News

Churches help people worship God, not institutions. States help people serve communities, not bureaucracies.

However, things can get messy. Take last month’s government announcement that contraceptives must be included in the basic health insurance by employers who happen to be churches. A reasonable compromise is likely, but the administration not relaxing that provision of the Affordable Care Act angered Catholic bishops. Condemnations of the rule have come from more than 150 bishops. However, those are men who’ve been unable to convince most Catholics of the validity of their teaching on birth control.

Four ordinances to regulate and control large and loud parties in Macomb are one step closer to being the law.

The proposals received first reading during the City Council's meeting on February 21. They cover issues such as nuisance parties, mass gatherings, and failing to disperse. They also provide new powers to the mayor in his role as liquor commissioner.

The ordinances were written by City Attorney Kristen Petrie. They are based on research she did on ordinances in other university towns in Illinois.

Mayor Mike Inman believes the new rules will require organizers of large gatherings - such as the Wheeler Street block party - to assume some responsibility.

The panelists discuss the problems the Society of Environmental Journalists have encountered in recent years with the US EPA.

The SEJ says the federal agency asks for questions in writing ahead of time, it wants to know what kind of story the reporter is working on, and it's slow to respond to requests for information. The journalism group says the EPA rarely makes available the expert who could be most helpful with the story.

Panelist Rich Egger said journalists encountered similar problems with the Blagojevich administration in Illinois. He said reporters are especially disappointed because the Obama administration promised to be more open with reporters and the public.

Slow Internet service limits opportunities for business and education in many rural areas.  Broadband Illinois is working to upgrade that service.

Spokesman Clayton Black said the first step is an online survey to provide a picture what is  currently available. The group is inviting residents, business owners, non-profits and schools to take this survey. It asks detailed questions about what current Internet service is available, how it's used and how it could be improved.

This is the first time the state has taken a comprehensive look at high-speed Internet service .
Electronic invitations have been sent to 80,000 residents and organizations.

The Macomb School District has severed ties with the boy's head basketball coach who is accused of sexual abuse.

The Board of Education on February 20 approved a resignation agreement with Daniel Watson. Under the agreement, his resignation took effect December 19, 2011. He will be paid to cover the time period from mid-August to December 19.

Watson was placed on administrative leave in mid-August, just a few days after Illinois State Police announced his arrest.

Superintendent Alene Reuschel would not say how much money Watson will receive.

“There is a figure based upon that money that he is due from the time that he was still employed with us up until December 19,” Reuschel said.

The Monmouth-Roseville School District originally planned to rely on a fund-raising campaign to come up with the money for a new building.  It will house a weight room and agriculture classes.

Superintendent Paul Woehlke said the estimated cost of the building is $500,000. He said the district will rely on a mix of donations and sales tax revenue to pay for it.

Woehlke said the Sports Boosters and FFA Alumni raised about $60,000. Another $10,000 came from other donations.  That money was spent on construction materials.

He said, “We're still seeking and hoping for donations in support of the project,  particularly for the fitting out of the interior.  Weight room supplies, equipment and some ag laboratory equipment.”

A study by the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs provides some new ideas on what can be done about the state's soaring pension expenses.

Report co-author Jeffrey Brown said it's important to look for savings while at the same time maintaining a retirement package that's competitive.

“You cannot view pension reform as solely an exercise in cost-cutting. We really do need to think about the impact that this has on the ability  of higher education to continue to be an economic engine for the state, and to continue to attract and retain the kind of talent that we have and that we need,” Brown said.

Warren County's AFSCME employees have a contract for the first time since November 30th 2010.

The county and the union did not hold regular negotiations for nearly two years.

The chairman of the county's finance committee, Mike Pearson, said the delay means it will be a while before employees realize their raises.

He said, “There will be some retroactive pay there so that'll take a few days or weeks to get distributed on a normal payday.”

The contract is retroactive to 2010. There is no pay increase for the first year of the contract. There is a 1% increase for the second year with 2% raises for each of the next three years.

The kitchen table can be considered the meeting place of the family. A group in Galesburg want to expand on that idea and make the kitchen table the meeting place of the community.

The Knox Prairie Community Kitchen (KPCK) formed last year. Organizers felt there was a need to provide meals in Galesburg and to build a greater sense of community.

Cook Laura Lytle said the food need was evident one night when she noticed a KPCK diner trying to stretch his meal by setting aside a portion for another time.

Winds farms are dotting the landscape across Illinois, and now wind energy is working its way into school curriculum.
 
A new Illinois Wind Energy Program is being offered in three Central Illinois school  districts, including Cuba Middle-Senior High in Fulton County. The program is free of charge through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Students will use turbine kits supplied through the program to learn about wind energy, engineering, economics and the environment.