Illinois lawmaker proposes GMO labeling requirement - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

CHICAGO — A state senator from Peoria is calling for the labeling of any food available for retail in Illinois that's been produced with genetically engineering organisms.

Democratic Sen. David Koehler says consumers have a right to know if the food their putting into their bodies was made with so-called GMOs. He is proposing legislation requiring the labels and held three hearings on the issue around the state this year.

Ron Moore is a farmer in the western Illinois community of Roseville and president of the Illinois Soybean Association. He says genetically engineered plants are safe. He also says they are more resistant to drought and pests and boost the food supply.

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Poplar Grove to consider chicken raising in backyards - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Jennifer Wheeler

Poplar Grove will be the latest municipality to weigh in on the issue. Capron and Machesney Park leaders already rejected the idea of chickens, while Rockton officials say it’s OK to keep any type of fowl as a pet, so long as they have no more than five domestic animals….

Poplar Grove’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which will determine the feasibility of it, said member Ron Quimby. That group won’t be discussing it until the November meeting.

Meanwhile, he said board members will continue to research concerns about permits, aesthetics and ordinance enforcement.

Jennifer Wheeler: 815-987-1354; jwheeler@rrstar.com; @jenmwheeler

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  Poplar Grove to consider chicken raising in backyards - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

In the Polls: Republican Popularity Falls as Blame Rises | Wall St. Cheat Sheet - Part 2

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 shutdown 44 percent of Americans felt that Republicans in Congress were at fault, with only 35 percent placing the blame on President Obama and congressional Democrats

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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

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

RRSTAR.COM

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

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1843602862/Boone-Countys-75-permit-for-candy-giveaway-on-table#ixzz2gvJcoaG1

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.

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