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City falls short on minority hiring goal
CHAMPAIGN – The city did not meet its goal for minority work force representation in 2005.
Champaign's goal was to have 14.7 percent of its work force be minorities, but the final percentage was 12.5 percent.
The figures are contained in the city's 2005 affirmative action report, which will be discussed by the Champaign City Council at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The council meets in study session in council chambers at the Champaign City Building, 102 N. Neil St.
Illinois home to several cemeteries with Civil War-era burials
Rows of white marble slabs stretch into the distance, stark reminders of the cost of war.
Not all those buried in National Cemeteries were killed in battle. Some died later of their wounds, while others died as a result of injuries or disease. For others, death was simply a matter of old age. But at the Mound City National Cemetery, one of the most striking things is the large number of Civil War dead – especially unknown soldiers.
Governor provides more funds for research
SPRINGFIELD – For the second year in a row, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has bypassed the General Assembly and used his executive authority to provide public funding for controversial embryonic stem cell research.
"It would be wrong to ask sick and injured people and their loved ones to wait for the tides in Springfield and Washington to change before research into potentially life-saving cures can move forward," Blagojevich said in a news release on Thursday. "That's why I am directing $5 million in state funds this fiscal year to continue supporting the research being done. Investing in research that can save lives and prevent serious illnesses is more than a sound public health strategy, it's our moral obligation."
County board seeks additional $4 million for nursing home
URBANA – Champaign County Board members voted reluctantly yet unanimously to seek another $4 million in bonds to finish the ill-fated county nursing home, hoping to recoup some $2.5 million of that.
The original cost of the nursing home was $20 million.
State says records requested not exempt
URBANA – An exemption cited by Champaign County in partially denying a Freedom of Information Act request about the county's nursing home doesn't exist, according to a lawyer in Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office.
The request was filed by Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden. He asked for records on mold problems at the new $20 million nursing home and was denied some of them because they involve "pending litigation," according to a memo drafted by Assistant State's Attorney Susan McGrath dated June 23.
Two more to apply for city council vacancy
CHAMPAIGN – Garrett Anderson, a 29-year-old who suffered severe injuries while serving in Iraq, says he will be seeking the vacant seat on the Champaign City Council.
Anderson, who lives at 501 Doisy Lane in the Ashland Park subdivision in north Champaign, said Wednesday he intends to apply for the vacancy later this week.
Heating, air fixes on county board's agenda
URBANA – Bonds to pay for revamping the heating and cooling systems at the new county nursing home will be examined at Thursday's county board meeting.
Chairwoman Barbara Wysocki said there may be some board resistance to the county paying for the work instead of the contractors.
Champaign discusses ManorCare deal
CHAMPAIGN – City council members have put on hold, for at least two weeks, a proposal to sell a small parking lot and the ManorCare Health Services building.
The city administration had proposed selling the nursing home building at 309 E. Springfield Ave. and the 24-space parking lot, at the southwest corner of Springfield Avenue and Fourth Street, to ManorCare Health Services Inc. for $1.43 million.
New law targets uninsured drivers
SPRINGFIELD – Driving without insurance even once can cost you your license, under legislation Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed on Tuesday.
SB 624, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Winkel, R-Urbana, and state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, takes effect on July 1, 2007. After that date, motorists caught driving uninsured will lose their licenses for three months and until they pay a $100 reinstatement fee.
Police supporters criticize proposal for review board
URBANA – Urbana police officers and their supporters showed up in force Monday night at a public hearing about a proposal to create a civilian police review board.
While the officers didn't testify, their supporters told the city council, in blunt terms, that they don't like the idea of a citizens panel investigating the validity of complaints against police officers.
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