Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

 

A Circuit Court judge has issued an Agreed Order requiring state agencies to immediately reinstate the transmission of ‘fair share’ fees deducted from employee paychecks.

On March 5, the Illinois AFL-CIO and 26 unions representing more than 40,000 Illinois state employees filed suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court to invalidate an executive order issued by Governor Bruce Rauner that bars state agencies from collecting the fees, which are authorized under state law and multiple collective bargaining agreements. The fees cover the proportional cost to the union of providing representation to those employees.

The court order, issued by Associate Judge Christopher Kolker, is based on an agreement reached between the Rauner Administration and the affected labor unions. It requires the Administration to “remit fair share fees…pending the resolution of the case” and to transmit “the correct payroll information” regarding gross pay for affected employees to the Comptroller.

“We continue to believe that the governor’s executive order is meant to weaken the right of state employees to have effective union representation,” said Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael T. Carrigan. “We’re pleased that all fair share agreements will now be honored while our legal challenge is proceeding.”

Some of you old timers might remember Judge Kolker from his House staff days.

Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Rauner's $100 million in corporate tax breaks drawing fire | Chicago

 

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s decision to approve $100 million in corporate tax breaks is drawing fire from critics after the Republican six days ago yanked funding for a series of social programs, including funerals for the indigent, immigration, autism and HIV services.

His administration says the business incentives — for companies such as eBay, CapitalOne, CDW and SAC Wireless — were promised under Gov. Pat Quinn and will not affect this year’s budget.

“These commitments were made by the Quinn administration and were allowed to continue because they have no impact on the current Fiscal Year,”  spokeswoman Lyndsey Walters said in an emailed statement.

Quinn’s administration had already committed to giving out those tax incentives, but paperwork was still being processed, Rauner’s office said. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity reviewed the incentives and signed off on releasing the money.

News of the corporate tax breaks spurred a petition on Move.org.

“Giving tax breaks to big corporations while slashing millions from the services our most vulnerable citizens rely upon is beyond the pale,”  said Aviva Bowen, spokeswoman for Illinois Federation of Teachers. “Cutting funding for autism, homelessness, parks, and after-school programs before asking the most wealthy to chip in a dime is completely out of touch with what Illinois wants or deserves.”

On Friday, Rauner announced $26 million in immediate cuts to social services, including $7 million for funerals and burials for public aid recipients, funds for immigrant services, autism services and other programs.

Rauner's $100 million in corporate tax breaks drawing fire | Chicago

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000 | Law Street (TM)

 

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000

Image of Little Rock courtesy of Nicolas Henderson via Flickr.

Little Rock, Arkansas is the #1 Most Dangerous City in the United States according to data released today by the FBI. Overall violent crime in Little Rock increased nearly seven percent over the course of 2013–the latest year for which the FBI has published data. Rockford, Illinois and New Haven, Connecticut switched positions this year to #2 and #2, respectively. Flint, Michigan, last year’s #1 Most Dangerous City, is not ranked this year as its population according to the FBI dropped 59 people below the 100,000-person threshold to rank. Look at the list below to see the full Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America under 200,000, and click here to see full Crime in America 2015 coverage.

Click here to view a slideshow of the Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Over 200,000.

#1 Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas is the #1 Most Dangerous Small City in America. Little Rock has moved up by four spots to #1 on the list after coming in at #5 last year. The city’s overall violent crime rose from approximately 1,315/100,000 people in 2012 to 1,407/100,000 people in 2013; this increase is responsible for Little Rock’s rise on the list. However, there may be some good news. While Little Rock’s overall violent crime rate is up, the murder rate is down by almost 22 percent.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,407/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 18/100,000 people

Population: 197,399 | Officer to Population Ratio: 1:354

Median Household Income: $45,135 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 18.2%

Rank last year: #5

#2 Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois is the #2 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000, moving up from its position at #3 last year. Most notably, Rockford’s murder rate has more than doubled since last year, when the ratio was 5.91/100,000 people. Last year Rockford saw 9 murders, this year they reported 19. Unfortunately, Rockford’s report of 19 this year was more on par with what the city has seen in recent years; last year’s 9 murders was a notable abnormality.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,375/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 13/100,000 people

Population: 150,209 | Officer to Population Ratio: NA

Median Household Income: $38,157 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 25.1%

Rank last year: #3

#3 New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut is the #3 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000.  It moved down from its position last year at #2. The first of two Connecticut cities in the top small dangerous cities, New Haven is often viewed as marred by extreme economic inequality. However, New Haven is getting better overall. While the murder rate increased marginally, the overall violent crime rate is down by almost 13 percent.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,254/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 14/100,000 people

Population: 131,071 | Officer to Population Ratio: 340:1

Median Household Income: $38,482 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 26.9%

Rank last year: #2

#4 Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford, Connecticut maintains its position as the #4 Most Dangerous City in America for the second year in a row. Hartford’s number of murders–23–remained stagnant. However, Connecticut’s capital did have some good news in the form of a small decrease in the overall violent crime rate. Violent crimes in Hartford decreased by about 11 percent.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,179/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 18/100,000 people

Population: 124,927 | Officer to Population Ratio: 275:1

Median Household Income: $28,931 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 33.9%

Rank last year: #4

#5 Springfield, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri makes its debut this year as the #5 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000. Springfield’s presence on the list can mostly be attributed to the large jump in violent crime that the city saw this year. Previously, the violent crime rate was 992/100,000 people, representing a 17 percent increase. Part of the dramatic increase can be attributed to the new definition of rape employed by the FBI statistics. Last year, Springfield reported 141 rapes, this year the city saw that nearly double to 281.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,162/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 7/100,000 people

Population: 163,062 | Officer to Population Ratio: 516:1

Median Household Income: $33,379 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 24.0%

Rank last year: #14

#6 Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield, Massachusetts is the #6 Most Dangerous City in the United States, moving up four spots from its rank last year of #10. Springfield moved so quickly up the list because its murder rate essentially doubled from 7.1/100,000 to 14/100,000. While the violent crime rate only increased a small amount, about 5%, the dramatic increase in murders is certainly concerning.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,089/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 14/100,000 people

Population: 153,586 | Officer to Population Ratio: 347:1

Median Household Income: $35,163 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 28.7%

Rank Last Year: #10

#7 Paterson, New Jersey

Paterson, New Jersey makes its debut on the list of Most Dangerous Cities with a population under 200,000 at #7. It was not among the Top 10 last year. Surprisingly, Paterson’s violent crime rate only increased slightly, by about 2 percent. However, while other cities in last year’s top 10 saw their crime go down, a 2 percent increase was enough to land Paterson on the list.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,072/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 12/100,000 people

Population: 145,082 | Officer to Population Ratio: 397:1

Median Household Income: $33,538 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 27.6%

Rank last year: Not in the top 10

#8 Lansing, Michigan

Lansing, Michigan makes its debut on the list of Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities with a population under 200,000 at #8. It was not among the Top 10 last year. Lansing saw a 12 percent increase in crime, which bumped them up to #8 on the list. Despite the overall rise in violent crime, Lansing’s murder rate actually fell significantly, from 11.33/100,000 to 7/100,000. That means that most of Lansing’s increase came from other violent crimes, including robbery and aggravated assault.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,057/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 7/100,000 people

Population: 113,907 | Officer to Population Ratio: 616:1

Median Household Income: $48,471 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 16.3%

Rank last year: #21

#9 Beaumont, Texas

Beaumont, Texas makes its debut as the #9 Most Dangerous City in America with a population under 200,000. It was not in the Top 10 last year. Beaumont squeaked into the top 10 with a very small increase in overall crime–around .42 percent. One notable increase that Beaumont saw was a small uptick in their murder rate. Last year, Beaumont’s murder rate was approximately 10/100,000 people.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,037/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 14/100,000 people

Population: 118,177 | Officer to Population Ratio: 467

Median Household Income: $40,765 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 22.3%

Rank last year: #11

#10 Richmond, California

Richmond, California is the #10 Most Dangerous City with a population under 200,000 in the United States. It was ranked #7 last year. Richmond fell three spots because of its overall decrease in violent crime by about 5 percent. In addition, their murder rate fell slightly, from almost 17/100,000 to 15/100,000.

Violent Crime Rate: 1,036/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 15/100,000 people

Population: 107,341 | Officer to Population Ratio: 577:1

Median Household Income: $54,657 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 17.9%

Rank last year: #7

Crime in America 2015: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities Under 200,000 | Law Street (TM)

School Elections across Boone County

Rock Valley Community College Election

North Boone School Board results

Above numbers from:  http://www.mystateline.com/election-results

Above advertisements are from:  http://issuu.com/boonecountyshopper/docs/4-2-15_internet?e=15061427/12058327

DISTRICT 100:  Reid-Neimec and Houk leads were insurmountable.

Sell-Wick beats out Danzi-Tauer for third seat by just six votes.

Figures b  elow are from: http://www.mystateline.com/election-results

State, union bump heads at contract table | The Rock River Times

 

By Mark Fitton
Illinois News Network

SPRINGFIELD — If a bargaining update sent by a government worker labor union to its members is an indication, the union and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s team are banging heads at the bargaining table.

In its March-April bargaining bulletin for state employees, the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council 31 says Rauner is staging an “all-out attempt to decimate your rights and protections on the job. Make sure your bargaining committee members know you are standing with them!”

The governor’s team is attempting “to undo decades of progress in shaping working conditions for state employees that are safe, humane and fair,” according to the memo, first reported on by WMAY News Talk 970 in Springfield.

The union says the Rauner administration wants to, among other things:

• Eliminate any restrictions on mandatory overtime.
• Eliminate all restrictions on subcontracting.
• Allow the employer to lay off bargaining unit members and replace them with vendor employees.
• Restrict recall rights of laid off employees.
• Restrict overtime pay.

Neither officials with the Rauner administration nor with AFSCME immediately responded Monday to requests for comment.

Experienced observers said they weren’t surprised by the bulletin’s contents or tone.

Stephen Schnorf was a top aide in the administrations of governors Jim Edgar and George Ryan and has extensive bargaining experience.

“I think the negotiations will be very tough this year,” he said.

AFSCME managed to get good-to-excellent contracts from governors Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn despite Illinois’ serious economic problems, Schnorf said.

“My opinion is that’s not going to happen this time around,” he said.

“I think this is going to be a very different contract for them given the financial situation,” Schnorf said, adding that he’d not advised the Rauner administration nor was he speaking for it.

Schnorf said he thinks the “big ask” from the Rauner team will include concessions on wages  — perhaps the elimination of cost of living allowances — and increased contributions from employees toward health insurance costs.

The state is up against the wall financially, Schnorf said, and he doesn’t see Rauner trying to pacify AFSCME.

“It’s not like the state has a superfluous amount revenue with which it can fund a COLA,” Schnorf added.

“I think this is going to be a heck of a year,” he said.

The union’s releasing a charged bulletin to its members is likely a way to step around a vow to not negotiate by way of the media, Schnorf said, and it’s a tactic he said he’s seen the union use before.

Mike Lawrence, a longtime statehouse journalist who also served as an advisor to Gov. Jim Edgar and director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, said he wasn’t surprised by the union’s memo.

“In my opinion, neither side is entering these negotiations with the best atmosphere for them,” Lawrence said.

Given the state’s extreme financial distress, Lawrence said, he’d like to see both sides agree to measures that restrain state spending.

But, he added, given Rauner’s public statements on public-sector unions to date, he’s not surprised AFSCME is taking a hard line or using emphatic language.

“It’s a little difficult to see someone’s point of view if they’re constantly poking you in the eye, and I think the governor’s been poking them in the eye.”

Lawrence predicted contentious talks and said he found it unfortunate because it will take compromise and cooperation from the governor, legislature and union to begin to truly address Illinois’ dismal finances.

The state is approaching fiscal year 2016 about $6.2 billion short. It also has long-term pension debt of more than $110 billion and is about $4.3 billion in arrears on bills.

AFSCME 31 represents more than 35,000 state workers. It’s contract expires in July.

State, union bump heads at contract table | The Rock River Times

Ceroni Piping to break ground on $5.5M building in November - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

BELVIDERE — Ceroni Piping Co. plans to break ground on a 30,000-square-foot building in November.

The $5.5 million facility will replace farmland and a house near the intersection of U.S. 20 and Interstate 90 in Cherry Valley.

The company leases space at 1372 Ipsen Road in Belvidere.

“We’ve been in the area since 1998 doing mechanical contracting and piping work," CEO/President Steve Ceroni said. "It’s finally settled down enough economically where it looks like it’s stable enough to build something permanent in a new location.

“We started with about four guys in our office, and I think we’re up to about a dozen now."

The size of field crews fluctuates, depending on the size and number of projects.

The company contracts field teams through Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23 to install piping systems, do pumping and heating process work, and manage construction projects. Among its projects is helping dismantle the NDK Crystal tower in Belvidere. An explosion there in December 2009 sent thousands of pounds of debris soaring hundreds of feet from the building, wounding two people and killing a trucker in the parking lot of the Belvidere Oasis off I-90.

Local 23 business manager Rick Beck said Ceroni Piping is the second-largest contractor in northwest Illinois between Belvidere and the Mississippi River. It and hires about 45 union members to do field work each year. The company once hired 180 union workers for a project at Chrysler.

Ceroni Real Estate, a division of Ceroni Piping, closed a deal on 22.5 acres of farmland at 974 U.S. 20 in June 2014. The company plans to split the land into three subdivisions, building on one and selling the others.

“It’s going to be really just an upgrade for our office facilities, and then we’ll have (metal) fabrication, too," Ceroni said. "We do that now, but there’s a possibility (fabrication) could expand. ... Right now (recovery) is a slow, slow process for the area ... but we’re hopeful."

Ceroni Piping to break ground on $5.5M building in November - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

The suicide rate for young people is much higher in rural areas - The Washington Post

 

Suicide rates for young people are almost twice as high in rural areas as they are in urban areas, and the gap among males is widening, a team of researchers reported Monday. While the use of firearms in suicides declined, the rate of hangings and suffocations rose for both males and females.

Writing in JAMA Pediatrics, a team of researchers from Ohio State University found suicide rates of 19.93 per 100,000 for males and 4.4 per 100,00 for females in rural areas, compared to 10.31 per 100,000 for males and 2.39 per 100,000 for  females in urban areas. The study examined 66,595 suicides by people ages 10 to 24 between 1996 and 2010.

Completed suicides are much more common among males than females, even among this age group. Men commit four out of every five suicides, the new study shows. For this age group, it was the third-leading cause of death, behind only accidental injuries and homicides. Sixty percent of the suicides were committed by people between 20 and 24.

[Robin Williams was part of a group facing high suicide risk: Older white men with depression.]

Suicide rates for boys and men declined in most urban areas but remained largely unchanged in rural areas, widening the already substantial gap in those rates, the researchers, led by Cynthia A. Fontanella, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Ohio State, reported.

The report offered several explanations for the findings, emphasizing the relative shortage of mental health care in rural settings "owing to chronic shortages of clinicians." It also suggests social isolation from friends and family, the economic impact of the Great Recession and easier access to firearms in rural areas as other possible explanations.

"Suicide is a major cause of gun deaths in rural areas, and evidence suggests that firearm ownership is associated with suicide," the researchers wrote.

In the midst of such limitations, having primary care physicians do more mental health work, employing more telemedicine and intervening in school are three of the more promising solutions, they wrote.

The suicide rate for young people is much higher in rural areas - The Washington Post