This is about a relatively new but promising resource for Illinois activists at the local level. It’s called For the Good of Illinois and the goal is simple: Help community activists take steps for greater transparency in local government. Its mission: For The Good Of Illinois was founded to empower regular people with the means…
I Am a Chronic Nuisance Part 2
After the meeting tonight, in which the Council OK’d raises for administrative staff—yet voted down the new position that would have been the Rental Inspection Manager!—some “I am a Chronic Nuisance” t-shirts and buttons were noticed and desired; so: here is the link if you want to get one. I didn’t realize the original post…
School District’s Referendum Costs May Approach $200 Million
[Written by Jim Schneider, who did hear the proceedings. Edited & posted by yinn. Go to Mac’s place for more, including the docs holding the numbers Jim is using.] The $110 million ref was a lot more than advertised. Since this ref is being financed, the interest cost will cause the total costs to be…
A Discouraging Word
A few days ago I was approached by people associated with city matters who tried to discourage me from speaking out at meetings and from blogging. It was the usual. Ponder the timing with me. And let me know privately if it has happened to you. yinn422[AT]yahoo[dot]com.
ReNew Our Schools Report Ending 6/30/08
The long-awaited ReNew Our Schools semi-annual D-2 Report to the Illinois State Board of Elections has been filed. At the site, click on the “Campaign Disclosures” tab, then on “Committee” to get to the committee search. We’ve already covered the campaign contributions in a previous post. What we’ve been waiting on were the expenditures. Here’s…
FPC Meeting: No Report
I’d like to report on the FPC meeting but can’t. I missed too much. You see, for much of the meeting there were too many simultaneous “mini meetings” going on in the back between school board members and administrators and, at times, something almost akin to heckling. Now, I admit to having a moderate hearing…
Confidential to the Company I Kept Last Evening
Little Mary Sunshine.
Women’s Center Needs Cleanup Crew
The DeKalb Area Women’s Center (DAWC), 1021 State Street, sustained damage in a recent storm including the collapse of its brick chimney. They could use some help picking up the pieces out of the garden and would be grateful for a repair estimate. If you can help, the number is (815) 758-1351 or you can…
DeKalb County Online: Rental Inspection Manager Hired Last Year
Surprise! The City of DeKalb has been paying the “proposed” Rental Inspection Program Manager for the better part of a year now: According to records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, filed by DeKalb County Online, the City hired an independent contractor, retired DeKalb Police Lt. James Kayes, to perform the duties…
News from the Tea Company
Have you visited the Tea Company lately? This referendum thingie is coming together.