Weekly Review
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January 6,
2009
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From
the Capitol
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On December 9, 2008 Governor Rod Blagojevich was
arrested on corruption charges including
attempting to sell President-elect Barack
Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Governor
Blagojevich claims he has done nothing wrong and
remains in office.
Special House
Committee
Since his arrest, the Illinois House created a
Special Investigative Committee to investigate
any misconduct and to make a recommendation to
the full House on impeachment.
(View the members here).
The Committee has met regularly, discussing
matters such as the expansion of the FamilyCare
program, audits by the Auditor General's Office
and the government's criminal complaint against
the Governor. The Governor is represented by
his attorney, Ed Genson in Committee.
A federal judge authorized the release of some
of the FBI surveillance tapes of the Governor to
the House Special Investigative Committee.
Specifically, the tapes are ones in which the
Governor discusses the horse racing industry.
Legal counsel for all sides have until tomorrow
night to approve the transcript redactions.
US Senator-Designate Roland Burris may testify
to the Committee on Thursday.
The full House is set to return on Thursday.
Vacant Senate
Seat
The Governor has appointed former Illinois
Attorney General and State Comptroller Roland
Burris to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by
President-elect Barack Obama (also the Senate
seat the Governor allegedly tried to sell).
However, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White
has not certified the appointment and U.S.
Senate Democratic Leadership has said they will
not seat Burris.
Today Burris went to Washington, DC to accept
the appointment he was informed he did not
possess the necessary credentials to become the
junior Illinois Senator. Burris believes he has
a right to the office and is scheduled to meet
with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
tomorrow.
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Gaming
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Midwest Gaming & Entertainment LLC in
Des Plaines Receives 10th Casino License
The Illinois
Gaming Board has selected Des Plaines to
become the host of the state's 10th casino
license. By a 3-1 vote, the Board picked
Midwest Gaming & Entertainment as the casino
developer.
The bid
promises $122 million upfront and $10
million for each of the next 30 years.
Midwest
Gaming didn't propose the highest up front
bid for the license. Trilliant Gaming LLC
had bid $435 million up front to host a
casino in Rosemont. Although, in its policy
recommendation, gaming board staff found
that Midwest and Trilliant should provide
significantly the same amount of gaming tax
revenue to the State over time. Both
proposals were fairly similar, excluding
Trilliant's higher up front bid amount.
10th Riverboat License and the Budget
In July
budget negotiators included the anticipated
riverboat license fee as part of their
revenue estimate for the fiscal year. At
the time budgeters projected the 10th
riverboat license would bring $575 million
to state coffers. The accepted $122 million
fee is $453 million short than the
estimate.
To listen to the
December 22nd hearing or read the policy
recommendation visit:
http://www.igb.state.il.us/whatsnew/Re-issuance.html
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Calendar
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WHAT:
Leadership for Diversity Conference
Social Justice for Illinois Schools
Pre K-12
WHEN:
Friday-Saturday, January 30-31, 2009
WHERE:
Bradley University · Robert H. Michel Student Center
· Peoria, IL
INFO: The
purpose of this conference is to promote a statewide
dialogue about best leadership practices to promote
learning in diverse environments. We seek to
understand policy implications at the local, state,
and national levels that affect all stakeholders in
diverse settings. It is our hope that from this
dialogue will emerge effective leadership practices
that build inclusive learning communities where
diversity is valued, respected and promoted.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Linda Skrla,
Associate Dean for Research, P-16 Initiatives, &
International Programs, Texas A&M University, Ralph
Martire, Executive Director, Center for Tax and
Budget Accountability, Phillip Jackson, Founder &
CEO, The Black Star Project
Registration Fees:
Friday Afternoon Diversity & Inclusion Awareness
Workshop $50.00
Friday Evening $50.00
Saturday $125.00
CPDU credit available - $15.00 Register online at
www.iwel.org. (Deadline for registration is January
9th.) Questions? Contact Dr. Jenny Tripses at
309-677-3593 or jtripses@bradley.edu
WHAT: Dupage Federation on Human Services
Reform, Making the Connection: Accessing Public
Benefits for Low Income Persons
WHEN: October
1, 8, 15, 22, 29
February
18, 25
March 4,
11, 18
June 3,
10, 17, 24
July 1
WHERE: All trainings held at NIU Naperville,
1120 Diehl Road, Naperville, IL
INFO: Making the Connection training sessions
contain information in an easy-to-understand format
regarding many programs available to assist low
income persons.
Individuals who register for a Making the Connection
training session now receive membership access to
the Federation's newly developed Making the
Connection Illinois website, www.mtcil.org.
To register and for more information please visit
www.dupagefederation.org.
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Do you have something to add to the Weekly
Review?
email Chrissy Mancini @
cmancini@ctbaonline.org
___________________________________________________________________________
Center for
Tax and Budget Accountability
70 East Lake Street, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60601
312-332-1041
www.ctbaonline.org
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