The Daily Illini: Volume 143 Issue 75

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ILLINI MEDIA HOUSING FAIR: 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. IN THE ILLINI UNION ROOMS B,C

THE HISTORY OF THE HALLMARK HOLIDAY

Nebraska puts Illinois back in its place — last, winning 67-58

Valentine’s Day didn’t always have the same meaning that it does now.

LIFE & CULTURE, 6A

THURSDAY February 13, 2014

Illini bench struggles while Huskers’ Shields drops 33

SPORTS, 1B

THE DAILY ILLINI The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

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UI’s immunity bill may become state legislation BY ELEANOR BLACK AND MEGAN JONES

PEOPLE UNDER

21DRINK 11%

STAFF WRITERS

Overview of legislation Beginning as a campuswide act, the Alcohol Poisoning Immunity Bill, HB2341, has grown into what may soon be state-wide legislation. While the bill currently stands as the “unwritten code� for the University, former Illinois Student Body President Brock Gebhardt wished to solidify this code, which is currently up to police officers’ discretion when they respond to an underage drinking-related call, Gebhardt said. The law would amend the Liquor Control Act of 1934 and apply to anyone under the age of 21. The bill provides immunity from prosecution for alcohol poisoning victims or people seeking help for the victims. He hopes that the bill will redistribute the risks associated with seeking treatment for those in distress. Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-103, hopes that more students will take a step further and encourage underage drinkers to be careful

OF ALL ALCOHOL CONSUMED IN THE US

90%

IS CONSUMED IN THE FORM OF

BINGE DRINKS SOURCE: CDC

when drinking. Gebhardt said no one should ever have to face a decision in which he would put his own and others’ futures in jeopardy over something so insignificant.

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Democratic state representative candidate Sam Rosenberg and Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-103, laugh during a press conference on Wednesday, during which local leaders endorsed Rosenberg. Rosenberg will face Urbana City Council member Carol Ammons in the March 18 Democratic primary.

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Rosenberg earns additional support

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Local leaders praise Rosenberg’s qualifications

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BY ELEANOR BLACK STAFF WRITER

Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-103, and Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing announced their endorsements for Democratic candidate Sam Rosenberg for state representative of the 103rd district. They were joined by Champaign Mayor Don Gerard, who endorsed Rosenberg in January. Rosenberg, a University alumnus and local trial lawyer, will face Urbana City Council member Carol Ammons in the March 18 Democratic primary. “I believe Sam is the right person and the best choice to serve as our voice in the state capitol,� Jakobsson said. “Sam will put the needs of our community first, protect a woman’s

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Urbana attempts to spark development of economy in 2014 BY ELI MURRAY STAFF WRITER

In 2013, Urbana saw 38 businesses open or expand, indicating the city’s strong emphasis on economic development. Andrew Scheinman, a patent attorney who works with technology start-up companies, encouraged the city to build such a relationship with the University following the release of the Identification of Technology Clusters for Economic Development report, commissioned by the Research Park. In line with the report, the City of Urbana is doing its part to encourage economic development. Last year the city gave out more than $70,000 in tax increment finance program incentives in the form of business development grants, business opening grants and redevelopment incentive program grants. Tax increment financing is a tool that Urbana utilizes to incentivize development of certain districts. TIF allows busi-

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“I believe Sam is the right person and the best choice to serve as our voice in the state capitol.�

Energy

The report cited energy research as the area with the most potential for immediate growth. As a relatively new field, the potential for start-up businesses in the field of energy is great. Examples of businesses in this category in ChampaignUrbana include: Xerion Advanced Battery Corporation, Dioxide Materials and SolarBridge.

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An assessment of the University’s technology community identified Champaign-Urbana’s strengths in technology and how to capitalize on them. The report was prepared for the University’s Research Park and suggests focusing on expanding data analytics and computing, biomedical and bioengineering, and energy. “One of the objectives was to find out what technology areas do we have strengths in, both from a research standpoint, as well as existing reputation and experience in starting companies around these sectors,� said Research Park Director Laura Frerichs. The technology clusters were identified after interviewing more than 35 representatives from the University and community. Frerichs said she was not surprised that data analytics was chosen as one of the clusters. “This community and University has a long-standing rep-

Data analytics, management and Computing

Biomedical and Bioengineering

According to the report, the University has the beginnings of a foundation for Biomedical and Bioengineering but needs to further expand its facilities and it will “require the resources of a full-scale medical program and academic hospital.� Examples of businesses in this category in ChampaignUrbana include: GlucoSentient, IntelliWheels, ImmuVen, Aptimmune Biologics and iCyt. SOURCE: IDENTIFICATION OF TECHNOLOGY CLUSTERS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT

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Eleanor can be reached at eablack2@dailyillini.com.

utation that was easily acknowledged by stakeholders and interviewees as revolving around computing and enterprise software and data,� Frerichs said. The data cluster recently grew with Yahoo’s Research Park expansion. But growing the biomedical and bioengineering cluster could present challenges, she said, because of the lack of a fullscale medical program and an academic hospital, according to the report. “I don’t think we can do so entirely on our own,� Frerichs said. “These are partnerships that have to happen with the University, with our local hospitals, and understanding that it’s going to take some time to get to the maturity level of the computing side.� Energy was selected as the final cluster because of the potential for an expanding market and the research taking place at the

SEE TECHNOLOGY | 3A

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@THEDAILYILLINI, @DI_OPINION, @DI_SPORTS Horoscopes

BY ANGELICA LAVITO

Business Cluster Development recommended that the University seek to increase its presence in the field of data analytics and management and computing. According to the report, “A critical mass of assets, talent, innovation, activity and support are present and form a strong foundation.� Examples of businesses in this category in ChampaignUrbana include: Yahoo, Personify, Infobright, HDF Group, Riverbed, Volition, Amdocs and Wolfram Alpha.

SEE URBANA | 3A

“I really believe that Champaign-Urbana has a tremendously bright future, but that future, if it is going to be successful, involves both towns.� In terms of issues, Rosenberg said that his top two priorities are jobs and education. “I am well aware of the difficulties that are coming up with regards to tuition costs (and) research grants. This is a very difficult time for higher education in the state of Illinois,� he said. “We need to be asking ourselves, “What kind of society are we where tuition rates continually are rising, and we are not supporting what should be a pride and joy of the entire state?� Rosenberg and Ammons have a forum scheduled for Feb. 21 at the Champaign City Council Chambers, 102 N. Neil St.

Report identifies strengths of University’s technology, areas of opportunity

Report outlines three potential clusters for economic development at the University

nesses to develop an area without paying property taxes for the increase in value generated by the development over a 23 year period. For example, if a building in a TIF district had a value of $1000, but over a period of 23 years the value grew to $2000, the property owners would only pay taxes on the $1000 evaluated at the beginning of the TIF period until the period is over. The intent of TIF is to recoup the loss in property taxes after redevelopment raises the assessed value of the property. Additionally, developing a property raises the value of the properties around it, generating further revenue. As Alderman Eric Jakobsson, Ward 2, puts it: “(Urbana doesn’t) have any money, but tax increment financing provides a way to leverage support.� A new business in Urbana, [co] [lab] , is also trying to spur economic development through a

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right to make her own medical Ethics were also important decisions, push for greater fair- to Prussing when making her ness in the workplace and fight decision, and she pointed out for the resources that a world- the importance of respect in class institution like the Uni- the legislature. “You’re dealversity of Illiing with people nois needs and deserves.� from around the Jakobsson state, and they said she thought have very difRosenberg was ferent priorities, and your job the most qualiis not to alienfied candidate in terms of what ate them but to he will do and find common how he will repNAOMI JAKOBSSON ground,� she DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE resent the dissaid. “You have trict, not only in to respect other the community, people who have but in Springfield as well. very different views than you “You have to have a strong do. That’s how you’re ultimately character, you have to be honest, going to be able to work and get you have to be straightforward things done.� with people (and) be truthful. Because he wanted support Your word is your word when from both communities, Rosenyou’re in Springfield,� she said. berg said the endorsement from “I really believe that Sam has the two mayors was important that firm, ethical quality.� to him.

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