Illinois credit downgraded after pension reform bills flop

The price of living in Illinois just went up.

"Fitch Ratings cut the state’s general obligation bond rating from “A” to “A-” and placed the blame firmly on the state’s inability to deal with its $100 billion pension debt."
Illinois credit downgraded after pension reform bills flop

Legislature approves compromise bill on Concealed Weapons

Its been a good day for honest citizens in Illinois. The legislature has finally passed a "shall issue" concealed carry bill - there are restrictions and some of the hoops you have to jump through are extreme, but Illinois has finally passed a law without "may issue" limitations that require people to prove they are in immediate danger. Gov. Quinn still needs to signs it - but in my opinion, he has no choice. If he does not, we go to "Constitutional Carry" on June 9th. We can work on removing some of the restrictions once the libs in Chicago see the decline in street gang violence.

As an added bonus, gun grabber and Chicagocrat Sen. Dan Kotowski's standard capacity magazine ban bill has been rejected by the Illinois Senate. This was a close call, with a 28-31 vote. I guarantee this will come up again, attached to some other bill. I'll be posting the roll call vote results when they are posted on the state legislature web page.

Memorial Day

HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

i. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from hishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.


ii. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

iii. Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

Finally – a concealed carry bill that we can support

The Illinois Legislature has finally put a concealed carry bill together that I can support. It is flawed, but I figure if we can get this one in place, the Chicagocrats will see the downturn in violent crime and remove some of the restrictions. The main thing is that it is a “shall issue” bill – this means that local officials will not be able to deny your application. It also prevents cities and counties from implementing their own local control – so it is one set of rules for the entire state.

Here are some of the restrictions. The bill extends these “gun free” zones into parking lots – but not into your car. So, where ever the bill mentions a parking area, you are allowed to store you gun in a locked car. This list is not all inclusive:

Prohibited areas:
Schools
Child care centers
Government Buildings (local, state, federal)
Most parks
Jails and detention centers
Hospitals and nursing homes
Public transportation
Special Events that require a permit
Sports stadiums
Bars (over 50% income from alcohol)
Cook County Forest Preserves
Gaming Facilities
Amusement Parks
Zoo’s and Museums

Requirements include:
21 years old
Valid FOID Card
No felony convictions
No misdemeanors involving use or threat of violence
No more than 1 DUI within 5 years of application
No warrants
No court-ordered drug / alcohol rehab
Completed firearms training – see below
All the normal background checks plus a local background check
Pay $150 fee

The training must include 16 hours of classroom instruction on:
Firearms safety
Principles of marksmanship
Car, cleaning, loading, and unloading a concealable firearm;
State and Federal Law related to gun ownership and concealed carry
Interaction with law enforcement while transporting or carrying a concealed weapon
Live fire exercise, 10 rounds each at a distance of 5 yards, 7 yards, and 10 yards. 70% on target using a standard “B-27” silhouette target. 

The bill also establishes a review board that will adjudicate denied applications. Additionally, when you submit your application, local police are notified and can submit documented arrest reports and other official reports if any exist. But… I think that is redundant because if you were arrested, it should show up in the State Police and FBI records search. 

Like I said, it is not the best bill – but it is the best we can expect from our legislature. It is “shall issue” as long as you can pass the training and have a clean record. I don’t like some of the “gun free” zones. But, I think those will be loosened up over time. Now it is time to call Rep. Mautino and Senator Rezen and tell them to get this thing passed. The bill number is SB2193

How can we change to a Council Manager form of Government?

To get the ball rolling, all it takes is one tenth of the voters in the last Mayoral election to petition the circuit court to have a proposition on the ballot.

Let’s see.
Mr. Hart = 857 votes
Mayor Harl = 1,098 votes
Mr. Giordano = 377 votes
Mayor Baker = 838 votes
Over Votes = 2 votes
Under Voters = 36 votes
Total = 3,208 votes
X 0.1 = 321 signatures required.

65 ILCS 5/5-1-5) (from Ch. 24, par. 5-1-5)
Sec. 5-1-5.
Electors of any city or village specified in Section 5-1-1, equal in number to 1/10 the number of votes cast for all candidates for mayor or president at the last preceding municipal election for such officer, may petition the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court, or any judge of that Circuit designated by the Chief Judge, in which that city or village specified in Section 5-1-1 is located to cause to be submitted to a vote of the electors of that city or village specified in Section 5-1-1 the proposition whether this Article 5 shall be adopted.

Upon submission of such petition the court shall set a date not less than 10 nor more than 30 days thereafter for a hearing on the sufficiency thereof. Notice of the filing of such petition and of such date shall be given in writing to the city or village clerk and to the mayor or village president at least 7 days before the date of such hearing.

If such petition is found sufficient the court shall enter an order to submit that proposition at an election. However, the referendum on the proposition shall not be held on the date of the general primary election for the municipality.

Sec. 5-1-6. The petition provided in Section 5-1-5 shall be substantially in the following form:

To the Circuit Court of the county of [LaSalle]

We, the undersigned electors of The City of [Peru], respectfully petition your honor to submit to a vote of the electors of [The City of Peru], the following proposition:
Shall [The City of Peru] adopt the managerial form of municipal government?
Signed, Name & Address (street number)

Quinn pushes for ban on high-capacity ammunition

Quinn pushes for ban on high-capacity ammunition

Another reason to vote Mr. Quinn out in the next election. If you have not already done so, contact State Senator Rezin and Representative Mautino. Politely tell the person who answers the phone that you are a law-abiding Illinois citizen who opposes SB1002. Advise the person further that you would like the Senator and Representative to vote against SB1002 should it come to the floor.

Senator Sue Rezin
103 Fifth Street
Peru IL 61354
815-220-8720

Rep. Frank Mautino
221 E. St. Paul Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362
815-664-2717

Should 17 Year Olds be allowed to vote in Primary Elections?

Our legislature has the irritating habit of working on non-problems instead of taking care of necessary business. I put the 17 year old vote way down the list of unimportant issues. But what do you think? Should we allow children to vote in primaries because the calendar says they will reach the age of majority before the next general election? Well, a bill has been passed and is on the way to the governor to sign.

I am against this for one simple reason. Illinois’ primary election is not exclusively used to determine the party candidates for the general election. The ballot often has local initiatives that impact taxes. Arguably, 17 year olds may not look at the long term aspects of approving some of these initiatives. I would even argue that many 18 year olds should not be allowed to vote – but the 26th Amendment says otherwise.

Streator – Thinking outside the box

The municipal government of Streator (run by a by a professional manager by the way) set up trade show of sorts to display products produced by various industries located there. Called the “Streator Municipal Expo”, it drew visitors from around the state.

Now…this expo was aimed at promoting goods produced for government use, like the famous Vactor trucks, I think such a show could also include booths and displays about things a community has to offer potential manufacturers. Fire & Police Protection, Utilities, Schools, etc. Throw in some brats, beer, and a band and you have the makings of a good trade show designed to “sell the City.”

You can read about the Streator Municipal Expo in the Ottawa Times.

County Market Coming to Oglesby?

WLPO is reporting that County Market has plans to open a new grocery store in Oglesby. County Market is part of the Niemann Foods Inc. family. Niemann Foods operates more than 80 supermarkets and convenience stores mostly under the Country Market, Country Market Express, Cub Foods, and Save A Lot banners in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Its Save-A-Lot stores offer a limited assortment of groceries at discount prices while Cub Foods and Country Market are conventional grocery stores. The regional grocery store operator is battling for market share in the Midwest with Hy-Vee and supercenter operator Wal-Mart Stores. The company also runs six pet stores and several hardware stores. The employee-owned, family-run firm was founded in 1917 by brothers Ferd and Steve Niemann and is currently run by CEO Rich Niemann.

It is quite possible that once this store is established, other retail stores will locate near it. Many shoppers that live south of the river find it inconvenient to travel to Peru. New offerings may also attract customers from Peru, LaSalle, and maybe even Ottawa and Streator.

Is this the start of a shift in the retail market away from Peru?

Audit: Less than half of state Road Fund spent on roads

Audit: Less than half of state Road Fund spent on roads

The audit released Tuesday states that in eight of the past 10 years more than half of the funds went to pay salaries, road construction bonds and other costs. It also revealed overpayments to state health insurance and worker's compensation funds.

I am shocked! Shocked I tell you! ...to find corruption in Illinois.