Thursday, July 15, 2010

Courthouse preliminary plans come in over budget | Daily Chronicle

How much longer will DeKalb send prisoners to the Boone County Jail?

On June 16, the DeKalb County Board approved building a 36,000-square-foot addition to the county courthouse that will expand the existing facility to the north. About $16 million in bonds will be issued to fund the project, with most going to fund the courthouse and about $1.5 million used to start planning for a proposed expansion to the county jail.

Click on the following for more details:  Courthouse preliminary plans come in over budget | Daily Chronicle

State's attorney sending inquiry to DeKalb Public Library Board | Daily Chronicle

the board voted on the purchase agreement during a May 12 meeting in closed session – a violation of the Open Meetings Act, which mandates that the purchase of property be done in open session.

Click on the following for more details:  State's attorney sending inquiry to library board | Daily Chronicle

Not CTA's job to shovel train platforms, state Supreme Court rules | Crain's Chicago Business

Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Chicago Transit Authority has no duty to keep train platforms clear of snow and ice, a decision that could apply to public transportation around the state.

CTA praised the ruling in a statement and said it "always strives to clean its platforms and facilities and will continue to do so.

Click on the following for more details:  Not CTA's job to shovel train platforms, state Supreme Court rules | Crain's Chicago Business

The Business of Giving | Paul Allen commits majority of his wealth to philanthropy | Seattle Times Newspaper

Allen [CEO, Microsoft], who is 57, said today that he plans to leave the majority of his $13 billion estate to philanthropy to continue the work of his foundation and to fund scientific research.

Click on the following for more details:  The Business of Giving | Paul Allen commits majority of his wealth to philanthropy | Seattle Times Newspaper

Loves Park able to cut spending plan by 10% - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

spending plan by 10 percent this year, but officials don’t foresee major cuts to services or staff.

city’s new utility tax, which went into effect in May, was a critical component of a balanced budget.

Loves Park able to cut spending plan by 10% - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Will Chairman Walberg attempt to reappoint Joseph Frost?

The following story is taken from last month’s Register Star regarding the failure to reappoint Dr. Frost to the Boone County Health Board.  Can and will Mr. Walberg re-nominate Dr. Frost?

The reappointment of Board of Health Vice President Joseph Frost failed, 6-6, with Walberg, Danny Anderson, Anthony Dini, Karl Johnson, Paul Larson and Marshall Newhouse voting in favor.

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

Chairman Walberg has four candidates from which to choose for the two vacant Health Board Seats

The following four names have been obtained under the Freedom of Information Act:  J.M. Frost, DVM; David Jacobson; Andy Malcolm, DDS and Dennis G. Norem, MD.

 

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

County FOIA 7-14-2010

 

FOIA 7-12-2010

'If you can't beat 'em, you eat 'em': Quinn to invest $2 million in Pike County fishing company to help control Asian carp problem

Illinois is investing $2 million in capital funds so Big River Fish in Pearl can expand its facilities and increase production capacity.

China’s consul general in Chicago, Yang Guoqiang, admits to struggling with the bony fish as a youngster until learning to love it later as an adult.
“We have the top quality fish here,” Yang said

Click on the following for more of this story:  Quincy Herald Whig

Board Minutes of the Boone County Board

If you ever want to know how your county board member cast his/her vote on a specific issue—here is a source to see their exact vote.  It took a bit of personal work and even through some board members did not want it –the official minutes of past meeting of the full board are now available.  Oh yes—the state required county boards to do this since 2006 and Boone County still has not done it. 

Click on the following:  Board Minutes of the Boone County Board