The following indicates that Plote is moving for dismissal. Note the judge currently assigned is Rob Tobin.
The above is taken from: http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_history.jsp?court=IL004015J&ocl=IL004015J,2014CH170,IL004015JL2014CH170D1 This reference should also update the reader concerning current status.
If you want a history of the case and its background see the August 29, 2014 Boone County Journal; portions of which are shown below.
The Obama administration announced this afternoon that Pennsylvania will expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, bringing another half million Americans health care coverage under the law.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican in a tough race to be re-elected, reached a compromise with the Obama administration to allow the state to expand Medicaid through managed-care organizations. The deal should be a boost to private health insurance companies in the Medicaid business like Aetna AET +1% (AET), UnitedHealth Group UNH -0.05% (UNH), Humana HUM +0.25% (HUM), Molina (MOH) and Centene (CNC).
Read more by clicking on the following: http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2014/08/28/another-gop-holdout-state-expands-medicaid-under-obamacare/
View the video by clicking on the following: http://www.wrex.com/story/26387666/2014/08/27/new-boone-county-animal-shelter-proposed
New Boone County animal shelter proposed
Posted: Aug 27, 2014 5:05 PM CDTBy Ken DeCoster
BOONE COUNTY (WREX) -
When you step inside Boone County's animal shelter, it's clear it's not in the best shape.
"This building is about 60 years old. It was originally designed as a veterinary clinic. It was never designed as an animal control facility," says Roger Tresemer, a supervisor at Boone County Animal Services.
Boone County Board Member Cathy Ward says the building outlived its usefulness years ago.
"You can see that the cages are butted up against each other and they need space so they don't share diseases, so they don't share insects and fleas and teh rest of it," Ward says.
This November, Boone County voters will decide the fate of that shelter. The county wants to spend $800,000 to build and equip a new animal services facility approximately three times the size of the existing shelter.
The recommended site is near Highway 76 and Squaw Prairie Road.
"It's more visible. There's more space. We've often had complaints about this space which is on Appleton Road near home. The new site is wide open adn would be much easier for people to get to and find," Ward says.
But the perks come with a price. Voters need to decide on the issue because it's their tax dollars paying for it. The county would raise property taxes to secure the funds.
It's too early in the process to determine if that's something voters are willing to do — but come November, the county will have its answer.
By DAVID EGGERT
Many of the 112,000 active educators and school workers in the Michigan Education Association can now leave the union and stop paying fees under the law that took effect last year. Other major unions, covered by multi-year contracts, won't reach the opt-out point until 2015 or later.
With the teachers given a 31-day window in August to decide, representatives for the state's largest public-sector union are imploring them to stay or risk losing their clout in how schools are operated.
"If I don't stand up and stay in my union, then we don't have a voice," said Chandra Madafferi, a high school health teacher and president of a 400-member local in the Detroit suburb of Novi.
Meanwhile, conservative groups are running ads and publicizing the chance for teachers to "grow your paycheck and workplace freedom."
Read more by clicking on the following: http://news.yahoo.com/michigan-unions-brace-teacher-opt-decision-170456196.html
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Meeting regarding Boone Co Rental Housing Association We have
selected a time and location to meet for a discussion on forming an
association for Rental Housing Providers in Boone County. This
Wednesday, August 27th at 6 pm. We will be meeting at Bush Gardens Bar and Grill, 622 S State St, Belvidere.
Please invite anyone you think would be interested in joining us.See you then.
Paul Arena
Here are the estimates that the Finance Committee will be discussing at 6:00PM on Tuesday, August 26.
The above figures are from: http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9N97RM76BD59/$file/Animal%20Services%20Referendum%20Impact%20To%20Taxpayers_201408221635.pdf
By Cathy Ward
Posted Aug. 24, 2014 @ 11:00 am
The Boone County Board likely made history on Aug. 18 at a special meeting, hastily called and not much liked by the packed house and five of 12 board members — and many seriously questioned the ethics of this meeting.
At issue was putting a referendum regarding building an animal shelter on the Nov. 2 ballot. As far as anyone connected with the Boone County Board could recall, no board has ever tried to call a meeting on such short notice on such a controversial topic which had never been debated in open session.
Board members learned of this special meeting on Aug. 15 at 4 p.m., when a notice came via email that four board members had signed to have a special meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 18. The meeting had to be Monday, you see, because the deadline for getting the referendum on the ballot was midnight Monday.
What bothered many of us was the fact that putting a referendum on the ballot has never been debated at any committee, had never been debated at any board meeting, and yet it was coming before us for a final vote just five hours before the deadline. Also, this notice came late Friday afternoon, giving very few taxpayers and those interested notice of the meeting. Not all of the dozens and dozens who packed our meetings have minute-by-minute easy access to email.
Board member Ron Wait took credit for calling the special meeting, saying he called nine board members, and all said they thought a referendum could be considered. He said that’s the way they did it Springfield.
Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier said the meeting was legal and putting it on the ballot was legal, too. I believe her. Michelle does her homework thoroughly and completely.
However, I believe there is a considerable difference between legal and ethical. I don’t consider this an ethical way to do business by elected officials for our taxpayers. Luckily, word spread to dozens and they came to see what our board would do. The vast majority were not happy by the results when the proposed referendum passed 7-5.
While I totally believe in referendums and have supported many, I don’t believe last-minute, down-to-the wire, hastily called meetings on topics never debated should be decided at the last minute at meetings called just hours before. Our people, the people we represent, deserve better.
Board members voting for the referendum were Chairman Bob Walberg, Vice Chairman Paul Larson, finance chairman Karl Johnson, Denny Ellingson, Brad Fidder, Chris Berner and Wait.
Board members voting no were Bill Pysson, Marion Thornberry, Craig Schultz, Ken Freeman and me.
The whole scenario was very disappointing.
I would not advise other boards to follow this tactic.
UPDATED 8-25-2014
The following appeared on the 17th Circuit, Boone County website today. SEE: http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_history.jsp?court=IL004015J&ocl=IL004015J,2014CH170,IL004015JL2014CH170D1
It was only last month that Plote was granted an extension of it special use permit by the Boone County Board. Bill Pysson voted against the extension because “the county did not have an adequate inspection procedure established’. The complaint alleges Plote was operating outside the approved hours.
BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
One (1) vacancy for a term that will expire July 1, 2016
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 September 5, 2014 to assure being considered.
Note the $700,000 is for a new building on Route 76 and $500,000 is to repair and upgrade the old building.
08/18/2014 10:19 PM
The Boone County Board held a special meeting to decide whether or not to put the Boone County Animal Shelter on a referendum. A new shelter would cost more that 700,000 dollars to repair. County board members say they can’t afford that, so they the help of Stateliners.
Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg says “If we put the money into a building we will be taking away from other departments. It’s very important that we get the support of the community and ask them if they really want to make this kind of expenditure.”
County Board Member Marion Thornberry would rather see the county take out a loan to build a new shelter. He says new upgrades that the shelter would have, would make paying off the loan easier. He does not think putting it on a referendum would be a good idea.
Thornberry says "The only reason they want it on a referendum is because when people see the word taxes, they automatically say no.”
But Chairman Walberg is confident the voters will pass the referendum in November. Officials would like to see the shelter built on Route 76. They also say the tax increase would be minimal.
Well here is a memo to Mr. Terrinoni from June in which the deadline is discussed. Note today is the very last day.
Well unless you are in the”in group” you don’t know much. Below is the resolution which was sent to board members at 10AM on Monday, August 18. (This is all I know about the referendum proposal)
The figure $800,000 is interesting in as much as the Health and Human Services Committee was recommending building a structure for only $713,000. Where is the building going to built? The old site or on Route 76 or somewhere else? Are there any preliminary plans for an $800,000 building?
Oh yes—what about the $5.00 increase in dog tags that went into effect in January 2014 for the expressed purpose of improving the animal service building. That is nearly $40,000 PER YEAR and how will that be used?
BILL PYSSON, Health & Human Services Committee, Boone County Board (Not a member of the “in group”)
Meeting
Aug 18, 2014 - Regular Meeting of the Board of Education - 6:00 pm
Category
G. Board Action and Discussion
Subject
3. Adoption of a Resolution providing for and requiring the submission of the proposition of the election of School Board Members at Large and without restriction by area of residence within the District on the November 4, 2014 General Election Ballot
Type
Action
Is this an attempt to not vote on the recommendation from the Health and Human Service to build a new Animal Services Building on Route 76?
The $713,000 decision is scheduled for vote by the county board at the regular meeting on Wednesday, August 20. Building costs would be paid by the special $5.OO dog fee that has been collected since January 2014 and from approximately $20,000 due annually from other sources. That recommendation is shown at the bottom of this posting.
Why did Mr. Walberg and his voting majority not raise the question of a referendum in a more timely way? This proposal is just before the deadline to place a referendum? Why a referendum on this issue? No referendum for $5,000,000 on the new Administrative Building/Courthouse improvements.
There are already five state referendums on the ballot. Do the voters really want another?
From: Julaine Drake
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2014 4:06 PM
To: County Board
Cc: Michelle Courier; Ken Terrinoni
Subject: Special Meeting
Board Members,
I have received signed requests from Ron Wait, Chris Berner, Paul Larson and Denny Ellingson for a special board meeting on Monday, August 18th at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of voting on whether to place on the November 4, 2014 ballot the question of borrowing to construct a new Animal Services Building.
Have a good weekend and see you Monday evening.
Bob
Meeting
Aug 18, 2014 - Boone County Board Special Meeting
Category
5. New Business
Subject
5.1 Motion to Approve Resolution to Submit a Public Question for the November 4, 2014 Ballot to Construct an Animal Services Building and Authorize Bonds for the Purpose of Paying Costs Thereof.
The motion to build without a referendum should be voted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014.
12. Standing Committee: Health and Human Services
12.1 Motion to Approve Building a $713,000 New Animal Services Facility on County Property along Route 76. (Approved 4-0)
By WILL WEISSERT
A grand jury indicted Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday for abusing the powers of his office by carrying out a threat to veto funding for state prosecutors investigating public corruption — making the possible 2016 presidential hopeful his state's first indicted governor in nearly a century.
A special prosecutor spent months calling witnesses and presenting evidence that Perry broke the law when he promised publicly to nix $7.5 million over two years for the public integrity unit, which is run by Travis County District Rosemary Lehmberg's office. Several top aides to the Republican governor appeared before grand jurors in Austin, including his deputy chief of staff, legislative director and general counsel. Perry himself wasn't called to testify
Read more by clicking on the following: http://news.yahoo.com/texas-perry-indicted-coercion-veto-threat-224901143.html
Here is the NY Times take on the issue: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/16/us/gov-rick-perry-of-texas-is-indicted-over-veto-of-funds-for-das-office.html?emc=edit_na_20140815&nlid=53444314&_r=0
By: Shannon Smith - Email Posted: Thu 4:46 PM, Aug 14, 2014 By: Shannon Smith - Email
BELVIDERE (WIFR) – Teachers are back to work in the Belvidere School District
The President of the Belvidere Education Association says he doesn’t want to go on strike or protest. He says he just wants better services for kids, especially special needs students in a new contract.
Mark Luthin is the president and a biology teacher at Belvidere North High School. He says teachers
Superintendent Michael Houselog says the district is working with the state to make sure they’re compliant with the requirements for special needs classes
The School
The above is taken from: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Belvidere-Teachers-Starting-Without-New-Contract-271303481.html
MARY CLARE JALONICK 22 hours ago 0 shares
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to rule this fall on Dow AgroSciences' application to market Enlist, a new version of the 2,4-D herbicide that's been around since the 1940s. It's partly a game of catch-up for the agriculture industry, as many farmers are dealing with weeds that have become resistant to glyphosate, an herbicide commonly used on corn and soybeans now.
If approved, the 2,4-D would be used in combination with glyphosate.
An Agriculture Department decision on the company's genetically modified seeds also is expected this fall. In the department's final environmental review released last week, the USDA recommended approval. The agency said that if both the seeds and herbicide are approved, the use of 2,4-D could increase by an estimated 200 to 600 percent by the year 2020
Read more by clicking on the following: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/decision-could-boost-popular-weed-killer-071141969--finance.html
The following list is available for all city employees on the city’s website at: http://www.ci.belvidere.il.us/images/filecabinet/comp%20report%20fy2015.pdf
Page 2 and 9 are printed below as an illustration. Total compensation for Mayor Chamberlain is $90,506. Fire Chief Worrell appears to have the highest total compensation—$129,750.
In answer to some questions at the Boone County Fair this article is being posted. The highlighted areas are for specific questions asked.
By Ben Stanley
Rockford Register Star
Posted Jul. 3, 2014 @ 4:00 pm
BELVIDERE — Construction of a Belvidere Amtrak station could begin before the end of 2014.
“I’m hoping to get started this year, but there are still a lot of steps to go through,” Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain said.
The city will meet with engineers in the next two or three weeks to review technical aspects of the station’s design.
Stephen Ernst, executive director of the Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning, said that Boone County and Belvidere are “well along the way” toward finalizing construction plans.
The station and transit center would be built along existing train tracks north of City Hall between Main and State streets, according to a multi-phase downtown development proposal from 2005 posted on the City of Belvidere’s website.
Chamberlain said that the station could be completed toward the end of 2015.
According to the 2005 plan, once the station is complete, an initial phase of government, residential, commercial, retail and mixed-use development would be implemented over the next five years and would expand City Hall and the Boone County Historical Museum to create a “civic campus” around the station.
Chamberlain said the Amtrak station is the first step in connecting Belvidere to Chicago and Rockford through a commuter rail that he hopes will drive downtown development.
Ernst said that the line will begin transporting passengers in 2015 on a single train with plans to add a second train in 2016.
In four or five years, Chamberlain hopes enough trains will be added to allow residents to live in Belvidere and commute to work in Chicago or Rockford, or vice versa.
Chamberlain also said a plan is being discussed to develop a shuttle system with busses that would take Rockford commuters who don’t want to use a proposed west Rockford train station to the Belvidere one.
“I think they’ll come here instead of going to the west side of Rockford,” Chamberlain said.
Belvidere-Boone County is a fast-growing community on the I-90 corridor immediately next to the Chicago metro area. Since 2000, Boone County has been the 5th fastest-growing county in Illinois, and the fastest-growing outside of the Chicago metro area. Companies locating here will find a strong workforce and easy access to the major markets of the Midwest.
Demographics by Age
347,722
54,11
Source: US Census Bureau, 2010-2012 American Community Survey estimates
Above is taken from: http://growthdimensions.org/resources/demographics-statistics
By SARA BURNETT August 11, 2014 8:17 AM 0 shares
Quinn, who releases his full returns each year, said wealthy people and corporations that use offshore investments are "not patriotic." …
"Bruce Rauner is not running for governor of the Cayman Islands," he said.
THE RESPONSE
Rauner's campaign said Quinn "should be ashamed of himself" for questioning his opponent's patriotism. Spokesman Mike Schrimpf also said Rauner — who reported making $53 million in 2012 — and his wife paid more than $25 million in taxes over the past three years.
But Rauner's campaign again declined to release further tax documentation, calling it a political stunt meant to distract from Quinn's own record. The campaign says Rauner filed for a six-month extension of his 2013 tax returns, and the return will be made public before the Nov. 4 election.
THE STATE PENSIONS
The Rauner campaign also accused Quinn of a double standard because his pension fund, as well as retirement funds for teachers and other state workers, are heavily invested overseas.
"Pat Quinn either needs to apologize to Bruce Rauner for lying about the facts or apologize to Illinois teachers and state workers for calling them unpatriotic," the campaign said. If Quinn won't apologize, it said, he should immediately move to divest all state investments from overseas companies and funds.
Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said state pension boards decide how to invest money and are independent entities. Quinn's future pension is fixed, she added.
"Governor Quinn's bank accounts are all located in Illinois, United States of America," Anderson said.
Read more by clicking on the following: http://news.yahoo.com/illinois-governor-opponent-clash-over-investments-065435629--election.html
By Kevin Haas
Rockford Register Star
Posted Aug. 11, 2014 @ 5:15 pm
Updated at 11:18 PM
ROCKFORD — Aldermen voted Monday to authorize the Labor Day parade to march through downtown Rockford again this year after organizers warned they may hold festivities elsewhere.
City Council members voted 9-2 to approve a permit needed for the Labor Day parade that’s three weeks away. Aldermen Venita Hervey and Ann Thompson-Kelly voted against. The vote came after nearly a half hour of debate.
Aldermen balked at approving the permit last week after some objected to the $100 fee politicians are charged to march and the requirement that participants have a union sponsor in order to join the parade. Council members decided to send the issue back for committee review in hopes parade organizers may drop the fee and sponsorship requirement. But those requirements stayed and organizers warned a lack of support from the City Council could force them to hold the parade elsewhere.
By Jeff Macke
Using the threat of an unlimited Treasury investigation, the President and Senator Dick Durbin stopped Walgreen (WAG) from moving to Switzerland. The wreckage of some $10 billion in lost stock value for mostly Main Street investors was left as a grim reminder not to cross the government by, in this case, following the letter of our own stupid laws.
Read the following for full details: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/walgreens-becomes-government-whipping-boy-121835957.html
The first half of our life is ruined by our parents and the second half by our children-- Clarence Darrow
Stop by the Democratic Tent—speak of your concerns, fill out our survey or just talk.
July 9, 2014
• Access salary, retirement data on 1.5 million public-sector workers, retirees in Illinois
Staff Report
CHICAGO — Want to know how much government employees are being paid in Illinois? Or how much public-sector retirees are collecting in pension benefits? Or who stands to collect a taxpayer-subsidized pension some day? Then visit the BGA’s free “Payroll,” “Pension” and “Pension Outlook” databases — all newly updated with the most recently available information and, in the case of the Payroll Database, greatly expanded.
What’s more, new search functions make it easier for visitors to search by name, agency and salary range.
They are all available through the BGA’s home page, www.bettergov.org, under the “Resources” heading, or at the following direct links:
• http://www.bettergov.org/payroll/;
• http://www.bettergov.org/pension/; and
• http://www.bettergov.org/vestedpension/.
All told, about 1.5 million government employees and retirees are included in the databases.
“Taxpayers shell out a lot of money for government in Illinois, and a large part of those tax dollars go toward salaries and benefits,” said BGA President and CEO Andy Shaw. “We created these databases so people can see where their tax money is going — and so taxpayers can judge whether public agencies are being fair and frugal in their personnel spending.”
The Payroll Database was expanded considerably, now with nearly 450 public agencies, and about 650,000 public-sector workers. That’s up from roughly 100 public agencies in the database’s last iteration.
The Payroll Database also now includes payrolls for all 102 Illinois counties, and nearly every municipality in the six-county Chicago region.
The Pension and Pension Outlook databases continue to offer retirement information from the largest public-sector pension funds, including those covering retirees and current and former employees from the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, Cook County, Chicago Transit Authority, and other agencies.
These databases complement the BGA’s other web offerings, including the “FBI Files” portal, which includes FBI files on deceased government-related officials with ties to Illinois. That database was recently updated as well. It can be accessed at the following link — http://www.bettergov.org/resources/the_fbi_files.aspx — or through the BGA’s home page.
The Better Government Association is a Chicago-based nonprofit, nonpartisan watchdog group that works for integrity, transparency and accountability in government by exposing corruption and inefficiency; identifying and advocating effective public policy; and engaging and mobilizing the public to achieve authentic and responsible reform.
By Associated Press | August 3, 2014
A consequence of the influx of job-seekers last month is that the unemployment rate rose for women, African-Americans, high school graduates and people with some college experience. But the overall trend for the past 12 months is clear: The unemployment rate is steadily dropping for almost everyone.
Unemployment rate by group:
* Not seasonally adjusted
Source: Labor Department
Read more by clicking on the following: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/839935-unemployment-benefits-extension-2014-job-gains-bypassing-25-to-34-year-olds/
By David Sirota
Chris Christie is traveling around the country in advance of a possible 2016 presidential run. Who's picking up the tab for all these trips? He doesn't have to tell. The New Jersey governor's office this week won a court ruling allowing it to exempt itself from disclosure rules, and it's permitted to conceal state records documenting which private interests are financing his nationwide political tour.
The case against Christie revolved around New Jersey Watchdog's request for records about more than "60 unofficial out-of-state trips Christie has taken since 2012." New Jersey Watchdog is a journalism project of the conservative Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity.
According to New Jersey rules, private third parties "may agree to pay for participation at an event by state employees," but documentation of those payments must be "retained with the department's or agency's records."
When he took office in 2010, Christie pledged to usher in "a new era of accountability and transparency," and he signed an executive order declaring that "the Governor shall not solicit, receive, or agree to receive, directly or indirectly, any ... meals, lodging, travel expenses or anything of monetary value intended to influence him in the conduct of his public duties."
This week in court, however, Christie's officials cited a 1979 letter from then-Gov. Brendan Byrne to argue that they can waive these rules for the governor.
Read the entire article by clicking on the following: http://www.ibtimes.com/chris-christie-wins-lawsuit-exempt-himself-new-jerseys-open-records-laws-1646518
It turns out your ethereal watercolored bird is kind of like an infection—and the reason it's permanent is because your body keeps on fighting it forever.
Tattoo needles punch through the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, and drive the ink into the dermis, the deeper layer that's mottled with nerves and blood vessels.
"Every time the needle penetrates, it causes a wound that alerts the body to begin the inflammatory process," the video explains. That signal sends immune system cells racing to the site of the wound (or multiple wounds, in the case of the five-inch dragon breathing fire across your chest).
Special cells called macrophages come to the rescue, eating up the dye in an attempt to "clean up" the inflammation it's causing. The rest of the dye gets soaked up by skin cells called fibroblasts. The fibroblasts, along with many of the macrophages, stay suspended in the dermis in perpetuity.
The dye in the bellies of the trapped macrophages and fibroblasts shows through the skin, projecting your Chinese word for "love" or constellation of tiny blue stars to the outside world
Read the entire article by clicking on the following: https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=4n68koiefpm6h
July 31—The H&HS committee of the Boone County Board voted to build a 2,700 square foot animal shelter off of Route 76 near Maplecrest Nursing Home and the County Highway Department. The vote was 3-0 with one abstaining and one not present. The decision is subject to the approval of the entire county board on August 20, 2014.
Last year the county board increased dog tags by $5.00 pre year with the funds dedicated to building improvement and maintenance.
Below are the rough plans and cost estimates. The committee’s action limited cost to $713,000. Alternative plans to build the facility on the old site on Appleton Road were also discussed. Below are the preliminary figures and drawings presented by the architect.
Below are the alternatives which were rejected.
First, a summary of costs for the above shown “new building” on the current Appleton Road Site.
Second, a summary of costs of using the old facility as a base—renovate and upgrade adding 900 square feet. All at the Appleton Road site.
