Comprehensive plan to be presented Monday

La Salle wants to redevelop its business district and neighborhoods.  You can learn how this can be accomplished during a presentation at city hall.

The town’s strategy for the future is explained in the updated comprehensive plan.  The draft includes ideas for focusing business to First Street, better using the river access, and improving the city’s appearance.  It also looks at industrial development.

If you live, own a business or own land in La Salle, this would be of interest.  The presentation is from 6-8pm Monday.

You can see the suggestions by visiting the city’s website.

 

Changes to snow removal ordinance possible in Peru

Just as the snow is melting, Peru is changing its snow removal rules.  Starting next fall when it snows three inches or more you’ll have an hour to move your car off of the road.  Currently you have longer to move your car but the thinking is they want to get the roads cleared sooner.  The city council will vote on it Monday.

They’ll also vote on changes to the employee handbook including a social media policy.  The city council meets at 7:30pm Monday.

DCFS apparently in serious trouble

Two Democratic lawmakers involved in overseeing the troubled Illinois Department of Children and Family Services say the agency faces “horrendous” challenges in the year ahead.
 
     They include yet another search for a new child-welfare chief, anticipated budget cuts and election year politics.
 
     Officials fear that efforts to help the agency could suffer if a replacement is not quickly found for recently resigned Arthur Bishop. He was the fourth chief to head the agency in less than a year’s time.
 
     A change in governor after November’s election could also mean yet another leadership shift.
 
     State Senator Julie Morrison, a Deerfield Democrat, chaired a series of hearings last fall in response to a rash of problems at the agency.
 
     She says the leadership void puts any future reforms on hold.

Abe Lincoln had secrets?

Historians believe they’ve unraveled the mystery of a cryptic note Abraham Lincoln penned that doesn’t identify the recipient by name and has a section clipped out.

Researchers at the Papers of Abraham Lincoln project concluded Lincoln was writing to an ally to ask him to maintain a secret relationship with a political insider during the 1860 election campaign.

Your warm weather has arrived

You know that stretch of warm weather you’ve wanted? It’s arrived and starts today.

Temperatures in the Illinois Valley will reach about 45 today. Daytime highs this week – with the exception of Wednesday – will be in the 40’s or 50’s. There is a minor chance for snow on Tuesday night.

The Weather Service isn’t saying anything now…but, water may accumulate from melting snow this week and flood some low lying roads.

State paying for Rutherford attorneys

The state will pay three attorneys up to $200 per hour to represent Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford  in a lawsuit filed by a former employee.

Edmund Michalowski accused Rutherford last month of sexually harassing him and forcing him to do campaign work on state time.

Rutherford, who is seeking the Republican nomination for Illinois governor, has denied the claims. He’s said the accusations have made his campaign more difficult.