La Salle County Board tells the state “hands off” their wind farms

The debate of local versus state control is heating back up in La Salle County.

The La Salle County Board is sending a resolution to local lawmakers opposing a proposed bill that gives the state control of wind farm zoning. Not only would counties lose zoning control but they’d lose revenue that comes with charging fees per wind tower.

La Salle County charges over six thousand dollars in fees for every wind tower. Chairman Jerry Hicks says they have over 300 towers up and running and another 100 waiting to go up if and when the wind energy market improves.

The farm bureau is pushing for state control of wind towers since a lot of southern Illinois counties don’t have zoning laws to regulate where wind farms go.

Friday is supposed to be the deadline for the proposed law to get out of committee.

Book showcases the old homes of Princeton

How much has your neighborhood changed since 1914? Princeton is home to many large, old, Victorian houses. Some of those homes were captured in a book published in 1914. 100 years later, the book has been updated. It’s titled, Princeton the City of Homes- Then and Now, 1914-2014.

Pam Lange is with the Bureau County Historical Society. They’re selling it as a fundraiser.  She says the new book includes color photos of the homes along side the old black and white photos.  The book also includes landmark businesses and other attractions like the red covered bridge. Copies are on sale at the museum behind the Bureau County Courthouse in Princeton.

Learn more about it by listening to an interview on the WLPO AM and FM news page.

IVCC professor to present “SciFest”

Learn how to make your own lava lamp and watch a chemistry professor smash a cement block off of his chest during a night devoted to science at Illinois Valley Community College.

Matthew Johll presents “SciFest” from 7 to 8:30pm Friday in IVCC’s gym. He’ll explain many science related demonstrations.  SciFest is open to everyone and admission is free.

Utica trustees tired of waiting on trains

For years people have complained about waiting on trains in Ottawa. The same complaints are now being heard in Utica.

According to the NewsTribune, Utica Village President Gloria Alvarado plans to speak with Unimin Corporation officials about stopping trains from idling and bringing traffic on Route 178 to a dead stop. Trustee John Schweickert says “it seems worse than ever”.

Village attorney Herb Klein told trustees that railroads are federally-regulated so there limited on what can be done. He thinks a first step is contacting Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

Madigan drops special tax for millionaires idea

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Michael Madigan is withdrawing a plan to tax millionaires in the state.

A spokesman for Madigan says the speaker of the House blames Republicans who wouldn’t support the proposal. The spokesman says Republicans “prefer and protect millionaires over school children.”

Madigan wanted to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would have added a 3 percent surcharge onto incomes over $1 million. He said it would raise an estimated $1 billion annually for schools. A House committee approved the plan Thursday.

Republicans say the tax would hurt small businesses and farmers.