A4 LOCAL
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2011
DECATUR, ILLINOIS
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2011
www.herald-review.com
DECATUR, ILLINOIS
LOCAL
A5
NEWSMAKERSNEWSMAKERSNEWSMAKERS
Macon voters OK sales tax
Macon County voters approved a 1 percentage point raise in the sales tax on Nov. 2, while implementation of the raise rests in the hands of the Macon County Board. The county board plans to vote on the issue at its Jan. 13 meeting. The board considered placing conditions on its approval of the sales tax, such as requiring school boards to promise tax relief or that no bonds would be issued with the new revenue as collateral. After Macon County States Attorney Jack Ahola said he didn’t think the county board had the authority to do so, talk of conditions ceased. The delay of implementation has also delayed actions the Decatur and Meridian school boards must take to begin planned construction projects this spring, as they intended. Until and unless the sales tax increase is implemented, those boards can’t issue bonds, put out work for bids or hire architects. Decatur plans extensive remodeling on its two high schools, while Meridian plans to convert the high school to a junior-senior high school and extensive remodeling for a preschool-fifth grade elementary building. Other Macon County districts plan to abate property taxes. Shelby County is planning to put a sales tax increase on the ballot April 5. A similar effort failed last year. “What we’re really trying to improve on this time is the educational process for the public,” said Kevin Ross, co-interim superintendent for Shelbyville schools and high school principal. “We’re planning on scheduling some public meetings where anyone can come in and have a chance to hear a presentation on what this is and how it works and what it could mean for the districts and communities.” Shelbyville schools, for example, need new fire alarm systems and windows and work on heating systems in the middle and high school.
Ameren complained and, after acknowledging accounting errors, the ICC gave the company an additional $10 million for a total of $15 million. Ameren sought a rehearing on certain aspects of the rate case, and the ICC issued a new ruling in November allowing the utility to charge an additional $29 million for a grand total of $44 million. Critics such as the Citizens Utility Board watchdog group objected but said, overall, consumers hadn’t come out too badly. “It could have been worse,” said David Kolata, utility board executive director. He said the board stood ready to fight Ameren again.
Celebration more secure Decatur Celebration weathered a turbulent off-season before the revised event was unveiled the traditional first full weekend of August. Most significantly, event creator Fred Puglia, Decatur Celebration’s sole producer for 25 years, announced his retirement. The same day, the Celebration’s reduced board of directors announced a plan to charge for wristbands, which would be required to purchase food and drink. The board was reduced in size thanks to an exodus of six members in January. They said they resigned in protest over the direction the event was taking. But the actual event enjoyed near-perfect weather. An estimated $82,000 worth of wristbands were sold. While there was an operations deficit for the eighth time in 10 years, new producer Lori Sturgill and the board was pleased the deficit was an estimated $40,000 as compared with $150,000 in 2009. Sturgill is examining entertainment options for this year, and the wristbands will return. But the board — now back at
Schemer sentenced The saga of Decatur Ponzi scheme fraudster William Huber reached a milestone at the end of 2010 when a federal judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The U.S. District Court in Peoria was told Huber had ripped off more than 300 investors to the tune of $15 million over 10 years. Passing sentence Dec. 10, Judge Joe Billy McDade also ordered Huber to pay restitution of $23 million. Huber, 61, had to sit and lisWork continues in upgrading the city's infrastructure. ten as victim after victim rose to their feet to address the court and tell how their pensions and its full complement of members — is not life savings had been stolen. The con planning to make the wristbands a perman, who claimed he ran a sophisticated manent feature. investment scheme that was later shown to be a lie, said he was “sincerely and profoundly sorry.” Huber’s legal troubles aren’t over yet, A telling sign came Oct. 8 of how the however. He now faces civil lawsuits community was stepping up, despite a brought by investors, and yet how much sluggish economy, to help people in need. his victims ever get back is hard to say. That’s the day the ninth annual WSOY So far, the court-appointed receiver, a Community Food Drive blew past a goal Chicago lawyer, said he has rounded up of 400,000 pounds to collect 640,000 dolassets of more than $6.6 million, but that lars/pounds, primarily for food pantries money has to pay the cost of receiverrun by Catholic Charities and the Salvaship, as well as compensate investors. tion Army. A look at recent receivership bills, covDecatur’s soup kitchen, the Good ering the work of the receiver and the Samaritan Inn, moved to a brand new legal and financial experts he hires to building in February three times the size help him, show they can run more than of the old building. The inn serves 250 to $100,000 a quarter. The receiver lists his 300 people a hot midday meal daily own fees as normally costing $375 an under the leadership of new director hour, but the discount rate is now $295. Brenda Gorrell Pyatt, who started in August. The Water Street Mission for homeless men, meanwhile, just completed the secAmeren Illinois is likely to spend much ond phase of a remodeling project that of 2011 as it spent much of 2010 — argumoved the sleeping area to a previously ing for more money. unused second floor in August so the The company has said it will file a new kitchen, dining room and chapel on the rate case in 2011 even though it received ground floor could be expanded. An open an increase in 2010 for the fees it charges house is planned for mid-January. to deliver electricity and natural gas. Looking ahead, the Salvation Army Ameren told industry analysts it plans hopes to complete a $2.2 million addition to file rate cases every 18 months to to its headquarters by fall after breaking ensure smooth and timely revenue flows. ground Oct. 30. Maj. Bob Gauthier said It also says it wants to earn a return on the new kitchen and multipurpose room investment nudging 10 percent, which is will allow the army to better minister to permitted under Illinois law but it hasn’t senior citizens, women and youth. achieved so far. Decatur Family Refuge plans to open Judging by the struggle it had getting at 539-543 N. Water St. in early 2011 with any kind of rate increase through in 2010, room for five families that other homehowever, Ameren won’t find the going less shelters cannot accept because of a easy. Its original rate hike request of male in the household 12 or older. $226 million filed in June was later revised to $130 million. And Ameren was shocked in April when the Illinois Commerce Commission, the state’s rate regulator, allowed it just a $5 million increase The state’s budget crisis is expected to instead. continue hampering the ability of
Food drive exceeds goal
Ameren looks at rate hike
Illinois' deadbeat ways
Millikin University President Doug Zemke has made a lot of impact in his seven years in this position, including diplomatic educational agreements overseas. Zemke retired Dec 31.
Decatur area governments and nonprofit agencies to provide services. Dreux Lewandowski, executive director of Macon Resources Inc., said the state borrowed money to catch up on payments through June 30 but has sent nothing since then as the agency’s last grantfunded program — Kid’s Connection — stopped getting state funds Dec. 31. The program provides after-school and summer day care for 15 young people with special needs. Four children are on a waiting list. “We’re instituting a fee schedule and fundraising,” Lewandowski said. “We’re committed to keep the program running.” The program casualty list for 2010 includes home-delivered meals as of July 1 for more than 200 Decatur residents. They had been receiving meals from Catholic Charities or Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp. under a 12year-old demonstration project under its Community Care Program. Andrea Hogan, coordinator of the Meals on Wheels program for Catholic Charities, said it appears most seniors are simply managing without the meals and not by choice. “We’ve whittled the waiting list down to 53, but it’s not because people have another service,” she said.
well and the town has for the most part moved on after the downtown area sustained much of the damage. The town was left without power for a time following the storm. One unoccupied building, which was almost 100 years old, on the southwest corner of the square had to be demolished in August for safety purposes, costing the city nearly $100,000. The federal government provided assistance to Moultrie County, enabling local governments to receive reimbursement for expenses related to the storm. State and federal emergency management officials estimated local governments in the county had storm-related costs totaling more than $500,000. The Little Theatre On the Square was in the middle of summertime productions, but shows went on with little disruption. A group of 15 actors had to be moved after the roof of the building they were staying in was torn off. The theater continued productions as normal throughout the summer, fall and holiday seasons. It has a full slate of spring and summer shows scheduled in 2011.
ATM bandits to prison
Road crews stay busy Roads throughout the Decatur area got a facelift in 2010 as local governments made use of federal stimulus dollars and the state’s long-awaited construction funding plan to make some needed improvements. The year saw another long-sought goal come to completion when the city of Decatur and state Rep. Bob Flider, DMount Zion, finished negotiations with the Illinois Department of Transportation that will allow the city to reroute U.S. Business 51 away from downtown Decatur. City council members, staff members and state legislators have been pursuing the goal for a decade. With the agreement in place, the city of Decatur will receive $2.2 million from the DOT to make improvements to the roadway, which City Manager Ryan McCrady has said will involve rerouting Business 51 along Wood Street eastward to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, then north to Eldorado Street and back west to rejoin Franklin Street and Main Street. Part of the improvements will involve a new turn lane at Wood Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive that will allow motorists to bypass the train tracks that cut diagonally through the intersection. Business 51 also will take a new route near Assumption, after a $22.8 million state grant that will go toward creating a bypass for that community. Assumption Mayor Alan Hays touted the project as a potential for new business growth in his town. It is part of the plan to make U.S. 51 four lanes to at least Interstate 70 in Vandalia.
Changes afoot downtown Several major efforts by the Decatur City Council and state legislators came together over the past year to promise transformations for the downtown area in the coming years. The Reynolds Building in the 300 block of North Water Street has been mostly empty except for the Regions Bank presence, but after an agreement with Archer Daniels Midland Co., will see about 350 new employees from that company transferred into the building. At the same time, the building’s owner, insurance company Consociate-Dansig, has agreed to build another building adjacent to the park which borders the Reynolds Building, and to improve sidewalks, landscaping and lighting surrounding it. Other projects are slated to move forward in the coming year, including $13 million in borrowing for downtown landscape, sidewalk and lighting improvements and parking lot and garage maintenance. Unfortunately, another issue remained unresolved in 2010. The parking garage at Franklin and William streets that borders the Barnes Citizens Building continues to sit abandoned and empty, its structural integrity found to be unsound by a court, and with the city pursuing demolition. Owner Charles Barnes, who in the past entreated the council to spare
Adam Brown will soon be representing the 101st House District in the Illinois General Assembly. Brown, R-Decatur, defeated state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, in the November election.
H&R file photo
Regions Bank has been the sole tenant in the Reynolds Building in the 300 block of North Water Street, but an agreement with Archer Daniels Midland Co., will see about 350 employees transferred into the building in 2011.
Change is one of the few constants in modern American life, and Central Illinois saw its share in 2010. Besides new representatives in Congress and the legislature, the transformation of downtown Decatur continued. Caterpillar Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland Co. reacted to signs of an improving economy. On these pages, we review events of 2010 and look forward to the change that is marching our way in 2011.
2010
the deteriorating structure that has been under scrutiny for three years, has failed to send representatives to court. City Manager Ryan McCrady has urged caution on moving forward with demolition, as the ruined footprint of the parking garage won’t belong to the city after the dust settles.
Tenaska project in limbo The fate of the Taylorville Energy Center could be decided early in 2011 when the Illinois Senate returns to session. The House approved legislation in December that would give the green light for construction to begin on the $3.5 billion, coal-fed facility. The Senate, however, did not vote on the measure. Officials from developer Tenaska have said they will likely look elsewhere to move forward with the longanticipated project should lawmakers fail to approve it. Those in the Taylorville area want to keep the project there in part because it would create 2,500 construction jobs and at least 400 permanent mining and operations jobs. Opposition has lined up against the plant, questioning whether it would hurt industrial power customers, including Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Tate & Lyle in Decatur. The Taylorville Energy Center isn’t
the only coal-based project in Central Illinois with a future in limbo. In August, the U.S. Department of Energy revamped the FutureGen project, which had been anticipated to be built in Mattoon. However, after the changes were announced, Mattoon withdrew as a potential site. The FutureGen 2.0 plan calls for an upgraded power plant in Meredosia, with a storage site to be determined. In late December, potential sites were narrowed to Douglas, Christian, Fayette and Morgan counties. Eliminated from the competition for the potentially job-rich plum were the city of Quincy and Pike County. Additionally, Richland Community College plans to take advantage of its proximity with a carbon sequestration project that is under way at ADM. Richland plans to build a carbon sequestration education center on its campus.
Eagle Creek bouncing back The new Decatur-based operators of the Eagle Creek Resort on Lake Shelbyville hope to have extensive renovation work completed by fall 2011 and reopen the entire property. The 18-hole golf course, renamed The National at Eagle Creek, opened to golfers in August after BMDD Resorts Corp. took over. The company headed by Denny, Mike and Dennis Ballinger of Decatur received a 10-year
Argenta’s Aaric Kendall and his teammate, Benjamin Rand, won the gold medal in the ice carving competition during the cultural festival portion of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.
lease to operate the resort. The state had closed the resort for a year because of mold problems in the 138-room lodge. The 20-year-old facility with a history of structural, legal and financial problems was in foreclosure when it was closed. BMDD plans to replace the roof, remove mold, replace furniture, rehabilitate the indoor pool and upgrade the guest rooms at a cost that could add up to $3 million. Future plans include a new restaurant. In the coming year, a new pro shop is expected to be added. The course remained in good shape while closed in part because the grass continued to be mowed. Mike Ballinger said the goal is to be able to host a professional tournament and bring the facility up to resort quality expectations. Shelby County tourism officials hope the reopened golf course and resort help bring more visitors to the area.
Sullivan moves ahead One of the worst storms that most Sullivan residents can remember ripped through the area July 19. The fast-moving storm packing 60 to 80 mph winds and left a significant amount of damage, although nobody was seriously injured. As 2011 begins, the recovery has gone
Kevin Breheny, Vote Yes, Citizens for Macon County Schools trichairman, explains the 1-cent sales tax which will benefit area school districts.
The crime spree began in the late months of 2009 when ATMs in Mount Zion and Decatur were taken in latenight heists involving stolen pickup trucks crashing into businesses. It all ended April 29, when Nicholas Baptista, 25, and Tiffany Spalding, 21, were arrested at their home in the 1100 block of South Silas Street and booked into the Macon County Jail. Baptista and Spalding were suspects in the thefts or attempted thefts of ATMs in Champaign, Logan, Piatt, Tazwell, Iroquois and Macon counties. Law enforcement officers worked together to conduct investigations and make the arrests. The couple, both convicted felons with lengthy criminal records, each pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison. On Oct. 7, Spalding received a fiveyear sentence, plus a two-year parole term. On Aug. 27, Baptista was sentenced to seven years in prison, plus a threeyear parole term.
Hospital and Florida-based U.S. Preventive Medicine joined forces in 2010 to kick off the Prevention Plan Challenge, a yearlong competition that pitted local businesses against each other with employee wellness as the goal. Decatur served as a pilot site for the communitybased program. During the wellness-based contest, employees completed a health risk appraisal and received a physical evaluation to generate a wellness score they then worked to improve by increasing their activity levels and endeavoring to change their habits and improve their overall health. The view from five floors up at St. Mary’s Hospital offers a view of the hospital’s $31-million, three-phase construction project, which began its first phase in May of 2010. Phase one of the project, expected to reach completion in late 2011, will include a revamped parking area complete with green space, a new emergency department designed to handle double the volume of the current facility, a brand new lobby, a new laboratory and some additional space to be further developed in the project’s subsequent phases. A construction crew put a roof on the ER’s shell at the end of October and closed in the building to continue working inside all winter. In September, the Central Illinois Community Clinical Oncology Program announced it had received a $1.27 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to help fund local cancer research. The program, which houses its central office at Decatur Memorial Hospital, plans to use the funding to support research at seven facilities in Decatur, Effingham, Springfield and Elgin. Over the past 25 years, the program’s physician researchers have enrolled 7,550
is expected to be completed by December 2011.
Boa in Maroa corraled A 9-foot boa constrictor caused alarm to some residents after it got loose in Maroa, but the story had a happy ending when the snake was found alive. The 30-pound snake turned up missing from its owner’s home Aug. 30. It was unclear whether the animal escaped from its aquarium-style cage or was stolen. Authorities alerted residents nearby using Code Red alert phone calls, and a search team spent several days combing the area. As colder weather approached, it seemed unlikely the snake would survive. Boa constrictors are native to South America and Central America. Scovill Zoo officials said it was unlikely to withstand temperatures lower than the 40s. But on Sept. 21, the snake turned up after a motorist ran over it near MaroaForsyth High School. It sustained some injuries but appeared to be OK by the time it was returned to its owner.
New Millikin leadership
Millikin University lost a president in 2010, but found someone to take the spot come April 1. The retirement of Doug Zemke, the university’s 13th president, took effect Dec. 31. Zemke announced his plans in the fall of 2009, and a search committee was formed to find his replacement. The committee, formed in April, whittled more than 80 candidates to just three who visited the campus. Emporia State University President Michael Lane withdrew his name from consideration, leaving Cheryl Norton, former president of Southern Connecticut State University, and Harold Jeffcoat, who retired in June as president of Texas Wesleyan University The title eventually went to Jeffcoat. He will take over the position in April and said a top priority will be finding more money for endowments and scholarships. Peg Luy, the university’s vice president of development, is serving as interim president until March 31. In May, the university launched an $85 million campaign, Transform MU, which includes plans to rebuild and renovate several campus Steel for the main glassed-in entrance is in place as workers conbuildings within the decade. Late April saw the former tinue to close in the additions to St. Mary's Hospital. The campaign has brought Rosebud Theatre reopen as in about $33 million since it was the Effingham Performance Center, with patients in National Cancer Institute triannounced, and Jeffcoat is expected to a new slate of entertainment for the folals, including 375 who participated in rally more fundraising for the project. lowing year. Although the stage itself will cancer treatment and symptom managestill be known colloquially as the “Rosement trials last year. About 4,500 patients bud Theatre,” the building itself at 1325 have been enrolled in Decatur at DMH Outer Belt West is now owned by the city and Cancer Care Specialists of Central of Effingham. Illinois. The performance center has been With the fate of the annual Susan G. The Decatur area served as a key batoperated since the reopening by the Arts Komen Decatur Race for the Cure uncertleground in 2010 elections at the state Connection of Central Illinois, which has tain in October, local organizers and federal levels and helped furnish brought in musical acts such as Amy announced the formation of another surprising victories for candidates who Grant, Sara Evans and The B52s in the event, Come Together — Let’s Walk, to were newcomers to the political scene. support local breast, cervical, ovarian past eight months. The venue has also Incumbent U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, Dand uterine cancer programs. The event, played host to stage shows, children’s Rock Island, lost a protracted and expenset for June 25 in Fairview Park, already productions and stand-up comedians, sive campaign in Illinois’ 17th Congreshas garnered a diverse array of commusional District against Colona Republiamong others. Current shows are booked nity supporters. can Bobby Schilling. throughout the winter and into the Schilling, who garnered support from spring and can be viewed at tea party groups, has said he’s already www.theepc.org. anticipating the 2012 campaign season, Meanwhile, the $800,000 fundraising and potential Democratic opponents goal for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons Scores of people turned out for a series have already indicated interest in runremains ongoing, according to director ning against him. of meetings to develop a design for NelJane Oldfield. Having just reached the 50 Decatur City Councilman Adam son Park and the Decatur lakefront. percent mark, the director believes the Brown, who has since resigned that seat, Design firm AECOM presented three goal will be achieved. succeeded in his challenge against state possible designs to the community in “With the year-end appeal in full Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, in a March, then whittled them to one swing, we are seeing additional donacampaign that numbered among the 10 through May and August meetings. tions every day,” Oldfield said. most expensive state races in the Illinois Elements of the plan include a waterFuture shows include comedians Brian House. An overwhelming majority of the front village with several restaurants, Regan and Ron White, country star campaign donations received by both indoor and outdoor water parks along Kenny Rogers and Grammy-winning men came from their respective political U.S. 36, rock climbing venues, a pavilion, bluegrass musician Rhonda Vincent. parties. a beach and some residential areas. Since the rededication of the space to Brown’s success meant the end of For the next step in the process, Central Illinois entertainment, more Flider’s eight years representing the AECOM will present a potential phasing members of the Effingham community Decatur area, and has also left Brown’s plan and funding options to the Decatur and beyond are aware of the programs seat on the city council vacant and headCity Council and Decatur Park District being offered. ing for a primary election among six Board of Commissioners in a joint meet“New audiences are added every candidates. ing. That meeting is scheduled for 5:30 week,” Oldfield said. “Either folks are State races also were expensive and p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Scovill Banjust realizing the old Rosebud has contentious throughout Central Illinois. quet Facility, 3909 W. Main St. reopened or folks are discovering us for Gov. Pat Quinn narrowly won election The Decatur City Council in the spring the first time. As always, community against state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomvoted to privatize the dredging of Lake interest is synonymous with quality acts ington. A muddled primary process saw Decatur, over the objection of union offi— our patrons value top-notch entertainChicago pawn broker Scott Lee Cohen cials who said privatization would not ment.” win the nomination to run for lieutenant save the city money. governor, then step down in the face of Dredging is necessary in the area of questions about criminal allegations levthe lake known as Basin 6, city officials eled against him. Quinn himself narrowsaid, because sediment collects on the ly beat back a primary challenge from bottom and reduces water capacity. Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes. The process began again this fall and Consociate-Dansig, Decatur Memorial
Rosebud redux
Surprising political wins
A changing lakefront
Hospitals push ahead
If the wishes of the Decatur City Council and Decatur Park District come to reality, residents will see more activity than ever in Nelson Park and along the shores of Lake Decatur.
Decatur Celebration Associate Producer Lori Sturgill makes sure everything is running smoothly at one of the stages. Sturgill took the reins following the retirement of producer Fred Puglia.