BP Is Pursuing Alaska Drilling Some Call Risky - NYTimes.com

 

BP is moving ahead with a controversial and potentially record-setting project to drill two miles under the sea and then six to eight miles horizontally to reach what is believed to be a 100-million-barrel reservoir of oil under federal waters.

BP’s project, called Liberty, has been exempted as regulators have granted it status as an “onshore” project even though it is about three miles off the coast in the Beaufort Sea. The reason: it sits on an artificial island — a 31-acre pile of gravel in about 22 feet of water — built by BP.

Click on the following for more details:  BP Is Pursuing Alaska Drilling Some Call Risky - NYTimes.com

Pension changes face series of hurdles - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Great summary of the public pension issue.

Two sides of Illinois’ pension systems need to be fixed to bring the state out of its retirement funding quagmire: the benefits, which some say are overly generous, and the funding, which is $78 billion in the red.

The first half got a boost last month when Gov. Pat Quinn signed changes applying to most — but not all — of the pension systems in Illinois. But the second, and more urgent, half of reform remains untouched.

The law creates a second pension tier for public workers hired after Jan. 1, 2011. The second tier increases the retirement age from 60 to 67, caps the final salary used to calculate pension payments and trims the annual pension increase to be more in line with inflation.

The constitutional issue

… But a short piece of text called Article 13, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution is standing in their way.

It’s brief: “Membership in any pension or retirement system of the state, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired.”

Click on the following for more details:  Pension changes face series of hurdles - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Ill. police revoke 1st Muslim chaplain's post

 

Due to information revealed during the background investigation, Sheikh Kifah Mustapha's appointment as a volunteer ISP Chaplain has been denied," ISP spokesman Master Sgt. Isaiah Vega said in an e-mail. "Specific details of background investigations are confidential and cannot be discussed."

Click on the following for more details:  Pantagraph.com | News from Associated Press

Governor Pat Quinn signs Sullivan Bill : News : KHQA

 

- Governor Pat Quinn recently signed House Bill 6349, sponsored by State Senator John Sullivan (D - Rushville). The legislation requires that, during times of high unemployment in the State, at least 90 percent of workers employed on public works projects be from Illinois.

Click on the following for more details:  Governor Pat Quinn signs Sullivan Bill : News : KHQA

Walmart becomes issue in Ill. governor's race - Forbes.com

Republican Bill Brady joining with an influential black minister Wednesday to support the big box chain's expansion.

. Pat Quinn, who has courted union backing in the governor's race, said Tuesday he was encouraged by the negotiations that could bring more Walmarts to Chicago. The company has said it wants to build dozens of stores in the city."I'm encouraged by the fact that Wal-Mart understands that you have to pay a decent wage to workers, certainly above the minimum wage," he said

Walmart becomes issue in Ill. governor's race - Forbes.com

Letter: Accountability to DeKalb County taxpayers | Daily Chronicle

 

had it passed, would have had the board vote on the budget cuts at our October meeting, a full three weeks before the November elections. That way, voters would be able to see exactly how the board members who are seeking re-election manage the taxpayers’ hard-earned tax dollars.

Click on the following for more details:  Letter: Accountability to taxpayers | Daily Chronicle

An increasingly politicized military - latimes.com

Interesting editorial on the military and politics.

Studies over the last dozen years suggest that "a majority of active-duty officers believe that senior officers should 'insist' on making civilian officers accept their viewpoints"; and 65% of senior officers think it is OK to go public and advocate military policies they believe "are in the best interests of the United States." In contrast, only 29% believe that high-ranking civilians, rather than their military counterparts, "should have the final say on what type of military force to use."

Click on the following for the rest of the article:  An increasingly politicized military - latimes.com

City leaders praise Mexican general - SignOnSanDiego.com

Read the article there are positives and negatives to the Mexican Army’s involvement. 

ROSARITO BEACH, Mexico — Saying the Mexican military’s battle against drug gangs has led to a decrease in crime in their communities, civilian authorities paid homage Tuesday to a military general leading the fight in Baja California.

Click on the following for more details:  City leaders praise Mexican general - SignOnSanDiego.com

Prison job seminar planned - Freeport, IL - The Journal-Standard

 

A Federal Bureau of Prisons Job Information Seminar will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 23 at Eastland High School, 500 School Drive.  Lanark, Ill.
Topics will include information on positions available, basic qualifications and how to prepare for a career with the Department of Justice law-enforcement branch.
Because of federal hiring regulations, the majority of available positions required being hired prior to the applicant’s 37th birthday.

Click on the following for more details:  Prison job seminar planned - Freeport, IL - The Journal-Standard

2 Board of Health reappointments blocked - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg is questioning the motives of six County Board members whose votes blocked two of his three Board of Health reappointments.

Those people who were opposed are always screaming about open meetings and being transparent, but it was pretty obvious there was a lot of communications between those six people ... done outside of an open meeting,” he said.

Click on the following for more details:  2 Board of Health reappointments blocked - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Mr. Walberg  thinks that there are  no problems at the Board of Health. Perhaps he need to read the minutes of the Health Department:   See below from the March 17 open session portion of the Board of Health Meeting.  Basically the entire medical staff submitted a written grievance against Ms. Crawford, who after closed session discussion resigned and was award 90 days severance.  Ms Crawford was employed by the department approximately one year.

closed session at 12:10 p.m. for the purpose of
discussing grievances that have been submitted against Stephanie Crawford, the Assistant Administrator, and a disciplinary action appeal. The grievance was submitted by a group consisting of Cristina Cintora, Nancy Reagan, Carmen Rodriguez, Chris McKibben, Siobain Daughenbaugh, Sue Magyar and Ellen Genrich. The other disciplinary action had been submitted separately by Susan
Karras and involved Nancy Reagan.

The Board of Health returned to open session at 1:05 p.m. All staff returned to the open session.Allen requested that Paul Larson update the staff concerning what had transpired.
• Effective immediately Stephanie Crawford has resigned as the Assistant Administrator.

A motion was made by Paul Larson to expunge both Susan Karras and Nancy Reagan’s record…effective immediately. Motion was seconded by Dr. Conder. Motion carried. A motion was made by Paul Larson to update both Susan Karras and Stephanie Crawford’s file to reflect that they resigned their position but would be eligible to be rehired by the Boone County
Department of Health.

A motion was made by Paul Larson to compensate Stephanie[Crawford with a 90 day severance package, paid out in one lump sum. Motion was seconded by George Sprecher. Motion carried.