May 30
I have a master’s degree from the University of Illinois.
Am I shocked? No.
Am I surprised? No.
Am I angry? Yes.
Here is the background on admissions practices at the University of Illinois:
This article has quotes from Rep. Bob Pritchard:
as does this article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-college-clout-31-may31,0,7230960.story?page=1
Do not miss Senator Chris Lauzen’s role in this.
May 27
If you peruse the city’s check registers you start getting a feel for certain patterns. Based on a sample of five months over the past 15, DeKalb on average pays out about $5000 per month on cell phone service, $600 for locks and keys, maybe up to $1000 or so for janitorial supplies and sometimes more than $1000 for janitorial services.
Some entries bespeak the good life on our dime. A few jump to mind: the $145 framed photo of “B Foster” that you will have to visit the airport to see; what appears to be the entire Wogen family getting into great shape to the tune of $299 per annual gym membership; and several happy TIF Fund recipients, not the least of which are the venerable Hitchcock Design Group. I have not spotted a payment to Hitchcock for less than $14,500 (yes, for a month) and they frequently bill for much, much more.
But there’s no money for an additional police officer, nor enough to go on supporting the homeless shelter.
May 25
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian ArmyIn Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
May 22
Is there any resemblance between DeKalb’s new logo here:
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2009/04/28/97591321/
and the leaves on Naperville’s tree logo?
You decide!
May 22
The Chronicle notes Tuesday’s budget hearing.
The city has held a series of public workshops during the past two weeks, with each one addressing individual, or in some cases several, city departments and their fiscal needs. Tuesday’s hearing will be another chance for residents to comment on the budget, City Manager Mark Biernacki said during a news conference Thursday afternoon. [Emphasis added.]
Another chance? Makes it sound like we’ve been in on it from the start, doesn’t it? In fact, (unlike last year) there have been zero public input sessions during these workshops, no doubt because somebody would be sure to bring up the epic failure to incorporate the EPI report.
May 20
Appearing today in the Chronicle:
To the editor:
In a controversial action late last year, the city of DeKalb hired a financial consultant, Executive Partners Inc., to analyze our finances and make recommendations for putting the city on better financial footing.
EPI’s evaluation, “Strategic Financial Evaluation & Planning Process,” was distributed to council members May 1. (It can be picked up at the Municipal Building or found online at www.cityofdekalb.com.) The report contains an analysis, an action plan and a list of 10 priorities meant for implementation as soon as possible.
You’d think the priority items, at least, would have been placed immediately on the DeKalb City Council agenda for consideration due to the potential for substantial savings in fiscal year 2010. Instead, a backroom decision was made to defer discussion until after the budget was approved. Read the rest of this entry
May 19
Pantagraph.com has compiled a database of State of Illinois employees using information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It includes salaries. It does not include university employees. You can search by agency, by county of residence or both. DeKalb County lists 383 residents who are state employees such as tollway workers, correctional officers, child welfare workers, and agricultural inspectors.
That’s a lot of neighbors who could be affected directly by a “doomsday” state budget. Many–most?–work here, too.
May 18
Called “Wikis in Plain English”, this made me laugh.
Double Bonus: “Twitter in Plain English” and “RSS in Plain English”.
Speaking of RSS, I’d like to take it out of the site’s footer and put it into the sidebar with a graphic, but as usual need some time (or an applicable course in “Plain English”) to figure it out.
May 15
I vaguely know what this means. ;P
TTFN. Use this as a weekend open thread area if you like.
[H/T CapFax & Illinois Policy Institute]
May 14
Last night the Engineering budget was scrutinized. There were some good questions, I learned a thing or two, and there was much less shouting at the TV. However, I observed a fundamental error in thinking and that is the tying of salaries to permit revenues. This is one reason we got into such a mess in the first place, by trying to match up fixed costs to variable revenues. Sure, there’s a relationship but it can’t be as direct as saying we will hire as many people as will match the current revenue level, because then we have to cut ruthlessly when revenues are down–and as you can see we are quite terrible at it. There’s a better way. Read the rest of this entry