Proposed Wind Farm Ordinance for Boone County

As of the posting of this document Boone County has not posted the proposed ordinance as it awaits imput from the townships and other government entities. 

UPDATED 8-17-2012

The staff recommendation as well as the proposed ordinance change is now available at:    http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/Boone%20County%20RegionalPlanning%20Commission%20August%2021,%202012.pdf Or you may view the abbreviated staff recommendation at: http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/08/staff-recommendations-requests-more.html

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Please remember the following typing symbols use to differentiate.:  current ordinance, deletion and addition to wording.

First the definitions:

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The beginning of the changes:

For information on various other county’s wind farm ordinances go to Boone County Zoning’s information at:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/wind-farm-information

Rockford Register Star : Boone County files complaint against mulch pile land caretakers

POPLAR GROVE — Boone County filed a complaint Wednesday against Michael Coil and Norma Gesell for using land illegally to stockpile mulch that eventually resulted in a five-day Poplar Grove fire.
After providing the defendants 10 days to remove the mulch, Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier filed a complaint for a preliminary and permanent injunction for violating the Boone County Zoning Ordinance.
According to the complaint, Jim Schumacher had obtained a special-use permit in 2007 to allow property in Poplar Grove to house a nursery and horticulture supply store. However, that land was divided in May 2011 without notification to the Boone County Planning Department.
Since the land became a new piece of property, Coil, who purchased and controlled the property, and Gesell, who is the property’s legal owner, needed to ask for a special-use permit to store the mulch. They ultimately did not and began to stockpile mulch in an agricultural conservation district, which is illegal, according to the complaint.
“(Individuals who refuse) to comply with or resist the enforcement of any of the provisions in this ordinance, shall upon conviction, be fined no more than $500 plus the cost of the prosecution of each offense. Each day that a violation continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense,” the county zoning ordinance states.
The complaint requests that Coil and Gesell be prohibited from bringing more mulch on the property and be forced to remove the material there now.
In addition to the mulch complaint, Courier alleges that if the newly divided land had been covered by Schumacher’s special-use permit, Coil and Gesell had been violating several fire codes since May 2012.
Those violations include: failing to provide access roads for fire suppression, failing to provide an adequate water supply, allowing mulch piles to exceed their size limitations, failing to have appropriate material handling equipment on site, failing to monitor mulch piles’ internal temperatures, failing to provide portable fire extinguishers and failing to provide an emergency plan.
Additionally, Coil and Gesell did not have the required access permits from Belvidere Township needed for the special-use permit.
The fire that resulted from these mulch piles required more than 100 agencies to respond and 4 million gallons of water. The cost of the fire totaled more than $46,000 between Rural Boone County Fire Protection District 2 and the village of Poplar Grove.
Jennifer Wheeler: 815-987-1354; jwheeler@rrstar.com

Above is taken from: Rockford Register Star : Boone County files complaint against mulch pile land caretakers

The above story is also available in the Friday, July 27, 2012 print version of the Rockford Register Star, page A5.

Boone County changes Sunday Liquor CODE

The following is taken from Friday, July 27th Boone County Journal

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Boone County to discuss liquor code again Wednesday 7-25-2012 - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Four Boone County Board members have requested a special meeting to discuss the liquor code after the county board chairman decided not to put the item on last week’s meeting agenda.

 

Boone County to discuss liquor code again tonight - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Terri Glass to run for Belvidere Township trustee - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

Current Boone County Board member Terri Glass announced her decision to run for Belvidere Township trustee Thursday after expressing dissatisfaction with the board.

If elected, she said she would represent her constituents by being the voice of many residents and not catering to a select group’s needs.

Click on the following for more details;  Terri Glass to run for Belvidere Township trustee - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Lisa Madigan paralegals threaten to strike - chicagotribune.com

By Monique Garcia

 

group of 250 paralegals and clerical employees who work for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan are preparing to strike if negotiations fail to produce an agreement on a new contract.

The workers are members of the Illinois Federation of Public Employees, which has been in contract talks for the past year. Frustrated with a lack of progress, 88 percent of union members have voted to support a work stoppage if talks remain unsuccessful, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Click on the following for more details:  Lisa Madigan paralegals threaten to strike - chicagotribune.com

Northwest Herald | McHenry Co. sheriff's office investigates string of barn fires

By LAWERENCE SYNETT

There have been at least six barn fires in rural Woodstock, Marengo and Harvard in less than two months. Similar fires also have been reported in Kane, Boone and DeKalb counties.

Investigators are urging residents to be on the lookout for suspicious activity near barns.

Click on the following for more details:  Northwest Herald | McHenry Co. sheriff's office investigates string of barn fires

This Courier News article regarding the same subject give the barns’ locations

To date, one fire in the 22500 block of River Road (near Marengo)is deemed to be suspicious in nature.”

Fires being investigated include:

1100 block of North Queen Anne Road, Woodstock. Reported at 7:26 p.m. May 29.

11100 block of Payne Road, Marengo. Reported at 1:32 p.m. June 5.

18400 block of Lincoln Road, Harvard. Reported at 3:10 p.m. June 28.

13900 block of Harmony Road, Marengo. Reported at 10:36 p.m. June 29.

13911 block of Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock. Reported at 10:06 p.m. July 10.

22500 block of River Road, Marengo. Reported at 11:25 a.m. July 23.

“The sheriff’s office wants to make sure that the rural farming community is aware of this information,” Nygren said. “We encourage suspicious activities to be reported immediately and appreciate the support from our community.”

Click on the following for further story details: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/13989476-417/barn-fires-in-kane-mchenry-counties-under-investigation.html

Bel Rock explores options after rezoning request is denied | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

One of the options is moving out of the county, co-owner Kelly Farina said Friday. “Winnebago County invited us with open arms,” he said, adding that the company’s perception is Boone County is not business friendly.

Moving would mean the loss of 15 jobs and a home-grown company, he said.

He was unhappy with board Chairman Bob Walberg, who abstained because of doing business with the family.

But Farina said, “We met with Mr. Walberg four times and he was positive about it (rezoning). He came up to us five minutes before the (board) meeting and said he was going to abstain. That was pretty weak on his part; he had committed to that vote.”

Concern about what future owners would do with the land came from Hunt. And she didn’t feel the proposed use was appropriate for this land.

Newhouse continued to suggest the company apply for a special use permit; Hunt said she would support that kind of a request.

Interim Planning Director Kathy Miller said staff recommended against the rezoning because it did not comply with the comprehensive plan. The zoning board of appeals recommended in favor of it while the planning, zoning and building committee, consisting of five county board members, recommended against it.

Click on the following for more details:  Bel Rock explores options after rezoning request is denied | Belvidere Daily Republican

Northwest Herald | Huntley hospital seen as boon to local economy

 

plan for a $233 million hospital in Huntley on a 6-3 vote. The 128-bed hospital is expected to create 800 construction jobs and 1,100 permanent jobs at the Centegra campus at Haligus and Reed roads.

Officials anticipate breaking ground on the project in about a year and treating patients at the hospital in 2016….

The new hospital will feature 100 medical surgical beds, an eight-bed intensive care unit and an emergency department with a Level II trauma center and special-care nursery, plus noninvasive cardiology services. Plans include a helipad and a dedicated center for women.

Huntley High School this fall will roll out the first of four health care classes as the school district works to establish a medical academy at the institution.

Once fully developed, students would have two pathways: preparation to receive an associate degree or similar certification at a two-year school, or preparation to receive a bachelor’s degree and beyond at a four-year institution.

Once fully developed, students would have two pathways: preparation to receive an associate degree or similar certification at a two-year school, or preparation to receive a bachelor’s degree and beyond at a four-year institution.

Click on the following to read more of the story:  Northwest Herald | Huntley hospital seen as boon to local economy

Read the news release from Centegra:  http://centegra.org/state-board-approves-plans-for-centegra-hospital-huntley/

Boone County’s half cent sales tax for the Jail

Boone County Government’s website has a summary of the history of this sales tax.  The following are excerpts from that site which is at:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/pubsafety%20sales%20tax.pdf

First, the actual ballot resolution

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The Boone County Board’s 1999 published statement regarding the referendum issue.

Beginning in FY 2004 (12-1-2003 to 11-30-2004) the county began using the sales tax for items related to jail operations but not related to bond repayment.  Note the FY 2001 numbers were only for part of the year.  See below:

For FY 2011, a very large use of Jail sales tax was actually authorized.  See Ordinance 10-35 below. The county proposed very large operational expenses for the sales tax, gradually reducing it until it was projected to stop in 2018 with the final payment on the jail bonds.

The half cent PSB sales tax is budgeted to be $1,358,000 for the current year and is running slightly greater than that projection.  The highest PSB tax receipts was in 2008 when $1,653,891 was received. See below:

The county is currently refinancing the Jail Bonds to obtain a lower interest rate.  Annual principle repayment on the new bonds will range from $530,000 to $575,000 each year. Annual interest on the bond will be less than $150,000 each year and falling. So something approaching $700,000 will be available for PSB related operating expenses.  See draft version of bond repayment schedule shown below:

The major questions are:

 1. Will the county really abide by Ordinance 10-35 or will it use more than stated sales tax revenue for PSB operating expenses?

2.  Will the county really end the sales tax in 2018, if so how will it make up for the loss of income for PSB operating expenses?

Editor’s note:  It may seem that the county is cash rich because its PSB sales tax can so readily pay for its construction bonds.  The reality is quite different.  The county is quite cash strapped and in past years has curtailed levies for highway and bridges and the health departments so has to increase the county’s real estate levy for its general fund and still abide by tax caps.

Northwest Herald | Board approves Centegra Hospital – Huntley

 

– Centegra Health System officials celebrated with a mix of relief and joy Tuesday after a state panel approved their plans for a $233 million project by a 6-3 vote.

Held at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board hearing reconsidered Centegra's application for a permit to proceed with its 128-bed hospital in Huntley.

Floyd and other officials from surrounding health care providers, including Advocate Good Shepherd in Barrington, expressed disappointment with the board's 6-3 vote in favor of Centegra Hospital - Huntley.

"It is unfortunate that board members chose to reverse their decision from December to deny this project. Nothing has changed related to this application,” said Karen Lambert, president of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. “This hospital is not needed. It would duplicate services, and it could reduce the quality of care in the area by pulling patients from other health care providers.”

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  http://www.nwherald.com/2012/07/24/board-approves-centegra-hospital-huntley/agybb7h/?page=2

CBO: Court ruling cuts cost of health-care law, but leaves 3 million more uninsured - The Washington Post

In its June 28 ruling, the court upheld the bulk of the Affordable Care Act, but struck down its plan to require states to expand their Medicaid programs to cover poor people who earn as much as 138 percent of the federal poverty level. ….

Factoring in other changes, the total cost of the coverage expansion would be $1.168 trillion, the CBO said, compared with an original estimate of $1.252 trillion — a net reduction of $84 billion.

Click on the following for more details;  CBO: Court ruling cuts cost of health-care law, but leaves 3 million more uninsured - The Washington Post

Agenda: Belvidere Township, Tuesday July 24, 2012 meeting

Note:  This meeting may set new salaries for township officials/employees and finalize loan/grant to Timberlane.

If you wish to speak, click on the public comment form at the bottom and have it ready before the meeting starts.

AGENDA

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP

MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD

8200 Fairgrounds Road

July 24, 2012 – 5:00 P.M.

I. Call to Order / Roll Call

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

IV. Transfers

V. Reports

a. Supervisor’s Report

b. Highway Commissioner’s Report

c. Assessor’s Report

d. Clerk’s Report

e. Trustee’s Report

VI. Unfinished Business

a. RAMP-Revised Contract

b.Orth Road Contract

c.

d.

VII. Legal

a.

b.

VIII.New Business

a. Recognition-Mark Williams-Growth Dimensions

b. Setting of Salaries

c. Public Comment Policies

d.

e.

IX. Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Bills

X. Public Input

XI. Closed Session

XII. Adjournment

* Please note in order to take final action on an item it must be specified on the posted agenda 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

 

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Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans

Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans..............

To mark the anniversary of Medicare, the Senior Truth Squad is traveling the Illinois 17th Congressional District
to separate fact from fiction in the national debate on Social Security, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.

Republican Congressman Bobby Schilling has voted to privatize Medicare and repeal health care reform.
Join us for a rally outside of the Republican headquarters to set the record straight on how these programs benefit
seniors and to call on Congressman Schilling to support retirement security for current and future generations.

Monday, July 30
2:30 – 3:30ppm
Outside of Social Security Administration office
502 E. Jefferson St
Rockford, IL

Press Releases

Illinois Retiree Leader Blasts U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling for Taking Away Medicare Benefits for Seniors

Illinois Retiree Leader Blasts U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling for Taking Away Medicare Benefits for Seniors
The following statement was issued today by Barbara Franklin, President of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, in response to the U.S. House voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act:
“Rep. Schilling shamefully voted to take away new Medicare benefits that are helping seniors here in Illinois better afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription. In voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Schilling chose ideology and partisan politics over seniors’ basic needs.
Example: In our state, over 144,000 Medicare beneficiaries have already saved a total of $96,216,548 on their prescriptions. 1,353,031 Illinois seniors have received free, life-saving tests for chronic diseases.
“Retirees worry about their children and grandchildren, and are happy that the law allows young adults under age 26 stay on their parents’ health insurance. Seniors are glad to see working families finally protected from the greed and outrageous business practices of the insurance companies.
“This was the 33rd vote in Congress to repeal this law, a law that in the past two years has been approved by both houses of Congress, signed by the President, and upheld by the Supreme Court. It is time to move on. Political gamesmanship will not help a single retiree, worker, or student live a better, healthier life.”

Posted 14:52PM on July 12 2012 by Emily Stuart

Community concerned over Boone County mulch fire effects - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

The Boone County Board was asked by a resident Wednesday to contact the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency ….

Resident Karen Ciesielczyk said she was concerned about the odor and potentially toxic haze ….She said she contacted the Boone County Department of Health and Boone County Planning and Zoning Department, which directed her to the IEPA.

“The IEPA … suggested that I obtain the support of state legislators in order to generate support for an investigation at the state level,” she said.

Outside Ciesielczyk’s concerns, Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier wrote in a letter obtained by the Rockford Register Star that the mulch piles must be removed within 10 days from July 13 or the office will be forced to file a lawsuit.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Community concerned over Boone County mulch fire effects - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Boone County voters to see more Democratic nominees on ballot - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

All Boone County Board seats will be contested this November.

With three Democratic candidates running for three separate districts, every seat on the Boone County Board is up for grabs. The Boone County Board consists of three districts with four board members representing each district. Read below to see how each race stacks up.

District 1: Democrat Bill Pysson announced that he will be challenging Republican incumbents Bob Walberg, Brad Fidder and Kenneth Grzybowski II and newcomer Dennis Ellingson.

District 2: After a hotly contested primary, voters selected former state Rep. Ron Wait, Cathy Ward, Paul Larson and Karl Johnson for the Republican ticket. Democrat Francis Egan will also be running for the seat.

District 3: Former Belvidere City Council alderman and Democrat Craig Schultz has decided to run for the Boone County Board. He will be challenging Republican incumbents Mike Schultz, Kenneth Freeman, Patrick Mattison and newcomer Marion Thornberry.

The Boone County coroner position is also being challenged. Republican Rebecca Wigget will face Democrat Kevin Wes Swezey in the election.

Above story is from:  Boone County voters to see more Democratic nominees on ballot - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Belvidere School Board backs a higher sales tax -

By Jennifer Wheeler

The board gave its approval tonight the “county school facility tax," which would provide another source of revenue to pay off an anticipated $179 million in bond and interest payments owed after fixing and constructing new schools.

The county school facility tax would increase the 6.75 percent sales tax to 7.75 percent. Vehicles, medicine and groceries are exempt.

Tax revenue generated would be used to pay off these bonds by 2025. Without it, the school district must rely on property taxes to pay the debt.

….Without the sales tax, residents who own homes valued at $100,000 are expected to see a property tax increase to $358 in 2013 to $697 in 2019

Of the $2.7 million generated, $2.2 million would go to Belvidere School District

 

Click on the following to read the entire story: http://www.rrstar.com/updates/x736424446/Belvidere-School-Board-backs-a-higher-sales-tax

Sullivan’s closing brings disappointment for customers

Written by Bob Balgemann

Store manager John Bevan said the decision was made July 6 and that the last day of operation had not yet been set. He said the company was unable to obtain land for a new store and decided to close the one on State Street in downtown Belvidere.

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  Sullivan’s closing brings disappointment for customers | Belvidere Daily Republican

First step taken toward finishing Irene Road interchange | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

One step is for preliminary engineering at an initial cost of $81,000. The other step, costing $33,800, is for services of a right of way consultant. The city and county will be splitting that expense, with the county dollars coming out of its highway fund.

Once that portion of the engineering is done the city and county could find themselves with a much larger expense: buying land needed to finish the remaining three lanes of the project. A high-ranking Illinois Department of Transportation official told the committee that if the city and county provided the land, the state would finish the interchange…..

Irene Road interchange “is a gamble. I can’t tell you it will bring development. But I can tell you it won’t come without it.”

….

Stuart M. Kemp, offered a “worst-case scenario” to the committee, in which the city and county spend a lot of up-front money and then find out they are unable to successfully negotiate the purchase of the needed property.

 

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  First step taken toward finishing Irene Road interchange | Belvidere Daily Republican

Romney Faces Mounting Attacks on Bain and Taxes - NYTimes.com

 

Mr. Emanuel suggested that the undisclosed returns could hold only bad news about Mr. Romney’s finances, and might even have played a role in Senator John McCain’s decision to reject Mr. Romney as a running mate in 2008 and turn instead to Sarah Palin. Mr. Romney gave Mr. McCain’s team 23 years of returns.

“The Romney campaign isn’t stupid,” Mr. Emanuel said. “They have decided that it’s better to get attacked on a lack of transparency, lack of accountability to the American people, versus telling you what’s in those taxes.”

Click on the following for more details;  Romney Faces Mounting Attacks on Bain and Taxes - NYTimes.com

County panel rejects industrial zoning in agricultural area | Belvidere Daily Republican

BelRock Services LLC was seeking the rezoning to allow parking of its blacktopping trucks and equipment.

It wasn’t the use that drew the concern but allowing industrial zoning in a primarily agricultural area.

Interim Planning Director Kathy Miller said the comprehensive plan called for mixed use – commercial and residential – on the 4.4-acre parcel in question. “I-2 is not consistent with the comprehensive plan,” she said.

She added that the kind of development recommended in the comp plan was better for the I-90, Irene Road area. “We’re working very hard to complete that interchange,” she said.

Click on the following for more details:  County panel rejects industrial zoning in agricultural area | Belvidere Daily Republican

St. James Catholic Church's construction project in question - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

RRSTAR.COM

Posted Jul 13, 2012 @ 10:28 PM

— It remains unclear how, even whether, St. James Catholic Church will be able to complete its renovations to add seating, restrooms and parking.

Belvidere City Council voted 6-3 Monday to reject a request to extend the church’s special-use permit one year. This will force architects to stay on schedule and complete the 15-month project by September 2013.

St. James Catholic Church's construction project in question - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

St. James Church Asks for Zoning Extension

 

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Note Mr. Middleton’s warning of possible further action on this item.

The Journal also had an editorial.

The above items are taken from the July 13, 2012 Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across Boone County and on the web at:    http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2012/Boone-County-News-07-13-12.pdf#page=1

Yahoo confirms server breach, over 400k accounts compromised -- Engadget

 

Yahoo confirms server breach, over 400k accounts compromised

By Michael Gorman posted Jul 12th 2012 2:41PM

Online account security breaches are seemingly commonplace these days -- just ask LinkedIn or Sony -- and now we can add Yahoo's name to the list of hacking victims. The company's confirmed that it had the usernames and passwords of over 400,000 accounts stolen from its servers earlier this week and the data was briefly posted online. The credentials have since been pulled from the web, but it turns out they weren't just for Yahoo accounts, as Gmail, AOL, Hotmail, Comcast, MSN, SBC Global, Verizon, BellSouth and Live.com login info was also pilfered and placed on display. The good news? Those responsible for the breach said (seen below) that the deed was done to simply show Yahoo the weaknesses in its software security. To wit:

We hope that the parties responsible for managing the security of this subdomain will take this as a wake-up call, and not as a threat. There have been many security holes exploited in Web servers belonging to Yahoo Inc. that have caused far greater damage than our disclosure. Please do not take them lightly. The subdomain and vulnerable parameters have not been posted to avoid further damage.

In response, Yahoo's saying that a fix for the vulnerability is in the works, but the investigation is ongoing and its system has yet to be fully secured. In the meantime, the company apologized for the breach and is advising users to change their passwords accordingly. You can read the official party line below.

At Yahoo! we take security very seriously and invest heavily in protective measures to ensure the security of our users and their data across all our products. We confirm that an older file from Yahoo! Contributor Network (previously Associated Content) containing approximately 400,000 Yahoo! and other company users names and passwords was stolen yesterday, July 11. Of these, less than 5% of the Yahoo! accounts had valid passwords. We are fixing the vulnerability that led to the disclosure of this data, changing the passwords of the affected Yahoo! users and notifying the companies whose users accounts may have been compromised. We apologize to affected users. We encourage users to change their passwords on a regular basis and also familiarize themselves with our online safety tips at security.yahoo.com.

Yahoo confirms server breach, over 400k accounts compromised -- Engadget

Northwest Herald | McHenry County leaders discuss drought

 

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center predicts Illinois’ dry conditions will persist or get worse through September. Experts such as Cory Horton, county storm-water engineer, said governments and water users must cooperate.

“I think now is the time to plan, to prepare and to work together,” Horton said.

McHenry County, like about half of the state, is experiencing “moderate” drought by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration standards

….Much of McHenry County is between 50 percent and 75 percent of normal precipitation

Read the rest of the story by clicking on the following:   http://www.nwherald.com/2012/07/11/mchenry-county-leaders-discuss-drought/a3igl2t/

Shake-Up at New York Fed Is Said to Cloud View of JPMorgan's Risk - NYTimes.com

the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in mid-2011 replaced virtually all of its roughly 40 examiners at JPMorgan Chase to bolster the team’s expertise and prevent regulators from forming cozy ties with executives, according to several current and former government officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

But those changes left the New York Fed’s front-line examiners without deep knowledge of JPMorgan’s operations for a brief yet critical time

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Shake-Up at New York Fed Is Said to Cloud View of JPMorgan's Risk - NYTimes.com

New wind farm regulations head for townships, advisory boards |

revised batch of regulations for wind farms soon will be reviewed by Boone County’s nine townships, the planning commission and the zoning board of appeals.

Recommendations then will go before the planning, zoning and building committee (PZB), with the final stop at the county board, possibly in September.

State statute requires township review of revision to the zoning code. Assistant planner Gina DelRose said they will be asked to submit their thoughts no later than Aug. 10.

Click on the following for all of the story:  New wind farm regulations head for townships, advisory boards | Belvidere Daily Republican

Stand-by fund, comment time get Belvidere Township's attention - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

RRSTAR.COM

An Illinois Supreme Court ruling mandates that townships not have contingencies exceeding 5 percent of total expenditures in each fund. Boone County Board member Pat Mattison said the township’s amount is above that.

At press time, it was unclear what percentage the $1.4 million contingency line item represents.

Murphy said a CPA auditor informed the township that it can have up to three times the amount in the fund for contingencies, although he feels that 2 to 2½ times is sufficient. He agreed to look into the issue further.

Read all of the story by clicking on the following:  Stand-by fund, comment time get Belvidere Township's attention - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Electrical aggregation going to voters again in Poplar Grove - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Belvidere, Machesney Park and Timberlane have approved contracts; Rockford, Loves Park and Pecatonica banded together to negotiate a rate. The communities are projected to save hundreds of dollars each year.

In March, an electrical aggregation referendum in Poplar Grove failed by 19 votes

Click on the following for more details:  Electrical aggregation going to voters again in Poplar Grove - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Company dismantling Zion nuclear plant under financial stress - WGN Radio

EnergySolutions, the company dismantling Exelon's Zion nuclear plant, is struggling financially just as it nears the riskiest phase of the project -- moving the nuclear fuel into storage casks.
Last month, the company suddenly replaced its chief executive and chief financial officer for the second time in two years, causing its stock to plunge 55 percent and its credit ratings to fall two notches amid a weak earnings forecast. In March, EnergySolutions

Click on the following for more details:  Company dismantling Zion nuclear plant under financial stress - WGN Radio

St. James seeks a time extension on its special use permit

UPDATE: 8:00 PM, Monday, July 9—The Committee of the Whole voted not to send the extension on to City Council—barring any change in the “no” votes it appears the extension request is denied.

St. James’ cathedral style church maybe in jeopardy if an extension of the special use permit is not allowed.  To many the real question is will the Diocese of Rockford really ever build this huge church?

See item 2a. on the City Council’s agenda for Monday.  Note the meeting is Monday, July 9, 2012 at 6:00PM.

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Irene Road Interchange?

Mr. Mattison sent me this copy of his questions concerning the Irene Interchange which he sent to the other members of the Boone County Board..  Is anyone else asking any questions?

 

Sent: Fri, Jun 29, 2012 10:41 am
Subject: Irene Road Interchange

To: Ken Terrinoni et al

Re: Irene Road Interchange

From: Patrick B. Mattison, County Board Member District 3

Responsibilities to Add Eastbound ramp to Irene Road/I-90 Interchange

1. Who is the person/Agent specifically in charge of this project--who sees it through from beginning to end?

a.) City

b.) County

2. Do we have the expertise and experience in the Planning Department to handle this--or should we contract out for this? If we

contract out--what are the estimated expenses?

3. What developers know of the plan and have agreed to participate with the project? Anderson; Puri; Funderburg; Plote;

others?

4. Initial Costs:  $213,186.75 Hanson Engineering

$ ? Complete scope after land acquisition

$ 33,800.00 Right of way proposal

$ ? Survey

$969,000.00 Land acquisition of 32 acres @ $30,000 acre

$ ? Tollway completion costs--City/County responsibility not determined?

$1,216,586.75 Tentative Initial Costs 50/50 City County

That amounts to $608,293.38 Boone County tentative responsibility. I don't think we have this funding now. We need to develop the all inclusive costs for the project and the responsibilities of cost allocation to the City, County, & Tollway.

Before we sign agreements we need to determine where we get funding for this project. Grants? Will we be required to involve the taxpayer and raise taxes? Then we need commitments from Growth Dimensions and the Rockford Economic groups, state legislature, and the Congressman on how to get supportive funding. We also need commitments of interest from the various developers, and what their requirements are for commitment.

This project must have City/County involvement.

The public needs to be informed of the total project, the need, the justification, the land use and the long range value to the community. This should be ongoing, and an assigned responsibility to a entity.

This is an interesting website: GOP Veepstakes

The site is:  http://pages.townhall.com/campaign/th-gop-veepstakes

For your convenience, the following is the written text.  It appears that it not so much a poll as a means of obtaining email addresses.

Who do you think should be Mitt Romney's running mate? Townhall.com is conducting a monthly poll to see whom conservatives would like to see team up with Mitt Romney to take on President Obama. We'll keep polling until a running mate is selected. Vote now!

Gov. Mitt Romney

Your GOP VP Nominee

• Email Address
• Zip Code
• Your Choice for GOP VP

Spkr. Newt Gingrich

Gov. Rick Perry

Rep. Allen West

Gov. Sarah Palin

Sen. Marco Rubio

Gov. Susana Martinez

Sen. Rick Santorum

Gov. Mike Huckabee

Rep. Paul Ryan

Gov. Chris Christie

Gov. Bob McDonnell

Rep. Michele Bachmann

Sen. Jim DeMint

Sen. John Thune

Gov. Mitch Daniels

Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Gov. Jeb Bush

Donald Trump

Gov. Scott Walker

Amb. John Bolton

Sen. Rob Portman

Condoleezza Rice

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Gov. Bobby Jindal

Gov. Nikki Haley

*Voting in the Townhall.com Veepstakes entitles you to receive conservative alerts from Townhall.com.

The above ad was taken from:http://www.lifenews.com/about/, a pro-life website.  Their statement about themselves follows: LifeNews.com is an independent news agency devoted to reporting news that affects the pro-life community. With a team of experienced journalists and bloggers, LifeNews.com reaches more than 500,000 pro-life advocates each week via its web site, email news reports, social networking outreach and weekday radio program.

LifeNews.com also acts as a service provider to furnish news content to media that share the pro-life perspective. The topics covered by LifeNews.com include abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia, bioethics issues such as human cloning and stem cell research, campaigns and elections, and legal and legislative issues.

Formerly the Pro-Life Infonet, LifeNews.com has been harnessing the power of the Internet since 1992 to bring pro-life news to the pro-life community. We’ve developed a reputation for fairness, accuracy and timeliness in our nearly two decades of service.

This is another one of their advertisers: