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Chicago Tribune: Rauner ally warns union to be 'careful' about 'crossing' governor with strike
A top ally of Gov. Bruce Rauner warned members of the largest state employee union to be “careful” about “crossing” the Republican governor by going on strike, suggesting that individual jobs are more important than the group’s political standing in Springfield.
The comments by House Republican leader Jim Durkin come as members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 are voting on whether to authorize a walkout amid a prolonged contract battle with Rauner.
Chicago Tribune: Rauner names former comptroller Munger to deputy governor post
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday named former state Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger as a deputy governor, putting one of his allies through the state’s long budget war in his administration.
Munger served two years as the Republican governor’s appointed comptroller before losing to Democrat Susana Mendoza in the November election. According to the Rauner administration, Munger will “add her voice to the state’s budget discussions” and also deal with nonprofit groups affected by the 19-month budget standoff between the governor and Democrats, who run the General Assembly.
Chicago Sun-Times: Munger vows to ‘help people in need’ in new job
“It was three weeks ago when my cell went off walking Daisy, and I hesitated to answer because there was no called ID,” said former Republican State Comptroller Leslie Munger — who was appointed a special deputy governor Friday by Gov. Bruce Rauner, who asked for her help in climbing out of the budget morass.
“I hadn’t talked to him since the election, so I was surprised,” said Munger, who lost a contentious race last year to Dem spitfire Susana Mendoza after being appointed to the office by Rauner in 2015 after the death of State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.
State Journal-Register: Rauner administration says no plans for mass privatization of state jobs
In yet another email to state workers in the process of voting on whether to authorize a first-ever strike, the Rauner administration said it has no plans for mass privatization of state jobs.
John Terranova, deputy director of labor relations for the Department of Central Management Services, said he continues to receive many questions from workers about the administration’s last, best and final offer to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees that includes a process to privatize state jobs.
Chicago Sun-Times: Political football: Bears battle players union over workers’ comp
It’s a big-money game involving sports, injured athletes and state government.
The Bears and Chicago’s four other major pro sports teams are pushing Illinois lawmakers to change part of the state’s workers’ compensation system — a move that’s set off shock waves from Chicago to Springfield to Super Bowl festivities in Houston.
NPR Illinois: Hackers Expose Cybersecurity Holes In The State
In 2016, the Illinois Board of Elections and the state Republican Party were victims of cybersecurity breaches. But uncertainty lingers as to what the hackers wanted and whether future attacks can be prevented.
When Tim Soper received a letter from the Illinois Board of Elections in late September informing him that personal data from his voter registration may have been compromised in a cybersecurity breach, he chose to find the humor in the situation.
WBEZ: New Yardstick Driving Better Grades For CPS Schools, Not High Scores
At the beginning of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s first term, more than a third of all city public schools earned the district’s lowest rating. Today, only a handful of schools rate at the bottom and nearly two-thirds earn the equivalent of an A or a B grade. …
But a look inside the formula used to grade schools tells a different, often contradictory story. A major change to the district’s rating system beginning in 2015 to emphasize student improvement over absolute test scores allows some schools to earn As or Bs while still posting low test scores.
Chicago Tribune: CPS shortfall of $500 million from last year hangs over current budget woes
Chicago Public Schools faced a shortfall in its operations budget of roughly $500 million at the close of its past fiscal year, leaving the financially troubled district with a significant bill to cover even as it struggles to balance this year’s spending plan.
The budget shortfall was reported in a recently issued financial postmortem for 2016 that also repeated a long-held conclusion: CPS either needs an infusion of new money or will have to make major cuts if it is to keep operating as it has been.
Chicago Sun-Times: CTU says women bear brunt of CPS furlough days, budget cuts
On their first of four planned unpaid furlough days Friday, the Chicago Teachers Union parked outside the mayor’s office with allies to demand more revenue for Chicago Public Schools.
And piggybacking on the success of recent women’s marches against President Donald Trump, they portrayed the furloughs and other cuts as attacks by a male mayor and CEO on Chicago Public Schools’ predominantly female workforce.
Quincy Herald-Whig: Superintendents say school funding reform needs more dollars
Illini West Superintendent Kim Schilson says one thing is certain about any new state school funding formula.
“If they don’t put more money toward education, it’s not going to work,” Schilson said. “The bottom line is there needs to be a lot more funding for public education in Illinois.”
Chicago Sun-Times: Twenty more ATF agents on their way to Chicago
About 20 additional agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are headed to Chicago, less than two weeks after President Donald Trump threatened to “send in the Feds,” sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
David Coulson, a spokesman for the Chicago field office of the ATF, said: “We are always seeking to enhance the enforcement efforts of ATF … in conjunction with CPD.”
Chicago Tribune: Trump is obsessed with Chicago bloodshed. Good start.
President Donald Trump says he wants an end to rampant gun violence in Chicago. He’s talked about our city several times in his first two weeks in the White House. So far he’s offered no remedies. On Jan. 24 he tweeted: “I will send in the Feds!” That’s not a policy prescription. It’s a movie cliche, no better than, “Get me Batman!”
Yet we welcome Trump’s obsession with Chicago’s enduring tragedy of murder and mayhem. In fact, we challenge him to talk and think more about the crisis. Because the bully pulpit of the presidency is no small thing. Maybe Trump is just popping off, but the more he threatens to act, the more heat he puts on Chicago’s leaders to do the hard work of healing broken neighborhoods. By the same token, the more involved he gets, the more he must accept a share of the responsibility for solutions or risk looking like a do-nothing.
Chicago Tribune: Officer Van Dyke's lawyers again seek to dismiss charges in Laquan McDonald killing
The grand jury that indicted a Chicago police officer for Laquan McDonald’s killing was wrongly told that police officers tampered with audio and video recordings of the shooting, an attorney for the officer said Friday in court as he again urged a judge to dismiss the charges.
Attorneys for Officer Jason Van Dyke filed a second motion Friday to throw out the first-degree murder charges, saying that Cook County prosecutors “essentially misinformed” the grand jury in their haste to secure an indictment before video of the shooting was released by court order.
Peoria Journal-Star: UAW members approve strike authorization against Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc. employees represented by United Auto Workers almost unanimously approved a strike authorization vote Thursday as contract negotiations continue.
In five UAW locals in the Peoria area and around the country, 93 percent of members approved the strike authorization, according to a statement posted online by a UAW vice president and director.
State Journal-Register: Caterpillar pledges significant presence in downtown Peoria
Caterpillar Inc. has pledged that although the global headquarters will no longer reside in Peoria by the end of the year, the company will maintain a significant presence downtown.
That includes necessary updates to the current headquarters building across Adams Street from the Peoria County Courthouse.
Peoria Journal-Star: Ex-Caterpillar employees sound off on headquarters announcement
Tuesday morning, executives at Caterpillar Inc. announced the company’s headquarters and its top leaders would be relocating to the Chicago area, ending more than 90 years of calling Peoria home.
The Journal Star asked current and former employees of the Fortune 100 company for their reactions to the announcement
Peoria Journal-Star: Local group suggests millions to modernize Peoria Stadium Previous HIDE CAPTION Workmen jockey the word "public" into place to complete the new sign identifying the local football area used as a home field by Bradley, Central, Manual, Woodruff and Spalding as Peoria Public Schools Stadium in September 1964. TED NEWBERG/JOURNAL STAR HIDE CAPTION Peoria Stadium in September 1972. TOM CARTER/JOURNAL STAR HIDE CAPTION Peoria Stadium in 1957. JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO HIDE CAPTION Workmen jockey the word "public" into place to complete the new sign identifying the local football area used as a home field by Bradley, Central, Manual, Woodruff and Spalding as Peoria Public Schools Stadium in September 1964. TED NEWBERG/JOURNAL STAR Next Friday Posted Feb 3, 2017 at 12:54 PM Updated Feb 3, 2017 at 1:02 PM Share By Steve Tarter Journal Star city of Peoria reporter PEORIA - Bringing a 19th-century facility up to 21st century standards will take a community effort and a lot of money. That's the case that Adam White, owner of Running Central, makes in calling for overhauling Peoria Stadium, the venerable home for several area high school football teams. Peoria Stadium, built as a fairgrounds in 1895, has hosted a wide variety of events over the years including air shows, fireworks displays, harness racing and greyhound racing along with track and field events. Today, despite being owned by Peoria Public Schools, most of the activity on the 82-acre site takes place on softball fields maintained by the Peoria Park District which leases space on the Stadium grounds. White and his group made the lone written pitch to the Peoria school district last year after a cash-strapped board called for public input on ideas for the Stadium. A previous school administration had attempted to sell Peoria Stadium to Walmart in 2013. Following a public outcry against the sale from neighboring homeowners accompanied by stiff opposition from the Peoria Park Board, that deal fell through. Peoria Stadium timeline 1895 - Fairgrounds opens at site with horse racing featured 1905 - Grandstand, locker rooms, concession stand, press box built 1911 - Air show held 1915 - Visitors stands built 1926 - Amusement park added 1927 - Greyhound racing starts 1931 - Greyhound racing ends, a victim of the Great Depression 1937 -Track built; New athletic field hosts 6,500 fans for 26th annual Turkey Day battle between Manual and Peoria high schools (Central won, 19-0) 1950 - Peoria Public Schools maintenance facility built 1962 - American Legion fireworks display draws 7,000 1972 - Private fundraising campaign needed for repairs to grandstand 1978 - Public opposes school district proposal for bus barn at Stadium 1990 - Peoria Stadium considered as site for Peoria Chiefs ballpark 2006 - School district and Peoria Park District enter into 30-year lease agreement 2013 - Public opposes school district plan to sell Peoria Stadium to Walmart The uproar over Walmart buying the Stadium site was not the first time the public has objected to a school board idea for the property. In 1978, outraged homeowners opposed Superintendent Harry Whitaker's proposal to build a bus barn on the site that would have housed 120 school buses. The present situation at Peoria Stadium leaves the Peoria Public Schools superintendent with a problem: a school district already facing large financial challenges must deal with an underused facility with mounting maintenance needs. "Right now, we have a bad deal," said Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat at a school board meeting in August, referring to the long-term lease that gives the park district control over about 30 percent of the Stadium site through 2030. White, who moved his Running Central store to the Peoria riverfront in 2014, makes it clear that he speaks for an as-yet-unnamed not-for-profit group to operate the Stadium. "I'm talking about a modern-day facility that visually resembles the current structure that would facilitate turf sports and conform to Illinois High School Association and National Collegiate Athletic Association standards. Right now, you cannot hold a sectional meet there because there are too few lanes and they're too narrow," he said. Related content Adam White is optimistic, but vision of transforming Peoria Stadium has a long way to go December 22, 2016 Running Central owner and group want to transform Peoria Stadium November 30, 2016 Peoria Public Schools accepting formal proposals for stadium site October 17, 2016 SHOW MORE... White, who organizes runs throughout the community, calls for major investment in Stadium infrastructure to allow for a variety of events. "You can't rely on 10 football games and a few track events to cover maintenance costs needed," he said, adding that other events like soccer, lacrosse or band competitions could be attracted to a new facility. "Why couldn't there be a city-center concert held there?" asked White, envisioning upgraded seating for 9,000 to 10,000 people. Acknowledging other sports venues in the area, White said facilities like EastSide Centre in East Peoria and the new Louisville Slugger complex would be complimentary. "We are missing a stadium venue in Peoria County," he said. While the school district now spends $300,000 a year on Peoria Stadium, what's required is an annual expense closer to $750,000, said White, who proposes that the school district sell or donate the land to the not-for-profit operators who would spend an estimated $10 million to $15 million on renovations, including replacement of the old grandstand. In return for relinquishing ownership and operation of the site, the school district would be able to use the facility for 10 football games a season at no charge, said White. School board member Dan Adler, chairman of the district's building committee, called White's request for the land to be donated "a classic opening position." But White said if the cost to buy the land was in the $4 million range it would be "a deal-breaker." While calling for an upgrade to the facility, White recognized the historical significance of the present structure. "It's a very old grandstand," he said of a facility built in 1905. "I would recreate it as is. I think the structure has to be unique. It's one of just a few covered grandstands in the entire state," he said. White said his group is still "crunching numbers" on costs and potential income for varied events. "A not-for-profit needs financial reserves from the beginning because it will take time to build up a portfolio of activities," he said. As for the community fundraising effort that lies ahead, White said another step is required first: "There's no point in asking for a dime if there's no potential to be self-sustaining." Steve Tarter is the Peoria accountability reporter for the Journal Star. He can be reached at 686-3260 or starter@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveTarter and facebook.com/tartersource MORE VIDEO: ALL SAINTS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH BLESSING ILLINOIS RIVER TODAY IN PEORIA @PJSTAR DIGITAL ACCESS Unlimited access to all content on our website and the digital version of our print newspaper. $0.99 for the first month then just $9.99/mo SUBSCRIBE ALL ACCESS DIGITAL + PRINT Get the benefits of our digital subscription, plus convenient home delivery of our print newspaper. Starting at $2.40/week for Sunday-only delivery SUBSCRIBE JUMP TO COMMENTS Terms of Service Login with: Facebook Google Twitter LinkedIn 4 Comments powered by: Guest Write your comment here Upload videoUpload imageSubmit Follow REALTIME There are no comments yet. Rivermen defenseman Olivieri notches hat trick in 4-2 win over KingsPosted Feb 3 at 11:32 PM PEORIA - Donald Olivieri flashed a glimpse of his future when he rose to the occasion against a team from his past to help the Peoria Rivermen to victory on Friday. The second-year prospect notched his first pro hat trick - and the first by a Rivermen defenseman in their SPHL era - to lead Peoria to a 4-2 victory over the Mississippi RiverKings before 4,112 at Carver Arena. Rivermen defenseman Dave Pszenyczny notched two assists, as did center Adam Stuart, center Garrett Vermeersch notched a goal and an assist and rookie goaltender Storm Phaneuf delivered a strong outing and nearly scored an empty-net goal in the final minute... READ MORE Narcan use over past two years has kept heroin deaths down while overdoses increasePosted Feb 3 at 9:49 PM PEORIA - While the number of heroin overdoses rose within the city of Peoria during the past two years, the number of overdose deaths dropped slightly, according to figures from the Peoria County Coroner's office. Coroner Jamie Harwood said his office found 14 deaths in Peoria last year were attributable to heroin, while that number was 18 in 2015. Yet, the number of overdoses rose from 41 in 2015 to 61 in 2016. That, said Harwood, shows the use of Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is helping to counteract the effects of heroin... READ MORE Man robbed in Craigslist exchange gone wrong in PeoriaPosted Feb 3 at 10:31 PM PEORIA - A man had his iPad stolen during a Craigslist exchange Thursday night. According to the Peoria Police Department, officers were called about 7:20 p.m. to the 6000 block of North University Street to respond to a robbery. The victim, a 27-year-old man, reportedly said he and his wife drove to Peoria to sell his iPad via Craigslist. The victim said the buyer requested to meet at Green Diamond Apartments, said police. According to the report, after the victim pulled into the driveway of the apartment complex, a man came over and asked him to turn the iPad on to see if it was working... READ MORE U.S. judge temporarily blocks Trump's travel ban; Justice Department to file for emergency stayPosted Feb 3 at 7:56 PM A federal judge in Washington state declared Friday that he would temporarily block enforcement of President Donald Trump's controversial ban on entry to the United States, and government authorities immediately began taking steps that would allow those previously affected to travel, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. The ruling from Judge James Robart was broader than similar ones before it, and it prompted officials to immediately communicate with airlines. At the same time, though, the White House said in a statement the Justice Department would "at the earliest possible time" file for an emergency stay of the "outrageous" ruling from the judge... READ MORE ABOUT US SIGN UP FOR DAILY E-MAIL SUBSCRIBE Site Services Advertise With Us Customer Service Newspaper in Education Submit an Ad Internships Contact Us Market Place Shop Cars Homes Free Classifieds Ad Classifieds Community Info Community Served About us Historic Headlines Peoria History Forms Anniversaries Births Engagements Weddings 100th Birthday Jobs in Peoria Pets Place a Classified Ad Real Estate Rentals ClassifiedsCarsJobs Propel Marketing © Copyright 2006-2017 GateHouse Media, LLC. Some rights reserved • GateHouse News Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. 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Bringing a 19th-century facility up to 21st century standards will take a community effort and a lot of money.
That’s the case that Adam White, owner of Running Central, makes in calling for overhauling Peoria Stadium, the venerable home for several area high school football teams.
State Journal-Register: Rep. Butler seeks to change date on Illinois state seal
As Illinois prepares to celebrate 200 years in existence, a local legislator wants to give the state a corrected state seal as a birthday gift.
House Bill 479, sponsored by Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, seeks to change the date on the outside ring from Aug. 26, 1818, which is when the first state constitution was signed, to Dec. 3, 1818, when Illinois officially became a state.