* 2009 Reports on Poverty
* State sees rise in poverty
The 2009 report on Illinois Poverty released Thursday reveals signs of increasing poverty throughout the state. Poverty worsened in more than half of the state’s 102 counties even before the recession began in December 2007.
The most current poverty data from 2007, therefore, does not capture economic realities, the report’s authors wrote.
As many as 405,000 more Illinoisans are likely to have been pushed into poverty as a result of the recession.
* Quarter-million Chicagoans on brink of poverty: study
* Victims of economy: 250,000 more forced into poverty in Chicago area, report says
* Four area counties among 46 on poverty list
* Survey says CFOs prefer salary freezes over layoffs
* Chrysler UAW workers approve concessions
The union, which represents nearly 2,500 workers at Chrysler’s assembly plant in Belvidere, held informational meetings and voting at the Coronado Performing Arts Center all day Wednesday.
* Struggling Motorola reportedly a contender to make Microsoft’s challenger to iPhone
* Car dealers confident — Don’t expect to be part of GM cuts
* 6 local projects get $25M in stimulus funds
The largest is a $21.1-million endeavor to repair and stabilize the main structure protecting Chicago Harbor. Another $1.6 million will be used to complete a levee on the Des Plaines River, and $1.1 million will go toward increasing dredging capacity in the Calumet Harbor and Calumet River.
* Chicago Defender Returns to South Side
* Closing Howe Center in Tinley Park could mean jobs here
* Wind Power Makes Moves In The Statehouse
School Wind/ Solar Generation Act (SB1570): Creates a School Wind and Solar Generation Revolving Loan Fund to begin awarding loans or grants to public schools and community colleges to study and build wind or solar power projects. The intent is to “directly or indirectly reduce energy or other operating costs,” to free up more money for classrooms.
Enterprise Zone Wind Farms (SB1923): Streamlines permitting and tax exemptions for large-scale wind farms under the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act, while requiring the projects meet the state’s prevailing wage standards.
Green Jobs Training Fund (HB4186): In establishing a Green Jobs Training Fund, the state would agree to set aside up to $500,000 over the next two years to train mostly low-income adults to staff renewable energy projects.
* Cook County assessor worker sentenced for skimming funds
Joyce Pierce, 52, of Chicago pleaded guilty to one count of theft of more than $100,000 before Circuit Judge Clayton Crane. Prosecutors alleged that over a four-year period, Pierce pilfered funds from the office’s Freedom of Information Department to pay for purchases at upscale stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Macy’s.
* Feds searching Crestwood village hall in water case
A total of 15 EPA agents, state police investigators and members of the U.S. Coast Guard’s investigative service unit arrived at 9 a.m. and combed village offices for records until sometime about 5 p.m.
Speaking in the vestibule of village hall, EPA Special Agent in Charge Randall Ashe said the agents were searching for “any evidence of crimes that may have occurred.”
Village hall remained open, and village officials and employees reportedly attempted to go about their duties. But the day was anything but normal, as agents came and went continuously.
Mayor Robert Stranczek briefly emerged from his office to say that the village was “fully cooperating” with the EPA. He did not take questions.
* EPA seizes Crestwood files
* EPA Reviewing Information from Crestwood Raid
* Raid on South suburb in tainted water case
* The chemo block, Crestwood, USA
* Sensitive state data released to Web
A memo obtained by The Associated Press to staff members alerts them to possible credit fraud concerns because a spreadsheet with worker names and Social Security numbers was found on the Internet.
It says attorney general’s investigators believe the data, prepared for an outside auditing firm, was released to a so-called peer-to-peer network during a music transfer to an agency laptop.
* Des Plaines Aldermen Need More Time To Review Casino Non-Interference
* Whistleblower files federal lawsuit against Peoria Scool District 150
* Judge clears way for Chicago Heights mayoral vote
* Renner concedes race to incumbent Stockton
* Madison County OKs new payment plan for taxpayers
* Cook County judge wants former police Cmdr. Jon Burge to testify in beating case
* Chicago will have last 24-hour post office in U.S.
* Navy Pier Cinco de Mayo fest canceled over swine flu
* Swine flu: 9 suspected cases in Chicago area
* Swine flu: 3 Chicago-area schools close down over swine flu fears
* School cancels ‘kiss the pig’ contest
* Don’t panic; use sensible measures to fight swine flu
* PJStar: Be serious, but rational, about swine flu concerns
* Probable swine flu hits suburbs; two schools close in Kane County
* Immigration march: Swine flu scare may reduce immigration rally turnout
* Some universities calling off Mexico travel plans
* Swine flu constant worry for hog farmers
* Swine flu in Illinois
Gov. Pat Quinn made a move similar to the federal declaration with a gubernatorial proclamation that allows him to access state resources to address any needs that may arise. U.S. Health and Homeland Security officials released stockpiled medical supplies and anti-viral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, to the states, and the Illinois Department of Public Health expects the state to receive a shipment this week.