Per Diem and Mileage for Illinois Representatives--2009

The following was obtained by a Freedom of Information Request by David Jenkins in December 2010 and represents payment for the period 1-1-2009 to 12-31-2009.  The individual It is available at:  http://www.box.net/shared/yd774ppbne

The totals for the House of  Representatives was : $421,841 for mileage; $964,788 for per diem for a total of $1,386,629.  The totals for the Senate was:  $183,624 for mileage; $489,720 for per diem for a total of $673,322.  Individual representative’s payment are itemized.  The following local representatives were:

 

Ron Wait, Belvidere            $5,112 mileage   $8,448 per diem

Dave Syverson, Rockford     $3,515 mileage   $8,444 per diem

Financial RECORDS for state legislators

The following historical records have been consolidated on the following website:  http://illinoishousereps.blogspot.com/

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Gives links to show real estate taxes.

2008 Office Expenditures

2009 District Spending

Tuition Waivers

Many Illinois residents have not been told that their state lawmakers have powers that go well beyond the capitol building in Springfield. They can also award a free college education to some of their constituents...
This little known program, otherwise coined the "Illinois General Assembly Legislative Scholarship" tuition waiver, gives each Illinois House Representative, and Senator, the ability to give two lucky college-bound students in his or her district a four-year education - for free.
However, many state legislators opt to, instead, give four [district] students a two-year waiver on tuition; or eight students a one-year waiver - applicable at any state-supported four-year university.
Even when allocated with the best intentions, critics have advanced the argument that these tuition waivers simply make education more expensive for everyone else in Illinois.
But the biggest complaint really is the flexibility that lawmakers have in deciding who is being awarded these "scholarships":

Above provided by the Illinois State Board of Education

Since I'm posting the names and addresses of each student awarded this lucrative opportunity by his or her State Rep. and Senator, here's a short list of what you can look for when viewing these lists:

• Is this lawmaker repeatedly awarding tuition waivers to one household or street address?
• Are lawmakers even awarding students who live in his or her legislative district?
• Is this lawmaker awarding campaign contributors, or family members of campaign contributors?
• Award relatives of other lawmakers and/or elected officials?

 

Representative Wait’s Scholarships granted to following:

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

Contributors/Family Receives Scholarship: Campaign contribution taken from  http://www.elections.state.il.us/CampaignDisclosure/ContributionsSearchByCandidates.aspx?ddlCanSearchOrderBy=Last+or+Only+Name+-+A+to+Z&txtCanLastName=wait&txtCanFirstName=ron   located at: 1426to1450 of 1726 contributors.

Sisson, Allen
1316 Riverbend Lane
Belvidere, IL 61008
$300.00
12/5/2001
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Sisson, Allen
1316 Riverbend Land
Belvidere, IL 61008
$250.00
11/7/2008
Transfer In
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Sisson, Allen
1316 Riverbend Lane
Belvidere, IL 61008
$500.00
5/26/2006
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Sisson, Allen
1316 Riverbend Lane
Belvidere, IL 61008
$500.00
6/28/2004
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Total Sisson contribution $1,550.  Total Ill. Leg Scholarships:  2003 Kathryn Sisson—one semester. Brian Sisson 1 semester. 2005 Brain Sisson 1 semester. 2006 Rebecca 1 year 2008 Rebecca Sisson 1 semester. Total 6 semesters tuition free

.

Next Contributor/family Receives Leg Scholarship

The following is taken from:  http://www.elections.state.il.us/CampaignDisclosure/ContributionsSearchByCandidates.aspx?ddlCanSearchOrderBy=Last+or+Only+Name+-+A+to+Z&txtCanLastName=wait&txtCanFirstName=ron

located at: 426 to 450 of 1726

Drake, Dale
7646 Bel-Mar Drive
Belvidere, IL 61008
$500.00
10/20/2001
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Drake, Dale
7646 Bel-Mar Drive
Belvidere, IL 61008
$250.00
10/28/2005
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Drake, Dale & Elaine
7646 Bel Mar Dr
Belvidere, IL 61008
$750.00
11/24/1997
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Drake, Dale & Elaine
515 Pearl Street
Belvidere, IL 61008
$250.00
12/31/2008
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Drake, Dale & Elaine
7646 Bel-mar Dr
Belvidere, IL 61008
$250.00
1/29/1996
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Drake, Dale & Elaine
7646 Bel-mar Dr
Belvidere, IL 61008
$500.00
10/18/1994
Individual Contribution
Citizens for Ronald A Wait

Total Drake Contribution $2,500. Total Ill. Leg. Scholarship:  Adam Drake 2003—one semester. Adam Drake 2004—one semester. Adam Drake 2005—one semester.  Total 3 semesters tuition free.

Retired Illinois Judges Raking in Extravagant Pensions

CHICAGO- Retired Illinois judges are enjoying some of the most lavish pensions of all Illinois pensioners with the top 100 judicial pensions each in excess of $147,000. While Illinois leadership dabbles with pension reform, millionaire pensions are breaking the backs of taxpayers. Tobias Barry, a retired Appellate Court Judge tops the list with an annual pension of $176,043, which he supplements with another $15,000 from his General Assembly pension, while retired Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Moses Harrison, II pulls in $171,561. The average of the top 100 judicial annual pensions is a huge $153,000.

Retired judge William Lewis’ $148,708 annual pension merely adds to the whopping $1,852,661 he’s already made off the pension system.  The same goes for John Nickels, who’s total pension payout stands at an extravagant $1,538,734—a pension of $162,428 a year!

The following was taken from the TUA site at: 

http://www.ntui.org/ITEF/downloads/JudicialPensions.pdf

Click on the photocopy to enlarge: 

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Places 21 Priests On Administrative Leave

SOURCE:  Archdiocese Of Philadelphia Places 21 Priests On Administrative Leave

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA PLACES
21 PRIESTS ON ADMININSTRATIVE LEAVE

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, today announced that he has placed 21 priests on administrative leave. The action follows an initial examination of files looking at both the substance of allegations and the process by which those allegations were reviewed. In each case the next step is a thorough independent investigation.
Cardinal Rigali said, "These have been difficult weeks since the release of the Grand Jury Report: difficult most of all for victims of sexual abuse, but also for all Catholics and for everyone in our community.
"As we strive to move forward today," Cardinal Rigali added, "I wish to express again my sorrow for the sexual abuse of minors committed by any members of the Church, especially clergy. I am truly sorry for the harm done to the victims of sexual abuse, as well as to the members of our community who suffer as a result of this great evil and crime."
The Grand Jury Report identified 37 cases of concern. In addition to the 21 announced today, three priests were placed on administrative leave after the report was released in February. Five others would have been subject to administrative leave. However, one who was already on leave and two who are incapacitated have not been in active ministry. Two others no longer serve in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and, as both are members of a Religious Order, the Archdiocese has notified the Superiors of their Religious Orders and the Bishops of the Dioceses where they are residing.
The remaining eight priests will not be subject to administrative leave. The initial independent examination of these cases found no further investigation is warranted.
All 37 cases were subject to a review using the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the Child Protective Services Act, the "Essential Norms" from the Charter for the Protection of Young People of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Archdiocese's Standards for Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries. The cases of those on administrative leave involve a range from allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to boundary issues with minors.
Cardinal Rigali stated, "Since 2005, the Archdiocese has worked very hard and we believed that we were on the right path, making significant progress in the protection of children and in the investigation and handling of abuse allegations. In fact, the present investigation of sexual abuse began as a result of reports from the Archdiocese to the District Attorney's Office. The 2011 Grand Jury Report, however, presented us with serious concerns that demand a decisive response."
Within a week of the release of the Grand Jury Report, the Archdiocese retained Gina Maisto Smith, a former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney who has prosecuted child sexual assault cases for nearly two decades. Mrs. Smith, a partner at the law firm of Ballard Spahr, conducted an initial review of all 37 cases of concern with the aid of her team and a forensic psychiatrist.
"Cardinal Rigali asked me to assist him in responding to the concerns raised in the Grand Jury Report," Mrs. Smith said. "I was given the unlimited freedom to do a thorough review with full access to all files and documents."
The Cardinal's actions were based on Mrs. Smith's recommendations. She will now lead a team of experts to investigate more fully each case. Her team will include a nationally renowned pediatrician in the field of child abuse, a forensic psychiatrist and psychologist, an expert from the child advocacy community and other experts.
Cardinal Rigali said, "I want to be clear: These administrative leaves are interim measures. They are not in any way final determinations or judgments."
"I know that for many people their trust in the Church has been shaken," stated the Cardinal. "I pray that the efforts of the Archdiocese to address these cases of concern and to re-evaluate our way of handling allegations will help rebuild that trust in truth and justice."
For more information and to read Cardinal Rigali's complete statement, visit the Archdiocese of Philadelphia web site at www.archphila.org ("Response to 2011 Grand Jury Report").
Cardinal Rigali will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent for Christians throughout the world. Lent is the penitential season of prayer and sacrifice lasting from Ash Wednesday through Holy Thursday, in preparation for Easter.
Cardinal Rigali also has invited the faithful to join him at the Cathedral for a Penitential Service, including Stations of the Cross, at 7 p.m. March 11, 2011, the first Friday of Lent.

Philadelphia Archdiocese Suspends 21 Priests - NYTimes.com

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced Tuesday that it had placed 21 priests on administrative leave from active ministry in connection with credible charges that they had sexually abused minors.

Church officials, including Cardinal Justin Rigali, the archbishop of Philadelphia, have spent the last few days informing the priests of their status after an initial review of their cases by Gina Smith, an outside lawyer hired by the church to re-examine their cases in light of the grand jury report.

announcement Tuesday was a major embarrassment for Cardinal Rigali, who, in response to the grand jury report, had initially said that there were no priests in active ministry “who have an admitted or established allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against them.”

Click on the following to read the entire story:  Philadelphia Archdiocese Suspends 21 Priests - NYTimes.com

Earlier postings on the Philadelphia Archdiocese:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/03/philadelphia-archdiocese-faces-new.html

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/02/philadelphia-archdiocese-puts-pastor.html

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/02/37-philadelphia-area-catholic-priests.html

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/02/archdiocese-of-philadelphiagrand-jury.html

http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/02/statement-of-cardinal-justin-rigali.html

Philadelphia Archdiocese faces new sexual abuse claims | Reuters

A Philadelphia priest was accused in a lawsuit on Monday of sexual abuse of a teen-age boy, part of a growing chorus of allegations that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was aware of pedophilia among its priests but failed to stop it or protect the victims.

filed by a 31-year-old Delaware man, claims retired Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of the Archdiocese was aware of earlier sexual abuse by the accused priest

attorneys on Monday said more lawsuits would be filed against the Archdiocese, and one lawyer, Daniel Monahan, said he has gotten calls from some 20 potential victims whose claims he is assessing. [photo is from 2002]

Since the priest sex scandals first erupted in the United States in Boston nearly a decade ago, Roman Catholic archdioceses have collectively paid some $2 billion in settlements to victims

Click on the following for more details:  Philadelphia Archdiocese faces new sexual abuse claims | Reuters

Food Pantry Fundraiser