Literacy teacher earns educator of year award
Monday, March 4, 2013
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Woodstock’s run to sectional started a year ago
Kane, Hawks extend streak with shootout win
Examining ALTERNATE REVENUE BONDS: Day two of a Two-part series
Reps take on abuse
Health board says they will stick to pledge Executive director will not be hired until new members seated By KEVIN P. CRAVER kcraver@shawmedia.com
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BONDS
The McHenry County Mental Health Board will keep its pledge to wait until new members are seated and acclimated before proceeding with hiring a new executive director. The board and its Search Committee rescheduled a meeting canceled because of last week’s snowstorm to tonight, a day before a McHenry County Board vote to appoint three newcomers and deny reappointment to Mental Health Board President Lee Ellis. But mental health officials will only discuss the next steps in the hiring process this evening, and will not interview finalists or make a decision. County Board members last month expressed concern that the Mental Health Board would rush the process as it became clear that Ellis would most likely not be recommended for reappointment by the County Board Public Health and Human Services Committee, which is pursuing reform of the agency. County Board member Paula Yensen, D-Lake in the Hills, now holds the board’s voting seat on the Mental Health Board.
What’s next The McHenry County Board will meet Tuesday morning to approve new appointees to the McHenry County Mental Health Board. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the county Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.
See PLEDGE, page A7
Illustration by Caleb West – cwest@shawmedia.com
McSweeney’s proposal, backed by Franks, takes aim at MCC’s expansion By CHELSEA McDOUGALL • cmcdougall@shawmedia.com
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bipartisan bill introduced in Springfield by local legislators is taking aim at alternate revenue bond “abuses,” but some local leaders and bond experts fear it would add another level of bureaucratic red tape and stall what they see as a relatively everyday procedure. House Bill 983 was introduced last month by state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Lake Barrington, with support from Rep. Jack Franks, DMarengo. The bill would tighten regulations in the local debt reform act, specifically as it relates to alternate revenue bonds. Alternate revenue bonds typically are issued by taxing districts to pay for projects with the understanding that the money is backed by an identified revenue stream. Often called double-barreled bonds, this funding mechanism promises taxpayer dollars if those revenues fall short. In crafting the proposal,
McSweeney took aim at McHenry County College’s proposed expansion plans, and drew attention to RedTail Golf Course in Lakewood. Alternate revenue bonds were used to subsidize Lakewood’s RedTail Golf Course. Taxpayers were left to foot the bill when the golf course didn’t take in enough to repay the debt. “Lakewood was a disaster, and I don’t want that to happen with McHenry County College,” McSweeney has said. MCC is in the middle of a feasibility study, the second stage in its proposed expansion. During phase one, alternative revenue bonds were floated around as one way to subsidize the proposed $42 million project. The college’s board chairwoman Mary Miller declined to comment for this story, stating she hadn’t read the bill.
ABOUT HOUSE BILL 983 House Bill 983, which takes aim at alternate revenue bond “abuses,” was introduced last month by state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Lake Barrington, with support from Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo. The bill would tighten regulations in the local debt reform act, specifically as it relates to alternate revenue bonds.
David McSweeney, R-Lake Barrington
Jack Franks, D-Marengo
See ABUSE, page A7
Under the McSweeneyFranks bill, it would be easier for voters to have a say on whether taxing bodies should issue alternate revenue bonds. “Lakewood was a disaster, and I don’t want that to happen with McHenry County College,” McSweeney said.
Fiscal disarray a challenge as Quinn creates Ill. budget By SARA BURNETT The Associated Press CHICAGO – As Gov. Pat Quinn prepares to deliver his latest budget proposal, there’s no overstating how ugly Illinois’ financial condition is. Outside analysts in recent months have used phrases like “a deep hole,” a “downspin” and “not fiscally sustainable” to describe it. The New York bond houses have given Illinois the worst credit rating of any state in the nation. The grim outlook persists despite recent efforts to improve it, from a 67 percent state income tax hike passed in the waning hours of the legislative session two years ago to last year’s $1.6 billion in Medicaid cuts. When Quinn presents his latest plan Wednesday, he’ll have few good options. His office already has projected a cut of
Pat Quinn will present his latest plan Wednesday. Already, his office has projected a cut of about $400 million to education and cuts to public safety and economic development.
See BUDGET, page A7
LOOKING FORWARD
Saturday
Magic show to appear at Raue The 11th annual “Nothin’ Up My Sleeve” magic show will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Proceeds from the annual magic show benefit the Raue Center. Tickets, at $17, $20 and $23, are available at 815-356-9212 or www.rauecenter.org.
Friday: ‘Oz the Great and Powerful,’ with James Franco, opens in theaters. Disney
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