Article 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z true Census rule change sparks debate about counting inmates CHICAGO -- Normally, few communities would want to take credit for prison inmates. But, with this year's census about to bring adjustments in political power based on population numbers, a fight is brewing over which communities get to claim convicts. With federal money at stake, some argue inmates should be counted in their hometowns instead of the prison towns where they currently are counted. This month, the Census Bureau gave Illinois and other states the ability to decide the matter, and a Chicago-area lawmaker responded with a bill proposing to make the change to hometowns. Proponents argue it is a matter not only of money but democratic equality, but downstate lawmakers retort that the money is needed for infrastructure around the prisons. "It isn't fair for certain communities to reap a benefit that they don't deserve just because these people are in jail on one given day," said state Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the legislation. The majority of Illinois' 45,000 inmates are actually from Cook County, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections, but they have swelled the population of Dixon, Vandalia and other rural prison towns. About 30 percent of the residents of Brown County along the Missouri border, for example, are inmates at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mount Sterling. The fight over population foreshadows next year's larger clash over redrawing boundaries for congressional and legislative districts, based on population shifts uncovered by the census. Those once-a-decade clashes are typically filled with partisan maneuvering. The debate over prisoners also has a racial component. The Illinois Department of Corrections reports that about 60 percent of inmates are African-American, while most prisons are in rural, predominantly white areas. Dale Ho, assistant counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said African-American communities are especially sensitive because their political strength is diluted if their populations are dispersed. The Rev. Al Sharpton helped kick off a similar push to change the inmate-counting formula in New York. "It is an issue of racial justice," Ho said. Because of the traditional way of inmate counting, Cook County suffered a net loss of about 26,000 people in the 2000 Census, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. To facilitate a change, census officials also agreed to accelerate its breakout of prison populations to May 2011 so states would have the data in time for redistricting. In the past, the inmate count would come too late to be considered. Ford said the change would be only fair for his district because some prisoners serving short sentences will return before the end of the decade. The Austin community on Chicago's West Side, part of Ford's district, was the largest destination for ex-offenders in 2001, according to the Urban Institute. Ford worries that social-service agencies that help rehabilitate those ex-prisoners will not be able to raise necessary funds if there is not an accurate count that reflects their ties to the neighborhood. To ease concerns that the new approach would give an unfair advantage to the prisoners' hometowns, Ford said he would introduce an amendment to allow prison towns to count inmates serving sentences longer than 10 years. Ho said the NAACP would support a compromise in which inmates would be counted but not factored into the redistricting equation. State Rep. Ron Stephens, a Republican from Highland whose district near St. Louis has the sixth-highest proportion of state prisoners, said the bill is merely a grab for money and clout. Stephens said downstate Democrats are already joining Republicans in organizing opposition to the bill. "Rep. Ford would get the money but the folks I represent would be taking care of the prisoners," Stephens said. "It's a horrible public policy change. The system is fair now." Census rule change sparks debate about counting inmates false 111974 Other

Article 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z Mike Riopell true Audit: Tiny state agency has only one employee StoryDiscussionBy Mike Riopell | mike.riopell@lee.net | Posted: SPRINGFIELD -- Created in an effort to keep the cost of electricity as low as possible, the Illinois Power Agency has only one employee and no one to handle its finances, a recent audit found. Mark Pruitt was tapped to run the agency almost two years ago, and he's remained its only employee ever since. In a new report, Auditor General William Holland found that Pruitt, a utility expert, had trouble with the accounting paperwork because the agency doesn't have an accountant. The Illinois Power Agency acts as a broker to ensure Ameren and ComEd buy the cheapest electricity available. That way, consumers pay less. Last year, the agency brokered a deal that resulted in the utilities buying cheaper power. Pruitt used consultants to help, and has a relatively tiny budget for a state agency at just more than $1 million. Pruitt said he's happy with the result of the power purchase last year, and expects to hire help soon to deal with the agency's other issues. He noted the state's budget crisis has slowed down the hiring. "We'll deal with this while the rest of the world's not on fire," Pruitt said. Pruitt said Gov. Pat Quinn has authorized him to bring some people on. "There's not a manual for setting up a new agency," Pruitt said. The audit also criticizes the agency for not having what it considers to be a fully functioning office. "Without having access to basic office equipment, the Agency is unable to maintain adequate records, such as copies of contracts and vouchers submitted to various agencies," the audit reads. "Additionally, the Agency cannot operate in an efficient manner." Pruitt works in Chicago's James R. Thompson Center and said he has shared technology resources with other agencies. "I'm just cheap," he said. "I'm willing to share my pads of paper." Pruitt's agency was created in 2007 after a months-long controversy over a spike in some Ameren and ComEd power bills. Some of the money from a $1 billion settlement with Ameren, Exelon and others, pays for the Illinois Power Agency's operation. David Kolata, director of the utility-watchdog Citizen's Utility Board, said he thinks Pruitt's doing a good job helping keep costs down. The fact that Pruitt remains alone in the agency is just a matter of bad timing, he said. "The creation of the IPA coincided with the fiscal crisis of the state," Kolata said. The state's Auditor General office does regularly scheduled audits of all state agencies. The full report can be found at http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/ Audit: Tiny state agency has only one employee false 111964 Bloomington Pantagraph

Article 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z Kurt Erickson and Chris Essig true Local officials gearing up to fight Quinn's cuts to cities, schools StoryDiscussionBy Kurt Erickson and Chris Essig | kurt.erickson@lee.net, chris.essig@lee.net | SPRINGFIELD -- Even before Gov. Pat Quinn formally unveils his spending plan Wednesday, local government officials have been gearing up for a fight. Over the weekend, Quinn's budget chief, David Vaught, said the governor will outline a controversial plan to cut the amount of income tax revenue the state shares with municipalities in his budget plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The state would use the estimated $300 million to help close a gaping budget hole. But, cash-strapped cities and towns say they need that money too. Normal Mayor Chris Koos said the town could lose up to $400,000 at a time when officials already have cut workers, halted new programs and increased the local sales tax to cope with current budget shortfalls. Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder suggested his community would face additional belt-tightening. "Any loss of additional revenue would require further cuts," Snyder said. While some mayors wouldn't speculate on how exactly they would deal with cuts in state aid, Pana Mayor Steven Sipes said his town may need to look into some kind of tax or fee increase to plug such a shortfall. Because Pana's property taxes are capped, city officials would have to consider water rate hikes or utility tax increases if more revenue is needed, he said. Layoffs are an absolute last resort because the town of 6,000 only has 45 employees. "It's going to be devastating," Sipes said. Vandalia Mayor Ricky Gottman would not say whether layoffs or tax increases would be necessary if the state cuts funding for municipalities, but both are last resorts. "We cut the budget pretty deep this year," Gottman said. School districts also are in Quinn's fiscal crosshairs. Vaught told the Associated Press that 17,000 school employees could be laid off under the governor's budget proposal. Ray Bergles, superintendent of the Silvis school district near the Quad Cities, said the state is already inconsistent in paying bills. "We're not getting money now anyway," said Bergles. Even without action by Quinn, Silvis is cutting 10 teachers and six other workers in the coming school year. The district also is cutting back on buying new school supplies and may have to increase class sizes. The district, however, will not likely increase property taxes, Bergles said. At the Du Quoin school district in southern Illinois, Superintendent Gary Kelly said the cuts being proposed by Quinn could result in layoffs because reducing spending in other areas likely won't be enough to cover the gap. "It's the worst financial time for K-12 education we've had in a very long time," Kelly said. State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, says he expects local governments to lay off workers and cut programs before raising taxes. "Property taxes probably aren't going to be increased in my district," Forby said. The governor's budget speech is set for noon Wednesday. Local officials gearing up to fight Quinn's cuts to cities, schools false 111968 Bloomington Pantagraph

Editorial 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z true School chief sets a good example skipping raise Even if every superintendent followed the example of Delavan's Mary Parker, it would be a drop in the bucket compared to other expenses, including pay raises for teachers and other staff. However, it sets a good example. . ..The Delavan school board will take action on about $450,000 in budget cuts tonight -- but that's $13,500 less than it would have been without the actions of the district's superintendent, two principals and its special education director. Superintendent Mary Parker volunteered to skip her 4 percent pay raise, and three other administrators followed her example. Delavan School Board President Jeff Johnson called their actions "a very loyal thing to do," and we agree. Being a school superintendent is one of those professions that fall into the category of the proverbial "dirty, thankless job, but somebody has to do it." It might not be dirty, for the most part, but it is often thankless. Superintendents have to balance sometimes conflicting interests of students, teachers, parents and taxpayers -- and do so while staying within the boundaries of convoluted state and federal regulations, not to mention union contracts. They get criticized when they call off school for bad weather -- and criticized when they don't. They strive to run schools that provide students with the best education, but also deal with building maintenance and transportation problems. And they have to do all this amid falling tax revenue. Most are well compensated for the task, especially those at larger districts. The average compensation for superintendents in Illinois was $151,000 in 2008-09, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. There are 150 superintendents in Illinois making $200,000 or more. In many cases, those salaries reflect "bumps" before retirement to yield a higher pension -- a practice that's also a part of most teacher contracts. Those "bumps" are a symptom of what's wrong with the public pension system in Illinois, but that's a topic for another day. The salary of Unit 5 Superintendent Gary Niehaus is $188,260 in a district with an enrollment of 12,843. Bloomington District 87 Superintendent Bob Nielsen is making $185,789 in his final year before retirement after a dozen years heading the 5,533-student district. His successor, Barry Reilly, will have a salary of $165,000. Even if every superintendent followed the example of Delavan's Mary Parker, it would be a drop in the bucket compared to other expenses, including pay raises for teachers and other staff. However, it sets a good example. "It's time to step up and lead by example," Parker said. Parker has certainly demonstrated leadership. How many others -- lawmakers included -- will follow her example? School chief sets a good example skipping raise false 111969 Bloomington Pantagraph

Article 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z Braden Willis true GOP legislators blame governor, Democrats for state budget woes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Braden Willis Carmi Times Mon Mar 08, 2010, 04:36 PM CST Springfield - State Sen. John O. Jones and state Reps. David Reis and John Cavaletto, all southern Illinois Republicans, blamed the Democratic Party and Gov. Pat Quinn for the state's budget woes during a conference call late Friday morning. The call came in advance of the governor's budget address, planned for Wednesday. Jones spoke at length about the problems in schools and universities, with a lack of state funding forcing layoffs of teachers. But he pointed to the Illinois Department of Transportation's plans to hire as many as 180 new workers before July 1. The reason for the push to hire these employees, Jones said, is because they have to have six months on the job before the next governor is elected to keep their job should Quinn not be reelected this November. Jones said one employee, a political appointee, was hired just this week at the Effingham IDOT yard to basically wander the yard and shop and to keep an eye on the operation with no real job function - simply a political appointed job with a fat paycheck. Jones said both parties have been guilty of practices such as these, and it has to stop. He also pointed to Travis Loyd, a Democratic candidate for state representative in the 107th District in 2008 who has been rewarded with a state job by Quinn. Now, Jones said, Quinn is appointing Loyd to the position of assistant director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, resulting in a pay raise of more than $35,000 per year for Loyd. GOP legislators blame governor, Democrats for state budget woes false 111975 Carmi Times

Editorial 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z true Brady vs.Quinn Mon, 03/08/2010 - 10:04am | The News-Gazette State Sen. Bill Brady's razor-thin margin of victory in the Republican gubernatorial primary election proves once again that every vote counts. After more than a month of confusion, the Illinois gubernatorial race has became a little more clear. A Bloomington resident, Sen. Bill Brady Friday was formally declared the winner, narrowly defeating second-placed finisher and fellow state Sen. Kirk Dillard by 193 votes. Although Brady led from the beginning, the election remained up in the air until the official results were in. Dillard has opted not to seek a recount because of the expense and time involved. So it'll be Brady against Democrat Pat Quinn, the former lieutenant governor who succeeded the impeached Rod Blagojevich. But there's still more confusion lower on the ballot. Although Republican Jason Plummer is running for lieutenant governor with Brady, Democrats have yet to fill their vacant lieutenant governor slot after primary winner Scott Lee Cohen resigned from the ticket. The race will offer voters a sharp choice in the November election. The liberal Quinn and conservative Brady don't agree on much of anything. The wild card factor is that neither candidate has been exposed to the rigors and scrutiny that comes with running for such a high-profile office as governor. Both men do, however, have substantial resumes in public and private life, and voters can look forward to a spirited campaign. Brady vs.Quinn false 111973 Champaign News-Gazette

Column 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z CHRIS FUSCO Staff Reporter/cfusco@suntimes.com true Madigan wants state to drop security firm Deal involving ex-cons in nursing homes under scrutiny March 9, 2010 BY CHRIS FUSCO Staff Reporter/cfusco@suntimes.com Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is calling on the state health department to cancel its contract with VIP Security & Detective Services, citing a Chicago Sun-Times report that raised questions about the firm's nursing home safety deal. Reached Monday, VIP's top employee defended his company's work helping the state assess the danger posed by ex-cons who live in Illinois nursing homes. Meanwhile, a health department spokeswoman said the agency is exploring whether State Police could take over the Matteson firm's role and save taxpayers money. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is calling on the state health department to cancel its contract with V.I.P. Security & Detective Services. (AP) Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is calling on the state health department to cancel its contract with V.I.P. Security & Detective Services. (AP) RELATED STORIES New questions on state nursing home deal VIP has been paid nearly $2 million since 2006. Madigan described a State Police takeover as ideal. "The state should eliminate VIP as a middleman and rely on the State Police to gather all the criminal history information," she said. "This will expedite this process, provide greater protection for nursing home residents and save scarce state money." VIP was one of two firms awarded no-bid emergency contracts in August 2006 to help health officials screen nursing-home residents. Its president, Bennie Bryant III, reported the firm had been in business for two years with $50,000 in annual sales. But state records show VIP had been incorporated only three months before Bryant signed its contract, and that VIP didn't get its security- and detective-agency licenses until Sept. 8, 2006 -- the same day the health department signed the deal. Asked to explain that, Bryant said his sister -- Roxanne B. Jackson, a high-ranking state health official in 2003 and 2004 -- incorporated a firm called "VIP Security" in October 2002 and that he did business under that name. Records show VIP Security did exist, but they also show that the firm never held a state license to operate as a security or detective agency. Also, VIP Security wasn't in business two years; it was dissolved after 17 months after failing to pay required fees. Pressed further, Bryant said, "I really have a problem talking to you. It's like you're on a witch hunt, but you're witch-hunting the wrong people." His company, he added, is doing "an excellent job" given time constraints it is forced to work under. Madigan wants state to drop security firm false 111956 Chicago Sun-Times

Letter to Editor 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z Ellie Sullivan true U. of I. exec hardly sharing the pain Comments March 9, 2010 Some people just ruin things for the rest of us, and I put University of Illinois Chancellor Richard D. Ringeisen first in line. While pulling down a whopping consulting fee of $273,500, this man is trying to balance the troubled budget of the university on the backs of the people who keep the place running. Three members of University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 staff chapter are being laid off. Not for a couple of days, but for a total of 23 weeks -- almost half the year. These are the lowest paid workers at the University of Illinois at Springfield, the ones who provide necessary university services. These three workers are losing a total of $12,029.03 in salary. They are the people who can least afford a layoff. When a worker is laid off, where else can the family cut after they have already cut everything they can with the very low salaries paid by UIS? A single day the three service workers are not paid saves the university a total of $103.70. (Yes, that's for all three). Mr. Ringeisen, do the right thing for your campus before you leave. Share some of the suffering. Or rather, ease up on the suffering of three people who literally help keep the university running. Ellie Sullivan President University Professionals of Illinois Local 4100 U. of I. exec hardly sharing the pain false 111957 Chicago Sun-Times

Column 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z MICHAEL SNEED Sun-Times Columnist true Lt. Gov. Simon? Attention! Comments March 9, 2010 BY MICHAEL SNEED Sun-Times Columnist Tipsville: The sweepstakes for the Illinois lieutenant gov's race are heating up. Word late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon's daughter, Sheila, submitted her application for the job is worth noting: Sneed has learned she was on Gov. Quinn's list of five nominees for the job weeks ago. ?? Click to enlarge image Michael Sneed Pssst! Sneed is told Quinn treasures a bow tie that once belonged to Sen. Simon, one of his heroes -- given to him by Sheila Simon after her father died. The bankshot! Sneed's bet: The Dem party will select state Rep. Art Turner, for lieutenant governor. The buckshot: Watch for a rumpus and a ruckus from angry African-American congressmen if Turner, who placed second in the primary, doesn't get the ballot spot. Puff place . . . Evil in the oval? Does President Obama sneak smokes in the White House -- rather than in the Rose Garden? In case you didn't know, a smoking ban was instituted in 1993 by . . . Hillary Rodham Clinton. A Daley note . . . Sneed is told first lady Maggie Daley, who is still in the hospital recovering from leg surgery due to cancer, was relieved she was able to see her soldier son, Patrick, in Florida last week before his redeployment into the military. Frontline femme . . . Academy Award winner Kathryn "Hurt Locker" Bigelow, the American filmmaker who beat out her ex-hubby for top Oscar, started out as a painter. u Bigelow tidbits: Her father was a paint factory manager; her mother was a librarian; she was inspired viscerally by the films "Mean Streets" and "The Wild Bunch;" she once modeled for a Gap ad; played a newspaper editor in a 1983 film; and was only married to filmmaker James "Avatar" Cameron for two years. Film flam . . . It's a first: Five TV pilots will be shot during the next month in Chicago. u To wit: The pilots include: u "Ridealong" -- Fox cop drama by Sean "The Shield" Ryan. u "Matadors" -- ABC pilot described as a legal drama starring Evanston native Zach "Friday Night Lights" Gilford. u "ATF" -- CBS pilot about an ATF agent balancing his professional and personal life. The cast is not set. u "Pleading Guilty" -- Fox pilot starring Brit actor Jason Isaacs about a former cop who's now a partner in a big Chicago law firm. The flick is based on the Scott Turow novel of the same name. u "Friends with Benefits" -- NBC pilot about a group of 20 somethings. Sound like "Friends" to you? I spy . . . Oprah Winfrey and actor/director Tyler Perry, a producer of "Precious," dining at Table Fifty-Two Thursday . . . And singer Alicia Keys spotted dining with friends at the restaurant earlier that evening . . . Bears Coach Lovie Smith dining with his new players Chester Taylor and Julius Peppers Friday . . . Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville spotted at the CrossRoads Bar & Grill Friday night. Sneedlings . . . A hero to so many, the late, great Dr. Dick Rovner will be honored posthumously at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago's "Heroes Dinner" tonight at the Four Seasons hotel. U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ilana Rovner and their son, Max, will be on hand for the tribute . . . Condolences to the family of Blackhawks chief Rocky Wirtz on the death of his aunt, Sunny Wirtz, who died Feb. 28 . . . and to retired Chicago Police Officer Lee Boivin, whose K9 partner of seven years, Bullet, died recently . . . Today's birthdays: Juliette Binoche, 46; Charles Gibson, 67; Keely Smith, 78; Mickey Gilley, 74; Ruby Jefferson Worsham, 100; Emmanuel Lewis, 39, and Faith Daniels, 53. Lt. Gov. Simon? Attention! false 111958 Chicago Sun-Times

Article 2010-03-09T00:00:00Z David Jackson and Gary Marx true Deadline set to close Chicago nursing home March 8, 2010 8:11 PM | No Comments State authorities said today that they plan to shut one of the state's largest nursing homes by Friday and are working to transfer out the remaining 76 residents. Medicaid funding to Uptown's troubled Somerset Place facility is being cut off, and the state health department has moved to revoke Somerset's license after repeated inspections that found violence, abuse and mistreatment of residents. Somerset was licensed to hold more than 400 residents, but over the last several weeks, most of the residents have been moved to other nursing homes, said state Department of Public Health assistant director Teresa Garate. "Everybody will be out Friday," Garate said. Somerset, which exclusively serves patients with mental illness, reported profits of $21.4 million on revenues of $132.8 million between 2000 and 2008, much of it from the Medicaid health program, according to cost reports filed with the state. Eric Rothner, who through companies and family trusts has an ownership stake or consulting role in Somerset and more than a dozen Illinois nursing facilities, declined to comment. The facility's impending closing comes four months after one of Rothner's former nursing home management firms, Care Centers Inc., declared bankruptcy amid more than three dozen personal-injury and medical-malpractice lawsuits. Care Centers helped manage Somerset, state records show, and Rothner was owner until the bankruptcy. Care Centers also owes roughly $435,000 to Kathleen Ryl-Kuchar, a former employee, after a federal jury concluded that she was improperly denied family leave benefits. Much of that judgment was for attorneys fees racked up during the years-long case. A little more than a year before Care Centers filed for bankruptcy in October, Rothner received a total of $900,000 from the firm in three separate payments. The company's statement of financial affairs called the transfers repayments of loans from Rothner. An attorney for Ryl-Kuchar alleged the transfers improperly stripped Care Centers of assets that should have been used to pay her judgment. A November recommendation by U.S. Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brown supported Ryl-Kuchar, saying "there is a strong suggestion of a deliberate attempt to conceal and divert assets to avoid paying the judgment." Care Centers denied wrongdoing in court papers. A spokesman for Rothner said Care Centers' bankruptcy filing was "the direct result of Mr. Rothner refusing to fund the company's continuing losses." Rothner transferred the $900,000 to himself "on the advice of his accounting firm and denies that the transfers were inappropriate." The statement added that Rothner had loaned Care Centers more than $10 million, "which was never repaid." At Somerset, meanwhile, Garate said all residents who have been moved from the facility were assessed for their ability to live in less institutional settings, and 43 were recommended for placement in smaller supported-living arrangements. But, she said, the residents had final say in where they moved, and some of those 43 opted instead to move to other nursing facilities. "We want to have people move into the community, but it is residents' choice," Garate said. On Monday, the Organization of the NorthEast community group held a candlelight vigil outside Somerset to protest the movement of residents to other nursing homes -- including facilities outside the Uptown-Edgewater neighborhood. Anthony Zipple, head of Thresholds, a Chicago-based nonprofit that serves people with mental illness, said he hopes many of the former Somerset residents will eventually be discharged to community settings. "Within the limits of the hand that we were dealt ... the state has been very cautious and prudent in trying to work through the process," Zipple said. Somerset has proposed refashioning the facility as a "state-of-the-art" acute treatment center for people with severe mental illness. But Zipple, Ald. Mary Ann Smith and some advocates for the disabled contend the former hotel is simply too big to effectively house and treat psychiatric patients. "The state-of-the-art facility is not a facility," said Wendy Meltzer, executive director of Illinois Citizens for Better Care, a nursing-home resident advocacy group. "State of the art means people don't live in places like that." --David Jackson and Gary Marx Deadline set to close Chicago nursing home false 111959 Chicago Tribune