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—Dec. 16, 2010

• Southtown Star—Meeks hopes vouchers plan can fix ‘broken’ schools: “… unlike Meeks’ last voucher bill that foundered in the Legislature, the state senator’s new education plan would not limit vouchers to students in the lowest-scoring or most overcrowded schools. Instead, it would be open to both low- and middle-income parents citywide — an idea that could win him new voters.”

• Chicago Sun-Times—Mayoral candidates grade schools very low: “Four top mayor candidates agreed Wednesday that Chicago Public Schools were broken. Asked to grade the system, two candidates gave it a ‘D.’ Two gave it a ‘C-minus.’”

• Daily Herald—No strikes? Tougher tenure? Lawmakers contemplating school reform: “Beginning Thursday, hearings are being held on reforming some of the most controversial aspects of public schooling in Illinois.  Eliminating teachers’ right to strike is on the list. So is instituting tougher tenure requirements. And looking at performance evaluations alongside seniority when pink slips are being handed out come spring.”

• Trib Local, Downers Grove—Downers Grove OKs 4.5% tax levy increase: “The Downers Grove village council gave final approval to what will likely be a $36 average hike in yearly property bills during Tuesday’s council meeting, unanimously passing this year’s tax levy.”

• State Journal-Register—Public policy meeting slated for Friday: “Financial problems facing the state and potential solutions will be the topic of a public policy briefing, sponsored by the Citizens Club of Springfield, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.”
  

• Daily Herald—Cary District 26 to reject bid for Maplewood site: “For a district hoping to slim down by $4 million over the next three years, $1.8 million to $3 million could sure help. That’s how much Cary Elementary District 26 is hoping to get from selling the Maplewood.”

• Bloomington Pantagraph—State eager to help keep local auto plant going: “State officials aren’t saying exactly what they would do to help keep a Japanese carmaker in Central Illinois, but Gov. Pat Quinn hasn’t been shy about doling out big-ticket incentives for other struggling automobile manufacturers.”

• State Journal Register—Council could name new mayor Tuesday: “Two current aldermen – Ward 1’s Frank Edwards and Ward 3’s Frank Kunz – both said Wednesday they are willing to serve out the remainder of Mayor Tim Davlin’s term.”