Mendota students raising money for Relay event

Formal was the look at Mendota High School but it wasn’t for prom.  Students held a “Dress Up For the Cure” day Friday, in which students donated to Relay For Life of Upper Illinois Valley.

Other students sold candy bars, breast cancer bracelets and baked goods.  A group of fifth graders at Northbrook have also raised money by selling hand-made hair bows.

The Relay isn’t until July 9^th at Mendota Lake Park but youth teams are planning more fundraisers.  Several high school students have organized a junior high dance for Friday, May 13^th to be held at Northbrook School in Mendota.

At least one adult is needed as a captain for any youth teams.   You can learn about the event by visiting www.relayforlifeupperillinoisvalley.com.

IVCC to take legal action against Putnam County

A disagreement over taxes abated on the ethanol plant in Putnam County has Illinois Valley Community College officials ready to take legal action.

At issue are property taxes that have been abated for Marquis Energy, LLC.  The plant is located in the Bureau-Putnam Enterprise Zone, meaning it’s eligible for property tax abatement for 10 years.

College President Jerry Corcoran says the resolution the board of trustees approved was to only abate taxes on properties with improvements after July 1, 2007.  He says Marquis Energy’s construction began before that date.  He says it was never the board’s intention to abate taxes on the ethanol plant.

Corcoran says IVCC stands to loose $1.4 million over ten years, or about $140,000 a year.   He says they’ve tried to avoid litigation, but now they have no other option but litigation.  The first year of the abatement was 2009.

The complaint is being taken to the Putnam County circuit court.

The AM 1220 WLPO news team was unable to reach the Putnam County Treasure’s office.

Members of the Illinois State Bar Association met in Peru

Women and the law was the topic of a reception in Peru.

Members of The Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Women and local attorneys gathered to discuss women’s issues in general and women who practice law.

Melissa Olivero of Peru is an attorney with the National Labor Relations Board in Peoria.  She’s says a group toured the Dwight Correctional Center Friday afternoon before meeting for the reception at Mark Allen’s.

Olivero says it was nice to hold a meeting like that in Peru because they’re usually held in Chicago.