SPews: April 15, 2011
"Building and services workers picket before final negotiations," Daily Illini, April 14
More than 60 University building and service workers continued picketing outside of Florida Avenue Residence Hall Thursday morning before negotiations took place with the University and a federal mediator. For the past nine months the service workers have been negotiating with the University for a better wage contract.
Thursday figures to be the last negotiation between the two sides before the workers and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73's imposed deadline of Sunday at midnight when the union of more than 800 workers plan to go on strike.
"Olympian Drive project takes center stage," News-Gazette, April 11
The city council this week could vote on a resolution that, if approved, would outline funding for the ongoing engineering design of Olympian Drive into Urbana and authorize officials to proceed with land acquisition for what has been a controversial project.
. . .
Officials estimate that the design and land acquisition for a segment of Olympian Drive will cost about $16.5 million. All of that money is expected to come from state and federal sources rather than local tax dollars.
"UI asks for hold on Tribune FOIA ruling," News-Gazette, April 13
The University of Illinois asked for a stay Tuesday on a federal court ruling that it contends would threaten the privacy of student records.
The UI also said a March 9 order by Judge Joan B. Gottschall could result in the loss of millions of dollars in federal funds the UI receives every year.
UI attorneys filed a motion in U.S. District Court requesting a stay of the order, which requires the UI provide student records sought by the Chicago Tribune and The News-Gazette in Illinois Freedom of Information Act requests.
The motion seeks a stay of Gottschall's order pending the outcome of a review by a three-judge appellate panel.
"Health Alliance expands protest; Humana joins in," News-Gazette, April 13
Humana has joined Health Alliance Medical Plans in filing protests with the state of Illinois on plans to award new insurance contracts for state employees and retirees.
Insurance vendors have until noon today to file protests, according to the state's Chief Procurement Officer Matt Brown.
. . .
The state has proposed awarding two separate HMO contracts to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and two open-access plan contracts to HealthLink and PersonalCare a move Health Alliance contends will force its state employee and retiree members to switch to more expensive coverage to keep access to their current doctors.
"University looking for new ways to fix pensions," Daily Illini, April 11
The University is addressing concerns from faculty and staff at all three campuses about the state of their future pension benefits.
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs, or IGPA, held a panel discussion on the state's pension system Monday afternoon at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.
. . .
Illinois' public pensions are the most underfunded in the United States, according to a recent Moody's Report. These pensions are largely underfunded when legislatures borrow money from the pension system instead of increasing taxes or cutting spending.
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Thank you for discussing Ron Paul’s “successors” - the future of the freedom movement. The movement didn’t begin with Dr. Paul, nor will it end with his exit from the political scene. How many future political leaders were in that audience of nearly 5,000 last night?
I went to the Ron Paul event last night. There was alot of energy & the audience responded to Ron Paul’s ideas which surprised me. I didn’t think most people would be aware of NDAA. Another person, who was there last night, observed that quite a few…
A really well researched article. Great job!
I love the Guitars
Hi my name is Harry Huffman, professional speaker…. keynote humorist and above all story teller. I have also been a ballroom dancer, competitor and instructor over 45 years.I’m looking to get on the story telling circuit or radio. Can you give me some advice. Thank you. My web site http://www.speakdance.com
Man, I cannot wait for these four records to be released by Parasol/Hidden Agenda - seriously great music for them to be working with. Thanks for letting me hang out in the studio and see you at the party…
Rob, I’m slightly confused about the media player you are referring to.
I’ve looked at this page with two different browsers, and four different operating systems. I’ve decided that the embedded media player is just plain busted.
$100K for a toy house? No wonder my taxes are killing me. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/solar-decathlons-rainy-start_594112.html
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“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
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What a great job by all the volunteers! This event was really put together fast, and well. What I noticed about the crowd was how many old faces I saw despite occurring on a college campus. I talked to quite a few, including students, who assured me…