Statewide Update—Jan. 7, 2011

• (AP) State Journal-Register—Public using stronger open government laws, “Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Thursday that the state’s 2009 overhaul of its Freedom of Information and Open Meetings laws brought long-overdue transparency to Illinois government.”

• Bloomington Pantagraph—On 2^nd try, state House votes to abolish death penalty, “Illinois has not enforced the death penalty since then-Gov. George Ryan imposed a moratorium in 2000 after more than a dozen men on death row were exonerated. Just before leaving office in 2003, Ryan commuted the death sentences of 167 inmates to life in prison and pardoned four others.”

• Daily Herald—Kane finance committee to explore ethics of seeking financial advice, “The Kane County Board may have a new panel of financial experts chiming in with advice in 2011 as it tries to avoid another year of deficit spending.”

• State Journal-Register—Dems push income, cig tax increases, property tax break, “The plan calls for borrowing $8.75 billion to pay off old bills. And to prevent the state from sinking into a financial abyss again, lawmakers will be asked to approve bills limiting spending increases and imposing a prohibition on new programs for the next three years.”

• Southtown Star—Daley rips admission fee for Taste of Chicago, “During that the Taste of Chicago will ‘always be free,’ Mayor Richard Daley said Thursday he would oppose a lone bidder’s proposal to charge a $20 admission fee to the lakefront festival.”

• Daily Herald—DuPage seniors can defer property taxes, “A DuPage County program allows qualified seniors, 65 and older, to defer their property taxes until they sell their home.”

• State Journal-Register, Editorial—Clout carries the day vs. Tenaska, “As things stand now, it appears that the Tenaska clean coal power plant proposed for Taylorville is dead.”

Statewide Update—Dec. 22, 2010

• Chicago Sun-Times—Cook County watchdogs warn: Don’t hire relatives: “Weeks after Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios drew criticism for putting his son and sister on the payroll, a report was sent out by two county watchdogs reminding of ethics rules against hiring kin.”

• (AP) Southtown Star—Judge upholds Ryan conviction: “The appeals court could grant Ryan bail as he awaits their decision, but Thompson noted every decision has gone against Ryan so far.”

• Peoria Journal Star—Census numbers show more poverty, less income: “Our kids are poorer. And all this is despite the fact more of us are getting a college education.”
  

• (AP) Bloomington Pantagraph—Census: Illinois loses 1 congressional seat: “While no one knows yet what the state’s congressional districts will look like, Illinois will definitely lose one U.S. House seat before the 2012 election.”

• Bloomington Pantagraph—Budget for new political map: $3.4 million: “From special ‘war rooms’ to sophisticated mapmaking software, costs for the once-per-decade exercise will be split among the state’s four legislative leaders.”

• Peoria Journal Star—Son joins father on East Peoria ballot: “‘Yes, my dad is the mayor and I think he’s done a good job, but I am my own person,’ Mingus said.”

• Southtown Star—Tax levy inches up in District 230: “An average owner of a single-family residence living within Consolidated High School District 230 can expect to pay about $12 more in property taxes next year.”