Saturday, Aug. 31

 

LDC lights go out at 2:30

Where have all the employees gone?

[AUG. 31, 2002]  "Last year at this time almost 700 people were working at Lincoln Developmental Center," said Dennis Corvin-Blackburn, staff representative of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31.

"Exactly 698.5," corrected local AFSCME executive board member Susan Ogden. "We had one part-time person."

About 500 of those 698.5 employees belonged to AFSCME. The rest were management and members of the Teamsters union, trade unions and a union that represents security personnel.

Last year at this time, too, about 375 developmentally disabled individuals made their homes in the Lincoln institution operated by the Department of Human Services.

As of Saturday, Aug. 31, at 2:30 p.m., everybody who once worked and lived at LDC, with the exception of a few maintenance workers needed to keep the power plant running, will leave the 125-year-old institution forever. Its 80-acre campus will be empty.

After a long and bitter battle, DHS and Gov. George Ryan have met their goal of closing Logan County’s largest employer, charging that the facility was endangering the health and safety of its residents because of instances of abuse and neglect on the part of the staff.

AFSCME and others countered the charges and took the battle to the courts, but LDC supporters were finally defeated last Friday, when Logan County Circuit Judge Donald Behle said he could not issue another temporary restraining order to keep the last few residents on the campus.

No one has announced any specific plans for the use of the Lincoln facility, but according to testimony given at the hearing before the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, it will revert to the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.

Some of the approximately 300 AFSCME employees who had not already left during the first round of layoffs in April had to make important decisions recently — whether they would move to another location to take a job with DHS or take early retirement.

Some, however, had no options at all. If they haven’t started already, they are "on the street" looking for new jobs. AFSCME officials estimate that at least 250 employees, both AFSCME and non-AFSCME members, are job hunting.

Dan Senters, AFSCME local spokesman, said 435 members got layoff notices in early August, and employee meetings were held in mid-month to see if other state jobs would be available. Also, representatives of the Illinois Employment and Training Center have been on the LDC campus to talk to employees about unemployment compensation.

About 100 AFSCME members have taken jobs with DHS in other parts of the state, Ogden said. Twenty-one left in April after the first layoff notices went out, and another 80 are leaving now.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Another 160 are eligible for early retirement, according to Don Todd, president of AFSCME Local 425. Todd doesn’t know right now how many will eventually retire, but as of this week he could count 72.

Ogden was fortunate and got a job with DHS in Springfield. She and her husband, Joe, were both LDC employees. In April, Joe took the opportunity offered by the state and accepted a job at the Jacksonville Developmental Center. The Ogdens will sell their home in Mason City and buy another somewhere in between their two jobs, Susan said.

Carl Twente, a 13-year LDC employee, will be moving even farther. He took a job at Choate Developmental Center in Anna, in southern Illinois, more than 200 miles away. He’ll be selling his house in Lincoln.

"It was either move or be unemployed," Twente said. "I have too much time invested working for the state to let it go."

Amber Senters, a third-generation LDC employee, was offered a job at Fox Developmental Center in Dwight, but she’ll soon be reading the want ads. Her roots are in the Lincoln area, and she chose to stay. She doesn’t think she can make a 180-mile daily commute.

Even those who are eligible for early retirement because of the state law passed recently will face problems. Charles Sanders, vice president of the local union, must find a way to "buy" five extra retirement years at a cost of $6,000 and then will have to wait until July of 2003 for his first retirement check. He will also have to figure out how to provide health insurance for his family, which includes five children still at home.

"I could have taken another state job and moved away from Lincoln, but it didn’t seem worth it. I didn’t want to uproot my family," he said.

Sanders has his real estate license and will be going to work selling houses. He finds it ironic that he could be selling the homes of some of his former fellow workers.

Right now local AFSCME officials aren’t sure exactly how many of their members got other state jobs, how many will retire, and how many had to hit the streets, Sanders said, but they are in the process of compiling a complete list.

"Any way you look at it, a year ago this county had 698.5 more jobs than it does now," Ogden said.

"If the agency [DHS] had put as much energy into making LDC work as they did in taking it apart, it would still be a model facility for the country," Corvin-Blackburn added.

[Joan Crabb]


Governor meets again with St. Louis Cardinals, makes aggressive pitch for team to move to Illinois

[AUG. 31, 2002]  EAST ST. LOUIS — Gov. George Ryan continues his aggressive efforts to pitch the state of Illinois as the new home of the St. Louis Cardinals and the team’s new stadium. On Wednesday the governor met for a second time with the team president, Mark Lamping, in East St. Louis.

In November 2000, at the governor’s direction, Illinois Commerce and Community Affairs Director Pam McDonough sent a letter to Mr. Lamping stating the governor’s support, interest and enthusiasm for helping the team relocate to Illinois in the Metro East area.

The governor met with Lamping last spring as the Cardinals began surveying potential locations for building a new stadium and relocating the baseball franchise. After the meeting, the governor directed McDonough and Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Kirk Brown to provide information and assistance in site selection. Four Illinois Metro East locations — Dupo, Madison, Fairmont and the East St. Louis riverfront — are still being considered by the team.

Wednesday’s meeting, which the governor convened with Lamping, McDonough and Brown, was to ensure that the team has received all of the information it needs in advance of the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session. If the Cardinals decide to relocate to Illinois, the project may need legislative approval to create a sports authority to assist with building the new stadium.

"Illinois is a champ when it comes to economic development, and we know how to work with the Illinois General Assembly on creative programs to win business investment and major tourist attractions," said Gov. Ryan. "Like the Cardinals on the field, we have the talent and the tools — including our Illinois FIRST program and our EDGE tax credit — to win that title."

 

[to top of second column in this article]

"If the Cardinals were to play their home games in a stadium on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, the communities surrounding the new facility would reap significant economic benefits from the creation of a new hospitality industry in the region that would serve visitors attending baseball games and other events at the facility," Gov. Ryan said.

"DCCA stands ready to assist those Metro East communities that are still under consideration by the Cardinals," said McDonough. "We’re encouraged that the Cardinals have started a serious dialogue with several communities in Illinois."

The Cardinals have indicated that easy access to interstate highways and public transportation are important factors in its site selection process.

"IDOT has been assessing the transportation infrastructure needs of the Cardinals and will continue to assist the team as it continues to collect data," added Brown.

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]


Insurance resource hot line

[AUG. 31, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Confused about insurance matters? The Illinois Insurance Hotline is a free resource that can help consumers with their insurance questions, according to Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield.

"The toll-free number directly connects you with a qualified consultant who can answer your insurance questions or send you free educational materials," said Bomke. "If you are confused or want unbiased information from someone other than your insurance agent, the hot line can offer this information."

Bomke says the hot line does not sell insurance, but provides unbiased information to help consumers make educated decisions about insurance issues.

The hot line is an easy resource for insurance questions. Common questions answered by the hot line include ratings and complaints for specific insurance companies, whether you need replacement coverage on your home and belongings, required auto liability limits, options when a policy is not renewed, and information about health insurance following a layoff.

The hot line is an industry-sponsored service operated by the Illinois Insurance Information Service since 1990, helping an estimated 10,000 consumers each year. The toll-free number, 1 (800) 444-3338, is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

[News release]

 


Articles from the past week

Friday:

  • Wright appointed assistant states attorney, also named to GOP post

  • Web has help for job-seekers -- A place to go for interview tips

  • Gov. Ryan signs legislation to restrict underage drinking, fake IDs

Thursday:

  • District 27 announces ISAT scores, trend to more low-income students

  • Fire Department sets open house, 9-11 memorial

  • Governor announces $50 million FY ’03 investment in community colleges

Wednesday:

  • Council debates rezoning Fifth Street lots

  • Motorists urged to be aware

  • What is LEPC?

Tuesday:

  • Speakers recall William Maxwell’s love for his boyhood home

  • Grants available to youth sports teams

Monday:

  • Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival a huge success!

Saturday:

  • Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival (Tourism)
  • Judge renders a decision on LDC request

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