Northwest Herald | Cary road bonds move forward

Here is a stimulus program which officials in Boone County know nothing about.  I previously report this on June 10, 2009 at:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2009/06/northwest-herald-recovery-bonds-clear.html  I talked to numerous Boone County board members and still no one knows the details.  Well maybe taxpayers in McHenry County get something for their high taxes—elected officials with knowledge of the stimulus plan.

– The village of Cary is set to receive $5 million of McHenry County Board economic stimulus bonding power to repave and repair its roads.

The federal government has given the County Board up to $45.8 million in bonding authority to jump-start “shovel-ready” government and private projects.

The federally-backed bonds do not count against the county’s debt limit or leave the county liable if a borrower defaults.

Investors who buy the bonds are entitled to receive a 45 percent refund of the federal taxes payable on them

Illinois received $1.67 billion in bonding authority under the Act, which was divided among all 102 counties and six cities. McHenry County received the sixth largest piece, behind Chicago and Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.

Click on the following for more details:  Northwest Herald | Cary road bonds move forward

Will Naperville get video poker? Bloggers place their bets :: Naperville Sun :: Lifestyles

 

Unless a county or other local form of government votes to ban them, the machines may be added to locations such as bars and fraternal organizations.

Many towns disapprove of legalized gambling in their communities and are considering such a ban, with Naperville being no exception. Once the chamber of commerce had discussed it, the city was set to consider whether to impose a ban.

The Sun asked users of our Potluck Blog if the machines should be banned in Naperville. The responses generally ranged from "it's none of the government's business" to "I don't want those here,"

Will Naperville get video poker? Bloggers place their bets :: Naperville Sun :: Lifestyles

Greg Hinz Blog | Crain's Chicago Business

The State’s Capital Plan may still be in trouble—the major source of funding may not be allowed by local governments.

revolt against Illinois' new video-poker law is beginning to pick up a remarkable amount of support -- so much support that one key source says it could endanger the revenue stream needed to pay off billions in state infrastructure bonds.

The revolt, which so far has received remarkably little press attention, is led by big counties, which can ban gaming only in [un]incorporated areas. But the pitchforks are starting to come out in municipalities, too. …

First up is the DuPage County Board….in Will County…The board is to hold a committee-of-the-whole hearing on Thursday to begin deliberations.  A similar ban in unincorporated Cook County will be submitted next month….Other sources expect action soon in Lake County….Rosemont, of Emerald Casino fame, last week became the first suburban Chicago municipality to outlaw video gambling….

Revenue from video poker will comprise about 40% of the funds needed to retire billions in state bonds for infrastructure that were authorized by the General Assembly earlier this year

Read the rest of the story by clicking on the following:  Greg Hinz Blog | Crain's Chicago Business

Prohibition of Video Gaming by Political Subdivision

A municipality or county may pass an ordinance prohibiting video gaming within the corporate limits of the municipality or unincorporated area of the country, respectively. Video gaming can also be prohibited through a majority vote for the passage of a referendum seeking to ban video gaming in that municipality or county.
Those municipalities and counties which do not prohibit video gaming will be allocated funds monthly by the Department of Revenue. The amount of such funds allocable to each such municipality and county will be in proportion to the tax revenue generated from video gaming within the eligible municipality or county as compared to the tax
revenue generated from video gaming statewide. The funds may be used for any general corporate purpose authorized for that municipality or county.

Video gaming banned in unincorporated DuPage - Chicago Breaking News

So where does Boone County and the City of  Belvidere stand on this issue? 

Board members voted 15-0 to opt out of Illinois' Video Gaming Act, which was approved by legislators last month as part of a plan to fund a large capital improvement bill.

"Of the nine states that have legalized (video gambling), three have rescinded it because video poker was fraught with social costs of addiction,"

Video gaming banned in unincorporated DuPage - Chicago Breaking News

Check’s in the mail for seniors :: The Courier News :: Local News

The program uses $743,000 from the Grand Victoria's taxes paid to the city and has been up and in effect since 1996. The checks are mailed annually to residents age 65 or older who own a home and who complete and file an application with the county in which they live. Qualifying homeowners receive $200, while those living in mobile homes receive $35. According to data from the city, 3,357 checks went out last year to seniors.

Check’s in the mail for seniors :: The Courier News :: Local News

The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Curt Newport announces candidacy for Boone County Treasurer

Boone County Treasurer Curtis P. Newport has announced he will run for re-election and seek the Republican Party nomination in the Feb. 2, 2010 primary.

Read the rest of the story by clicking on the following:  The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Curt Newport announces candidacy for Boone County Treasurer