From the Illinois Department of Transportation
SPRINGFIELD – As the 2009 highway construction season gets underway, Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig announced that work zone fatalities are down 29.6 percent compared to 2003. Aggressive law enforcement and education campaigns and significant improvements to work zone safety traffic control reduced Illinois work zone fatalities from 44 in 2003, including 5 workers, to provisionally 31 with 2 workers killed in 2008.
At events in Chicago, Champaign, Metro East and Rock Island, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois State Police (ISP), the Illinois Tollway reminded drivers to slow down and be alert in work zones. Work zone safety advocates will conduct outreach activities at rest areas across the state on Friday as part of the 10th Anniversary of National Work Zone Awareness Week which runs April 6-10, 2009.
“Thanks to strict enforcement by ISP and cooperation from the public, we have made steady progress in protecting people in work zones,” said Acting Secretary Hannig. “Our goal is to protect the lives of the many dedicated workers who are improving our roadways, as well as drivers and passengers traveling through work zones.”
Following an alarming spike in work zone fatalities in 2003, the State of Illinois convened a Work Zone Safety Task Force which recommended a number of steps to reduce work zone crashes and improve highway work zone safety; including stiffer penalties for speeding in a work zone and photo enforcement of speed limits within work zones. From the high 44 work zone fatalities, including five workers, in 2003, the state recorded 38 work zone fatalities, including two workers, in 2004; 25, including one worker, in 2005; 29, including one worker, in 2006; and 21, including two workers, in 2007. Under the toughened work zone speeding fines that took effect in 2004, first time offenders face a $375 fine; second time offenders face a $1,000 fine and the loss of their drivers’ license for 90 days.
"The Illinois State Police is committed to ensuring the safety of workers and motorists during the upcoming construction season," said Acting ISP Director Jonathon E. Monken. "Troopers will be strictly enforcing work zone speed limits and the "move over" law which requires motorists to slow down and, if possible, change lanes when approaching police, emergency or construction vehicles displaying flashing warning lights. We will continue to utilize tools, such as the Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau and photo enforcement, to help reduce injuries and fatalities on our roadways."
“When you see a work zone, slow down and drive with caution, said John Penn, Vice President and Regional Manager of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. “The men and women working in construction zones have families to go home to and we want to urge everyone to drive through work zones as if one of these workers were members of your family.”
“Enforcement efforts by the ISP have played a critical role in keeping workers and motorists safe during the massive roadway rebuilding and widening projects underway across the 286-mile Illinois Tollway system,” said Illinois Tollway Acting Executive Director Michael T. King. “By the end of this construction season, the Illinois Tollway will have completed more than 80 percent of the $6.3 billion Congestion-Relief Program improvements. We thank drivers for slowing down and paying attention in work zones over the past four years and ask for their patience and cooperation again this year.”
In Illinois, there are, on average, more than 7,000 crashes in highway work zones every year, resulting in approximately 2,600 injuries.
Photo speed enforcement vans operated by State Police Troopers were deployed for the first time in the 2006 construction season. Four vans will be active this construction season at various locations throughout the state. Troopers have issued over 7,200 citations since implementation of the program.
The marked white photo speed enforcement vans are equipped with the latest in photo radar technology designed to record the speed of vehicles and to capture clear images of the driver and the license plate. Tickets are sent by certified mail to drivers within 14 business days and court appearance is mandatory.
The vans are staffed by specially trained State Police Troopers and are used in work zones where workers are present. Signs will be placed in project locations where photo speed enforcement will be occurring.
These vans are an additional state of the art enforcement tool that helps reduce fatalities in work zones. Motorists, as well as workers, are at risk when driving in work zones due to configurations that can include narrower lanes, lane shifts, pavement edge drop-offs, closed shoulders and lane closures. Driving at slower speeds allows motorists more time to react to changed conditions.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Statements of Gov Quinn at O'Hare Following the Indictment of Rod Blagojevich
NOTES TAKEN FROM GOV QUINN'S NEWS CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO
... My Apologies for any typo's or mis-quotes of Gov Quinn
The defendants all of them are entitled to their day in court as is the American way. The evidence will decide this case the people of our country voice leaving it to juries to go through with kind and sensitive judgment deciding the guilt or innocence of any defendant.
I take seriously the responsibility of overhauling government to be improving the government is an ongoing task and it's what the people want me to do. It's my responsisbilites to carry out reforms and that's what I'm doing every day.
I understand what the mission is ...I'm prepared to do whatever necessary to clean up our government and I think the people have confidence in my ability to lead the charge.
... My Apologies for any typo's or mis-quotes of Gov Quinn
The defendants all of them are entitled to their day in court as is the American way. The evidence will decide this case the people of our country voice leaving it to juries to go through with kind and sensitive judgment deciding the guilt or innocence of any defendant.
I take seriously the responsibility of overhauling government to be improving the government is an ongoing task and it's what the people want me to do. It's my responsisbilites to carry out reforms and that's what I'm doing every day.
I understand what the mission is ...I'm prepared to do whatever necessary to clean up our government and I think the people have confidence in my ability to lead the charge.
Rod Blagojecivh Indicted on 16 Felony counts
LINK TO PRESS RELEASE ON THE INDICTMENTS
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2009/pr0402_01.pdf
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was indicted today the the US Attorney for Northern Illinois, Patrick Fitzgerald. As the world knows, it was the arrest of Gov Blagojevich on Dec 9, 2008 that led to his impeachment by the Illinois Legislature in January.
Gov Patrick Quinn speaking at a press conference at O'Hare Field, Called this "A Sad Day for Illinois." Gov Quinn said this is why he will continue to push ahead with his reforms, designed to clean up Illinois politics and end pay to play.
Rod Blagojecivh was indicted on 16 Felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion and conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents.
As noted in the press release issued by the United States attorney, Gov. Blagojevich allegedly used his office in numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and pension fund investments to seek for octane such financial benefits as money, campaign contributions, and employment for himself and others, in exchange for official actions, including trying to leverage his authority to a point a United States senator.
John Harris, Blagojevich his chief of staff from late 2005 until December 2008, is charged with a single count of wire fraud. Harris has authorized the government to disclose that he has agreed to cooperate with the United States Atty.'s office in the prosecution of this case.
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2009/pr0402_01.pdf
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was indicted today the the US Attorney for Northern Illinois, Patrick Fitzgerald. As the world knows, it was the arrest of Gov Blagojevich on Dec 9, 2008 that led to his impeachment by the Illinois Legislature in January.
Gov Patrick Quinn speaking at a press conference at O'Hare Field, Called this "A Sad Day for Illinois." Gov Quinn said this is why he will continue to push ahead with his reforms, designed to clean up Illinois politics and end pay to play.
Rod Blagojecivh was indicted on 16 Felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion and conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents.
As noted in the press release issued by the United States attorney, Gov. Blagojevich allegedly used his office in numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and pension fund investments to seek for octane such financial benefits as money, campaign contributions, and employment for himself and others, in exchange for official actions, including trying to leverage his authority to a point a United States senator.
John Harris, Blagojevich his chief of staff from late 2005 until December 2008, is charged with a single count of wire fraud. Harris has authorized the government to disclose that he has agreed to cooperate with the United States Atty.'s office in the prosecution of this case.
Statement from Senate President John Cullerton on the Senate Passage of a Capital Jumpstart Plan
From the Office of Senate President John Cullerton
“Today we took a major step forward on the road to recovery for our crumbling infrastructure and economy in Illinois.
The capital jumpstart passed today gives the green light for $3 billion in bonds for roads and transit projects that are desperately needed across the state. We will appropriate $450 million to immediately start working on roads, an additional $150 million for emergency repairs in local communities, and $40 million in neglected commitments from the previous administration.
Starting this May, we will pave the way for a larger capital plan by bringing our current roads up to standard. By repairing existing infrastructure thorugh the current plan, we will be in a better position to expand that infrastructure with new projects in the comprehensive plan that we will pass later in the session.
The last few years of capital plan development have been filled with false starts. This capital jumpstart signals that it is truly a new day in Illinois. We have recognized that it’s time to move beyond the partisan rhetoric that fueled failure in the past, and move forward with bipartisan cooperation for a better future.
Instead of injecting politics into the road repair process we will to rely on the expert advice of IDOT engineers. Unlike capital improvement proposals of the past, this plan puts the most critical needs for road and transit improvements first.
We still have a long road ahead of us are we develop and pass larger capital package. But I want to commend my fellow senators and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno for laboring with me in this bipartisan effort to stimulate the economy and support jobs now.
“Today we took a major step forward on the road to recovery for our crumbling infrastructure and economy in Illinois.
The capital jumpstart passed today gives the green light for $3 billion in bonds for roads and transit projects that are desperately needed across the state. We will appropriate $450 million to immediately start working on roads, an additional $150 million for emergency repairs in local communities, and $40 million in neglected commitments from the previous administration.
Starting this May, we will pave the way for a larger capital plan by bringing our current roads up to standard. By repairing existing infrastructure thorugh the current plan, we will be in a better position to expand that infrastructure with new projects in the comprehensive plan that we will pass later in the session.
The last few years of capital plan development have been filled with false starts. This capital jumpstart signals that it is truly a new day in Illinois. We have recognized that it’s time to move beyond the partisan rhetoric that fueled failure in the past, and move forward with bipartisan cooperation for a better future.
Instead of injecting politics into the road repair process we will to rely on the expert advice of IDOT engineers. Unlike capital improvement proposals of the past, this plan puts the most critical needs for road and transit improvements first.
We still have a long road ahead of us are we develop and pass larger capital package. But I want to commend my fellow senators and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno for laboring with me in this bipartisan effort to stimulate the economy and support jobs now.
Lincoln Land Com College Hosts Student Journalism Conference
SPRINGFIELD – More than 150 student journalists and advisors are expected to attend the Illinois Community College Journalism Association spring conference hosted by Lincoln Land Community College April 9 and 10. The conference will be held at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield.
On Thursday, conference attendees will tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and later hear a keynote address by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune.
During workshops on Friday, students will learn from professionals at The State Journal-Register, The Illinois Times and faculty presenters on subjects including feature writing, photography and newspaper design. The annual awards luncheon will be held at noon, honoring student journalists’ work in writing, photography and design.
More information is available from Brenda Protz, LLCC assistant professor of speech and journalism, at 786.2589.
On Thursday, conference attendees will tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and later hear a keynote address by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune.
During workshops on Friday, students will learn from professionals at The State Journal-Register, The Illinois Times and faculty presenters on subjects including feature writing, photography and newspaper design. The annual awards luncheon will be held at noon, honoring student journalists’ work in writing, photography and design.
More information is available from Brenda Protz, LLCC assistant professor of speech and journalism, at 786.2589.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Durbin: CPSIA Most Important Consumer Legislation in more than 30 Years
From the Office of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPISA) – a measure signed into law last year which gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) new authorities and resources and significantly strengthens its ability to protect Americans from defective and unsafe products.
“In the last few years, dozens of children were killed and thousands more injured because of dangerous toys on our store shelves. Recall after recall had many in Congress wondering if America’s consumer watchdog agency had lost its bite.”
“In response, Congress passed, and President Bush signed, the bipartisan Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - virtually eliminating lead from toys and children’s products, providing new enforcement tools and requiring manufacturers to prove their products meet national safety standards before those products can be sold in stores.”
“Don’t be fooled. The CPSIA is the most important consumer legislation in more than thirty years. It has made consumers safer and the CPSC stronger. CPSC has the authority and the responsibility to offer guidance about the law’s implementation and its effect on industry. But above all else, it has a duty to place consumer safety over industry convenience.”
“Sadly, some at the CPSC are doing everything in their power to thwart effective implementation of this law. The same people who presided over the decline of the agency and resisted additional resources and authorities to strengthen its mission, are now refusing to apply commonsense interpretations to basic safety provisions in the CPSIA.”
Durbin chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and has been a leader in attempting to strengthen the beleaguered consumer watchdog agency. Last year, Durbin was instrumental in passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and was responsible for providing the largest funding increase in the history of the agency to help address critical staffing shortfalls, technology upgrades, and laboratory space needs.
Last week Durbin sent a letter to Nancy Nord, Acting Chairman of the CPSC, expressing concern with her recent comments criticizing new legislation, and showing continued resistance to modernizing and reforming the much maligned agency she leads. A copy of that letter is attached.
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPISA) – a measure signed into law last year which gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) new authorities and resources and significantly strengthens its ability to protect Americans from defective and unsafe products.
“In the last few years, dozens of children were killed and thousands more injured because of dangerous toys on our store shelves. Recall after recall had many in Congress wondering if America’s consumer watchdog agency had lost its bite.”
“In response, Congress passed, and President Bush signed, the bipartisan Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - virtually eliminating lead from toys and children’s products, providing new enforcement tools and requiring manufacturers to prove their products meet national safety standards before those products can be sold in stores.”
“Don’t be fooled. The CPSIA is the most important consumer legislation in more than thirty years. It has made consumers safer and the CPSC stronger. CPSC has the authority and the responsibility to offer guidance about the law’s implementation and its effect on industry. But above all else, it has a duty to place consumer safety over industry convenience.”
“Sadly, some at the CPSC are doing everything in their power to thwart effective implementation of this law. The same people who presided over the decline of the agency and resisted additional resources and authorities to strengthen its mission, are now refusing to apply commonsense interpretations to basic safety provisions in the CPSIA.”
Durbin chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government and has been a leader in attempting to strengthen the beleaguered consumer watchdog agency. Last year, Durbin was instrumental in passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and was responsible for providing the largest funding increase in the history of the agency to help address critical staffing shortfalls, technology upgrades, and laboratory space needs.
Last week Durbin sent a letter to Nancy Nord, Acting Chairman of the CPSC, expressing concern with her recent comments criticizing new legislation, and showing continued resistance to modernizing and reforming the much maligned agency she leads. A copy of that letter is attached.
Daley Puts 'Tax Swap' Concept Back on Table
From Jim Broadway, Publisher, State School News Service
The state's FY 2010 budget challenges just became even more complicated. For decades, all experts and blue-ribbon commissions studying how Illinois citizens pay for public services have arrived at the same conclusion: We rely too heavily on property taxes and not enough on state general revenue source, mainly the income tax. This imbalance cripples public services, mostly schools, where property values are low and over-burdens taxpayers where they are high.
As consequences, for example, at least one-third of Illinois schoolchildren are educated in cash strapped schools unable to meet their basic needs, while hundreds of thousands of moderate-income residents in high-property value areas are being taxed out of their homes. All experts' recommendations have called for a "tax swap" - lower property taxes and higher state taxes.
But that takes state action, and state officials are reluctant. For all the good property tax relief would do, they know they would not get credit for that; instead, they would just take the blame for the higher state taxes needed to make it possible. Thus, to address the state fiscal black hole confronting the state in the coming FY 2010, Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a relatively small 1.5-percentage point increase in the state income tax - and no tax swap.
Combined with federal stimulus money, that would close the $11.5 billion state deficit and put the state on a strong footing to fund state obligations in coming years. But it would do nothing for property taxpayers, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says it is "unacceptable." He also objects to Quinn's plan to keep all revenue from his tax increase at the state level rather than sharing 10% of it with local governments as has been the law for decades.
Daley is just one more voice in the policy process, but his is a very powerful voice. With a quarter of the legislators representing his community, he exerts a huge influence on state policy. His position on the tax structure cannot be ignored.
What would it cost to add a tax-swap and maintain state-local revenue sharing in Quinn's budget?
The tax-swap alone would require about $3 billion in state funds. Let's guess the total impact of Daley's demands at about $3.5 billion. According to the most recent information on state tax proceeds [see pp. 54-62] it seems the state income tax on individuals would have to rise by 2 points, with a proportionate hike for corporations, for Daley to have his way.
That would seem to make a tax increase all but impossible to pass. But a letter is circulating now indicating that its signers will be reluctant to support any budget that does not include the tax swap Daley demands. Who signed that letter? - about 30 members of the Illinois Senate.
Complicating the argument is the fact that school leaders in areas with a huge property tax base are not keen on the swap notion. Although the citizens who fund their schools would benefit more than anyone in the state, they see the swap as a risk to their schools' funding. Tax relief for their taxpayers would rely on state funding for abatements. These school officials don't trust the state to keep its promises.
They don't feel state policymakers are very reliable. Imagine that.
At any rate, as they say at the Capitol, it's not soup yet. The legislators will finish out the week debating bills to beat Friday's third-reading deadline. Then they'll take two weeks off. Perhaps they'll confer with constituents. Perhaps they'll go some place and hide, as we all would be tempted to do. But when they return to the Capitol on April 21, they'll face five weeks of fury, more heavy lifting and politically risky votes than they've seen in six years.
Can they suck it up and get the job done by May 31? One way or another, they certainly will.
The state's FY 2010 budget challenges just became even more complicated. For decades, all experts and blue-ribbon commissions studying how Illinois citizens pay for public services have arrived at the same conclusion: We rely too heavily on property taxes and not enough on state general revenue source, mainly the income tax. This imbalance cripples public services, mostly schools, where property values are low and over-burdens taxpayers where they are high.
As consequences, for example, at least one-third of Illinois schoolchildren are educated in cash strapped schools unable to meet their basic needs, while hundreds of thousands of moderate-income residents in high-property value areas are being taxed out of their homes. All experts' recommendations have called for a "tax swap" - lower property taxes and higher state taxes.
But that takes state action, and state officials are reluctant. For all the good property tax relief would do, they know they would not get credit for that; instead, they would just take the blame for the higher state taxes needed to make it possible. Thus, to address the state fiscal black hole confronting the state in the coming FY 2010, Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a relatively small 1.5-percentage point increase in the state income tax - and no tax swap.
Combined with federal stimulus money, that would close the $11.5 billion state deficit and put the state on a strong footing to fund state obligations in coming years. But it would do nothing for property taxpayers, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says it is "unacceptable." He also objects to Quinn's plan to keep all revenue from his tax increase at the state level rather than sharing 10% of it with local governments as has been the law for decades.
Daley is just one more voice in the policy process, but his is a very powerful voice. With a quarter of the legislators representing his community, he exerts a huge influence on state policy. His position on the tax structure cannot be ignored.
What would it cost to add a tax-swap and maintain state-local revenue sharing in Quinn's budget?
The tax-swap alone would require about $3 billion in state funds. Let's guess the total impact of Daley's demands at about $3.5 billion. According to the most recent information on state tax proceeds [see pp. 54-62] it seems the state income tax on individuals would have to rise by 2 points, with a proportionate hike for corporations, for Daley to have his way.
That would seem to make a tax increase all but impossible to pass. But a letter is circulating now indicating that its signers will be reluctant to support any budget that does not include the tax swap Daley demands. Who signed that letter? - about 30 members of the Illinois Senate.
Complicating the argument is the fact that school leaders in areas with a huge property tax base are not keen on the swap notion. Although the citizens who fund their schools would benefit more than anyone in the state, they see the swap as a risk to their schools' funding. Tax relief for their taxpayers would rely on state funding for abatements. These school officials don't trust the state to keep its promises.
They don't feel state policymakers are very reliable. Imagine that.
At any rate, as they say at the Capitol, it's not soup yet. The legislators will finish out the week debating bills to beat Friday's third-reading deadline. Then they'll take two weeks off. Perhaps they'll confer with constituents. Perhaps they'll go some place and hide, as we all would be tempted to do. But when they return to the Capitol on April 21, they'll face five weeks of fury, more heavy lifting and politically risky votes than they've seen in six years.
Can they suck it up and get the job done by May 31? One way or another, they certainly will.
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