Rauner eliminates ‘fair share’ union dues for state workers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Gov. Bruce Rauner stepped up his campaign against government employee unions by eliminating so-called “fair share” dues paid by workers who don’t join a union.

The Republican said Monday he has signed an executive order erasing what he says is a “critical cog in the corrupt bargain crushing taxpayers.” He says forcing non-union employees to pay union dues requires them to fund political activity they don’t agree with.

He says he took action after a U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year that found the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act violated the First Amendment by mandating involuntary union dues.

Rauner has called for ending political contributions by unions.

Rauner’s executive order has no effect on those who wish to remain in unions.

Peru City Council back in action

What will happen at the latest Peru City Council meeting? Find out Monday night.

The council meets at 7:30 and they plan to appoint members to a task force to study the hiring of a city administrator. Mayor Scott Harl had seen before that he thinks a city administrator would cost $175,000 with salary and benefits.

The council also will talk about a Northwest Development Corridor on Plank Road. There is nothing about the new movie theater or proposed ways to pay for it on tonight’s agenda.

Illinois Valley Radio Shack’s officially on closure list

Over 100 Radio Shack stores will be closed by next Tuesday. The stores in Peru and Ottawa will not be among them.

Radio Shack is closing over a thousand stores but will do the closings in three phases. The first 162 stores will close by Tuesday as part of the first phase. The Radio Shack in the Peru Mall and across the road from the Ottawa Walmart are in the third phase of closures so they could stay open through the end of March.

Radio Shack filed for bankruptcy last week.

Spring Valley family needs help after a fire gutted their home

The Illinois Valley is once again being asked to step up and help a family in need.

A fund has been set up at Spring Valley City Bank on behalf of Nick LaVanway and his parents Connie and Rick. They lost their home in a fire back on February 2nd. Besides cash donations, gift cards for groceries and household items are also being accepted.

A Facebook page to help the family has also been created. You can find it by searching “LaVanway Family Fire Recovery Fund”.

L-P wants open discussion about social media’s role in bullying

Does your teenager have a Facebook or Instagram account? Under a new law, their principal or superintendent can get hold of their login information.

As of January 1st, schools can request a student or their parent to provide social media passwords if the district thinks a student is breaking a rule like cyber-bullying. L-P Superintendent Steve Wrobleski says he realizes this is a big change and hopes it triggers a bigger conversation about bullying.

To help jumpstart the conversation, L-P is hosting a Town Hall meeting Thursday, February 19th in the school auditorium. Topics will include bullying and the new law giving schools access to student’s social media accounts.

The meeting starts at 6.