Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Boone County leaders ponder the past, present and future | Belvidere Daily Republican

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County board Chairman Bob Walberg said he was optimistic about the future. He has been meeting regularly with Belvidere’s new mayor, Mike Chamberlain, who shares the idea of moving ahead and progressing.

Getting there is a multi-faceted task.

The county must recapture its wealth, he said, by changing the current trend of so many residents working in Winnebago County, with a lot of Winnebago County workers traveling here for jobs.

City and county officials are working hard to complete the Irene Road interchange at Interstate 90. The thinking is to have both the on and off-ramps for southbound traffic in the southeastern quadrant of the interchange. That would leave the on-ramp for northbound traffic as the only remaining leg.

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  Boone County leaders ponder the past, present and future | Belvidere Daily Republican

Boone County Fair Starts Tuesday August 6

Click on the photocopies to enlarge:  image

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For more information go to:  http://www.boonecountyfair.com/home.htm

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

San Diego to sue Mayor Filner for costs of sexual harassment suit - latimes.com

 

The San Diego City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to file a lawsuit against Mayor Bob Filner to recover any money the city has to pay due to the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former top aide to the mayor.

The suit will seek to recover any damages ordered by the court, or agreed to as part of a pretrial settlement, arising from the lawsuit filed against the city and Filner by the mayor's former director of communications, Irene McCormack Jackson.

The vote was taken in closed session.

"This is part of due process," City Atty. Jan Goldsmith said. "If Bob Filner engaged in unlawful conduct and the city is held liable, he will have to reimburse us every penny the city pays and its attorney fees."

Click on the following for more details:  San Diego to sue Mayor Filner for costs of sexual harassment suit - latimes.com

Belvidere/Boone County BLOG: Is The Boone County Board Broken?

The problem of appointments and Chairman Walberg is a very old one.   Take a look at this posting from 2009

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Is The Boone County Board Broken?

Is the Boone County Board Broken?
Twice the Boone County Board Chairman has nominated persons to positions, once for the Board of Review and once for the District Two seat, only to fail in having the persons he nominated approved by the County Board. Now there has been a formal request to reconsider another appointee to the Board of Review with claims that the person appointed is not a Democrat, which is a requirement of the position he was appointed to. What do you think is going on?
How do you feel about what you've personally seen, read or heard about this situation?
Please keep it clean, and do NOT slander or insult anyone - just express your opinion in a polite and respectful manner.

Posted by Belvidere.Net Moderator at 10:13 PM

6 comments:

RyanDenk said...

There were six other individuals that applied to be a rep. of County Board District 2. The talk is that these other individuals names were not released to any of the other board members. I think the board voted Mace down because they wanted to see who else was wanting the spot. I think that it should go by how the people who voted in the past election, and that individual would be Mace b/c he was behind Dini. But who knows whats going on, probably just some Boone County politics.

June 18, 2009 at 11:33 PM

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't the Chairman want the input of the other boards members? If he doesn't respect their opinions, how can he expect them to respect his? And he doesn't seem to care about the legal advice from the State's Attorney either. I just don't get it, but it smells.

June 21, 2009 at 9:02 AM

taxpayer said...

Bob Walberg said "if you don't like how I'm doing I'll resign" but when he though the board was going to remove him he hired Prorok the former states attorney to defend him at the board meeting.This just shows duplicity in his behavior.It shouldn't surprise us since his caused the same animosity while he was on the school board remember the NO CONFIDENCE IN BOB WALBERG VOTE BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.He also voted not to reopen the budget so adjustments could be made for that alone he should be removed from the board along with all who mvoted with him JOHNSON, NEWHOUSE
ANDERSON,and DINI WE need people who do the work of the people not who have their own agenda. Walberg said he would resign SO DO IT !!! and let the county get back to buisness

July 17, 2009 at 11:17 AM

Anonymous said...

This county board Chairman, Mr. Walberg seems to be in way over his head. He can't seem to build any kind of consensus among the board, and can't even get anyone he nominates appointed. He should step down as chair and let someone with more leadership abilities take the reins.

July 25, 2009 at 5:25 AM

Anonymous said...

Greetings from the smallest coutry in all america El Salvador where the sun is always up and the waves wash the shores. nice blog it has a lot of information and interesting topics though the news are differents from where i live but it's allways good to hear from a far place once in a while...well time's run out and i gotta go see you and have a nice day y'all

June 1, 2010 at 10:04 PM

Anonymous said...

I am sick and tired of Walberg! The county shoud oust him like the school board did. Let the county do work and get rid Walberg. You have to wonder what hes hiding...

November 30, 2012 at 7:15 PM

The above is taken from:  Belvidere/Boone County BLOG: Is The Boone County Board Broken?

Belvidere Township tables decision on hosting mobile food pantry | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

Helnore suggested the township give the sponsoring Boone County Homeless Project task force a check for $750, to bring the mobile food pantry to the county in August, and the task force will find a place for it to park….

Homeless task force Chairwoman Danice Loveridge, who came into the township meeting room moments after the vote to table, said she would contact the Salvation Army lieutenant to see if they would be able to host the food pantry again, in August.

The mobile pantry was there June 24, with food being distributed to 174 families.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Belvidere Township tables decision on hosting mobile food pantry | Belvidere Daily Republican

Hearings on wind farm rules likely to run through autumn | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Next up is the board’s Aug. 27 meeting, which will deal with other cases.

The next wind farm hearing will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 23, with about 12 more speakers yet to be heard. The process calls for each one to have a maximum of five minutes, with questions from the board and audience to follow.

If all of those speakers aren’t heard, the balance will be held over to the Oct. 22 hearing. At some point a recommendation will go to the county board for a final decision.

The hearing held July 23 lasted more than three hours, with two speakers being heard…..

 

Mainstream is proposing a setback of 3.1 times the tip height of the tower, now estimated at 529 feet, from the property line, with a possible waiver to 1,200 feet.

A non-participating property would have a setback of 1.1 times the tip height of the tower, with a waiver possible to 1.1 times the blade length.

The setback would be 1.1 times the tip height from roads and utilities, including pipelines, measured from the utility, not the easement.

Restricted landing areas would have a 3,000-foot setback from the end of the runway, with Poplar Grove Airport having a five-mile buffer. There would be a 1½-mile setback from all municipalities, including nearby Sharon, Wis.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  Hearings on wind farm rules likely to run through autumn | Belvidere Daily Republican

First-time, non-violent felony offenders may get a second chance in Boone - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

The offender will then appear before a panel of community members. After the group interviews the offender, the panel will recommend conditions that must be met to complete the program. These conditions may include completing community service, obtaining a G.E.D., agreeing to random drug screens, becoming employed and paying restitution to the victim.

Once the conditions are met, the case will be dismissed. If they aren’t, the felony charge will be prosecuted in court.

Read the entire blog posting by clicking on the following:  First-time, non-violent felony offenders may get a second chance in Boone - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Public Hearing on renewal of Byron Nuclear will be scheduled soon.

 

NRC Announces Hearing Opportunity for License Renewal of Exelon's Byron and Braidwood Nuclear Stations
LCG, July 25, 2013--The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced yesterday the opportunity to request an adjudicatory hearing on Exelon Generation Company's application to renew the operating licenses of the Byron and Braidwood nuclear power plants, which are located in Illinois. If the licenses are extended, nearly 2,700 MW of non-carbon emitting generating capacity will survive for another 20 years.
Exelon filed the application on May 29, and the NRC staff has determined the application is sufficiently complete to allow the staff to formally docket the application and commence its technical and environmental reviews.
Exelon filed the application to renew and extend the operating licenses for an additional 20 years of operation. The current operating licenses for Braidwood expire on October 17, 2026, for Unit 1 and December 18, 2027, for Unit 2; the licenses for Byron expire October 31, 2024, for Unit 1 and November 6, 2026, for Unit 2.
The Braidwood Nuclear Station, with a capacity of 2,360 MW, is Exelon's newest nuclear power plant and is located about 60 miles southwest of Chicago. The Byron Nuclear Station is located about 110 miles west of Chicago and has a net generating capacity of 2,336 MW.
Both stations include two pressurized-water reactors.
Exelon submitted a single application to cover both plants due to the similarities in the systems, structures and components of each that are analyzed in a license renewal review.
The NRC stated that requests for a hearing on the application must be filed by September 23.

LCG Consulting - EnergyOnline / NRC Announces Hearing Opportunity for License Renewal of Exelon's Byron and Braidwood Nuclear Stations

Is the current web posting for Appointments at Boone County completely out of date?

Current Appointment Openings:

The following are volunteer Boards of the County that have vacancies:

Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008.  Please respond by April 26, 2013 to assure being considered.

Boone County Board of Review

2 vacancies for a 2-year term that will expire June 1, 2015

(Note:- Per statute, one person must be of the Republican Party and one person must be of the Democratic Party.  If selected, Board members must attain the credentials established by the Illinois Property Tax Code within (1) year of taking office.)

Boone County Zoning Board of Appeals

1 vacancy for a 5-year term that will expire June 1, 2018

(Note:- Per statute, only one person from a township can serve on this Board; therefore, anyone interested in serving on this Board must be from Flora, Belvidere, LeRoy, Spring, or Poplar Grove Township.)

Boone County Agricultural Conservation Easement & Farmland Protection Commission

1 vacancy for a 3-year term that will expire June 1, 2016

Boone County Ethics Commission

3 vacancies for a 1-year term that will expire June 30, 2014

(Note:- Per statute, two persons must be of the Republican Party and one person must be of the Democratic Party.)

Boone County Historical Museum District Board of Trustees

1 vacancy for a 5-year term that will expire June 30, 2018

Boone County Conservation District

1 vacancy for a 5-year term that will expire June 30, 2018

Boone County Board of Health

4 vacancies for a 3-year term that will expire July 1, 2016

Community Building Complex Committee

2 vacancies for a 3-year term that will expire July 1, 2016

(Note: 1 person must be a representative of the Boone County Board and 1 person must be a representative of a community organization)

Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008.  Please respond by May 24, 2013 to assure being considered

The above is taken today from:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/employment-opportunities

Obama to propose 'grand bargain' on corporate tax rate, infrastructure | Reuters

Check out the details after the speech but hear is preview.

Obama wants to cut the corporate tax rate of 35 percent down to 28 percent and give manufacturers a preferred rate of 25 percent. He also wants a minimum tax on foreign earnings as a tool against corporate tax evasion and increased use of tax havens.

The new twist is that in exchange for his support for a corporate tax reduction, he wants money generated by the tax overhaul to be used on a mix of proposals such as funding infrastructure projects like repairing roads and bridges, improving education at community colleges, and promoting manufacturing, senior administration officials said.

Obama's proposal would generate a one-time source of revenue, for example, by reforming depreciation or putting a fee on accumulated foreign earnings.

Click on the following for more details:  Obama to propose 'grand bargain' on corporate tax rate, infrastructure | Reuters

Monday, July 29, 2013

Rockford homebuilders, state fire marshal at odds over sprinklers - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Alex Gary and GateHouse Media Illinois

Matkaitis said modern home-building materials are more lightweight and prone to collapse before firefighters arrive. Sprinklers, said Matkaitis, would buy homeowners and firefighters time….

There are significant disagreements on the cost. The fire marshal’s office puts the estimate at $1.69 per square foot. Builders say the figure is closer to $3.50 and could be has high as $8.50 per square foot.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x853693270/Rockford-homebuilders-state-fire-marshal-at-odds-over-sprinklers#ixzz2aRFEMIsr

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Mineral Rich Australia May Contain World’s Next Major Oil Find | MND: Your Daily Dose of Counter-Theory

By John C.K. Daly

amount of shale oil in the as yet untapped 30,000 square mile Arckaringa Basin surrounding Coober Pedy ranging from 3.5 billion to a mind boggling 233 billion barrels of oil.

If the upper end estimates are correct then it means that the Arckaringa Basin is six times larger than the Bakken, seventeen times the size of the Marcellus formation, and 80 times larger than the Eagle Ford U.S. shale deposits.

To put the potential of the Arckaringa Basin in context, Saudi Arabian reserves are estimated at 263 billion barrels.

Click on the following for more details:  Mineral Rich Australia May Contain World’s Next Major Oil Find | MND: Your Daily Dose of Counter-Theory

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Rescue squad asks enforcement of street address number rules | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

The Capron Rescue Squad has started asking government officials in its coverage area to enforce ordinances that require houses and businesses to have street address numbers large enough to be seen from the street.

Click on the following for more details:  Rescue squad asks enforcement of street address number rules | Belvidere Daily Republican

Feed a neighbor, feed a friend | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Poplar Grove United Methodist Church has agreed to have the first community meal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8. They will continue to be held every Thursday at the same time.

Now the church is looking for other sponsors to have meals on other days each month.

One has already stepped forward.

St. John’s United Church of Christ in Belvidere, will have a meal one Wednesday a month, starting in late September. And Danice Loveridge, chairwoman of the homeless task force, said Capron United Methodist Church officials would work with Poplar Grove United Methodist on its community meal at first, with the possibility of having their own later.

Click on the following for more details;  Feed a neighbor, feed a friend | Belvidere Daily Republican

Rockford stimulus money went for paintball, movie tickets - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

More on the $600,000 which the feds want returned.  See also: 

Mayor Larry Morrissey has called for a review of how city employees document and monitor reporting requirements when issuing grant or stimulus money to vendors and nonprofits.

The review is expected to be complete in two weeks.

Nearly half of the funding in question went to the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

The council received $100,000, which was spent on staff salaries, according to the audit report. But RAEDC didn’t document exactly how the money had been spent toward stimulus goals — job creation or help for the poor.

George Davis, Rockford’s director of human services, said the city required RAEDC to provide the same documentation it does for other federal grants.

“As an economic development organization, (RAEDC) is categorically eligible for this funding,” Davis said. “When we funded them, it was reviewed and approved by the state.”….

“It’s not a case where we had explicit guidelines or instructions and didn’t follow them,” Davis said. “We had no unique guidelines.”


Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x853695385/Rockford-stimulus-money-went-for-paintball-movie-tickets#ixzz2aGyFu51N

Current Status of MIG/DeWane Landfill: ILD980497788, NPL Fact Sheet | Region 5 Superfund | US EPA

 

MIG/DEWANE LANDFILL
EPA ID# ILD980497788
Last Updated: April, 2013
Site Description

The 50-acre MIG/DeWane Landfill site is located about one-fifth mile east of the city of Belvidere and one-half mile north of U.S. Business Route 20 in Boone County, Illinois.  Approximately 1,500 people live within one mile of the site.
The MIG/DeWane site consists of a 47-acre landfill and leachate impoundment system that was operated by various entities from 1969 until its abandonment in 1988 by M.I.G. Investments, the final operator.  The landfill was a permitted municipal landfill and during its operating period it received household and municipal wastes as well as industrial wastes including paint sludge, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), asbestos, and liquids containing heavy metals.  In 1984, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had inspected the site and determined that the landfill waste and leachate were contaminating site soil, groundwater, and sediment, and that the potential existed for surface water contamination and direct exposure of humans to contaminants.

After the landfill was closed in 1988, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) inspected the site in 1989 and found that the site was not properly closed and capped, noting that there was exposed waste and a 5 to 10-acre depression in the middle of the landfill.  The depression collected water that drained into the landfill and resulted in over one hundred leachate seeps with some leachate flowing off site towards the nearby Kishwaukee River.  Illinois EPA's inspection also determined that the leachate surface impoundment was about to overflow and/or breach, which would potentially cause serious environmental impacts to the river.  In 1989 and 1990, Illinois EPA and EPA, in two separate emergency actions, removed approximately 155,000 gallons of leachate from the site.

EPA placed the MIG/DeWane Landfill site on the National Priorities List in 1990.

Site Responsibility

The MIG/DeWane Landfill site is being addressed through potentially responsible party (PRP) actions under state and federal oversight.

Threats and Contaminants
Sampling results from the MIG/DeWane Landfill site indicate that soil, groundwater, sediment, leachate, and landfill gas are contaminated by VOCs and semi-VOCs, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), and inorganic (metal) compounds. A plume of groundwater contaminated with VOCs, semi-VOCs, and inorganic chemicals was found to be moving towards the Kishwaukee River.  Exposure to contaminants by drinking contaminated water or coming into contact with contaminated soil or sediment could result in human health effects.
Cleanup Progress

In 1989 and 1990, Illinois EPA and EPA, in two separate emergency actions, removed approximately 155,000 gallons of leachate from the site.

EPA and Illinois EPA issued an Administrative Order on Consent in March 1991 to a number of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to conduct interim cleanup actions at the site, including the installation of an interim cap over the landfill, and to conduct a remedial investigation (RI) to determine the nature and extent of contamination.  The order required the PRPs to stabilize the site prior to the start of the RI.  The PRPs conducted several interim response actions from June 1991 to February 1993, including the installation of a security fence around the entire site, the removal of 50,000 gallons of leachate-contaminated ponded water from the top of the landfill and 240,000 additional gallons of leachate from the surface impoundment, the excavation of 3,500 cubic yards of off-site leachate-contaminated soil, the placement of the interim cap, the placement of topsoil and seeding, and the construction of temporary erosion controls both on and off site.

Early in 1999, landfill gas monitoring wells were installed along the western boundary of the soil borrow pit property west of and adjacent to the landfill.  These monitoring wells detected landfill gas (methane) in the soil borrow pit and elevated levels of landfill gas were also detected in a few homes in the Wycliffe Estates subdivision west of the landfill.  In April-May 1999, gas extraction wells, an interceptor trench, and a flare system were installed and activated to remove landfill gas that was moving off the site.  The system significantly reduced landfill gas levels within a month's time.  No landfill gas has been detected in the subdivision since.

After the RI was completed, EPA signed a Record of Decision (ROD) on March 31, 2000 to document its selected long term remedial action for the site that included the construction of a multilayer cap, the active and passive management of landfill gas, the installation of a localized leachate collection system, the removal of leachate and sediments from the leachate surface impoundment, and monitored natural attenuation of groundwater. 

In December 2000, an addendum to the baseline risk assessment for methane and VOCs migrating from the site was completed. Using the collected groundwater and soil gas data, the Risk Assessment Addendum determined that the health risks were significantly lower than those presented in the March 1997 Baseline Risk Assessment and were less than EPA risk thresholds.  As long as methane and VOCs in both groundwater and soil gas concentrations remain less than or equal to the levels measured in late 1999 to mid-2000, the indoor air pathway does not present an exposure pathway of concern.  Overall, the methane gas levels have continued to decline from 2000 through 2003.  Most gas levels have reached non-detectable concentrations.

The PRPs signed a consent decree to conduct the cleanup actions in January 2006.  The PRPs completed part of the Remedial Design work plan, but are waiting for comments from Illinois EPA before continuing the Remedial Design work.  The PRPs installed gas wells and vents at the landfill; and conduct periodic groundwater monitoring.

Contacts
Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
howard caine (caine.howard@epa.gov)
(312) 353-9685 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (312) 353-9685 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
janet pope
(312) 353-0628 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (312) 353-0628 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Aliases
MIG INVESTMENT
BONUS LDFL
DEWANE LDFL (MIG)

The above is taken from:  ILD980497788, NPL Fact Sheet | Region 5 Superfund | US EPA

If you wish to compare with the previous update of 2012 go to:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2012/04/current-status-of-mig-dewane-landfill.html

Friday, July 26, 2013

Influx of county’s hungry impacting Capron roads, infrastructure | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

Capron’s newly elected village president, Ken Grzybowski, has presented the city-county coordinating committee with a report on how many people the Capron-based Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry served in April and May.

Of the 1,379 people assisted in April, 853 had a city of Belvidere address, 314, Poplar Grove, 148, Capron, 33, unincorporated Garden Prairie, 19, Caledonia and 12 “other.”

Click on the following for more details:  Influx of county’s hungry impacting Capron roads, infrastructure | Belvidere Daily Republican

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Are things backwards at the Boone County Board?

At the July 17, 2013 County Board meeting, board votes 9-3 to approve Tony Savino as a replacement to the Zoning Board of Appeals to the unexpired term ending June 1, 2017 .

June 24, 2013 Boone County Board get to see the letter of resignation.  Note:  There is no date on the letter, no signature and no date the letter was received.

Savino 1 of 3

Savino 2 of 3

The statement:  “I think it showed how little true fact finding and research was done by the planning staff when the ordinance was revised for PZA review almost two years ago.” is very interesting.  Mr. Pelan did not seem to understand that the so called fact finding and research was done primarily by the PZB subcommittee. The staff was given limited opportunity to contribute by the design of those board members. The staff recommendation was for no change in the ordinance.

Very similar to the resignation letter, there is no date on Mr. Savino’s resume and no date when the resume was received.The other letters of application all have been date stamped as to the date received.  See Mr. Savino’s letter and the others at:  http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/99NKYF4C68D2/$file/appointments%20July%2017%2C%202013_201307160808.pdf

And as Jennifer Wheeler of the Register Star point out—“there wasn’t a new posting published to recruit an individual to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Instead, Walberg used candidates who weren’t selected from a previous notice” per:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2013/07/boone-inconsistent-appointment-process.html

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Bat tests positive for rabies in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

The Boone County Health Department is urging residents to call Animal Control if they spot a bat inside their homes – one winged creature recently tested positive for rabies.

Bats, which are the primary carrier of rabies in Illinois, become more active during this time of the year, according to a release sent Monday. It’s nearly impossible to tell if the animal is carrying the disease since it does not exhibit any symptoms.

Humans can contract the virus if bit by an infected animal or if the saliva from an infected animal gets directly into people’s eyes, nose, mouth or a wound.

If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

If you see a bat, call Animal Control at 815-547-7774. If you believe you have been exposed to bats, call the Health Department at 815-544-2951 Ext. 2 to report the exposure.

THE ABOVE IS TAKEN FROM:  Bat tests positive for rabies in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Just How Generous Are Detroit's Worker Pensions for Retiree

By Melanie Hicken | CNNMoney.com –

imageOn average Detroit's firefighters, police officers and other city employees receive pension checks that are similar or slightly smaller in size than the national average of $30,000 a year, according to pension experts. But compared with larger cities that have higher living costs, like Chicago and Los Angeles, Detroit's pensions checks often pale in comparison.

"My basic takeaway was that [Detroit's] pension system itself was not overly generous

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Just How Generous Are Detroit's Worker Pensions for Retirees? - Yahoo! Finance

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Feds want Rockford to give back $205K in stimulus money - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Auditors determined that Rockford and the state didn't have "adequate levels of review" in place to make sure the money was properly spent. In addition to the missing receipts, auditors found that another $141,796 may have been spent on costs that were unallowable in the terms of the stimulus grant.

Auditors recommend that the state:

  • Return to the federal government unallowable costs totaling $205,296
  • Work with Rockford to determine what portion of the $141,796 is allowable and refund to the federal government any amount determined to be unallowable
  • Ensure that Rockford revises its policies and procedures regarding the adequate documentation of all costs charged under federal awards and the charging of costs during the award period
  • Ensure that Rockford revises its monitoring procedures to ensure that costs charged to federal awards, including subcontractor costs, are in compliance with applicable Federal requirements.

Click on the following for more details:  Feds want Rockford to give back $205K in stimulus money - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Lisa Madigan says $70 million will help ease foreclosure woes - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

The geographic scope of this award includes Winnebago County, Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, Whiteside County, LaSalle County, Lee County, Jo Daviess County, Carroll County and DeKalb County.

Purpose: Homestart and its partners will redevelop properties in three neighborhoods within Rockford, Freeport and Belvidere. Additionally, the money will support a pilot foreclosure mediation court program and a resource center providing counseling, financial literacy and other housing-related education.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Lisa Madigan says $70 million will help ease foreclosure woes - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Northwest Herald | Our View: Clean up McHenry County Sheriff's race

How bad can an election get?

We’re still eight months away from the primary for McHenry County sheriff, and the mud already is slinging in the campaign to replace retiring Sheriff Keith Nygren.

Calls for a special prosecutor to investigate a now debunked claim that one candidate interfered in a federal drug probe. Accusations of lax oversight in a previous position against another candidate. Middle-finger accusations flying at a public parade. An apparent campaign law violation.

All this and more, and it’s not even Labor Day yet.

If things continue down this road, this race between announced candidates Andy Zinke and Bill Prim on the Republican side and independent Jim Harrison will make the 2010 run for sheriff look tame by comparison.

You remember that one.

Fired sheriff deputy Zane Seipler ran against his former boss, Nygren, in the Republican primary. Lawsuits over Seipler’s reinstatement in the middle of the campaign. Calls for special prosecutors.

After Nygren easily won the primary, Democrat Mike Mahon and independent blogger Gus Philpott tried to paint him as an out-of-touch bully who spent more time in his vacation homes in Florida and Wisconsin than in running the department.

Nygren won the general election handily.

The mudslinging didn’t work four years ago. Our hunch is it won’t this time, either.

We want a healthy debate about who the next sheriff should be. Sometimes, that’s going to involve criticism of each of the candidates’ record.

But it shouldn’t get personal. Voters see through that. Let’s keep it clean – mostly, anyway.

And, of course, keep it legal. No campaigning on the public’s time or dime. Seems like county taxpayers have paid enough for allegations about that fairly recently.

Zinke, as undersheriff the current second-in-command to Nygren, and Prim, who spent 27 years with the Des Plaines Police Department and lives in Cary, square off in the March 18 primary. Harrison, a Woodstock-based attorney specializing in employment law and former sheriff’s deputy, faces the winner in the Nov. 4 general election.

Perhaps other candidates will join the race in the meantime.

Let’s have a clean but passionate discussion about who our next sheriff should be.

Northwest Herald | Our View: Clean up county sheriff's race

Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce to present community profile July 25 | Business News

image

BELVIDERE — Belvidere-area leaders will present a community profile during the Breakfast Before Business seminar at 7:30 a.m. July 25 at the Boone County Council on Aging, 2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere.

The seminar is titled “Where are We, Where are we Going and How Do We Get There?” and will feature Belvidere Mayor Michael Chamberlain, Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, Poplar Grove Village President John Neitzel and Poplar Grove Village Administrator Mark Lynch.

The event is for Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce members. For reservations: 815-544-4357 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 815-544-4357 FREE

Belvidere Area Chamber of Commerce to present community profile July 25 | Business News

Cal Skinner puts Ethics Committee to work in McHenry County

Recently Cal Skinner of Lakewood questioned the use of Sheriff Department emails for political purposes.  This is a possible ethics code violation.  Here is the story from Cal’s blog, McHenry County Blog.  Go to:  http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2013/07/18/mchenry-county-ethics-commission-will-hear-complaint-about-undersheriff-andy-zinkes-using-office-email-for-political-purposes/image

Friday, July 19, 2013

Mosquito tests positive for West Nile in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

By Jennifer Wheeler

“It is important for residents to protect themselves from West Nile virus, and any other mosquito-borne illness, by reducing the number of mosquitoes around your home and taking personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” said Cindy Frank, Boone County Health administrator.

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Mosquito tests positive for West Nile in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

14 local Hells Angels arrested, held on $1 million bond; clubhouse condemned by city | The Rock River Times

imageIn June 2013 the Rockford Police Department began a criminal investigation regarding allegations of aggravated battery, armed robbery and kidnapping that occurred at the Hells Angels clubhouse, 1109 Rock St., Rockford.

Friday July 19, the Rockford Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police, Chicago Police Department, agents with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office executed 14 simultaneous arrest warrants. These arrest warrant locations included 13 residences in Rockford, Loves Park, Rockton, Pecatonica, Belvidere, Freeport, Chicago, Countryside, Ill., and the Winnebago County Fairgrounds. Rockford Police also executed a search warrant at the Hells Angels clubhouse.

Read more by clicking on the following:  14 local Hells Angels arrested, held on $1 million bond; clubhouse condemned by city | The Rock River Times

Public comments bring variety of topics to Poplar Grove trustees | Belvidere Daily Republican

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Three residents and an aide to U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., addressed trustees at their July 8 meeting on topics ranging from sewage back-up in the basement to a call for School District 200 to pay for having a communications antenna on one of the village’s water towers

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Public comments bring variety of topics to Poplar Grove trustees | Belvidere Daily Republican

Many, Many items on Belvidere Township Agenda for Tuesday, July 23, 2013

AGENDA

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD

8200 Fairgrounds Road

July 23, 2013 – 5:00 P.M.

I. Call to Order/Roll Call

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Public Input

IV. Discussion and potential action on approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

V. Discussion and potential action on Transfers

VI. Reports

a. Supervisor’s Report

b. Highway Commissioner’s Report

c. Assessor’s Report

d. Clerk’s Report

e. Trustee’s Report

VII. Unfinished Business – Discussion and Potential Action May Occur on the following items:

a.

VIII. Legal

a.

b.

IX. New Business

  1. Beloit Road Bike
  2. BCCA Parking
  3. Mobile Food Truck
  4. Shaw Road-M. Courier
  5. Bike Rack for Building

X. Discussion and Potential Action on Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Bills

XI. Closed Session

XII. Adjournment

Next Meeting: August 13, 2013 @ 5:00 P.M.

Boone's inconsistent appointment process draws criticism - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

by Jennifer Wheeler

….Boone County Board members have accused County Board Chairman Bob Walberg of wanting to appoint individuals to leadership positions without officials knowing a thing about the candidates.

Member Cathy Ward asked the board on Wednesday to reconsider the appointments made at the June meeting since not everyone was told who was being nominated beforehand. At first she thought she had missed the memo in her board packet but quickly discovered she had never received it.
Walberg said he never knew some members hadn’t received the list and wasn’t informed of the issue until Wednesday night.

Although the motion to reconsider failed, it didn’t stop a few members from shedding light on how appointments were made.

I wrote this story about the issue yesterday; however, there are a few more colorful tidbits of information that didn’t make it to print. Read them below:…..

Second, there wasn’t a new posting published to recruit an individual to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Instead, Walberg used candidates who weren’t selected from a previous notice.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/blogs/jenniferwheeler/x2082712186/Boones-inconsistent-appointment-process-draws-criticism#ixzz2ZW2A2bv5

Former Board Member, Mike Schultz criticizes Bill Pysson’s action on appointments.

For the benefit of all the public I am publishing Mr. Schultz’ email to the members of Boone County Board. 

I believe that Mr. Schultz’ statements incorrectly reflect some of my statements.  Mr. Walberg has a very inconsistent record regarding posting of vacancies, procedures for applicants applying and submission of applications to the county board.

Yes, a minority of the board is complaining. But the sentiment that things are not being done in a reasonable manner is held by much of the public. 

It is up to Mr. Walberg to come up with a reasonable procedure. 

In the case of the District #3 Board position--Submitting a  press release on the 25th of June which cannot be published until Friday, the 28th, requiring that applications be received at the Administrative Office by Sunday, June 30, appears impossible. County offices are closed during the weekend.  Neither the press release nor the vacancy notice for the position was posted on the website. 

Things need to be done in a more professional manner.

BILL PYSSON

Thursday, July 18, 2013 2:26 PM

Dear Members of the County Board:

No longer being a county board member, I was not part of the appointment process that named my replacement to the Boone County Board. That being said, I did follow the appointment process through our local media. I was disappointed to read the recent negative and accusatory comments directed at Chairman Walberg as they related to filing the seat I vacated.

The majority of the criticism I read was voiced by Mr. Bill Pysson. Mr. Pysson criticized the appointment, in part, on the basis the appointee, Mr. Chris Berner, submitted an application prior to the date of my formal resignation. Mr. Pysson went on to infer Mr. Berner was an “insider” (whatever that means). These statements by Mr. Pysson are not support by fact. The timing of my resignation was no secret. I sent each of you and our administrative staff notice in early May of my pending resignation. The Belvidere Daily Republican ran an article quoting my notice on May 8th (an article Mr. Pysson is aware of, as it is posted to his internet blog). Using Mr. Pysson definition of an insider, does he mean every reader and subscriber of the BDR is an “insider”?  If there was additional context to the quotes made by Mr. Pysson that I missed, I stand ready to eat crow (in a non-literal sense).  But, I do not see how, knowing my pending resignation was public record, Mr. Pysson can infer Mr. Berner is an "insider" for submitting a letter of interest prior to my formal resignation.

During my time on the board, the Chairman was criticized by a minority of the board on his appointment procedure. This minority, from my recall, requested that appointments be vetted through interviews by the Administrative Committee. Despite following this procedure, Chairman Walberg is still being criticized for, as Mr. Pysson put it, following “any policy he wishes.” This statement begs the question, exactly what procedure/policy do you feel the Chairman should be following? I have little doubt Chairman Walberg would have been criticized no matter what procedure he followed. For putting Chairman Walberg in a no-win position, I must apologize.

I do not mean this to be a personal attack on Mr. Pysson. That being said, there is no excuse for twisting facts to support what I believe amounts to a witch hunt against the Chairman. Being critical of other board members is vital so that board members hold each other accountable. But, criticism must be based on fact and must be warranted.  From where I sit, I do not see this criticism as being warranted against the Chairman.

I thank each of you for your continued service to Boone County, and I congratulate and wish Mr. Berner much success in serving District 3.

Very Truly Yours,

Mike Schultz (resident of District 2)

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – The following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during June July 2-3.

Recorded July 2

2416 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $172,500, Roy D. and Sally L. Abramat to Calvin and Lisa Downey.

12123 Callanish Lane, Loves Park, $224,000, Calvin and Lisa Downey to Eric D. and Rachel O. Freeman.

12203 Ayrshire Lane, Loves Park, $170,000, Thomas A. Richardson and Cindy S. Richardson to Matthew T. Richardson.

2425 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $440,000, Jan and Laura Aten to Jason and Alisa Pryor.

625 E. 5th St., Belvidere, $32,000, Chad E. Baxter, Administrator, to Randy L. Baxter.

134 Middle Road, South Beloit, $78,637, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Cameron McKee.

405 Calgary Way, Belvidere, $117,500, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Cathleen E. Berkowski and William A. Kotz.

9625 Denver Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Bank of America, N.A. to William W. Oestmann.

303 Britnie Dr., Poplar Grove, $147,500, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Timothy Ferguson and Brittany C. Mariani.

Recorded July 3

County Line Road acreage, Garden Prairie, $355,000, Hazelwood Trust to Openlands.

906 E. 6th St., Belvidere, $155,000, David L. Lee and Margie L. Lee to Richard J. Ciesielczyk and Karen A. Ciesielczyk.

1107 Candlewick Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $110,000, Jonathan L. Bouriaque and Kyonghwa Bouriaque to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five, LLC.

12152 Leighton Dr., Caledonia, $465,000, Dana J. Pelan and Francine M. Pelan to Chicago Title Land Trust Co.

4 Thistle Trail, Caledonia, $179,900, James D. Bowman Jr. and Colleen A. Bowman to Daniel J. Salley and Katherine E. Klimek.

8788 Sheffield Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Peggy L. Chesher, trustee, to Toni D. Payne.

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

A Bombshell in the IRS Scandal - WSJ.com

 

chief counsel of the IRS is one of only two Obama political appointees in the entire agency….

House investigators soon talked to workers in the Cincinnati office, who said everything they did came from Washington. Elizabeth Hofacre, in charge of processing tea-party applications in Cincinnati, told investigators that her work was overseen and directed by a lawyer in the IRS Washington office named Carter Hull.

Now comes Mr. Hull's testimony. And like Ms. Hofacre, he pointed his finger upward. Mr. Hull—a 48-year IRS veteran and an expert on tax exemption law—told investigators that tea-party applications under his review were sent upstairs within the Washington office, at the direction of Lois Lerner. …

What the IRS originally claimed was a rogue operation now reaches up not only to the Washington office, but into the office of the IRS chief counsel himself…

 

Read the entire piece by clicking on the following:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324448104578614220949743916.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_h

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

BOONE COUNTY – The following is a list of the Boone County real estate transactions recorded during June July 2-3.

Recorded July 2

2416 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $172,500, Roy D. and Sally L. Abramat to Calvin and Lisa Downey.

12123 Callanish Lane, Loves Park, $224,000, Calvin and Lisa Downey to Eric D. and Rachel O. Freeman.

12203 Ayrshire Lane, Loves Park, $170,000, Thomas A. Richardson and Cindy S. Richardson to Matthew T. Richardson.

2425 Anderson Dr., Belvidere, $440,000, Jan and Laura Aten to Jason and Alisa Pryor.

625 E. 5th St., Belvidere, $32,000, Chad E. Baxter, Administrator, to Randy L. Baxter.

134 Middle Road, South Beloit, $78,637, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Cameron McKee.

405 Calgary Way, Belvidere, $117,500, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Cathleen E. Berkowski and William A. Kotz.

9625 Denver Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Bank of America, N.A. to William W. Oestmann.

303 Britnie Dr., Poplar Grove, $147,500, Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to Timothy Ferguson and Brittany C. Mariani.

Recorded July 3

County Line Road acreage, Garden Prairie, $355,000, Hazelwood Trust to Openlands.

906 E. 6th St., Belvidere, $155,000, David L. Lee and Margie L. Lee to Richard J. Ciesielczyk and Karen A. Ciesielczyk.

1107 Candlewick Dr. NE, Poplar Grove, $110,000, Jonathan L. Bouriaque and Kyonghwa Bouriaque to American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five, LLC.

12152 Leighton Dr., Caledonia, $465,000, Dana J. Pelan and Francine M. Pelan to Chicago Title Land Trust Co.

4 Thistle Trail, Caledonia, $179,900, James D. Bowman Jr. and Colleen A. Bowman to Daniel J. Salley and Katherine E. Klimek.

8788 Sheffield Dr., Belvidere, $112,000, Peggy L. Chesher, trustee, to Toni D. Payne.

Above is taken form:  Boone County real estate transactions recorded during July 2-3 | Belvidere Daily Republican

Wanted: More transparency on Boone County board appointments - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

RRSTAR.COM

We have applications (dated) June 4 when the formal (resignation) from Mr. Schultz wasn’t received yet. All these insiders know about it and apply for it and it (wasn’t) even published,” said District 1 rep Bill Pysson.

“I know the chairman believes he can follow any policy he wishes, but there’s a number of members who believe there is a procedure….

Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier said Chairman Bob Walberg isn’t required to host public forms or publicize candidates’ resumes. He is required to appoint someone on the advice and consent of the board.

That means there aren’t any strict rules on how the notice must be published or whether an interview must be conducted

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x853691088/Wanted-More-transparency-on-Boone-County-board-appointments#ixzz2ZOvLumOB

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Posting of Appointment Openings

None of the proposed July appoints are currently posted on the Boone County website:

Here are the suggested appointments

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Here is the website, all are old vacancies approved in June 2013

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Impact of sequestration on federal agencies - The Washington Post

 

The government-wide spending cuts known as the sequester took effect on March 1, forcing $85 billion in budget reductions by the end of September. The federal workforce faces furloughs, hiring freezes, and reduced overtime. Agencies say the cuts will mean reduced government services. Initial effects include closing of contract airport towers and longer customs lines, but other reductions will materialize in coming months. Congress’s new short-term funding plan locks in the cuts while shifting some agencies’ funds to help ease the burden.

Update: In July, the Post surveyed 48 of the administration’s predictions across 14 federal agencies about the cuts' dire consequences.
Click on following to see WP’s resultsHere's what we found.

Click on the following to read the entire article:Impact of sequestration on federal agencies - The Washington Post

Oil exec wants U.S. biofuel mandate reviewed as gas prices rise | Reuters

 

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By Ayesha Rascoe

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which calls for increasing amounts of biofuels to be blended into U.S. gasoline and diesel supplies, requires refiners to buy biofuel credits, or RINs, from renewable fuel producers to comply with the mandate.

Oil companies have complained about spiking RIN costs this year, as the nation nears a point where the law will require use of more ethanol than can physically be blended into the fuel supply at 10 percent per gallon. A broker said RIN prices hit a record of $1.29 on Monday.

"This has led to higher prices and substantial uncertainty in the gasoline market," Klesse said in his prepared testimony. "The RFS needs to be completely redone."

Click on the following to read the entire story:  Oil exec wants U.S. biofuel mandate reviewed as gas prices rise | Reuters

Thought for the day

"We must not see any person as an abstraction. Instead, we must see in every person a universe with it's own secrets, with it's own treasures, with it's own sources of anguish, and with some measure of triumph." ~ Elie Wiesel

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Sunday, July 14, 2013

New county board member may be seated at July 17 meeting | Belvidere Daily Republican

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Written by Bob Balgemann

Most of the current Boone County Board members have had a chance to interview the two candidates for the District 3 seat, vacated by Mike Schultz when he moved out of the district.

They are Chris Berner and Joseph J. Capovilla, both of Belvidere

New county board member may be seated at July 17 meeting | Belvidere Daily Republican

Friday, July 12, 2013

Mobile Food Pantry helps feed Belvidere - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Actually the mobile food pantry was at Salvation Army on Main Street in June 2013 and feed a like number of people.  That was funded by the Belvidere/Boone County Food Bank (Capron)

The Mobile Food Pantry, hosted  by the Community Cupboard, delivered nutritious food to people in need.

The group helps many students families throughout the school year, but organizers say having a mobile pantry allows them to expand their services to others in need. Thursday was the first time the Mobile Food Pantry's been out in a couple years. And organizers say it was a success.

"It's a great opportunity to reach out to the entire community and to put more food on the tables of our students and their families during the summer months when the kids are home so there are more meals that are being made at home," said Shannon Hansen.

Roughly 200 people benefited from the Mobile Food Pantry.

Mobile Food Pantry helps feed Belvidere - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Boone County Journal Editorial on Appointments / “advice and consent”

The following is taken from July 12, 2013 Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across Boone County and on the internet at:  http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-07-12-13.pdf#page=1

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Churches contacted about regularly hosting community meals |

Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

In Boone County the meals would be either monthly or weekly, depending on the capability of the host church. The meals would be open to anyone, with no requirements to satisfy….

As proposed right now there would be four locations to serve the northern Boone County area. Food would be provided by the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry in Capron.

Read on about the June Free Food Distribution---

Click on the following for more detail:  Churches contacted about regularly hosting community meals | Belvidere Daily Republican

Hunger Strike by California Inmates, Already Large, Is Expected to Be Long - NYTimes.com

Estimates that 30,000 inmates, 2/3 of CA prisons involved in strike.  Read the entire article for all the issues involved.
 
By JENNIFER MEDINA
Published: July 10, 2013

The protest is centered on the state’s aggressive solitary confinement practices, but it appeared to have attracted support from many prisoners with their own demands for changes in prison conditions.

California is facing the threat of being charged with contempt of court after a Supreme Court order in May 2011 to reduce its prison population by 10,000 inmates this year. The court said crowding and terrible conditions inside the prison system constituted inhumane treatment in violation of the Eighth Amendment. On Wednesday, the state filed for a stay of the court’s order to release prisoners.

 

Click on the following for the entire article:  Hunger Strike by California Inmates, Already Large, Is Expected to Be Long - NYTimes.com

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wanted: Affordable, big parking lot for food pantry in Capron - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

RRSTAR.COM

 

The organization will need to spend at least $43,000 for a paved lot large enough for 50 to 60 vehicles near the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Fifth Street.
Executive Director Linda Clark said the group doesn’t know whether it will receive grant money to pay for it, though. And she said there wouldn’t be enough spaces to handle the volume of cars on distribution days.

Capron officials have asked the nonprofit to create parking space to prevent motorists from illegally parking on the street. Hordes of cars line the roads each Tuesday, the pantry’s distribution day, making it difficult for emergency vehicles and residents to drive through the area.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x853686395/Wanted-Affordable-big-parking-lot-for-food-pantry-in-Capron#ixzz2YfNvuDBh

Chicago Area/National Pay increases

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The above is from:  http://www.payscale.com/payscale-index-Q2-2013/cities/compensation-trends-chicago-metro-area

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Above is taken from:  http://www.payscale.com/payscale-index-Q2-2013/

Energy Assistance for Boone County

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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Belvidere Township Meeting TUESDAY 7-9-2013

AGENDA

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD

8200 Fairgrounds Road

July 9, 2013 – 5:00 P.M.

I. Call to Order/Roll Call

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Public Input

IV. Discussion and potential action on approval of Prior Meeting’s Minutes

V. Discussion and potential action on Transfers

VI. Reports

a. Supervisor’s Report

b. Highway Commissioner’s Report

c. Assessor’s Report

d. Clerk’s Report

e. Trustee’s Report

VII. Unfinished Business – Discussion and Potential Action May Occur on the following items:

a.

VIII. Legal

a.

b.

IX. New Business

a.

X. Discussion and Potential Action on Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Bills

XI. Closed Session

XII. Adjournment

Next Meeting: July 23, 2013 @ 5:00 P.M.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

 

Current Job Openings : 

Public Health Nurse

The Boone County Health Department is currently hiring a full-time Public Health Nurse to serve as a Maternal Child Health Case Manager in our Family Case Management and WIC Programs.  Must possess a strong desire to work with children and families.  Other duties include but are not limited to providing nursing care during our Immunization, Seasonal Flu, and School Physical clinics.  Bilingual in English/Spanish encouraged to apply.  Must be a registered nurse licensed to practice in Illinois.  Excellent working environment and great benefit package.  Paid holidays, weekends, and most evenings off.  Send resume to Amanda Mehl, Boone County Health Department, 1204 Logan Ave., Belvidere, IL 61008 or submit electronically to info@boonehealth.org    EOE

The above is from:  Employment Opportunities | Boone County, Illinois

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Average Property Tax Rates and Homeowners’ Bills in McHenry County |

Will people continue to come to Boone County to escape the high taxes of McHenry County? 

Well that may be very dependent upon where in McHenry they currently live.

Here are McHenry County’s rates:

Property tax rates in McHenry County ranked from highest to lowest.  Calculated by Algonquin Township Assessor Bob Kunz.

Property tax rates in McHenry County ranked from highest to lowest. Calculated by Algonquin Township Assessor Bob Kunz.  Click to enlarge.

The average tax for each community are as follows, keep in mind the higher McHenry County value of real estate makes the actual taxes higher than in Boone County.

Very interesting is the fact that lowest tax rate is for the community with the highest income—Barrington Hills—the village ranks 87th on the list of highest-income places in the United States (Wikipedia)

  • Fox River Grove – $7,001
  • Woodstock – $6,819
  • McCullom Lake – $6,654
  • Harvard – $6,469
  • McHenry – $6,349
  • Cary – $6,225
  • Bull Valley – $6,130
  • Marengo – $6,085
  • Crystal Lake – $6,083
  • Lakemoor – $6,081
  • Island Lake – $6,026
  • Holiday Hills – $6,009
  • Richmond – $6,005
  • Wonder Lake – $5,987
  • Oakwood Hills – $5,937
  • Trout Valley – $5,906
  • Cary (unincorporated) – $5,906
  • Hartland Township (unincorporated) – $5,903
  • Lake in the Hills – $5,872
  • Lakewood – $5,834
  • Seneca Township (unincorporated) – $5,825
  • Prairie Grove – $5,815
  • Fox Lake – $5,779
  • Port Barrington – $5,788
  • Greenwood – $5,721
  • Algonquin – $5,666
  • Spring Grove – $5,551
  • Huntley – $5,501
  • Cary (unincorporated) – $5,458
  • Riley Township (unincorporated) – $5,380
  • Dunham Township (unincorporated)- $5,332
  • Union – $5,310
  • Algonquin Township (unincorporated) – $5,301
  • Johnsburg – $5,223
  • Hebron – $5,203
  • Hebron Township (unincorporated) – $5,203
  • Coral Township (unincorporated) – $5,401
  • Ringwood – $5,035
  • Alden Township (unincorporated) – $4,780
  • Barrington Hills – $4,630

THE ABOVE IS TAKEN FROM Cal Skinner’s McHenry County Blog:  Average Property Tax Rates and Homeowners’ Bills in McHenry County |