Sunday, May 20, 2012
Here is a wrap-up of some of the latest political news.
A bill that would give Illinois the highest minimum rate in the country is being studied by the Illinois Senate. Illinois’ current minimum wage is $8.25 an hour, making the state one of 18 states with a minimum wage higher than the national level of $7.25 an hour. The measure would increase the wage by 50 cents a year until it matches the inflation-adjusted equivalent of minimum wage in 1968, which was $1.60 per hour. The phased-in hikes would bring Illinois’ minimum wage to $10.55 in 2015, after which yearly cost-of-living increases would occur, according to Illinois Statehouse News. Washington state has the highest minimum wage of $9.04. The proposal, which was sent May 16 to the full Senate on a 9-5 vote of the Senate Executive …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Kane County State's Attorney's Office starts new program aimed at reducing recidivism and court volume.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, May 11
Some low-level felony drug offenders in Kane County will have the opportunity to avoid a permanent conviction on their record and in some cases prison if they agree to treatment under a new program of the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. The office next week will launch the Second Chance Felony Drug Program for certain offenders who face a Class 4 felony charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance—up to five grams—and/or a Class 4 felony charge of unlawful possession of cannabis, up to 100 grams. The program, which involves drug testing and treatment, would reduce court volume and keep some low-level offenders out of the prison system. By receiving counseling and treatment instead of prison, offenders would have a better …
Here is a wrap-up of some of the latest political news.
State retirees should brace themselves for higher health-care premiums. Illinois House lawmakers voted May 9 to reduce the $800 million annual cost of insurance for retired state workers by making them pay more for health care that some now get for little or nothing. Under the legislation, retired state workers, judges, lawmakers and university employees would have premiums for their group health insurance program set each year by the Quinn administration. The bill went to the Senate on a 74-43 vote. The Chicago Tribune reported that the action unfolded as House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, implored colleagues to make the legislation part of a major effort to rein in billions of dollars in …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Cadence Health's request to build a new cancer treatment center at Delnor passes on the City Council's consent agenda.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy. According to UsingEnglish.com, that's an American that means something "is very easy indeed." As a city construction approval process goes, the Cadence Health request to build a $20 million cancer treatment center probably qualifies. Cadence's request sailed through the Plan Commission, City Council Committee of the Whole and landed on the consent agenda Monday, without much of a peep. According to the summary by Community Development Director Dick Untch Cadence Health sought site-plan approval for additions to the north and south sides of the existing cancer center building. The proposed 25,950-square-foot addition and renovation of the existing building will create a single location for all of the medical …
41.88673
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Delnor Hospital
300 Randall Rd, Geneva, IL
/articles/cadence-gets-ok-for-cancer-center
319491
/locations/6977879
The Batavia Plan Commission on Wednesday approved the design for a new 4,039-square foot restaurant. This was the last vote needed from the city to begin the long-awaited project.
It's official: Batavia will have a new downtown McDonald's. The Batavia Plan Commission voted 6-1 in favor of the design for a new 4,039-sq. ft. restaurant. This was the last vote needed from the city to actually begin the project. “This is final,” said Joel Strassman, the city's planning and zoning officer, following the vote to approve the design. Plan Commission Member Tom LaLonde voted against the design review. The two absent members were Kris Monn, school district representative and John Tilmon, park district representative. The Batavia City Council on April 16 approved variances and a conditional use permit for the McDonald's plan, leaving only the Plan Commission’s approval of design. After a five-year process to build a new …
41.85
-88.30915
McDonald's
125 W Wilson St, Batavia, IL
/articles/design-passes-new-batavia-mcdonalds-construction-can-begin
317955
/locations/6980626
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Here is a wrap-up of some of the latest political news.
Illinois lawmakers are pushing for a statewide plastic bag and wrapper recycling program, the first of its kind in the country, according to Illinois Statehouse News. The bill requires plastic bag and wrapper manufacturers to establish collection sites within 10 miles of Illinois residents in 90 percent of counties by 2014. “We could do nothing and recycle 2 percent of our bags next year, or we could put in a statewide program and make it to 13 percent,” bill sponsor State Rep. Michael Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) told the Statehouse News. This collection program would evaluate plastic bag and wrapper recycling rates. It would expire in four years, unless the General Assembly renews it. The bill also would bar local governments, except Chicago …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Residents will lose a right-turn lane in order to gain a sidewalk and bike lane in downtown Batavia.
In an effort to make Batavia friendlier for pedestrians and bicyclists, the City Council on Monday unanimously approved changes for a downtown intersection. The change will remove the westbound right turn lane onto northbound Route 31 to allow enough space to install a sidewalk and five-foot-wide bike lane along the north side of Houston Street. “I think it’s a good thing to do,” Alderman Mike O’Brien said at the meeting. “We're asking people to bike in Batavia and this is one way to do it.” Originally, the proposal did not include the bike lane. But the Police Department was concerned that completely removing the lane would not allow enough room for squad cars to safely maneuver through the intersection without veering into the oncoming …
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Batavia City Hall
100 N Island Ave, Batavia, IL
/articles/city-council-approves-cityscape-at-houston-and-rt-31
317826
/locations/6956448
41.85107
-88.3121
N Batavia Ave & Houston St, Batavia, IL
/articles/city-council-approves-cityscape-at-houston-and-rt-31
/locations/6956449
Monday, May 7, 2012
Work in St. Charles is part of IDOT project to widen and resurface road.
Beginning May 7 Main Street will be reduced to two lanes, one eastbound and one westbound, starting at the 7th Ave. intersection and continuing to 10th Ave. Lane closures eventually will extend along Main St. to IL Rt. 59 and will remain in effect throughout the duration of the project. Reduced speed limit signs will be posted in the construction zone. The Illinois Department of Transportation is continuing a $49 milliion project to widen and resurface the road. Work began in April near West Chicago. Improvements will include a bridge reconstruction, lighting, addition of retaining walls, and sidewalk additions. Illinois Route 64 construction will alleviate congestion and improve driver safety throughout the project limits. St. Charles …
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Chief Judge Robert Spence says Kane will join Illinois Supreme Court's pilot program.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, May 3
Chief Judge Robert B. Spence announced Thursday that the 16th Judicial Circuit will apply to join the Illinois Supreme Court’s pilot program to allow cameras in the courtroom. The decision is based on the recommendation of the 16th Judicial Circuit Courtroom Media Committee. “I appreciate the Media Committee’s work on this, and based on its recommendation, the 16th Circuit will apply to join the pilot program,” Spence said. “The committee will continue in its work on this, as we will need some rather detailed rules concerning the plan’s logistics. We want to be thoughtful about it and try to anticipate issues that might arise. The application will be submitted after the local rules are written.” The move was applauded by Judge Timothy …
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Kane County Courthouse - Sixteenth Judicial Circuit
100 S 3rd St, Geneva, IL
/articles/kane-county-will-allow-cameras-in-courtrooms
320054
/locations/6931243
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Kane County officials expect tax bills will be mailed out by Thursday.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, May 1
The first installment of taxpayers' 2011 property tax bills, payable in 2012, will be due June 4. The bills are expected to be mailed this week. The public may view tax information and print duplicate copies of tax bills at kanecountytreasurer.org. Also available on the website is a list of all unclaimed funds held by the treasurer. Taxpayers can make a payment by: The second installment of the tax bills will be due Sept. 4. For more information, call the treasurer’s office at 630-232-3565. Here is tax information by township, provided by the office of Kane County Treasurer David J. Rickert. Estimate of Average Property Tax Bill by Township This chart is provided to give homebuyers an estimate of what a tax bill amount might be in …
Jack
4:32 pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012
So, "...IDOC’s total cost to taxpayers in 2010 was $1.75 billion...." By itself that stat has zero significance, other than the fact it sounds like a lot of money. How much are we saving by locking these people up? more ›