WIUM Local

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.

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.

Illinois lawmakers hope a report on the future of the Regional Offices of Education can be completed sooner rather than later.

A commission has been formed to complete the study. Its members were originally asked to submit recommendations by August.

But that would be too late for the next state budget because Illinois' fiscal year begins July 1.

As a result, State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) sponsored a bill (SB 2566) to change the due date to April 1.

It should be common sense that lying to police can get you in trouble. But an Illinois Supreme Court ruling says it can actually be a crime.

The case dates back to April 2007, when a LaSalle County Sheriff's deputy thought he recognized someone driving on a suspended license.

He got in his car and followed the woman home, but by the time he got there she was already going inside.

The woman's husband came out and told the deputy his wife wasn't home. He also said he was the person driving the van. That statement eventually earned him a conviction for obstruction of justice.

On appeal, the man argued the charge was inappropriate because he did not physically obstruct the police.