Bloomington to consider more debt refinancing to generate cash

BLOOMINGTON -- The City Council will consider more debt refinancing in an effort to generate some cash for its general fund.

Nov 22, 2009 | 5:00 pm | Loading…

LeRoy starts work on new tax increment financing district

LeROY -- The City Council has started work on a new tax increment financing district.

Nov 22, 2009 | 5:00 pm | Loading…

Farmer City Council to consider land swap with local Fair Association

FARMER CITY -- The Farmer City Council public hearing to consider a land swap with the local Fair Association has been moved to a larger location.

Nov 22, 2009 | 5:00 pm | Loading…

Farmer City-based foundation provides $3,000 to educate public on referendum

FARMER CITY - The Farmer City-based Thomas Frasier Clark Foundation has provided $3,000 to educate the public about the upcoming ambulance referendum.

Nov 22, 2009 | 5:00 pm | Loading…

Normal looks to get students involved in census

BLOOMINGTON — Census 2010 will have one of the shortest surveys in history — just 10 questions.

Nov 21, 2009 | 4:10 pm | Loading…

Appropriation will likely raise Woodford Co.'s share of property tax bills

EUREKA -- The Woodford County Board has approved an appropriation of $16.1 million for next year that likely will raise the county's share of property tax bills by 15 percent.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:50 pm | Loading…

Dog license fees prompts debate at LaSalle Co. Board meeting

OTTAWA -- Even with a revised enterprise zone for Streator and a deficit budget on LaSalle County Board's agenda Friday, dog license fees prompted the most debate.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:45 pm | Loading…

GOP lawmakers who heard Burris testimony react

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois GOP lawmakers who heard U.S. Sen. Roland Burris’ Jan. 8 testimony firsthand said Friday they agree with the U.S. Senate decision to admonish him.

Nov 20, 2009 | 1:45 pm | Loading…

• Related: Ethics letter to Burris

Streator council approves tax levy

STREATOR -- The City Council has tentatively approved a $3.7 million levy, 13 percent higher than the current levy.

Nov 20, 2009 | 11:55 am | Loading…

GOP's Bill Brady wants to eliminate cap on charter schools

CHICAGO -- Republican candidate for governor Bill Brady wants to eliminate the cap on charter schools in Illinois.

Nov 19, 2009 | 11:55 am | Loading…

Some Clinton residents unhappy about new garbage deal

CLINTON -- Clinton is changing its trash collection service, but some residents aren't happy about a new deal with Peoria-based Area Disposal.

Nov 18, 2009 | 10:35 pm | Loading…

• Related: MyPantagraph: Clinton Neighborhood

Thompson: Ryan doing OK in prison 'under the circumstances'

SPRINGFIELD -- Former Gov. George Ryan continues to get by in federal prison, awaiting a release that would come when he's about 80 years old, his attorney and fellow former Gov. Jim Thompson said Wednesday.

Nov 18, 2009 | 12:55 pm | Loading…

State tries to block George Ryan's pension before Supreme Court

SPRINGFIELD -- The state Wednesday told the Illinois Supreme Court that imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan shouldn't be allowed to collect any of his state pension after being convicted of corruption.

Nov 18, 2009 | 11:55 am | Loading…

• Related: Thompson: Ryan doing OK in prison 'under the circumstances'

No town vs. town battle for Gitmo detainees -- yet

Federal officials have been tight-lipped about the potential locations for Guantanamo Bay prisoners, but local officials in two of the most prominently mentioned sites say they’ve never heard from the government about the possibility.

Nov 17, 2009 | 11:40 pm | Loading…

• Related: Thomson area Democrats split on decision to sell prison
• Related: Nuclear plant near Thomson not worried about prison deal

County zoning panel backs wind farm, sends to full board

BLOOMINGTON -- A recommendation that a proposed 333-turbine wind farm should be given a special use permit is on its way to the McLean County Board.

Nov 17, 2009 | 10:30 pm | Loading…

• Related: Area residents voice concerns for wind farm proposal
• Related: New jobs, noise are hot topics at Black Prairie Wind Farm hearing
• Related: Hearing continues tonight for Black Prairie Wind Farm

County's next budget smaller, but don't count on tax savings

BLOOMINGTON -- McLean County will spend $500,000 less in its next fiscal year budget, but property owners shouldn’t count on seeing savings on their tax bills.

Nov 17, 2009 | 7:25 pm | Loading…

State’s top court to hear case about George Ryan's pension

SPRINGFIELD — Imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan’s bid to keep at least part of his state pension is scheduled to be argued in the Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Nov 17, 2009 | 12:05 am | Loading…

Public hearing set for Normal's planned property tax increase

NORMAL — Property taxes likely are going up by 9.16 percent in Normal.

Nov 16, 2009 | 10:35 pm | Loading…

• Related: MyPantagraph: Normal Gov't and Issues

Concern about Gitmo detainees 'not borne out by the facts'

THOMSON — Two lawyers who have represented Guantanamo Bay detainees say worries about transferring prisoners to northwestern Illinois are overblown.

Nov 16, 2009 | 10:05 pm | Loading…

• Related: GOP lawmakers: Quinn can't sell prison without review
• Related: Thomson residents weigh prison jobs vs. safety
• Related: State Sen. Bill Brady's letter to Attorney General Lisa Madigan