[MARCH 23, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Under legislation advanced this week by the Illinois Senate, Illinois residents would have more information about contamination of their drinking water, and the victims of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks would be remembered with a commemorative holiday in Illinois, according to state Sen. Claude Stone.

The measures were all advanced to third reading — the point in the legislative process when lawmakers vote on the bills.

Stone says citizens have every right to know when their drinking water is not safe. Senate Bill 2072 requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to notify the public by radio, television or newspapers about contaminated water. It will also require notice to the appropriate local governments to encourage further citizen notification.

Senate Bill 1531 designates Sept. 11 as a commemorative holiday and a school study day. The bill allows the secretary of state to sell special Sept. 11 license plates, the proceeds of which will aid victims of terrorism and local governments in preparing and preventing future acts of terrorism.

Other bills advanced to third reading this week by the Senate include:

School speed zones (SB 1808) — Expands school zone speed limits to include roadways on school property.

Children (SB 2118) — Clarifies that a Children’s Advocacy Center may be funded through grants, contracts or other sources instead of a tax levy authorized by referendum.

Consumer fraud (SB 2160) — Prohibits the mailing of postcards or letters that ask the recipients to call a telephone number, unless the postcards or letters tell the recipients that the phone call will be a sales pitch.

Handicapped parking (SB 1530) — Clarifies that a handicapped parking decal or device must be displayed properly in the vehicle where it is clearly visible to law enforcement personnel, either hanging from the rearview mirror or placed on the dashboard of the vehicle in clear view.

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Liquor distributors (SB 2052) — Repeals a controversial 1999 law that prohibited a wine or liquor supplier, other than an Illinois winery or a winery that sells less than 10,000 cases per year in Illinois, from terminating or failing to renew a distributorship agreement without good cause. In January 2002, a federal court ruled the law unconstitutional because it applies retroactively and gives special consideration to winemakers in the state.

Airport improvements (SB 1556) — Allows 26 regional airports in Illinois to use up to 3 percent of their property tax levy for capital improvements.

Energy savings (SB 1565) — Allows the Illinois Development Finance Authority to administer a low-interest loan program for the purchase of high-efficiency energy equipment or appliances, energy monitoring devices or clean small-scale energy production devices.

Theft (SB 1577) — Creates a new felony criminal offense intended to stop the theft of credit card information via use of a scanning device, a small decoder that takes information from a credit card for use in making a false credit card.

National Guard (SB 1583) — Extends all the civil protections offered by the federal Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940 to members of the Illinois National Guard on state active duty. Among the many civil protections are measures that prohibit guard members from being evicted, having their insurance canceled or having their property seized because of nonpayment of bills as a result of their active guard service.

Fire sprinklers (SB 1622) — Requires state licensing for contractors who install, maintain or repair fire sprinkler systems, with some exceptions.

[News release provided by  Sen. Claude Stone]

[MARCH 22, 2002]  Gov. George Ryan’s proposed cuts in the fiscal year 2003 budget could mean more reductions in the services offered by the Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center as well as more layoffs in LMRC’s work force, according to director Gene Frioli.

"As many as 40 disabled individuals may no longer be entitled to receive services provided by the rehabilitation center under the governor’s latest budget cuts and eligibility requirements being made by the Department of Human Services," Frioli said. DHS is one of LMRC’s primary funding sources.

The loss of 40 more clients would require another reduction in LMRC’s work force, although the number of cuts has not yet been determined, he added.

Since last October, when Gov. Ryan began downsizing the Lincoln Developmental Center, LMRC has lost about 35 clients and had to eliminate 11 full-time positions, Frioli said.

The LDC downsizing plan has moved approximately 135 individuals to other state-operated facilities since October. Gov. Ryan is proposing to cut the number of residents to 100, from a high of nearly 400, by July 1 of this year, and the number of employees to 210.

The LDC downsizing has already cut $350,000 from LMRC’s existing budget, and the governor’s proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2003, which begins July 1, 2002, would mean the loss an additional $150,000 or more, he said.

Frioli is meeting with participants in the program who may be at risk for losing their eligibility at the end of the current fiscal year, along with their parents and guardians, to explain the proposed funding reductions and the "restrictive and stringent eligibility requirements" being made by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Under the proposed cuts, in order to be eligible for state funding to the LMRC programs, an individual will have to be Medicaid eligible and demonstrate a need for the center’s services. The requirements for service needs will be higher than they have been in past years, he said.

Frioli is also urging everyone concerned about the cuts in services to the developmentally disabled to contact their local legislators and urge them to restore the funding.

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The 40 clients who would no longer qualify for services live in their own homes, either with parents or independently, and many have jobs in the community.

"Over 20 LMRC program participants have jobs at Lincoln College and Lincoln Christian College, in food and janitorial services. They are supported by the job-coaching services we provide.

"Without our involvement with these people, it is questionable whether they could continue their employment," Frioli said. "Some probably might not be able to retain their jobs without our help."

LMRC, a division of Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, has been operating in the Logan-Mason community for 21 years. It currently serves about 275 clients in various day programs. These programs include community-based employment; sheltered employment work programs at the center; and developmental training services, classroom education and training programs that assist people to gain independent living skills. The center has a staff of about 85 full-time employees at present.

"The proposed reduction in state funding, along with the steady decline of Lincoln Developmental Center program enrollment resulting from the downsizing efforts, is placing our existing service system in serious jeopardy," Frioli stated.

He said that in the 25 years he has been working with such community service programs he has "never witnessed such a significant and impending threat to a community-based service provider than what we are presently faced with."

He also noted that Illinois is close to the bottom in the per capita expenditure for individuals with developmental disabilities, ranking one of the lowest in the nation in state funding.

[Joan Crabb]

[MARCH 22, 2002]  April 1 is the deadline to order a commemorative engraved brick for installation in the plaza around the newly restored Indian Mother statue on the Logan County Courthouse lawn. Bricks are $25 each and include engraving of up to three lines of 20 characters.

In addition to the bricks, the plaza will include benches, a plaque telling the story of the statue, and landscaping. The project is expected to be finished this summer.

Bricks may be ordered at the Main Street Lincoln office, 303 S. Kickapoo St. For more information, call the Main Street office at 732-2929.

[News release]

[MARCH 21, 2002]  Legal hearings resumed Wednesday afternoon into the lawsuit initiated by Lincoln Developmental Center employees union AFSCME Council 31; Norlan and Eleanor Newmister, parents of an LDC resident; state Sen. Larry Bomke of Springfield; and Don Todd, LDC habilitation program coordinator.

Defendants in the suit are Gov. Ryan; Linda Renee Baker, Illinois Department of Human Services director; Judy Baar Topinka, state treasurer; and Daniel Hynes, state comptroller. Individuals were named in the suit because the state has immunity.

Lawyers in the case are Stephen A.Yokich, presenting for LDC plaintiffs, and Karen McNaught, from the attorney general’s office, representing the state defendants. Associate Judge Don Behle of the Logan County Circuit Court is hearing the case.

The lawsuit filed in January was intended to delay closure of Lincoln Developmental Center by Gov. Ryan, based on the fact that legislative funds had been allocated until the end of the fiscal year, June 30. On Feb. 25 Judge Behle dismissed Count I of the suit because the governor decided not to "close" the facility; therefore, Count I is no longer a valid point.

In addition, the suit also cited that the state moved (and plans to move) a large number of residents without a permit from the governing body, the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, that protects LDC and other state health care facilities.

Count II of the suit is now being argued and calls for the court to issue an injunction that will:

1. Stop the transferring of residents without a permit to do so

2. Stop the layoff of any employees due to the transfer of residents.

Complaints supporting the request for the injunction are as follows:

1. LDC, as a "healthcare facility," is protected by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act.

2. The decision to substantially reduce the operation at LDC constitutes a modification and discontinuation of a health care facility.

3. The decision to reduce the number of residents at LDC by more than 10 percent constitutes a modification of a health care facility.

4. Defendants Ryan and Baker have not obtained a permit from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board to modify their operation at LDC.

5. Defendants’ failure to obtain a permit from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board violates state law.

6. Defendants Ryan and Baker will continue their violation of state law unless restrained by the court.

Still at issue Wednesday were the necessity for a permit to move significant numbers of residents, the effects of such a move within the law, and whether those making the decisions are and were within their right to make those orders in light of the harm that has been and will be done.

Yokich and McNaught continued arguing terms of the lawsuit, citing statutes and case law. The lawyers debated whether LDC is really under the authority of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board and additionally made frequent references to a deposition taken from Melissa Wright, director of disabilities of the Department of Human Services. Judge Behle moderated the 1½-hour-long debate.

McNaught reiterated her statement from the last hearing, saying that when transferring residents, the Department of Human Services relied on the legal department of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board for the opinion that no permit was required. She continued to question the official terminology as used in the suit identifying LDC as a "healthcare facility," suggesting that LDC may not be subject to requirements of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. Copies of a recently decided court decision about the term "healthcare facility" were then provided to Judge Behle and Yokich from McNaught.

Yokich argued that moving 75 percent of the population to other facilities would harm the health and welfare of LDC residents and economically impact employees and the community.

McNaught argued that qualified state health care officials should be able to move "an individual" if it is in the best interest of the resident. She suggested that the state needs to have the authority to move a resident if it is appropriate and further projected that to not be free to do so might impose on the rights of family members who might want their resident moved.

"If someone wants to transfer, they have that right," Yokich responded. Residents can request it for themselves or their family members can ask that the resident be transferred to a facility that they think is better for that resident.

McNaught elaborated on the fact that this lawsuit names individuals rather than the state. According to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, individuals acting on behalf of the state are subject to either civil or criminal charges. Civil charges are brought by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, and criminal charges can be brought only by a state’s attorney and the Illinois attorney general. In matters of the state and their job, it must be proven that the individuals have not acted outside of their authority. She contended that the governor was not outside his authority, pointing out that there is no relief that does not allow for downsizing and building cottages.

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She also added that there has been no elimination of "category of service," meaning that residents will still have state-supplied homes even if they are being transferred or moved to a different type of setting.

Additionally, she pointed out that in reference to getting permits before moves, "‘Notice must be given’ does not say when notice must be given."

Yokich agreed that civil and criminal penalties are provided under that statute. He added that in the law of Illinois, if you have people being harmed by the violation of that statute, then they have the right to come to court.

Using a court-accepted definition of harm as "distinctive palpable harm," he said harm will be done to employees with layoffs and to residents by moves. He pointed out that the system relied on the State Health Facilities Planning Board to regulate and protect residents from individuals in authority and out of authority by requiring them to get permission through the board. Now they are relying on the judiciary to grant permission before they do anything.

He pointed out that many of the residents at LDC are the type of patients that this is the last stopping place for them. They either have such extreme medical needs or some are aggressive males who have not succeeded anywhere else, and moving them to another facility without permission will infringe on the rule intended to protect just the likes of them. He proposed that public interest is best served when what is best for these people with special needs is pursued.

He also suggested that many of the residents are not suited to CILAs and, if moved, will not receive the active treatment plans that they get at LDC.

Yokich pointed out that if a resident or his family wanted the resident moved from the facility, they have that choice at this time. That is not affecting the scope of operation.

McNaught argued the state’s rights of immunity, suggesting it would be wrong if LDC cannot meet the needs of an individual but cannot transfer a resident to any other facility, or if a parent wanted to have a family member transferred and cannot. She said they should be able to do it without getting permission from the health board. Those who are knowledgeable and in authority, such as a facility director, should be able to look to the needs of the residents and recommend an individual transfer without permission, she said.

Yokich pointed out that when McNaught conceded that if the DHS was going to close LDC, they would have to get a permit, she was also saying that they are under the authority of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.

Yokich said the Health Facilities Planning Act is being violated because the governor’s plan is fundamentally changing the scope and operation of LDC. He said that as he interprets the statute, permits are required if the facility cuts more than 10 beds or more than 10 percent of its beds.

McNaught had filed a paper this past week that neither Judge Behle nor the plaintiff had received until Tuesday. The content of the paper remained unknown to all others in attendance at the hearing. It was not discussed, since neither the judge nor Yokich had had time to assess it.

Yokich said he did not think there could be anything in the document that would change the judge’s decision but that he would like to have the opportunity to respond and file, and then the court could rule.

McNaught requested seven days to file a memorandum that would explain the document better. And Yokich requested 14 days to respond to that. Judge Behle granted both requests.

Yokich pointed out that time is crucial since transfers and layoffs are projected to begin by mid-April. Judge Behle then concluded the hearing, stating, "I am not going to take long," and that he will consider all the parties involved.

Don Todd commented after the hearing. "I felt fairly good about today," he said. "I think Judge Behle is going to make a competent decision. I think he sees the impact that this has on individuals and the irreparable harm at risk here. He’ll take a good look at it. It is not as simple as the state is making it sound."

[Jan Youngquist]

Related articles:

"No decision yet on LDC lawsuit," posted in LDN on Feb. 21

"Judge will hear arguments on AFSCME suit," posted in LDN on Feb. 25

[MARCH 21, 2002]  Detective John Bunner of the Lincoln Police Department is encouraging motorists to lock their cars and know where their keys are at all times. There have been a record number of vehicles that have been stolen in the area recently — four in the last week. The vehicles have been left unattended and unlocked with keys in them.

It was just such a vehicle that was used in the Clark station robbery Sunday morning. A black male entered the station located at 548 Woodlawn Road at 12:27 a.m. He had brown-tone, pantyhose-like mesh over his head and was wearing a hooded black sweat suit. Armed with a green box knife, he spoke roughly to the employees and used the knife on the cash drawer. He escaped the store and fled on foot, heading west on Woodlawn Road.

A short while later a paramedic heard tires repeatedly spinning over at Seventh Street and Walnut in back of the hospital. When he looked out he saw a man fleeing a pickup truck that had caught fire (the bad luck). The paramedic immediately called in to report it. His description matched that of the Clark station robbery suspect.

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When police arrived at the abandoned truck they found it had two flat tires. A search of the area found a box knife, dropped near the truck, matching the description of the one used at the Clark station. K-9 Jack was brought to the scene but was unable to pick up the trail of the suspect (the good luck).

The owner of the vehicle did not know it had been stolen until police contacted her.

No further information is available at this time, as the case is under investigation.

[Jan Youngquist]

[MARCH 21, 2002]  Logan County revenues from sales and income taxes for the first three months of the fiscal year are down and expenses exceed income by 2.79 percent, according to reports presented at the county board meeting Wednesday night.

Finance committee spokesperson Roger Bock said revenues from the income tax and 1 percent and one-fourth percent sales taxes are $65,000 below where they ought to be at the end of the first quarter. Not all revenue sources are down, and interest income is holding steady. However, he said, sales tax is a better indicator of overall trends than other revenue sources like inheritance tax because it is less susceptible to fluctuation.

If the present trend continues, Bock projected a year-end revenue deficit in the neighborhood of $250,000. "It does bear watching," he warned. "This time last year we weren’t this low."

Dale Voyles, who tracks expenditures for the finance committee, said expenses are being kept in line. Most officials are staying within their budgets, he explained, with none going more than 1.5 percent over. Still, expenses exceeded revenues by 2.79 percent for the three-month period from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28.

In another matter, Peter B. Ruedi, vice president of marketing for Health Alliance, spoke in response to questions raised at the March 14 board meeting about the weak Weiss rating of his company, which provides health insurance for county employees. He emphasized that Health Alliance is owned by Carle Clinic, which would be financially responsible should the 23-year-old company be unable to meet claims.

Ruedi contended that the Weiss rating does not adequately reflect financial viability for a company in the managed health care and HMO business. For one thing, it does not audit a company fully but uses information filed with the Illinois Department of Insurance. He said a better indicator is that Health Alliance is regulated by the department and meets state risk-based capital requirements.

Although Ruedi claimed that industry ratings are of little relevance to his company, he did suggest that Health Alliance would seek a rating from A.M. Best, which performs an on-site audit, to respond to concerns such as those expressed by the Logan County Board.

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The county policy with Health Alliance is in its first year, with the previous insurer being Blue Cross/Blue Shield. A renewal decision must be made by May 1.

In other business the county board took action on issues introduced in the board-of-the-whole meeting on March 14. On a unanimous vote it agreed to pay $528,693 from the motor fuel tax fund for maintenance of city and state highways within the county. A second resolution for materials was also unanimously approved by the 12 board members present, with Paul Gleason being absent. Together, the two votes approved expenses for highway contractors and materials for the year.

Janet Dahmm was hired to clean the Dr. John Logan Building for $75 per week, or an annual salary of $3,900. Board members Jim Griffin and Doug Dutz opposed the measure.

Rosanne Brosamer, supervisor of assessments since 1994, was reappointed for a third four-year term, to end in 2006. Griffin voted against the appointment.

Hanson Engineers of Springfield was made airport consulting engineer for another five years. Bock said Hanson, chosen from a field of about 20 firms, has given good service for the variety of airport needs.

A special meeting to hear information on the industrial park being proposed by the Economic Development Council was scheduled for 6 p.m., March 26. Mark Smith is director of the EDC.

The Lincoln Area Music Society was granted use of Latham Park for four summer Sunday concerts.

Consideration of the proposed revision to the Logan County Airport rules and regulations was postponed until April. State’s Attorney Tim Huyett has not yet reviewed the document.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

High 40 percent turnout in Logan County

[MARCH 20, 2002]                [Click here to view more photos]

[Photos by Bob Frank]

(100 percent of local results in)

*denotes winners

County clerk and recorder

(Logan County area results
continued from first column)

44th Senate District

50th Senate District

87th House District

100th House District

Statewide results

*denotes winners

U.S. senator

(99 percent reporting)

(99 percent reporting)

Changing times

[MARCH 20, 2002]  This primary was more confusing to voters than most elections because of new districts for state senator and representative and the change to district representation for county board. Some voters experienced a change in precinct location. And two precincts voted in Northwest School gymnasium.

County board member Dave Hepler said, "I’m hoping people don’t become disenchanted with the confusion and not vote in the fall."

Incumbent county board member Dale Voyles said he noticed "lots of confusion right down to the end." He said people were still calling him in the last two days asking whether it was true that they couldn’t vote for all the board seats. But he believes the confusion is a one-time situation: "I think people will get used to it. It brought out more candidates, and voters had more options," he said. "Now we have to get back to representing everybody in the county."

County board chairman Dick Logan said that electing board members by district creates more of a popularity contest. If you live in Atlanta, you vote for a candidate from Atlanta, he said; if you live in Lake Fork, you want to vote for someone from Lake Fork. He said he does not see that the district system gives an advantage to outlying areas. "But I’ll gladly represent everybody, as I always have," he concluded.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[MARCH 20, 2002]  Election night at the Logan County Courthouse had a different look Tuesday as poll-watchers gathered around a computer monitor instead of the traditional blackboard.

Up to 50 people at a time pressed around the 20-inch monitor, trying to get a look at the latest results. In previous elections, those returns were posted on a large blackboard in the middle of the rotunda, with all the results visible at a time. As new precincts reported in, clerks would erase the previous total and write in the new one. On the monitor to the side of the rotunda Tuesday night, only a few races could be seen at any given time.

A larger screen showing televised primary coverage collected few watchers. Those present in the courthouse were, after all, at the scene of election news.

Logan County Clerk Sally Litterly, who made the decision to switch to the monitor, said the reason was speed. She said that computer technology makes it possible to reach and disseminate an accumulated total faster. In addition, she has changed to a faster printer, so precinct results were printed more quickly for posting in the entrance hallway and for the press. Because of the gains in speed, most counties use a monitor, Litterly said.

County board chairman Dick Logan said he preferred the old system. "This is not a typical election atmosphere," he noted. He forecast a return to the blackboard or use of a big-screen TV, because the 20-inch monitor was hard to see.

Don Jordan, courtesy van driver for Graue, Inc., also objected to the monitor system: "It’s changed the look of things. I liked the old way, even though it was out of the last century. If they’re going to do this, they should at least get bigger screens."

County board member Roger Bock said he liked the monitor system but added, "Although with the old system you could see which races are recorded and what’s left and predict what way it might go."

In other respects the courthouse scene was familiar, with a sparse crowd at 7:30 p.m. growing to about 100 by 8:15. That doesn’t count the election personnel delivering and tabulating the precinct votes. Every few minutes an aide would push a cart laden with red and blue bags across the rotunda to the elevator. The red bags contained Republican results; the blue bags, Democratic.

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Cell phones were everywhere. Tension among candidates and their supporters grew until each primary race was decided, with county board District 2 in question until 10:15 p.m.

Some candidates were pleased with what they saw. Jean Anderson, Republican contender for regional superintendent of schools and a Lincoln resident, said, "I’m happy so far. I have no idea what is going on in Mason and Menard counties, but Logan County looks great." Anderson garnered 60 percent of the Logan County vote and defeated Robert Turk in the three-county region.

Patrick O’Neill, who defeated incumbents Cliff Sullivan and Jim Griffin in county board District 5, said, "I’m very surprised, to be honest. It’s a lot of hard work paying off."

Some candidates were philosophical about the possibility of losing. Gloria Luster, who eventually topped the Republican county board contenders in District 3, noted that her sister had asked whether she would be embarrassed if she lost. "No," answered Luster. "You can’t win if you don’t try. And I think any of the candidates would do a good job. We’re all there for the same purpose." Luster and fellow Republican winner John Stewart will face Democrat Harold Dingman in the November election.

Interested onlookers included several unopposed candidates and a few incumbents who chose not to run. Lloyd Hellman, one of two Republican candidates for the two seats in county board District 1, and Doug Dutz, county board member who did not file, said they find it difficult to stay away from the courthouse action.

Swelling the crowd were a number of social studies students seeking autographs. Steve Schumacher’s sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade classes from Zion Lutheran School and Joe Hackett’s students from Central School were earning extra credit by getting signatures of candidates, office holders and other dignitaries. Hackett said he sees election night attendance as a step toward involved citizenship. "It’s important for students to know who’s running and get into the election process," he explained.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[MARCH 20, 2002]  ^"With mild temperatures for the fourth consecutive month, February 2002 temperatures 3.9 degrees above average and winter temperatures 6.1 degrees above average, December-February ranks as the second warmest winter on record in Illinois since 1895," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey in Champaign. Only the winter of 1931-1932 was warmer, with temperatures 8.2 degrees above average.

"What’s more, the four-month November-February period was also one of the warmest on record since 1895, second only to November-February 1931-1932," says Angel.

Not only have the average temperatures been unseasonably warm, but few Illinois locations even had temperatures below zero through the end of February. Both

Quincy and Perry in western Illinois reported the highest February temperature, 71 degrees on Feb. 24. Rochelle in northeastern Illinois reported the lowest temperature for the month, minus 2 degrees on Feb. 5.

Consumers are benefiting from the mild winter temperatures because home heating costs are much more economical this winter. Heating degree-days since July 1 have been 17 percent below average compared to last winter, when heating degree-days were 9 percent above average.

Snowfall this winter has been down 50 percent or more across central Illinois and between 50 and 75 percent across the rest of the state compared to a typical winter, which averages 8-16 inches (southern Illinois), 16-20 inches (central Illinois) and 20-28 inches (northern Illinois). Windsor received the most snowfall for February, 9 inches, and Danville reported the most precipitation for February, 3.67 inches.

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"Despite the lack of snowfall, precipitation amounts have been near average for both February (2.01 inches) and winter (6.75 inches). As a result, soil moisture looks real good going into spring," continues Angel.

"It is not clear why this winter has been so mild. Although warm temperatures and the lack of snowfall seemed like classic signs of an El NiZo winter, such as occurred in 1997-1998, sea surface temperatures in the Pacific are still in the pre-El NiZo warming stage. The next El NiZo event is expected in the next three to six months. Based on historical records in Illinois, El NiZo events increase our chances of having a cooler and wetter summer and autumn, as well as a warmer and drier winter. However, these impacts can vary, depending on the timing and strength of a particular El NiZo episode. It is still too early to tell what specific impacts will be from the upcoming episode," concludes Angel.

[Illinois State Water Survey]

[MARCH 19, 2002]  The budget crunch that finance chairman Steve Fuhrer has been warning the Lincoln City Council about became an unmistakable reality Saturday morning when the city’s finance committee began the job of cutting $940,000 out of next year’s budget.

On Saturday the committee got the proposed budget sent in by all of the city’s department heads — about $4,935,000. The committee also got the estimated revenue for next fiscal year, which came to only about $3,995,000. Fiscal year 2002-2003 runs from May 1, 2002, until April 30, 2003.

Fuhrer told the council at its March 18 meeting that on Saturday the finance committee found almost $400,000 it can cut to make the city’s expenditures balance its estimated revenues, but that figure represents the "easy" cuts.

Among the first cuts are an extra police car, another vehicle in the budget of the code enforcement office and a proposed new employee in the code enforcement office. Work on Elm Street, budgeted at $218,000, has been cut in half, and cuts have been made in funds for maintenance of public buildings.

Fuhrer said the tight budget also means no hiring of new employees, no replacements for those who retire and no raises for the city’s department heads. Most city workers will get raises because they have union contracts.

Fuhrer also said it might be necessary to consider laying off some city employees. "I hope we don’t have to do it, but there’s always the possibility of layoffs," he said.

The city spent more than it took in last year, he said, but it had a "cushion" of about $900,000 to make up the difference. That cushion is gone now, he said, and the city must now tighten its belt.

"We spent more than was coming in. Now we’re paying the price for it," he said.

Revenues are down, Fuhrer explained, because sales are down and the city is not getting as much sales tax revenue as it did in the past. Also, because of the historically low interest rates, the city is not getting a good return on its investments. City Treasurer Les Plotner has been warning the city about low interest rates for some time.

The finance committee will meet again Thursday evening to continue hammering out cuts in the budget.

[to top of second column in this article]

In other business, Mayor Beth Davis announced a new appointment to the youth commission, Alex Dawson. Dawson was present at the meeting.

City Attorney Bill Bates said he still had "nothing more definitive" about the legality of the city’s zoning ordinance, which prohibits group homes in areas zoned R-1. An attorney for a Champaign firm that builds and operates group homes for the developmentally disabled told the council recently that the city’s ordinance was illegal according to the Fair Housing Act. The Champaign firm wants to build eight group homes in the area to house some of the residents that will leave Lincoln Developmental Center under Gov. George Ryan’s downsizing plan.

Bates also said the Burwell Oil Travel Plaza and Steak & Shake restaurant are still eligible for the tax abatement given by the city when they were built. The Travel Plaza has been leased to Thornton Oil but is still owned by the Burwell family. Steak & Shake is still operated as it was when the tax abatement was granted, he said.

The council also learned that the Chicago firm Voistream will not be putting up a communications tower along Connelly Road near Fifth Street because of sewer lines under the site. The proposed tower would have brought the city revenue of about $500 a month, according to regional planner Phil Mahler. There was no discussion at Monday’s meeting for another site for the tower.

Alderman Bill Melton said several city council members attended a dinner in Rockford where sewer plant manager Grant Eaton was presented with the George W. Burke Safety Award for the city’s water treatment program. Only one city in Illinois is chosen each year to receive the award.

[Joan Crabb]

[MARCH 18, 2002]  A Logan County coroner’s inquest was held looking into the Feb. 20 death of 19-year-old Joseph L. Boughan of Lincoln. The hearing ended with the disquieting declaration by a jury that Boughan’s death was accidental, but avoidable.

When Logan County Deputy Bob Spickard arrived on the scene of the traffic accident three miles west of town, on Fifth Street, Logan County Paramedics were checking vitals on a male lying in the ditch as three other individuals looked on. Boughan was declared dead at the scene at 11:25 p.m.

It was first thought that Boughan was driving the vehicle owned by his parents. Upon investigation Deputy Spickard learned that an unlicensed driver, Jami L. Gannon, 16, of Lincoln was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. Gannon lost control of the vehicle at an estimated 78 mph according to Illinois State Police accident reconstuctionists.

After the vehicle left the road Gannon swerved to miss a mailbox and then ran into a utility pole, which broke in two. All four occupants, Gannon, Boughan and the other two passengers, Curtis W. Marcum, 17, of New Holland, Lindsey R. Vaughan, 16, of Mount Pulaski, crawled out the passenger side window, escaping with only minor injuries. Boughan went to the front of the vehicle to check damages, saying to his friends that they should say he was the driver. It was then in the dark that he walked into broken electrical lines hanging overhead.

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An empty can of beer was found in the vehicle. Upon interviewing witnesses from earlier that evening, Deputy Spickard’s investigation revealed that all four youths had been drinking. The three survivors later admitted to it. None of the youths have had charges filed against them yet.

Gregory Simpson, 42, of Lincoln is accused of supplying the alcohol. He has been arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. State’s Attorney Tim Huyett is investigating the incident. He stated, "This adult’s involvement is of primary concern right now." Simpson has an April 2 bond date.

[Jan Youngquist]

Attempted robbery

[MARCH 18, 2002]  There was an attempted robbery early Sunday morning at the Clark service station on Woodlawn Road. Lincoln Police Department Detective John Bunner is handling the case. No other information can be released at this time.

[Update]

[LDN]

Military addresses sought

It is a year like no other. Since Sept. 11 we are a changed nation. Individually, our daily sensitivity toward whom and what we have in our lives has been heightened. We are more conscious and appreciative, first about those we love and see everyday. Next, we have a newfound appreciation for those who risk their lives every day as rescue workers and protectors of life and property in our communities. We also now think more about our military men and women who are committed to serve and protect our country. Many are away engaged in battle, some are in waiting to go, all are ready to lay their lives on the line in defense of our freedom.

Lincoln Daily News is seeking the names and addresses, including e-mail addresses, of friends and relatives who are serving in the armed forces. They need not be from here in Logan County. If you know someone serving, please send the information to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com. A complete list will be made available and kept updated through the site so we might all hold them in our thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

[Click here for names available now.]

Name of person in military:

Branch of service:

Current location of service:

Postal address:

E-mail address:

Relationship to LDN reader sending information (optional):

[LDN]

It’s on the radio, TV, in all the media. You hear it in the office, on the street and maybe at home — threats of terrorism. America is on high alert. Here in central Illinois, away from any supposed practical target areas, perhaps we feel a little less threatened, but we are still concerned. So how concerned should we be, and how prepared are we for the types of situations that could occur?

Whether the threat is domestic or foreign, violent, biological or chemical, our public health and rescue agencies have been preparing to respond to the situations. Lincoln Daily News has been at meetings where all the agencies gather together as the Logan County Emergency Planning Committee to strategize for just such a time. Our reports have not even provided every detail that every agency has reported; i.e., a number of representatives from differing agencies such as the health and fire departments, CILCO and ESDA went to a bioterrorism and hazmat (hazardous materials) seminar this past August.

Here are some of the articles that LDN has posted pre- and post-Tuesday, Sept. 11. Hopefully you will see in them that WE ARE WELL PREPARED. At least as much as any area can be. Every agency has been planning, training, submitting for grants to buy equipment long before Sept. 11. We can be thankful for all of the dedicated, insightful leaders we have in this community.

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• LEPC hears plans for annual exercise

• U.S. under terrorist attack
  How is Logan County affected?

• The day after ‘Attack on America’
  Area leaders respond to national tragedy

• ESDA and LEPC conduct successful hazardous materials exercise at water treatment plant 

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs - Part 1

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs – Part 2

• Clinton nuclear power plant safety measures in place

• Logan County agencies meet to discuss protocol for suspicious mail

As promised, the United States led an attack on Afghanistan. The attack began Sunday, Oct. 7. American and British military forces made 30 hits on air defenses, military airfields and terrorist training camps, destroying aircraft and radar systems. The strike was made targeting only terrorists.

More than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have pledged their cooperation and support the U.S. initiative.

Online news links

Other countries

Afghanistan

http://www.afghandaily.com/ 

http://www.myafghan.com/  

http://www.afghan-web.com/aop/ 

China

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/

Germany

http://www.faz.com/

India

http://www.dailypioneer.com/ 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/ 

http://www.timesofindia.com/ 

Israel

http://www.jpost.com/ 

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/ 

England

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/ 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/ 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/

Pakistan

http://www.dawn.com/

http://frontierpost.com.pk/ 

Russia

http://english.pravda.ru/

http://www.sptimesrussia.com/ 

Saudi Arabia

http://www.arabnews.com/ 

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United States

Illinois

http://www.suntimes.com/index/ 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/ 

http://www.pantagraph.com/ 

http://www.qconline.com/ 

http://www.pjstar.com/

http://www.sj-r.com/ 

http://www.herald-review.com/

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/ 

New York

http://www.nypost.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/

Stars and Stripes
(serving the U.S. military community)

http://www.estripes.com/ 

Washington, D.C.

Announcements

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