McHenry County Blog

SIU cash flow as of the end of Feburary. The Fiscal Year started July 1st.

No, this isn’t an article about the money the U.S. Senate voted to spend without any source of revenue to pay for it.

It’s about the Illinois State Senate.

State universities have not been paid money promised in the state budget. It amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The answers of Southern Illinois University, the University of Illinois and, I presume the others, is to ask for authority to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars.

Collateral?

Glad you asked.

The university are going to tell those lending the money that the State of Illinois will pay them back.

With the Illinois budget having been run into the ground by Democrats who have been in control since I ran for Governor in 2002 against Rod Blagojevich and Jim Ryan, what folks will be optimistic to think state government can repay what it did not pay in the first place.

Of course, the “responsible” Republicans and Democrats are just waiting until after the fall election to hike the income tax, what, 50% or the 67% Senate Democrats supported last year.

Take a look at the roll call of Senate Bill 642, the one passed last week to allow SIU to sell such bonds:

Illinois Senate Roll Call for Senate Bill 642, the bill that would allow SIU to borrow money using unpaid appropriations as collateral.

Locally, it shows McHenry County’s State Senator Pam Althoff voting, “Aye.”

The other county senator, Dan Duffy, voted, “No.”  So did Chris Lauzen, the senator who represents Northern Kane County.

If SB 642 makes it through the legislative process and is signed into law, SIU will be able to borrow up to 75% of the money the state hasn’t paid.

Commenter “Joey” on AlestleLive.com put it well:

“This can be a dangerous move. If the university borrows money, eventually the lender would want to be paid back (with interest, most likely). If the state continues to fall behind and miss payments, then when it comes time to make payments, the university may not have the money to pay them back, forcing them to take money out of other funds, thus just deferring the problem instead of solving it.

“You should never borrow money unless you are certain you’ll be able to pay it back. Since the state is being useless when it comes to providing money it owes, the university likely will not be able to say, with certainty, that it can repay debts on loans.”

OK. I was wrong.

I predicted last night that the McHenry County Board would approved what proponents insist on calling video poker.

But, this morning social conservatives on the board pulled off a 13-10-1 victory.

That was with the help of all three Democrats on the county board. (Counting only Republicans, the vote would have been tied 10-10.)

Lake in the Hills member Paula Yensen has personal knowledge of how devastating gambling can be to a family.

Patriots United video slot machine debate panels, ban proponents on the right, opponents on the left.

Perhaps also influencing the vote was the leadership that Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks has taken on the issue. He attended a Patriots United debate on the subject after returning from one of this fall’s veto sessions.

All Republicans representing McHenry County in the Illinois General Assembly except State Senator Dan Duffy, that is, State Representatives Mike Tryon and Mark Beaubien, plus State Senator Pam Althoff, voted supported video slot machines.

Voting in favor of a ban of the video gambling machines in unincorporated areas were the following, who are grouped by county board district (those up for election this year are show in bold face type):

District 1

• Yvonne Barnes

District 2

• Jim Heisler

District 3

• Ed Dvorak (retiring)
• Kathy Bergan Schmidt
• Barbara Wheeler

District 4

• Sue Draffkorn
• John Hammerand
• Sandy Salgado

District 5

• Paula Yensen
• Jim Kennedy
• Virginia Peschke

District 6

• Mary McCann
• Ersel Schuster

Voting against the ban, thus in favor of expanding gambling were the following:

District 1

• Anna May Miller
• Bob Bless
• Marc Munaretto

District 2

• Scott Breeden
• Ken Koehler
• Lyn Orphal

District 3

• Mary Donner

District 4

• Pete Merkel

District 5

• Tina Hill

District 6

• Dan Ryan

Abstaining from the vote was District 6 Republican Randy Donley.

A month ago the board voted against holding an advisory referendum on the issue. The vote was 13-11-1.

The thirteen board members who voted against allowing their constituents to vote on the issue follow:

• Yvonne Barnes (R-Cary)

• Sue Draffkorn (R-Wonder Lake)

• Paula Yensen (D-Lake in the Hills)

• Ed Dvorak (R-Crystal Lake)

• Jim Heisler (R-Crystal Lake)

• Ken Koehler (R-Crystal Lake)

• Mary McCann (R-Woodstock)

• Pete Merkel (R-McHenry)

• Virginia Peschke (R-Bull Valley)

• Sandy Salgado (R-McHenry)

• Kathy Bergan Schmidt (D-Crystal Lake)

• Barb Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake)

Voting in favor of an advisory referendum were

• Bob Bless (R-Fox River Grove)

• Scott Breeden (R-Lakewood)

• Mary Donner (R-Crystal Lake)

• John Hammerand (R-Wonder Lake)

• Tina Hill (R-Woodstock)

• Jim Kennedy (D-Lake in the Hills)

• Anna May Miller (R-Cary)

• Marc Munaretto (R-Algonquin)

• Lyn Orphal (R-Crystal Lake)

• Dan Ryan (R-Huntley)

Members of the Operating Engineers Local 150 lobbied vigorously against the gambling ban, arguing for the jobs its proceeds would finance.

A press release from State Senator Dan Duffy:

Duffy Withdraws from Legislative Scholarship Program

Barrington, Illinois – State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington) announced his decision to withdraw from the Illinois General Assembly Legislative Scholarship Program today.

“This was not an easy decision,” said Senator Duffy. “It was based on my commitment to fighting corruption, increasing transparency and fairness. Like many government programs, the recipients of these funds are happy to receive them. However, I have discovered that the Legislative Scholarship process has very little oversight and it is not transparent. It is therefore subject to possible corruption.”

The 26th District Senator noted,

“The only way to reduce the misuse of funds is to remove programs that make it possible. Unfortunately, the Legislative Scholarship Program is easy to abuse.”

“As an Illinois State Senator, it is critical that I fulfill the promises I made to my constituents,” explained Senator Duffy. “I have promised to fight corruption, encourage job growth and keep taxes low. This decision is just another step towards fulfilling those promises.”

By law, each member of the General Assembly may award the equivalent of eight years free tuition to anyone based on any criteria they choose. The only limitations are that the student attend an Illinois state institution, live in the legislator’s district and is not a close relative.

Only Maryland and Illinois allow legislators to award scholarships to students.

A press release from 8th Congressional GOP candidate Maria Rodriguez:

8th Congressional candidate, Maria Rodriguez to host a Town Hall meeting.

LAKE COUNTY, IL – Maria Rodriguez, candidate for the 8th Congressional District will host a Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 26th at 1600 Milwaukee in Lake Villa at Noon.

State Senator Dan Duffy (R-26) and State Representative Ed Sullivan (R-51) will join Ms. Rodriguez.

The purpose of the meeting is to hear the opinions and concerns of the 8th district residents regarding urgent issues including healthcare. The meeting will be an open forum for any and all concerned constituents.

Rodriguez currently serves as President of the Village of Long Grove and has worked closely with Duffy and Sullivan on various regional issues.

“I am grateful for their endorsement and look forward to many more town hall meetings to discuss federal and state issues.”

When asked why she chose to run for congress in this election, Rodriguez said,

“I am running because members of Congress have lost touch with the people. They are not listening and that is unacceptable to me. Congress is considering legislation that will fundamentally change health care and energy and will have a major impact on job growth in the United States. These decisions should be vigorously debated and consider the will of the people. That is why I am starting my campaign with an open forum where everyone is invited and all views are welcomed.”

Rodriguez was recently elected to a second term to lead the Village of Long Grove and has an economics degree from the University of Illinois.

Democrat Bean has held no town hall meetings on health care or any other subject this summer.

Certainly it will be hard for some readers to grasp, but three of the four Republican legislators representing McHenry County voted for the tax increases on beer, wine, liquor, candy, soft drinks, etc., not to mention putting slot machines in every location with a liquor license.

The tax hikers and gambling expansion supporters are State Senator Pam Althoff and State Representatives Mark Beaubien and Mike Tryon (seen above from left to right).

All three voted to hike taxes on alcoholic beverages.

But, not to worry, at the same time they gave the liquor license holders the right to put five slot machines in their stores and taverns to make up for the inevitable lost revenue, at least that’s my take.

Here are the tax increases:

• 23 cents a gallon for beer
• $1.39 a gallon for wine
• $8.55 a gallon for liquor

And, as the media has been concentrating on, candy without flour will be subject to the full sales tax now.

Not to mention soft drinks.

That will include Mayor Aaron Shepley’s 75% Crystal Lake City sales tax increase.

They will all argue (Althoff, Tryon) the tax dollars and slot machine money will go for a good cause–roads, bridges, schools, Chicago State University’s $40 million new West Side of Chicago campus, etc.

No, come to think of it, they probably will not defend the $40 million in pork for State Senator Rickey Hendon.

When the Candy Mom came home from Sam’s Club last night with a big box of KitKat, I looked at the ingredients and saw “flour.”

That meant she did not have to buy it before the new tax on candy went up.

She should have bought the almost pure sugar candy you see in the First Methodist Church of Crystal Lake’s Vacation Bible School-purchased paper mache bowl.

The other two legislators, one a Republican and one a Democrat, voted, “No.”

The Democrat, of course, is State Rep. Jack Franks.

The Republican is newly-elected State Senator Dan Duffy.

Incidentally, the Northwest Herald article on the tax hikes today, did not reveal who voted how, but some commenters did.

McHenry County has three legislators who deserve to be remembered this weekend as you go to the liquor or grocery store to stock up on wine, liquor and beer.

They are State Senator Pam Althoff and State Representative Mark Beaubien and Mike Tryon.

All three voted to hike liquor taxes:

• 23 cents a gallon for beer
• $1.39 a gallon for wine
• $8.55 a gallon for liquor

As you go shopping this weekend, keep them in mind.

The proceeds, they will remind you will go to good things. Roads, schools, you name it.

State Senator Dan Duffy and State Rep. Jack Franks voted against the tax hikes.

Here’s the roll call on SB 1381, the legislation that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes:

Click to enlarge the image.

Locally, both State Senators Pam Althoff and Dan Duffy were on the negative side of the question.

Here’s what the Legislative Digest says about the bill:

Synopsis As Introduced

Creates the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.

Provides that when a person has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition, the person and the person’s primary caregiver may be issued a registry identification card by the Department of Public Health that permits the person or the person’s primary caregiver to legally possess no more than 7 dried cannabis plants and 2 ounces of dried usable cannabis.

Amends the Cannabis Control Act to make conforming changes.

Provides that the provisions of the Act are severable.

Provides that the Act is repealed 3 years after its effective date. Repeals the research provisions of the Cannabis Control Act. Effective immediately.

Senate Amendment No. 5

Limits the maximum amount of cannabis plants that a qualified patient may possess during a 60-day period to 6 cannabis plants, no more than 3 of which can be mature cannabis plants (rather than 7 plants).

Changes definition of “debilitating condition”. Changes references from “practitioner” to”physician”.

Provides that the Department of Public Health shall develop and disseminate educational information about the health risks associated with the abuse of cannabis and prescription medications, which shall be funded by the $3 fees generated from registry identification cards.

Provides that not later than 120 days after the effective date of this Act, the Department shall promulgate rules governing the manner in which it shall consider applications for and renewals of registration certificates for medical cannabis organizations, including rules governing the form and content of registration and renewal applications, and a standard form for written certifications.

Provides that by July 1, 2010, the Department shall adopt rules defining the quantity of cannabis that could reasonably be presumed to be a 60-day supply for qualifying patients.

Provides that medical cannabis organizations are subject to random inspections rather than reasonable inspections.

Provides that for purposes of Illinois State law, the consumption or use of cannabis by a registered qualifying patient shall be considered lawful if it is authorized by and in accordance with the Act.

Provides that the Act does not:

(i)allow the use of cannabis if that person does not have a serious or debilitating medical condition;

(ii) allow any person who is not allowed to use cannabis under the Act to use cannabis that a cardholder is allowed to possess pursuant to the Act,

iii) transfer cannabis to any person who is not allowed to possess cannabis under the Act. Further amends the Cannabis Control Act.

Provides that any registered qualifying patient or registered primary caregiver who distributes cannabis to someone who is not allowed to use cannabis is subject to a penalty enhancement of not more than 2 years in prison or a fine of not more than $2,000, or both, for abuse of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.

First there was his sign. Now in the Galesburg Register-Mail:

“We didn’t do a headcount, but there are nowhere near 60 votes (needed to pass it),” said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock. Franks is against raising the income tax.

I’ve asked via email and only Dan Duffy replied. (Maybe a reply from Mike Tryon’s legislative assistant Tina Hill counts.)

Nothing from State Senator Pam Althoff or State Rep. Mark Beaubien.

Probably time for constituents to make a call or send an email.

You know, of course, that you can’t get swine flu from eating pork.

Since a lot of people are not that knowledgeable and I like pork, I figure the cost of my meat will go down as the fraidy cats stop buying pork.

And Island Lake’s NIMBY pig farmer Bob Wargaski is still holding his pig roast this Sunday from 1-5. He’s calling is a “Pigapalooza.”

You remember him. He’s the one who started a pig farm with the powers that be in Island Lake cut a deal with a developer to let him build houses on higher ground, the best site for a new village well, and, instead, decided to put it right across from Wargaski’s property.

There was a big fight, which Wargaski won.

Tickets are $8 each (good price!) and one entitles you to a plate of roast pig and red potatoes.

If they run out, there will be buffalo burgers.

If you have any questions regarding tickets, please call 815-385-7120. Want more, pop for another ticket.

And speaking of pop, soda pop and beer will be available for purchase.

I am sure the recent Island Lake elections will be discussed, but look at the invitees—local legislators State Senator Dan Duffy and State Representative Mark Beaubien, Lake County Board member Bonnie Thompson Carter, plus lots of municipal officials, plus Governor Pat Quinn.

Somehow I image that Governor Quinn won’t make the affair. If he does, he will undoubtedly find some TEA Party sympathizers.

If you are political contributor type and would like to get the ear of the new Republican state senator who replaced Bill Peterson, Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville is the place to be no April 24th from 5:30-7:30.

The price is $50 a person with kids free.

There is recognition for those who can afford to give more, although I admit to having never heard of a “Pizza Sponsor” or a “Dessert Sponsor.”

Click to enlarge the invitation.

Reservations can be made by calling 630-752-9661 and asking for Lisa Wagner or Carol Berger.