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"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."
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this article]
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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]
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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]
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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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