Saturday, February 20, 2010

Our View: Senate meeting is unacceptable | Daily Chronicle

Daily Chronicle Onlinethe Senate could choose to close almost any session where no vote will be taken by calling it a “joint caucus.”
Even if the Senate was not in violation of the letter of the law – though we contend that it was – it certainly was in violation of the spirit of the law.

Time and again, our state’s elected leaders have shown that they have no plans to change the culture in Springfield.
Voters need to remember that in November.

Click on the following for the complete editorial:  Our View: Senate meeting is unacceptable | Daily Chronicle

UAW strike in Sycamore threatens Belvidere Chrysler production - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Johnson Controls, Inc. 30chrysler

main concern is the[Johnson Control]  company's wish to take out a clause in their contract that says it can't outsource jobs. "They can take and move these jobs out of Illinois. They could move the jobs out of the United States. You could see this facility all but disappear,"

Click on the following for more details:  UAW strike in Sycamore threatens Belvidere Chrysler production - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Illinois Republican Party supports Redistricting Referendum

Illinois Fair Map Amendment

Redistricting is right around the corner and Illinois citizens have an opportunity to truly reform the way Illinois government operates.  There is a movement sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and many other reform-minded groups to pass a citizen’s initiative to change the way redistricting is done in Illinois.  The Illinois Republican Party is supportive of this proposal.   In order for this initiative to appear on the ballot in November, 500,000 signatures must be collected by April 1, 2010.  Now is the time for action and we greatly appreciate your support of this initiative by gathering as many signatures as possible.   

To learn more or to download a petition, please visit www.ilfairmap.com. There are many technicalities with the petition process so please make sure to review the instructions thoroughly. Thanks!

The New Poor - Despite Signs of Recovery, Long-Term Unemployment Rises - Series - NYTimes.com

Economists fear that the nascent recovery will leave more people behind than in past recessions, failing to create jobs in sufficient numbers to absorb the record-setting ranks of the long-term unemployed.

Roughly 2.7 million jobless people will lose their unemployment check before the end of April unless Congress approves

6.3 million Americans who have been unemployed for six months or longer, the largest number since the government began keeping track in 1948

declining influence of unions has made it easier for employers to shift work to part-time and temporary employees.

only two-thirds of unemployed people received state-provided unemployment checks last year, according to the Labor Department. The rest either exhausted their benefits, fell short of requirements or did not apply.

Click on the following for more details:  The New Poor - Despite Signs of Recovery, Long-Term Unemployment Rises - Series - NYTimes.com

New corporation seeks to redevelop area in DeKalb County

National Bank & Trust Company’s Community Development Corporation, a limited-liability corporation that finances economic redevelopment projects or projects to benefit low- to moderate-income people in DeKalb and Sycamore.

For example, Cullen said, it could purchase an empty downtown building, refurbish it, bring in tenants and sell it. The goal would be to break even, not to make profits as in a typical investment.

Click on the following for more details:  New corporation seeks to redevelop area | Daily Chronicle