Friday, April 22, 2011

Congressman Adam Kinzinger speaks with Seniors in Manteno on Social Security and Medicare

Illinois 11th Congressional Congressman Adam Kinzinger met with seniors in Manteno, Illinois to discuss the future of Social Security and Medicare:

Thursday, April 21, 2011

State Representative Jack McGuire hosting hearing of Illinois House's redistricting committee at Joliet City Hall today


Illinois State Representative has released the following press release regarding the hearing he will hold in 
downtown Joliet today regarding redrawing state legislative boundaries:
"SPRINGFIELD, IL – Seeking public input on the decennial process of redrawing congressional and state legislative boundaries, state Rep. Jack McGuire, D-Joliet, will host a hearing of the Illinois House’s redistricting committee at the Joliet City Hall on Thursday, April 21.

“These hearings are a critical step in the redistricting process,” McGuire said. “We must draw a map that fairly 
and accurately reflects the population changes our region has undergone over the past 10 years. The boundary changes will have an impact on how our area is represented in the General Assembly 
and Congress, so it’s important we hear directly from local residents as the process moves forward.”

McGuire and members of the House redistricting committee are inviting civic groups, community 
organizations, elected officials, minority groups, organizations serving seniors and the disabled, and many others to attend the hearing to offer their suggestions on how legislative boundaries should be 
drawn as lawmakers prepare to draft new maps this year. Once the new lines take effect following the 2012 
elections, they will remain for the next 10 years.

The hearing at the Joliet City Hall is one in a series of 15 being held across the state in compliance with the 
Redistricting Transparency and Public Participation Act to help legislators in redrawing the boundaries of Illinois’ 
legislative and congressional districts.
The hearing will begin at 4 p.m. in City Council Chambers 
located at 150 W. Jefferson St in Joliet.

For more information on the hearing, to RSVP your attendance or to join the list of those who wish to give testimony, please contact 217-782-4040.

Those seeking information on the House redistricting process and schedule, or updated population data can log onto the Legislature’s new redistricting website at www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting/."
 



Monday, April 18, 2011

South Suburban Council of Moveon.org holds rally on Jefferson Street in Joliet

April 18, 2011

The South Suburban Council of Moveon.org held a rally today in front of the Bank of America branch on West Jefferson Street and Stryker.

According to Sue Myers of the South Suburban Council of Moveon.org, "We are here to protest a tax code we think is unfair."  Referring to the recent budget passed by the House, Myers said, "their best answer to balance the budget is to cut food for infants."  Instead of budget cuts, Myers and those in attendance at the rally spoke out for increasing taxes on corporations like Bank of America.  Myers and others at the rally said corporations pay too little tax and even get refunds.

Protest outside Bank of America on West Jefferson Street in Joliet, Illinois.  Submitted photo by Susan Myers.

Protest outside Bank of America on West Jefferson Street in Joliet, Illinois.  Submitted photo by Susan Myers.

Protest outside Bank of America on West Jefferson Street in Joliet, Illinois.  Submitted photo by Susan Myers.
Protest outside Bank of America on West Jefferson Street in Joliet, Illinois.  Submitted photo by Susan Myers.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Troy Township Democratic Party responds to Congressman Adam Kinzinger's support for House Republican's "Pathway to Prosperity" Plan

The Troy Township Democratic Party has released an official statement on Congressman Adam Kinzinger's support for the House Republicans' "Pathway to Prosperity" Plan.

“Adam Kinzinger is supporting a plan that puts seniors health in the hands of private insurers who can raise premiums and deny treatment ordered by doctors,” said Tom Earls, Chairman of the Troy Township Democratic Party. “Senior citizens often live on a fixed income. If their premiums increase, that’s money directly out of their limited finances.”


Earls also said: “As American’s we hold a responsibility to ensure a stable and healthy future for our seniors, and instead Adam Kinzinger wants to put their health care costs in limbo. This is the same economic bait and switch George W. Bush sought with Social Security – and we know how that would have turned out looking at the stock market crash we just lived through.”


Here is a YouTube video where Paul Ryan makes the case for the "Pathway to Prosperity" Plan:



Also, here is a video of President Obama's speech where he laid out his plan to reduce the deficit and also responded to ideas in the "Pathway to Prosperity":

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Sarah Palin in Madison for Tea Party Rally

Watch Sarah Palin address the Tea Party Rally in front of the Madison, Wisconsin capitol:


Video as those in opposition to Walker's bill booed Palin:


The rally is part of the Tax Day Tea Party Rally.

Opponents of Scott Walker's Budget Repair bill were also at the capitol.  Chants of "Recall Walker" and boos competed with the audio from the Tea Party rally.  Here is a photo from Madison.

The host of the rally asked attendees to text a message to a designated number in order to determine how many people attended the rally.

Willcountynews watched the Madison Tea Party Rally live, here are willcountynews live-tweets from various tea party speakers, including Palin and Vicki McKenna:


  1. Palin: We will fight for America, and it starts here in Wisconsin, Mr. President, Game Onhttp://tinyurl.com/4yzuuxv#wiunion
  2. Palin to Wisconsin: you defended 2010 mandate, you are heroes, what you accomplish here will not be forgotten:http://tinyurl.com/4yzuuxv
  3. Palin: "President Obama, you do not have our consent"http://tinyurl.com/4yzuuxv #wiunion #wiunion #teaparty#sarahpalin

Illinois 11th Congressional Congressman Adam Kinzinger supports House Republicans' "Path to Prosperity" Plan

Congressman Adam Kinzinger published the following press release on his official website:

"Apr 15, 2011 Issues: Spending Cuts and Debt

Washington, D.C. -Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) today issued the following statement in support of H.Con.Res 34, the House Republicans’ "Path to Prosperity"plan:
“America stands at a critical crossroads – Should Washington wade deeper in the red and follow the President's budget proposal? Or, should we chart a new way forward under the House Republicans' budget resolution?
"It's no secret that we cannot continue down this reckless trajectory.  Our nation's total debt has already hit an all-time high of more than $14.2 trillion and is alarmingly close to reaching the federal debt ceiling. We've kicked the can down the road for too long and now, there's no more road left. 
"I applaud today’s House passage of the Republican’s budget for Fiscal Year 2012 called ‘The Path to Prosperity.’  In stark contrast, this budget cuts more than $6 trillion in spending from the President's budget over the next decade. 
"House Republicans are coming forward with the solutions the American people called for last November.  This resolution cultivates certainty for private-sector job creation, implements spending controls and ensures economic prosperity for our children and grandchildren.
"In addition to paving a way for our nation get back on track toward economic security and prosperity, the Republican budget also saves and strengthens essential programs such as Medicare for today's seniors, and for our children and grandchildren.  Under our current trajectory, Medicare will be bankrupt in less than a decade.  This plan preserves current Medicare plans for those in and nearing retirement while guaranteeing personalized Medicare programs for future generations.
“Those 55 years and older will see absolutely no change in their current Medicare plan. Those 54 and younger will receive a payment and a list of guaranteed coverage options through Medicare so recipients are able to choose the best plan for their needs, rather than the government choosing for you. This is the same system that members of Congress have. Medicare would also offer further assistance for lower-income beneficiaries or those with greater health conditions.  There are no vouchers and no cuts to Medicare included in this plan.
“This budget refuels our economy to create an environment for businesses to grow jobs with fundamental tax reform; protects the security of health and retirement plans; and begins to reduce our deficit now to leave our children with a country free from debt, doubt and despair.
"One political party is not solely responsible for this debt crisis.  However, the true test lays in our next step -- How we control spending and budget to ensure the fiscal soundness of this country for future generations to come."
Click here to read more about H.Con.Res 34, the House Republicans' Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Resolution."
Kinzinger voted to pass H.Con. Res 34 yesterday, April 15, 2011.  
Kinzinger defeated Debbie Halvorson in November 2010 to become the 11th Congressional District's Congressman.  The 11th Congressional District covers much of Will County:
IL-11_congressional_district.gif

Sarah Palin not being paid for attendance at Tea Party rally in Madison, Wisconsin today

According to a tweet by Sarah Palin, she is not being paid for her attendance at a Tea Party rally in Madison, Wisconsin today.

There have been weeks of protest in Madison's capital square ever since Governor Scott Walker introduced his budget repair bill, which ends collective bargaining for many state workers and requires state workers to contribute to their own retirement funds.

Immediately after the bill was announced, thousands and then tens of thousands flocked to the capitol building.  Some people slept in the capitol for weeks.  The Madison Public Schools were closed for three days as protests continued at the capitol.  Progressive talk-show and radio host Ed Schultz brought his show to Madison and aired his show live from the Wisconsin capital.

Walker's bill passed in both the Wisconsin Assembly and Wisconsin Senate, both times amidst chaos and  shouts of "shame" from Democrats and citizens in the capitol.

Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin started a petition on his website supporting the Wisconsin 14.  The "Wisconsin 14" are the 14 Democratic State Senators who left Wisconsin in order to try to prevent the Senate the quorum needed to vote on Walker's bill.  The  text on Durbin's website read: "An assault on unions anywhere is an assault on working families everywhere. That's why we must let the "Wisconsin 14" know working families across the country stand with them as they boycott against Governor Scott Walker's assault on Americans' hard-earned collective bargaining rights. Add your name to our petition today."



Wednesday, April 6, 2011

James P Daley, Jr. wins Village of Homer Glen President's race

In yesterday's April 5, 2011 Consolidated Election, James P. Daley, Jr. won the Village of Homer Glen's President race with 2, 768 votes.  Laurel Ward received 2, 641 votes.  Skip Skrobuton received 824 votes.

For more Homer Glen election results, visit the Will County Clerk's election results page.

Bob O'Dekirk unseats Timothy Brophy in the Joliet City Council District 2 race

Bob O'Dekirk will be the new Joliet City Councilman representing Joliet's 2nd District.

O'Dekirk won with 1,  873 votes.
1, 496 people voted for incumbent Brophy.
1, 219 people voted for Brian Baltz
392 people voted for John Gurka

Peotone School District Referendum Fails

2020 Referendum Results

The Peotone School District referendum put to the voters yesterday, April 5, 2011 was defeated by district voters.  According to unofficial results on the Will County Clerks website, there were 993 votes for the referendum and 1,195 votes against the referendum. The referendum was 
comprised of the following text:

"put before voters in the Peotone School District on April 5, 2011:


"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Peotone Community Unit School District Number 207-U, Will and 
Kankakee Counties, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.6500% above the limiting rate for levy year 2009 for school purposes 
and be equal to 2.9539% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2011? 
(1)  The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is  $9,121,708.82, and the approximate amount of taxes 
extendable if the proposition is approved is $11,695,219.27. 
(2)  For the 2011 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having 
a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $216.66. 
(3)  If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2011 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than 
the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law). "

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Braidwood Elects new Mayor


RAIDWOOD—Mayor Sue Grygiel was defeated in her bid for reelection. She served as the city’s first female mayor but was unable to break Braidwood’s history of changing mayors each election cycle. Jerry R. Pressley won with 611 votes or 46 percent. Former Mayor Wayne T. Saltzman received 423 votes to Grygiel’s 283 votes. The election results tonight are unofficial, pending the official canvas by the Will County Clerk.


The vote means only Commissioner of Public Buildings and Property James Hutton will return to the council.

Residents elected William Rulien as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance, with 64 percent of the vote, over Andrew Galatte.

Incumbent Fay Smith was defeated by Daniel K. Graf for the post of Commissioner of Streets & Alleys. Graf won with 53 percent of the vote, or 689 to Smith’s 592.

Hutton retained his seat over challenger Timothy N. Duran, with 58 percent or 738 votes to 533 votes.

The new Commissioner of Public Health and Safety will be Eric L. Tessler, with 59 percent of the vote, or 762 votes.

Larry Hug wins(unofficial until April 26) Joliet City Council District One Election

The Will County Clerk's election results webpage shows that Larry Hug is the unofficial winner in the District 1 City Council race, with 528 votes.  The next highest vote-getter was IIona Vaughn, who received 506 votes.

Check out two Will County New articles on Larry Hug's ideas for Joliet:


Joliet City Council District 1 Candidate Larry Hug wants companies to pay local resource use fee for each container that goes through local intermodals


and

Joliet City Council District 1 Candidate Larry Hug Tired of Career Politicians


Again, these results are unofficial, per the Will County Clerk: "UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

On Election Night, as precincts are reporting, you will see the results being tabulated. These results will not include the Absentee by mail, Servicemen or Early Voting results. We will upload these results at the very end of the evening after all 445 precincts have been checked in.

Election results will not be official until Tuesday, April 26, when canvassing of votes is completed and after absentee ballots postmarked by midnight, April 4, and provisional and grace period ballots are counted on April 19."

Peotone School Board Election Results

There are 4 people running for the Peotone School Board and 3 open spots in today's election.  The candidates for Peotone School Board are:
Raymond Nugent, Jr.
Jennifer Moe
Richard Uthe
Thomas Skill

To get election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.  Since the Peotone School district is comprised of land in both Will and Kankakee County, you also will need to get results from the Kankakee County Clerk's election results page.  Go to both pages and scroll down to the Peotone school board section.

The Peotone School District also has a referendum on the ballot.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Joliet Park District Park Commissioner Election Results

There are 5 candidates running for 2 spots on the Joliet Park District Park Commission.  The 5 candidates are:
Brett Gould
Bill Tatro
Glen A. Marcum
Marty Mudron
Terence C. Ziesmer


To get election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.



Joliet Township High School District 204 School Board Election Results

Voters living in the Joliet Township High School District 204 will vote for four board members from a slate of six candidates.  The six candidates for Joliet Township High School District 204 school board are:
Chet June
Arlene Albert
Paige Stonich-Vanderhyden
Jeff Pierson
Don Dickinson
John Gerard Linehan


To get election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Lincoln-Way Community High School Board Election

Voters in the Lincoln-Way Community High School district will vote for 4 school board members from a slate 9 candidates.  The 9 candidates are:
Brian Sasso
Mark Zilinskas
Tom Huisenga
Todd Covault
Stephen D. White
Ronald A. Lullo
James E. Gast
Christine M. Glatz
Kevin L. Molloy


To get election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Joliet Junior College District 525 Trustee Election Results

In the April 5, 2011 consolidated election, there are 4 people running for two seats.  The 4 people running are: Jeff May, Jeffrey Vickery, Mike O'Connell, and Brad Baber.  To view the results of this race, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Since part of the Joliet Junior College District 525 extends to Kankakee County, you will also need to view results on the Kankakee County Clerk's election results page.

Mokena School District 159 Referendum Results

For the results of the Mokena School District 159 Referendum Results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Lockport Township High School District 205 Referendum Results

To obtain results for the Lockport Township High School District 205 Referendum on the April 5, 2011 ballot, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Get Peotone School District Referendum Results

March 15, 2016 Peotone Referendum Results


The following referendum will be put before voters in the Peotone School District on April 5, 2011:
"Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Peotone Community Unit School District Number 207-U, Will and 
Kankakee Counties, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.6500% above the limiting rate for levy year 2009 for school purposes 
and be equal to 2.9539% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2011? 
(1)  The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is  $9,121,708.82, and the approximate amount of taxes 
extendable if the proposition is approved is $11,695,219.27. 
(2)  For the 2011 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having 
a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $216.66. 
(3)  If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2011 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than 
the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law). "

To get election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.  Since the Peotone School district is comprised of land in both Will and Kankakee County, you will also need to get results from the Kankakee County Clerk's election results page.  Go to both pages and scroll down to the Peotone referendum section.  


Manhattan Trustee Election Results

UPDATE: March 2012 Illinois Primary Results for Will County here.  Results will begin to be posted after polls close at 7 p.m. and will be updated throughout the night.

Manhattan citizens will vote for 3 trustees from a slate of 5.  The 5 candidates are:

Kevin Malone
James Doyle
Tom Biscan
Michael Naughton
John Tyk

To get Manhattan election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page and go to the Manhattan section.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Joliet Mayor's Race Results

On April 5, 2011 the citizens of Joliet will elect a new mayor.  There are nine candidates for mayor of Joliet:



To find out who won the Joliet mayoral race, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.


Braidwood Election Results

The citizens of Braidwood, Illinois will vote in the following races:

--The Mayoral race among Sue Grygiel, Jerry Pressley and Wayne Saltzman
--The Commissioner of Accounts and Finance race between William Rulien and Andrew Galatte
--The Commissioner of Public Health and Safety race among David Coronelli, Cindy Howard, Eric Tessler, and Brucetta Lee
--The Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvement race between Fay Smith and Daniel Graf
--The Commissioner of Public Property race between Timothy Duran and James Hutton

To get election results, go to the Will County Clerk's election results page.  Results will be posted as precincts report after the polls close at 7p.m. on April 5th, 2011.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Joliet City Council District 4 Candidate John Connelly

There are three candidates challenging current District 4 City Councilwoman Susie Barber.  The candidates are:

John Connelly
Leah Cooper
and
Alicia Morales

Will County News spoke with John Connelly at the recent Informate/Get Informed Candidates Forum.  Connelly said he is running to "help make a safer city for my daughter to grow up in."

Connelly would not cut back on any police or fire personnel.  Connelly would encourage more elected officials and citizens to participate in ride-alongs in order to understand what police officers and firefighters and paramedics do every day.

Connelly said while the city cannot create jobs by itself, the city can help to create an environment in which jobs are more likely to be created.  For example, Connelly says Joliet parks are currently underutilized and Connelly would work to improve parks so that they could become a greater asset to the city and so that more people would use the parks.

Joliet City Council District 1 Candidate Steve Cammack

There are six candidates challenging current Joliet City Councilman Joe Shetina, they are:
IIona Vaughn
Larry E. Hug
Vanessa Romeo
James Lipinski
Donald C. West Jr.
Steve Cammack

Will County News spoke with Candidate Steve Cammack at the recent Informate/Get Informed Candidates Forum.  Cammack said he is running because "we need new leadership in District 1." Cammack said many people living in District 1 have moved to the area in the past 10 years and do not know much about the City Council.

Cammack said "when the City decided to put more rooftops in the West" the city should have planned more to provide more services to that area.  Cammack said the sewer lines serving District 1 are too small and the police and fire response times are too long.   Cammack said he is concerned that there are not enough police patrols in District One.

Cammack said he will take a different approach than the current District One City Councilman; Cammack said he will bring meetings to the district instead of expecting District 1 residents to drive downtown.

Cammack would also work to put the City of Joliet's checkbook online so that anyone could go online and see where the City's money was going.  In his current role as a Plainfield Township Trustee, Cammack said Plainfield Township's checkbook is already online for citizens' review.

Cammack said that if elected he would be accessible to all residents.  He said residents would be able to call him on his cell phone, and while he may not be able to solve residents' problems by the end of the night, Cammack said: "I will call them back by the end of the night."


Joliet City Council District 1 Candidate Ilona Vaughn

There are six candidates challenging current Joliet City Councilman Joe Shetina, they are:
Ilona Vaughn
Larry E. Hug
Vanessa Romeo
James Lipinski
Donald C. West Jr.
Steve Cammack

Will County News spoke with candidate Ilona Vaughn at the recent Informate/Get Informed Candidates Forum.  Vaughn said her main goal is to give the residents of District 1 a voice.  She said the current District 1 Councilman is not well-known by many residents in District 1.  Vaughn said the "person who represents the district needs to know the people in the district."

With regards to Joliet's budget crisis, Vaughn has a clear position: "No tax increases, no rate increases."  Vaughn said she would root out wasteful spending.  As an example, Vaughn said that while public art is a good thing, in light of the city's budget crisis, it was not fiscally sound for the City to have spent 32,000 on a Lincoln statue recently.

Vaughn also said she wants to increase transparency in the City of Joliet; she wants all citizens to be able to easily look up where the city's money is going. 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Joliet City Council District 1 Candidate Larry Hug wants companies to pay local resource use fee for each container that goes through local intermodals

Larry Hug is a candidate for the District One Joliet City Council Seat.  Hug is one of six challengers running against incumbent Joseph Shetina.

Will County News spoke to Hug at the recent Informate/Get Informed Candidate Forum.  When asked about his ideas to fill the city's budget deficit, Hug said he proposes charging a $50 local resource use fee on containers that pass through the intermodals within the boundaries of City of Joliet, such as the Joliet CenterPoint Intermodal.

Hug said if the Joliet-area is going to become "one of the world's closets", then the City should recoup money for the wear and tear increased truck traffic causes on area roads.  Hug said the City should also collect that money to be prepared to react if there were ever a toxic spill from a container.

Hug said if large corporations are going to enjoy all of the rights of individuals (a reference, I believe, to the Citizens United case), then the corporations should also have a right to pay their fair share in fees and contribute to the local economy.

Hug said he also wants to work on performance-based tax breaks for companies that create jobs in Joliet and do a line-by-line audit of the city budget.  Hug said the job-creating tax-break should reach out to mom and pop businesses in Joliet.

Candidates for the City of Joliet District One seat running against incumbent Joseph Shetina are:
IIona Vaughn
Larry Hug
Vanessa Romeo
James Lipinski
Donald C. West Jr.
Steve Cammack