Peru approves health insurance bid for Blue Cross Blue Shield

When the aldermen in Peru considered which health insurance policy to choose for their employees they had two to compare.  One was from their current provider Blue Cross Blue Shield and the other came from United Health Care River Valley.

Several local insurance agents say they submitted bids that weren’t considered and told this to the city council Monday night.

It was a complaint Alderman Rodney Perez brought up before the council decided to stick with Blue Cross Blue Shield for $994,000.  Perez says they should have considered going with an agent from Peru, some of whom were offering the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan.

The plans were looked over by the city’s insurance consultant, Dick Martuzzo, but he declined to become further involved because of a conflict of interest.  Martuzzo works for the Duncan Insurance Office in La Salle.

With a deadline looming, Mayor Scott Harl said they could change agents but it would require more discussion.

Firefighter pay questioned in Peru

A line of red fire trucks with their lights flashing and sirens ringing is a familiar scene in parades.  Having the firefighters man those trucks comes with a price in Peru.

13 firefighters were paid approximately $15 for working the Pearl Harbor and Christmas parades earlier this month.  The pay drew questions at Monday’s city council meeting.

Fire Chief Jeff King says he’s trying to be transparent after someone complained that they should be paid.  King says they were paid special duty pay which is half of what they would receive for a fire call.

Apparently firefighters had been receiving pay for those types of events but the books didn’t show it.

Police officers and other city employees are paid for parades.  The Public Health and Safety Committee plans to look into it.

Judge berates Blagojevich lawyer for juror motion

CHICAGO (AP) – A federal judge has denied what he called a “harebrained” motion by Rod Blagojevich’s lawyers over what they claimed was potential misconduct by the foreman at his corruption retrial.

Judge James Zagel threatened Monday to sanction the attorney who drafted the motion for the impeached Illinois governor, who was convicted of charges including that he tried to sell President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.

Blagojevich’s team asked Zagel to investigate whether the jury foreman violated the judge’s orders by possessing a questionnaire from the retrial and using it in at least one public presentation.

The motion had sought a new trial if court rules were violated. Attorney Lauren Kaeseberg (KAYS’-berg) said later she would’ve been remiss by not filing it.

Blagojevich begins his 14-year sentence in March.

Police looking for person that damaged ice skating rink space

They’re looking for the Scrooge in Oglesby.  Someone drove their car or truck through the newly-leveled city lot, damaging work that was done for an ice skating rink.  The damage was noticed Morning morning.

If you know anything about it, call the Oglesby Police Department.

IVCC reminds students about financial aid applications

With the fall semester finals behind you, it’s time to take a few weeks off from school.  Just don’t forget to complete your Federal Student Aid forms.

Officials at Illinois Valley Community College say students should complete the application before the end of February.   Patty Williamson is the financial aid director.  She says some grants and scholarships are awarded on a first come basis or have early deadlines.

The 2012-2013 FAFSA application will be available beginning January 1.  If you need help completing the application, the college will offer help starting in February.

Utica sand mine hearing to be held at elementary school

Sand mining has been in La Salle County for generations but a more recent use for the good has a company wanting to create a mine near Utica.

Illinois Sand Company, LLC is asking the village for zoning variances, special uses and annexation.  You can learn more about the proposal and share your thoughts during a hearing Tuesday evening.

The Utica planning commission meets at 7pm to hear about the permits.  Following that the Board of Trustees will join in to talk about the annexation agreement.  Then the village board will go into a special session to discuss it.

Because a large crowd is expected, the meeting is being held inside the elementary school.

Insurance and audit on the agenda in Peru

Health and liability insurance are big expenses for the City of Peru.  The city council Monday night will decide if they should stay with their health insurance provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield or switch to a less expensive plan with United Health Care River Valley.  The plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield is $994,000.

The council will also consider a $572,000 property and casualty and workmen’s compensation insurance plan from Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association.

They’ll also hear a rundown on the most recent audit.  The Peru City Council meets at 7:30pm.