The above is taken from: https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=13003&autologin=true&s_src=214BCOAC10
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Rock River Valley leaders unaware of video gaming machine installation - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL
By Jennifer Wheeler
Rockford Register Star
Belvidere leaders said they were kept in the dark last fall until the Illinois Gaming Board's monthly report was released, listing numerous local businesses with live terminals. That's when leaders determined the stores operating these machines had not obtained the necessary local permits or paid the required licensing fees."It didn't come on our radar until we got the revenue," Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain said.He said he wasn't aware a single video gaming machine had been turned on until his office received it's local share of September revenue from the video gaming machines - totaling $61.35.
Boone County sheriff candidates face off in question-and-answer session - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL
By Susan Vela
Rockford Register Star
Vying to become Boone County's top law enforcer, Republican sheriff candidates Phil Beu and Dave Ernest distinguished themselves Tuesday at an hour-long question-and-answer session before nearly 100 audience members.Beu, 54, spent 32 years with the sheriff's office, holding various positions including master sergeant/lieutenant of operations. His duties also once included hiring for the agency now employing nearly 40 deputies, which he said gave him knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses."When you see patrol cars, that's a deterrent," he said, of the importance of officers out in the community.Ernest, 50, is the deputy chief of the Belvidere Police Department."I love that department. And I love that city," he said, highlighting his experience fighting gang activity and his philosophy about working with the community.
Bus service expansion in Roscoe Township up to residents - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL
SMTD operates under the direction of the Rockford Mass Transit District, which oversees the housing, operation and staffing of the SMTD buses. The non-profit transportation service was launched in February 2008 and already provides service to residents in South Beloit, Roscoe, Rockton and Rockton Township. The service does not run on fixed routes but is a dial-up, door-to-door service. Roscoe Township's 30 square miles include parts of South Beloit and most of Roscoe."This is not a question of increased taxes, it is a question of 'What do the people want?' and will the board heed the decision of the people," said SMTD Executive Director Sharon Hecox.The initial annual cost to expand service to the township is estimated at $3,000, a figure Hecox said that could go up or down based on usage by township residents. Hecox said the township may already have the funds needed to support the service.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Budget cuts to slash U.S. Army to smallest since before World War Two - Yahoo Finance
The department plans to reduce the size of the Army to between 440,000 and 450,000 soldiers, he said. The Army is currently about 520,000 soldiers and had been planning to draw down to about 490,000 in the coming year.
A reduction to 450,000 would be the Army's smallest size since 1940 - before the United States entered World War Two - when it had a troop strength of 267,767, according to Army figures. The Army's previous post-World War Two low was 479,426 in 1999.
Click on the following for more details: Budget cuts to slash U.S. Army to smallest since before World War Two - Yahoo Finance
Community Action Agency 2014 Scholarship Available
February 21, 2014
Phone: 815-987-5711
E-mail: owen.carter@rockfordil.gov
Community Action Agency
2014 Scholarship Applications Available
ROCKFORD – Applications are now available for the 2014 Scholarship Program sponsored by the City of Rockford Human Services Department, A Community Action Agency. Applicants must have household income below 125% of the federal poverty level, reside in Winnebago or Boone County, and plan on attending a post secondary accredited school or training program located in the state of Illinois in the fall of 2014. There is no age requirement. The average scholarship award is $1,000 with multiple awards available. The financial assistance is paid directly to the institution for direct costs of tuition and textbooks.
Applications, which include more detailed eligibility information, are available on the City of Rockford website at www.rockfordil.gov/human-services.aspx under Community and Neighborhood Programs/Community Action tab, or at the office of the City of Rockford Human Services Department, at 555 N. Court St., Suite 301. Completed applications and supporting documents must be received at this office no later than 4:00pm, Friday, March 28th, 2014. Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.
The scholarships are funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through the Community Services Block Grant.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Number of lost state computers nears 500
KURT ERICKSON JG-TC Springfield Bureau
The number of computers lost by state agencies in the past two years is nearing the 500 mark, according to a newly released report.
In a review of financial records covering the two fiscal years, Auditor General Bill Holland found the governor's office had lost or misplaced seven pieces of computer equipment, including some equipment containing data that may not have been encrypted.
That comes on top of earlier reports by the auditor general showing Southern Illinois University and the Illinois Department of Corrections are unable to account for a total of about 490 computers.
In his report on the governor's office, Holland warned the lost computers could result in a data breach.
"Failure to follow up on missing computer equipment increases the risks associated with the potential exposure of confidential information," he noted in the report released Thursday.
Officials within Gov. Pat Quinn's office told Holland they were aware of the whereabouts of one of the computers.
But the rest of the equipment was apparently misplaced before Quinn took office.
Quinn spokesman Dave Blanchette said the computer equipment dated to the era of former Gov. George Ryan and was used by staff members through much of the administration of now-imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Blanchette said the items were wiped clean of all data before being taken to a warehouse in 2008.
But, he said, "The items could not be found during an inventory three years later by the governor's office."
ABOVE STORY IS FROM: Number of lost state computers nears 500
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