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Pritchard’s Perspective for May 20, 2013

May. 21 Gov Watch no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

May 20, 2013

News from the State House

In this issue:

· Pension Cost Shift for Higher Education

· Federal Flood Declaration Offers Compensation

· Illinois Still Lags in Employment Recovery

· Report Shows Majority of State Road Funds Not Going to Road Projects

· Agreement Reached on Fracking Bill

· Budget Bills to Emerge This Week

· Safety Board Recommends Lowering Drinking/Driving Limit

· DuPage County Seeks to Reduce Units of Government

· Rockford Sports Facility Funding Bill Goes to Governor

· State to Shift Costs to Local Units of Government Fund

Pritchards Perspective 5/13/13

May. 15 Gov Watch no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

May 13, 2013

In this issue:

· deksycfirefighters-springfield Unanticipated Revenues Pay Bills, Allow Continued Over Spending

· Senate Passes Second Pension Reform Bill; House Considers Cost Shift

· DeKalb/Sycamore Fire Fighters Attend Ceremony in Springfield

· House Considers Gaming Bill; Use of Revenue

· Anti-Business Bills Continue to Pass in the House

· Encourage Your Friends to Attend These Free Seminars

· Japanese Consul General Talks About Jobs

· Illinois Recovers $38 Million in Unemployment Checks

· A Tribute Worth Remembering

Governor Quinn Announces $15.3 Million for Local Parks and Open Space Projects

May. 14 Gov Watch no comments

openspacelandlogo Governor Pat Quinn yesterday announced a $15.3 million investment in local park projects across Illinois. As part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to ensure that no child is left inside, the projects are funded through the state’s Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program (OSLAD). The initiative is designed to expand outdoor recreation and open space in communities across Illinois.

“Whether you are in a big city or small town, local parks let families across Illinois enjoy nature and spend time together,” Governor Quinn said. “These projects improve parks throughout the state and expand green space in dozens of communities, creating jobs and making our state a better place to live and work.”

The 45 projects announced today include picnic shelters and playgrounds, ball fields and trails, as well as wetland enhancements, prairie restoration and bioswales within local parks. In some instances, funding will enable communities to purchase land to be used for future green space.

“Local park districts and forest preserve districts, and outdoor recreation agencies are our partners in offering families and children places to help make sure we achieve our goal of leaving no child inside in Illinois,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller. “The investment of these funds for park projects has the added benefit of supporting and creating jobs in cities and towns across the state.”

The OSLAD program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is funded through the Real Estate Transfer Tax, which is part of every property sale in Illinois. Grant recipients are responsible for contributing at least half of the total project cost. The $15.3 million awarded statewide this year, combined with the grantees’ matching funds, will result in more than $30.6 million of local park development projects and land acquisition in Illinois. .

The OSLAD program began in 1986 and, not including today’s announced projects, has provided approximately $362.5 million for 1,596 local park projects in Illinois.

A list of this year’s OSLAD grant recipients and project descriptions is below.

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport Receive 2013 General Aviation Airport of the Year Award

May. 10 Gov Watch no comments

The City of DeKalb received notice that the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics has selected DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport as the 2013 General Aviation-Public/Category A Airport of the Year. Criteria is based on, but not limited to, cooperation with the DOA and the FAA, the Airport’s safety record, and maintenance of the facility.

The award will be presented on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 12:15pm during the Illinois Aviation Conference Luncheon ceremony at the Radisson Hotel in Moline, Illinois.

Tom Cleveland

Mayor John Rey noted “I am very pleased to learn of this recognition for the job done by City staff in the operation of the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport for 2013. This operation is led by Airport Manager, Tom Cleveland, who along with all the Airport staff, Airport Advisory Board and citizens of the community can be very proud of the quality services that are provided through the Airport operation. We have a quality, dedicated group of individuals who are dedicated to deliver high quality service, which is recognized by the state Division of Aeronautics for a job well done”.

Robert Owens, Airport Advisory Board member and Airport Commissioner “feels this award is a very special award to receive for many reasons. We have been fortunate enough to be multiple recipients of this prestigious award; however, this one in 2013 is very, very, special since we overcame many obstacles. This award would not have been possible without the confidence and help we receive from our elected and other City officials and employees, and with Tom, as usual, putting the right pieces in the right places at the right times to make DKB work as efficiently as possible. To the City population, volunteers, our tenants, and all associated with DKB, thanks to every one of you and be proud of your 2013 General Aviation Airport of the Year”.

Alderman Ron Naylor agrees. “It is a great honor for DTMA to be recognized again with this award. The recognition speaks well for the Airport, the City, the City Council, and community’s on-going support. Special recognition should go to the Airport Manager, the supporting Public Works personnel, the Airport Advisory Board, and the aviation community for all of their hard work and effort over the past several years that has made the Airport one of the state’s finest”.

NIU announces national search for top cop

May. 08 Gov Watch no comments

Chief of police expected to be in place early in fall semester

Northern Illinois University today announced a national search will soon be under way to find a police chief for its DeKalb campus.

The search is expected to last about 90 days and will include stakeholders from the campus and the DeKalb County area.

A search committee will be formed to direct the search process; due to the specialized nature of university policing, the university is considering retaining a consulting firm experienced in police chief searches.

Candidate interviews are expected to begin in late July.

“The search process will be inclusive and will feature broad representation from the university community. The process will also include participation from representatives of local law enforcement,” said Bill Nicklas, vice president for Public Safety and Community Relations. “The interview process will include meetings with stakeholder groups involving students, faculty and staff and law enforcement, among others.”

These stakeholder groups are also expected to include NIU Police Department supervisors and sworn officers, University Council leaders and representatives from the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities and the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.

The goal of the search is the appointment of a university chief of police as early as possible in the fall semester.

Pritchard’s Perspective on State Politics 5/6/13

May. 06 Gov Watch 1 comment

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

May 6, 2013

News from the State House

In this issue:

· General Assembly Begins Final Month of Spring Session

· Dueling Pension Bills: Leaders Grow Impatient with Progress

· Attorney General Receives Extension on Concealed Carry

· Bills Filed to Reduce Welfare Fraud

· Flood Assessments Underway; Federal Disaster Declaration Possible

· Legislators Push for Vote on Fracking Bill

· Schools Transitioning to New Learning Standards

· Community Colleges Discuss Successes at Capitol

· Governor Rejects Bill to Pay for Smart Grid Technology

· $mart with Money Week Comes to DeKalb County

General Assembly Begins Final Month of Spring Session

May tends to be a very busy and exciting month in Springfield, as members of the House and Senate strive to complete their work in time for a May 31 adjournment. This Friday is the deadline for House committee action on Senate bills and then hundreds of bills will be debated on the House floor. Similar activity on House bills is taking place across the rotunda in the Senate chamber.

Among the major issues awaiting action by the Senate are pension reform, gambling expansion, medical marijuana and same-sex marriage. Negotiations continue on drafting legislation for concealed carry, fracking and telecommunication law modernization.

Meanwhile the Appropriation Committees are busy behind closed doors crafting a budget for FY14. While state revenue is expected to increase more than $1.2 billion next year, over spending this year combined with pressures for increased spending next year make the task of creating a balanced budget very difficult. Prayers were raised for legislator wisdom and courage during the National Day of Prayer ceremonies across the state last Thursday, however your continued prayers are critical at this time.

Dueling Pension Bills: Leaders Grow Impatient with Progress

Within hours of Senate President John Cullerton announcing progress toward an “agreed” pension reform bill, House Speaker Mike Madigan passed his own version of pension reform in the House saying we have debated this issue long enough. The Senate may decide Monday whether to approve SB1 as amended or continue negotiations.

I have been urging for negotiations with all the parties to the pension issue for over a year and, like Speaker Madigan, am frustrated with the progress. However, I feel a negotiated bill is the best way to a fair, constitutional solution for all parties. Read more →

The New DeKalb

May. 04 Gov Watch 2 comments

Kris Povlsen, Brendon Gallagher and Tom Teresinski chose to not seek re-election to their seats at the council chambers in DeKalb. Their combined 26 years on the council is appreciated for the sacrifices they and their families made for the betterment of this community.

New is the buzz in DeKalb. DeKalb Fire Chief Eric Hicks is new. Chief of Police Gene Lowrey is newer. NIU President Dr. Douglas Baker is the newest. That is until newly elected Mayor John Rey, City Clerk Liz Peerboom, 2nd ward Alderman Bill Finucane and 4th ward Alderman Robert Snow take office at a special meeting of the DeKalb City Council on May 6 at 6pm in the council chambers at 200 South 4th Street. New to the decorum for the sitting of the new council is the swearing in of new candidates by the honorable Judge Thomas J. Doherty.

johnreysmall The new council set to take the reins of a city facing challenges and opportunities includes the re-elected Dave Baker (6th ward) with 12 years council experience, Ron Naylor (5th ward, 6 years), David Jacobson (1st ward, 2 years), Monica O’Leary (7th ward, 2 years) and Kristen Lash (3rd ward, 2 years). Jacobson’s experience is augmented with that of running for the citywide office of mayor. Although unsuccessful in his attempt he met and discussed issues with a large cross section of the community so may bigger picture thinking prevail.

Bill Finucane

The newcomers must hit the ground running as the clock has already started in the countdown to approve the city budget. There are budget placemark requests awaiting the new city council. There are ongoing contract negotiations with the city’s unions. There are consultants and their reports to consider. Unfunded mandates and pension obligations are becoming more alarming for every municipality in Illinois.

Robert Snow

Is the city’s finances as rosy as painted by those outgoing members or as unsustainable as reported by the exalted financial consultants, EPI, at the post election special Saturday session of the city council? That constrasting picture deserves more public examination. The new council would be wise to get that picture cleared up before collective bargaining.

Liz Peerboom

Another clock winds down on the tenure of Mark Biernacki who is retiring from his position as city manager. His replacement is an immediate priority for the new mayor and city council. Former city manager of DeKalb, and then of Sycamore and now associate vice president for institutional planning and sustainability, Bill Nicklas, gets appointed to another new position at NIU every other month or so it seems. He’s one of a handful of people who actually know what’s going on with the far west campus. They’re probably going to hire a retiree for the position of city manager anyways. Just saying.

John Rey ran an almost perfect campaign for mayor and was elected by a plurality of votes over Jennifer Groce, Mike Verbic and David Jacobson. Plurality is only a step towards consensus. Rey delivered a consistent message of reaching out to the community for ideas and solutions. He might then consider extending an invitation to his competitors to share their ideas in meaningful roles.

Liz Peerboom is a trooper. Just a few years ago she was being paid five or six times the new salary plus benefits of the new city clerk for being the then deputy clerk for DeKalb. For whatever reason the mayor and city council gutted the position in scope and pay. Peerboom must now juggle her schedule between being the appointed municipal clerk in Maple Park and the elected city clerk in DeKalb. If she truly wants to restore the office of city clerk to the will of more than 70% of the voters in the 2012 Presidential general election — that it remain elected and not be under the control of the city manager — she’ll have full community support in returning a professional salary for the position that it and she deserves.

She might borrow an idea promoted by one of her competitors in her race, Lynn Fazekas. Recruit interns from the public administration department of NIU to help provide better service to the public. Show and tell the public their business. Doing so might save more than $100,000 placemarked for a public relations position identified in planning documents. If transparency is truly a desire of this new mayor and city council then city hall and the residents will experience excellent public relations.

The new DeKalb begins Monday, May 6, 2013. Here’s to a new start. Hope it’s a great one!

$38 Million Recovered from Unemployment Cheats’ Tax Returns

May. 01 Gov Watch no comments

Anti-Fraud Effort Boosts Business Climate, Illinois Economy; Some Individuals Could Face Prosecution

CHICAGO – Illinois recovered nearly $38 million from unemployment cheats and others who wrongfully collected unemployment insurance benefits, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) said today. The initiatives to fight fraud, increase tax fairness and reduce costs for businesses are part of Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to improve the state’s climate for job creation and strengthen the Illinois economy.

“Cheating the unemployment insurance program cannot be tolerated because it harms the honest workers and the good employers across our state,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “We are prosecuting fraud. We are clawing back the money. Every dollar we recover helps to lower business taxes so owners can use that money to invest in more employees and help grow our local and state economies.”

IDES confiscated federal and state tax returns from individuals who refused to repay the debt or refused a repayment plan. Funds were recovered from 22,000 individuals between January and April. Recovering the dollars and fighting waste, fraud and abuse enhances the Illinois business climate by helping to lower payroll taxes employers pay to fund unemployment insurance payments.

This is the second year that IDES can garnish federal tax returns following bi-partisan reforms enacted in 2011. In 2012, IDES recovered $44 million from 21,500 individuals, bringing the two-year total to $82.4 million from 43,652 people.

Protecting the integrity of the Trust Fund is paramount. Money that pays for unemployment insurance benefits comes from a business payroll tax. The Trust Fund’s balance is among the factors considered when determining the payroll tax amount. The lower the Fund balance, the higher the payroll tax.

In the 22 months since Governor Quinn appointed Rowell and his overwhelming bi-partisan Senate confirmation, anti-fraud and Trust Fund integrity initiatives have saved taxpayers more than $200 million. These programs include garnishing federal tax returns of unemployment cheats; checking unemployment rolls against prison logs; strengthening the anti-fraud unit with attorneys from Attorney General Lisa Madigan; creating a new-hire directory to more quickly identify fraud; and holding business leaders personally liable for misstating their company’s obligations.

Pritchard’s Perspective 4/22/13

Apr. 22 Gov Watch no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

April 22, 2013

In this issue:

· Governor’s Designation May Help Recovery

· Appropriations Hearings End; Budget Crafting Begins

· Deadline Passes with Hundreds of House Bills Moving to Senate

· Privatization of Workers Compensation Program Progressing

· Health Care Providers Revise Care Model; Attempt to Reduce Costs

· Five-Year Transportation Construction Program Unveiled

· Compost Reforms Passed

· District Libraries Receive “Back to Books” Grants

Governor’s Designation May Help Recovery

With the ongoing flooding issues across the state, the governor has declared 42 counties as disaster areas including DeKalb, Kane, Winnebago, McHenry and LaSalle. The gubernatorial proclamation of disaster aids the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in coordinating state resources to support local governments in disaster response and recovery operations.

The Red Cross has opened 17 shelters throughout the state, including one at St John’s Lutheran Church in Sycamore. That city’s Evergreen Village mobile home park was again evacuated as homes received considerable water damage. The county has been working for many years to secure the federal and state funding necessary to move residents to new locations and close the park. The two state agencies involved in the remediation at my urging have sent a letter assuring the county that the balance of the necessary funding will be available. County staff will be asking the county board in the next few weeks for authority to begin relocating residents.

The water level in flooded areas and fields in my district are receding but the Fox River continues to rise. Please continue to support the Red Cross and offer your prayers for those impacted.

Appropriation Hearings End; Budget Crafting Begins

The five Illinois House Appropriation Committees have completed their hearings where funded agencies and providers describe their outcomes from last year and funding needs for the coming year. Northern Illinois University testified last week and Representative Sosnowski and I visited with retiring President John Peters (center) before his last budget presentation.

I serve on two of the appropriation committees—Higher Education, and Elementary and Secondary Education where I am the Republican spokes-person. The committees will be going line-by-line through their budget when legislators return to Springfield April 30. The Speaker has given each committee an allocation that is one-percent less than last year. They will have to manage $822 million in new wages from labor contracts and additional expenses including home health care for seniors.

My colleagues and I have raised objections that this level of appropriation is unsustainable without pension cost reductions, further Medicaid reforms and continuing the income tax increase beyond 2015. Illinois is headed for its own fiscal cliff at full speed and the majority party seems content.

Kiwanis Park more than a feel good story

Apr. 19 Gov Watch no comments

Kiwanis Park will host youth soccer games for decades to come. The DeKalb CUSD #428 Board of Education sold the 41.68-acre park at Fairview and South Fourth streets to the DeKalb Park District for $625,000. District 428 purchased the land to expand school facilities during Dr. Brian Ali’s tenure as Superintendent for $1.4 million cash.

The Board’s vision then was to purchase the land necessary to meet future expansion plans for the high school. But voters rejected three referendums on those expansion plans.

A new Board’s vision was approved by voters without a final site selection. After the $110 million referendum passed the new high school was built at its Dresser Road location and the old high school is now Huntley Middle School.

The land siting the new high school was purchased by the school district from Macom Development Corporation after the referendum. Instead of paying $40,000 in cash per acre for the land the district and Macom Development agreed to a lower cash deal in exchange for an impact fee credit. The two parties then agreed that if the land was not at some level of development by 2013 the district would then pay for the $1.05 million credit at a rate of 4 percent ($42,000) per year starting in 2013. When ShoDeen bought the Irongates property from Macom the credits came with it.

Someone got the idea to swap Kiwanis Park to Shodeen for land around the new high school for later if needed expansion. The land swap proposal would have eliminated the $1.05 million impact fee credit District 428 had with Shodeen.

Beginning this year, the district has to pay Shodeen $42,000 annually for interest on the impact fee credit. Shodeen WOULD owe the school district $654,000 for the improvements the district made around DeKalb High School IF the developer can get the land annexed and PUD approved by the City of DeKalb.

That’s a really big WOULD and IF. The Irongate subdivision proposal is not likely to get city council approval. Annexation requires a super-majority vote. Two sitting council members have openly stated they will vote against the proposal (Kristen Lash – 3rd ward and Monica O’Leary – 7th ward). To get approved all other city council members and newly elected Mayor John Rey must vote in favor of the annexation. Bill Finucane (2nd ward elect) and Bob Snow (4th ward elect) expressed reservations on the project during their campaigns.

The $625,000 the DeKalb Park District agreed to pay for Kiwanis Park will come from its capital fund reserves in one payment. Those funds were earmarked for maintenance needed at the Sports and Recreation Center, Hopkins Park Community Center, some parking lots and pathways. The park district has $1.5 million in its capital fund reserves and recently postponed replacing to Hopkins Park swimming pool.

Here’s a math quiz for DeKalb taxpayers. If your school district paid $1.4 million cash for property needed for the high school in 2002 plus borrowed $1.05 million for high school land in 2008 and then your park district bought some of that land in 2013 how much did taxpayers pay for land that school and park district officials agree is fairly valued at $15,000 per acre? For bonus points: If your $110 million school construction mortgage payments (property tax) are based on $20 million worth of new construction EAV coming into the community and only one residential new construction building permit has been issued in almost two years how much does your school debt obligation rate increase?

Kudos to the park district for stepping up but don’t be surprised when they ask taxpayers for more money for needed maintenance. But the Kiwanis Park land swap is much more than a feel good story. At least as far as its fiscal impact on taxpayers.

DeKalb, Sycamore, Kirkland to Recieve Fire Protection Grants from Quinn

Apr. 17 Gov Watch 1 comment

Governor Pat Quinn today joined Illinois State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis to announce that a total of 96 fire departments across the state will share $2 million in grant funds to purchase small equipment, protective clothing, breathing apparatus and other tools for firefighters. These Small Equipment Grants are funded through a percentage of all fire insurance sold in Illinois, and are distributed through the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. The grant awards are part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to increase public safety and support emergency responders.

“Our heroes in fire departments across the state, big and small, paid and volunteer, deserve all the help they can get to keep our communities safe,” Governor Quinn said. “These grants will assist 96 fire departments in Illinois to do just that.”

The purpose of the Small Equipment Grant Program is to provide funds directly to local units of government for the purchase of small equipment by a fire department, fire protection district or township fire department. These departments are eligible for grants up to $26,000.

Locally, the DeKalb Fire Department will receive $25,750, the Kirkland Fire Department will receive $23,880 and the Sycamore Fire Department will get $16,614 from this initiative.

Pritchard’s Perspective 4/15/13

Apr. 16 Gov Watch no comments

Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.

April 15, 2013

In this issue:

· Hundreds of Bills Considered as Deadline Approaches

· House Votes to Abolish Lt. Governor Position

· State Sells Construction Bonds; Receives Favorable Rate

· Refocusing Pension Discussions

· Early Results from Medicaid Audit Show Widespread Ineligibility

· Lobbying Increases Over Medical Use of Marijuana

· Early Childhood Advocates Discuss Outcomes

· Earth Day Celebrated Across the Globe on April 22

Hundreds of Bills Considered as Deadline Approaches

Activity in the House intensified and session days ran longer last week as members try to have their bills passed before the April 19 House Bill action deadline. A few of the more interesting bills that were passed by the House last week include:

· HB1225: Requires that all athletes, coaches, trainers and referees watch a video about cardiac arrest and how to best respond to that type of emergency. The video will deal with hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillators.

· SB1515: Implements portions of a new state labor contract regarding retiree health insurance. It requires Central Management Services to create a group health insurance program for Medicare-eligible retirees, and also establishes a $500 per month incentive for certain annuitants to opt out of the group insurance plan (to save money for the state).

· HB961: Requires the Illinois Department of Revenue to deposit the local share of state income tax revenue directly into the Local Government Distributive Fund rather than the General Revenue Fund. By requiring timely and direct deposits, local units of government will receive their funds faster.

· HB772: Requires that people between 18 and 20 years of age, who have not participated in a driver education class must take an online driver education course before obtaining a driver’s license. A growing number of license applicants have not taken any formal driving instruction perhaps due to school scheduling conflicts or fees that may run into the hundreds of dollars.

· HB1441: Requires that members of the General Assembly take 12 furlough days during the next fiscal year, and freezes pay levels and travel reimbursement rates. This is the fifth year the legislature has tried to set an example of shared sacrifice by cutting its costs. Meanwhile the Governor just negotiated a labor contract with state workers that awarded a 2 percent pay increase and no furlough days which increase state expenditures by $50 million.

· HB1868: Allows for a provisional vocation teaching license in Illinois. The bill is in response to a shortage of vocational teachers and is supported by employers who are having trouble finding qualified applicants for manufacturing jobs.

· HB983: Protects taxpayers from property tax hikes that exceed the legal limit in cases where municipalities sell alternative revenue bonds to fund capital improvements. These bonds are typically tied to an identified revenue source, but if the revenue source comes up short, taxpayers end up repaying the debt through property-tax increases.

· HB2250: Bans teens under the age of 18 from purchasing or using electronic cigarettes. This is a growing problem for school-aged children who mistakenly believe that electronic cigarettes do not pose a health risk.

· HB3009: Strengthens laws against gang recruitment in that police don’t have to prove that physical force or coercion was used in recruiting gang members.

· SB1894: Increases the Senior Homestead Exemption by $1000 beginning in calendar year 2014. If this becomes law, senior citizens will receive a $5000 reduction in their home equalized assessed value.