News

As this is written, it’s 50 years since arguments were made before the US Supreme Court in “Engel v. Vitale,” which a couple of months later resulted in a clarification of the “separation of church and state.”

As this is written, some Catholic Bishops, including His Excellency, Bishop Daniel Jenky of the Diocese of Peoria, continue to not-so-subtly attack government and to portray the church as victims (despite US Catholics numbering more than 68 million people and 76% of the country saying they are Christians.)

The panelists talk about a federal appeals court ruling on Illinois' eavesdropping law.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Seventh Circuit US Court of Appeals in Chicago found the law “likely violates” the First Amendment. The court ordered authorities to stop enforcing it.

The law made it illegal to audio record police officers in public without their consent. Violators faced harsh prison sentences.

The matter became an issue because of the NATO summit scheduled to be held in Chicago on May 20 & 21, 2012.

The Shop Talk panelists questioned why police officers could not be recorded in public. They're supposed to be public servants who work in public areas.

Carthage residents will see a significant increase in water pressure by October. It's the result of a number of upgrades to the water system. They cost about $1 million.

Second-ward Alderman Gary Smith is recommending residents who are concerned about their pipes and water heaters to have them checked.

He said, “It'd give you a little time to save a couple of bucks. Maybe have a plumber come check things out if you're worried.”

The city currently has two water towers. The newer and taller tower is used only for storage. Over the summer, the city will slowly switch its water supply over entirely to the new tower. That will raise pressure from about 40 to 65 pounds per square inch.
 

Lee County could update a policy that affects every one of its employees.

Safety Coordinator BJ Stephens says she would like to do a complete re-write of the county’s safety plan.  She says it would cover every aspect of county government by creating a streamlined approach to handling issues that multiple departments must address.

Board of Supervisors Chairperson Janet Fife-LaFrenz says the goal is “to make our environment that our people work in and our residents come in to visit a very safe one.”

Fife-LaFrenz says a consolidated plan could also reduce the number of worker compensation claims.

Stephens says it could take months to complete the re-write.

The first step is for the Board of Supervisors to adopt a mission statement.

The Burlington School District is updating its policy on bullying and harassment.  The changes are based on a recent site visit by the Iowa Department of Education.

Human Resources Director Laurie Hempen says the agency wants Burlington to expand the list of situations that could be considered bullying or harassment.  She says the additions include gender identity, political party, physical attributes, and ancestry.

Hempen says the policy already covered situations including race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

Penalties for bullying or harassment could include suspension or expulsion of students or termination of an employee.

The policy update must be approved one more time by the Burlington School Board.

Illinois lawmakers are heading into the home stretch of their 2012 session. But they still need to approve a budget before they can adjourn.

They've been working for months to try figuring out how  they can cut two of the state's biggest expenses:  pensions  and Medicaid.

Some lawmakers are not pleased with the pace.

"Well, why would you be concerned? We've got two and a half weeks left.  We've got all the time in the world to fix our problems here in the state of Illinois,” remarked Representative Joe Lyons (D-Chicago).

The oak tree planted in Macomb's Chandler Park this year has a plaque at its base. The plaque honors the late Bob Swanson.

Swanson was a nurseryman who grew his beyond his profession into volunteering to  plant trees in Macomb.

He was one of the original members of the city's Tree Board 20 years ago.

Former Mayor Tom Carper appointed him at that time.

He said, “He was not a 'sit-back, let somebody else do it.' But he also didn't necessarily want to be part of the photo-op. He wanted to do the work. He wanted to se the results of his work. The fruits of his labor. That's how he lived his life.”

Jason Parrott’s guest is Steve Frevert, who is the Executive Director of Downtown Partners, the Chairman of Burlington’s Historic Preservation Commission, and a board member of Historic Trust.

Frevert says organizations from across the country are using the month of May to celebrate and promote historic preservation efforts.  He defines the practice as the recognition of historic assets within a community.

An example is the effort to develop a new historic district in Burlington.

Frevert says the city started surveying the downtown “Warehouse District” about two years ago.  He says the application to the National Register of Historic Places has been filed and should be awarded in the next few weeks.

Keokuk is ready to do something about the former Flowers by Daryl building at 707 Main Street.

Code Enforcement Officer Kathie Mahoney says a majority of the building’s exterior is in good shape, but she says the rear portion of the structure is basically gone.

The city has received one bid of just under $8,700 to repair the building.

Mayor Tom Marion says Keokuk does not want to see another vacant Main Street lot.

“It’s in the middle of the block,” says Marion, “so if you take it down, you are affecting property owners on each side.  It is also, ‘what do you put in the middle of the block,’ as we have lost enough buildings and got enough lots that it is not pretty.”

Lee County will receive some outside help in its efforts to land a new industry.

The Board of Supervisors has agreed to hire attorney Bob Josten to negotiate with Iowa Fertilizer Company on behalf of the county.  Josten is with Dorsey & Whitney, a Des Moines-based law firm the county uses when it borrows money.

Iowa Fertilizer Company is considering a 300-acre site near Wever for a $1.3-billion dollar fertilizer plant. 

Orascom Construction Industries out of Egypt would put about $100-million towards the project while taking advantage of $1.2-billion in disaster bonds.