Illinois Issues blog: New statistics show poverty continues to grow in Illinois

 

By Jamey Dunn
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that poverty continued to grow in Illinois in 2011.
According to estimates from the census bureau’s American Community Survey, about 1.9 million Illinoisans were living in poverty in 2011. That compares with about 1.7 million living below the poverty line in 2010. Last year, the census bureau considered a family of three with a household income of $17,916 or less to be living in poverty; in 2010 it was $17,374 for three people. In 2011, 15 percent of Illinois residents were living in poverty, which is a jump from 13.8 percent in 2010. The numbers from the census bureau are the most current comprehensive statistics available on poverty. For more on 2010 poverty numbers, see this Illinois Issues Blog post.
According to the bureau's findings, the median household income in the state has been slipping during the last three years for which figures are available. In 2011, it was $53,234, down from $58,743 in 2008.
Nationally, the poverty rate held relatively steady. It was 15.3 percent in 2010 and increased slightly to 15.9 percent in 2011. About 48.5 million Americans were living in poverty last year.

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Mitt Romney tells voters: If I'm elected, don't expect huge tax cuts - Yahoo! News

By Mark Trumbull | Christian Science Monitor –

Don't be expecting a huge cut in taxes, because I'm also going to be closing loopholes on deductions," Mr. Romney said Wednesday in Westerville, Ohio, flanked by a national debt clock, chronicling the nation's rising burden on future taxpayers.

The comments in some ways raise as many questions as they answer.

RECOMMENDED: Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on taxes

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Long-winded turbine talks could delay vote in Boone County - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Over 100 people crowded into the Zoning Board of Appeals room Tuesday, some bringing miniature, homemade replica turbines and others with binders stacked 3-inches tall with research. The group heard testimony from only three of the 40-plus people who signed up to speak during the 3½-hour meeting.

Testimony was delayed Tuesday because the board abandoned its five-minute speaking time limit to accommodate the three individuals who either served or spoke on behalf of those who are on the PZB committee.

The ZBA meets monthly, which means the group would have to hold a special meeting before the current County Board’s final meeting in November.

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Boone board to fill vacancy tonight - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

By Jennifer Wheeler

Karl Johnson will be appointed to the Boone County Board District 2 seat, which became vacant after former board member Anthony Dini resigned effective Sept. 14, said board president Bob Walberg.  Dini said juggling his job and the county board became too much.

 

Walberg said Dini’s temporary replacement was determined by reviewing candidates for the Nov. 6 election.

 

“Ron was very gracious to let Karl have the appointment,” Walberg said.

Dini also led two county board committees, which will now likely be chaired by their vice chairmen, Walberg said. That means Brad Fidder will likely chair the Public Safety Committee and Terri Glass will likely chair the Administrative and Legislative Committee.

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Voter Deadlines

ELECTION DAY

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 from 6:00AM-7:00PM

The last day to register to vote in the State of Illinois is Tuesday, October 9, 2012

At this election you will be able to elect the President and the Vice President of the United States, Congressmen, State Senators, State Reps, Circuit Clerks, Recorders, State’s Attorneys, Auditors, Coroners, County Board Chairman, County Board Members, Judges to fill additional Judgeships and vacancies; and vote to retain Judges whose term is up.

DATES OF GRACE, EARLY & ABSENTEE VOTING for the State of Illinois

Grace Period Voting- is for those who missed the voting registration deadline.

• Please go to your County Clerk’s office. Bring two forms of I.D. They will register you to vote and YOU HAVE TO VOTE THAT DAY.

GRACE PERIOD VOTING

Wednesday, October 10 – Saturday, November 3, 2012

PLEASE CHECK YOUR COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE FOR TIMES.

Early Voting- is for those that are already registered and don’t want to wait until Election Day to vote.

• Please go to your County Clerk’s office, show I.D. and vote.

EARLY VOTING

Monday, October 22 – Saturday, November 3, 2012

PLEASE CHECK YOUR COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE FOR TIMES.

Absentee Voting- is for voters that are going to be out of town on Election Day. You may vote early in person from October 15 until November 5.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE FOR DETAILS.

John Gedney,
Rockford Area CAP Chair

NDK Crystal unsure whether to rebuild in Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

By Jennifer Wheeler

BELVIDERE — NDK Crystal is waiting on an insurance court ruling and a federal investigation report before determining whether to rebuild the manufacturing portion of the building that exploded almost three years ago.

Click on the following for the entire story:  NDK Crystal unsure whether to rebuild in Belvidere - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Mitt Romney releases 2011 tax returns, paid $1.9m in taxes on $13.7m in income - The Source - Latest news and updates from Boston.com

 

Romney’s updated tax returns show that he paid $1.9 million in taxes on $13.7 million in income, most of which came from his investments. It means his effective tax rate for 2011 was 14.1 percent, which is slightly higher than it was in 2010.

For political reasons, Romney claimed a charitable deduction of $1.75 million less than he could have – claiming $2.25 million from contributions of $4 million. The reason, according to his accountant, was so that he could still abide by a pledge he made in August that he paid at least 13 percent in income taxes in each of the last 10 years.

….

Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, paid an effective rate of 20 percent in 2011 on $323,416 of adjusted gross income.

President Obama paid an effective tax rate of 20.5 percent in 2011 on adjusted gross income of $789,674. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife paid an effective rate of 23.2 percent on income of $379,035.

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