Press Releases/Announcements from local sources
Cable
ComChannel 17
On Wednesday alone:
- Holiday Concerts
- Derek & Rob X-Perience
- Help Your Child Read (Eng/Sp)
- City Council (12/18/06)
- Holiday Concerts
"General Mills’ West Chicago Community Action Council met with DayOne staff at a site visit in November. General Mills presented the check to DayOne in December."
Sen
Durbin"The two senators will attend the former President’s funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. Following the service, the President’s remains will proceed to a private interment service at the Gerald Ford Museum."
“This moment of justice is a moment of opportunity. The Iraqi people, not our brave soldiers, have the opportunity to seize this moment to move beyond the divisive legacy of Saddam Hussein or continue to descend into chaos.”
SpeakerHastert
"Already embarrassed by his see-no-evil role in the congressional page scandal, the Illinois Republican should have chosen a dignified exit from power. Instead, Hastert pulled one last dirty trick on taxpayers to benefit a political patron back home."
City
ofWest Chicago
The meeting regularly scheduled for Jan 1st is delayed until Tuesday January 2nd.
- Hawthorne Lane Improvement Project
- Purchace of 327 Main Street
- Lease Agreement with ZWay Realty
- Appoint Jeff Psodzny to Planning Commission
- Quin Barclay
- Bruce Malkin
- Michael Fortner
- David Sabathne
- Tony Reyes
- Ruth La Sure
Sen
Durbin“I join the millions of Americans saddened by the loss of President Ford, a man of principle, integrity, and honesty who helped heal the nation during some of our darkest times."
"6. Rep. Denny Hastert, R-Ill. — In addition to mishandling the Foley scandal, outgoing House Speaker Dennis Hastert allowed the House ethics process to ground to a halt on his watch."
"Despite the numerous written pleas, the 26-year-old Dogra was sentenced to seven years in prison for the accident near West Chicago that killed all three of his passengers."
"For anyone interested in Scottish culture and festivities, the Elgin Scottish Society offers the perfect evening in celebration of its pre-eminent poet, Robert Burns, on Jan. 27 at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club, on Route 59 in West Chicago. "
For
Roskam, little time to savor win"You don't want donor fatigue to set in," said Roskam, of Wheaton. "We're just going to concentrate on celebrating the new swearing-in and at some point begin to circle back and reach out to folks and begin to put the pieces together for the 2008 election."
Sen
Durbin"Daniel, who claims the deceased's family is using its political connections to push the case forward, is now gaining assistance from Illinois senator Richard Durbin and his staff in her fight for freedom."
Sen.
Obama"Right-wing Web site Freerepublic.com has featured a photoshopped image of "Senator Osama Obama," and Rush Limbaugh has called him "Obama Osama.""
"There you have it—there’s your scandal! Obama was so “on the take” from Rezko that he grossly overpaid for his land! But don’t worry. If your press corps wants to make that a scandal, they can find a way do so—just as they did, for eight or nine years, with the Whitewater nonsense."
[Scroll down. This will gain a permanent address tomorrow. - Bob]
GovernorBlagojevich
“2006 was a very productive year for state government. We worked hard to pass new laws to help our seniors, children, and the hardworking citizens of our state. A number of those new laws will go into effect on Monday, so now is the time for the public to learn about new protections and programs we enacted,”
(August 4, 1962 - December 21, 2006)
Sen
JohnMillner
"Measures intended to safeguard Illinois residents in their homes, increase protections for home and land owners in eminent domain cases, and help state and local law enforcement officials better track and detain sex offenders, are among the almost 100 new laws that take effect in January, according to State Senator John J. Millner (R- Carol Stream)."
"A Wheaton man was sentenced to 7 years in prison today for driving drunk when his speeding car ran off the road into a tree in 2005, killing his occupants three of his closest friends. Shelley Dogra, 25 at the time of the violent crash on Indian Knoll Road near West Chicago, had been drinking much of the day..."
Hastert's neighbors bruised"The road markers hint at a larger question for Kendall County residents who have regarded Hastert as a bragging point and connection to power: What happens when an electoral shift pulls the rug out from under your claim to fame? The signs may soon change--the county is mulling what to do when Democrats take over Congress in January ..."
Sen
Durbin"The Illinois lawmaker recalls Ford as a man of principle, integrity, and honesty who helped heal the nation during some of our darkest times. Durbin says President Ford served our nation well and will be remembered for his years of dedication to the American public."
Rep
Hastert"Hastert says he would like to think that Ford's time spent in the Congress helped to shape his outstanding presidency. He says he and his wife Jean extend their deepest sympathies to former President Ford's wife, Betty, and the Ford family."
"DeLay had been pulling the strings of front man Dennis Hastert ( Illinois ) as Speaker of the House and when left to his own devices, Hastert quickly proved his ineptitude in managing the faux scandal of Mark Foley and Congressional pages."
GovernorBlagojevich
"The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Blagojevich’s Office to fly the United States and Illinois flags at State occupied buildings at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 until day of funeral for: Former President Gerald R. Ford"
Sen.
Obama"It goes without saying that when Barack Obama is on the television screen or behind the political podium we see a black man. That is, after all, what he is. But when you listen to Obama, the substance of thinking, the cadence of his reasoning, his unassuming acceptance of people, you hear a Midwesterner."
SpeakerHastert
"Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., the 2005-06 chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, testified that he told House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., about Foley's e-mails. Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, testified that he briefed Rep. Hastert and that the speaker replied that the matter "has been taken care of." But Rep. Hastert told the panel that he didn't remember those conversations."
"6. In October, House Speaker Dennis Hastert angrily denied:
a) He had any prior knowledge of Rep. Mark Foley’s salacious text messages.
b) That he’d transform himself into a tiny Democratic woman within weeks.
c) That he was a friendly, talking bear."
Merry
Christmas
(Except for
Bill ORealy fans...who are wished
"Happy Holidays.")
"Under Frazee’s direction, Willow Creek leaders drew a 10-mile radius around the church’s five campuses — South Barrington, Chicago, West Chicago, Northfield, and Crystal Lake — and divided the area geographically into neighborhoods based on local school boundaries."
"Teachers seemed especially drawn to Q's cast of misshapen greenery. ...Kathy Grogan of Pioneer Elementary in West Chicago, ... all made pitches."
"You" are Michael Droste, 41, a West Chicago middle school teacher who has composed a brand-new song every single day of 2006 and posted the audio online to onesongeveryday.com."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"The opening reception, with complimentary refreshments, will be held on Friday evening, January 12th, from 6 to 8pm at 200 Main Street in West Chicago. This free event is open to the public."
"School officials had been looking for possible schoolroom sites for months. They considered storefront or church space, but rent was too steep, Leman said. The district also solicited recommendations for locations from residents with little result."
"A long-standing tradition at St. Mary’s Parish School in West Chicago will again bring smiles to the residents of West Chicago Terrace nursing home on Christmas Eve morning. Dozens of families and pupils from the school will be Advent Angels and will deliver individual gifts to all 120 residents."
Sen
Durbin"The findings in this new GAO report," said Senator Durbin, "raise serious questions about the pharmaceutical industry claims that there is a connection between new drug development and the soaring price of drugs already on the market. Most troubling is the notion that pharmaceutical industry profits are coming at the expense of consumers in the form of higher prices and fewer new drugs."
"I hope the families who have given so much to this country with their sons and daughters who have risked and sacrificed their lives understand that we are standing with them this day their and the solemn memories of their funeral services should not be spoiled by this kind of demonstration,"
"The bill, among other things, would establish a $50 million a year, five-year grant program promoting collaboration among anti-hunger groups and allow food banks to improve or expand their food storage areas and other infrastructure."
"This year, according to the group, six of the most corrupt Washington politicians were Republicans whose names are often identified with the scandals widely believed to have contributed to the Democratic victory in the November midterms: Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX), Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), Rep. Denny Hastert (R-IL), and Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH)."
"It is unclear why the subpoena -- which Weldon and his attorney have not publicly acknowledged -- doesn’t appear in the Congressional Record. Under House rules, Weldon would have been required to report it to Speaker Dennis Hastert when the House reconvened after the election."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"Their return was more than 29 percent better than the performance of the S & P 500 during the same period. There were a total of 1,197 teams in the Illinois competition. This is the 4th time that CHS has won the state title."
"Fifty years ago, the 12-room brick and cement Gary School in West Chicago welcomed its first students. Today, generations have warm memories of grade school in the District 33 building, which has grown much larger."
"She began spending about 30 minutes, twice a week, in court. Three decades later, Zamora often works 12-hour days running between courtrooms while answering pages from attorneys, probation officials, judges and court personnel to translate for up to 50 defendants."
"There is a big difference," Avilas said. "In Mexico, a lot of people don't have Christmas trees, much less lights on their houses. Christmas is mostly just a church service followed by a special meal with family."
GovernorBlagojevich
“Young adults leaving foster care and children who are being raised by family members need better access to good health care, education and a safe environment. This program will help provide a safe and stable environment where they can learn how to become independent and responsible, continue their education and have a shot at a better future,”
"It means that at the Taylor facility of the 400 people "held" there, 200 are children. And all are families that can be held there for whatever length of time without due process conducted in a timely manner."
"There has to be a better way. It cannot be right to imprison children guilty of nothing more than following their parents into the United States illegally."
Joe Castelluccio and David J. Sabathne'
"As Christmas Day approaches, the effort is turning into more than the Hassans ever expected — or asked for, Chris Hassan said. “I was surprised how many people are out there willing to help,” he said. “It’s nice to know people are willing to share out of kindness.”"
Food
brings seniors together But fellowship, friends, fun keep them coming back,
they say"While St. Mary's Church in West Chicago doesn't have a formalized senior group, those hearty folks who come to the 7:30 a.m. Mass get together once a month for a "Coffee And ..." where those attending can get to know each other better over a cup and a donut."
"District 94 board members Tuesday unanimously chose a 38-year-old Hinsdale educator to be West Chicago Community High School’s new principal."
"This brings an end to the month long strike by the 45 public works employees, building inspectors and some clerical staff. The union workers returned to work on Thursday, Dec. 14."
"A festive spirit abounded at the West Chicago Lions Club Holiday Luncheon Dec. 7, especially as guests honored District 33 School/Community Relations Specialist Becky Koltz and her husband Doug as Citizens of the Year and presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship to past president and Ward 1 Alderman Lori Chassee."
Sen
Durbin“I would only support a surge in troops if it is part of a carefully planned timetable to bring American troops home,”
"Illinois Senator Dick Durbin says he wants to know what the Iraqis plan to do before America sends more troops into the warzone."
[Audio file included. - Bob]
"An only slightly more removed form of family enrichment is the increasingly frequent hiring of the wives or children of congressmen or senators as lobbyists. House Speaker Dennis Hastert's (R-Ill.) son, for example, closed his music business in Illinois and moved to Washington where he was eventually hired to lobby for Google."
"Approved by the Senate in August, the autism bill stalled in the House. Supporters demonstrated against House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., while he attended a fundraiser in Texas in October."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"District 94 is fortunate to have such an impressive educator leading CHS next year. We are looking forward to working with Dr. Cheng and await his arrival with great anticipation."
"The faculty and administration of Community High School District 94 in West Chicago would like to congratulate Jim Foreman for being chosen Student of the Month for November."
"I would like to take this opportunity to commend the City Council of West Chicago for their vote of confidence for Mike Kwasman as the acting Mayor as we await the upcoming City election. Aside from being the best candidate for this position, Mike Kwasman has earned and deserves this position."
"Adding to the most comprehensive aviation and business services in the entire region, DuPage Airport welcomes new tenant Duncan Aviation."
WC
Public Library- Karin Krog’s Taste of Christmas
- Decluttering Your Life
- Musaica, a Latin American Ensemble
- Books for Lunch
- The Chocolate! Program
"While the property is outside the village of Carol Stream and carries a West Chicago mailing address, Carol Stream village trustees expressed concern over the implications of allowing a religious group to operate on property within the village’s future planning jurisdiction."
"Police served the son of a Kane County Board member with an arrest warrant on battery charges Monday, the same day a judge convicted the man for smashing the windows of a car occupied by three men last March."
Sen
Durbin“Arthur Kimber volunteered to go to Vietnam and put his life on the line for the good of our country,” Durbin said. “He served America honorably, and it is my distinct pleasure to present him with his medals today.”
“Both the public and lawmakers have expressed a serious concern with the safety, environmental impact and disruptiveness of live-fire exercises on Lake Michigan, and I commend the Coast Guard for putting such exercises on hold as they explore alternate options,”
Sen
Durbin"Senator Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Representative Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and CSPI have long pushed for legislation which would create a single food safety agency and give that agency greater powers. The Safe Food Act of 2005 would consolidate the activities of the dozen or so agencies concerned with food safety, labeling, and ingredient approvals."
Sen.
Obama"We wanted to make sure that . . . [he] knows that there are thousands of supporters ready and rearing to go,"
"For outgoing House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who vowed to regain Americans' trust by “prosecuting the bad actors,” then tried to block the House Ethics Committee from investigating former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay: a thorough health exam to check for amnesia."
SpeakerHastert
"That's right. After finding that the leadership had left children to be preyed upon by a pervert, it did nothing. In the face of a finding that Hastert essentially lied, it did nothing."
GovernorBlagojevich
“One of the best things we can do as state government is to help make sure people who work hard all day, make enough to live on. Thousands of hard working Illinoisans benefited when the minimum wage went up to $6.50 an hour. But it’s not enough anymore. Raising the minimum wage again will make it a little easier for thousands of families to pay the bills, put food on the table or buy clothes for their children."
"The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Blagojevich’s Office to fly the United States and Illinois flags at State occupied buildings at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, December 18, 2006 for:
Navy Machinery Repairman Fireman
Jack B. Valentine
United States Navy"
Cable
ComChannel 17
"Cablecom, Channel 17 in West Chicago, is pleased to announce a special Holiday broadcast schedule. On Sunday, Dec 24th, Christmas Eve, and Monday, Dec 25, Christmas Day, Holiday programs will be broadcast from 4PM until approx. 10PM. We hope you can spend some of your Holiday with us."
"His warehouse has been processing steel products, serving Fortune 500 corporations and the smallest steel users. He refuses to buy foreign imports and won’t do business any other way. ... “I have to admit, the foreign imports are starting to strangle us,” said Napoli. “I’ve been in this business altogether for 42 years and this is the worst I’ve seen it in the industry.”"
"While anime, or Japanese animation, has been around for decades, its growing popularity in the United States is inspiring fan clubs of sorts at local libraries and community centers. At spots like the Itasca and West Chicago libraries, teens are joining anime clubs so they can share their hobby and watch their favorite anime shows."
"At Prestige Nursery & Garden Center in West Chicago, you'll pay $29 a cubic yard for mushroom compost, plus a delivery charge that depends on mileage, according to general manager Jeff Van der Stuyf."
Sen
Durbin“In 2004, more than half of the children entering foster care in some areas of rural Southeastern Illinois were forced into the program because their caretakers were meth abusers. Meth is tearing apart our families and overwhelming our child welfare network.”
SpeakerHastert
"Political observers said talking points among state Republicans lately have included how to hone a clear message following last month’s election when Democrats won every statewide race. The party also took a hit with Hastert losing speakership when Democrats won control of the U.S. House."
"Fordham said he asked Palmer if he or Hastert would speak to Foley about the issue. "I knew that if one of them had talked to Mark that the message certainly would have gotten through to Mark. That it would have shaken him up a bit," Fordham testified."
"Foley has to be held accountable for his own actions, of course, but what the ethics committee showed us is that House Speaker Dennis Hastert and others were told about Foley’s salacious conduct toward teenagers in the care of Congress. They didn’t intervene because that would have almost surely caused Foley’s seat to be captured by a Democrat. In other words, politics trumped everything, including the well-being of the kids."
""This is a chance to make my daughter's life better -- to maybe someday make her diabetes go away," Cross has said of stem-cell research. "How can I not support it?" In advocating for stem-cell research, he has broken ranks with other Fox Valley Republicans, including Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora and former Sens. Ed Petka of Plainfield and Peter Roskam of Wheaton."
Sen
Durbin"“Illinois law enforcement response has been swift and well-coordinated,” Durbin said. Last year, the Illinois State Police encountered nearly 1,000 meth labs, more than double the number uncovered in 2000. In 1997, police found 24 meth labs, which indicates a ten-fold increase over 8 years."
“For months, many seniors have been paying the full price for a drug plan designed by and for the pharmaceutical industry,” Durbin said. “More than 430,000 Illinoisans have been at risk of falling into the doughnut hole. Until we change the law to give Medicare the authority to negotiate on behalf of its beneficiaries, the current drug plan will continue to be a financial boon to pharmaceutical companies and a bad deal for seniors."
“Throughout my time in the Senate, I have publicly announced all Illinois projects that I have helped secure funding for and provided background materials to all those who requested further information,”
"It means Durbin's projects are unlikely to win final approved for the current fiscal year ending next September 30th. Durbin says he'll do his best to back Illinois' worthy projects that conform to new rules currently under development for the budget year starting in October 2007."
Sen.
Obama
"The ad, viewed 40,000 times since being posted Wednesday on YouTube.com, according to the group — is meant to spark a grass-roots movement and send a strong message to the senator, organizers said."
SpeakerHastert
"Though the report runs 90 pages, there's not a single rebuke of anyone in Congress for failing to deal with Foley's evidently well-known proclivities or to effectively oversee the page program. Those are bipartisan shortcomings. Yes, the Foley scandal was a particular failure of the GOP leadership, especially outgoing House Speaker Dennis Hastert."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"You are invited to attend the December 19th Community High School Board of Education meeting where the appointment of a new principal will be announced. The meeting is Tuesday, at 7pm, in the Administrative Conference Room, Entrance H (south entrance)."
Sen
JohnMillner
"If the holiday season brings a new cell phone, State Senator John J. Millner (R- Carol Stream) is asking that 28th District residents consider donating their old phone to programs that help protect victims of domestic violence, namely the Call to Protect, or HopeLine phone recycling programs."
City
ofWest Chicago
- Annual Budget
- Strike Commendations
- Sludge Hauling by Waste Management
- Tax Levy
PGA Director of Instruction, Brian King is now available for winter training. Please phone 630-202- GOLF or email bking@prairielanding.com for scheduling information.
"School districts throughout the suburbs are being asked to consider encouraging or requiring mildly sick children, teachers and other staff members to stay home, part of the state’s response to the possible threat of a pandemic outbreak."
"By slipping four sentences into a big bill passed last week, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert secured a major change in Medicare policy avidly sought by a few health insurers, in particular a multinational company with headquarters in his home state, Illinois."
GovernorBlagojevich
"Under terms of the two-year-old agreement, the Department of Agriculture will conduct 150 farm inspections and analyze 500 feed samples. It will also inspect 50 agribusinesses that either sell, blend or transport cattle feed to make sure no prohibited ingredients are present in their products."
"The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Blagojevich’s Office to fly the United States and Illinois flags at State occupied buildings at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, December 15, 2006."
Rep.Randy Ramey"While this report is news to many, it is nothing new to me. After watching the Governor ignore measures to reduce spending, fulfill raided pensions, and increase payments toward overdue state bills, it is easy to see why the state is heading toward financial peril."
"West Chicago Elementary School District 33 leaders say they might have to give back a $238,000 state grant to offer preschool to at-risk immigrant children because officials cannot find a suitable location to hold classes."
"If you were looking for a baby-sitter, you certainly wouldn't trust Foley--but you also wouldn't trust Speaker Dennis Hastert or Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), chairman of the board that oversees the program."
Sen
Durbin
"Last year, Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, both Democrats, introduced an important piece of food-safety legislation that tackles these problems. Their Safe Food Act would create a single food-safety agency with the authority to test widely for dangerous pathogens, demand recalls and penalize companies that knowingly sell contaminated food."
Sen.
Obama"The Lugar-Obama bill expands US cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. Lugar and Illinois Senator Barack Obama, a Democrat, authored the bill. t's modeled after the Nunn-Lugar program which focused on the destruction of weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union."
"Finally, back to Senator Barack Obama. Or is that "Balak HUSSEIN Osama" - as some Right Wing commentators are saying it already? What will happen when he faces the wrath of the Right's machine? Will we still love him then? Will our fellow Americans start saying, "I don't know, I just don't like him." Will we let him be smeared?"
SpeakerHastert
"The committee harshly criticized Speaker Dennis Hastert , R-Ill., saying the evidence showed he was told of the problem months before he acknowledged learning of Foley‘s questionable e-mails to a former Louisiana page. It rejected Hastert‘s contention that he couldn‘t recall separate warnings from two House Republican leaders."
"There's even less excuse for taking no action against outgoing Speaker Dennis Hastert and other Republicans who were in positions to do something about stopping Foley but didn't. The committee didn't believe Hastert's denials that he had been advised of Foley's e-mails."
GovernorBlagojevich
Young children, teenagers, men and women are promised jobs and better lives in the United States. But once they’re here, they are forced to live and work in abysmal conditions, they’re paid pitiful wages, and some are forced into the sex trade. Sadly, we’ve seen this in Illinois."
"School administrators would face challenges like determining when to require sick students, teachers and staff to stay home or when to close their schools. This guide will help them prepare for these kinds of decisions,”
Sen
JohnMillner
"State Senator John J. Millner (R-Carol Stream) is encouraging eligible households that need economic assistance in heating their homes this winter to apply for grants through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)."
WegoWebIn case you haven't been asked to sign yet, Wayne Woodward has pulled papers and is having petitions signed for a run for Mayor in April. Wayne is a long time West Chicago resident, having grown up in the community, and a former alderman in the fourth Ward. The other expected candidate, so far, is acting Mayor Mike Kwasman. Anyone else interested can get paperwork at City Hall.
"But he doesn’t see the move from the 17,000-student system to a district of about 1,000 kids as a step down. “I really like having that small size,” said Ehrhardt, who heads the Lakota school system in West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio. “You get to have more personal relationships with everyone involved.”"
"Mike Martinez, director of distribution at Jel Sert Co., a West Chicago manufacturer of Fla-Vor-Ice and other foods, is a satisfied customer. “Equipment Depot does it all. They’re basically a one-stop shop,” he said."
"Officials on Monday evening approved a contract with Operating Engineers Local 150 during a special meeting of the City Council. The pact calls for salary hikes of 4 percent, 3.6 percent, 3.5 percent and 3.5 percent in each of the coming four years."
Sen.
Obama"The true danger of America's dependence on foreign oil is best explained by enemies like Al Qaeda, who have said that oil, '...is the umbilical cord and lifeline of the crusader community,'" Obama said. "It is clear that the Achilles heel of the most powerful country on earth is the oil we import and cannot live without, and that is why we must increase the fuel-efficiency of our cars with technology we already have on the shelf."
Mayor
Mike Kwasman
"I would like to personally thank the Management Team for not only stepping up to the plate but continuing to provide the essential City services, and keeping those services to a level that exemplifies a standard that at times was hard to reach."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"The deadline to register for the ACT prep course has been extended to this Friday, December 15th. Registration and payment should be brought to the Counseling office."
Maura Bridges, LCPC
Counselor/Department Chairperson
"The four-year contract is retroactive to May 1, 2005, and concludes in 2009. It gives Local 150 members raises ranging from 3.5 percent to 4 percent plus adjustments, bringing their pay into line with comparable neighboring municipalities."
GovernorBlagojevich
"“The federal government hasn’t gone far enough to reduce mercury emissions, but instead of waiting around for them to act, we’re doing what we have to do to protect Illinois families."
“These agreements mean cleaner air and cleaner water, and that means fewer health problems for children, for pregnant women, and for people all across Illinois. It took a lot of work to get to this point, but thanks to the environmental community, the power companies and the work of people like our EPA Director Doug Scott, we’ve achieved something no other state has done. And the result means a cleaner, healthier state,”
City
ofWest Chicago
"The contract, which was unanimously approved at a Special Meeting of the City Council on Monday, December 11, 2006, will bring Union employees back to work on Thursday, December 14, 2006."
Sen
Durbin“Our soldiers, our veterans and those fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the good of our country deserve to be laid to rest with dignity. This is a victory for our military personnel and their families."
Sen.
Obama"The Lugar-Obama initiative will help other nations find and eliminate conventional weapons that have been used against our own soldiers in Iraq and sought by terrorists all over the world," said Obama. "The Nunn-Lugar program has effectively disposed of thousands of weapons of mass destruction, but we must do far more to keep deadly conventional weapons like anti-aircraft missiles out of the hands of terrorists."
GovernorBlagojevich
“During the holiday season, we want nothing more than for our families, friends and neighbors to be safe and healthy, yet there are many children who don’t have warm coats, hats or mittens to protect them from the cold,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “I encourage people throughout the state to help out their neighbors in need, and donate winter clothing that will help others get through the winter months.”
"Nix will be based in Chicago and will oversee the administration’s policy, legislative affairs, and communications efforts, while Peters will be based in Springfield and will oversee public safety and social service programs and operations."
"Winfield trustees have passed a new estate zoning classification in a move they hope will keep unincorporated residents living near the village’s southwest border from annexing into neighboring West Chicago."
'It's
game on' to succeed Hastert"Jim Oberweis, the Aurora investor and dairy magnate who has three consecutive failed bids for office under his belt, was somewhat less circumspect. If Hastert "wanted me to be involved, I would obviously be involved," he said. And if he didn't? "I would still think about it," he said."
"Kwasman was approved unanimously last week by the City Council to fill the role until April, when a special election will be held to decide who will serve the final two years on Fortner's term. Kwasman also will continue to represent the 5th Ward, officials said."
"When evergreens get bent from snow and ice, we may be tempted to bend them back up. But it's best to let Mother Nature take care of them, says Harold Hoover of Kramer Tree Specialists in West Chicago. Stems, branches and foliage get brittle in cold weather and may snap if handled."
SpeakerHastert
"But beyond Hastert’s speech, a conclusion punctuated by the release of a scathing House ethics committee report on the Mark Foley-House page scandal and last-minute budget squabbles yielded more recriminations than congratulations."
City
ofWest Chicago
"They have been used to detect persons who are operating a motor vehicle with defective equipment, have no valid driver's license or permit, no proof of insurance or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
The meeting is on Monday, December 11, 2006 at City Hall, 475 Main Street, at 7:00 PM
"AFL-CIO Local 150 International Operating Engineers ratified a contract with the city Friday morning, Acting Mayor Michael Kwasman said. The city council will consider final approval of the agreement at a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at city hall."
SpeakerHastert
“At this time of transition I have been reflecting upon the many things for which I am deeply grateful. First, for my wonderful wife Jean -- for her encouragement and for accepting the sacrifices that have allowed me to run for public office. I don’t think she ever got used to the attention the Speakership has brought, but she has handled every moment with grace and good cheer."
"The committee harshly criticized Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., saying the evidence showed he was told of the problem months before he acknowledged learning of Foley's questionable e-mails to a former Louisiana page. It rejected Hastert's contention that he couldn't recall separate warnings from two House Republican leaders."
"It sounds from the report that Ted Van Der Meid, Speaker Dennis Hastert's counsel, had his own problems with being too close with the House pages."
GovernorBlagojevich
ElementaryDistrict 33
"In honor of this event, the Gary School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) has commissioned a 24K gold-finished brass commemorative ornament, depicting the front facade of the school. "
"The company, which operates under the name J.A. Air Center, provides avionics and instrument sales, service and installation, and airframe and engine maintenance (both piston and turbine), as well as aircraft sales, interiors and charters by subsidiary companies. It has been located at DuPage Airport for 30 years."
Sen
Durbin“Dr. Muhammad Yunus believes overcoming poverty is not just a gesture of charity; it is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. He is truly deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize and I am honored to call him a friend,”
“Our soldiers, our veterans and those fallen heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the good of our country deserve to be laid to rest with dignity and honor,” Senator Durbin said. “By addressing conduct in this bill, not content, the legislation respects not only our veterans but our constitutional freedoms.”
“The state and local governments do not have the resources necessary to completely address the significant damage to public and private property caused by this severe winter storm,”
Illionois
Senators"The plan would not grant permission to judges to carry concealed firearms, as many House Republicans hoped it would... If the measure doesn't pass this week, Durbin and Obama say they will try to pass it _ or something similar _ next year."