Democrats send school funding reform bill to governor, negotiations continue

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/democrats-send-school-funding-reform-bill-to-governor-negotiations-continue/article_80a889da-7640-11e7-b448-7b73fa230c2b.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL  – (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt.)

Democrats’ controversial school funding reform bill, passed two months ago, arrived on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk late Monday afternoon – the last day of a special session.

Bipartisan talks between legislators are expected to continue on the bill, which was placed on procedural hold. However, it remains unclear if – or when – there will be a resolution.

The budget imposed by lawmakers earlier this month that included a $5 billion tax increase over the governor’s veto requires an evidence-based school-funding plan. The state has no such plan.
Senate Bill 1 has that plan, but the governor and Republicans oppose hundreds of millions of dollars meant for Chicago teachers’ pensions.

Health And Safety Tips For The Eclipse

Looking at the sun when it is partially eclipsed is unsafe

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Public Health

SPRINGFIELD, IL   – On Monday, August 21, 2017, a solar eclipse will be visible across the entire U.S.  The last total solar eclipse seen coast to coast in the U.S. was in 1918.  Starting shortly before noon and lasting until 2:45 p.m. central time, people in Illinois can see the moon pass in front of the sun.  There is a 70-mile wide path across the country called the path of totality, which is when the sun will be completely blocked by the moon.  Parts of southern Illinois are in the path of totality and people there will see a total eclipse.  Totality in Carbondale and the immediate surrounding area will last approximately 2 minutes and 40 seconds.  Central and northern Illinois will see varying degrees of the partial eclipse with decreasing magnitude further north.  More information about the path of the eclipse and how long it will last can be found at https://eclipse.aas.org/.

Looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief phase when the moon entirely eclipses the sun.  The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers.

“Looking at the sun without eclipse glasses or solar viewers can cause ‘eclipse blindness’ or retinal burns,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D.  “Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.”

To date, four manufacturers have certified that their eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE 17.  More information about eclipse glasses and solar viewers can be found under resources on the American Astronomical Society website at https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters.

If you’re planning to spend the day outside and turn the eclipse viewing into an event, keep in mind sun and heat safety.

SUN AND HEAT – while outside, guard against sunburn and heat illness.
• Never leave anyone, including pets, alone in a closed, parked vehicle
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outside
• Increase fluid intake – drink more liquid than thirst indicates; avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Be aware of heat exhaustion.  Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, clammy skin, pale or flushed complexion, and fast and shallow breathing
o If present, be sure to move the person to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing, apply cool, wet cloths, and give cool water to slowly drink
• Be aware of heat stroke.  Symptoms include hot, dry or wet skin, hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, high body temperature, confusion/dizziness, and slurred speech
o If present, call 911; quickly cool the person in a cool bath or wrap wet sheets around them; if the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or shows a decreased level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink

TICKS AND MOSQUITOES – If you’re camping or in the woods or open space to see the eclipse, watch out for insect bites.  Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus and ticks can transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and other serious diseases.
• Wear insect repellent.  Apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535, according to label instructions
• Check for ticks, both people and pets, every 2 to 3 hours
• Remove ticks attached to the body promptly to help prevent diseases.  Use tweezers to remove the tick and call a health care provider if a rash, fever, or body aches develop during the 1 to 3 weeks following a bite.

For more information about summer safety, check out our “Summer? No Sweat.  A Summer Survival Guide” at www.dph.illinois.gov.

For information about road conditions, traffic, and camping, check out www.ready.illinois.gov.  For additional information about eye safety, we suggest contacting an optometrist.

 

New study finds Illinois and Tennessee at opposite ends with public school systems

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/36010671/new-study-finds-illinois-and-tennessee-at-opposite-ends-with-public-school-systems

(Krystle Callias, WPSD-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A new study finds that Illinois has one of the best public school systems in the U.S. while Tennessee has one of the worst.

WalletHub recently ranked public school systems based on quality, which looked at test scores, and safety, which looked at student safety at school.

The two scores were combined together to get a ranking of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Illinois was near the top of the list, ranking in at number 11. Illinois was tied for 1st place with Missouri and Wisconsin for the highest median SAT score.

Illinois State Police work to hire officers after four-year hiring freeze

http://newschannel20.com/news/local/illinois-state-police-work-to-hire-officers-after-four-year-hiring-freeze-07-28-2017

SPRINGFIELD, IL – ( Cymphanie Sherman, WCIS-TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story and video.  Here is an excerpt below.)

The budget impasse in Illinois caused a hiring freeze throughout many state agencies. The Illinois State Police said they weren’t able to train or hire new officers for four years.

However, now that there is a state budget, ISP is working on getting their staffing numbers back up.

“We’re stretched very thin, so we’re doing ten different jobs as one person, so it’s very important we get troops on the streets because we’re very low staffed,” explained Austin Muniz, an officer with ISP.

Gov. Rauner to lawmakers: Turn in your homework, send me education funding bill

Press Release from Governor Bruce Rauner

SPRINGFIELD, IL   – The possibility of public schools across Illinois not opening on time increased today after Democratic lawmakers failed to send the education funding reform bill to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk.

On the second day of a special session, the governor decried Democratic leaders’ unwillingness to send him Senate Bill 1 for his review. It has been two months since the bill was passed by the General Assembly, but Senate Democrats have refused to advance it to the governor’s desk.

“We’re all here. The General Assembly is here. President Cullerton, Speaker Madigan, turn in your homework,” Gov. Rauner said. “You passed a bill to fund our schools two months ago, but you’re hiding it. You’re sitting on it. You’re putting our kids and our teachers at risk. Stop putting political games above our children’s education. There’s no excuse for this.”

Gov. Rauner has said it’s “outrageous” and “unreasonable” that Democratic leaders are intentionally withholding SB 1 to force a crisis before the beginning of the school year. The governor has made clear that once he receives SB 1, he will issue an amendatory veto. This will allow school districts across the state to receive more funding, and it will prevent taxpayers from being on the hook for a Chicago Public Schools pension bailout. However, no action can be taken until Senate Democrats send SB 1 to Gov. Rauner.

A new website launched by Gov. Rauner shows how much additional money each school district will receive as a result of the governor’s planned action: https://www.illinois.gov/gov/SitePages/SchoolDistrictFunding.aspx

Special Session Day 3: Education funding bill sets up another tax increase, lawmaker warns

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/special-session-day-education-funding-bill-sets-up-another-tax/article_bf74093e-73a5-11e7-896a-8ba2358d9e5c.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL  – (Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Monday is shaping up to be the day in the battle over a state education funding reform bill that one lawmaker says will result in more tax increases. That’s when Senate President John Cullerton says he will finally send Gov. Bruce Rauner an education funding measure that also bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions.

For the third consecutive day Friday, lawmakers in the House and the Senate adjourned their special sessions just minutes after convening, taking no action.

Rauner on Friday again criticized Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan for holding up Senate Bill 1, the education bill that would create an evidence-based model for school funding as well as send CPS an additional $215 million in state taxpayer money annually to pay down its critically underfunded pension system

Gov. Rauner extends tax-filing, payment deadlines for residents, businesses impacted by recent flooding

Eight counties added to declared disaster list

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor Bruce Rauner today announced the state will waive penalties and interest for taxpayers in an additional eight counties who cannot file or pay on time as a result of the July 2017 floods. The waiver applies to affected taxpayers for payments or returns due between July 11, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2017.

Governor Bruce Rauner holding a press conference with state and local officials after touring flood damage in Lake County. (Illinois.gov photo)

“Our communities dealing with the unprecedented flooding in northern Illinois should focus on their loved ones and neighbors, not tax deadlines,” Gov. Rauner said. “Once these impacted families and businesses have had the time to recover, they can gather the necessary paperwork and file their returns and pay taxes.”

The eight declared disaster counties include Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson and Whiteside. Previously declared disaster counties include Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry.

Taxpayers who opt to mail their deferred returns and payments should write Flood – July 2017 on the outside of the envelope in red ink and on the top of each page of the tax filing so the account can be updated and handled appropriately. Filers using MyTax Illinois or electronic filing methods are instructed to refer to the Illinois Department of Revenue’s website at  Tax.Illinois.Gov.  For questions, the Illinois Department of Revenue has set up a mailbox dedicated to those impacted by the floods at REV.DisasterRelief@illinois.gov.  

 

Randolph County to Host Start of the 100 Day Countdown to the Illinois Bicentennial Celebration

From the office of Governor Bruce Rauner

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Fort Kaskaskia. All the state historic sites are close to the church. If you are able to make this trip, on Dec. 3rd, it will be well worth your time. (Wikipedia photo)

At 9 a.m., a gathering of state, county and local officials, along with state historians, will mark the date with a ceremonial signing of the 1818 Illinois Constitution. The ceremony and document signing will be in front of the original courthouse near the Liberty Bell of the West shrine.  Officials will signal the start of the 100 Day Countdown to Dec. 3, the date Illinois was federally recognized as a state and the official start of the Bicentennial Celebration.

The 100 Day Countdown will be commemorated each day through videos about Illinois history produced by Illinois high school and college students and posted on www.Illinois200.com, Illinois200 social media platforms, media partners WGN Radio.com and SJ-R.com and other media. BMO Harris Bank is the sponsor of the 100 Day Countdown to the Illinois Bicentennial.  

At the completion of the ceremony, the group will proceed on the Kaskaskia/Cahokia Trail and stop at the Pierre Menard home, recognizing the home of the first lieutenant governor of Illinois.  Fort de Chartres State Historic Site will be the next stop on the trail for special activities.

 Exhibits including the powder magazine (the oldest building in Illinois) will be available from noon to 3 p.m., and the public is invited to view a special flag raising ceremony at 2 p.m. The boom of cannons and a parade of colorful uniforms will transport visitors back in time to the early history of Illinois and the region.

The special events are free and open to the public. Food and refreshments will be available. 

Bicentennial Commission Co-Chair and Southern Illinois University System President Randy Dunn said: “As a resident of Randolph County for over 10 years, I’m proud that one of the state’s very first bicentennial events will take place at Kaskaskia, our first capital.  The area is so closely intertwined with the history of Illinois, and it will be exciting to be part of this celebration.”

Illinois Department of Labor responds to Ohio State Fair incident

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Labor

SPRINGFIELD—July 27, 2017. In light of yesterday’s tragic incident at the Ohio State Fair, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is suspending the operation of all rides similar to KMG’s Fire Ball until further notice.   

“With many festivals and county fairs occurring across the State, including the upcoming Illinois State Fair, we are committed to ensuring the safety of all carnival rides,” said IDOL Acting Director Joe Beyer.

IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division inspectors are notifying operators to suspend operation of the Fire Ball and other similar rides. That includes three Fire Ball rides, eight Freak Out rides, and one Extreme ride that are in Illinois.

IDOL’s Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division inspects and permits every ride that is open to the public and determines whether they are safe to operate. No ride is permitted to run if it does not pass inspection. 

Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division inspectors conduct nearly 4,000 ride inspections at stationary parks, traveling carnivals, and fairs throughout the State each year.  

For more information about the Illinois Department of Labor, visit the website at http://labor.illinois.gov. IDOL can also be found on Facebook @ILDeptofLabor or on Twitter @ILDeptofLabor.

Weekend Expressway Closures Upcoming in Metro East

COLLINSVILLE, IL – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that four routine maintenance projects in Metro East will be done on condensed schedules over select weekends in the coming weeks to accelerate the repairs and minimize the impact to the traveling public. The projects will require some expressway closures starting on Friday evenings and reopening no later than the following Monday morning.

The projects are:

Bridge joint replacement at Interstate 55/70 west of Illinois 203.
Pavement patching on eastbound I-55/70 just west of Interstate 255.
Bridge painting on I-55/70 under I-255 ramps.
Microsurfacing on I-270 from east of Illinois 3 to east of I-55/70.

Starting with the I-55/70 work west of Illinois 203 the weekend of Aug. 4, the projects will take place over multiple weekends until they are completed by Oct. 15, weather permitting. Schedule information will be provided and shared with the public several days before closures are to occur.

Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes during construction weekends and anticipate some longer travel times.

All of the work will be weather dependent and coordinated to not conflict with major sporting events. No closures will take place over Labor Day weekend.

By utilizing full expressway closures and keeping construction restricted to the weekends when traffic volumes are down, IDOT aims to reduce the length of time work zones are needed during heavier travel periods during the week.

Real-time traffic updates are available at www.gettingaroundillinois.com.

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News