Senate leaders have decided to have another committee hear SB 2093 today. Rather than the State Government and Veterans Committee, which state Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, is a member. Plans, supposedly, are to bring it before the Senate Labor Committee.
However at this time, a committee hearing has not been set.
In other action, state Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, has requested a Fiscal Note on the bill be provided by the Department of Revenue. The same thing to place in the House, and it's not known if Revenue would have any more details now than they did three weeks ago.
A number of Marion, Williamson and Franklin County officials are present in the Statehouse awaiting action.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Bradley, Forby Says No to Mount Vernon,
State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, and state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, both are rejecting Mount Vernon's attempt to be added to SB 2093, this year's bill creating STAR Bond Districts in Illinois for the first time.
Today's Southern reports state Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, has drafted an amendment which would allow a second district to be created off of Exit 94 on Interstate 57. Forby though remains opposed to an amendment at this time, as today may be the last day of the session.
Meanwhile the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce has come out in favor of the bill.
The bill for the Millennium Development project in Marion will be heard in committee later this morning at 10 a.m. A vote in the full Senate is expected later today.
Today's Southern reports state Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, has drafted an amendment which would allow a second district to be created off of Exit 94 on Interstate 57. Forby though remains opposed to an amendment at this time, as today may be the last day of the session.
Meanwhile the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce has come out in favor of the bill.
"It is the board's desire that this bill, which has already passed through the state House of Representatives and will soon come up for vote in the state Senate, will be instrumental in bolstering growth and revenue with spin-offs and benefits for the entire region," the statement said. "It is our hope that this powerful economic development tool will open the door for increased cooperative efforts in future development projects with mutually beneficial advancements that cross both county and city lines.
"While we understand that there are various factors involved with this development that could be cause for concern, it is our hope that a joint, regional effort will mitigate the concerns and capitalize on the collective, strengths of the region's economy, to ensure the project is a success for all of us."
The bill for the Millennium Development project in Marion will be heard in committee later this morning at 10 a.m. A vote in the full Senate is expected later today.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Hearing Set for 10 a.m. Thursday on STAR Bonds Bill
The Senate's Committee on Assignments has sent SB 2093 to the State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee for a hearing tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. in Room 409 of the State Capitol Building.
Senate Bill 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act would authorize the creation of a STAR Bonds district in Marion for the proposed Millennium Development project.
The House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this month.
The committee's other business includes two Senate resolutions (SR 782 and SR 860) and SB3739, the Save Our Neighborhoods Act, which focuses on reducing the impact of home foreclosures in Illinois.
With a committee vote expected before noon, the Senate is expected to vote as early as that afternoon.
As the Marion Daily Republican reported in its latest on the plan, the project is expected to generate the following:
In Mount Vernon, efforts to slow down/jump on board the idea of the STAR Bonds legislation took a hit when the Jefferson County Board declined to back the city's efforts.
Garrett by the way is the former high school principal and later superintendent of the Mount Vernon Township High School district where current mayor, and former art teacher, Mary Jane Chesney taught before her retirement.
Garrett's reluctance to commit and Board Chairman Ted Buck unwillingness to fight irritated another board member who thought the board should take a position.
Senate Bill 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act would authorize the creation of a STAR Bonds district in Marion for the proposed Millennium Development project.
The House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this month.
The committee's other business includes two Senate resolutions (SR 782 and SR 860) and SB3739, the Save Our Neighborhoods Act, which focuses on reducing the impact of home foreclosures in Illinois.
With a committee vote expected before noon, the Senate is expected to vote as early as that afternoon.
As the Marion Daily Republican reported in its latest on the plan, the project is expected to generate the following:
- Create 6,000 jobs during construction and earnings of more than $174 million,
- Create 5,686 full-time jobs (both direct and indirect) upon full completion with payroll to exceed $250 million,
- Generate a "total market impact of goods and services produced in the region as a result of the development" by more than $395 million, and
- Result in a $757 million positive impact on the region's economy.
In Mount Vernon, efforts to slow down/jump on board the idea of the STAR Bonds legislation took a hit when the Jefferson County Board declined to back the city's efforts.
... board member Dr. Pat Garrett countered that the board doesn’t know if they have anything to lose by supporting inclusion in the STAR bonds bill.
“I think you’d want to know the particulars,” Garrett said. “I don’t support this, because I personally don’t know enough.”
Garrett by the way is the former high school principal and later superintendent of the Mount Vernon Township High School district where current mayor, and former art teacher, Mary Jane Chesney taught before her retirement.
Garrett's reluctance to commit and Board Chairman Ted Buck unwillingness to fight irritated another board member who thought the board should take a position.
“To have such a noncommittal display from the board chair or Pat Garrett is a disgusting display of arrogance or ignorance,” he said.
Unions Join Supporters of Millennium Development
Add a growing number of unions to the list of groups publicly backing SB 2093 for the Millennium Development project in Marion.
Today's Southern Illinoisan names the Illinois Pipe Trades Association; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 318; Laborers International Unions of North America Laborers Local 773; and the Southern Illinois Laborers District Council, as well as a number of area chambers of commerce and other economic development organizations joining in support.
The Capitol Fax Blog is reporting this afternoon that the Senate will not take action on any bills tonight and committee assignments and hearings will be made in the morning.
The Assignments committee has to assign the SB 2093 to a committee which will hold a hearing on the bill sometime tomorrow morning. Assuming a positive vote, the full Senate could hear the bill as early as tomorrow afternoon.
The Senate has sessions scheduled on the calendar for tomorrow and Friday, but is not expected to stay in session once all the budget bills are finished in both chambers.
Another major piece of tourism legislation in the hopper is an expected override of SB 28, the McCormick Place reform bill Governor Quinn vetoed today. A companion bill designed to address some of his concerns is already making its way through the House.
Today's Southern Illinoisan names the Illinois Pipe Trades Association; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 318; Laborers International Unions of North America Laborers Local 773; and the Southern Illinois Laborers District Council, as well as a number of area chambers of commerce and other economic development organizations joining in support.
The Capitol Fax Blog is reporting this afternoon that the Senate will not take action on any bills tonight and committee assignments and hearings will be made in the morning.
Committees will not be scheduled for this evening and there will be no major floor action. Tonight, the Senate we will read in messages from the House, the Governor. Additionally, we will file all concurrence motions and read in any new Senate bills and resolutions.
After a Committee on Assignments meeting, we will make committee announcements. We plan to start committees around 9:30 on Thursday morning.
The Assignments committee has to assign the SB 2093 to a committee which will hold a hearing on the bill sometime tomorrow morning. Assuming a positive vote, the full Senate could hear the bill as early as tomorrow afternoon.
The Senate has sessions scheduled on the calendar for tomorrow and Friday, but is not expected to stay in session once all the budget bills are finished in both chambers.
Another major piece of tourism legislation in the hopper is an expected override of SB 28, the McCormick Place reform bill Governor Quinn vetoed today. A companion bill designed to address some of his concerns is already making its way through the House.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Quinn Plays High Stakes Game of Chicken with Chicago Tourism
Rich Miller of Capitol Fax and others are reporting that Gov. Pat Quinn will file an amendatory veto of the McCormick Place reform bill. The bill covers a lot of ground in the operations of Chicago's main exposition and conference center.
While those trade shows don't directly affect Southern Illinois tourism, it's the convention market in Chicago that funds the lion share of the state's bed tax collections, that in turn funds tourism throughout the state.
In other words, if Chicago suffers, we too will suffer eventually. Having both attended conferences at McCormick Place as well as worked as an exhibitor I've heard plenty of horror stories to know that reform is needed.
Now major trade shows that have been in Chicago for decades are threatening to pull out for bigger venues in Vegas or Orlando. The reform bill passed unanimously in both chambers, yes there is bipartisan votes on major issues in Springfield, they're rare, but they do occasionally exist.
Now Quinn wants changes in labor rules to the benefit of the unions (which lost in the bill), better succession rules in place (which isn't a bad idea), and a repeal in the doubling of the taxi tax on cab fares originating at O'Hare or Midway airports.
The existing tax already funds McCormick Place operations. Three-quarters of the new tax will fund Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau promotions for big conventions and trade shows and the remaining to fund promotions of the big shows at the Rosemont Convention Center near O'Hare, which is the region's second major exhibition hall.
Miller says lawmakers will likely override the veto. The question is whether the governor will go through with the veto and return it back to the legislature in time for a second vote.
It's a big enough economic deal for Chicago that the Democratic leadership are expected to keep lawmakers in session to deal with it. The big trade shows have already thrown down deadlines for action before they take their show elsewhere.
While those trade shows don't directly affect Southern Illinois tourism, it's the convention market in Chicago that funds the lion share of the state's bed tax collections, that in turn funds tourism throughout the state.
In other words, if Chicago suffers, we too will suffer eventually. Having both attended conferences at McCormick Place as well as worked as an exhibitor I've heard plenty of horror stories to know that reform is needed.
Now major trade shows that have been in Chicago for decades are threatening to pull out for bigger venues in Vegas or Orlando. The reform bill passed unanimously in both chambers, yes there is bipartisan votes on major issues in Springfield, they're rare, but they do occasionally exist.
Now Quinn wants changes in labor rules to the benefit of the unions (which lost in the bill), better succession rules in place (which isn't a bad idea), and a repeal in the doubling of the taxi tax on cab fares originating at O'Hare or Midway airports.
The existing tax already funds McCormick Place operations. Three-quarters of the new tax will fund Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau promotions for big conventions and trade shows and the remaining to fund promotions of the big shows at the Rosemont Convention Center near O'Hare, which is the region's second major exhibition hall.
Miller says lawmakers will likely override the veto. The question is whether the governor will go through with the veto and return it back to the legislature in time for a second vote.
It's a big enough economic deal for Chicago that the Democratic leadership are expected to keep lawmakers in session to deal with it. The big trade shows have already thrown down deadlines for action before they take their show elsewhere.
Mount Vernon Officials Continue Efforts to Kill Bill
Today's Mount Vernon Register-News highlights the King City's efforts to kill SB 2093.
City and chamber officials hope to take a busload to Springfield to protest the bill and somehow get it amended so it would include Mount Vernon.
The bottom line is that if it's not passed this week, it probably won't happen. The House voted tonight on major aspects of the budget. When the House and Senate finish their votes on the budget, they're going to be out of there.
In their efforts to delay the bill, Mount Vernon officials are showing they would rather have no economic development take place in the region than some.
City and chamber officials hope to take a busload to Springfield to protest the bill and somehow get it amended so it would include Mount Vernon.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said from the city’s point of view, no one wants to deny Marion the destination development, but instead, wants to promote “true regionalism” when it comes to hotels/motels, restaurants and retail development.
“It’s about competitive business and it’s regionalism,” Chesley explained. “That will be good for both communities and the counties they reside in for the creation of jobs. This is about retail, hotels, motels and restaurants, because we have 600 acres out there for potential growth and development. I don’t have a problem with Marion and STAR bonding. Good for them. They brought the idea in. The problem I have is, level the playing field and allow Mt. Vernon to have that incentive also. That would create that corridor between Marion and Mt. Vernon for economic development. That’s the message I’m taking (to Springfield).”
The bottom line is that if it's not passed this week, it probably won't happen. The House voted tonight on major aspects of the budget. When the House and Senate finish their votes on the budget, they're going to be out of there.
In their efforts to delay the bill, Mount Vernon officials are showing they would rather have no economic development take place in the region than some.
Forby Confirms Thursday
Just got off the phone with State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton.
He says Thursday's the day for SB 2093. He talked with the Senate leadership "a few days" ago and as of now, plans are for the bill to go through committee Thursday morning and a full Senate vote that afternoon.
SB 2093 would create a STAR Bonds District in Marion that would help finance the Millennium Development project pushed by Bruce Holland.
He says Thursday's the day for SB 2093. He talked with the Senate leadership "a few days" ago and as of now, plans are for the bill to go through committee Thursday morning and a full Senate vote that afternoon.
SB 2093 would create a STAR Bonds District in Marion that would help finance the Millennium Development project pushed by Bruce Holland.
The Clock Starts Tomorrow on Development Bill
Senate Bill 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act, would authorize the creation of a STAR Bonds District in Marion, Illinois.
State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, is the chief Senate sponsor of the bill. As of this afternoon his office believes the bill will have its committee hearing sometime Thursday.
Meanwhile, the number of public officials supporting the project is now up to 54, according to Herrin Mayor Vic Ritter who gave a rousing endorsement at the recent Herrin City Council meeting.
If we're going to talk the regional economic talk, we've got to walk the regional economic walk.
Ritter noted that before Maytag closed its plant in his city, it employed residents not only from Herrin and Williamson County, but from 15 other surrounding counties. He expects the same from this plan.
Marion will come out smelling like a rose, but the entire area will benefit.
Ritter plans to join other public officials in Springfield Thursday.
Monday, May 24, 2010
SI Edge Joins Others in Support of Millennium Development
Southern Illinois EDGE members voted last Wednesday to endorse SB 2093 the legislation awaiting action in the Illinois Senate to authorize the creation of a STAR Bonds district in Marion.
Member Larry Woolard made the announcement today to the Southern.
The Senate returns to session this Wednesday.
Member Larry Woolard made the announcement today to the Southern.
"SI EDGE believes the proposed STAR bonds concept is vital to the economic health of the southern Illinois region and supports the efforts to move the concept from the drawing board to reality."
The Senate returns to session this Wednesday.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Mount Vernon Senator Wants STAR Bonds District Too
If a Mount Vernon state senator gets his way, the proposed Millennium Development project for Marion could be delayed.
State Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, wants to amend SB 2093 to allow a STAR Bonds district for the King City as well.
Chances of it actually happening are right up there with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich telling the truth at his upcoming corruption trial (or ever).
State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, told the Southern Illinoisan it's too late. With the Senate expected to be in session only one to three days next week, there's little time for following to take place.
1) Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, as the chief Senate sponsor of the bill actually agreeing to it.
2) Jones writing the amendment and bringing to a vote in some Senate committee.
3) The legislative staff in the various agencies getting the sure-to-be-expected-requested impact notes filed on time. This is what delayed the vote two weeks ago when Jones' House partner state Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, requested them to slow down Bradley's bill before it passed the House (here and here.
4) The Senate passing the amended version, sending it back to the House.
5) The House receiving the legislation and referring it to the Rules Committee.
6) The Rules Committee referring it back to the Revenue and Finance Committee.
7) The Revenue and Finance Committee holding another hearing on the once-again amended bill.
8) The Revenue and Finance Committee voting to pass out the bill to the full House.
9) The full House of Representatives voting for the bill again.
All of this has to be done before House Speaker Michael Madigan can figure out a way to pass a partial budget that's relatively balanced and getting his Democratic caucus out of Springfield before they do something electorally devastating like pass an income tax hike six months before an election.
Bradley is right. There's barely enough time for the current bill to be passed by the Senate, which still has to be referred out of the Assignments Committee and into another committee to hold a hearing on the bill. That committee then has to vote to pass the bill out to the full Senate for a vote.
If Mount Vernon wants a STAR Bonds District, they should first find a developer who wants to use it, then introduce their own legislation, not hold up this one.
Here's something that most people don't know. A few years ago, Mount Vernon lawmakers introduced a bill creating a Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority which included all the counties in Jones' district plus Franklin and Williamson Counties.
Before the bill could be passed the Mount Vernon lawmakers amended the bill removing Franklin and Williamson Counties from the mix.
I'm sure the behind the scenes deal was simple. We'll remove Franklin and Williamson this year and next year we'll support the creation of the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority which includes the remaining counties in Sen. Forby's district.
The following year that is exactly what happened.
The problem though is simple. That first economic development authority received state funds for operations thanks to state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle. Granted, they were mostly for his proposed Abraham Lincoln Golf Trail, but it was funds nevertheless which allowed the board, which the governor actually did appoint, to hire an executive director, and actually go to work.
The Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority is just sitting there on paper in the law books. Neither Gov. Blagojevich nor Gov. Pat Quinn have appointed any members to the board of directors as required by law, nor have any county chairman made their appointments. It's a terrific economic development tool with up to $250 million in bonding authority that's going to waste.
State Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon, wants to amend SB 2093 to allow a STAR Bonds district for the King City as well.
Chances of it actually happening are right up there with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich telling the truth at his upcoming corruption trial (or ever).
State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, told the Southern Illinoisan it's too late. With the Senate expected to be in session only one to three days next week, there's little time for following to take place.
1) Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, as the chief Senate sponsor of the bill actually agreeing to it.
2) Jones writing the amendment and bringing to a vote in some Senate committee.
3) The legislative staff in the various agencies getting the sure-to-be-expected-requested impact notes filed on time. This is what delayed the vote two weeks ago when Jones' House partner state Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, requested them to slow down Bradley's bill before it passed the House (here and here.
4) The Senate passing the amended version, sending it back to the House.
5) The House receiving the legislation and referring it to the Rules Committee.
6) The Rules Committee referring it back to the Revenue and Finance Committee.
7) The Revenue and Finance Committee holding another hearing on the once-again amended bill.
8) The Revenue and Finance Committee voting to pass out the bill to the full House.
9) The full House of Representatives voting for the bill again.
All of this has to be done before House Speaker Michael Madigan can figure out a way to pass a partial budget that's relatively balanced and getting his Democratic caucus out of Springfield before they do something electorally devastating like pass an income tax hike six months before an election.
Bradley is right. There's barely enough time for the current bill to be passed by the Senate, which still has to be referred out of the Assignments Committee and into another committee to hold a hearing on the bill. That committee then has to vote to pass the bill out to the full Senate for a vote.
If Mount Vernon wants a STAR Bonds District, they should first find a developer who wants to use it, then introduce their own legislation, not hold up this one.
Here's something that most people don't know. A few years ago, Mount Vernon lawmakers introduced a bill creating a Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority which included all the counties in Jones' district plus Franklin and Williamson Counties.
Before the bill could be passed the Mount Vernon lawmakers amended the bill removing Franklin and Williamson Counties from the mix.
I'm sure the behind the scenes deal was simple. We'll remove Franklin and Williamson this year and next year we'll support the creation of the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority which includes the remaining counties in Sen. Forby's district.
The following year that is exactly what happened.
The problem though is simple. That first economic development authority received state funds for operations thanks to state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle. Granted, they were mostly for his proposed Abraham Lincoln Golf Trail, but it was funds nevertheless which allowed the board, which the governor actually did appoint, to hire an executive director, and actually go to work.
The Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority is just sitting there on paper in the law books. Neither Gov. Blagojevich nor Gov. Pat Quinn have appointed any members to the board of directors as required by law, nor have any county chairman made their appointments. It's a terrific economic development tool with up to $250 million in bonding authority that's going to waste.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Vote No Earlier Than Wednesday
Although the Illinois House will return to work Monday on the budget, the Senate doesn't plan to reconvene until Wednesday, according to the State Journal-Register.
That means a vote on the new Millennium Development plan for Marion remains at least five days away.
Democrats which control both chambers are expected to pass a budget by the end of the week to avoid going into overtime in June. At that point budgets require a super-majority vote which would empower the Republicans which have been virtually shut out of the budget process.
That means a vote on the new Millennium Development plan for Marion remains at least five days away.
Democrats which control both chambers are expected to pass a budget by the end of the week to avoid going into overtime in June. At that point budgets require a super-majority vote which would empower the Republicans which have been virtually shut out of the budget process.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Support Builds for Marion's Millennium Development Project
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has called for the House to return to session on Monday and the Senate is expected to return next week as well.
When they do, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, plans to bring up SB 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act, for a vote. The Illinois House passed the measure May 7 sending it back to the Senate for a final vote.
The Edwardsville Intelligencer has one of the best wrap-ups of the progress so far with appropriate comparisons of the similarities and differences with the now-defunct University Town Center plan for Glen Carbon.
Since then a number of school superintendents have also come out in favor of the bill, even a few that wouldn't benefit directly from the School Improvement Fund being funded by the development.
SB 2093 started off as a Senate bill on a completely different subject that passed the Senate and moved onto the House side for approval. With the support of the original sponsors, State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, amended the bill to create the STAR Bonds district for Marion. In parliamentary terms, the Senate now has to concur, or approve, the changes made by the House.
Forby formally filed the motion to concur on May 7 and bill now sits in the Senate Assignments Committee which will need to send it to either another committee for approval or could possibly approve it themselves and send it to the full Senate for a vote.
The local officials supporting the bill include the following:
When they do, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, plans to bring up SB 2093, the Innovative Development and Economy Act, for a vote. The Illinois House passed the measure May 7 sending it back to the Senate for a final vote.
The Edwardsville Intelligencer has one of the best wrap-ups of the progress so far with appropriate comparisons of the similarities and differences with the now-defunct University Town Center plan for Glen Carbon.
But one of the starkest differences between the Millennium Development and the UTC battle is the amount of mayoral support it has received.
Whereas the UTC was fought by roughly two dozen area mayors outside of Glen Carbon, a statement Wednesday released by Holland spokesperson Rebecca Rausch cites the support of retired U.S. Congressman Ken Gray of West Frankfurt, together with more than 25 area mayors, three county board chairmen, a county commissioner and a county supervisor.
Since then a number of school superintendents have also come out in favor of the bill, even a few that wouldn't benefit directly from the School Improvement Fund being funded by the development.
SB 2093 started off as a Senate bill on a completely different subject that passed the Senate and moved onto the House side for approval. With the support of the original sponsors, State Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, amended the bill to create the STAR Bonds district for Marion. In parliamentary terms, the Senate now has to concur, or approve, the changes made by the House.
Forby formally filed the motion to concur on May 7 and bill now sits in the Senate Assignments Committee which will need to send it to either another committee for approval or could possibly approve it themselves and send it to the full Senate for a vote.
The local officials supporting the bill include the following:
- Anna Mayor Steve Hartline
- Benton Mayor Gary Kraft
- Cairo Mayor Judson Childs
- Carterville Mayor William Mausey
- Cypress Mayor Neil West
- Dongola Mayor Teddy Earnhart
- Du Quoin Mayor John Rednour
- Galatia Mayor David Harrowood
- Goreville Mayor Larry Vaughn
- Grayville Mayor Joe Bisch
- Harrisburg Mayor Valerie Mitchell
- Herrin Mayor Vic Ritter
- Jonesboro Mayor Ken Blandford
- Johnston City Mayor Ryan Horn
- Marion Mayor Robert L. Butler
- Mcleansboro Mayor Dick Dietz
- Metropolis Mayor Billy Mcdaniel
- Mounds Mayor Waymen Butler
- Mounds City Mayor Sam Johnson
- Murphysboro Mayor Ron Williams
- Olmsted Mayor Curtis Marshall
- Shawneetown Mayor Terry Williams
- Stonefort Mayor George Jackson
- Vienna Mayor Jon Simmons
- West Frankfort Mayor Marion Presley
- Zeigler Mayor Dennis Mitchell
- Denning Township/Franklin County Supervisor Nancy Bundy
- Gallatin County Board Chairman Randy Drone
- Saline County Board Chairman Jim Fowler
- Union County Board Chairman Randy Lambdin
- Williamson County Commissioners Brent Gentry, Tracey Glenn and Ron Eillis
- Benton Consolidated High School District 103
- Benton School District 47
- Carterville Community Unit School District 5
- Christopher Community Unit School District 99
- Frankfort Community Unit School District 168
- Marion Community Unit School District 2
- Pinckneyville Community High School District 101
- Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District 196
- Zeigler-Royalton Community Unit School District 188
Groundbreaking Set for Metropolis-Brookport Bike Trail
Groundbreaking for the George Rogers Clark Discovery Trail will take place tomorrow, Friday, at 1 p.m. next to the interpretive center at Fort Massac State Park.
The 8.8-miles trail is roughly half shared roadways and half former railroad right-of-way from Metropolis to Brookport.
Backers secured $3.2 million in funding last September.
For more information, check out this PowerPoint presentation.
The name honors Revolutionary War Gen. George Rogers Clark who secured the old Northwest Territory for American forces in 1778-1779. He and his men first landed in Illinois at the mouth of Seven Mile Creek, just upriver from the fort which is still located in the state park.
Metropolis and Massac County officials have been working on this since the early 1970s. Congratulations on the breakthrough.
The 8.8-miles trail is roughly half shared roadways and half former railroad right-of-way from Metropolis to Brookport.
Backers secured $3.2 million in funding last September.
For more information, check out this PowerPoint presentation.
The name honors Revolutionary War Gen. George Rogers Clark who secured the old Northwest Territory for American forces in 1778-1779. He and his men first landed in Illinois at the mouth of Seven Mile Creek, just upriver from the fort which is still located in the state park.
Metropolis and Massac County officials have been working on this since the early 1970s. Congratulations on the breakthrough.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Hundley House reopens as Carbondale bed and breakfast
The home's original owners' former Carbondale Mayor John Charles Hundley and his wife Luella were murdered there in 1928. Ghosts sightings and strange noises has long been part of the two-story brick home's mystique.
Dan Jones bought the property last year and converted it from the more recent uses as offices and retail to the bed and breakfast.
The inn offers three suites. Guests can check availability and make reservations online.
For more information check out the inn's website at www.HundleyHouse.net.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
State Tourism Director Tours Cedarhurst
Jan Kostner, deputy director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and state tourism director, visited Mount Vernon this week touring the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.
Kostner says the King City is "ripe" for tourism development in terms of location.
Candace McCoy has the story.
Kostner says the King City is "ripe" for tourism development in terms of location.
Candace McCoy has the story.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Illinois House Passes IDEA Bill
The Illinois House of Representatives has voted 76-39-1 in favor of SB 2093, the IDEA bill that would allow STAR Bonds financing of a new tourism and retail development in Marion.
It was a quite vigorous debate. Going into it there was word that State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, would vote no. Instead, he voted for it and called on his fellow House members to support the bill in this video thanks to Capitol Fax.
Next stop is the Illinois Senate.
Meanwhile budget negotiations have broken down with the House voting down various aspects of it. That means the General Assembly won't be ending their session tonight as planned which gives the bill more time.
The deadline for final action on the bill has been extended to May 28. Both chambers have adjourned for the day.
Over in the Senate, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, has formally filed a motion to concur with the House's amendments which added the Marion incentive plan. The motion to concur has been referred to the Assignments Committee, whose chairman, state Sen. James Clayborne, Jr., D-Belleville, was the former sponsor of the bill when it focused on Glen Carbon.
In another late change, state Sen. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, has joined the bill as an alternate chief co-sponsor. He's got to be looking at the STAR bonds and how they could be used for the proposed Music City Illinois destination and convention resort in western Perry County.
It was a quite vigorous debate. Going into it there was word that State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, would vote no. Instead, he voted for it and called on his fellow House members to support the bill in this video thanks to Capitol Fax.
Next stop is the Illinois Senate.
Meanwhile budget negotiations have broken down with the House voting down various aspects of it. That means the General Assembly won't be ending their session tonight as planned which gives the bill more time.
The deadline for final action on the bill has been extended to May 28. Both chambers have adjourned for the day.
Over in the Senate, state Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, has formally filed a motion to concur with the House's amendments which added the Marion incentive plan. The motion to concur has been referred to the Assignments Committee, whose chairman, state Sen. James Clayborne, Jr., D-Belleville, was the former sponsor of the bill when it focused on Glen Carbon.
In another late change, state Sen. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, has joined the bill as an alternate chief co-sponsor. He's got to be looking at the STAR bonds and how they could be used for the proposed Music City Illinois destination and convention resort in western Perry County.
Debate Begins in House on Bradley Bill
The live audio and video streaming of the House of Representatives is down, but the Capitol Fax Blog is reporting that the House is currently debating Bradley's bill.
Fiscal and Budget Notes Detailed, Somewhat
The following is the Fiscal and Balanced Budget notes that were filed earlier today on state Rep. John Bradley's IDEA bill for the Marion development.
The thing to keep in mind is that much of this sales tax revenue would not exist in the first place for Illinois if it wasn't for the project.
Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (Dept. of Revenue)
The Department of Revenue was not provided with a plan or detailed description of the proposed development, its precise location, or any financial details. This information is critical to provide a comprehensive analysis of the proposed STAR Bonds development. Thus, the estimate below is limited in scope. SB 2093 (H-AM 4) would cost the State $12,500,000 per year over a 23 to 35 year period totaling between $287.5 million and $437.5 million in future sales tax revenue as estimated by the Department of Revenue. These funds would be diverted to the STAR Bond district. Based on the information provided by the developer, the Department is unable to forecast the impact on existing sales tax revenue.
Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 4 (Office of Management and Budget)
The Department of Revenue was not provided with a plan or detailed description of the proposed development, its precise location, or any financial details. This information is critical to provide a comprehensive analysis of the proposed STAR Bonds development. Thus, the estimate below is limited in scope. SB 2093 (H-AM 4) would cost the State $12,500,000 per year over a 23 to 35 year period totaling between $287.5 million and $437.5 million in future sales tax revenue as estimated by the Department of Revenue. These funds would be diverted to the STAR Bond district. Based on the information provided by the developer, the Department is unable to forecast the impact on existing sales tax revenue.
The thing to keep in mind is that much of this sales tax revenue would not exist in the first place for Illinois if it wasn't for the project.
Balanced Budget Note Filed, No Details Yet
Staff have filed the Balanced Budget Note which is the last of the 10 impact notes requested last night on state Rep. John Bradley's IDEA bill.
Details still await on this note as well as the fiscal impact. Neither have been posted, but with them filed, the House can now take a vote on the bill which is expected within hours.
Details still await on this note as well as the fiscal impact. Neither have been posted, but with them filed, the House can now take a vote on the bill which is expected within hours.
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