State Comptroller talks about the state budget and economy with local mayors

Your state comptroller doesn’t have a vote in Springfield but, as she puts it, she has a large megaphone. Republican Leslie Geissler Munger is settling into her new position of Illinois Comptroller. She visited Starved Rock Lodge Tuesday to talk to a couple of local mayors and reporters about the state’s economy and Governor Bruce Rauner’s budget proposal.

Rauner has proposed cutting funding for local governments. Spring Valley Mayor Walt Marini made it clear to Munger that his town needs every dollar it receives from the state.  Marini says Spring Valley is an older community and is already taxed enough.

Peru Mayor Scott Harl also urged Munger to bring that message back to Springfield.  Harl says Peru stands to lose $500,000 is funding.

Munger says the budget proposed by Rauner last week was just a starting point. She says the state has $8 million in unpaid bills, but she believes Rauner’s policies will turn things around for Illinois.

Poetry gathering coming to the La Salle Public Library

Poetry is often personal and that makes it all the more powerful to hear read aloud. You’re invited to bring your poetry and listen to others share their work during a poetry gathering Thursday at the La Salle Public Library.

The gathering will focus on the work of Marydale Stewart, a retired college English instructor and librarian. Stewart will be reading from her recent book, Let the Thunder In.

The gathering will be set up as an open mic and open to everyone. It starts at 6pm.

House fire keeps crews from Earlville, Leland and Paw Paw busy

Fire damaged a home in Earlville.  A passerby called 911 just after 8am Tuesday after noticing smoke coming from the windows of a home in the 700 block of North Main Street.

Leland and Paw Paw firefighters provided help to Earlville.  Nobody was inside the one-story house when firefighters arrived.

More potential problems for Republican Aaron Schock

WASHINGTON (AP) – A Congressman representing Marshall and Woodford County among other places is in more hot water.

According to the Associated Press, Republican Aaron Schock spent taxpayer and campaign funds on private planes to fly around the country on planes owned by some of his donors. The AP report says they tracked his Instagram account pictures to see where all he was travelling. There also were other travel and entertainment charges, including for a massage company and concerts like Katy Perry.

Schock’s use of congressional and political funds raises new questions amid an ethics inquiry already underway. He’s still facing questions over decorating expenses for his Washington office in the theme of the TV show “Downton Abbey.”

His office declined to comment on his expenses yesterday.

Peru council approves movie theater plat and waivers

A new movie theater in Peru isn’t a done deal yet but it is looking more likely. A design for a new theater including parking and storm water drainage was approved Monday night by the city council.

Carmike Cinemas wants to move into a 10-screen theater that would be built north of Hy-Vee. It will have 1,690 seats and at least one large auditorium with 330 seats.

Developers DMAR, LLC and Access, LLC are receiving variances related to the parking lot and waivers for many of the normal business construction fees. The waivers will be included in a development agreement between the city, Carmike, and the developers.