Statewide Update—Jan. 20, 2011

• (AP) State Journal-Register—Illinois service providers say state bond sale needed, “Leaders of Illinois social services agencies urged lawmakers on Wednesday to let the state sell billions of dollars in bonds to help catch up on a backlog of unpaid bills.”

• Chicago Tribune—Cook County ethics official quits after news report reveals political ties to assessor, “An appointed Cook County ethics official resigned in the wake of a news report revealing his political ties to Assessor Joseph Berrios, who is under an ethics spotlight for hiring his son and sister, officials confirmed Wednesday.”

• Trib Local—Would-be OTB in Hoffman Estates gets another extension, “Construction of the Saddle Room restaurant and off-track betting parlor in the Hoffman Estates entertainment district should start in February or March and be open about six months later, said the developer’s president, Parker Grabowski.”

• Chicago Sun-Times—County OKs pay hikes for hospital bosses, “Cook County commissioners on Wednesday reluctantly signed off on controversial pay raises given to a half-dozen top administrators in the county’s health and hospital system serving the poor and uninsured.”

• Trib Local—District 97 [Oak Park] changes course, seeks permanent tax hike, “Just two hours before the state deadline, the Oak Park Elementary District 97 board drastically changed its referendum, both in size and in structure.”

• Southtown Star—Big shake up of administrators at Oak Lawn SD 229, “Seven of Oak Lawn High School District 229’s administrators, including Principal Patrick Keeley, will not have their contracts renewed for the 2011-2012 school year, the school board decided Wednesday night.”

• Chicago Tribune—Editorial: The Monique Davis file, “…the standoff between the Far South Side Democrat and her landlords at CPS shows how even minor disputes can grow into hefty bills that might land in the laps of taxpayers.”

• Daily Herald—McHenry County pays another bill, “McHenry County Board members say they are increasingly concerned and disheartened over the rising costs associated with the investigation of State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, particularly the appointment of a special prosecutor.”

• Southtown Star—Village reaches pact with public works employees, “Under a four-year contract approved by the Tinley Park Village Board on Tuesday, public works employees will get a 1 percent pay raise in the next fiscal year.”

• Daily Herald—COD candidate booted off ballot by technicality, “Impellizzeri, of Elmhurst, submitted his papers to board secretary Kay Neely one by one, when election law requires that pages be bound and submitted together, according to COD board attorney Ken Florey.”

Statewide Update—Jan. 4, 2011

• Chicago Sun Times—CPS funds were spent on bug sweeps, booze, “The Chicago Public Schools’ inspector general is questioning more than $800,000 in spending under two former school board presidents — from $3,000 to check the board’s offices for “eavesdropping devices” to $12,624 for holiday parties at a president’s home.”

• State Journal-Register—Proposal would tie state spending to Illinois personal income, “The amendment’s sponsor, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said it is only natural to tie any spending increases to personal income increases because much of the state’s revenue – income and sales taxes – is tied to how much its citizens earn.”

• The Southern—Gambling expansion on hold, “A vote on the expansion, which would add five new casinos and legalize slot machines at horse racing tracks, had been scheduled for a House committee Monday, but state Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said more closed-door talks are needed.”

• State Journal-Register—New push starts for cigarette tax increase, “Anti-smoking groups renewed their push for a $1-a-pack increase in the state’s cigarette tax on Monday, pointing to research showing that the state would see $377 million in new revenue the first year of the tax increase.”

• Daily Herald—Lake County forest board eyeing land buy, “It would grow the preserve to about 315 acres.”

• (AP) State Journal-Register—Senate committee begins education reform hearings, “An Illinois Senate committee is hearing differing opinions on how to reform public education… A similar House committee has already conducted several hearings.”

• Southtown Star—Rich Central dean draws suspension, “The Rich Central High School dean who sparked controversy when she held a party where a photo of a former principal was burned in effigy was suspended and given a warning letter by Rich Township High School District 227 officials…”