Stephensen County Chairman: Economic development stays -

For the first two months of the year, the county’s revenues are down by 2 percent compared to what was budgeted….

. Some board members have suggested the county cut its $100,000 allocation to NIDA as a way to save money, but Blum said this would be disastrous for ongoing job creation efforts….By reducing its allocation to NIDA, county officials would be indicating to voters that they received the message to change how tax revenue is used, Kinney said.

approved a 2009-2010 general fund budget with a roughly $400,000 deficit late last year

Blum: Economic development stays - Freeport, IL - The Journal-Standard

Mystery swirls around George W. Bush 'Miss me yet?' billboard - Yahoo! News

Play Video ABC News  – Bush Billboard Asks 'Miss Me Yet?'  

The ad was purchased by a group of small business owners who wish to remain anonymous

Click on the following for more details:  Mystery swirls around George W. Bush 'Miss me yet?' billboard - Yahoo! News

Feds may investigate Toyota Corolla power steering

This is an AP release regarding the same facts published in the Washington Post.

NHTSA says it will determine if a formal safety investigation is warranted. But agency officials also stress that it is standard procedure to review the tens of thousands of driver complaints they get every year on a wide range of vehicles.

Feds may investigate Toyota Corolla power steering - Chicago Breaking Business

Illinois bans cell phone usage in school zones

Illinois bans cell phone usage in school zones
Posted Belvidere Community Schools February 3, 2010 [http://www.district100.net/]

As of January 1, 2010, the State of Illinois banned the use of cell phones in school zones.  Senate Bill 72 titled "Vehicular Phone Use in School Zones" states:

"A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone."

Please be mindful of the new law when you pick your children up from school or are simply traveling through a school speed zone.

Belvidere's sewer, water rates may go up - Rockford, IL

Next year a Belvidere resident should budget $298.80 for water and sewer that is (1.48 + 2.12) X 83

would pay $1.48 per hundred cubic feet for water and $2.12 for sewer, increases of 9 cents and 12 cents, respectively….

A typical household using 8,300 cubic feet a year of water and the same amount in sewer would pay an extra $17.43 a year: $7.47 for water, $9.96 for sewer, Director of Public Works Craig Lawler said.

Belvidere's sewer, water rates may go up - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

U.S. government looks at Toyota Corolla steering complaints

This may or may not be a problem.

The Transportation Department now says that it is looking into more than 80 complaints it has received from owners of the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla about the vehicle's steering.

The Transportation Department has not launched a formal investigation into the Corolla steering, as it did last week with the Prius brakes. Instead, said spokeswoman Olivia Alair, the agency is reviewing the Corolla complaints "as we do with all complaints."

Also, understand this: Toyota is a massive automaker, at one point rivaling GM for U.S. sales. It is bound to get owner complaints simply because of the sheer number of vehicles it sells.

Click on the following for more details:  Economy Watch - U.S. government looks at Toyota Corolla steering complaints

State Farm says it warned NHTSA on Toyota in 2007

nation's largest auto insurer said Tuesday it alerted federal safety regulators in late 2007 about a rise in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the latest warning sign to emerge about the massive recall….State Farm said that it routinely tracks claim trend information and shares its data with NHTSA. "In the name of safety, we voluntarily and routinely communicate with the appropriate government agencies when we see a product-related claim trend,"

Click on the following for more details:  State Farm says it warned NHTSA on Toyota in 2007 - Yahoo! Finance

Kramer leads close race for Kane GOP sheriff bid

 

Nearly 350 absentee ballots in Kane County still are left to be counted, according to election officials. Under new state election law, absentee ballots can still be counted if they are postmarked before the election.

Kane County Clerk John Cunningham said in the past absentee ballots generally have produced results similar to the elections. He thought these ballots were unlikely to change the outcome, although a difference of less than 5 percent would generate an automatic partial recount.

Click on the following for more details:  Kramer leads close race for Kane GOP sheriff bid :: Beacon News :: Local News

West Dundee may extend discounts

village board Monday discussed offering discount cards to residents that could be redeemed at local retailers when the village's quarterly newsletter is sent out. No action was taken at the committee of the whole meeting.

Click on the following for more details:  Daily Herald | W. Dundee may extend discounts

Wind-energy ordinance passes on first reading in DeKalb

proposal allows small wind-energy conversion systems to be attached to buildings or freestanding in areas zoned as commercial and industrial, as well as any publicly owned land, like a park or school

Industrial properties can have towers as high as 75 feet, including building height. These are consistent with current building height maximums

If an entity wants to put up an attached system taller than 10 feet, multiple systems or a freestanding wind tower, a special use permit would be required. The power generated would be primarily used by the property owner, where the systems are located, and would not be sold to utility companies.

Wind-energy ordinance passes on first reading | Daily Chronicle

Thousands of Illinoisans could lose jobless benefits

More than 65,000 residents stand to lose their unemployment payments in March — and another 235,000 by June — if Congress doesn’t authorize another funding extension to prolong jobless benefits, according to an analysis by the National Employment Law Project.

The federal government funded several tiers of unemployment extensions, which total 73 weeks, on top of the state’s regular 26 weeks of unemployment insurance.

Some jobless could start losing their benefits as early as next week

Click on the following for more details:  Thousands of Illinoisans could lose jobless benefits - - BusinessRockford.com

Booze sales at Cliffbreakers continue amid tax inquiry - Rockford, IL

 

Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort has been charged with not paying sales and withholding taxes, an allegation that threatens its liquor licenses.

Click on the following for  more details:   Booze sales at Cliffbreakers continue amid tax inquiry - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

DeKalb Alderman Keller resigns

The last appointment brought questions from local newspapers and freedom of information inquiries which the mayor refused and are at the Attorney General Office.  It appears that the request for oral communications maybe an attempt to hide the names of applicants from the public. For more details, see:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/02/daily-chronicle-dekalb-should-disclose.html 

DeKALB – Brent Keller has resigned from his seat representing the 7th Ward on the DeKalb City Council.

The selection process will be like that in the 3rd Ward, in which [Mayor shown below] Povlsen is asking residents in the ward with an interest to contact him, preferably by phone, he said. Povlsen will be interviewing candidates over the next few weeks, he said, and hopes to have the seat filled by early March.

Click on the following for more details:  Alderman Keller resigns | Daily Chronicle