When last we left our Mt. Vernon heroes, they had just presented a petition to have the question of revoking Home Rule put on the ballot in November. I was a little alarmed that the Mt. Vernon city council had planned to vet the petition. In DeKalb this would probably constitute the kiss of death,…
Lots of Good FOIA and OMA Action in Winnebago Forest Preserve District
*Update 10:45 p.m.: Olson is out as district president! The story is here. But that’s not all! Find bonus Chuck Sweeney here with free shipping!* The Rockford Register Star used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain e-mails to and from Winnebago Forest Preserve district president Randy Olson that trace the process of creating a…
NIU “Coffee Fund” Quote of the Day
In reading “NIU: ‘We Welcome’ State’s Attorney Involvement” we get this: “The integrity of this great university is not at issue,” the statement continued. When your PR people claim that the resignations of two of your top employees at the same time were for personal reasons and a coincidence, but later it’s found they actually…
NIU Must Not Investigate Its Own “Coffee Fund”
I really hate to pick on Marc Strauss, the only Northern Illinois University trustee who will talk to the press right now, but this doesn’t wash: “We acted swiftly upon learning of the possibility of impropriety, and I instructed the NIU Police to launch a thorough investigation,” [Eddie] Williams [who is executive vice president of…
Rental Association Positions on Proposed Housing Ordinances
DeKalb’s city council will hold a special workshop meeting August 22, 6 p.m. in council chambers, to discuss proposals related to the work of the Safe/Quality Housing Task Force. The agenda and backup materials (a 109-page PDF) are here. If you’ve been following the work of the task force, especially lately, you know that its…
The “Coffee Fund” and NIU’s Curious Behavior
Thank you, Daily Chronicle, for revealing that there indeed is more to the Northern Illinois University Finance & Facilities/Convo shakeup than just a couple of dudes simultaneously deciding they were ready to move on. DeKALB – Separation agreements for two former Northern Illinois University administrators show they were paid tens of thousands of dollars and…
A Reminder About Liquor Code Overhauls
Delighted as I am that the City of DeKalb appears to have competent legal counsel at this time, I am also a little dismayed that Mr. Frieders seems to be driving the agenda lately. This seems to be a pattern with our city manager, and the history leading to the latest attempt at overhauling the…
A Few Words About Video Gambling
The city council of DeKalb approved first reading last night of an ordinance that would overturn a ban on gambling devices to allow video gaming with payouts. Also, in a daring use of Home Rule authority, it has decided to consider allowing the machines in an establishment where kids hang out. Come August 27, probable…
Budget Contingencies FY2013
DeKalb budgeted $375,000 in contingencies this year, which is a lot more than usual. I didn’t understand all of the abbreviations so I asked about them and here’s the poop scoop: Management Compensation Study — $5,000 Emerald Ash Borer — $75,000 Housing Study (w/NIU) — $45,000 Code Enforcement — $150,000 TIF Study — $50,000 EPI…
Website Transparency Standouts
The Illinois Policy Institute recently re-tested government website transparency in DuPage County’s York Township and released results last week. Dubbed “The Local Transparency Project,” grades are based on the availability to the public of vital community information such as public meeting schedules, government employee salaries and tax rates. Since the project was launched by the…