected. This year over 350,000 walkers will participate in MS Walk — in over 700 sites across the county.

Last year the Illinois chapter’s MS Walk generated $2.1 million in pledges and sponsorships — more than any other MS Walk in the country. More than half of the participants walked as part of a corporate, family or friends team — 600 teams in all. "There’s nothing better than sharing that great feeling of helping others with a group of co-workers, family members, friends, even people you meet along the walk," said Maria Maslanka, the chapter’s MS Walk event manager. The average pledge amount per walker was $235.

Since its inception, the MS Walk has generated more than $240 million nationally.

Besides raising money to fund research projects and client programs for people with MS, the MS Walk seeks to educate the public about the FDA-approved medications that may delay or reduce future disability in many people with multiple sclerosis. The Greater Illinois Chapter designs programs in response to the many requests it receives for knowledge about MS, health and wellness, and independence.

Spread the word

Thanks to significant advances in research, the FDA has approved several treatments that may alter the underlying disease course of multiple sclerosis, and early treatment is critically important. People with MS should consult their doctors about using one of these FDA-approved medications and other effective treatments for the symptoms of MS. If you or someone you know has MS, contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 1-800-FIGHT MS or www.msillinois.org. 

"The National Multiple Sclerosis Society ... One Thing People with MS Can Count On"

Lincoln MS Walk 2002

Gene and Toni McDonald

Jeanne Handlin

Jim and Nancy Ireland

Deb Conlin

Greg Campbell

Burwell Oil

Bob Neal/Edward Jones

Key Printing/Tom Seggelke

Guzzardo’s Italian Villa

Interstate Cheverolet

Century Dental

Woody Jones - State Farm Ins.

Kiwanis Club

Phil Dehner - A.G. Edwards

Lincoln Firefighters Local #3092

American Express - Jim Leisinger

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Weyerhaeuser

State Bank of Lincoln

Bonanza

Jim Sparrow - Edward Jones

Images - James Coop

Culligan Water

J M Abbott & Assoc.

Graue Inc.

Warren Peters, Attorney

R. Todd Nobbe, O.D.

Dairy Queen

Wm. Todd Walker, DMD

Kenshalo Rousey

Dr. Dan Freesmeier

Apple Dental Center

Row Motors

Thanks to the following for providing in-kind services:

Ron Hall Painting

Kickapoo St. Dollar Store

Jim Newsome - DJ

Qik-N-EZ

Tim Centers

Quick Way Foods

Don Hellman - Kickapoo Creek Park

Eagle Country Market

Wal-Mart

Papa John’s Pizza

Insight Communications

Darrell Viermere - Nabisco Products

Graue, Inc.

WMNW Radio 96.3 - Jim Ash

LogOn Productions, Inc. - Mike Fak

Lincolndailynews.com

The Illini football was donated and signed by coach Ron Turner and his staff.

Unique Images

Cracker Barrel

Cookie’s Bakery

Weyerhaeuser

Eucalyptus Body Works

MKS Jewelers

Pete’s Hardware

Neal Tire & Auto Service

Logan County Hardware

Party Lite - Amy Lord

The Tannery

Illico Apollo Mart

Johnson’s Food Center

Central Illinois Bank

Kroger

OK Tavern

Eagle Country Market

Interstate Chevrolet

5th Street Mini Mart

National sponsors:

American Family Insurance

Coca Cola

Mercedes Benz

Dasani

American Airlines

Sprint

Lifetime

Jewel-Osco

Mac’s Attack, Gene McDonald

Sun Glow Challenge, Brenda Centers

Sharp Team, Eleanor Sharp

Aunt Gina Walkers, Lisa Fuller

Wild Stallions, Katie Bottrell

4 Jon’s Mom, Jonathan Franklin

Jennz Frenz, Jennifer

Cathy’s Crusaders, Cathy Harper

Kickin’ MS for Jennifer

Walking 4 Jenn

[Jan Youngquist
and media releases]

[APRIL 13, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Any infant born alive, including those surviving an attempted abortion, would be assured proper medical care to protect and preserve their lives, under legislation Rep. Jonathan Wright is advancing in the Illinois House. Wright is the chief House sponsor of two Senate bills designed to protect all newborn infants.

The first, Senate Bill 1661, allows parents of a child born alive as the result of an induced labor abortion to bring legal action against a hospital or health care facility to ensure the child’s medical needs are met and that all necessary steps are being taken to preserve the child’s life.

"Once a child is brought into the world alive, whether that was intended or not, that child has a right to be taken care of to the best of our ability. That is not a question of pro-life or pro-choice beliefs, it’s simple human compassion," Wright said.

The parents may file suit seeking the cost of care, punitive damages and attorney’s fees. With the exception of the attorney’s fees, all other awards will go toward the cost of the child’s medical care. If the infant doesn’t survive, the balance will be deposited in the National Care and Perinatal Hospice Fund to be used to make grants for neonatal care or perinatal hospice to help care for other children.

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Wright’s second measure, Senate Bill 1662, defines the term "born alive infant" to prevent any misinterpretation of who is covered under the new protections. They will include any human child born alive at any stage of development regardless of whether the delivery was natural or induced labor, cesarean section or an induced abortion.

"Regardless of where you stand on the abortion issue, we should all be able to agree that once a child is here, he or she deserves a chance to live and grow. These new protections will help ensure that," Wright said.

According to Rep. Wright, the measures were guided through the Illinois Senate by Sen. Patrick O’Malley, R-Palos Park. Wright has won their release from the House Rules Committee. Both bills have been assigned to the House Health Care Availability and Access Committee, where they will be debated Tuesday, April 16, at 3:30 pm.

[News release]

[APRIL 13, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — In light of the state’s budget deficits, the Illinois Senate this week rejected pay increases for legislators, judges and high-ranking state officials. The Senate also narrowly defeated a constitutional amendment creating a Supreme Court of Criminal Appeals, according to Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone, R-Morton.

The Senate unanimously approved legislation (Senate Bill 2313) rejecting the automatic 3.8 percent cost-of-living allowance, or COLA, due on July 1 to state government officials whose salaries are determined by the Compensation Review Board. This includes members of the General Assembly, judges, elected constitutional officers and high-ranking state officials.

The Senate also approved Senate Joint Resolution 63, which rejects the 2002 Compensation Review Board report, which recommended a salary increase for associate judges and pension enhancements for all judges. Combined, the two bills represent a savings of approximately $12 million. The state has an $800 million budget deficit and can ill afford the pay increases.

In other news, a constitutional amendment to review all death penalty appeals fell three votes short of the 36 votes needed to pass. All Republican members of the Senate supported the measure, but only one Democrat supported it.

Senate Joint Resolution/Constitutional Amendment 18 would address concerns over the integrity of Illinois’ death penalty process by ensuring experienced judges and attorneys are involved in the capital litigation process. Specifically, the constitutional amendment asks voters to approve the creation of a state Supreme Court of Criminal Appeals to automatically review all death penalty cases and all criminal cases appealed from the state Appellate Court level.

The Senate Transportation Committee also approved legislation (SB 1495) blocking toll increases until the state auditor general conducts a management audit of the toll highway system and requiring the Toll Highway Authority to submit to the General Assembly a detailed 20-year strategic plan. The auditor general must submit preliminary findings by April 15, 2003, with a final report due June 30, 2003.

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The following Senate bills passed the House and have been sent to the governor:

•  Veterans’ plates (SB 1550) — Allows certain special veterans’ license plates to be issued for motorcycles.

The following Senate bills have passed House committees and await further action on the House floor:

•  Ronald Reagan Day (SB 1553) — Declares Feb. 6 as Ronald Reagan Day to honor the 40th president’s birthday. The day would be commemorative and would not be a legal school holiday.

•  Pledge of Allegiance (SB 1634) — Requires high schools to set aside time each day to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

•  Prescription assistance (SB 2098) — Creates a Senior Health Assistance Program offering a toll-free information hot line where consumers can get information on public and private discount programs. Establishes legislative oversight of the state’s prescription assistance programs and mandates a study to determine the need for catastrophic pharmaceutical assistance coverage for senior citizens who do not qualify for public pharmaceutical plans but who have high prescription costs.

•  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.

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

•  Body piercing (SB 1658) — Requires a parental notification for people younger than 18 for oral cavity piercing to contain a provision stating the health risks involved with oral cavity piercing.

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

[News release]

[APRIL 13, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — AFSCME Council 31 praised the Illinois House of Representatives for sending a strong message to Gov. Ryan that he should not unilaterally accelerate the planned closing dates for the Vienna Correctional Center and the Illinois Youth Center – Valley View.

The Ryan administration had originally announced that Vienna and Valley View would be closed July 31 and Sept. 30, respectively. But on Tuesday, the governor’s representatives informed AFSCME, along with the 561 employees it represents at the facilities, of plans to move up the closing dates to May 15 and lay off virtually all employees at that time.

"The acceleration of the closures ignores the will of the House of Representatives, which just voted to include funding in its fiscal year 2003 budget to keep Vienna and Valley View open," said Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31.

Swiftly responding to the governor’s move, the House today acted to pass a bipartisan resolution by voice vote with no objection that called on the governor to keep his commitment to allow the legislature to complete its work on the FY 2003 budget. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. James Fowler, D-Harrisburg, and other legislators, says, "We strongly oppose the Department of Corrections’ actions in moving inmates during the course of legislative deliberations and oppose any closure or downsizing of Vienna CC or Valley View IYC without legislative approval."

"Once again the House has sent a strong message to Governor Ryan, warning him not to usurp its authority with respect to funding these facilities," added Bayer. "The governor should now realize that the overwhelming majority of legislators are concerned with the safety and security of the prison system."

[to top of second column in this article]

Shuttering the doors of the Vienna and Valley View facilities would require rapidly transferring more than 1,000 inmates to other Illinois prisons within a system that is already overcrowded. The overall system is currently running at 141 percent of capacity, with minimum-security adult facilities such as Vienna at 151 percent of capacity and juvenile facilities at 127 percent. In recent weeks, incidents of violence have been reported in several correctional facilities, and two facilities have been placed on 24-hour lockdown.

"Today’s move by the House is a strong step in the right direction of keeping these facilities open for the communities they benefit and the dedicated security personnel who protect the public," added Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, a co-sponsor of the resolution.

Other co-sponsors included Reps. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro; John Jones, R-Mount Vernon; Gary Forby, D-Benton; Thomas Johnson, R-West Chicago; Tim Schmitz, R-Batavia; Douglas Hoeft, R-Elgin; and Mike Boland, D-East Moline.

[News release]

[APRIL 13, 2002]  The Greater Peoria area will have two representatives at the Miss Illinois scholarship program in June. Miss Heart of Illinois Valerie Milam of Eureka and the first-ever "Miss Greater Peoria," Talia Pate of Glasford, were named April 6.

[Left to right:  Miss Greater Peoria Talia Pate,
Miss HOI 2001 Alyssa Gunderson and
Miss HOI 2002 Valerie Milam]

Pate sang a vocal rendition of Gershwin’s "I’ve Got Rhythm," and she promotes children’s literacy as her platform. She is a graduate of Peoria Christian School and is currently studying journalism at Illinois Central College. She hopes to obtain a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. Pate volunteers at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois, is active in community theater and is editor of the Illinois Army National Guard Family Newsletter. She is also employed by OSF St. Francis Incorporated.

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Milam is a Eureka College student majoring in music education. In the talent competition she performed a vocal rendition of "On My Knees." Her platform promotes blood donation, and she has worked with various agencies around the state to encourage donations. Last November, she was chairperson for the community blood drive in Eureka, which was sponsored by the Peoria Red Cross. Milam has also taped public service announcements for blood donations.

Milam and Pate will participate in the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant June 25, 26, 27, and 28 in Oakbrook Terrace. The winner there will advance to the Miss America competition. For more information, see www.missil.org.

[News release]

[APRIL 12, 2002]  Adding a new twist to the ongoing industrial park discussion, Logan County Board members on Thursday night entertained the possibility of broadening the north-side package to include improving Fifth Street Road to aid development on the west side.

On Friday morning the finance committee passed Dale Voyles’ motion to ask the board to form a committee for immediate discussions to see if there is any feasible way to combine the Fifth Street Road and north-side industrial park projects. The committee would include the supervisors of East and West Lincoln townships, Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis, Economic Development Council Director Mark Smith, county engineer Tom Hickman, county board chair Dick Logan, and the chairs of the city and county finance committees. The full board will vote on the motion at its adjourned session Tuesday night.

One reason the broader package is appealing, according to Voyles, who raised the issue at the board of the whole meeting, is that funds for Fifth Street Road improvement are already in the works. In fact, the project first appeared on the County Highway Department priority list in 1989, according to Hickman.

The county engineer said the current plan is to let bids for the first five miles of the project in spring 2003, with work to begin that summer. The hitch is that work is to start at the west end of the project, on the five miles from County Road 15 between New Holland and Middletown to the Burton View road. Original plans to begin at Lincoln and work west were scrapped when the city declined to participate, according to Lloyd Hellman, vice chairman of the county board.

Voyles said widening Fifth Street Road would enhance existing property, including the already developed Lincoln Industrial Park on Fifth Street Road and the Burwell property on Route 10.

EDC director Smith said, "I’m obviously not opposed to" widening Fifth Street Road, "but not as a replacement for the north side." He said the Illinois Development Finance Authority and Rural Bond Bank prefer packaged projects to effect economy of scale. Smith then emphasized that all but one of industrial prospects showing most interest have favored north-side locations.

Finance committee member Roger Bock called funding for Fifth Street Road a "revenue stream that is in place," but stressed that the money cannot be diverted to another project. Consideration of the industrial park issue was turned over to the finance committee in a unanimous vote.

Smith is looking for a commitment by June that the board will provide approximately $1 million to purchase a 63-acre tract of land near Kruger elevator for an industrial park. He said private sources have given initial indication they would provide one-third of the $2.2 million to purchase the land and get all utilities to the site with access for two to four lots, but the sources will not officially sign on until the city council and county board commit to support. The $2.2 million is the cost of the project presented to the council and board; total development of the site is estimated at $3.3 million, Smith said.

Acting to close another ongoing issue, board members indicated in a straw vote that at Tuesday’s voting session they will approve a one-year renewal of the county health insurance policy with Health Alliance of Champaign, represented by R.W. Garrett Insurance Agency of Lincoln. The renewal raises premiums 23 percent, for an additional cost of $71,000. Board members Jim Griffin, Dave Hepler and Cliff Sullivan said they would oppose the measure.

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Insurance chair Dale Voyles said the county has had three insurance carriers in four years, one of which went bankrupt. This year, the first after accepting the low bid from Health Alliance, claims have been unusually high, exceeding premiums by $158,000, according to Sara Heidbreder of R.W. Garrett. Three large claims accounted for the overage, which is responsible for 8 percent of the rate hike, Voyles said. He expects to bid out the insurance package next year, when the county will have a longer and perhaps better claims history. The Health Alliance policy can be canceled on 30 days notice.

Health committee chair Dave Hepler, who advocates a change in health plan design, reminded the board that Health Alliance has a D-plus Weiss rating within the industry. The company is wholly owned by Carle Clinic Association, but Hepler quoted a statement that Health Alliance, not Carle Clinic, is "ultimately responsible" for its debts. The Garrett agency has provided evidence that Health Alliance is in $5 million better financial shape than a year ago when the county took the policy.

According to insurance committee minutes, about 40 percent of the 140 county employees are union members, whose insurance packages cannot change until contracts are renegotiated.

In other business the board learned that

•  The Health Department has received two grants from the Illinois Department on Aging through Project Life, Area Agency on Aging. According to Health Department administrator Lloyd Evans, one grant will finance sending health aides to homes of elderly low-income people for temporary relief of full-time caregivers. The other will provide registered nurses to train caregivers at home in such areas as skin care techniques and moving the patient safely.

•  About one-third of the county’s firefighters, 126 to be exact, attended propane awareness training at the Recreation Center on April 10. Emergency Services and Disaster Agency coordinator Dan Fulscher said the training was proved free by the Illinois Fire Service Institute at University of Illinois, and other costs were shared by ESDA, the Lincoln City Fire Department and the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District. Hicksgas provided the LP gas.

•  The airport golf course has been put on hold since Aviation Golf Services of Wisconsin declined to help finance the project. Airport chair Roger Bock continues to look for private investors. Committee member Doug Dutz emphasized that county funds are not used to run the airport and that there is no plan to use county taxes to build a golf course there. The airport is financed from hangar rental, farm income, fuel sales and special events.

•  The law enforcement committee is checking with the Illinois Department of Corrections on the possibility of using phone money from jail inmates to air-condition the cellblocks. Committee chair Doug Dutz said the cells get up to 90 degrees, and air conditioning might improve behavior.

•  The animal control committee will seek bids for painting the interior of the animal control building. In March, 37 animals were adopted and 35 were destroyed. Committee chair Cliff Sullivan gave part of the credit for the increased percentage of adoptions to the animal control website, which pictures available animals.

•  Carpeting for the state’s attorney’s office will be rebid after the one bid of $6,473.89 from Carpet House was rejected.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[APRIL 12, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Senate Republicans led the way Thursday in sponsoring and then voting to pass legislation rejecting cost-of-living adjustments for legislators, judges, constitutional officers and other high-ranking state officials, according to Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone.

The increases were due to take effect in July.

"State revenues are down, we’re asking agencies to do with less, state employees are taking furlough days, and we’re contemplating budget cuts. This is the right thing to do," said Stone, R-Morton.

The action would save the state about $11 million to $12 million in the coming fiscal year.

Senate Bill 2313 rejects the automatic 3.8 percent adjustment due to state government officials on July 1. This includes members of the General Assembly, judges, elected constitutional officers and high-ranking state officials. Their salaries are determined by the Compensation Review Board.

[to top of second column in this article]

Senate Joint Resolution 63 rejects the 2002 Compensation Review Board report, which came to the General Assembly on March 27. While the report contained no salary increase for legislators or constitutional officers, it did recommend a salary increase for associate judges and pension enhancements for all judges.

Both measures now await action by the House of Representatives.

[News release]

[APRIL 12, 2002]  The Lincoln Fire Department and Logan County ESDA will be conducting a periodic maintenance and testing of Lincoln’s warning siren system on Monday, April 15, at 1 p.m. The sirens will be sounding to allow technicians to evaluate the audio output.

Should the weather be threatening, this testing will be canceled until the next "fair weather" day at 1 p.m.

This testing does not replace the regularly scheduled test at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

[APRIL 11, 2002]  Athough the amendment filed in the Illinois House of Representatives to provide funding to keep the Lincoln Developmental Center at 240 residents has failed to get out of the rules committee, other House action on the downsizing of LDC was taken yesterday.

Rep. Louis Lang, D-Skokie, and Rep. James Brosnahan, D-Oak Lawn, filed a resolution Wednesday requesting that the Department of Human Services provide documents and testimony in connection with Gov. George Ryan’s plan to downsize LDC.

Lang and Brosnahan filed the resolution on behalf of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Patient Abuse and the Disabled Community Committee, which held a series of four hearings ending in February of this year on the LDC downsizing. Testimony was given both by advocates of the downsizing and those seeking to keep the Lincoln facility open and operating.

During the hearings, Lang requested that Linda Renee Baker, secretary of the Department of Human Services, the agency that oversees LDC and other centers for the developmentally disabled, submit answers to a detailed list of questions. Baker did not testify in person at any of the hearings.

Lang told the Lincoln Daily News that he submitted the list of 20 questions, some with sub-parts, asking for specific details on how the decision to downsize LDC was made. Lang said he sent the letter to Baker in February but has as yet received no answer or had any contact at all with Baker.

"We asked these questions and we didn’t get answers," he said.

Although the resolution, HR791, does not specify that a public hearing will be held, Lang said it will be assigned to the Mental Health and Patient Abuse Committee, which he heads, and he will then call a hearing, which will be held before this year’s budget negotiations are completed.

According to the resolution, the goal of the committee hearings is "to protect the best interests of LDC clients and the community." Lang said issues concerning mental health and the developmentally disabled are important and do not get enough attention from the General Assembly.

He also said he recognizes the importance of the Lincoln Developmental Center to the Logan County community.

Other news from the House of Representatives this week was not so favorable for LDC. In what Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsythe, called an "orgy of spending pushed through by House Democrats," the Illinois House of Representatives passed bills that added funds to budgets of other state health centers but did not approve an amendment introduced by Mitchell and Rep. Jonathan Wright, R-Hartsburg, to increase funding for the Lincoln Developmental Center.

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The LDC bill did not get reported out of the rules committee, Mitchell said, and is dead in the House.

The Mitchell-Wright bill would have increased the funding for LDC to $27,816,000, which would have kept the facility at 240 residents and about 480 employees. Ryan is planning to cut the facility down to 100 residents and about 210 employees.

Instead of increasing funding for LDC, the House basically adopted Gov. George Ryan’s plan for funding health and human services, although some extra funds were added, Wright said. Extra funding included $4.9 million for the Elgin Mental Health Center in Elgin, $8.6 million for Zeller Mental Health Center in Peoria and $1.8 million for Singer Mental Health Center, Wright said.

The governor has budgeted only $11 million for LDC for the 2003 fiscal year, compared to a $35.3 million budget for fiscal year 2002. These figures include matching federal funds, according to Wright.

However, both Wright and Mitchell agreed that many changes may be made before the budget is completed.

"Simply because this passes out of the House with increases for Elgin, Singer and Zeller doesn’t mean they will get those increases," Wright said. "It’s giving a false sense of hope to the people of Elgin, Singer and Zeller. It’s one thing to pass an appropriation and another thing to get the funding."

"The spending plans the House put out aren’t realistic," Mitchell agreed.

Mitchell said he went to House Democratic leaders three times but none of them were willing to entertain the funding increase for Lincoln Developmental Center.

"This does not mean there is no hope," he said, "but I must say it is absolutely an uphill battle. I just think it is going to take all my efforts in the next month and a half to see that we get justice done here and get the additional funding for LDC."

"I don’t know what will happen now, but when budget negotiations begin, everything’s fair game," Wright said.

[Joan Crabb]

[APRIL 11, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — In announcing that it plans to accelerate its proposed closing dates for two correctional facilities, the Illinois Department of Corrections is seriously threatening the security of the prison system, according to AFSCME. AFSCME also charges that the DOC is circumventing the state legislature’s authority and thereby illegally retaliating against AFSCME.

Having originally proposed closing the Vienna Correctional Center and the Illinois Youth Center-Valley View facilities in July and September, respectively, the DOC today warned AFSCME and the 500 employees it represents at the two facilities that it now plans to move up the effective date of the layoff of virtually all employees to May 15 and to shutter both facilities at that time.

"By closing these facilities, the state isn’t just flirting with disaster, it’s ensuring disaster," said Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31. "The DOC also circumvented the authority of the Illinois General Assembly, which provided funding for the two facilities through June 30."

The General Assembly also will not make a decision about whether or not to close the two facilities until after the May 15 date announced by the DOC, and the House of Representatives just last week passed a budget that restores full funding for both.

"This move by the Department of Corrections is both illegal and irresponsible," said Bayer. "Not only does it usurp the legislature’s authority and violate our collective bargaining rights, but it will place the security and stability of the entire Illinois prison system at greater risk."

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The Illinois prison system is currently running at 141 percent over capacity, with minimum-security facilities such as Vienna at 151 percent and juvenile facilities at 127 percent. DOC employees have been working substantial overtime hours, with 334,925 hours logged just between July 1 and Dec. 15 of last year, costing the state close to $9.5 million.

As a result, any attempt by the DOC to move hundreds of inmates from these already overcrowded facilities to other facilities in such a short time threatens to seriously undermine public safety and the security of the entire prison system.

"This is just the latest in a series of illegal acts that reflect the ‘my way or the highway’ approach of the Ryan administration," Bayer added.

[News release]

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.

[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/ 

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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.

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