Boone County Job Opportunities

Animal Control Warden

Date: July 24, 2014

Department: Animal Control

Location: Belvidere, Illinois

Pay: $12.50, DOQ

Pay Type: Hourly

Employment Type: Full Time; Part-time arrangement negotiable

SUMMARY:

This position enforces all County ordinances and applicable State of Illinois laws pertaining to animal control as designated by Boone County. The position also works with the public to identify, resolve, and improve upon animal control issues that arise. The County is seeking an individual who has impeccable communication and customer service skills. Additionally, the candidate must have a proven successful record of independent judgment and be flexible with working in a variety of environments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

This candidate will be responsible for variety of tasks including patrolling assigned areas to capture stray animals, receiving and responding to public complaints, issuance of citations, cleaning and maintaining kennel areas, feeding animals and operating animal control equipment. Other duties may be assigned. This is an on-call position. Candidates must be willing to work rotating weekends and some holidays. This position reports to the Operations Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

This position requires knowledge of animal behavior, animal control laws and animal handling skills. Requires skill driving animal control vehicle and handling of animal control equipment. Valid driver’s license is required. This person must have some animal handling experience and good public communication skills, work independently and also as a team player. This position requires extensive knowledge of animals, especially dogs. Experience working in a related position is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position requires extensive physical demands. Job duties could require frequent standing, walking, and use of hands. Must have the ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Occasionally, candidate may be required to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

A combination of office and field work. Exposure to disagreeable elements such as heat and cold.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Candidates must possess a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) and six months experience working with animals. Bilingual skills a plus.

This position is 40 hours per week with a starting wage of $12.50 per hour DOQ. This is a union position. Boone County offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, retirement, and vacation.

Please submit completed application, resume and cover letter to:

Boone County Administration Office

1212 Logan Avenue, Suite 102

Belvidere, IL 61008

Applications are available online at: http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/employment-opportunities.

Applications must be received by August 15, 2014.

Above is taken from:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/employment-opportunities

It is that time again---

 

Re-Elect

BILL PYSSON

BOONE COUNTY BOARD

Bill’s initiatives over the last two years have improved your county government. These are a few of Bill’s accomplishments.

     · Suggested and succeeded in having all appointed posts and jobs openings posted on county website

     · Insured that the required disclosures of employee salaries are available to the public; by name not merely job description.

     · Demanded the County Board Chairman posts all proposed appointments in advance. Based upon the requirement of the board’s advice and consent, Bill votes on no appointment unless they are posted in advanced on the website and the application letters of all applicants are made public. Unfortunately the chairman only sometimes complies with this request.

     · Questioned why the county has not completed a physical inventory of property in over seven years. In 2014 such an inventory was finally completed and a perpetual inventory system is being devised.  County ordinances required such inventories yet the county failed to comply with the requirement for years.

     · Written evaluation of employees supervised by the County Administrator will now occur once per year. Previously formal evaluations were not required and did not occur.

It is the duty of the county board to provide general supervision of the animal services, planning enforcement and building department and the County Administrator’s office.  Bill criticized the county for not having written procedures for these activities.   Bill suggested written logs of zoning complaints, car usage, office calls and office contacts; unfortunately these suggestions have not been accepted.  Hopefully the accountability benefits of such rudimentary recordkeeping will eventually be accepted.

Bill’s two District One opponents are opposed to Wind Farms. Bill voted against the ordinance change because the proposed 2000 feet set back would effectively prohibited commercial wind turbines in the county. Wind turbines can be effectively regulated by the special use provision of the county zoning code. That position was recommended by the profession staff of the County Zoning Department.

THERE IS MUCH MORE TO DO—Re-Elect BILL PYSSON

Why Are Wages for Young College Grads So Terrible?

Income Growth for College Grads:
It's Terrible

SF Fed

 

Read more by clicking on the following:  http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/07/millennial-entry-level-wages-terrible-horrible-just-really-bad/374884/

Fast food workers prepare to escalate wage demands

About 1,300 workers are scheduled to attend sessions Friday and Saturday at an expo center in Villa Park, Illinois, where they'll be asked to do "whatever it takes" to win $15-an-hour wages and a union, said Kendall Fells, organizing director of the national effort and a representative of the Service Employees International Union.

The union has been providing financial and organizational support to the fast-food protests that began in late 2012 in New York City and have included daylong strikes and a protest outside this year's McDonald's Corp. shareholder meeting that resulted in more than 130 arrests

Read more by clicking on the following: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fast-food-workers-prepare-escalate-wage-demands-051155333.html

Cooling Sites in Boone County

Rob Funderburg Jr.: Philanthropist committed to improving the community

By Jeff Kolkey
Register Star Media
Posted Jul. 20, 2014 @ 5:00 am

Alpine Bank Chairman Rob Funderburg Jr. was introduced to the family business at a young age.

The third-generation banker, land developer and philanthropist grew up in Rockford and fondly recalls frequent visits to what was then Belvidere Bank.

“I would drive around with my dad on Saturday mornings to check on projects he was working on,” the 52-year-old said. “I was 17 when I started working at Alpine Bank as a teller and in operations.”

He’s been married to Cathy since 1993 and is the father of two. The family is known for its banking interests, land ownership and donations to worthy causes.

Funderburg’s father and aunt contributed money for Funderburg Stadium, which was built in 1967 and named in memory of his grandfather, Hugh K. Funderburg. Last year, Alpine Bank “contributed more than $700,000 to 350 community organizations,” Funderburg said. And the Funderburg Foundation donates thousands of dollars to area cultural, community and recreational organizations in Winnebago and Boone counties every year.

“The family is so unique in how they care for the community and the people in the community,” said Bill Roop, president and CEO of Alpine Bank. “I never cease to be amazed at how generous they are and how honorable they are.”

Funderburg succeeded his father, as his father had succeeded his grandfather, as leader of the family businesses. He was elected chairman of Alpine Bank & Trust Co. in 1992 after his father became ill and died.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140720/Special/140719494#ixzz38A2Vtpwf

Faces of Summer: Garden Prairie grower a lifelong farmers marketer

BELVIDERE — Mary Brubach’s Saturday mornings in the summer have been the same since as long as she can remember.

Mary’s mother, Susie, ran Susie’s Garden Patch in Garden Prairie, and 31-year-old Mary said “for the past 27 or 28 years” they’ve been bringing fresh produce to the Belvidere Farmers Market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Saturday from early June to late October.

“This is all I’ve known,” Brubach said. “I don’t want to do anything else though. I love to interact with my customers. They know me, and I know them. They’ll tell me stories about how my parents sat me down ‘over there’ while they ran the produce stand.”

Mary’s father died about 18 months ago, and Mary and her husband essentially have taken over the garden patch and now they, along with Susie’s help as well as a part-time college student, sell produce ranging from asparagus to rhubarb at farmers markets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“It’s tiring, but it’s fun,” said Brubach, who also likes to shop at other farmers markets, such as Woodstock and Beloit, Wisconsin. “I get to educate people about things they wouldn’t think about because they are used to buying food in stores.”

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140721/News/140729921#ixzz38A0hLRTD

Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunity

:

Executive Director-- Growth Dimensions has the following employment opportunities

Reporting directly to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Growth Dimensions for Belvidere-Boone County, Inc., the Executive Director is responsible for providing economic development leadership in the areas of business attraction, business retention and expansion, enterprise zone administration, strategic initiatives and other special projects assigned by the Executive Committee. 
Full Job Description: Executive Director

Please submit the following items to:   info@growthdimensions.org This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by July 31, 2014, 5:00 p.m.

- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Salary History & Requirements
- References (at least two)

Ranking US states by job creation in past 5 years

 

The Great Recession, harshest since the 1930s, began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. Most states still don't have as many jobs as they had when the recession started. All but New Mexico have more than they did when it ended five years ago.

A list showing how the 50 states and Washington D.C. stack up in job creation between June 2009 and June 2014, ranked from fastest to slowest growth in hiring:

Place Jobs in June 2009 Jobs in June 2014 Percentage change:

North Dakota367,000465,000+26.6 percentTexas10.28 million11.55 million+12.3 percentUtah1.19 million1.33 million+12.3 percentColorado2.24 million2.45 million+9.2 percentFlorida7.22 million7.80 million+8.0 percent Michigan3.84 million4.14 million+7.9 percent Washington D.C.699,000754,000+7.9 percentIndiana2.78 million2.99 million+7.8 percentCalifornia14.36 million15.47 million+7.7 percentTennessee2.61 million2.80 million+7.4 percent South Carolina1.81 million1.933 million+7.1 percentOregon1.61 million1.72 million+6.7 percentWashington2.86 million3.05 million+6.7 percentNevada1.14 million1.22 million+6.7 percentMassachusetts3.20 million3.41 million+6.6 percent Minnesota2.65 million2.82 million+6.6 percent Oklahoma1.57 million1.67 million+6.4 percentUSA130.94 million138.78 million+6.0 percent New York8.52 million9.03 million+6.0 percentMontana429,000455,000+5.9 percentIdaho609,000645,000+5.9 percent North Carolina3.90 million4.12 million+5.7 percentArizona2.43 million2.55 million+5.2 percentOhio5.04 million5.31 million+5.2 percentDelaware416,000438,000+5.2 percentKentucky1.76 million1.85 million+5.1 percentGeorgia3.90 million4.10 million+5.1 percent Iowa 1.48 million1.55 million+5.0 percentHawaii593,000622,000+4.9 percent Wisconsin 2.74 million2.86 million+4.4 percent Alaska320,000334,000+4.4 percent South Dakota403,000420,000+4.1 percent Rhode Island459,000477,000+4.0 percentLouisiana1.90 million1.97 million+3.9 percentNebraska948,000984,000+3.8 percentMaryland2.52 million2.62 million+3.7 percentKansas1.34 million1.38 million+3.4 percent West Virginia749,000774,000+3.3 percentPennsylvania5.61 million5.79 million+3.3 percentVermont297,000306,000+3.2 percentVirginia3.66 million3.77 million+3.1 percent Missouri2.69 million2.77 million+3.1 percent Illinois5.64 million 5.81 million+3.0 percent New Hampshire628,000645,000+2.7 percentMaine596,000611,000+2.7 percentConnecticut1.62 million1.67 million+2.6 percentWyoming285,000292,000+2.4 percentMississippi1.10 million1.12 million+2.3 percentArkansas1.16 million1.19 million+2.2 percent New Jersey3.90 million3.95 million+1.4 percentAlabama1.88 million1.91 million+1.4 percent New Mexico811,000808,000-0.4 percent

The above is taken from:  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ranking-us-states-job-creation-past-5-years-181536590--finance.html

Kansas tax cuts caused tax revenues to fall 11 percent. What's next?

The tax cuts in Kansas have been breathtaking. In 2012, at Brownback’s urging, the legislature cut individual tax rates by 25 percent and repealed the tax on sole proprietorships and other “pass-through” businesses. It also increased the standard deduction (though it eliminated some individual credits as well).

In 2013, the legislature cut taxes again. It passed a measure to gradually lower rates even more over five years. By 2018, the top rate, which was 6.45 percent in 2012, will fall to 3.9 percent. It also partially restored some of the credits it eliminated in 2012. This time, it did raise some offsetting revenue for the first few years but far less than the statutory tax cuts. The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities wrote up a nice summary of all the tax changes.

So what happened after all those tax cuts? Revenues collapsed.

From June, 2013 to June, 2014, all Kansas tax revenue plunged by 11 percent. Individual income taxes fell from $2.9 billion to $2.2 billion and all income tax collections plummeted from $3.3 billion to $2.6 billion, a drop of more than 20 percent.

A big chunk of that revenue decline likely comes from individuals redefining themselves as pass-through businesses. Last month alone the state’s individual tax payments fell by one-third from June, 2013.

Keep in mind that these are actual year-over-year declines in revenues, not shortfalls in projected revenue. And they came at a time when the national economy was recovering (albeit slowly) and most other states were enjoying strong pickups in tax collections.

….Since the first round of tax cuts, job growth in Kansas has lagged the U.S. economy. So have personal incomes. While more small businesses were formed, many of them were merely individuals taking advantage of the newly tax-free status of those firms by redefining themselves as businesses.

Read the entire article by clicking on the the following:  http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Tax-VOX/2014/0716/Kansas-tax-cuts-caused-tax-revenues-to-fall-11-percent.-What-s-next

Phishing Scam attempts on I-pass customers

 

25 people with the highest pensions in the state as of April 1, 2014.

Here’s a list of 25 people with the highest pensions in the state as of April 1, 2014.  This list is from:  http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/07/02/editors-picks/kevin-hoffmanrebootillinois-com/top-25-highest-illinois-government-pensions/19817/?utm_source=hotlist_20140707&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=

You’ll notice many of the pensioners are/were employed by the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine. Last year, the Better Government Association found that a handful of UIC employees retired, began collecting their pensions, and then were rehired after waiting the required 60 days in order to work part-time for a smaller salary.

Similar to the Naperville police chief who “double dips” — collects a pension on top of a taxpayer-funded salary —  nine UIC College of Medicine employees on this list are receiving pension payouts along with salaries.

 

(*Assumes Life Expectancy of 85 and 3% COLA compounded annually.)

1. Tapas K. Das Gupta

• Title: Professor/Head of Department of Surgical Oncology, Chief of Service (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D. / Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $452,843
• Employee Contributions: $475,331
• Age at Retirement: 72
• Pension Paid to Date: $3,876,691
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,276,384
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 9.0%

2. Edward Abraham

• Title: Orthopedic Surgeon (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $439,965
• Employee Contributions: $535,165
• Age at Retirement: 66
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,829,593 
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,073,587
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.9%

3. Mahmood Mafee

• Title: Clinical Professor of Radiology (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $392,682
• Employee Contributions: $562,570
• Age at Retirement: 64
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,708,810
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,841,639
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.4%

4. Herand Abcarian

• Title: Professor of Surgery / Division of Colorectal Surgery (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $359,360
• Employee Contributions: $628,987
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,791,316 
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,891,360
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 9.1%

5. Ronald Albrecht

• Title: Associate Professor of Anesthesiology; Chief, Anesthesiology Service, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $358,002
• Employee Contributions: $462,077
• Age at Retirement: 70
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,254,661
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,438,136
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 8.5%

6. James Ausman

• Title: Chairman of the Neuropsychiatric Institute (1991-2001)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $328,767
• Employee Contributions:  $418,471
• Age at Retirement: 70
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,868,250
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,208,225
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 8.0%

7. Jacob Wilensky

• Title: Professor of Ophthalmology (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $306,456
• Employee Contributions: $410,791
• Age at Retirement: 62
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,565,764
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,351,922
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.6%

8. Phillip Forman

• Title: Professor Emeritus of Health Policy & Administration (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $298,740
• Employee Contributions: $376,541
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,987,430
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,919,800
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 7.7%

9. Joel Sugar

• Title: Professor of Ophthalmology; Cornea Service Vice Chair; Clinical Operations (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $290,789
• Employee Contributions: $446,643
• Age at Retirement: 59
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,488,810
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,350,201
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.3%

10. Lawrence A. Wyllie

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Lincoln-Way High School District 210
• Qualifications: Ed.D.
• Annual Pension: $289,861
• Employee Contributions: $398,488
• Age at Retirement: 75 (Retired June 30, 2013)
• Pension Paid to Date: $219,006
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3,163,732
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 12.6%

11. Edward A. Andersen

• Title: President & CEO
• Employer: CGH Medical-Sterling
• Qualifications: BA/MBA
• Annual Pension: $289,626
• Employee Contributions: $312,570
• Age at Retirement: N/A (Retired Jan. 4, 2013)
• Pension Paid to Date: $309,750
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: N/A
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 0.0%

12. Henry S. Bangser

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: New Trier TWP HSD 203
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• Annual Pension: $285,945
• Employee Contributions: $275,366
• Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired July 2006)
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,917,706
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,601,168
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.9%

13. Gary T. Catalani

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Community Unit SD 200
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• Annual Pension: $284,674
• Employee Contributions: $289,151
• Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired June 30, 2011)
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,652,783
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,345,806
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.8%

14. Craig Bazzani

• Title: Vice President for Business Affairs
• Employer: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Qualifications: N/A
• Annual Pension: $281,767
• Employee Contributions: $298,686
• Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired 2002, but under a pension formula intended for police officers and firefighters)
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,834,047
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,431,462
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.2%

15. Laura L. Murray

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD 233
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• Annual Pension: $280,070
• Employee Contributions: $298,591
• Age at Retirement: 57
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,442,008
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,994,442
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%

16. George R. Honig

• Title: Professor Emeritus Department of Pediatrics (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D. / Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $279,628
• Employee Contributions: $401,027
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,478,490
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,965,034
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 8.1%

17. Joel Milner

• Title: Professor Emeritus Psychology
• Employer: Northern Illinois University
• Qualifications: Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $277,316
• Employee Contributions: $429,142
• Age at Retirement: 63
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,746,505
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,904,273
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.2%

18. Mary M. Curley

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Hinsdale CCSD 181
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• Annual Pension: $272,012
• Employee Contributions: $248,708
• Age at Retirement: 55
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,579,270
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,406,837
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.4%

19. John Roland Folse

• Title: Head of Department of Surgery
• Employer: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale College of Medicine
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $271,556
• Employee Contributions: $288,201
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $3,128,842
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,264,931
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.8%

20. James J. Schuler

• Title: Surgeon in Division of Vascular Surgery
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $269,615
• Employee Contributions: $564,913
• Age at Retirement: 59
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,104,504
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,971,747
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 7.1%

21. Gerald S. Moss

• Title: Dean of UIC College of Medicine
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $266,394
• Employee Contributions: $475,674
• Age at Retirement: 70 (Retired 2004)
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,028,208
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3,751,356
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 12.7%

22. Nick Holonyak, Jr.

• Title: Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Invented LED lighting)
• Employer: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Qualifications: Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $266,257
• Employee Contributions: $125,718
• Age at Retirement: 84
• Pension Paid to Date: $198,358
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $198,358
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 63.4%

23. Reginald L. Weaver

• Title: President (Current)
• Employer: National Education Association
• Qualifications: N/A
• Annual Pension: $265,158
• Employee Contributions: $264,894
• Age at Retirement: 69
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,355,105
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,394,843
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.0%

24. Maureen L. Hager

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: North Shore SD 112
• Qualifications: Ed.D.
• Annual Pension: $263,741
• Employee Contributions: $277,774
• Age at Retirement: 58
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,132,953
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,186,752
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%

25. Jonathan E. Lamberson

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Riverside SD 96
• Qualifications: Ed.D.
• Annual Pension: $262,516
• Employee Contributions: $370,166
• Age at Retirement: 58
• Pension Paid to Date: $218,764
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,339,571
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.6%

Gaining Ground: Americans' Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care After the Affordable Care Act's First Open Enrollment Period

 

The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that aims to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children, and elderly adults.

The Fund carries out this mandate by supporting independent research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. An international program in health policy is designed to stimulate innovative policies and practices in the United States and other industrialized countries,

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2014/jul/health-coverage-access-aca

xxxx

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Enbridge Pipeline anticipates increasing capacity across Boone County

 

 

Pat Mattison’s View: Belvidere landlords don't need more unnecessary regulations

By Pat Mattison
Special to the Register Star
Posted Jul. 5, 2014 @ 4:15 pm

I would like to know and understand the reason/motivation behind this proposal. My reasons for asking is, in my experience, there are enough governmental restrictions, regulations, edicts and taxes that are becoming unbearable cost burdens.

— According to the proposal, 30 percent of all residential housing in Belvidere is rental, non-owner occupied housing.

Has the city verified that percentage? What is the exact number of non-owner occupied housing units in Belvidere?

—The City Council states that rental housing represents a disproportionate share of the residential housing that has fallen into a state of disrepair. How many rental housing units have been identified in a state of disrepair? How many recorded and verified complaints has the city received of owners with housing units in disrepair?

— Registration Required. No landlord shall rent, advertise for rent or offer for rent any unit unless they hold a current and valid registration certificate.

What are the required regulations for qualifying for a registration certificate? Is there going to be a cost for a registration certificate? And if there is a charge, what costs will be used to justify the charge? Will the charges be used to add to or expand local government staff — i.e., more government controls that increase rental operations?

Each landlord shall maintain a copy of the rental certificate for each unit and shall present it upon demand by any city employee or by any tenant of prospective tenant. Requiring a landlord to provide anything to any employee or any tenant or prospective tenant is unacceptable without notice, direction, verification of purpose to the landlord. The landlord needs to be protected as much the public.

— If any unit is not in compliance with the city of Belvidere municipal code ... and after 30 days notice of violation does not cure ... the department may revoke the registration certificate. All leases will be terminated and the unit vacated within 30 days. What prompts this type of regulation at this time? Has there been a series of non-compliance problems with the Belvidere municipal code?

— Penalties. Each day that a unit is held or operated in violation ... shall constitute a separate offense. What is the daily penalty for each separate offense?

— Any person who violates this article, shall in addition to any other lawful relief, be fined ... plus court costs and costs of prosecution ... including injunctions to prohibit rental and occupancy. What are the projected costs to the violator for this?

— Every written lease shall inform the tenant of the maximum number of inhabitants permitted. What are the limits of the city of Belvidere municipal code?

 

The tenant shall certify in writing to the landlord the name of every person that reside in the unit ... to be provided to the department on demand. The demand terminology is overpowering and creates an “us-you” atmosphere that is confrontational. Are landlords an enemy?

 

Sum and substance, this article seems to be one of local government power and control. It appears to intimidate and involve the city of Belvidere in the business of residential properties on the assumption that the majority of rental property owners have allowed housing to fall into a state of disrepair. I know of no reach-out by the city to property owners relative to the issues raised. The property owners pay substantial real estate and other taxes to the city of Belvidere, as well as many other local governments.

The point that I am making is, residential-renter property owners do not need any more unnecessary burdensome, costly, tight restrictions put upon them by the city of Belvidere. In this economy, we are all struggling to provide the best service possible, and we need local governments to work with us to provide the best housing possible.

Pat Mattison is a Boone County resident and former County Board member.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140705/Opinion/140709702#ixzz36grgrpY9

Growth Dimension Director Resigns

News Release---- Thursday, July 03, 2014 8:15 AM

(Belvidere, IL) – Growth Dimensions Executive Director, Kelly Galluzzo, is stepping down from her position with the organization to accept a position with WREX-NBC as an Account Executive in their Business Development/Sales & Marketing Dept. Growth Dimensions Chairman Richard Van Evera announced that Galluzzo has officially resigned.

"I thank everyone who has been involved with the Growth Dimensions organization through the years. I am truly grateful for the opportunities they provided me and the personal and professional support I’ve received from them during my tenure,” stated Galluzzo. “I will always be proud to say that I was fortunate enough to be part of the team leading Belvidere and Boone County into a prosperous future.”

"While the board is extremely supportive of Kelly’s decision to accept this opportunity we are disappointed to lose such a valuable asset to our organization,” Van Evera said. “Kelly has been an enthusiastic promoter of Belvidere-Boone County and has represented Growth Dimensions successfully in her efforts to develop relationships throughout the region while establishing a new standard of excellence for the organization and the promotion of the community.”

Galluzzo first came to Growth Dimensions in 2004 and has been part of the team leading the economic development efforts in Belvidere-Boone County for the better part of the last 10 years. Kelly was responsible for providing economic development leadership for Belvidere and Boone County in the areas of business attraction, expansion, retention, enterprise zone administration, workforce development, economic development strategic initiatives and special projects.

Galluzzo was engaged in numerous boards and committees in the region including:

• Belvidere Chamber Board
• I-39 Logistics Corridor Association
• Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance Board
• Rockford Area Economic Development Council Board and Business Attraction Committee
• University of Illinois Extension Council Board

The Board of Directors at Growth Dimensions is currently interviewing candidates to fill Galluzzo’s position. Her last day with the organization is July 17th.

"The Growth Dimension board is very engaged in the work of economic development in Belvidere-Boone County and we look forward to continuing to aggressively pursue our goals for the area,” Van Evera concluded.