Assets of state pension systems sag - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

By DOUG FINKE (doug.finke@sj-r.com)

The State Journal-Register

Audits of the five state-funded systems released Wednesday show the net assets of the systems dropped by nearly $1.5 billion during the budget year that ended June 30, 2012.

The systems still had assets of nearly $62 billion at the end of the 2012 fiscal year.

The systems’ 2012 performance were a reversal from fiscal 2011, when their investment income was higher.

“What this points out is the unpredictability and volatility of the economy,” said Dave Urbanek, spokesman for the Teachers’ Retirement System, the larges

Overall, auditors said, the systems ended the 2012 fiscal year with a 39 percent funding ratio. That was down from 43.3 percent the year before.

The best-funded of the systems was the State University Retirement System at 41.3 percent. The worst was the General Assembly Retirement System at 17.5 percent.

t of the retirement systems.

 

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE DETAILS;Assets of state pension systems sag - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Rockford mayor wants union arbitration hearings open to public - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Corina Curry   RRSTAR.COM

But Morrissey says he’s far from done. He intends to file further motions, push for a change in state law that would require all hearings to be open, shine a spotlight on the state’s arbitration process and help taxpayers understand what makes the cost of government so high.

Click on the following for more details:  Rockford mayor wants union arbitration hearings open to public - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Chrysler CEO admits Dodge Dart sales are disappointing - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Marchionne blamed the slow takeoff for the Dart to poor decisions made by the company on what to build first and not on the car itself.

The first batch of Darts to hit dealer lots only had manual transmissions. Then Chrysler came out with two versions with six-speed automatic transmissions that shift more often and accelarate more slowly than what U.S. drivers are used to.

Click on the following for more details:  Chrysler CEO admits Dodge Dart sales are disappointing - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Boone County homeless count Wednesday - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Homeless Project, in collaboration with the Winnebago/Boone Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness, will conduct a Point In Time (PIT) count on Wednesday.

To participate in the PIT, complete a brief survey between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at one of the following locations:

— Poplar Grove United Methodist Church: 105 E. Grove St., Poplar Grove; 815-765-2001.

— Crusader Community Health Belvidere: 1050 Logan Ave., Belvidere; 815-547-0282.

— Belvidere Township: 8200 Fairgrounds Road, Belvidere; 815-544-2027.

— Rosecrance Belvidere Clinic: 475 Southtowne Drive, Belvidere; 815-544-4849.

— Helping Hands: 925 Belvidere Road, Belvidere; 815-544-1409; 9 a.m. to noon only.

— United Way of Boone County: 220 W. Locust St., Belvidere; 815-544-3144.

— The Salvation Army, 422 S. Main St., Belvidere; 815-544-3892.

In addition, a PIT count will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 29 at Belvidere Boone County Food Pantry, 200 S. Fifth St., Capron; the pantry can be reached at 815-569-1571.

For information on the PIT count or the Boone County Homeless Project: Danice Loveridge, 815-509-9445, office.bchp@gmail.com. For information on the Winnebago/Boone Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness: hope4thehomeless.org.

Click on the following for more details:  Boone County homeless count Wednesday - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

The Dwindling Deficit - NYTimes.com

All fiscal conservatives need to read this opinion piece to get their hearts racing.

 

But neither the current deficit nor projected future spending deserve to be anywhere near the top of our political agenda. It’s time to focus on other stuff — like the still-depressed state of the economy and the still-terrible problem of long-term unemployment.

Click on the following to read the article:  The Dwindling Deficit - NYTimes.com

Boone County Journal: CORRECTION

The following is taken from the Boone County Journal, January 18, 2013, page 2.  The newspaper is available free of cost at merchants across the county and on line at:

http://boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-01-18-13.pdf#page=1

Agenda for Belvidere Township

Will the trustees be talking about providing space for the Boone County Veterans Commission?

AGENDA

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP BOARD

8200 Fairgrounds Road

January 22, 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-Budget dates, Prichard’s Town Hall Meeting

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. Enclosed bulletin board

 

VIII. Legal

 

IX. New Business

a. Veterans Commission

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

XI. Closed Session-Personnel Issues

XII. Action on Closed Session Items

XIII. Adjournment

Next Meeting: February 11, 2013 @ 5:00 P.M.