La Salle alderman stresses the need to fund police pensions

It’s time for La Salle to tighten its belt, at least that’s what the chairman of their finance committee is stressing.  The city has $9.5 million in unfunded police pension liability, a point Alderman Tom Ptak wants to make clear.

The 2013 tax levy approved by the city council Tuesday night is a 4.83% increase over last year’s.  Ptak says they need to cut spending somewhere or they’ll be forced to raise the levy next year to cover the police pension fund.

None of the other aldermen disagree.  Alderman Jim Bacidore says they can watch their spending but many of the city trucks are old and will need to be replaced.

La Salle receives most of its money from property taxes.  Equalized Assessed Valuation was estimated to be down from last year.

Peru group has at-large question added to the March ballot

A referendum asking if you want to change the make up of the Peru City Council will go before the voters March 18 ballot.  A group calling themselves the Peru At-Large Initiative turned in the needed petitions Monday.  If you want to challenge their petition, you have until next Monday.

According to Peru City Clerk Dave Bartley, objections would be reviewed by the local elections authorities who are Bartley, Mayor Scott Harl, and Alderman Dave Potthoff.

A yes vote means you want the number of aldermen reduced from eight to six.  You would also be asking that each ward have one alderman with the two remaining aldermen elected from anywhere in the city.  It’s a binding referendum.

 

La Salle and Ottawa post offices to be open Sunday

If you’re waiting for gifts to arrive in the mail, they could show up Sunday.  The U.S. Postal Service will be delivering parcels only Sunday in Ottawa and La Salle. 

And if you have items to be weighed at the counter, the La Salle and Ottawa post offices will also be open Sunday.

Leave of absense not going to happen in Peru

An investigation into overtime pay for hours not worked and the recent resignation of the new city engineer and public works director has at least one alderman wanting the mayor to step aside.

Alderman Rodney Perez Monday night asked Mayor Scott Harl to take a leave a leave of absence while the overtime investigation is ongoing.  Perez says he feels Harl is responsible for the resignation of Sean Mikos.

Harl quickly and briefly responded with, “That’s not going to happen.” And then the council moved on to the next agenda item.

Snowmobiler crashes in Kangley

A teenage snowmobiler from Streator is okay but was ticketed after crashing into a vehicle.

Michael Jamison was coming thru in alley in Kangley Sunday afternoon when he crashed into the vehicle of Tamyka Zenke of Streator.  Jamison was ticketed for failing to yield and driving the snowmobile while uninsured.

The owner of the snowmobile, Michael Taylor of Streator was also ticketed for having an expired registration.  Both Jamison and Taylor were released with court dates.

Red Cross Blood Supply Low Around The Holidays

Christmas is the time of giving so why not give the gift of life by donating blood.

Between school vaccinations, bad weather and busy schedules, blood donations drop this time of the year while the need stays the same.

The Red Cross office in Peru is hosting a blood drive today from noon until five at their building next to the Peru post office.  Tomorrow, the Tiskilwa Fire Department is hosting a blood drive from 3 until 6:30.

If you’re near Streator, you can donate blood Thursday morning at the Red Cross office or in the afternoon at Teleperformance on Northpoint Drive.

Exceptions Being Made To The New Gay Marriage Rule

CHICAGO (AP) – A federal court is ordering an Illinois county clerk’s office to issue a marriage license to any same-sex couple who wants to wed immediately because one of them has a life-threatening illness.

Illinois last month became the 16th state to legalize gay marriage, but couples can’t apply for licenses until June 1. But following U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman’s order yesterday to the Cook County clerk’s office, they will be able to marry straightaway if they can provide a doctor’s note saying one partner has a life-threatening illness.

Three gay couples have been granted emergency marriage license applications in Cook County.