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Bollant works to raise women’s basketball attendance SPORTS, 1B

Tuesday November 27, 2012

The Daily Illini www.DailyIllini.com

The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

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Vol. 142 Issue 62

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University, GEO yet to settle on wages, waivers in meetings BY TYLER DAVIS STAFF WRITER

At Monday afternoon’s bargaining session, the Graduate Employees’ Organization and the University agreed on all of the union’s nonmonetary concerns as negotiations on a new contract drag on. The two groups, which have been butting heads since the GEO’s contract expired in August, came to agreements on sections of the contract concerning nursing mothers, bereavement leave, and visa and immigration leave, according to Ingbert Schmidt, a graduate student and member of the GEO’s bargaining team. Tuition waivers, wages and health care are still on the table. GEO spokeswoman Stephanie Seawell said that although GEO members were frustrated after Monday’s session, they anticipate a comprehensive proposal from the University at Tuesday morning’s session. “That frustration will mount if there isn’t a significant proposal (Tuesday),” Seawell said. The University remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached through mediation.

“The University remains confident that working together in good faith; we are confident an agreement can be reached,” campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler said in an email. Schmidt said the GEO laid out a proposal that explicitly explained how tuition waivers could be changed through bargaining, providing both sides with equal control over the waivers. “If they have sole discretion over how much of the tuition is waived, they can just pay us $100,000 but make tuition $200,000,” Schmidt said. Health care is an issue that concerns GEO members, especially those with dependents. Schmidt, who has a son he provides for, said a 35 percent increase in persemester premium coverage would be a huge help for him. The two groups have reached a tentative agreement on that rate, Schmidt said. In the event of an unsuccessful mediation Tuesday, Seawell said a strike is

See GEO, Page 3A

SARI LESK THE DAILY ILLINI

Christina De Angelo, a Spanish instructor in the department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, attends the Graduate Employees’ Organization work-in at the Illini Union on Monday. De Angelo is not a member of the GEO but went to support the members.

Day of thanks brings giving

Budget cuts may threaten Champaign library’s star rating streak

Food pantries make Thanksgiving possible BY ILYA GUREVIC STAFF WRITER

ROCHELLE WILSON THE DAILY ILLINI

The Champaign Public Library was named one of America’s Top Libraries for the fifth consecutive year, but budget cuts could threaten next year’s ranking, according to library officials.

BY JACQUI OGRODNIK STAFF WRITER

After multiple budget cuts, the Champaign Public Library may lose its ranking as one of the top libraries in America. The library was ranked as one of the top libraries in the country with a score of four out of five stars by the Library Journal in its 2012 Index of Public Library Service. “We are one of only 111 librar-

ies in the country to receive a star rating all five years since the program started,” said Kristina Hoerner, the Champaign Public Library’s adult services manager. Scores were based on 2010 per-person number of checkedout items as well as library vis-

its, program attendance and public Internet use of more than 7,000 public libraries across the U.S., according to the library’s news release. With a population of about 80,000, Champaign’s circulation of more than 2.6 mil-

See PUBLIC LIBRARY, Page 3A

Champaign Public Library named one of top 20 libraries in Illinois Champaign Public Library was one of 20 libraries in Illinois to receive a star designation from the Library Journal index of Public Library Service. 262 libraries of 7,000 in the nation received designations this year. Lake Forest Library

Fremont Public Library District Mundelein

Northbrook Public Library

Barrington Public Library District

Arlington Heights Memorial Library

Algonquin Area Public Library District

Skokie Public Library

Des Plaines Public Library

Oak Park Public Library

Schaumburg Township District Library

Elmhurst Public Library

Saint Charles Public Library District Coal City Public Library District

Fountaindale PL District Bolingbrook

Champaign Public Library

Naperville Public Library

Dry Point Township Library Cowden

Monticello Township Library

Source: Library Journal Index of Public Library Service

BRYAN LORENZ Design Editor

New program reduces electricity costs BY CORINNE RUFF STAFF WRITER

Urbana residents and small business owners have saved about $500,000 collectively on power bills within the first three months of the Municipal Electric Aggregation program. Voters passed a referendum for the program during the March 2012

INSIDE

Still time to give to those that need it Many local organizations are working to collect non-perishable food items, toiletries and cash/ check donations for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. Donations are also being accepted online at the foodbank’s website at eifoodbank. org. What? WCIA’s Giving Tuesday When? Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Where? WCIA, 509 S. Neil St., Champaign Questions? 217-373-3650 University alumna, highlighted the immense need in the community this time of year. “This is my first time here,” said Champaign resident Andrew Barber as he stuffed food items into a duffel bag in preparation for the bus ride home. “It’s pretty nice. They give me food for the holidays.” Urbana’s Stone Creek Church also hosted a Thanksgiving event

What? Kick Hunger Illinois Futbol Club Food Drive When? Now until Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to midnight Where? Soccer Planet, 2310 N. Willow Rd., Urbana Questions? 217-367-9999 What? Patterson and Parsons Family Dentistry Food Drive When? Now until Dec. 20, Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where? Patterson and Parsons Family Dentistry, 2500 Galen Dr., Champaign Questions? 217-351-4355 for area residents in need. The church’s annual Big Give event was held Nov. 18 and 19. Angela Bradley, director of Stone Creek’s food pantry, said the church had more than 1,000 families preregister for the event. “Thanksgiving is a tradition that unites us as Americans,” Bradley said. “We want to elimi-

See FOOD DRIVES, Page 3A

Volunteer groups begin annual toy drives

Niles Public Library District

Cordova District Library

Urbana residents may save $150 annually with new referendum

Food pantries across Champaign and Urbana distributed food to provide Thanksgiving meals for more than a thousand families this season. The majority of the pantries’ food items are bought at a discount from the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, which receives both monetary and food donations from local businesses throughout the year. Foodbank community relations manager Kristen Costello said monetary donations are especially helpful because the foodbank’s food dollar extends further than food donations. A $1 donation to the foodbank buys ten times as much as a consumer could. On Nov. 17, St. Luke’s Christian Methodist Episcopal Church served dozens of families and provided canned goods, fresh produce and even perishables. Since June 2010, the church has been attending to local families on the third Saturday of every month. Patricia McKinney Lewis, director of St. Luke’s food pantry and

primary and put it into action May 8. Mike Monson, Urbana chief of staff, said this two-year program gives residents and small businesses that produce 15,000 kilowatts or less a year the option of paying a lower power bill by bundling their electric with others in the community. “The average savings is $45 over three months,” he said. “It’s close to what we thought but actually a little bit better. If we can put $150 in each residence’s pocket (per year), that’s good.”

Residents and small business owners who are a part of the program are grouped with 50 other Illinois communities that receive their energy through Homefield Electric. Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing said she chose the company’s bid of 4.05 cents per kilowatt hour over three other bidders because she felt Homefield was the best deal as it was a larger group and could offer a lower price. “The whole purpose is to

See ELECTRIC, Page 3A

BY YELE AJAYI STAFF WRITER

With the holiday season in full swing, families scurry through malls, searching for the perfect gifts. However, some families in poor economic standing may have limited options when it comes to creating the perfect Christmas morning for their children. “We want to benefit the children,” said Kelli Anderson, public relations specialist for Carle Foundation Hospital, which holds a toy drive annually with the Salvation Army. “There are so many people that have to go without giving their kids a gift during the holidays. We want families to still be able to have a great Christmas.” Along with the Salvation Army’s 28th annual toy drive, the Office of Volunteer Programs will also continue the 10-year tradition of its annual gift drive. The Salvation Army began their drive in November, and it will end Dec. 15. The organization is looking to collect toys for all age groups. Anderson said the organization collected almost $2,500 dollars in monetary gifts and about 2,000 donations and gift cards last year. The organization does not have a goal for this year’s drive, but Anderson said they hope to

How to donate for your local toy drives Local organizations are banding together to collect gifts for the less fortunate. Here’s how you can help their cause: Office of Volunteer Programs gift drive Drop-off location: Illini Union Room 288 Accepted donations: Toys must be new, unwrapped, non-violent, cost $15 or less and be suitable for children ages infant through 17 years old Website: http://union.illinois.edu/ ovp/ Salvation Army and Carle Foundation Hospital toy drive meet the growing need for families in the area. “We collected nearly $2,500 dollars in monetary gifts last year and over 2,500 donations,” Anderson said. “We don’t have a set goal this year, but there are over 1,000 families in need and that number is likely to go up. So our goal is to give these families several more options this year with our donations.”

Drop-off location: Carle Foundation Hospital, 611 W. Park St.; Carle South Clinic Lobby, 602 W. University Ave.; Carle on Curtis, 1701 W. Curtis Road; Carle on Mattis, 1802 S. Mattis Ave.; Carle on Kirby, 1813 W. Kirby Ave.; Carle on Windsor, 1818 E. Windsor Road; Carle in Mahomet, 1001 Heather Dr.; Carle in Rantoul, 1540 E. Grove; Curves at Round Barn, 1808-A Round Barn Road, Champaign; WDWS/ WHMS/WUIL, 2301 S. Neil St., Champaign; Health Alliance Medical Plans, 301 S. Vine St. Accepted donations: Toys must be new and unwrapped toys or gift cards for infants, children and teens. See website below. http://www.carle.org/ NewsRoom/Toy-Drive.aspx The Salvation Army will also continue to host a toy shop where families can shop for gifts from the donations when the drive is completed. The Office of Volunteer Programs began collecting toys in mid-November and will accept donations until Dec. 14. Staff, students and community members

See GIFT DRIVES, Page 3A