Commission aims to move Illinois 1986 primary date later
Illinois Governor’s Commission on Election Reform pressed for a later primary amid concerns campaigns are too long and costly. Testimony in Carbondale backed shifting the March 1986 primary to April or September, with support from labor leaders, county officials, and former governors Shapiro and Stratton. Officials warned PACs inflating costs, called for spending limits, voter registration ease, and higher pay plus training for election judges. The panel plans an interim April report outlining key reforms for 1986 elections.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tim Landis
Southern Illinois
Governor’s Commission On Election Reform
Commission
James Thompson
General Assembly
Illinois
Carbondale
Samuel Shapiro
Sam Johnson
Pulaski County
Democratic Party
Johnson
State Board of Elections
J. Phil Gilbert
Gilbert
Senate
House
Ing
Harty
Union County vote tally problems prompt state review
Wilburn Gibbs raised a complaint that he received zero votes in seven precincts during the 1984 Illinois primary in Union County. Gibbs, who won the November general election, urged independent verification of vote tabulator tests. The Illinois State Board of Elections will send an investigator to Union County to examine the issue.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois State Board of Elections
Union County
Wilburn Gibbs
Gibbs
Governor’s Commission On Election Reform
Carbondale
Fred Blaylock
State Board of Elections
J. Phil Gilbert
Carbondale Delays Street Upgrade Plan Amid IDOT Hurdles
Carbondale faces delays in upgrading oil and chip streets to bituminous concrete after Illinois DOT engineers rejected using Motor Fuel Tax funds for West Freeman Street due to a nonbituminous base. City officials reprioritize projects to meet state requirements and plan alternative funding for remaining streets.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carbondale
Illinois
Ed Reeder
Illinois Department of Transportation Engineers
West Freeman Street
IDOT
Freeman Street
Reeder
Patrick Kelley
Kelley
Wayne Wheeles
Uly-Pak of
Small Business Administration
City Bank of
Murphysboro
Uly-Pak
TSA Partnership
International Hall
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA
Bill Dixon
District 95 Board Deadlocked Over Replacement Choice
After two executive sessions the Carbondale Elementary School District 95 board remains 3-3, unable to pick a successor for Judy Merritt. President Gordon White says a majority seems unlikely. regional superintendent Donald Stricklin may appoint any district resident if no agreement is reached by March 15.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nancy Weil
Southern Illinois.n
Carbondale
Judy Merritt
Gordon White
Harvey Welch
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Peggy Melone
Carbondale Association For Responsive Education
White
Donald Stricklin
Jackson
Perry
Stricklin
Dixon pushes for mediation on police reform at city council
NAACP continues to press for fair treatment of Mr. Dixon case as council plans March 18 postponement due to Mrs. Westberg's absence. Some members back Dixon's recommendations while debates focus on advisory versus empowered committees and documentation from Ms. Glenn.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Police Department
Dixon
Westberg
Patrick Kelley
Glenn
Woman wins 3.1 million Lotto prize in surprise payout
Mrs. Bartlett, who lives on pensions and Social Security, surprised by her win of 3.1 million. She says she never imagined being rich and has no concrete plans yet for the prize while phone lines stay busy with congratulations from friends and neighbors.
Christopher approves repair of damaged sewer line
A break in the main 15 inch sanitary sewer line in Christopher last week causes about 90 percent of the city's raw sewage to flow in floodwater toward the Big Muddy River. Much of the sewage stands near Willis Creek. The City Council on Monday authorized replacing the damaged line at an estimated cost over $29,000.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Christopher
Big Muddy
Willis Creek
Du Quoin Faces Ambulance Service Gap After Wilson-Roddy Folded
Du Quoin Mayor Robert Armstrong said no immediate solution exists for the loss of Wilson-Roddy Ambulance Service. The city has no local ambulance service and can only handle emergency rescue runs. Regular medical calls are prohibited for the fire department by state law, leaving residents to rely on Pinckneyville Ambulance Service and a volunteer fire department. In a separate note, West Frankfort city workers signed a two year contract after ten months of negotiations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
du Quoin
Robert Armstrong
Wilson-Roddy
Armstrong
Pinckneyville
Frankfort
Marion VA firefighters dispute center director on disbandment
Some firefighters at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Marion disagree with director Robert Patton who says the department is being disbanded but notes protection can be maintained at savings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Veterans Administration Medical Center
Marion
Robert Patton
Patchett named to Illinois Court of Claims post
Former Williamson County States Attorney Randy Patchett has been picked by Gov James Thompson for a six year term on the Illinois Court of Claims in Springfield with a $25 000 a year salary. The appointment, replacing a non reappointed judge, awaits Senate confirmation within a week to 10 days. The part time post allows him to continue his private practice and keeps political options open. The judges hear cases demanding relief for citizens from the state.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Williamson County
Randy Patchett
James Thompson
Illinois Court of Claims
Springfield
Patchett
22Nd
Ken Gray
Thompson
Illinois
Illinois Senate
YMCA considers park district offer to buy Carbondale building
Carbondale Park District has submitted a proposal to purchase the Jackson County YMCA building at 2500 W. Sunset Dr. The YMCA board plans a noon meeting to review the proposal with President Ed Reeder endorsing it as a viable way to settle debts and refund members. A special member meeting March 20 will decide the YMCA's direction whether to dissolve or redefine its role without a building.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carbondale Park
Jackson County Ymca
Sunset Drive
Carbondale
YMCA
Ed Reeder
Park District
Reeder
City of Carbondale Launches Citizen Feedback Service
The city rolls out a new citizen feedback service request program to reach residents who rarely complain. A citizens assistant at City Hall routes mailed forms to departments for action or response. Officials stress no term complaint appears on the form and emphasize positive engagement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dave DeWitte
The
Southern Illinoisan
Ratter
Dea
City Hall
August Fire Boosted Murphysboro Loss in Chief Report
Fire Chief Chester Steele reports Murphysboro would have faced a routine loss if August fires had not occurred. A downtown blaze at Walnut and 12th Streets drove total losses to 1,524,360, about 474,085 above the 1983 figure of 1,050,275 which already included a Walnut Street fire in the 1000 block.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Murphysboro
Walnut and
12Th Streets
Walnut Street
Chester Steele
Also Mentioned on This Page
William Stratton
Reform Commission
Stratton
Shapiro
Michael L. Harty
Vot
Guido Bernstein
Central Illinois Public Service Company
Doyle McRaven
Jonesboro
CIPS
NAACP
Lotto
West Frankfort
Marion VA
By Larry Davis
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