Friday, June 14

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Jim Ryan pledges to reopen LDC

[JUNE 14, 2002]  Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan made a whirlwind visit to Lincoln last night to assure members of this heavily Republican county that if he becomes the state’s next Gov. Ryan, he won’t be following in the footsteps of the present one.

"Carl Hawkinson and I, if we are elected, are pledged and committed to reopening the Lincoln Developmental Center," candidate Jim Ryan told the crowd at the Depot restaurant Thursday evening. Hawkinson is the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.

[Rich Brauer, candidate for representative in the 100th District, and Attorney General Jim Ryan at the Depot press conference.]

 

This brought a round of applause from the LDC employees and the dozen or so parents of LDC residents who attended the last-minute press conference hoping to hear some good news. Good news for this group has been hard to come by in a week when Gov. George Ryan ordered LDC closed completely and the Illinois Senate supported his decision by failing to override his veto of LDC funding.

"If for some reason it is not possible to reopen it at some level, we are committed to trying to find jobs for everyone who may lose a job. If we can’t reopen it, we’ll find a new use for it," candidate Ryan continued. Another round of applause showed this was good news for a community that has been watching jobs at LDC, its largest employer, whittled away little by little.

Gov. George Ryan and the Department of Human Services began moving residents out of LDC last fall, and on Monday Gov. Ryan announced he would close the 125-year-old facility permanently by Sept. 1. That would leave many of the 500 remaining LDC workers unemployed.

 

In spite of the state’s budget crisis, money could be found to reopen LDC, Jim Ryan told members of the press.

"There’s money, believe me. We have money for member initiatives. It’s a question of where we put our priorities."

He said this year’s budget-balancing session, which included big cuts in many areas of human services, was "unforgivable, balancing the budget on the backs of the poor."

He also said that while he understood the debate in the mental health community between those who advocate putting all the developmentally disabled in community settings and those who believe state-operated facilities are necessary, he doesn’t support the "one size fits all" theory.

Facilities like LDC are appropriate ways to care for some of the developmentally disabled, he said.

He did emphasize that the health and safety of the residents must be a prime consideration. Gov. Ryan has cited health and safety violations as his reason for closing the Lincoln site, although LDC supporters say the real motive is to help balance the state’s budget.

 

Candidate Ryan conceded that his present job as attorney general may appear to put him in conflict with LDC and Logan County interests, because his office is responsible for defending Gov. Ryan and other state officials against the lawsuit filed by AFSCME, the LDC employees union.

"I’m defending the lawsuit, but somebody could be legally right and yet be wrong. Lawyers don’t always agree with their clients."

He said when he became attorney general he took an oath to defend state agencies, and only in rare cases does the attorney general step out of that role.

"I can’t be an advocate and drop the appeal unless I think it is inconsistent with the law. I can’t let personal preferences stand in the way of my oath."

 

 

[to top of second column in this article]

He said he believed it was important to protect the rights of the parents of LDC residents who want their family members to stay in Lincoln. Before leaving the press conference, he spent some time talking to members of the Lincoln Parents Association, who have been strong advocates for keeping LDC open.

 


[Republican state officials came to Lincoln to hear gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan pledge support for LDC.  Left to right are Rep. Jonathan Wright of Hartsburg, Sen. Larry Bomke of Springfield, Jim Ryan, Rep. Bill Mitchell of Forsythe and Republican candidate for 100th District representative Rich Brauer of Petersburg.]

Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, who has lobbied hard to save LDC, introduced the gubernatorial candidate.

"This issue is more than just politics, it’s about human lives. It’s about 240-some residents, the parents who love those residents, and the 600 people who work at LDC and the families they support," he said.

Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, told the audience that even people in the state capital are concerned about the Lincoln Developmental Center issue.

While walking the precincts in Springfield, he said, he has found two big issues. The first is the early retirement bill and the second is LDC. "You can’t imagine the support this facility has," he told the crowd.

 

Jonathan Wright, R-Hartsburg, said that although the governor and the Department of Human Services have insisted the downsizing of LDC has been for the benefit of the residents, he finds that hard to believe.

Part of the plan, he said, calls for separating twin brothers who have lived together at LDC for 25 to 30 years. The twins are to be sent to two separate facilities. "This tears their lives apart. It tears families apart."

Rich Brauer, Republican candidate for state representative in the new 100th District, said the No. 1 role of the state is to take care of its citizens who can’t take care of themselves. "I’m sure we’re gong to see something very positive out of this." He said.

Several parents said they were encouraged by candidate Ryan’s remarks.

"I think he’s sincere," said Pat Brown of Leroy, father of an LDC resident and co-president of the Lincoln Parents Association. "I think he would have good rapport with our central Illinois legislators. I think he could sit down and work with them.

Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis called the press conference "a ray of hope."

"If he can’t do something to save LDC, he will put another facility in here for our workers," she said.

Don Todd, president of AFSCME, the union that represents LDC workers, said Ryan’s commitment "adds strength to the debate. If Ryan is willing to join in the battle, it enables us to continue longer."

Bomke, who has taken a leadership role in the battle to keep LDC open, said he was encouraged when Jim Ryan said that legally he had to defend the governor but he didn’t have to agree with him.

"It was tough for him to come here because he is defending the governor," the Springfield senator said.

Dick Logan, county board president, was able to find some humor in the Ryan-Ryan name confusion.

"I think Jim Ryan is a good man. Just because he carries the name Ryan doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. My grandmother was a Ryan, and I’m not so bad."

[Joan Crabb]


County board addresses
zoning and insurance issues

[JUNE 14, 2002]  In a meeting that lasted exactly one hour so members could attend gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan’s press conference, the Logan County Board discussed two zoning issues and considered two liability insurance renewals Thursday night.

The board tentatively voted to delete a paragraph from the county zoning ordinance requiring the county engineer to guarantee that a proposed building site has an adequate and safe water supply. County engineer Tom Hickman said at the May board meeting he only recently became aware of the provision, and consequently he has not followed it.

In May a substitute paragraph was proposed, stating that building permit applicants must get their water plan approved by the Logan County Health Department and that the plan must comply with state law. The provision was questioned and no vote was taken, pending a public hearing. After the hearing, the Logan County Regional Planning Commission recommended omitting the paragraph with no substitution.

 

Though the Health Department is not mentioned in this section of the ordinance, it still plays a role in inspecting the water supply for new buildings. Health Department Administrator Lloyd Evans said that state law requires a permit for a private well. His department issues this permit and inspects the well once it is drilled. To be sure the law is complied with, zoning officer Bud Miller will require building permit applicants to first get any other needed permits, including a well permit if applicable.

Board member Rod White indicated that at Tuesday’s voting session he would vote against deleting the paragraph. He said he is concerned that building sites can be sold in the county with no guarantee of a water supply. Board member Tom Cash said this is an issue between buyer and seller.

Rules for subdivisons require that the developer drill a test well and find water. A committee chaired by Phil Mahler, director of the Regional Planning Commission, is currently working on a revision of the county zoning ordinance.

 

In the other zoning issue, Darin and Deanna Crane asked to have 1½ acres northwest of Beason rezoned from agricultural to country homes use. The land has belonged to the Crane family for several generations. Darin and Deanna Crane bought it from his father, Don Crane, and already have plans for the house they wish to build.

The petition was previously approved by the Logan County Regional Planning Commission and by the Zoning Board of Appeals on a 3-1 vote. County board members indicated in a straw vote that at Tuesday’s voting session they will also approve it. Rod White, saying he will vote no, pointed out that there is no guarantee this lot has water. White in general opposes what he calls "spot zoning."

Insurance Committee chair Dale Voyles reported on the uncertain state of the county’s liability insurance coverage. The current policy, with St. Paul Insurance through J.L. Hubbard, expires July 15. Voyles said he has received written notice that the policy will not be renewed but has orally been assured that it will be, with approximately a 20 percent increase in premium. Since Sept. 11, he said, many municipalities are getting notices of nonrenewal. Voyles has asked for a commitment by June 24 that the policy will be renewed and for an exact cost. Otherwise, his committee will ask for other bids.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

The other insurance issue was comparatively cut and dried. Board members tentatively voted to renew airport liability coverage with Facer Insurance for a premium of $4,160. This policy too has risen in cost. Airport Committee chair Roger Bock said $500 of the increase is due to the fact that the airport now pumps gas.

In other business, Workforce Investment Committee chair Paul Gleason reported that the five-county Land of Lincoln region achieved or exceeded all of its goals for a five-year period. The goals included education, placement, retention and earnings change numbers for young people, adults and dislocated workers as well as client and employer satisfaction ratings. Gleason worked with state officials to set the goals five years ago.

The Land of Lincoln Workforce Investment region includes Logan, Cass, Christian, Menard and Sangamon counties. Of the 21 regions statewide, only three met all their goals.

 

Cherie Sexton-Young, donor recruiter for Central Illinois Community Blood Center, said her organization has been supplying all the blood for Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital since fall 2001. The American Red Cross, which previously supplied blood, canceled the ALMH contract in order to raise prices, she said. Sexton-Young quoted Woody Hester, ALMH chief executive officer, that the hospital has saved $40,000 in blood costs since going with Central Illinois Community Blood Center.

Sexton-Young said the blood center is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and offers 24-hour service to deliver blood. A fresh supply is delivered to ALMH weekly from the collection center on South Seventh Street in Springfield. She emphasized the importance of having an adequate blood supply on hand in case of an emergency and requested donors and donation sites.

Cindy McLaughlin, representing Main Street Lincoln, asked to use the courthouse grounds on July 20 for The Dog Daze of Summer, which will include a dog parade, dog demonstrations, and contests for dogs and their owners. A straw vote showed board approval for the event.

 

In other business the board learned that

•  Assistant engineer Jim Allen has resigned to do bridge design work for the state of Illinois. County engineer Tom Hickman is accepting applications for a replacement.

•  The Logan County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency received an additional $4,500 in state funding as its share of money left when other ESDA programs did not qualify.

•  The Liquor Committee denied requests from establishments that serve alcohol to open at 11 a.m. and to close at 3 a.m.

•  Bricks with donor names are being ordered for the Indian Mother statue on the courthouse grounds.

•  Michael Simonson Painting has been hired to paint security screens at the animal control building for $805.

•  Robert Cox, who is working toward a master’s degree in public health at University of Illinois-Springfield, is doing a 200-hour internship at the Health Department.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

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Articles from the past week

Thursday:

  • Bomke: LDC, education topped priorities

  • State representative candidate Rich Brauer disappointed with closure of LDC

  • Middle-of-the-night severe weather strikes Logan County

Wednesday:

  • DHS needs looking into, says Mitchell

  • Sept. 1 target date for final LDC closing

  • Senate upholds governor’s cuts; AFSCME charges ‘reckless indifference’ to human needs

Tuesday:

  • Ryan to close LDC; union says set up to fail

  • Mitchell upset by LDC funding veto

  • LDC residents get loving care

  • Safety concerns force closure of Lincoln Developmental Center

 

 

Monday:

  • LDC citations are ‘suspect,’ AFSCME spokesman says

  • Circuit clerk improves service with technology

 

Saturday:

  • Crime Stoppers donates funds for new ERT vests

  • Teachers retiring in Lincoln area

  • Department of Public Health cites LDC

  • Mount Pulaski death under investigation

  • Illinois Senate week in review

  • Senate prescription drug plan awaits action by the governor

Friday:

  • Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center helps the disabled meet their goals  (Part 2)

  • Wednesday seminar focuses on assisting domestic violence victims in the workplace


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