Television tutoring for Illinois lawmakers sparks debate
Joe Browning and Joe Novak of Benton and another strategist guide Democratic state senators under a taxpayer funded contract paying 2200 monthly plus 800 expenses. The firm trains lawmakers in handling tough questions on camera while public service messages and district office work expand government reach. Critics warn of overreach as media training blurs lines between government and politics.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mike Lawrence
Springfield
Joe Browning
Benton
Southern Illinois
Herrin
Senate
Illinois Education Association
Illinois
Betourney, Barnette & Associates
Chicago
Mike Wallace
Judith Erwin
Senate Democratic
State Senate
Glenn Poshard
D-Carterville
Joe Novak
Adlai E. Stevenson
Browning
Novak
Douglas Whitley
Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois
Senate Democratic Central Committee
Senate Democratic Campaign Committee
Whitley
Democratic
House
Browning urges downstate lawmakers to push state services
Benton supervisor Browning outlines a role as a coach to legislators and a conduit to media and the public. He cites promoting Child Alert week June 2 to 8 and says his $10,700 contract with Browning and Associates funds district outreach efforts to improve government responsiveness and public knowledge.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Browning
Senate
Browning and Associates
Illinois
Logan bond sale plan may hike district taxes
The John A. Logan College Board of Trustees tentatively approved a $1 million bond sale for a working cash fund to be repaid over five or seven years, potentially raising area home taxes. The move as an alternative to tuition increases would fund operations, with estimates showing a $6.45 yearly rise on a $45,000 home for five years and about $4.50 for seven.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pete Rosenberg
Southern Illinois
John A. Logan College Board of Trustees
Ray Hancock
Hancock
Logan
Rend Lake
Ina
Shawnee
Allin
Southeastern
Harrisburg
Stern Brothers and Company of
Northfield
Murdale Water District
Water District Board
Handicapped program seeks aid for Pinckneyville pair
Berniece Mathis and her sister in law Helen Mathis of Pinckneyville aim to form an organization to run a leisure activity program for several handicapped young people who are no longer in school but cannot join other activities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Berniece Mathis
Inlaw
Helen Mathis
Pinckneyville
Old Ben seeks longwall plan amid subsidence dispute
Old Ben officials say they have submitted a plan to the Phillipses to shield their home from subsidence. The Illinois company, the sole longwall miner in the state since 1962, has invested about 60 million since 1975 across four Franklin County mines and plans a 30 million coal preparation plant at Mine 26, aiming to make longwall mining economically viable.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Old Ben
Phillipses
Longwall Mining
Illinois
Franklin County
West Frankfort
Benton
Lesser
Mike Musulin
Marion High discrimination probe finds no evidence
An independent investigation led by Marion attorney William J. Novick found no evidence to support racial discrimination charges tied to Marion High School student council elections. The three page report was read at a district board meeting by Sallie Kirby amid ongoing concerns from black students and parents. In other news, Marion Housing Authority gains clearance to pursue 15 additional low rent units with city approval and HUD cooperation. Mayor Robert Butler noted expected statewide housing awards. IEPA will issue a full site report later, citing violations at a southeast Marion site following citizen complaints. Herrin Unit 4 receives a $1000 special education grant from the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund during the Herrin sports banquet.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Unit 2
Marion High School
Marion
William J. Novick
Sallie Kirby
Marion Community Unit School District 2 Board of Education
Marion Housing Authority
City Hall
Robert Butler
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Butler
Ruby Connett
Gary Steele
IEPA
Hilliary Hamm
Steele
Herrin Unit
Jim Green
Herrin Fraternal Order of Eagles
Helen Oakley
Herrin Eagles
Herrin
Eagles
Jimmy Durante
Ernie Branca
Eagle
Carrier Mills-Stonefort district in the black this year
Superintendent Charles Johnson told the Carrier Mills-Stonefort Unit 2 School District board the district is financially sound and not borrowing to cover running costs. Last year the district was in the red, aided by a $30,000 state tax amnesty payment, with expenses cut in several funds and four retirements expected to repeat savings next year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carrier Mills
Stonefort Unit 2
Charles Johnson
Johnson
Harrisburg Council Gains IEPA Help on Alleged City Landfill
Harrisburg city officials expect assistance from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency after a Tuesday council meeting revealed concerns about an alleged illegal landfill within the city limits. Officials discussed next steps and potential regulatory actions pending IEPA guidance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Harrisburg
IEPA
Harrisburg City Council
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Franklin County appoints Robert W. Lewis coroner
By a 7-1 vote the Franklin County board named Robert W. Lewis of Benton as the new county coroner completing the term of the late Charles E. Seagle who died April 24. Lewis, 26, an emergency medical technician, said he is excited and plans to use his funeral home experience in the role. Republican Cliff Cockrum dissented citing concerns about his qualifications.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Franklin County
Robert W. Lewis
Benton
Lewis
Charles E
Chuck” Seagle
Seagle
Cliff Cockrum
Bob Burnett
Marion Bowman
Carbondale fire leaves 19 residents seeking aid
Nineteen residents of a Carbondale apartment building displaced by a Tuesday morning fire lack clothing bedding and other necessities. SIUC and local organizations have moved residents to furnished units at nearby complexes but many items and important documents remain missing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dave DeWitte
Southern Illinoisan
Carbondale
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
SIUC
Clark Apartments
S. Wall St
S. Graham Street
Siuc Office
International Student Services
Vera Jeralds
Professional Enterprises Inc
Miurdale Water District approves rate hikes and expansion
The Miurdale Water District board approved July rate increases driven by higher supply costs from the Kinkaid Reeds Creek Conservancy District. Basic service rises from 7.35 to 9.35 monthly for up to 2000 gallons, with higher per thousand gallon charges for larger use. District expansion funds come from water line sales to Carbondale while customer reductions amid sales increased unit costs. Johnston City Unit 1 school board drops girls track for varsity volleyball and grants half credit for participation in two sports, plus half credit for cheerleading.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kinkaid-Reeds Creek Conservancy District
Johnston City Unit 1
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ocrat
Winston Churchills
Erwin
Chris Freveletti
Ccarterville
Housing Authority
Stonefort
Black
Franklin Board
Monticello Apartments
Hyde Park Apartments
Miurdale Water District
Sam
Tomers
Johnston City Board
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