Friday, May 3, 2013
Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) will be going into surgery this morning to address a dislocated knee cap injury he sustained while participating in the annual softball game between the Illinois house and senate.
UPDATED: Friday, May 3, 4:55 p.m. Senator Matt Murphy underwent surgery at Northwest Community Hospital Friday morning, according to Patty Schuh, press secretary for Illinois senate Republicans. Schuh said Murphy had extensive surgical repair for a torn patellar tendon, and he is recovering at home and plans to be back to work as soon as possible. EARLIER: State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) is going into surgery this morning for a dislocated knee cap; Murphy was injured during the annual softball game between Illinois house and senate members on Wednesday in Springfield. "Senator Murphy sustained the injury and was taken away from the field by ambulance," said Patty Schuh, press secretary for Illinois senate Republicans. "We've had …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Illinois Senate OKs proposal for new casinos. The bill is now in the House.
State Sen. Terry Link's bill proposing expanded casino gambling in Illinois, including in Lake County, passed the Senate this week with a vote of 32 to 20. The bill, which proposes five new casinos, moved to the House Thursday. Prior to the Senate vote, Link told members the new casinos could generate an initial $1.2 billion for the deficit state, reported the Daily Herald. If approved, possible locations for a casino in Lake County include Park City, North Chicago and Waukegan. Senators representing Lake County who voted in favor of SB1739 were Democrat Terry Link, of Waukegan and Democrat Julie Morrison, of Deerfield. Voting no were Democrat Melinda Bush, of Grayslake and Republican Dan Duffy, of Lake Barrington, according to the vote …
The video was recorded during an event Sen. Murphy held in September 2012 called “Heroin Highway,” which aimed to raise awareness about the dangers heroin is presenting to the suburbs, particularly along highway I-290.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, May 2
State Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) announced that a video highlighting the threat of heroin in the Chicago suburbs has won a bronze Telly Award in the Non-Broadcast Government Relations category. Bronze is considered second place. The video was recorded during an event Sen. Murphy held in September 2012 called “Heroin Highway,” which aimed to raise awareness about the dangers heroin is presenting to the suburbs, particularly along highway I-290. “I’m pleased to hear that our message to keep people off of this deadly drug has received recognition by the Telly Awards,” Sen. Murphy said. “This is a real problem in the suburbs and as much exposure as this message can receive, the better. We must emphasize to our kids and loved ones that …
Friday, April 26, 2013
According to the American Lung Association's 2013 "State of the Air," Lake County gets an "F."
This week, the American Lung Association released its 2013 "State of the Air" report card and Lake County received an "F." Cook County also received an "F" but the other Chicago area collar counties (McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will) all received B's. Incinerator-Free Lake County has been trying to raise awareness with citizens and elected officials in Lake County that "our air quality is very poor and much worse than any of the other collar counties," said Barbara Klipp, the organization's co-founder and spokesperson. On Monday, Incinerator-Free Lake County will be speaking to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at a hearing in Chicago on behalf of Lake County residents, who are invited to attend. Incinerator-Free Lake County, along …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
A meet-and-greet will be held for the 6th District congressman on April 27.
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Thursday, April 25
Congressman Peter Roskam, (R-6th District) is opening a satellite office at Barrington’s Village Hall. Roskam will hold a meet-and-greet for constituents at the new office from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27. Roskam’s office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays with by-appointment hours Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Roskam’s main office is in West Chicago.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
New law increases senior homestead exemption, general homestead exemption.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, April 24
Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will reduce property tax bills for seniors across Illinois. Senate Bill 1894 raises the senior homestead exemption from $4,000 to $5,000 – potentially saving seniors up to more than $200 annually. This new exemption for seniors takes effect for Cook County this year. “The new law will reduce property tax bills for seniors across Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “This boost in savings will relieve some of the financial burden faced by seniors and working families, and help ensure no one struggles to stay in their home.” Sponsored by Senator Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) and Representative John Bradley (D-Marion), SB 1894 increases the Senior Homestead Exemption – property tax breaks for …
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart releases a surveillance video that purports to show a corrections officer didn't slip and fall as he claimed in a workers compensation claim.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart wants you to know he's keeping an eye on the "duty injury king" — a corrections officer known among his peers for submitting false injury claims while on the job — and others like him. The sheriff's office released a video tape Wednesday that purports to show the time and location where a corrections officer claimed he slipped and fell, injuring his back on Nov. 20. The officer is now suspended without pay, and the sheriff wants to press criminal charges. The sheriff's office's claim about the video states: On November 20th of last year a Correctional Officer submitted a false injury report claiming that he sustained a back injury while returning from transporting a detainee. He reported to other staff the he …
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
An increase in the Motor Fuel Tax or a new sales tax are proposed to help fund road improvements.
Illinois drivers are running on empty as they wait for improvements to traffic congestion. More funding for planned road improvements is needed, according to the Lake County Transportation Alliance (LCTA). The LCTA partnered with the Transportation for Illinois Coalition to bring the issue to community leaders. According to their information: Based on the current trajectory, Illinois will have around 5000 miles of road in a state of bad repair by FY 2018. The number in FY 1998 was around 2000 miles. Basically, roads are bad, and getting worse. Elected officials, transportation experts, business leaders, contractors and citizens all came together on April 22 at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake to discuss how to build …
Tax Filing and Payment Deadlines Pushed to Oct. 31, 2013.
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Tuesday, April 23
Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois businesses and individuals who file monthly, quarterly or annual returns and have been impacted by the flooding will have until Oct. 31 to file tax returns that were due on or after April 19. The extended deadline will provide much-needed relief for individuals and local businesses trying to file their returns or payments on time while recovering from the flood. “Families and businesses across Illinois need time to focus on rebuilding their businesses, homes and lives,” Governor Quinn said. “Once families have recovered, they can pull together the necessary paperwork to file and pay their taxes.” Taxpayers who opt to mail their deferred returns and payments should write Flood – April 2013 …
Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik received threatening anonymous letters during her re-election campaign.
Anonymous letters threatening to expose newly re-elected Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik for allegedly trading sex for political favors have now been turned over to federal authorities, reports the Lake County News-Sun, which has posted photos of the letters on its website. Gurnee Police confirmed it was a blackmail plot that began with letters being mailed to Kovarik in February. Some residents also received flyers made to look like a Daily Herald article, according to the News-Sun. Kovarik has vehemently denied the allegations and has called those responsible "cowards," reported the Daily Herald. The letters reportedly stated that if Kovarik did not withdraw from the election, details would be released to the media, according to the News-…
MIKETOUHY
6:42 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
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