Even if the Senate was not in violation of the letter of the law – though we contend that it was – it certainly was in violation of the spirit of the law.
Time and again, our state’s elected leaders have shown that they have no plans to change the culture in Springfield.
Voters need to remember that in November.
Click on the following for the complete editorial: Our View: Senate meeting is unacceptable | Daily Chronicle
main concern is the[Johnson Control] company's wish to take out a clause in their contract that says it can't outsource jobs. "They can take and move these jobs out of Illinois. They could move the jobs out of the United States. You could see this facility all but disappear,"
Click on the following for more details: UAW strike in Sycamore threatens Belvidere Chrysler production - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader
Illinois Fair Map Amendment
Redistricting is right around the corner and Illinois citizens have an opportunity to truly reform the way Illinois government operates. There is a movement sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and many other reform-minded groups to pass a citizen’s initiative to change the way redistricting is done in Illinois. The Illinois Republican Party is supportive of this proposal. In order for this initiative to appear on the ballot in November, 500,000 signatures must be collected by April 1, 2010. Now is the time for action and we greatly appreciate your support of this initiative by gathering as many signatures as possible.
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Economists fear that the nascent recovery will leave more people behind than in past recessions, failing to create jobs in sufficient numbers to absorb the record-setting ranks of the long-term unemployed.
Roughly 2.7 million jobless people will lose their unemployment check before the end of April unless Congress approves
6.3 million Americans who have been unemployed for six months or longer, the largest number since the government began keeping track in 1948
declining influence of unions has made it easier for employers to shift work to part-time and temporary employees.
only two-thirds of unemployed people received state-provided unemployment checks last year, according to the Labor Department. The rest either exhausted their benefits, fell short of requirements or did not apply.
Click on the following for more details: The New Poor - Despite Signs of Recovery, Long-Term Unemployment Rises - Series - NYTimes.com
National Bank & Trust Company’s Community Development Corporation, a limited-liability corporation that finances economic redevelopment projects or projects to benefit low- to moderate-income people in DeKalb and Sycamore.
For example, Cullen said, it could purchase an empty downtown building, refurbish it, bring in tenants and sell it. The goal would be to break even, not to make profits as in a typical investment.
Click on the following for more details: New corporation seeks to redevelop area | Daily Chronicle
Several empty Chrysler plants without equipment were sold at this price.
Sterling Heights Assembly is a Chrysler automobile factory in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The factory opened in 1953 to produce missiles. Volkswagen converted it for automobile production in 1980 and it was subsequently purchased by Chrysler in 1983. The nearby Sterling Stamping opened in 1965. As the plant was modernized in 2006, the old Stratus assembly line and tooling was sold to OAO GAZ and had been shipped to that company's factory in Nizhny Novgorod in Russia. GAZ continues to produce the Stratus under license there.[1][Wikipedia]
On May 6, 2009 it was announced that the Sterling Heights Assembly plant will close by December 2010.[2] However, the adjacent stamping plant will remain open.
Chrysler is getting a bargain at $20 million, especially considering that the city of Sterling Heights has offered to extend $7.4 million in property tax abatements.
plant, which Chrysler bought from Volkswagen in 1983, is one of Chrysler’s oldest assembly plants. Its paint shop likely would have to be upgraded or replaced if Chrysler would assign it a new product after 2012
Click on the following for more details: Chrysler buys Sterling Heights plant for use until 2012 | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
drop in the general fund revenue by nearly 4 percent, or just under $500,000, followed by decreases in income tax revenues by about $250,000, and sales tax revenues of more than $500,000.
Brereton concluded that in this environment, the city is
"treading water" to keep municipal services intact.
we find ourselves trying to run a 2011 government on 2006 revenues."
city needs to continue to support their corporate citizens, Chrysler, General Mills/Green Giant, Dean Foods, and offer prayers for NDK’s recovery activities as well as all employers big and small to enhance the city’s efforts to reverse the unemployment trend of recent months.
firefighter or police officer can collect 50 percent of their ending year salary after 20 years of service or 75 percent of the ending salary after 30 years. Fully funding for this eventuality has been "virtually impossible" and just adequately funding them is "placing increased pressure" on the city’s general fund
Click on the following for more details: The Belvidere Daily Republican. - Mayor Brereton delivers state of the city address
