Politics and Government

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Ex-health district director indicted on 7 counts

URBANA – The former executive director of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has been indicted by a Champaign County grand jury on seven felony counts stemming from his behavior while in office in 2006 and 2007.

State's Attorney Julia Rietz was attending a conference Friday and could not be reached for comment, but Champaign police detective Pat Kelly, who has investigated Vito Palazzolo for more than two years, said Rietz planned to make a statement Monday about the charges against Palazzolo, 53, who was fired in August 2007.

Committee calls for new discussions between health agencies

URBANA – An ongoing dispute over budgets, services and priorities threatens to end the 11-year relationship between the Champaign County Board of Health and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.

A county board committee voted Wednesday to approve a "notice of termination" of the agreement between the two health agencies. The notice, which will go to the full county board later this month, does not mean an immediate split between the agencies, only that they have 12 months to negotiate a new intergovernmental agreement.

Urbana council discussing wide range of topics at meeting

Property tax levy, higher fines for some ordinance violations among issues on agenda

URBANA – City council members Monday night face an agenda loaded with potentially controversial items, including an increase in the property tax levy, higher fines for dozens of ordinance violations, a proposed ordinance regarding chronic criminal nuisance properties, an update on the city's civilian police review board and a presentation on a possible storm water utility fee.

Ex-Ford County clerk gets 60 days in jail

WATSEKA – Former Iroquois County Clerk Mark Henrichs must pay back $17,500 to the county in addition to serving a 60-day jail sentence and 30 months of probation, as ordered by Judge William Schmidt during a sentencing hearing Friday afternoon in Iroquois County Circuit Court.

Henrichs was ordered to report to the county jail in Watseka by 9 a.m. Wednesday. He will be eligible for "day-to-day good conduct credit," Schmidt said, which means he could end up serving only 30 days.

McKenna offers ideas to fix budget

CHAMPAIGN – Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna said Friday that he's prepared to be a one-term governor if that's what it takes to clean up Illinois' financial and economic problems.

McKenna, of Chicago, is one of seven GOP candidates for governor in the Feb. 2 primary election. He also is the former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Fort Hood suspect reportedly shouted 'Allahu Akbar'

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) – Soldiers who witnessed the shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar!" – an Arabic phrase for "God is great!" – before opening fire, the base commander said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said officials had not yet confirmed that the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, made the comment before the rampage Thursday. Hasan was among 30 people wounded in the shooting spree and remained hospitalized on a ventilator.

Troubling portrait emerges of Fort Hood suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) – His name appears on radical Internet postings. A fellow officer says he fought his deployment to Iraq and argued with soldiers who supported U.S. wars. He required counseling as a medical student because of problems with patients.

There are many unknowns about Nidal Malik Hasan, the man authorities say is responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base. Most of all, his motive.

Delinquent taxpayer list posted on Web site

SPRINGFIELD – Six area businesses and individuals are among 100 identified by the state Department of Revenue as collectively owing the state at least $6.3 million in delinquent taxes.

The 100 are not among the biggest scofflaws, said Susan Hofer, a spokeswoman for the department.

House Dems push for votes on health bill

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democrats are scrambling to secure enough support to pass President Barack Obama's historic health overhaul initiative, working to soothe last-minute concerns from rank-and-file Democrats ahead of a make-or-break vote.

Voting is set for Saturday on the 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation that embraces Obama's goals of extending health coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and putting tough new restrictions on insurance companies.

Protesters rip Democrats' health care bill

WASHINGTON (AP) – Chanting "Kill the bill," thousands of conservatives incensed over the Democrats' health care overhaul protested at the Capitol on Thursday, arguing that the legislation amounts to a government takeover of the nation's medical system.

The crowd, invited on national television by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., was staunchly anti-government – "Politicians lie, people die," read one sign – but loudly cheered the House Republicans who hosted the event. The protest attracted many of the so-called Tea Party demonstrators angry with increased spending and an expanded government role under the Obama administration.

Pakistani army enters final militant stronghold

ISLAMABAD (AP) – The Pakistani army entered the last of three militant strongholds targeted by a major offensive in the northwest on Friday, as gunmen wounded a senior army officer and a soldier in the capital.

The operation in South Waziristan, the main Taliban and al-Qaida sanctuary in Pakistan, has sparked a wave of retaliatory attacks that have killed about 300 civilians and security forces in the past month. The shooting in Islamabad was the third such attack in about two weeks.

Two NATO soldiers missing in Afghanistan

KABUL (AP) – Two NATO soldiers are missing in western Afghanistan from a routine resupply mission, the alliance said Friday.

The two were reported missing on Wednesday, NATO forces headquarters in Afghanistan said in a statement. It did not specify their nationality or which province they had been in, or provide any details of the resupply mission.

British leader wants reform from Afghan government

LONDON (AP) – Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Afghanistan's government on Friday to take action against corruption, saying he would not risk more British lives there unless it reforms.

Brown said in a speech that success in Afghanistan is vital to Britain's security – but declared that if the Afghan government does not mend its ways it will forfeit the world's support.

Ousted Honduran leader: U.S.-brokered pact fails

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) – Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya said Friday that a U.S.-brokered pact failed to end a four-month political crisis after a deadline for forming a unity government passed.

"The accord is dead," Zelaya told Radio Globo from from the Brazilian Embassy where he has been hold up under threat of arrest. "There is no sense in deceiving Hondurans."

Delegates discuss way forward in U.N. climate talks

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – U.N. climate negotiators assured Friday that, despite low expectations for setting legally binding emissions targets next month, it is still possible to conclude a strong, 192-nation deal to define future work in fighting global warming.

Countries most vulnerable to climate change said they were incensed that rich nations were rethinking the timetable for concluding a legally binding treaty.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Urbana critics wary of proposed Carle merger

URBANA – Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing said she can't fully support a proposed merger of Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic until she's certain it won't heap an unfair burden on local taxpayers. And it's not enough for Carle to promise Urbana and other local governments that it will make payments in lieu of taxes on clinic properties that could one day become tax-exempt.

Consent decree over for Champaign schools

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district's consent decree is officially over, and now it will be up to the district and the community to ensure Champaign's black students receive an equitable education, without any oversight by the court.

Four Danville budget plans look far ahead

DANVILLE – Aldermen and city officials have focused much of their budget brainstorming in recent weeks on next year's $1.7 million deficit and $700,000 increase in the city's property-tax levy.

A Woman's Place shelter in dire financial straits

UPDATE at 3:51 p.m.:

CHAMPAIGN — The United Way of Champaign County is providing an emergency payment of $18,000 to A Woman’s Fund to allow the organization to remain in operation.

Frerichs giving energy bill a push in committee

A bill aimed at making alternative energy resources into a local revenue source isn't exactly sailing, but supporters are hoping for a brighter future.

State Sen. Michael Frerichs, D-Champaign, is a co-sponsor and organized a hearing last week in Champaign for the Renewable Energy Production District Act. The bill, HB3646, sponsored by Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, in the House, is now in the Senate Energy Committee.

Majority leader: House will pass health bill Saturday

WASHINGTON (AP) – Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is predicting that the House will pass historic health care overhaul legislation Saturday to extend coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and ban insurance companies from turning people away.

The Maryland Democrat said Thursday that House leaders would have the 218 votes needed to pass the sweeping bill that President Barack Obama has made a defining goal of his young administration – presuming a couple of final issues are resolved. Hoyer acknowledged that the vote could be tight.

Congress set to clear aid to jobless, homebuyers

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House is poised to send the White House a bill extending aid to over a million people in danger of exhausting jobless benefits and additional tax credits for prospective homebuyers crucial to rejuvenating the housing market.

The $24 billion package also contains tax credits aimed at struggling businesses. The House is scheduled to vote on the legislation Thursday, a day after the Senate passed it 98-0.

New crop of homebuyers to get tax credit

WASHINGTON (AP) – Buying a home is about to get cheaper for a whole new crop of homebuyers – $6,500 cheaper.

First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year. But with the program scheduled to expire at the end of November, the Senate voted Wednesday to extend and expand the tax credit to include many buyers who already own homes. The House could vote on the bill as early as Thursday.

Aides: Abbas says he won't run in January election

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told political allies he won't run in January elections because he is frustrated over lack of progress with Israel on peacemaking, aides said Thursday.

Abbas has threatened in the past not to run, and it was not immediately clear whether this was a final decision. The presidents of Egypt and Israel, the king of Jordan and Israel's defense minister all called the Palestinian leader on Thursday, urging him to change his mind, aides said.

5 British deaths reignite death over Afghanistan

LONDON (AP) – British deaths in Afghanistan have come with increasing frequency, from snipers, suicide attacks and roadside bombs.

But the latest casualties – five soldiers gunned down by an Afghan policeman as they made tea after a patrol – have reignited debate about the war, shaking public support and increasing calls for a pullout. If British troops can't trust the Afghan colleagues they are supposed to be training, critics ask, how can they fight the Taliban? And where does it leave an exit strategy that depends on handing over control to Afghan forces?

Afghan villagers say NATO strike killed 9 civilians

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) – An overnight rocket strike by international forces killed nine civilians, including at least three children, villagers said Thursday. Local Afghan authorities said they had no reports of civilian deaths.

NATO said the target of the strike was a group of people believed to be planting a bomb and that the alliance was investigating the allegations.

U.N. relocating 600 staffers after Afghan attack

KABUL (AP) – The United Nations said Thursday that it will send more than half its international staff either out of Afghanistan or into more secure compounds following last week's deadly Taliban attack against U.N. workers – the most direct targeting of its employees during decades of work in the country.

About 600 nonessential staffers will be affected by the move, the U.N. said. The announcement came as the head of the U.N. mission issued a stern warning to newly re-elected President Hamid Karzai that he must crack down on corruption and initiate reform or risk losing international support.

Suspected U.S. missiles kill two in Pakistan

MIR ALI, Pakistan (AP) – Suspected U.S. missiles killed two alleged militants Thursday in a northwestern tribal region, intelligence officials said, while Pakistani soldiers battled Taliban fighters in a neighboring area along the Afghan border.

The attack indicated the U.S. will not sideline a favorite tactic against Islamist extremists despite Pakistani concerns that the missile strikes anger insurgents who have agreed to stay neutral as the army wages an offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in South Waziristan.

Saudis bomb Yemen rebels across border

SAN'A, Yemen (AP) – Saudi Arabia has launched a large military incursion across the border into northern Yemen, using fighter jets and artillery bombardments to try to end a Shiite rebellion inside its troubled southern neighbor, Arab diplomats and the rebels said Thursday.

The northern rebels, known as Hawthis, have been battling Yemeni government forces intensively over the past few months in the latest flare-up of a sporadic conflict that has lasted five years. The Hawthis are based in northern Saada province, which borders Saudi Arabia.

At least 50 peackeepers punished for sex abuses

GENEVA (AP) – At least 50 peacekeepers have received punishments ranging from reduction in military rank to eight months imprisonment for committing sexual abuses on United Nations missions since 2007, the U.N. said Thursday.

The data were released after media organizations asked what measures countries were taking against peacekeepers accused of rape and other abuses in conflict areas such as Congo. The U.N. can investigate allegations of misconduct, but prosecution is handled solely by governments contributing personnel to missions.

Iraq lawmakers end session with no election deal

BAGHDAD (AP) – Iraqi lawmakers ended their session Thursday without agreeing on an election law needed to carry out the country's January vote, raising concerns about the country's ability to carry out the crucial election as planned.

The election law has been stalled for weeks as lawmakers argue over how to apportion votes in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a city claimed by both Arabs and Kurds. An election delay could undermine the government and lead to instability just as American troops are going home.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

State budget crisis endangers A Woman's Place

URBANA – A Woman's Place could become the latest casualty of the state budget crisis.

The county's only shelter for victims of domestic violence is down to a skeleton staff of six and may have to close if it doesn't get a past-due state payment soon, officials said Thursday.

State shortfall may spell furloughs at UI

URBANA – The University of Illinois has so far seen only $400,000 of $317 million it is owed by the state, leading to a virtual hiring freeze and the possibility of furloughs.

Property-tax levy put at $20 million in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – A tax levy intended to maintain a property-tax rate for the city of Champaign was presented to council members Tuesday in a public hearing.

Finance Director Richard Schnuer said the formal adoption of the levy will come in December.

Expect flood of campaign ads in January

Get ready for wall-to-wall political advertising on Illinois radio and television stations in January. The unusual number of people running for seven statewide offices this winter – 60 candidates – guarantees at least that the normally slow post-Christmas advertising market should be pretty hot. That will apply even if some of the candidates drop out, as expected, between now and the Feb. 2 primary election.

It also guarantees a lot of democracy in a compacted campaign season.

Danville man comes up short on signatures

DANVILLE – Al Reynolds didn't collect quite enough signatures to qualify to run for state Senate in the 52nd District, he said Tuesday, but he still hopes to be the Republican candidate to oppose Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, next fall.

Republican unseats UI alum to become N.J. governor

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – Republican Chris Christie, a former corruption-busting prosecutor, tapped into deep voter discontent over stubbornly high taxes and chronic financial problems to unseat New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine on Tuesday, despite being outspent by $12 million in a heavily Democratic state.

Christie, 47, is the first Republican to win a statewide race in New Jersey in a dozen years. His convincing victory was particularly satisfying for Republicans who earlier Tuesday had captured the country's only other governor's race, in Virginia. The New Jersey race was a tossup heading into Election Day.

Economy big issue in GOP win in Virginia governor's race

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A Republican who promised to create jobs won the Virginia governor's office just a year after state voters helped a Democrat who promised change – and jobs – win the White House.

Bob McDonnell, a former state attorney general, won with nearly 59 percent of the vote Tuesday, claiming a mandate for his conservative agenda with help from independent voters.

N.Y. mayor bruised by surprisingly close victory

NEW YORK (AP) – Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg heads toward a third term bruised by a surprisingly close re-election battle that exposed lingering anger over his reversal on term limits and his prodigious campaign spending.

In the days leading up to the election, Bloomberg was expected to secure an easy victory, perhaps by double digits. But he won by just five percentage points – an advantage of less than 51,000 votes out of just over a million cast.

N.Y. Democrat wins House seat in heavily GOP area

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – President Barack Obama's decision in June to appoint a Republican congressman to a Pentagon post has paid dividends in November now that Democrats have gained the House seat by capitalizing on a split between moderates and conservatives in the GOP.

Lawyer and retired Air Force Capt. Bill Owens won the special election Tuesday in northern New York in which the Republican candidate withdrew over the weekend under pressure from the party's right wing and GOP heavyweights endorsed the Conservative Party nominee.

Maine voters repeal law allowing same-sex marriage

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Cecelia Burnett and Ann Swanson had already set their wedding date. When they joined about 1,000 other gay marriage supporters for an election night party in a Holiday Inn ballroom, they hoped to celebrate the vote that would make it possible.

Instead, they went home at midnight, dejected and near tears after a failed bid to make Maine the first state to approve same-sex marriage at the ballot box.

Iran police, protesters clash at U.S. Embassy rally

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iranian security forces beat anti-government protesters with batons Wednesday on the sidelines of state-sanctioned rallies to mark the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover. The counter-demonstrations were the opposition's first major show of force on Tehran's streets in nearly two months.

The opposition sought to display unity and resolve after relentless crackdowns on their protests following the disputed June presidential election. Though the crowds were far smaller than during last summer's outrage, authorities were ready with the same sweeping measures: dispatching paramilitary units to key locations and disrupting mobile phones, text messaging and Internet access to frustrate protest organizers.

Afghan opponent: Governmen 'cannot fight corruption'

KABUL (AP) – The challenger in Afghanistan's recent presidential election said Wednesday that President Hamid Karzai has come to power illegally and will not be able to rein in corruption or serve as a reliable partner in the fight against the Taliban.

Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah spoke a day after five British soldiers were killed in a shooting in southern Helmand province. Afghan authorities said the attack was carried out by an Afghan policeman who opened fire on the British troops.

Afghan policeman kills five British soldiers

KABUL (AP) – An Afghan policeman opened fire on British soldiers in the volatile southern province of Helmand, killing five before fleeing, British and Afghan authorities said Wednesday, raising concerns about discipline within the Afghan forces and possible infiltration by insurgents.

The attack Tuesday afternoon came a month after an Afghan policeman on patrol with U.S. soldiers fired on the Americans, killing two. Training and operating jointly with Afghan police and soldiers is key to NATO's strategy of dealing with the spreading Taliban-led insurgency and, ultimately, allowing international forces to leave Afghanistan.

Pakistan army battling in Taliban stronghold

ISLAMABAD (AP) – Pakistani soldiers battled Taliban fighters Wednesday in the streets of a key militant stronghold, officials said, as government forces pressed ahead with their offensive in the tribal region of South Waziristan.

The soldiers were fighting street by street through the mountainous town of Ladha, the military said in a statement. Over the past day, the fighting left 10 militants dead in Ladha and 30 dead across the region, it said. Eight soldiers have been injured.

Clinton: U.S. wants Israel settlement halted 'forever'

CAIRO (AP) – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defended the U.S. stance toward Israeli settlement building to worried Arab allies on Wednesday, saying Washington does not accept the legitimacy of the West Bank enclaves and wants to see their construction halted "forever."

Still, she said an Israeli offer to restrain – but not halt – construction represents "positive movement forward" toward resuming Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

U.N. climate talks focus on how to cut emissions

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – African nations pushed wealthy countries at U.N. climate talks on Wednesday to explain how they intend to cut their greenhouse emissions under the landmark global warming agreement being negotiated.

Yet as delegates from 192 nations retreated behind closed doors in Spain, fears arose over just what will be accomplished this year on fighting climate change.

Danville aldermen call for deeper budget cuts

DANVILLE – City officials presented aldermen with four financial scenarios Tuesday night – each with a different mix of cuts and tax increases.

Catlin board approves tax levy

CATLIN – Village officials approved a $145,729 tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday.

Mayor Clay Woodard said the new levy is about 4.9 percent higher than the current, $138,803 tax levy. He said the village board usually increases the levy by less than 5 percent each year, and that he did not anticipate a large local tax increase in the near future.

Local veterans to speak about Iraq, Afghanistan

CHAMPAIGN – "Memories of War – Iraq & Afghanistan" is the topic of a panel discussion involving local veterans.

Panelists include Sgt. Bryan Abbott, Gunnery Sgt. Shawn Johnston, Staff Sgt. Katie Maglia, 2nd Lt. Shannon Potts and Staff Sgt. John Robinson.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Urbana council OKs higher fines for parking offenders

URBANA – Repeat parking violators in Urbana will face increasingly expensive fines.

Urbana City Council aldermen, on a vote of 7-1, with Heather Stevenson, R-6, opposed, approved the higher rates at a meeting Monday night. Fines will go up with repeat offenses.

Governor's deputy chief of staff quits amid investigation

SPRINGFIELD – A rural Paris woman who has been an assistant to Gov. Pat Quinn for six years has suddenly resigned from her position as Quinn's deputy chief of staff.

Carolyn Brown Hodge, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, resigned from the governor's staff Friday night upon reports that the state's Office of the Executive Inspector General had confiscated her computer to determine whether she was doing political work on state time.

Army to set up computer center at UI

CHAMPAIGN (AP) – The U.S. Army is financing a new research center at the University of Illinois to develop technology for computer networks used on battlefields and in other similarly difficult environments.

Consensus on how to fix Danville budget elusive

DANVILLE – Aldermen studied more closely on Monday several ways of trying to eliminate a projected $1.7 million budget deficit next year, including increasing the rental registration fee, changing employee health insurance benefits, creating a utility tax and increasing the city's sales tax in conjunction with property tax relief.

No Democrats file for Champaign's countywide races

URBANA – Champaign County Democrats don't have candidates for any of four countywide seats up for election next year, but they have three candidates for two seats in one county board district and four candidates for two spots in another.

At the close of the candidate filing period on Monday, only Republican incumbents had filed for county clerk (Mark Shelden), sheriff (Dan Walsh), county treasurer (Dan Welch) and regional superintendent of schools (Jane Quinlan). But Democratic Party officials can fill the positions on the Nov. 2, 2010, ballot by slating candidates, so long as they do it by April 2.

Vermilion primary will have three contested races

DANVILLE – There will be three contested local races in the Feb. 2 primary election.

Three Republicans are vying for two seats in District 3 of the Vermilion County Board, and five Democrats are vying for two seats in District 5.

Johnson: Health care bill not a bipartisan measure

CERRO GORDO – Americans will come to regret the day their Congress approved a national health care program, U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson predicted Monday night.

The five-term Urbana Republican spoke to a small group of about 30 people at the Cerro Gordo High School gymnasium. It was his 15th town hall meeting in the 15th Congressional District this year, and nearly all of the hourlong session was devoted to the upcoming health care vote.

Afghan president vows reform, reaches out to opponents

KABUL (AP) – Afghanistan's president welcomed his new term – achieved after his main opponent withdrew from a runoff election – by reaching out to opponents Tuesday and promising to banish the corruption that has undermined his administration.

Hamid Karzai did not spell out how he would institute reforms or mention whether he is willing to make concessions to his opponents.

2 tough health care issues remain in House

WASHINGTON (AP) – Just a few unsolved problems – and one final sales job – stand between House Democratic leaders and a landmark vote on President Barack Obama's promised remake of the nation's health care system.

Unfortunately for the Democrats, the unresolved issues are among the most vexing out there: abortion and immigration.

Buses, subways halted by Philadelphia strike

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia transit system's largest union went on strike early Tuesday, stalling the city's bus, subway and trolley operations a day after the World Series shifted to New York and forcing thousands of commuters to find other ways to work.

The strike by Transport Workers Union Local 234 all but crippled a transit system that averages more than 928,000 trips each weekday. The union represents more than 5,000 drivers, operators and mechanics of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

Races an early test of Obama influence

WASHINGTON (AP) – In a very early test of President Barack Obama's political influence, two states are choosing whether to continue Democratic rule while voters elsewhere elect a handful of congressmen and big-city mayors.

Elected just a year ago, the president has spent a considerable amount of time and energy trying to ensure that Democrats win governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey and pick up a GOP-held congressional seat in upstate New York.

N. Korea raises threat to get U.S. into direct talks

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea said Tuesday it has reprocessed 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods and extracted enough plutonium to bolster its atomic stockpile, raising the stakes in an apparent effort to push the U.S. into direct negotiations.

Reprocessing the spent fuel rods would give the regime enough weapons-grade plutonium for at least one more atomic bomb, experts say. Pyongyang is believed to have enough weaponized plutonium for half a dozen nuclear weapons.

German leader meets with Obama, talks to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday for her country's "sacrifice" in keeping forces in Afghanistan, noting she was being honored as the first German leader to address a joint session of Congress.

Merkel, who met Obama shortly before her appearance on Capitol Hill, said she wanted to use the Oval Office session and her speech to Congress to express gratitude for American support "throughout the process leading up to German reunification."

Pakistan Taliban: 'We are prepared for a long war'

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) – A Taliban spokesman denied Tuesday that Pakistan has won a series of battlefield victories in its offensive in tribal South Waziristan, saying the militants are drawing government soldiers into a trap.

"We are prepared for a long war," Azam Tariq told an Associated Press reporter by telephone. "The areas we are withdrawing from, and the ones the army is claiming to have won, are being vacated by us as part of a strategy. The strategy is to let the army get in a trap, and then fight a long war."

Africans boycott meetings at U.N. climate talks

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – African countries boycotted meetings at U.N. climate talks Tuesday, saying that industrial countries had set carbon-cutting targets too low for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

The action forced several technical meetings to be canceled at this week's U.N. climate talks in Barcelona. Delegates warned that, unless the African protest was settled, it could set back the timetable for concluding a new climate change pact at a major U.N. conference next month in Copenhagen.

New Georgetown City Council member takes his seat

GEORGETOWN – City officials seated Adam Hart on the city council on Monday, filling the chair left vacant by Alderman Gary LaMar's resignation.

Hart, 28, said he lived on the city's southwest side and works for Hart Construction of nearby Olivet. He said he had no previous political experience, but was approached by Alderman Tom Seilhymer about serving on the city council.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Hike in parking fines on Urbana council's agenda

URBANA – City council members Monday night will consider increases in parking fines aimed at raising $100,000 a year for Urbana's cash-strapped budget.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. at the Urbana City Council chambers, 400 S. Vine St., U.

The only other item on the agenda requiring council action is the appointment of Kim L. Smith, an architect with Smith/Burgett Architects of Urbana, to the Urbana Historic Preservation Commission.

Champaign council to review apartment building plans

CHAMPAIGN – City council members will review plans for an eight-story apartment building at Green and Fourth streets, consider a project to improve a portion of North Mattis Avenue and review an engineering contract for the eventual demolition of the Meadow Gold building in north Champaign.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Champaign City Building, 102 N. Neil St.

Afghan election panel declares Karzai winner

KABUL (AP) – Afghanistan's election commission proclaimed President Hamid Karzai the victor of the country's tumultuous ballot Monday, canceling a planned runoff and ending a political crisis two and a half months after a fraud-marred first round.

The Obama administration – which has been waiting for a government deemed legitimate to emerge in Kabul before announcing whether to deploy tens of thousands more troops – quickly commended the ruling.

Ship built with World Trade Center steel arrives in N.Y.

NEW YORK (AP) – The new Navy assault ship USS New York, built with World Trade Center steel, arrived in its namesake city Monday with a 21-gun salute near the site of the 2001 terrorist attack.

First responders, families of Sept. 11 victims and the public gathered Monday at a waterfront viewing area, where they could see the crew standing at attention along the deck of the battleship gray vessel.

AP analysis: Hardest-hit areas recovering slowly

The economic recovery is proceeding unevenly in its early stages, with areas hurt most by the housing slump still lagging behind other regions, according to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties.

Counties in the Southeast, the industrial Midwest and the Southwest are still struggling and have made the least improvement, the analysis of September data found. The northern half of the nation is stabilizing or improving faster than the southern half. Northern counties generally didn't suffer as much from the housing bust.

Clinton moderates statement on Israeli settlements

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) – In the face of Arab criticism, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday moderated her praise for Israel's offer to restrain – but not stop – building settlements in Palestinian areas. While Israel was moving in the right direction, she said, its offer "falls far short" of U.S. expectations.

Clinton said her praise of Israel's offer to restrict Jewish settlement activity had been intended as "positive reinforcement."

Bicycle bomb kills five in southern Iraq

BAGHDAD (AP) – A bomb attached to a bicycle killed five people and wounded dozens in southern Iraq on Sunday, and at least five others were killed in violence across the country, police said.

The bloodshed comes as Iraqi lawmakers intensify negotiations over a new election law that many hope will hasten the end of political gridlock over control of oil-rich Kirkuk – an old dispute between Arabs and Kurds that has threatened Iraq's fragile stability as U.S. troops prepare to leave the country.

Audit: Contractor must trim Iraq work force or face fines

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Army's primary support contractor in Iraq is being warned by Pentagon auditors to cut its work force there or face nearly $200 million in penalties for keeping thousands too many on the payroll.

The Houston-based KBR Inc., responsible for everything from mail and laundry to housing and meals, has increased employee levels while U.S. troops steadily leave the country after more than six years of war, the audit says. As a result, the U.S. government is paying far more in labor costs in Iraq than it should as military resources are shifted to Afghanistan.

Iran wants to buy ready-made fuel for reactor

VIENNA (AP) – Iran wants to buy ready-made fuel for its research reactor, a senior Iranian envoy said Monday – the latest indication that Tehran is rejecting a U.S-backed plan that would have the Islamic Republic ship most of its enriched uranium out of the country.

"We want to buy the fuel from any supplier," said Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's chief representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Handful of elections to shed light on U.S. politics

WASHINGTON (AP) – Most Americans won't vote Tuesday.

Still, a handful of elections in a few states will give hints about this country's state of mind, provide lessons for both Republicans and Democrats, and shed light on answers to a few important questions a year before pivotal 2010 midterm contests.

Suicide bomber kills 35 near Pakistan's capital

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) – A suicide bomber killed 35 people outside a bank near Pakistan's capital Monday, as the U.N. said spreading violence has forced it to start pulling out some expatriate staff and suspend long-term development work in areas along the Afghan border.

Hours after the first blast, another suicide bomber struck in the eastern city of Lahore, exploding a car at a police checkpoint as officers went to search it. At least seven policemen were injured and two were in critical condition, officials said.

Focus falls on cause of mideast collision

LOS ANGELES (AP) – With the possibility of finding survivors all but gone and the ocean search shifted from a rescue effort to a recovery mission, focus fell Monday on what caused a Marine Corps helicopter and U.S. Coast Guard plane to collide over the Pacific.

Petty Officer First Class Allison Conroy said there was little chance of finding survivors among the seven military personnel aboard the Coast Guard C-130 and the two in the Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter.

Danville officials examining ways to deal with expenses

DANVILLE – City officials have heard the plea many times in recent weeks from private citizens and aldermen: Don't increase property taxes.

But the city faces a problem.

The expenses paid by property tax dollars will increase next year, and the city has no control over the majority of those rising costs.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Carle clinic/hospital merger: The sale -- and the tax

URBANA – The chief executives of Carle Clinic and Carle Foundation Hospital know it's bound to be a touchy subject when they start talking about a merger that could one day take a big chunk of Carle property out of the local tax base.

And, for anyone wondering about how big a financial hit the cities, the schools, the parks and other taxing districts would take if Carle Clinic properties one day become tax-exempt, here's the deal:

Good thing C-U forefathers knew to go green

One hundred years ago, the Champaign Chamber of Commerce developed its own subdivision and, smart and forward-looking men they were, made sure that there was land for public use. The chamber of commerce donated eight lots to be used for a future public school.

They knew that close-by schools and parks would be an asset to a community and a neighborhood, not just in the early 1900s but 100 years later.

Sketches at exhibit honor Illinois' fallen heroes

studied the pencil drawing of his only son.

"I used to call him my war baby," said the Champaign police officer from Fisher, explaining that his son was born when the elder Kimme served in the Air Force.

Danville alderman to run for Black's seat

Veteran Danville Alderman Michael Puhr on Friday filed petitions to run as a Democrat for state representative in the 104th House District.

For now, Puhr has no Democratic Party opposition. One Republican, former Catlin Mayor Chad Hays, also has filed to run in the district that includes almost all of Vermilion County and much of eastern Champaign County. The filing period for the Feb. 2 primary election ends Monday.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Auto dealership bill sent to governor

SPRINGFIELD – In six legislative days, state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, and allies managed to pass and send to the governor's desk a bill aimed at helping auto dealers who lost their franchises in auto manufacturers' bankruptcy.

"I'm just thrilled," said Danville auto dealer Gary Knight, owner and president of Carmack Car Capitol and a former Jeep and Chrysler dealer. "It's a process that started with Bill Black, and we had to do it in a hurry. But everything fell into place.

Friday, October 30, 2009

$20 million loan announced for C-U sanitary expansion

CHAMPAIGN – The Urbana and Champaign Sanitary District is getting a $20 million interest-free loan from the state to pay for environmental projects to improve the wastewater system.

DePauw student decides not to run for House seat

DANVILLE – A 21-year-old Danville man has decided against running for state representative in the 104th House District, which includes most of Vermilion County and much of eastern Champaign County.

Jacob Lane, a student at DePauw University, said Thursday that he will not run for the seat held by retiring state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville. Lane's decision apparently leaves only former Catlin Mayor Chad Hays as a Republican contender in the 104th District. So far there is no Democratic candidate for the seat.

Board willing to try collaborative parkland method

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign parks officials and local developers apparently will continue to agree to disagree about a method to provide new park space in the city's growth areas.

A joint meeting Wednesday night between the Champaign City Council and the park district board highlighted the continuing rift between the park board, which wants a mandatory land dedication law for residential developments, and developers, who favor what has been termed a "mandatory collaboration."

Vermilion animal shelter director suspended

DANVILLE - The director of the Vermilion County Animal Shelter has been suspended indefinitely, according to Vermilion County Board Chairman Jim McMahon.

McMahon declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the suspension of director Pete Smith, stating that it's a confidential personnel matter.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Vermilion animal shelter director suspended

DANVILLE – The director of the Vermilion County Animal Shelter has been suspended indefinitely with pay, according to Vermilion County Board Chairman Jim McMahon.

McMahon declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the suspension of director Pete Smith, stating that it's a confidential personnel matter.

General: German troops OK in calling for airstrike

BERLIN (AP) – A top German general said Thursday that a NATO investigation of an airstrike against a pair of hijacked Afghan tanker trucks showed the attack was appropriate even though it led to civilian casualties.

Gen. Wolfgang Schneiderhan, who is the general inspector of the German army, also said that the exact death toll could no longer be confirmed.

U.S., Russia working on hurdles in nuclear treaty

MOSCOW (AP) – Russia and the United States are scrambling to address disagreements over a new nuclear arms reduction treaty with little over a month left until the existing agreement between the Cold War adversaries expires.

Despite the narrowing timeframe, both sides expressed optimism at the end of a day of negotiations Thursday between U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones and Russia's foreign minister and National Security Council head.

Westville water-system changes under review

WESTVILLE – Village officials said Tuesday that they are considering some major changes to the water system for the neighboring village of Belgium, which may include taking over ownership of its entire water system.

The village of Belgium is adjacent to the north border of Westville. Westville Village Board member Bill Cottrell said that although the ownership of the water mains in Belgium is in question – apparently neither village has documentation to prove which one owns the infrastructure – Westville has provided Belgium with water and maintained the water mains for years.

State attorney general chides Danville panel

DANVILLE – The Illinois Attorney General's Office has found the city of Danville in violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act for action taken at a public works committee meeting in April.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

H1N1 vaccine plans change; T'boro vaccinations Thursday

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will begin H1N1 vaccinations Thursday at Thomasboro Grade School, district Administrator Julie Pryde said.

The public health district will then set up vaccination clinics in the two year-round Champaign schools that are in session Friday, Kenwood and Barkstall elementary schools. Plans to offer vaccinations at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Urbana on Friday were canceled because there wasn't enough time for the school to get ready, Pryde said.

Residents urge Champaign council to fix drainage woes

CHAMPAIGN – On another of night of drizzle and rain in Champaign, residents plagued with flooding problems urged council members to work on solutions.

In a study session Tuesday, city staff recommended that the city borrow money to finance the Second Street Reach of the Boneyard Creek. The staff also asked council members for guidance on funding for other storm water drainage improvements.

Urbana's financial picture goes from abundant to bleak

You'd think that Urbana officials might be feeling a little humbled after discovering, later than just about everyone else, that there's an awful recession out there.

Five months ago, Mayor Laurel Prussing and her supporters were boasting that somehow Urbana was an island of great prosperity in an ocean of economic turbulence.

Danville council tries to brainstorm budget fixes

DANVILLE – Facing a $1.5 million deficit next year, Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer challenged aldermen Tuesday night to decide what services the city should no longer provide, and if all are essential, then what revenues should be created or increased.

Eisenhauer said the city is beyond the point of making cuts within services and departments, showing during a budget presentation that the city has eliminated 58 employee positions in the last five years. The bulk of those personnel cuts came earlier this year, when about 24 positions were cut to balance the budget for the current fiscal year.

Johnson schedules town hall Monday in Cerro Gordo

CERRO GORDO – U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, will hold a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Cerro Gordo High School gymnasium.

It will be the latest in a series of more than a dozen town hall meetings the congressman has held since July. Other sessions have been held in Danville, Rantoul, Villa Grove, Gibson City, Champaign, Normal and other communities in the 15th Congressional District.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Middle school students stand up for recycling

OAKWOOD – About 20 Oakwood Junior High students were going door to door Monday afternoon, asking residents if they want recycling and would pay a couple dollars for it.

Area hopefuls file papers to run in primary election

Republican voters in northwest Champaign County apparently will have an unusual three-way race for a single county board seat in the Feb. 2 primary election.

On the first day of candidacy filing Monday, two Mahomet residents entered petitions to run against incumbent District 1 board member Chris Doenitz, 48, a rural Mahomet resident who last summer was ordered to get anger-management counseling after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. Doenitz was charged after he slapped another man in the face during a confrontation at the Anderson's grain elevator in rural Champaign.

Vermilion hopefuls file papers to run in primary

DANVILLE – There will be at least one contested race in next year's primary election.

Three Republicans filed papers to run for the two District 3 seats on the Vermilion County Board on Monday, the first day candidates could file.

Urbana council endorses parking-fine increase

URBANA – Parking fines will likely increase in Urbana, but downtown shoppers will get a "courtesy ticket" for first-time parking violations under a plan being considered by the city council.

Council members, meeting as a committee of the whole Monday, unanimously approved forwarding the plan to the regular council meeting next week with a recommendation for approval.

Danville residents have time to comment on recycling proposal

DANVILLE – Residents in Danville have until Saturday to express their opinion to city officials about whether they would like a curbside recycling program.

Danville reiterates leaf-burning rules

DANVILLE – The city is reminding residents that it closely regulates leaf burning.

Larry Thomason, director of public safety, says the Danville Fire Division will enforce the leaf-burning ordinance if someone is found in violation. Possible fines range from $150 to $1,000 for each offense.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Candidates begin filing for February primary

Republicans will have a three-way race for county board in District 1 in northwest Champaign County in the Feb. 2 primary election.

With candidate filings beginning Monday morning, incumbent Chris Doenitz of rural Mahomet brought his candidacy petitions Monday morning to the Champaign County clerk's office, as did challengers Stephanie Holderfield and Gary Maxwell, both of Mahomet.

Soldier killed in Afghanistan back home in Rantoul

The Rantoul community welcomed Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski home Sunday.

Sgt. Rudzinski, 28, who served in the Army, died Oct. 16 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on patrol near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

It marked his fourth deployment to an area of conflict. He previously had served one tour of duty in Kosovo and two in Iraq. Sgt. Rudzinski was assigned to a military police brigade based at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Champaign council to discuss next 5 years of finances

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign Finance Director Richard Schnuer said the near-term future looks good for city finances but the long-term is more uncertain.

Champaign council members will discuss a five-year financial forecast at a study session at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the council chambers, 102 N. Neil St., C.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Herman: 'It's good to have the ambiguity resolved'

Chancellor Richard Herman, who announced his resignation last week, will spend his last day in office Monday. He sat down with The News-Gazette's Julie Wurth on Friday to talk about his decision to resign, his accomplishments and regrets over the past decade as provost and chancellor, the upheaval caused by the "Category I" admissions scandal, and the school's future. Excerpts follow. For the complete version, please click here.

Slain soldier returning to Rantoul this morning

People who want to pay their respects to Army Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski of Rantoul, killed in Afghanistan earlier this month, may want to stand along the route that will be taken to get his body to Rantoul this morning.

Lux Memorial Chapel director Leslie Lux said the military aircraft bringing his body from Dover Air Force Base is scheduled to arrive at Willard Airport in Savoy at 10 a.m. today. Sgt. Rudzinski's father and brother flew to Delaware to accompany him back, she said.

Scramble for county board, statehouse seats to begin

Although there have been a number of announcements by candidates for statewide races, including U.S. Senate and governor, there hasn't been much news on the local front.

That should change Monday, when filing for the Feb. 2 party primary elections begins.

Champaign in no rush to set up police review board

CHAMPAIGN – The fatal shooting of a Champaign teen when police answered a burglary call this month has sparked renewed calls for a citizen police review board. But city council members are not inclined to reopen that issue now, saying that there are other priorities.

A police review board was among demands from an overflow crowd Tuesday night at the Champaign council meeting.

Champaign council willing to wait for state police report

CHAMPAIGN – City council members say they want to wait for an Illinois State Police report on the investigation of a fatal shooting before deciding where to go from there.

Most said last Tuesday's emotional public comments affected them, but they need facts about the incident before taking action involving the police.

UI's annual faculty meeting will have new roster at top

URBANA – Monday's annual meeting of the University of Illinois faculty may require a lineup card.

Normally the session hosted by the campus senate is a chance for professors to question the president and chancellor, and sometimes the provost, on all manner of issues.

Outgoing UI chancellor opens up on his thoughts, views

Chancellor Richard Herman, who announced his resignation last week, will spend his last day in office Monday. He sat down with The News-Gazette Friday to talk about his decision to resign, his accomplishments and regrets over the past decade as provost and chancellor, the upheaval caused by the "Category I" admissions scandal, and the school's future.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Champaign council to review 'use of force' policies

CHAMPAIGN – The city of Champaign has scheduled a city council study session for Nov. 10 to review the police department's recently revised "use of force" policies.

Meanwhile, in response to questions at last Tuesday's council meeting about the police department's "use of deadly force" procedures, the department released a statement Friday claiming the local policy "is taken directly" from Illinois law.

Paxton among 30 DCFS offices set to close

PAXTON – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is closing 30 of its offices across the state, including one in Paxton, as a cost-cutting measure that DCFS officials stressed would have no impact on the services the department provides.

Parking-fine increase on Urbana council's agenda

URBANA – Parking violators in Urbana may face stiffer fines.

Urbana City Council members Monday will discuss a proposal to bring Urbana's fines in line with those in Champaign and at the University of Illinois. It also would raise about $100,000 in revenue. The council meeting is set for 7 p.m. at 400 S. Vine St.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Delays in E. Church Street project boost engineers' bill

SAVOY – Because of delays with the reconstruction of East Church Street in Savoy, ESI Engineers has had to work more on the project than originally anticipated.

As a result, ESI asked for payment in addition to its original agreement with the village. The original agreement called for about $140,000 for the engineering portion of the project. The actual reconstruction of the street is estimated to cost approximately $480,000. About $150,000 of that will come from the state and the remainder will be taken out of the motor fuel tax fund. The village board approved extra payment for ESI in the amount of $10,928.

Entryway work under way at Vermilion County annex

But there's no walkway leading up to it, and city hasn't decided what to do

DANVILLE – A crew with McDowell Builders has knocked a hole through the 2-foot-thick brick wall on the back side of the Vermilion County Courthouse Annex to make way for a new public entrance.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Carle Foundation Hospital offers to buy Carle Clinic

URBANA – Carle Foundation Hospital has offered to purchase Carle Clinic and its subsidiary, Health Alliance Medical Plans, for $250 million, according to documents filed with the state this week.

Champaign County Nursing Home rates will rise

URBANA – A 3 percent increase in room and service rates will go into effect at the Champaign County Nursing Home, effective Dec. 1, the county board decided Tuesday night.

Daily skilled care and long-term care rates will increase from $150 to $155.

Funds or no funds, Lincoln Hall renovation fete is on

URBANA – University of Illinois officials are planning to celebrate the beginning of the restoration of Lincoln Hall on Friday – even though the long-anticipated project is still without a primary funding source.

Election officials deliver Afghan runoff ballots

KABUL (AP) – Election authorities began delivering ballots with U.N. assistance across Afghanistan on Thursday, as hurried preparations for the Nov. 7 runoff in the insurgency-plagued nation's presidential election got under way.

International election monitors called on authorities to avert the widespread fraud that marred the first round of voting in August. Scores of election staff accused of misconduct have been axed, and new personnel need to be hired.

Changes in Catlin wastewater pipe OK'd

CATLIN – Village officials voted Tuesday to have some changes made to a 20-foot-long vertical pipe at the wastewater plant.

Currently, the 6-inch-wide pipe runs along a concrete wall, then turns at a right angle and tapers to 4 inches in diameter to connect with a wastewater pump that has a 4-inch port.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Speakers chide police at Champaign council meeting

CHAMPAIGN – Dozens of voices cried for changes by the Champaign City Council on Tuesday night in the wake of the Oct. 9 fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy.

Study session to focus on use-of-force policy

CHAMPAIGN – Council members will have a study session to review the Champaign police department's policy governing use of force.

Council member Michael La Due, District 2, told audience members late Tuesday after hearing comments from citizens about the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington that six council members signed a city form requesting the study session.

Officials say resignation was right move for UI

URBANA – An admissions scandal, years in the making, had many expecting Richard Herman to resign as chancellor since last month, when Urbana's faculty-student senate voted to recommend that both he and the president of the University of Illinois step down.

The Sept. 14 resolution, approved 98-55, called for an orderly transition. Less than two weeks later, on Sept. 23, UI President B. Joseph White obliged by exiting first.

Safe Haven's new home in works

CHAMPAIGN – Volunteers will begin cleanup this weekend at some vacant apartments at Restoration Urban Ministries in advance of renovations to make room for members of a local "tent community."

Safe Haven, a self-governing group of homeless people who lived in tents and then at local churches, will move from St. Mary Catholic Church in Champaign to Restoration Urban Ministries, 1213 Parkland Court, C.

City OKs adjusted budget for 2009-10

GEORGETOWN – City officials adjusted their 2009-10 budget on Monday to better reflect their projected incomes and expenses.

The Georgetown City Council approved a 2009-10 budget in the spring, but the city's auditor recommended amending the whole budget after revising some projected revenues and changing some expenditures.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Herman resigns; Ikenberry, Easter to assume duties

URBANA – The University of Illinois made it official Tuesday: Chancellor Richard H. Herman will resign his campus leadership position effective Oct. 26 and return to teaching.

Meanwhile, Interim President Stanley Ikenberry and interim Provost Robert Easter will assume many of Herman's duties, possibly for several months.

Herman's letter to the campus

It has been the great privilege of my life to serve for 11 years as your
Provost and Chancellor. I will not reiterate the complicated and agonizing
steps that have brought us to this place, except to say that I regret the
circumstances. I'm confident that Illinois will be stronger for all that
we have learned from the controversy.

Obama honors unit for 'Anonymous Battle' in Vietnam

Remarks by the president in awarding the presidential unit citation to Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry.

 

AT&T building demolition bids to be opened today

DANVILLE – City officials will open bids today for the long-awaited demolition of the vacant and deteriorating AT&T building, as well as bids for the possible demolition of the upper deck of the two-story Walnut Street parking garage.

Tax delinquency has increased, treasurer says

URBANA – In another indication of the troubled local economy, more people are behind in their property tax payments than at any time in the last 10 years, according to Champaign County Treasurer Dan Welch.

Georgetown updates budget figures

GEORGETOWN – City officials adjusted their 2009-10 budget on Monday to better reflect their projected incomes and expenses.

The Georgetown City Council approved a 2009-10 budget in the spring, but the city's auditor recommended amending the whole budget after revising some projected revenues and changing some expenditures.

Urban planner will speak at UI

CHAMPAIGN – An urban planner interested in regenerating depressed local economies will speak at 7 p.m. today at Plym Auditorium in Temple Buell Hall, which is one block east of South Sixth Street, between Taft Drive and Peabody Avenue, at the University of Illinois.

Trained as a planner and educated as a tavern keeper and brewmeister, Dan Carmody is president of Detroit's Eastern Market.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Rantoul soldier killed in vehicle attack in Afghanistan

RANTOUL – A Rantoul serviceman serving in Afghanistan died on Friday after the enemy attacked his vehicle.

The Department of Defense announced on Sunday night that Sgt. Christopher M. Rudzinski, 28, of Rantoul died near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Agenda trimmed to accommodate shooting discussion

CHAMPAIGN – Expecting a large crowd, city officials trimmed their agenda for the city council meeting Tuesday night.

Mayor Jerry Schweighart said the city expects people will come to the council meeting to talk about a shooting Oct. 9 that involved Police Chief R.T. Finney and Officer Daniel Norbits.

Danville schools officials reveal plans for stimulus funds

DANVILLE – Danville teachers will have new professional development opportunities, students and teachers will have more technology at their fingertips and two older elementary schools could be rewired to handle more technology, thanks to federal stimulus funding.

School officials said those are some of the things they're looking at doing with the district's $3.6 million allocation.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Upstate split benefits Brady in gubernatorial race

These are the best of times for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady of Bloomington.

In what is now, unofficially, a seven-way race for the GOP nomination, one thing sets Brady apart: He is the only one of the candidates from south of Interstate 80. In fact, he's the only one of the seven white male Republican hopefuls not from Cook or DuPage counties.

Urbana weighing giving parking offenders the 'boot'

URBANA – By next year, people who don't pay their parking fines in Urbana may find their car immobilized until they do.

Urbana city council members at their meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday at the council chambers, 400 S. Vine St., U, will consider adoption of an ordinance allowing immobilization devices – commonly called "boots" – for vehicles driven by motorists who fail to pay five Urbana parking tickets.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

State pauses its premium payments to Health Alliance

URBANA – The state of Illinois' financial condition has become so bad that officials have told Urbana-based Health Alliance Medical Plans that the company won't receive any more premium payments from the state until Dec. 10.

Health Alliance insures 78,600 active state employees and employee dependents, and was last paid by the state Aug. 26 for the July premium. The state's average monthly premium payment to Health Alliance is $33 million, spokeswoman Jane Hayes said.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hynes: Plan to fix budget won't be popular

URBANA – For a gubernatorial candidate seeking votes in a tough primary contest, Dan Hynes had a lot of bitter medicine to deliver to Champaign County Democrats at a fundraiser Thursday afternoon.

"I can guarantee you that if you look at my budget plan on our Web site you'll find something in there that you don't like," the three-term state comptroller told about 50 people at a $50-a-plate fundraiser at Kennedy's in Urbana. "You'll find something in there that hits home with you, maybe not in a great way. But that's the nature of the situation that we're in. It's the nature of the mutual sacrifice that we're going to ask."

Mayor wants local penalties for bar violations

CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois Liquor Control Commission wants a crackdown on underage drinking, but Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart would like to have local, rather than state, sanctions for bars where minors are found in possession of alcohol.

Speaking Thursday to members of the Champaign Liquor Advisory Commission, Schweighart said he will get legal advice from the city attorney's office and then talk to a state liquor commissioner about doing local enforcement on liquor license violations based on citations to minors caught having alcohol during police bar checks.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Gill announces another run for U.S. House seat

URBANA – Physician David Gill, who challenged U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, in 2004 and 2006, formally announced Wednesday that he'll try again in 2010.

"I guess we'll call this Gill 3," the Democratic candidate told a crowd of supporters at Milo's Restaurant in Urbana.

Danville Republican interested in challenging Frerichs

DANVILLE – An organizer with the East Central Illinois Tea Party group said he's willing to challenge state Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, in next year's 52nd District Senate race.

Al Reynolds, 64, of Danville, said Wednesday he's interested in becoming the Republican candidate in the district that includes most of both Champaign and Vermilion counties, including the cities of Champaign, Urbana and Danville. Republican leaders have been rebuffed in several attempts to persuade others to run for the two-year term.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Hoosiers not really living in an economic paradise

So, the state of Indiana is some kind of economic miracle, swimming against the tide of revenue shortfalls and budget cuts, churning out tax dollars and jobs while pitiful states like Illinois wallow in red ink.

That's the line some Illinois politicians and opinion leaders would have you believe. They contend Indiana is superior to Illinois because it cut spending, which created business investment, which created some sort of economic paradise.

Hoopeston bar fined for smoking-ban violation

DANVILLE – One of the first rulings under the state's new administrative review process for smoking ban violations upheld a Vermilion County Health Department fine against the Hoopeston bar, Deano's on Main.

Health department officials cited the business earlier this year when inspectors entered Deano's for a routine food inspection and a customer was smoking inside the business. The health department had received multiple complaints about smoking ban violations at Deano's prior to the inspector's visit, according to health department officials.

Kirk takes state treasurer to task over Bright Start

CHAMPAIGN – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk used a college-savings proposal he is sponsoring in Congress to skewer state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a Democratic Senate candidate, for big financial losses in Illinois' Bright Start college-savings program.

But he admitted Tuesday that his proposal for a 401(k)-type college savings program was proposed two years ago, has no Democratic co-sponsors and is stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee.

Gibson City veterans memorial receives state award

GIBSON CITY - The Drummer Creek Veterans Memorial on Gibson City's west side has received a 2009 Governor's Home Town Award.

The veterans memorial is near Illinois 9, at the southeast corner of Drummer Cemetery on Gibson City's west side. It was dedicated on Veterans Day last year.

The memorial cost $125,000 and was paid for entirely with donations.

Ford County's new budget is $272,155 in the red

PAXTON – Ford County Board members have approved a fiscal 2010 budget with a significant deficit – not for the first time and probably not the last time, according to officials.

The budget projects a deficit of $272,155 in the county's general fund, according to Ford County Treasurer Nancy Krumwiede. For the past two years, income has barely exceeded expenses.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Champaign high school redistricting options presented

CHAMPAIGN – The best option for changing high school boundaries in Champaign would affect families south of Windsor Road and in two areas between Russell Street and Mattis Avenue, according to a demographer hired to develop redistricting options for the Champaign school district.

Jerome McKibben presented two options at a community forum Monday night, then the school board discussed them.

Urbana City Council to begin looking at spending cuts

URBANA – Faced with going in the red by an estimated $1.3 million during the current fiscal year, Urbana officials will be looking at salary freezes and spending cuts.

Urbana Comptroller Ron Eldridge told council members at a study session Monday night that drops in sales-tax and state income-tax revenues are now projected to result in the $1.3 million deficit.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Quinn, Hynes voice different plans for income-tax hike

CHAMPAIGN – Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes avoided mentioning each other by name, but they didn't avoid comparing each other's position on an income tax increase in an appearance before Champaign County Democrats on Sunday night.

The two main candidates in the Feb. 2, 2010, gubernatorial primary were among a dozen candidates to speak before more than 250 Democrats at the local party's fall dinner at the I Hotel and Conference Center. Other speakers included U.S. Senate candidate David Hoffman of Chicago and 15th District congressional hopeful David Gill of Normal.

A state lawmaker's worst bill? The one marked 'unpaid'

To the long list of contractors, vendors and other businesses awaiting payment from the state of Illinois, you can add state legislators and the people they do business with.

The owner of the building where state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, has his Danville office hasn't been paid since June. Same with the landlord of Democratic state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson's Champaign office. State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said he had his trash-hauling service cut off for a number of days because of the nonpayment of bills.

Champaign will try to mirror Urbana's recycling plans

CHAMPAIGN – Over the next year, Champaign city officials, apartment building owners and waste haulers will be sorting out details to implement a multifamily recycling program.

At a city council meeting Tuesday, city leaders gave staff a green light to proceed with a recycling program that mirrors one in Urbana. The Champaign program is expected to be operating by next fall.

UI students say they're willing to join in recycling effort

CHAMPAIGN – University of Illinois students will recycle if given the chance, supporters told the city council during a discussion of Champaign starting a recycling program for apartments and other multifamily properties.

"If you make the resource available, the students will use it," Cassie Carroll, a University of Illinois graduate and executive director with the Illinois Green Business Association, said at Tuesday night's city council meeting.

Danville starts survey on desire for recycling service

DANVILLE - This month, residents interested in a curbside recycling program in Danville will have the chance to fill out an online survey and indicate how much they would be willing to pay to have the service.

Residents will receive a message with their sanitary sewer and solid waste bills about how to access an online survey about recycling, said Public Works Director Doug Ahrens.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Mental health grant panel has youngsters in mind

CHAMPAIGN – Adrienne Spires has been a counselor, educator and parent of two daughters.

It's that last job that landed her on a panel alongside academics and agency directors who will help decide how to spend a $9 million Champaign County mental health grant.

An interim steering committee appointed this week will begin the planning process for the six-year federal grant, and 10 of the 19 members are teens or parents. The money – $1 million the first year – comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA.

Urbana district hopes suit shows need for sharing info

URBANA – The Urbana school district's lawsuit against the Normal school district is a way for it to recoup some of its financial losses from settlements to students abused by former Urbana teacher and convicted sex offender Jon White, said Joseph Perkoski, the Chicago attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Urbana school district.

The Urbana district has agreed to pay more than $2 million in present-day dollars in settlements to the families of White's victims.

UI has funny way of showing it has 'no secrets'

Earlier this year, University of Illinois President B. Joseph White appeared before an Illinois House committee and pledged that the university would be open and transparent when dealing with the public.

"We're a public university. There should be no secrets," he said.

Getting Personal: UI professor Bruce Hannon

Explain in one sentence what it is you do.

As a University of Illinois professor, I teach about and do research on the modeling of ecological and economic systems.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Urbana forced to deal with lower revenues

URBANA – Lower sales tax and state income tax revenues pose problems for the city.

"We are going to have to bridge a $1.3 million gap" in the budget for the coming year, Mayor Laurel Prussing said in an interview Friday.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Proposed Champaign County budget includes major cuts

URBANA – Sharp declines in tax revenue, particularly in sales and income taxes, will require a $2.4 million cut in general fund spending for Champaign County next year.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Panel calls for end of Champaign County Board panels

URBANA – A Champaign County Board committee has endorsed one major change in county board operations and agreed to hold public hearings on another one.

Nursing home worker to return after charges dropped

URBANA – An employee of the Champaign County Nursing Home accused last spring of hitting a resident is expected to be back on the job Monday.

Nursing home Administrator Andrew Buffenbarger said Sharoia Hill, 29, of Danville, had been on paid administrative leave since April 8. She was charged with aggravated battery the next day, accused of striking an Alzheimer's resident in the face while she worked as a certified nursing assistant in the Alzheimer's unit.

Quinn, UI students rally for MAP grant funding

URBANA – Kimberly Nunley doesn't come from money – the Chicago native is a former ward of the state, and has three small children of her own.

She wants to continue her studies at Parkland College, and possibly on to Millikin University, but there's no money for the spring semester – because the Legislature didn't fund the second half of a state grant she was promised.