Saturday, December 28, 2024
Friday, December 27, 2024
Current Status of the Julie Bliss felony case
35 - Status hearing
01/23/2025
10:00 A.M.
Judge PACCAGNINI
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Thursday, August 31, 2023
Boone County Clerk arrested on theft of public funds
Boone County Clerk Julie Bliss faces theft, misconduct charges
https://www.wifr.com/2023/08/31/boone-county-clerk-julie-bliss-faces-theft-misconduct-charges/
Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss, 53, was arrested on August 31, 2023.(23 WIFR)
Published: Aug. 31, 2023 at 4:49 PM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
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BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss, 53, was arrested Thursday following an investigation by Illinois State Police.
Bliss is charged with theft of government property and official misconduct.
The charges come after a months-long investigation.
According to a news release from Boone County, an employee in the clerk’s office reported “irregularities” in two of the office’s bank accounts. The release says the information was presented to leaders in April.
Boone County officials called the Illinois State Police and contracted accounting firm Silkich, LLP, to assist in the investigation.
In a statement to the media, the county said “the misuse of public funds is an abuse of power and a violation of the public trust that will not be tolerated. The Boone County Board and Boone County Administration are fully committed to cooperating with the Illinois State Police and with Sikich, LLP, in order to provide the public with a full, accurate, and transparent accounting of the outcome of this investigation, and to restore the public’s trust in our County officials.”
If convicted, Bliss could face more than 10 years in prison, however county leaders say both charges could also carry sentences of probation only.
This story is developing and will be updated as information is confirmed.
Copyright 2023 WIFR. All rights reserved
Above is from: https://www.wifr.com/2023/08/31/boone-county-clerk-julie-bliss-faces-theft-misconduct-charges/
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Boone County Clerk and Recorder Arrested on theft of government property
- Ethan Wiles
- Aug 31, 2023 Updated 1 hr ago
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In April of 2023, an employee of the Boone County Clerk’s Office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
BELVIDERE — Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss was arrested on Thursday according to a press release from Boone County Board Chairman Rodney Riley.
The release states Bliss, 53, of Belvidere, was arrested on one count of Theft of Government Property, a class 2 felony, and one count of Official Misconduct, a class 3 felony.
In April of 2023, an employee of the Boone County Clerk’s Office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
Upon receiving that report, Boone County officials immediately notified the Illinois State Police, and took appropriate steps to ensure fiscal oversight of the Clerk’s office during the course of the investigation.
Additionally, the County contracted with Sikich, LLP, an accounting firm, to assist the Illinois State Police in the investigation, and to make recommendations with respect to ensuring the future fiscal integrity of the Boone County Clerk’s Office.
The release also states that The Boone County Board and Boone County Administration are fully committed to cooperating with the Illinois State Police and with Sikich, LLP, in order to provide the public with a full, accurate, and transparent accounting of the outcome of this investigation, and to restore the public’s trust in their County officials.
A class 2 felony is punishable by 3 to 7 years in the Department of Corrections.
A class 3 felony is punishable by 2 to 5 years in the Department of Corrections.
Although the maximum penalty for each charge is a prison sentence, both charges are also eligible for probation pursuant to Illinois statute.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
Posted by bill pysson at 6:36 PM No comments: 
Friday, October 13, 2023
Boone County Clerk faces 100 year prison sentence if convicted
Rockford-area official faces more than 100 years in prison on several charges
Story by Rockford Register Star •2h
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss after she was accused of stealing funds from the county for personal expenses.
Raoul's office filed a 26-count indictment against Bliss, 53, of Belvidere.
The indictment alleges that, while serving as county clerk and recorder, Bliss stole money from the county and used a Boone County credit card to pay for personal expenses, including purchasing groceries and tires for her personal vehicle and paying off personal debt.
“Elected officials have an obligation to use government funds and property responsibly,” Raoul said in a news release. “Taxpayers must be able to trust that those who serve on their behalf will use their authority for the public good and not to enrich themselves.”
Here's a look at the charges Bliss faces:
- One count of Class 1 felony theft of governmental property, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
- Three counts of Class 2 felony theft of governmental property, each punishable by up to seven years in prison.
- One count of Class 1 felony theft of governmental property by deception, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
- Three counts of Class 2 felony theft of governmental property by deception, each punishable by up to seven years in prison.
- Five counts of Class 3 felony wire fraud, each punishable by up to five years in prison.
Recommended video: Rockford man wanted on charges of burglary, forgery (WQRF Rockford)Loaded: 100.00%
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In addition, Bliss faces 13 counts of Class 3 felony official misconduct, each punishable by up to five years in prison. These misconduct charges are related to her alleged acts of theft and wire fraud.
Illinois State Police began investigating Bliss for her alleged misconduct in April 2023 after an employee with the county clerk's office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
Bliss was placed on administrative leave last month.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford-area official faces more than 100 years in prison on several charges
Above is from: Rockford-area official faces more than 100 years in prison on several charges (msn.com)
Posted by bill pysson at 2:53 PM No comments:
Monday, September 11, 2023
Boone County Clerk now on administrative leave
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Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges
Story by Rockford Register Star •5h
The Boone County Clerk's office will host a coin flip Friday afternoon to determine the winner of the primary election for Alderman of Ward 2.© PHOTO PROVIDED
A Boone County official has been placed on administrative leave after she allegedly stole from the government.
Julie Bliss, the county clerk and recorder, was charged with theft of government property and official misconduct last month.
More: Rockford-area official arrested, charged with theft of government property
An investigation into Bliss began in April 2023 after an employee with the county clerk's office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
Related video: Illinois county clerk arrested, charged with theft of government property (WQRF Rockford)
ISP started investigating using an outside accounting firm,
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Illinois county clerk arrested, charged with theft of government property
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Bliss was arrested and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The county has hired Sikich, LLP, an accounting firm, to assist the Illinois State Police in the investigation.
Bliss entered an agreement with the county on Sept. 5 to go on administrative leave.**
Theft of government property is a Class 2 felony while official misconduct is a Class 3 felony. Bliss faces up to 12 years in prison on the charges.
The investigation is ongoing.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges
Above is from: Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges (msn.com)
** BASEDS ON CHANNEL 13 NEWS this is paid administrative leave.
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Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Will Senator Dick Durbin run again
SEE Click on the following: Illinois Sen. Durbin yet to decide if he will seek another term | STLPR
Monday, December 16, 2024
“Bye” to Dodge Lanes “Hello” to Chipotle?
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Chipotle may be coming to Belvidere, along with a new Starbucks location.
Developer MH Bradley LLC., of Kankakee, has filed an Application for Special Use with the city to buy and raze the Dodge Lanes bowling alley, at 1940 N. State Street, to make way for the two restaurants and a third, future operator.
The entire story at: Is Chipotle coming to Belvidere?
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Dixon’s Comptroller jail sentence commutted
President Joe Biden commutes sentences for two of Chicago area’s most notorious fraudste
By Jason Meisner | jmeisner@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
UPDATED: December 12, 2024 at 3:00 PM CST
President Joe Biden on Thursday commuted the sentences of two of the Chicago area’s most notorious fraudsters: former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell, who embezzled nearly $54 million from the tiny town to fund a lavish lifestyle, and Eric Bloom, the onetime leader of a Northbrook management firm who defrauded investors of more than $665 million.
The decisions in the clemency petitions for Crundwell and Bloom were announced by the White House as part of a massive list of some 39 pardons and 1,499 commutations. Biden’s orders do not wipe out their felony convictions, but end their sentences immediately.
The White House said the commutations were for people released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic.
Crundwell, 71, pleaded guilty in 2012 to what authorities then called the largest municipal fraud in the country’s history, admitting she stole $53.7 million from the city over more than a decade and used the money to finance her quarter horse business and lavish lifestyle.
She was sentenced in 2013 to nearly 20 years in federal prison. In April 2020, Crundwell had petitioned a federal judge for early compassionate release based on her poor health and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have done everything in my power to be a ‘model inmate.’ To work as hard as I can and have never complained about my conditions here or the pay we receive,” Crundwell wrote. “There is never a day that goes by, I do not regret my crime.”
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She’d served about eight years behind bars before being released in 2021 to a halfway house in Downers Grove, U.S. Bureau of Prisons records show. Crundwell would have completed her sentence in October 2028.
Bloom, meanwhile, the onetime head of Sentinel Management Group, was convicted by a jury in 2012 in what was billed by prosecutors at the time as the largest single financial fraud in the history of Chicago’s federal court.
Monday, December 9, 2024
Solar Farm on Belvidere Landfill
New community solar project on former Belvidere landfill benefits small businesses, local government
December 9, 2024 at 12:39 pm Kevin Haas
- By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — A new community solar project that brings more than 9,600 panels to a former landfill along Illinois Route 76 will benefit small businesses and Boone County government facilities with energy savings.
Representatives of power utility ComEd, solar developer Ameresco, the Illinois Commerce Commission and Boone County officials gathered Monday morning to celebrate the project as it wraps up its final installations before going online.
“In addition to the environmental benefits, this project will help support both the local government and the local economy,” said Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of ComEd. “Given the project was built on the site of a former landfill, this is also an example of promoting sustainable land use.”
The former landfill, which was closed in 1992, is near the northeast corner of Illinois Route 76 and Squaw Prairie Road north of the Boone County Fairgrounds. The last couple hundred of 9,658 panels on 34 acres of land are being installed now. The total generation capacity will be 3.5 megawatts.
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Community solar projects allow for subscribers to benefit from energy savings generated by the solar array, which is connected to the ComEd energy grid. Subscribers earn credits on their electric bill and can see their costs reduced by up to 10% annually, according to ComEd.
All subscriptions for this project are now filled, said Paul Raducha, senior director of solar development for Ameresco.
“A lot of counties should look at their landfills and brownfields and access that,” he said. “It’s a really logical move for the development of solar on land, and it’s providing them with income.”
A new community solar project features more than 9,600 panels on a former landfill along Illinois Route 76 north of Squaw Prairie Road in Boone County. It’s shown on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Boone County is subscribing to approximately 36% of the energy generated, supporting county facilities including animal services, public safety and corrections. There are also multiple small- and mid-sized local businesses subscribing, Quiniones said.
“I realize that mid-December may seem like a funny time to celebrate a solar project, but these solar panels can still generate electricity in freezing temperatures and even when they’re covered by a light layer of snow,” he said. “The transition to a lower carbon energy system will only succeed if we are able to continue to deliver power reliably and in a way that is resilient to severe weather conditions.”
There are now 160 active community solar sites in ComEd’s 11,400-square-mile region serving more than 30,000 customers, Quiniones said.
This solar project has been in the works since 2017, when it was initiated by former County Administrator Ken Terrinoni, said Karl Johnson, chairman of the Boone County Board. It broke ground in August after years of preparations.
Boone County will benefit from the revenue it generates through property taxes and land-use agreements, as well as about $20,000 a year in savings on energy costs, Johnson said.
Most importantly, Johnson said, the project made productive use of a former landfill rather than being built on farmland.
“We’ve been able to bring all the things to our community without taking quality farmland out of production,” Johnson said. “Boone County is a farming community and we take the use of our farmland very seriously.
“We encourage the state to look to use the landfills and other brownfield locations as ideal opportunities for solar projects instead of farmland.”
ComEd and Ameresco on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, gathered to celebrate a new community solar project at Illinois Route 76 and Squaw Prairie Road in Boone County. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Original article available with photos at: New community solar project on former Belvidere landfill benefits small businesses, local government | Rock River Current
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Bidden “asked” for many more preemptive pardons
Biden White House Is Discussing Preemptive Pardons for Those in Trump’s Crosshairs
Jonathan Martin
Wed, December 4, 2024 at 3:03 PM CST·5 min read
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 26: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House on November 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden spoke on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden’s senior aides are conducting a vigorous internal debate over whether to issue preemptive pardons to a range of current and former public officials who could be targeted with President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, according to senior Democrats familiar with the discussions.
SEE the rest of the story: https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-white-house-discussing-preemptive-210346549.html
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Mexican President’s response to Trump threats
Dear President-elect Donald Trump,
I am writing to you regarding your statement on Monday, November 25, concerning migration, fentanyl trafficking, and tariffs.
You may not be aware that Mexico has developed a comprehensive policy to assist migrants from different parts of the world who cross our territory en route to the southern border of the United States. As a result, and according to data from your country’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP), encounters at the Mexico–United States border have decreased by 75% between December 2023 and November 2024. Moreover, half of those who arrive do so through a legally scheduled appointment under the United States’ CBP One program. For these reasons, migrant caravans no longer arrive at the border.
Even so, it is clear that we must work together to create a new labor mobility model that is necessary for your country, as well as address the root causes that compel families to leave their homes out of necessity. If even a small percentage of what the United States allocates to war were instead dedicated to building peace and fostering development, it would address the underlying causes of human mobility.
On another note, and for humanitarian reasons, Mexico has consistently expressed its willingness to help prevent the fentanyl epidemic in the United States from continuing. This is, after all, a public health and consumption problem within your society. So far this year, Mexican armed forces and prosecutors have seized tons of various types of drugs, 10,340 firearms, and have detained 15,640 individuals for violence related to drug trafficking.
Furthermore, the Mexican Congress is in the process of approving a constitutional reform to classify the production, distribution, and commercialization of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs as a serious crime without bail. However, it is publicly known that the chemical precursors used to produce this and other synthetic drugs are illegally entering Canada, the United States, and Mexico from Asian countries. This underscores the urgent need for international collaboration.
You must also be aware of the illegal trafficking of firearms into my country from the United States.
Seventy percent of the illegal weapons seized from criminals in Mexico come from your country. We do not produce these weapons, nor do we consume synthetic drugs. Tragically, it is in our country that lives are lost to the violence resulting from meeting the drug demand in yours.
President Trump, migration and drug consumption in the United States cannot be addressed through threats or tariffs. What is needed is cooperation and mutual understanding to tackle these significant challenges.
For every tariff, there will be a response in kind, until we put at risk our shared enterprises. Yes, shared. For instance, among Mexico’s main exporters to the United States are General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company, which arrived in Mexico 80 years ago. Why impose a tariff that would jeopardize them? Such a measure would be unacceptable and would lead to inflation and job losses in both the United States and Mexico.
I am convinced that North America’s economic strength lies in maintaining our trade partnership. This allows us to remain competitive against other economic blocs. For this reason, I believe that dialogue is the best path to understanding, peace, and prosperity for our nations. I hope our teams can meet soon to continue building joint solutions.”
Mexico 
President Claudia Sheinbaum
Sunday, November 24, 2024
WNIJ: Boone County property taxes expected to go up
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Boone County property taxes expected to go up, as tax rate goes down, county official says
Northern Public Radio | By Maria Gardner Lara
Published November 21, 2024 at 4:30 AM CST
Pixabay
The Boone County Board will take a vote on Thursday on the county’s budget for its 2024-2025 fiscal year. Its fiscal year starts in December.
Becky Tobin, the Boone County Administrator puts together the budget for the Boone County Board members to consider.
“The biggest thing that's included in this budget is all of our large, capital infrastructure projects that are going on,” Tobin said. “That's going to inflate the budget more than it normally would be.”
The projects include the renovation of the Public Health Department, the courthouse and two county owned buildings on McKinley Avenue ib Belvidere.
“So, there's a lot of moving parts here,” she said. “It's going to take probably 18 months to two years for all of this to be complete.”
She said there are several sources of money that will cover the cost of the projects including $6 million in reserves, federal relief funding and future bonds.
She says the county continues to pay off debt for past infrastructure projects, which will be paid off in 2028.
Regarding how these projects may affect people’s property taxes, she said “The increase that they'll see has nothing to do with these building projects.”
She said the 2025 fiscal year budget as proposed does go up.
“The board is only raising it 3.5% because that's all we need,” Tobin said. “We're not going to ask the taxpayers to pay more than the county needs to function.”
Fiscal year 2023-2024 budget was $12.8 million, while fiscal year 2024-2025 proposed budget is about $13.25 million.
She said the additional funding is going to the highway department, senior transportation program, veteran’s assistance and liability and retirement taxes.
Tobin said covering the additional expenses won’t fall on just existing property owners.
“So realistically, there's new property out there that's paying taxes, for the first time, so that your existing property owners don't get hit with as much of an increase,” she said. “And I'm not saying they're not going to see any increase, but it won't be three and a half percent from the county side.”
For fiscal year 2023-2024 the property tax rate was 0.92743. The proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2024-2025 is 0.84321, according to county documents.
She adds that although the estimated 2025 county property tax rate proposed will be down from last year, property values are expected to go up, so property owners are likely to see a tax increase.
She said folks may see additional increase from other taxing bodies like from the townships, and school districts.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Santa Cruz County equals or exceeds the City of Dixon
Former treasurer in Arizona admits to embezzling $38M over a decade
Gutfahr, 62, pleaded guilty this week to charges of embezzlement by a public official, money laundering and tax evasion while she was serving as treasurer. Santa Cruz County in southern Arizona is looking for ways to recoup the millions that were meant for the public’s benefit, and local officials are also suing the state for allegedly failing for years to properly audit Gutfahr’s books.
Read the entire article at: Former treasurer in Arizona admits to embezzling $38M over a decade
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Former Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain dies at 73
Former Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain dies at 73
No funeral plans have been announced
SEE Story at: Former Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain dies at 73
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Donald Trump has sweeping plans: What he’s proposed
Donald Trump has sweeping plans: What he’s proposed
Story by The Associated Press
• 1h • 8 min read
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has promised sweeping action in a second administration.
The former president and now president-elect often skipped over details but through more than a year of policy pronouncements and written statements outlined a wide-ranging agenda that blends traditional conservative approaches to taxes, regulation and cultural issues with a more populist bent on trade and a shift in America’s international role.
To continue reading click on the following: Donald Trump has sweeping plans: What he’s proposed
Monday, November 4, 2024
Commentary: Trump has billions riding on whether he wins
Commentary: Trump has billions riding on whether he wins
Scroll back up to restore default view.
Rick Newman · Senior Columnist
Mon, November 4, 2024 at 1:23 PM CST 5 min read
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An investor dubbed the “French whale” has sparked fascination with his lavish bets on the outcome of this year’s US presidential election. Fredi9999, as one of his accounts is known, is wagering at least $30 million that Donald Trump will win in the Polymarket prediction market.
That’s peanuts compared with what may be the biggest bet of all on the 2024 election, which is what Trump himself stands to gain — or lose. Through his ownership stake in Trump Media and Technology Group, the stakes for Trump amount to at least $4 billion, which is more than all the presidential election bets on Polymarket combined.
Trump Media, known by its ticker symbol, DJT, is broadly viewed as the one financial asset serving as a binary bet on whether Trump wins or loses the presidential race. If Trump wins, DJT, which houses the Truth Social networking app, could gain a surge of users and revenue, making it a viable social media network able to compete with the likes of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. But if Trump loses, DJT’s already weak financials could erode further, threatening the whole business. Some investors think the stock could go to 0, imperiling the company.
Shares of DJT have been wildly volatile during the last two months, surging or crashing based on market perceptions of whether Trump is likely to win. There’s a tight correlation between Trump’s odds in betting markets and the direction of DJT shares.
In mid-September, for instance, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris pulled ahead of Trump in betting markets. DJT shares sank and closed September at $12.15, the lowest level since the company went public back in March.
Then Trump’s election odds improved, hitting 64% in the Real Clear Politics aggregate on Oct. 29. On the same day, DJT closed at $51.51, a 324% gain from its September low. There was no company news during that time indicating any sort of improvement in the company’s financial or operating performance, which is weak.
During the last few days, Trump’s election odds have fallen to around 55%, while DJT shares have slipped to about $31. Polls show the two candidates are essentially tied, with Harris possibly benefiting from a wisp of last-second momentum.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump is reflected in the bullet proof glass as he finishes speaking at a campaign rally in Lititz, Pa., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) · ASSOCIATED PRESS
Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on X, or sign up for his newsletter.
Trump owns 57% of DJT, and the value of his stake has yoyo-ed in proportion to the stock price and his election odds. In July, before Harris replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, DJT’s market value was around $7.7 billion, putting the value of Trump’s portion at about $4.4 billion. At its low point in September, DJT was worth $2.4 billion, with Trump’s share at $1.4 billion. After the October surge, DJT was worth $10 billion, and Trump’s share $5.7 billion.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Who owns Hard Rock Casino Rockford?
Who owns Hard Rock Casino Rockford?
Who owns the Hard Rock Casino Rockford? Led by chief investor Dan Fischer, owner of the Dotty's gaming café chain, an ownership group of more than four dozen people, businesses and trusts each owning at least a 5% stake called 815 Entertainment LLC own the planned casino resort in partnership with Seminole Hard Rock International.
Friday, October 25, 2024
Thursday, October 24, 2024
SEE: The envy of the world | Oct 19th 2024 | The Economist
SEE: The envy of the world | Oct 19th 2024 | The Economist
The American economy
The envy of the world
Special reports - Oct 19th 2024
The American economy has left other rich countries in the dust. Expect that to continue, argue Simon Rabinovitch and Henry Curr
- Special report: The American economy has left other rich countries in the dust
- Economic output: American productivity still leads the world
- For richer and poorer: Is higher inequality the price America pays for faster growth?
- Energy: The shale revolution helped make America’s economy great
- Stocks: Why the American stockmarket reigns supreme
- The dollar: China’s yuan is nowhere close to displacing the greenback
- Looking ahead: What can stop the American economy now?
- The American economy: Sources and acknowledgments
Saturday, October 12, 2024
WNIJ: Interview of District 1 Boone County Board Candidates
Boone County, District One Candidates talk Stellantis, rodeos, and jobs
Northern Public Radio | By Maria Gardner Lara
Published October 10, 2024 at 4:30 AM CDT
Listen • 3:33
Boone County Election Clerk
Democrat Michael Yates and Republicans Josh Shumaker, and incumbent Brian Schneider are vying for two seats representing the first district on the Boone County Board.
County boards make decisions that have a lot of impact on its residents that are sometimes overlooked, such as which roads get repaired, property taxes, and the funding for the local health department.
In Boone County, voters get to choose two candidates.
Here are profiles of the candidates for Boone County, District 1.
Josh Shumaker (R)
Josh Shumaker
Republican Josh Shumaker has lived in the area since he was nine. He works in corporate IT.
The thirty-seven-year-old said he decided to run because he didn’t see many folks from his generation on the board.
“Why aren't there people my age running?” he asked. “And so that's just how I kind of started to be like, okay, maybe I should get involved.”
He said securing a better future for his four kids is also a motivator.
Regarding issues facing the county, he said rodeos are an obvious one.
It's definitely about lifestyle and how people live,” he said. “It's something that I don't believe the government has a pipeline to tell people how to live.”
Scrutiny of the events has taken up a lot of the board’s time. Mexican American families have held the Mexican style rodeos, also known as coleaderos, in the county for over 20 years.
With respect to concerns for the animals’ welfare, he said if a crime occurs, then folks must be prosecuted accordingly.
He said another issue is solar panels.
He said there needs to be long-term planning on the need of farmland for the future.
“Farmland is very valuable as a local resource,” he said. “It feeds your population, it's, something that we need, and we should incentivize those farmers to use that farmland in the proper way.”
He said fiscal responsibility is also another issue important to him.
As far as housing, Shumaker emphasized the positive role the county has taken to spur the economy, especially in the I-90 corridor.
“I think the county board bringing jobs to the county in smart ways is good,” he said.
Michael Yates (D)
Michael Yates
Michael Yates has lived in Belvidere for over two decades.
He has worked in the Belvidere School District since 2008 in various roles including assistant principal and now, English high school teacher.
He said he’s gotten to know the families of the district over the years and is invested in their future and in turn making the county better.
“These children that I'm teaching right now and that are graduating,” he said, “I'd like to see the Belvidere high school graduates come back to Belvidere and have great opportunities for them.”
He said a major issue facing the county is the idling of the Stellantis plant. He fully supports the United Auto workers and said if elected to the board he wants “to make sure that the plant comes back and that those job opportunities are still there not just for the auto workers, but also really taking a look across the county and making sure that small businesses are supported.”
Yates said overall it’s about bringing good jobs to the county.
Also, he’d like to see more county support given to the public health department and the conservation districts.
Regarding the ongoing debate on the Mexican-style rodeos, Yates said he’d emphasize the importance of getting feedback from different organizations “and making sure you're doing your research, making sure you're listening to lawyers and attorneys.”
He added, “and making sure that you're actually doing decisions that are fair and just and that are in the best interest of everybody.”
Regarding housing, he said there’s a need for affordable housing, and he’s interested in learning about the county’s role in supporting housing development.
“How are we using the land to the best possible availability?” he asked. He said he thinks about his students and his own kids.
“I hope that they are willing to come back and move here,” he said, “and part of that is not only having a job, but also having affordable housing for them as well.”
Brian Schneider, incumbent (R)
The third candidate is incumbent Republican Brian Schneider. WNIJ reached out to him several times and hasn’t received a response.
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A Chicago native, Maria earned a Master's Degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield . Maria is a 2022-2023 corps member for Report for America. RFA is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. It is an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, a nonprofit journalism organization. Un residente nativo de Chicago, Maria se graduó de University of Illinois Springfield con una licenciatura superior en periodismo de gobierno.
Above is from: https://www.northernpublicradio.org/wnij-news/2024-10-10/boone-county-district-one-candidates-talk-stellantis-rodeos-and-jobs
Three advisory referendum on Illinois ballots
The three questions, as they appear on ballots, are:
- Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, State, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties?
- Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?
- Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including, but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitation on the number of treatments?
These questions are being asked because lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2412 in early May, instructing state election officials to add them to ballots.
For more comments on these issues go to: https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/voters-consider-ballot-questions-on-reproductive-health-tax-reform-election-interference/
Friday, October 11, 2024
County Superintendent appoints new District 100 Board member
Jeff Diestelmeier - Board of Education
We’re excited to announce the newest addition to our D100 Board of Education, Jeff Diestelmeier. Jeff brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to supporting our entire school community.
Jeff and his wife have lived in the Belvidere area for the last two years after having lived in Roscoe for about 35 years. There they raised their two children who attended the Kinnikinnick and Hononegah school districts. After their children finished college and established themselves elsewhere, Jeff was in the position to give back to the community and decided to run for a seat on the Kinnikinnick School Board and was elected. He served in that position for five and a half years, having been re-elected for a second term.
While a member of the Kinnikinnick Board, he was chair of the Finance Committee and also served on the Insurance Committee. When he and his wife found their dream home in Belvidere, Jeff had to resign from his position on the Board due to his change of residence, and he has been thinking about serving in Belvidere ever since.
Jeff worked for Woodward Governor for close to 20 years, then Ideal Industries in Sycamore for 2 and a half years. He’s been with Watlow, a St. Louis based company, for the last 18 years. Jeff has held a variety of leadership positions across all types of business functions, currently serving as Vice President and General Manager, leading one of three business units for Watlow.
While serving on the Kinnikinnick Board, Jeff was able to use his business experience dealing with finance, insurance and other matters brought to the board.
Jeff will be sworn in as a Board member at our October 21st Board meeting where he will fill the position through April 2025.
We are confident that Jeff's leadership and dedication will help us continue to foster a positive, inclusive, and thriving environment for our entire school community. Please join us in giving Jeff a warm welcome!
Thank you for your ongoing support of District 100.
Above is from: https://www.district100.com/
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Stateline Halloween trick-or-treat hours© WIFR
(WIFR) - Below is a list of Halloween trick-or-treat hours for the stateline. Unless otherwise noted, all trick-or-treat times are for Thursday, Oct. 31.
Winnebago County
- Rockford - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Loves Park - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Machesney Park - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Rockton - 5-7 p.m.
- Roscoe - 5-7 p.m.
- South Beloit - 4:30-7 p.m.
- Trunk or Treat from 3-4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at South Beloit City Park
- Cherry Valley - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Parade with Trunk or Treating at 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 at softball field in Baumann Park
- Winnebago - 4-7 p.m.
- Pecatonica - 5:30-8 p.m.
- Durand - 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- New Milford - 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Boone County
- Belvidere - 4-8 p.m.
- Capron - 4-7 p.m.
- Poplar Grove - 4-7 p.m.
- Candlewick Lake - 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27
Ogle County
- Oregon - 5-8 p.m.
- Rochelle 5-8 p.m.
- Byron - 5-8 p.m.
- Mount Morris - 5-8 p.m.
- Davis Junction - 5-8 p.m.
- Forreston - 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- Polo - 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Stillman Valley - 5-7 p.m.
Stephenson County
- Freeport - 5-7 p.m.
- Dakota - 5-7 p.m.
- Davis - 4-7 p.m.
- Rock City - 5-7 p.m.
- Lena - 5-7 p.m.
- Cedarville - 5-7p.m.
- Orangeville - 5-7:30 p.m.
Lee County
- Amboy - 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27
- Dixon - 5-7:30 p.m.
- Franklin Grove - 5-8:30 p.m.
DeKalb County
- DeKalb - 4-7 p.m.
- Sycamore - 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 along State Street between California Street and Route 23
- Kirkland - 5-8 p.m.
- Malta - TBD
Rock County, Wis.
- Beloit - 5-7 p.m.
- Edgerton - 5-8 p.m.
- Janesville - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Downtown Trick-or-Treat 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26
- Milton - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Related video: Easy halloween
Why Trump accuses people of wrongdoing he himself committed
Why Trump accuses people of wrongdoing he himself committed − an explanation of projection
April Johnson, Kennesaw State University
Thu, October 10, 2024 at 7:30 AM CDT·6 min read
Donald Trump accuses others of acts he has done at an Oct. 3, 2024, rally in Michigan. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
Donald Trump has a particular formula he uses to convey messages to his supporters and opponents alike: He highlights others’ wrongdoings even though he has committed similar acts himself.
On Oct. 3, 2024, Trump accused the Biden administration of spending Federal Emergency Management Agency funds – money meant for disaster relief – on services for immigrants. Biden did no such thing, but Trump did during his time in the White House, including to pay for additional detention space.
This is not the first time he has accused someone of something he had done or would do in the future. In 2016, Trump criticized opponent Hillary Clinton’s use of an unsecured personal email server while secretary of state as “extreme carelessness with classified material.” But once he was elected, Trump continued to use his unsecured personal cellphone while in office. And he has been criminally charged with illegally keeping classified government documents after he left office and storing them in his bedroom, bathroom and other places at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
After complaining about how Hillary Clinton handled classified documents, Donald Trump stored national secrets in a bathroom. Justice Department via AP
More recently, the Secret Service arrested a man with a rifle who was allegedly planning to shoot Trump during a round of golf. In the wake of this event, Trump accused Democrats of using “inflammatory language” that stokes the fires of political violence. Meanwhile, Trump himself has a long history of making inflammatory remarks that could potentially incite violence.
As a scholar of both politics and psychology, I’m familiar with the psychological strategies candidates use to persuade the public to support them and to cast their rivals in a negative light. This strategy Trump has used repeatedly is called “projection.” It’s a tactic people use to lessen their own faults by calling out these faults in others.
Projection abounds
There are plenty of examples. During his Sept. 10, 2024, debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump claimed that Democrats were responsible for the July 13 assassination attempt against him. “I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things that they say about me,” he declared.
Earlier in the debate he had falsely accused immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, of eating other people’s pets – a statement that sparked bomb threats and prompted the city’s mayor to declare a state of emergency.
Similarly, congressional investigators and federal prosecutors have found that Trump’s remarks called thousands of people to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, encouraging them to violently storm the Capitol in order to stop the counting of electoral votes.
Trump isn’t the only politician who uses projection. His running mate, JD Vance, claimed “the rejection of the American family is perhaps the most pernicious and the most evil thing the left has done in this country.” Critics quickly pointed out that his own family has a history of dysfunction and drug addiction.
Projection happens on both sides of the political aisle. In reference to Trump’s proposed 10% tariff on all imported goods, the Harris campaign launched social media efforts to condemn the so-called “Trump tequila tax.” While Harris frames this proposal as a sales tax that would devastate middle-class families, she deflects from the fact that inflation has made middle-class life more expensive since she and President Joe Biden took office.
How it works
Projection is one example of unconscious psychological processes called defense mechanisms. Some people find it hard to accept criticism or believe information that they wish were not true. So they seek – and then provide – another explanation for the difference between what’s happening in the world and what’s happening in their minds.
In general, this is called “motivated reasoning,” which is an umbrella phrase used to describe the array of mental gymnastics people use to reconcile their views with reality.
Some examples include seeking out information that confirms their beliefs, dismissing factual claims or creating alternate explanations. For example, a smoker might downplay or simply avoid information related to the link between smoking and lung cancer, or perhaps tell themselves that they don’t smoke as much as they actually do.
Motivated reasoning is not unique to politics. It can be a challenging concept to consider because people tend to think they are fully in control of their decision-making abilities and that they are capable of objectively processing political information. The evidence is clear, however, that there are unconscious thought processes at work, too.
Influencing the audience
Audiences are also susceptible to unconscious psychological dynamics. Research has found that over time, people’s minds subconsciously attach emotions to concepts, names or phrases. So someone might have a particular emotional reaction to the words “gun control,” “Ron DeSantis” or “tax relief.”
And people’s minds also unconsciously create defenses for those seemingly automatic emotions. When a person’s emotions and defenses are questioned, a phenomenon called the “backfire effect” can occur, in which the process of controlling, correcting or counteracting mistaken beliefs ends up reinforcing the person’s beliefs rather than changing them.
For instance, some people may find it hard to believe that the candidate they prefer – whom they believe to be the best person for the job – truly lost an election. So they seek another explanation and accept explanations that justify their beliefs. Perhaps they choose to believe, even in the absence of evidence, that the race was rigged or that many fraudulent votes were cast. And when evidence to the contrary is offered, they insist their views are correct.
Vice President Kamala Harris has campaigned with Liz Cheney, right, a prominent Republican who formerly served in Congress. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
A way out
Fortunately, research shows specific ways to reduce people’s reliance on these automatic psychological processes, including reiterating and providing details of objective facts and – importantly – attempting to correct untruths via a trusted source from the same political party.
For instance, challenges to Democrats’ belief that the Trump-affiliated conservative agenda called Project 2025 is “dangerous” would be more effective coming from a Democrat than from a Republican.
Similarly, a counter to Trump’s claim that the international community is headed toward World War III with Democrats in the White House would be stronger coming from one of Trump’s fellow Republicans. And certainly, statements that Trump “can never be trusted with power again” carries more weight when it comes from the lips of former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney than from any member of the Democratic Party.
Critiques from within a candidate’s own party are not out of the question. But they are certainly improbable given the hotly charged climate that is election season 2024.
This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: April Johnson, Kennesaw State University
Farm Income decreases
Farmers are making less money this year, which could have larger economic consequences
Harvest Public Media | By Will Bauer
Published October 7, 2024 at 4:00 AM CDT
Listen • 4:19
Sophie Proe
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St. Louis Public Radio
Corn is harvested in late September on Nick Koeller's farm in Greenfield, Illinois. Prices for corn and other crops have fallen, meaning farmers expect to make less money this year.
Crop prices have returned to more normal levels this year — down from record highs. As farmers expect less income this year, that's likely to send ripples through the larger agricultural economy.
Farmers in the Midwest and Great Plains will see decreased incomes this year, as the U.S. agriculture industry will likely have a down year compared to the last two.
Net farm income will fall 4.4% in 2024 — or $6.5 billion less than in 2023 — which is a much rosier projection than the U.S. Department of Agriculture initially predicted in February.
Amid slowing demand for crops across the globe, commodity prices for key American grains, like corn, soybeans and wheat, have fallen.
“The farm economy is in a downturn relative to what we have experienced in 2022 and 2023, which was kind of a boom in agriculture,” said Joe Janzen, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
While the last couple of years had been record breakers for farm income, this year will be a return to more normal levels, economists said. That reality may mean farmers in the Midwest think twice about making big purchases this year, and that’s already trickling down to other sectors.
“We're kind of making the necessity purchases right now,” said Nick Koeller, an Illinois farmer who grows corn, wheat and soybeans not far from St. Louis. “If we need something, we're going to make it work — but we're not going to look to upgrade anything this year.”
Sophie Proe
/
St. Louis Public Radio
Nick Koeller climbs down from his combine during harvest on his Illinois farm in late September. Koeller said with lower crop prices and less farm income, he'll hold off on making any equipment purchases this year.
Economic factors
Crop prices grew over the last couple of years following shortfalls in production in Ukraine after Russia invaded in 2022. Production also recently took a dip in Brazil. In turn, low supplies across the globe increased demand for grain.
In summer 2022, commodity prices spiked. Corn futures peaked at more than $8 per bushel. Soybeans climbed to nearly $18 per bushel, and wheat capped out at nearly $450 per ton.
Now, those figures have all fallen. Corn trades at $4 per bushel. Soybeans are south of $11 per bushel, and wheat stands around $245 per ton, according to Business Insider.
In the U.S., yields for those key commodities have been relatively strong over the past couple of years too, and this year is projected to be similar. Corn production will be down 1% from last year, but soybean growers are expected to increase production 10%, according to USDA forecasts.
“That really has made the supply of these crops increase — not only here in the U.S. but on a global scale,” said Ty Kreitman, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “That's been putting downward pressure on prices.”
The decrease in prices will mean there will be less income on farms across the U.S.
“It's a situation that, obviously, is difficult for the farmer because they are getting squeezed. Profitability on the farm is going to be very difficult to come by,” Janzen said. “But that's not anything that U.S. agriculture is doing. It's driven largely by global commodity markets.”
Downturn for agricultural equipment
The decrease in farm income has been noticeable for agricultural equipment makers — particularly Moline, Illinois-based John Deere, which accounts for about two-thirds of high horsepower tractors in the U.S. and Canada.
Demand for Deere’s equipment, like combines and crop harvesters, has plunged recently. Overall equipment sales decreased by 20% in the latest quarter, and profits fell 42%, the Wall Street Journal reported.
“It's the first year of a downturn,” said Mig Dobre, an analyst of Deere and other equipment manufacturers for the financial services company Baird, which is based in Milwaukee. “In our opinion, this is going to stretch into 2025.”
To combat the drop in demand, Deere began laying off thousands of employees on its production line in states like Iowa. Chief Executive John May contends the agriculture machinery giant is being proactive and responding sooner than the company had in the past by cutting excess costs in lieu of the decreased farm income.
Deere is not alone in its struggles, Dobre said. Competitors Case IH and New Holland, both owned by CNH Industrial, and AGCO, which owns Massey Ferguson, are all feeling the same pressures from the greater farm economy.
CNH projected lower profit forecasts amid slowing demand for its tractors and combines earlier this year. AGCO reported sales plummeting in the second quarter of this year, citing lower commodity prices, weakening market demand and production cuts.
Farmers, such as Koeller, may hold off on buying in the meantime. The fifth generation farmer said he’d wait to reevaluate.
“Moving into harvest, if the combine needs repairs, it just needs repaired. We’re going to repair it.” Koeller said. “As far as buying extras, we’re tabling those things until maybe after harvest.”
Sophie Proe
/
Corn is unloaded into a wagon on Nick Koeller's farm in southern Illinois in late September. The farmer said he'll repair any issues with his tractors or combine rather than buying new equipment this year.
Land sales
Farmers National Company, an Omaha-based firm that specializes in agricultural real estate, reported earlier this year that the land market is "settling."
Tim Johnson, an area vice president for Farmers National in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, said decreased farm income does play a role. Interest rates that are higher than they had been in about 15 years also factors into the equation.
“When you deal with the volume of what these land prices are, that interest rate really adds up quickly,” said Johnson, who’s based in Grand Island, Nebraska. “So, that truly causes a level of conservatism to come into play.”
Overall, Johnson estimates farmland prices have decreased by 5-10% across the board in his neck of the woods.
Yet desirable farmland still generates demand, and bidders will compete for that property, Johnson said. The lower tier properties are a different story.
“Farmers aren’t quite as motivated to go out and pay a premium for those farms,” he said.
Buying farmland is a tricky gamble for farmers, however. While a local dealer will have options for farm equipment, land isn’t always for sale. Oftentimes, it’s only available when a neighbor retires or someone dies. Farmers might have to take the risk, even when the economics aren’t the most attractive.
“The biggest thing with the purchasing ground is they don't make any more,” Koeller said. “That's the one caveat in land that's different from a lot of other things — there's only so many acres.”
Eric Lee
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St. Louis Public Radio
Farmland lines the Missouri River on near Washington, Missouri. This photo was taken in April with aerial support provided by LightHawk.
More loans and bankruptcy
Agriculture is fairly debt intensive, maybe more so than other industries, said Kreitman with the Kansas City Fed. With less cash this year, the bank is observing more demand from farmers for loans.
“We're seeing growth and sort of use of debt at the same time that we are seeing interest rates at a level that really we haven't seen for several decades,” Kreitman said. “That puts another element into the equation.”
In the Federal Reserve’s Tenth District, which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, the northern half of New Mexico and the western third of Missouri, nearly 45% of lenders surveyed reported more demand for non-real estate farm loans than a year ago.
Loan renewals and extensions are also increasing in that region, and repayment rates have declined, the survey found.
The good news for farmers needing to take on debt is that the Federal Reserve recently slashed rates by a half point — and leaders at the central bank could make another cut before the end of the year.
The USDA is projecting a small increase in the bankruptcy rate among farmers this year compared to last year. However, 2022 and 2023 had been record low levels — the smallest in 20 years.
Yet, there are bright spots for producers.
Livestock, as a whole, is forecasted to do well in 2024. Cattle and calves will make 4% more than last year, totalling $4 billion, which is the fourth consecutive year that sector will increase, the USDA reports. Prices for dairy, broilers, hogs and eggs are also projected to increase this year compared to last.
“It does appear to be a period of relatively good times in the livestock sector,” Janzen said.
This story was produced in partnership with Harvest Public Media, a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.
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WNIJ News Harvest Public Media
Will Bauer joined Nebraska Public Media in 2021 after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He now produces the statewide TV talk show "Speaking of Nebraska" and is a general assignment reporter. Will is a Minnesota native, enjoys golfing in his free time and holds three undergraduate degrees.
WNIJ: Interviews District 2 Boone County Board Candidates
WNIJ Hola
Hola es su centro para mantenerse informado, compartir ideas y conectarse con recursos. (Hola is your hub to stay informed, share ideas, and connect with resources in northern Illinois.)
Boone County Board, Dist. 2 Candidates talk property taxes, water management and rodeos
Northern Public Radio | By Maria Gardner Lara
Published October 7, 2024 at 4:18 AM CDT
Listen • 4:23
Boone County Clerk's Office
The Stellantis plant may have put Belvidere on the map, but it’s part of a larger landscape. There’s a growing industrial base in Boone County as folks also want to preserve the area’s agricultural sector and history.
Here are the candidates running for Boone County Board, District 2, that will help guide the direction the county takes in the coming years.
Voters will be asked to select two candidate out of four listed.
Tracy Rangel (D)
Tracy Rangel
Rangel has lived in Boone County for over 30 years. She is a trustee for Caledonia Township and chair of the Boone County Democratic Party. She also dedicates time to care for her grandson.
She said she’s running to ensure that Boone County is a place where the next generation can thrive.
"I want this area to be ‘hometown-y’ enough," she said, "but responsible enough to also be able to provide a prevailing wage, so kids who go off to college can still come home and find a decent job and a decent living.”
She said with the new development that has cropped up in the county, the water supply and farmland need protecting.
“It's a very fine line to walk between encouraging business and encouraging farmland and farmers,” she said. “I care about both of those things.”
She said the park and conservation districts can be made stronger.
“Boone County is losing prairie land right and left,” she said. “So, we need to emphasize the conservation district.”
She said the development of the railroad and the traffic due to the Rockford’s new casino on Route 20 is also on her mind.
“We are not going to get the money from the casino,” she said. “So, we have to function or facilitate the growth that's going to come down 20.”
Regarding housing, she said it’s a big issue.
“We need to find a way to find some housing for lots of people," she said, "not just rich people, not just poor people, but the median income people who are still struggling.”
Tom Walberg, incumbent (R)
Tom Walberg
Tom Walberg is a fifth-generation farmer in Belvidere. He also sells seeds.
“I'm an organized person," he said, "and pretty analytical on things and fiscally responsible."
He’s been on the county board since 2021. He sits on the education committee and on the board of directors for Growth Dimensions, which is an agency that seeks to drive large businesses to the area.
Walberg said he’s proud of his involvement with Growth Dimensions and the economic development it’s fostered.
Recently, Microsoft announced that it is building a data center on 400 acres near Cherry Valley.
“Those are great jobs for our area," he said, "and I think that's going to create a stimulate our economy quite a bit."
Walberg said it will also lead to a need for housing. And he adds the county board has mapped out what area is best suited for new housing construction.
“The county board comes into play a little bit," he said, "and when it comes into land use and that type of thing with all of our zoning and planning departments.”
A month ago, the board green-lit 3-D mapping of the county’s aquifers, costing about $500,000. Walberg voted against it.
“I would have liked to have seen a broader approach," he said, "and brought in more individuals from the standpoint of cost."
Regarding solar panels, Walberg said he was instrumental in creating an ordinance to limit solar panels to Class C soil, which is least productive.
A divisive issue on the board are the Mexican-style rodeos, as some local residents and animal rights group have called for a ban on the events due to concerns for animal welfare.
Walberg was on the special committee that scrutinized all aspects of the rodeos. He supported tweaks to some provisions, but was against a larger proposal to ban the rodeos in the county.
As far as allegations of animal abuse, he said, “I don't think any animal should be abused in Boone County, but again, we have departments for that. We have a process.”
He said the animal services department and the state’s attorney’s office handle the investigation and the prosecution of claims of animal abuse.
Also, he said he supports the Mexican-style rodeos as a matter of property rights.
“I feel like all landowners should have the right to utilize their property the way that they choose to utilize their property," he said.
Mexican American families have held the rodeos on their property in the county for over 20 years.
Daniel Dupree (D)
Daniel Dupree
Daniel Dupree said the overturning of Roe v. Wade spurred him to get involved politically and run for the county board.
He said he’s concerned for the future for his two baby granddaughters.
“I want them to have bodily autonomy," Dupree said. “I want them to have the same rights that I have as a man.”
Dupree moved to the county with his wife four years ago to be closer to family that live throughout the area.
He’s a disabled veteran and nearly completed a PhD in philosophy. Dupree substitute teaches in Belvidere and Rockford.
He says a big issue in the county is property taxes.
“My property taxes have doubled in three years, doubled,” he said. “I don't understand why we're giving away money to the big corporations out there. “
He said he understand that there has to be incentives for businesses to move into the area, “but you can't do it at the sole expense of the people.”
He said another concern is water management, especially as large businesses move into town.
“A lot of these plants that are opening up," he said, "they are not giving us proper explanations about what's going to happen with their effluent and their runoff, and how much water they're going to use.”
Regarding the debate on the Mexican-style rodeos, he questions the animal rights group SHARK, out of Elburn, who have been calling for a ban. Mexican American families have held the events on their properties in the county for over 20 years.
“Why are they distracting us with this issue that really has already been legislated by the state and federal government?,” he asked. “We've got controls on this already.”
Ryan Curry, incumbent (R)
The fourth candidate who’s on the ballot is incumbent Republican Ryan Curry. He hasn’t responded to WNIJ’s requests for an interview.
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A Chicago native, Maria earned a Master's Degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield . Maria is a 2022-2023 corps member for Report for America. RFA is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. It is an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, a nonprofit journalism organization. Un residente nativo de Chicago, Maria se graduó de University of Illinois Springfield con una licenciatura superior en periodismo de gobierno.
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