News Items of Municipal Interest - January 26, 2012  Updated
Posted from Resources on Thursday January 26, 2012
Today's news items for January 26, 2012. Today's items include the topics of ambulance services, stormwater utility fees, liquor control, satellite dishes, electric deregulation, the economy, and more. More

Illinois Times: Municipal pensions eat more, but they’re still hungry
Posted on Thursday January 26, 2012
Illinois Times reports: Whether the city of Springfield is facing a pension crisis in police and firefighter retirement systems depends on who’s doing the talking. Mayor Mike Houston and Bill McCarty, director of the city’s budget and management office, say that while pension costs are always a concern, the city is in relatively good shape. More

Chicago Tribune: Senator Mark Kirk Suffers Stroke
Posted on Monday January 23, 2012
U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, 52, was hospitalized after suffering a stroke and underwent surgery today at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, his office said. Dr. Richard Fessler said Kirk was doing “quite well” after the surgery and is expected to recover cognitive functions. More

IIRA 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference March 7-8
Posted from Training & Events on Monday January 23, 2012
Practical solutions designed to address issues and offer strategies related to rural economic development are on the agenda for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs' 23rd Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference in March. More

National League of Cities President Urges Job Creation
Posted from Legislative on Thursday January 19, 2012
Ted Ellis, President of the National League of Cities and mayor of Bluffton, Indiana, recently issued a statement encouraging Congress to focus on job creation and strengthening of local economies. More

Daily Herald Editorializes In Support of PSEBA Reform
Posted from Legislative on Tuesday January 17, 2012
An editorial was published that calls on the General Assembly to introduce reforms into Illinois' Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA), which serves to provide health insurance premiums to police officers and firefighters killed or injured in the line of duty. This editorial provides insight on the importance of PSEBA, but also takes a closer look at technicalities to ensure that the program is functioning in the most efficient way. More

State Journal-Register: Lawmakers Named to Pension Reform Group
Posted from Legislative on Tuesday January 17, 2012
The State Journal-Register reports that the four legislative leaders have named representatives to Governor Quinn's pension reform working group. The four legislators include Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin), Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Des Plaines), and Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville). More

Chicago Tribune: City Unveils New Program to Combat Home Foreclosures
Posted from Legislative on Wednesday August 17, 2011
The Chicago Tribune reports that the City of Chicago is pursuing a new program to address the problem of rising home foreclosures. According to Mayor Emanuel, the program is designed to better coordinate the focus of non-profits, banks, and community groups. More

First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative to enlist Illinois
cities, villages and towns in the fight against childhood obesity.