A poll conducted by Public Policy Polling – with a sample size in each district consisting of 600-700 registered voters — did not bode well for Republican popularity. Done over the end of last week, the poll showed that the Republican incumbents in 17 out of the 24 districts polled were found to be behind the generic Democrat in approval ratings.
Pollster Jim Williams illustrates just how significant those numbers are. In the National Journal, Williams explains that, “Democrats must pick up 17 seats to win
control of the House. These poll results make clear that if the election were held today, such a pickup would be well within reach.” Williams also notes that this defies “conventional wisdom that gerrymandering has put the House out of reach for Democrats,” a scary thought for House Republicans.
Separate polls from both CBS and Fox News corroborate these findings. CBS found that 3 days into the government
Monday, October 7, 2013
In the Polls: Republican Popularity Falls as Blame Rises | Wall St. Cheat Sheet - Part 2
WICS NewsChannel 20 :: News - Top Stories - Officials Rethink Video Gaming's Estimated Revenue
The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Government Accountability estimated the state would make 1-billion dollars off of video slots in its first year. They recently revised that to $200 million at most.
Vicky Dover owns the Jacksonville Bowl Inn. She says the machines have had a positive impact to her establishment. "The community really enjoys having this at their fingertips if they want to come in and play. For us as a business, I think it has done wonderful," Dover said.
She was able to remodel the bowling alley's bathrooms and purchase a new roof just off of income from the gaming. In Springfield, the owner of Fulgenzi's Pizza and Pasta says gambling has taken a slow start.
In order to get a license, businesses dished out $100. They receive 30 to 40 percent of profits from having the machine
WICS NewsChannel 20 :: News - Top Stories - Officials Rethink Video Gaming's Estimated Revenue
Sunday, October 6, 2013
BCJ: Articles on HEALTH DEPT, Plote special use renewal and expansion
The following is taken from the Boone County Journal which is available free of cost at merchants across the county and on line at: http://www.boonecountyjournal.com/news/2013/Boone-County-News-10-04-13.pdf#page=1
Plote Zoning Case:
Letter to Editor: Pro Wind Farms
Boone County's $75 permit for candy giveaway on table - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star
By Jennifer Wheeler
Community members may no longer have to pay a permit fee to give away prepackaged commercial foods, like pieces of candy, at public events in Boone County
It is impossible for Health Department staff to look the other way when these commercial food items are being handed out, said Bill Hatfield, director of environmental health for the county Health Department. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires people to have a permit to vend food, whether it’s being sold or given away…
More discussion is slated for the November committee meeting. In the meantime, County Board member Ron Wait plans to reach out to state health leaders about the issue.
Jennifer Wheeler: 815-987-1354; jwheeler@rrstar
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Fees may be floated for fun-size handouts | Belvidere Daily Republican
Written by Bob Balgemann
The Boone County Board of Health has approved a revision to the county code that requires organizations to obtain a permit in order to give away pre-packaged candy and bottled water.
While the permit would continue to be required, the $75 fee would be waived.
That change, approved Sept. 30 in a unanimous vote of the board, next will go before the health and human services committee, one of seven standing committees of the county board, for a recommendation. Then the proposal will be considered by the full county board.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Potential pitfalls as California hails new licenses for immigrants - latimes.com
The new law – heralded by hundreds of proponents, including Gov. Jerry Brown and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti outside City Hall on Thursday -- will set off a scramble at the Department of Motor Vehicles, which may open up to six temporary offices to handle the estimated 1.4 million immigrants who are expected to apply in the next three years.
The licenses will bear distinguishing marks: The legislation recommends DP for driving privilege, rather than DL for driver's license.
Proponents say that with more licensed drivers, hit-and-run accidents will decrease and the percentage of drivers who are insured will increase.
Ten other states have passed similar laws, but in three of those states, the effect is being debated.
Republican New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has advocated the repeal of the driver's license provision, arguing that out-of-state immigrants are flocking there and fraudulently obtaining licenses. Washington state has also seen multiple attempts to repeal its immigrant driver's licenses.
California is home to nearly one in four immigrants who live in the U.S. without legal status. The state can learn a lot about potential problems from New Mexico, which has issued more than 90,000 driver's licenses to foreign nationals since 2003, said Demesia Padilla, that state's secretary for taxation and revenue.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Scarecrows put downtown Capron in step with fall | Belvidere Daily Republican
Written by Bob Balgemann
Thanks to students at Capron Elementary School, downtown Capron has a collection of scarecrows in an attempt to spruce up for the fall season. Some businesses have followed suit with related decor.
Newly-elected village president Ken Grzybowski and his wife, Patti, came up with the idea, though he gives his wife most of the credit.
There are nine scarecrows in all; creations of youngsters at the school and not only those in kindergarten through fourth grade. Kids in pre-kindergarten and early childhood classes participated as well.
At least one of the scarecrows, crafted by the early childhood group, is somewhat scary, in keeping with Halloween, which is coming up on Oct. 31.
As an aside, this year’s trick-or-treating in the village will be from 2-5 p.m. Oct. 27, a Sunday.