Press Releases/Announcements from local sources
West
ChicagoHigh School
"The editorial seemed to be going out of its way to make the District 94 school board look autocratic for promoting fast-paced changes even if the changes are working well. For the record, our board listens to staff, teachers, students, parents and takes comments under advisement while acting in the best interest of educating students, given limited resources."
Sen
JohnMillner
"Senator Millner’s bill to make Salvia Divinorum a Schedule I controlled substance passed the Senate Judiciary – Criminal Law Committee late afternoon Wednesday, Feb. 28. The bill would add the easily attainable herb to the highest level of controlled substances in Illinois, which are prohibited under almost all circumstances."
“Things are out of sync,” Superintendent Ed Leman said. “We’re making our best guesses instead of really solidly informed decisions. We have a sense of what we need and what we want, but the hard data gives a greater confidence."
"Childserv, an organization that houses children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, this week withdrew its proposal for two group homes that would house teenage state wards in West Chicago apartments or townhouses."
"After a brief stop at a warehouse in West Chicago, the ship was moved to Geneva's Good Templar Park in 1996. Its wood now faded to a brittle gray-brown, the ship sits raised a foot off the ground, and a short metal staircase allows visitors to peer inside."
Sen
Durbin"Today, only one-third of our critically ill citizens are treated by physicians and nurses specifically trained to manage their complex health issues, "said Durbin. "This legislation will help us zero in on the problem, bring more of these high demand doctors to the patients that need them, and encourage more doctors to be trained to treat critical care patients."
"While most cities and states have evacuation plans, the lack of training drills makes it difficult to address problems that can take place during actual disasters," said Durbin. "With this legislation we can help states like Illinois plan evacuation drills and work out solutions to problems before lives are at risk in a real emergency."
Sen.
Obama"Obama wants states that have a bigger risk from the terrorist threat to get more of federal homeland security dollars _ also a recommendation from the commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks. That's an unpopular idea among lawmakers from smaller states who would lose funding on the switch."
Rep
Hastert"Reducing gasoline consumption, in part by strengthening CAFÉ standards, addresses America’s need for energy security and must be part of our deliberations on energy and environmental policy."
Rep Peter Roskam"This project will evaluate new processes to produce hydrogen from renewable biomass with high efficiency and low cost using a hydrogen-selective membrane. The proposed membrane gasifier can potentially reduce the hydrogen product cost by more than 40% over the conventional biomass gasification technology."
“While we want to encourage foreign investment to keep businesses growing and keep Americans working, we need to make sure we don’t sacrifice our national security in the process,”
GovernorBlagojevich
City
ofWest Chicago
"West Chicago, Illinois: February 23, 2007 - Gallery 200, downtown West
Chicago's destination for the arts at 200 Main Street, welcomes local
artist Robert C. Korta as the featured artist for the month of March."
DuPage
Airport says it’s a big economic contributor“The authority is a unique entity — a high-end aviator, a golf course and an advanced technological park — one of the most significant in North America, and with continued development, it is forecast that the DAA will increase its contribution to the local economy to $1.6 million in 2011,” he said.
Public
says West Chicago firemen make great chili"Event organizers say the real winners of the Firehouse Chili Fest are the children attending the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp. Between the ticket sales, raffles and a $1,000 donation from Veterans of Foreign War Post 6791, a total of $2,400 was donated to the camp."
West
Chicago teachers not happy about big changes“It was important to have these changes in place for the new school year and get them started with the new principal,” said School Board President Tony Reyes.
The board approved adding an eighth period for teachers and students to work together on goals, Reyes said. “The class will meet for a half-hour advisory period, plus discuss current events,” he said."
District
94 begins negotiations for teacher contracts"Previous boards overspent by almost a $1 million a year and we had to cease this practice. Balancing a budget is a struggle as costs continue to rise, but, at the same time we want to maintain a high quality education for our students.”
"The sentence stems from allegations that at about 8:45 p.m. April 29 Rodriguez, who was driving northbound on Route 59 in West Chicago, suddenly turned her vehicle into southbound traffic near Conde Street. Unable to take evasive action, a southbound pick-up truck collided with the passenger’s side of Rodriguez’s vehicle, critically injuring Rodriguez’s passenger, 40-year-old Gladys Gonzalez. Gonzalez was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital."
Sen
Durbin
DURBIN
INTRODUCES BILL TO ASSIST VETERANS' SURVIVORS"Durbin's legislation would eliminate the rule requiring that the survivor be enrolled in school full-time and would increase the benefit to $80,000. Benefits could be used towards a variety of educational assistance programs, including degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, institutional courses, correspondence courses, special educational assistance and farm cooperative programs."
Sen.
Obama"Senator Barack Obama is running for president as one of the few candidates who opposed the Iraq war from the beginning, a simple position unburdened by expressions of regret or decisions over whether to apologize for initially supporting the invasion."
"The current political climate is choppy at best. Reeling from the congressional elections of last year, the country still has an anti-Republican, or, more truthfully, an anti-Bush, sentimentality. Perhaps the adage to best describe this situation is: Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it."
Rep
Hastert"... pointing to the nearly yearlong period when the ethics committee wasn’t functioning after former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) ousted Rep. Joel Hefley (R-Colo.), its independent-minded chairman who presided over three rebukes of then-Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas). “I’ve watched it over the years and right now there’s so much money involved in [the political system] that we need an outside entity to control it,” Castle said."
GovernorBlagojevich
"We believe that we are being true to the core beliefs of the Christian faith and the Anglican Communion, and that the Episcopal Church has departed from them. It is leaving. We are not. Therefore, in conscience, on December 12, 2006, the Vestry of Resurrection voted to begin negotiations with the Diocese of Chicago to disassociate from the Episcopal Church and seek other Anglican oversight. It was a difficult and agonizing decision, but we believe it was right and necessary."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"Taken together, these changes point toward a re-definition of the leadership role expected and needed from chairs. The proposed re-definition has been appropriately conceived by the continuing and incoming administration using the above change factors along with the input received from staff, including members of the Teachers’ Association, and other districts in the 2001 study"
"On November 1, 2005, the Board approved a motion that reads in part: “That a form of flexible, floating schedule, or some modified alternative acceptable to the Board, be implemented effective with the 2007-08 school year.” In the same motion, the Board created a Schedule Collaboration Committee to plan the implementation of a schedule acceptable to the Board."
Sen
Durbin"The state-of-the-art plane we're welcoming today reinforces and strengthens the presence of the 932nd Airlift Wing here at Scott Air Force Base. The transition from the C-9 to the C-40 mission will help keep more than 1,000 reservists and civilians employed at 932nd Airlift Wing."
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 Friday, March 2, 2007 for: Army Sgt. Pedro J. Colon, United States Army"
"Coming down can be an experience with locked-up brakes and plenty of momentum, he said. Robiadek agreed, although his sled was rolling down. "That one was just going like a barrel down that hill," he said."
Cable
ComChannel 17
"It's another week of winter concerts on Channel 17. With the exception of a few regular programs, we're broadcasting nothing but winter concerts from WCCHS. You'll see choirs, bands and orchestras! Tune in all week and enjoy some of the finest music programs on tv."
"It may not be gardening season just yet, but there’s more than plants already growing at We Grow Dreams Greenhouse and Garden Center in West Chicago. "
Peace
group urges Hastert to vote 'no' on war escalation"With three officers standing guard outside and one inside U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert's Batavia office, a group of war protesters Thursday tried to hand the congressman letters opposing the Iraq war and sending more troops into combat."
Sen
Durbin"I think we left with a common purpose - to try to find a way to bring these resources together to make sure that all of downstate Illinois has the best broadband Internet access as possible, as quickly as possible," Durbin said.
Sen.
Obama"Now Chandra, who was defeated in the primary last year, has joined some heavyweights in the Indian American community - including San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris - who have jumped early on the "Barack Obama for President" bandwagon."
Proposal
by Obama on Public Financing Appears to Gain - New York Times"But Mr. Obama, campaigning on pledges to clean up politics, argued in his filing with the commission that the public financing system had insulated candidates from a corrupting dependence on big donors. He asserted that the system could be preserved for the general election through bipartisan agreement if party nominees returned early contributions."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"Community High School District 94, in West Chicago, will be hosting a community wide reception to welcome their new principal Dr. Moses Cheng and his wife Anne. This reception is scheduled for Thursday, April 12th from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the Learning Resource Center at the high school. The high school is located at 326 Joliet Street in West Chicago. Please arrive at entrance H, located on the far south side of the building."
WILDCAT CHILI FEST"The Wildcat Booster Club is sponsoring the first WEGO Chili-fest which will be held on Thursday, March 1st, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., in the cafeteria. The purpose of this event is to foster school spirit and raise funds to place a mural over Entrance “C” of Community High School. Door prizes, bean bag toss (bags) and karokee will be part of this special evening too! Tickets: $5.00 per person (available for sale on Thursdays in Commons during lunch hours)."
WC
Public Library- Arbor Avenue Antiques of West Chicago
- Fresh Flower Arranging
"One way to get around the time crunch is to offer an immersion program that involves a partial or full day of learning other subjects in a foreign language. Some districts offer a dual, or two-way, immersion in which native English speakers are in class with students who speak another language. West Chicago Elementary District 33 is in its sixth year of a dual-language program at Gary Elementary School."
"... the Illinois system allows employees who retire to collect benefits as long as they are not working in public education in Illinois. Superintendents and teachers are free to go to another state, earn a salary and continue collecting their retirements."
West
Chicago Police Dept.
"Over several months the 4 suspects were allegedly responsible for defacing approximately 27 various businesses and residential areas. They were allegedly responsible for thousands of dollars worth of damages. "
- Enthusiastic Teacher, DCFS qualified, for School Age Childcare
- Hrs 2:30 to 6:00pm daily + school days off.
- Call Ann 630-231-5849. or Fax/e-mail resume Trinity Lutheran School: 630-231-6926 or school@trinitywc.com.
- Chicago Bulls vs. LA Clippers
- Chicago Shamrox Pro LaCrosse vs. Edmonton Rush
- W.A.G. “Annie Get Your Gun”
- W.A.G. Sign Says Gone Fishin’
Sen
JohnMillner
"Known as “The 7% Solution” the measure, Senate Bill 13, will cap the annual assessment increase in Cook County at 7% for another three years. The bill also contains provisions for homestead related relief for returning veterans."
"St. John Lutheran Church and School, long a fixture at the corner of Main Street and Seminary Avenue, is buying the Wheaton Bible Church property one block to the north. Wheaton Bible Church will vacate the site next year when the congregation moves to its new, 46-acre campus off North Avenue near West Chicago."
"As an artist and one of the city’s alderman, Mr. Peterson carved the big, heavy wooden city seal that hangs above the dais in City Hall. In addition to his elected duties, Mr. Peterson also was a founding member of the Friends of the West Chicago History Museum and past commander of American Legion Post 300 in West Chicago."
"But Kirk cautioned that the window for catching a glimpse of the birds is closing, as the eagles have begun plotting their return trips to the North Woods, where open water and, in turn, warm prey abound."
"The DuPage County Forest Preserve Commission agreed Tuesday to buy 20 acres near West Chicago at a fraction of its appraised value from a longtime advocate for conservation causes in the county."
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 Tuesday, February 27, 2007 for: Army Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs, United States Army"
"Snowmobiles are plenty powerful enough to drive straight up Chippewa Hill at Copper Peak, said Don Flint, a Copper Peak board member. The challenge when drivers have to navigate up the 600-foot hill with a 37 percent grade with the twists and turns of a slalom ski race, dodging gates. Very few make it up, Flint said."
"Other Illinois districts received their AYP report card months ago. Community High’s status has been “suppressed,” Rieck said, because the testing company “has made some kind of error.” “They may have lost one test sheet from a student,” Rieck said. “That could be the difference between making AYP and not.”
GovernorBlagojevich
"Purchasing AIG’s current facilities – commonly known as the Franklin Life complex – will allow state property management experts to consolidate many Illinois State Police functions being managed throughout the capital city, and transition additional agencies into the remaining space as an important initiative that will increase efficiency and reduce administrative costs."
WegoWeb
Sorry folks. My temperature is 102.6 and this is a one man project. There is nobody to take over and I don't feel up to working on it tonight. If I feel better tomorrow, I will catch up. - Bob
Sen
JohnMillner
“I anticipate this committee will review some of the most controversial and important legislation this session. I pledge to use my background and training to consider each and every measure carefully while keeping my constituents, and how the legislation will affect them, foremost in my mind.”
"DuPage County Forest Preserve District commissioners Tuesday agreed to purchase 20 acres and a residence near West Chicago that would be used as a environmental education center for older adults."
Sen
Durbin"Durbin says he is deeply concerned about Guard readiness on the homefront. He says the Illinois Guard's supply of Humvees and light trucks is just over a third of what the Guard should have to be at full readiness. It has less than half the number of heavy trucks it should have, about a tenth of its night vision goggles and GPS receivers, and less than half of the radios it needs for full readiness."
Sen.
Obama“It’s not a very big thing to say, ‘I made a mistake’ on the war, and typical of Hillary Clinton that she can’t,” Mr. Geffen says. “She’s so advised by so many smart advisers who are covering every base. I think that America was better served when the candidates were chosen in smoke-filled rooms.”
Rep
Hastert"Offered by the Department of Homeland Security under its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, the grants typically provide 90 percent of funding for improvements to department services, and require a 10 percent local match. Using that formula, the Cortland Fire Protection District was awarded $38,860. "
“I’ve spent my entire career on the Hill — this is a natural time for me to move on,” he said. “I’ve spoken to some people in the private sector and in the [Bush] administration; I’ve received a very positive response.”
GovernorBlagojevich
“We’ve offered an affordable plan to achieve our goal of relieving congestion across the Mississippi River without charging drivers tolls. I look forward to meeting with Governor Blunt in the near future so we can work together to make this bridge a reality.”
“We’ve made great strides to make sure our state is prepared for an emergency. Now, other states will have the opportunity to learn from our model to keep people safe,”
City
ofWest Chicago
The regular meeting scheduled for this evening has been cancelled. The text revisions scheduled for hearing will be postponed to the next meeting on March 6th. [ If so much as one of the 500+ people who read this would like to see the changes and calls to tell me so, I will post a draft copy of the proposed text. - Bob]
WegoWeb
- Fortner, Mike - H-095
- Hultgren, Randy - S-048
- Millner, John - S-028
- Ramey, Randy - H-055
"Cindi Swanson, of The Arc referral agency, noted that Illinois has money and it just needs to be redirected. Instead of spending $140,000 per year for one institutionalized person under the current system, the state could spend far less supporting the same individuals living in homes, she said."
"NIU will recruit African-American and Hispanic students from Aurora and Elgin, where their populations are larger and the partnering hospitals are located. Senior nursing students from the DeKalb campus will travel to the suburban sites on a regular basis to be tutors. The grant also will purchase 40 laptop computers to compensate for the lack of computer labs at the hospitals."
"By 2020, the nurse shortage is expected to increase from its current level of 150,000 to 800,000."
Sen.
Obama"On the February 19th edition of Paula Zahn Now, guest host Kyra Phillips, well known for her restroom comments, confused Senator Barack Obama with the world’s most wanted terrorist. When interviewing African American film maker John Ridley on Obama’s standing in the black community, Phillips posed this question.
Kyra Phillips: "What do you think is Osama bin - is, is Obama - boy that was a terrible slip of the tongue, right? Barack Obama, is he that new leader?""
GovernorBlagojevich
“The passport denial program allows us to hold-up deadbeat parents’ ability to travel until they’ve agreed to a plan that fulfills their financial obligation to their children. It’s one more way we can make sure Illinois’ children get the support they deserve.”
"Metra, which operates Chicago's commuter rail system, recorded 84.3 million passenger trips in 2006, the most in the company's history, and a 5.2 percent increase over 2005, officials said. Meanwhile, passengers increased by 69 percent on newly expanded Amtrak routes between Chicago and St. Louis, Carbondale and Quincy, state officials said."
Sen
Durbin"For example, they said, FDA has jurisdiction over frozen cheese pizza, and inspects cheese pizza processors once every 10 years on average. On the other hand, USDA has responsibility over frozen pepperoni pizza, and inspects such processors daily. "
Sen.
Obama"The implication is false, and the article is misleading. At no point in the work does Obama take "singular" credit for initiating and leading efforts on the Atlgeld asbestos problem. In fact, those who worked with him confirm that he preferred a background role in the matter, refusing to claim credit or even be in pictures taken of the community group."
Wounded
and waiting - Army Times"In 2001, 10 percent of soldiers going through the medical retirement process received permanent disability benefits. In 2005, with two wars raging, that percentage dropped to 3 percent, according to the Government Accountability Office. Reservists dropped from 16 percent to 5 percent. Soldiers go to VA to try for more benefits, but the department had a staggering 400,000-case backup on new claims in fiscal 2006, according to VA."
Cable
ComChannel 17
"CableCom, West Chicago's Channel 17, is pleased to announce that this week is WCCHS Band Week. With the exception of our regular broadcasts of the City Council Meeting, COD's Images and COD's Career Paths, all programs this week will be WCCHS Band Concerts. Please tune in and enjoy some of the best band music you're ever going to hear. Don't forget to support the WCCHS Music Department by attending the various choir, band and orchestra concerts helt throughout the school year."
Duckworth's
anxiety over husband's mission"Tammy Duckworth knows what it's like to go off to war - and by month's end she'll know what it's like to watch a loved one do the same."
"Not only do they work together, radio show co-hosts Lisa Dent and Ray Stevens live near each other. Stevens calls Batavia home, while Dent lives just west of town on a farm. Stevens grew up in nearby West Chicago."
Sen
Durbin"It shows that 85 percent of the counties in Illinois had an increase in the number of people in poverty compared to a similar study last year. The study also shows that nearly 700,000 people in the state live in "extreme poverty." Extreme poverty is defined by households living on an annual income of less than half the poverty line."
Sen.
Obama"Whatever the motivations for the dismissals of Obama by some South Carolina pols, the senator seems to be doing fine in the state. He drew a crowd of more than 2,000 in Orangeburg Saturday. And he had a message for the naysayers. "At every turn in our history, there's been somebody who said we can't," Obama told an overwhelmingly African-America audience at Claflin University."
"People in the U.S. know more about basic science today than they did two decades ago, good news that researchers say is tempered by an unsettling growth in the belief in pseudoscience such as astrology and visits by extraterrestrial aliens."
[Chemistry was easier when I was a kid. There were fewer elements. - Bob]
West
Chicago points to new Starbucks as proof it has arrived"The new Starbucks is a symbol of the city’s progress, acting Mayor Michael Kwasman said. “We’ve been told for years, ‘Not in West Chicago.’ Well, it’s here now,” he said. “It means that we have arrived to the retailer that looks at our town as one with spendable income.”
Obama
draws crowds, cheers in South Carolina"Obama was keenly aware of the significance of appearing before a crowd in Columbia just a few days after a black South Carolina legislator said if Obama won the nomination, it would lead to losses for Democrats in Congress and governorships."
"Everyone was very relieved," said spokesman Judy Jackson, noting that it wasn't just the lab employees waiting for word on the budget, but also researchers hoping to use the Tevatron, the lab's massive particle collider, for their experiments."
"DENNIS HASTERT, the former speaker of the House, didn't fly commercial when he went home to his district in Illinois. He flew securely on a military plane, nonstop, often accompanied by two to three staff members, two members of the Capitol Police and his wife. And no one said a word."
Sun-Times
Duckworth's
husband Iraq-bound"While the assignment poses most of the same issues for Duckworth and Bowlsbey as it does for other deployed soldiers and their loved ones, it also creates some unique challenges for the couple, given the sacrifice that Duckworth already has made. Obviously, not everybody going to Iraq will leave behind a wife who lost both legs and partial use of an arm in a helicopter crash during her own deployment there, though Duckworth doesn't see it as an issue."
Sen
Durbin"Consumers Union commends Senator Richard Durbin and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for their leadership in introducing the Safe Food Act, a bill that will establish a single food agency with enhanced powers."
Sen.
Obama"On MSNBC's Chris Matthews Show, Matthews hosted a discussion of Obama's decision to run for President. "No history of Jim Crow, no history of anger, no history of slavery," Matthews opined. "All the bad stuff in our history ain't there with this guy." Not true, I thought. The "bad stuff in our history" rests heavily upon each and every one of us. It shapes us all, whether me, Matthews, Obama, Biden -- or Amadou Diallo, the decent, hard-working Guinean immigrant without any American racial "history," who died in a hail of bullets fired by New York City police officers because he looked like what the officers, groaning with racial "baggage," imagined to be a criminal."
"But almost immediately after making the announcement, the junior senator from Illinois faced a big question: "Whether his voting record actually is in anyway indicative of the policy platforms that he's going to come out with,” said Professor Robert Bradley of Illinois State University."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"The Wildcat Booster Club, of Community High School District 94 in West Chicago, will welcome, at their monthly meeting, the incoming principal Dr. Moses Cheng. This will take place on Monday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 197 at Community High School."
City
ofWest Chicago
The agenda for the West Chicago City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, Feb 19th, has been posted at the city web site.
"The City of West Chicago, 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois 60185 is proposing various text amendments to the City of West Chicago Zoning Ordinance."
[I have read the draft proposal but want to ask, why is there going to be a public hearing about a change in a policy that few have read to text that has not been sent to anybody? Who has asked for cleaner city ordinances about an "Above Ground Service Facility"? - Bob]
Sen.
Obama"Endorsing a candidate this early is no ordinary occurrence in the Iowa caucuses - but Barack Obama is no ordinary candidate. He spoke out in opposition to the war in Iraq before it started, and today he has an aggressive plan to redeploy our troops out of Iraq by the end of March of 2008.
Rep
Hastert"If we abandon Iraq today, we will leave behind a nation in perpetual instability and embolden the terrorists to expand their operation and better position themselves for attacks against the United States."
"Six House members — including former speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. — did not vote."
Rep Peter Roskam“If we raise the minimum wage without protecting small businesses, it would create more problems than it would solve,” concluded Roskam. “These employers would have to either raise their prices and pass that onto consumers, layoff employees, or force employees to work fewer hours."
GovernorBlagojevich
"This program will help prepare our children to avoid potential dangers as they use chat rooms, instant messages, and conduct research online,”
WegoWeb
"The gates will open at 7:00 a.m. CST.
Competition begins at 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
Tickets: Adults: $10.00, Students: $5.00 (Age 6 to 14), Free: Age 5 and Under"
L
awmakers
push to pull plug on W. Chicago tax"State Sen. John Millner and state Rep. Randy Ramey have introduced identical legislation in the Illinois Senate and House that would eliminate the DuPage Water Commission’s sales tax in West Chicago."
"Rodriguez pleaded guilty last month to aggravated DUI — a felony punishable by probation or three to 14 years in prison. The motorist said she thinks about her friend every day and lives with constant shame."
"The true challenge for people attending is to make the decision as to which recipe is the tastiest. After sampling and discussing, they vote for their favorite, with the winning fire department receiving the People's Choice Award. Last year the true crowd pleaser was West Chicago."
"The West Chicago Fire Protection District is holding an informational presentation concerning the referendum to construct two new fire stations and to provide extra manpower to staff the stations to help lower emergency response times."
Plane
lands safely after scare"A midsize plane was forced to circle the DuPage Airport in West Chicago around midday Thursday, dumping fuel in preparation of an emergency landing, an airport official said. The plane landed safely and no one was injured, said Mike Masciola, director of business development and marketing for the DuPage Airport Authority."
Sen
Durbin"Minority neighborhoods, the elderly and low-income communities bear disproportionate environmental risks and hazards and the investments and benefits to fix these problems are not equally distributed. This bill changes that by requiring the EPA to act to protect these communities from additional sources of pollution."
"On January 18, CMS proposed a rule that would impact more than 57 million Americans and 2 million Illinoisans who rely on the Medicaid program, as well as health care providers who deliver essential services to them."
"As the cost of health care, education, housing and utilities continue to rise, month after month, year after year, wages don't keep pace and the number facing poverty grows. There are things we can do to cut poverty in our state and nation."
Sen.
Obama"His racial background, along with his liberal position on issues captured the imagination of Americans, especially those from other ethnic groups. "Barack has a unique background in terms of his own heritage that I think sensitizes him to issues in a way that is not true with other candidates," said Lisa Madigan, Illinois attorney-general."
"By far, the biggest recent surprise is that it turns out Senator Barack Obama isn't black. I could have sworn he was, observing him at both large and small events. But I don't count. I can check out the relative merits of a venti coffee versus a Golden Arches' decaf, but not who high-profile leaders in the African-American community find acceptable."
GovernorBlagojevich
"In a 6-4 vote on Tuesday night, the Kansas state board of education deleted language from teaching guidelines that challenged the validity of evolutionary theory, and approved new phrasing in line with mainstream science. It was seen as a victory for a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats, science educators and parents who had fought for two years to overturn the earlier guidelines."
"In West Chicago Middle School, where I am, we don’t have 10 percent worth of empty seats. I’m not sure where that 10 percent would come from. … Another issue is they are going to force schools that might be performing well to accept 10 percent of the highest at-risk students from other places. That sounds fine, but now you continue to hold that very school accountable to meet all the requirements of No Child Left Behind by adding to its at-risk population."
"AURORA -- City historic preservation officials are hoping to save a 90-year-old one-room schoolhouse on the far East Side from the wrecking ball. But they need some help to do it."
[Has anybody heard anything about the McCauley school lately? After the water damage, did D33 make repairs? - Bob]
Sen
Durbin"Today, we are calling on the Administration and the CDC to address a new extremely drug resistant strain of TB that poses a threat both at home and abroad. This is not something that we can afford to drag our feet on; we must act quickly so we can prevent future outbreaks."
"The Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) at Rock Island Arsenal recently produced 6,500 interim Frag Kit 5 units for use in Iraq and Afghanistan, and maintains the capability to immediately produce additional kits."
Sen.
Obama"I think there's consensus among most Democrats that we shouldn't put more troops in, but I think where the American people are at and what I think good strategy dictates is that we begin the process of redeploying our troops. And that's the critical question that's going to be asked repeatedly I think in this election over the next two years."
"She says she's heard it all: "He is not experienced enough, he should wait his turn. He is too young, he is not black enough, he is not white enough ... he is too articulate." But Michelle Obama calls all of those claims "mere distractions." She says her husband is a leader and that's what this nation needs right now."
Rep
Hastert“The allocation of these dollars will result in improved protection for residents and a safer operating environment for our firefighters. It is important that we continue to provide them with the resources necessary to respond to emergencies and to ultimately save lives,”
"From defending our country on the battlefields of Vietnam to working in Congress to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans, Charlie Norwood dedicated his life to service – and our nation is better today because of his efforts."
GovernorBlagojevich
“The impact of global warming in Illinois and around the globe could be devastating, and we can’t wait for the federal government to act because scientists worldwide have warned that we must address climate change within the next decade to avoid serious and irreversible consequences,”
ElementaryDistrict 33
[This is from a flyer from District 33 and includes schedule and reservation form for an evening at the West Chicago Middle School on Feb 22nd. - Bob]
West
ChicagoHigh School
"In light of today's school closing, tonight's ACT prep course has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for a later date.
Maura Bridges, LCPC
Counselor/Department Chairperson"
"Community High School District 94 is CLOSED Tuesday, February 13, 2007 due to weather conditions."
"Now, a new study commissioned by the airport authority projects the DuPage Airport and the tech park under development on its property will add as much as $1.6 billion to the local economy by 2011."
"“We’ve been told the last time that you didn’t have any problems,” he said. “Now, per the police department, it seems that there have been hundreds of calls. That raises questions in my mind.” Biefuss said 250 hours of police time would be a significant drain that may reduce response times in other areas."
Sen
Durbin"The new STARCOM radios will help firefighters, EMTs, police and other emergency officials communicate with each other no matter where a disaster strikes. It will save lives and help protect Illinoisans. The first phase of federal funding has equipped 2000 first responders with essential radios. Now we must move forward."
"Illinois farmers stand ready and willing to contribute to America's energy security and independence," said Durbin. "When we use our state's agricultural products to create renewable fuels, we reduce our dependence on foreign suppliers while helping our farmers by increasing demand for their crops."
West
ChicagoHigh School
"Attached to this note is a membership application for Boosters. I would ask you to consider becoming a member. The purpose of Wildcat Boosters is to promote unity, camaraderie, sportsmanship, to assist in fundraising, to encourage school and community spirit, and to support extracurricular activities at Community High School."
"Your child will be learning in a safe and fun environment. They will become "little scientists" as they explore the hands-on area, dramatic play, art and more! Some group time lessons will include learning the alphabet, American Sign Language and exploring different cultures around the world."
"This year, more than 500 students will be bussed after Prom to Navy pier to experience a moonlight cruise of Lake Michigan aboard the Odyssey. Our goal is to subsidize the cost of this event. How can you help?"
"The line went through Elgin from Turner Junction (now West Chicago) instead, which in the end gave Elgin the advantage as the neighboring town grew at a rate St. Charles residents had not thought possible. Realizing their mistake, the village funded a branch line connecting with this new main line."
Sen
Durbin