Bears again focus on offense in free agency
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2013
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Alternate revenue bonds bill edited Amendment waters down voters’ ability to halt certain taxing district spending plans By CHELSEA McDOUGALL cmcdougall@shawmedia.com Facing opposition from lobbyists and members of his own party, state Rep. David McSweeney filed an amendment that tempers his bill aimed at ending alternate revenue bond abuses. A revised HB983, co-spon-
sored by McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, and Jack Franks, D-Marengo, still tightens regulations in the debt reform act, specifically for double-barrel bonds, but the bill’s original parameters have been watered down. “I want to get something done that meets my objectives,” McSweeney said. “I
stand by the original legislation, but it’s clear it wasn’t going to pass.” Alternate revenue bonds typically are issued by taxing districts to pay for projects with the understanding that the loan is backed by an identified revenue stream tied to the project. The problem with this financing mechanism is
that if revenue projections fall short, it could mean an increase on district property-tax bills. The legislation still makes it easier to initiate what some call a “backdoor referendum” and requires that feasibility studies – which are needed to issue these bonds – aren’t done by someone who could
benefit from the outcome of the study. The amendment sent the bill back to the Rules Committee, where it remained as of Tuesday afternoon. It removes a provision from the reform bill that created a state procurement officer through
See AMENDMENT, page A6
Face of county changing
State Rep. David McSweeney R-Barrington Hills
State Rep. Jack Franks D-Marengo
After 1st day, no new pope emerges Cardinals gather again today By NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press
Photos by Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
Harsh Agarwal (clockwise from top left) of Lake in the Hills, Sierra Dancy of Woodstock, Victor Iniestra of Woodstock, Caleb Walker of Lake in the Hills, Melissa Munoz of Crystal Lake and Gicela Mejia-Gonzalez of Woodstock pose for a portrait Tuesday at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake.
Area groups adapt to aging, diversified population By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com McHenry County’s population has gotten bigger, older and more diverse in the 21st century, and local employers, schools and governments already have been challenged to adapt to the changing demographics. Schools and local municipalities are being tasked with shifting
curriculums and services that accommodate non-native English speakers. Employers also face the prospects of a brain-drained workforce as the aging Baby Boomer generation approaches retirement and takes its institutional memory with it. The county’s demographic changes are in line with national trends, with longer lifespans, shifting cultural norms, increased im-
migration and the economic downturn as contributing factors. “We have a nice, diverse population in the county,” said Jeffrey Poynter, director of the McHenry County Workforce Network Board. “We still have a strong, historical population, but bringing in other cultures has given us a different perspective on employment opportunities.” The other cultures that have
gravitated to the county include the nation’s fastest-growing ethnicity. More than 15,600 Latinos have moved to the county in the 21st century, a comparison of the 2000 and 2010 censuses shows. The county overall has grown by more than 48,600 people, as the county’s majority race represented a lesser share of the population.
VATICAN CITY – This time there was no doubt. There was no new pope yet, and the mystery of who – and when – was as thick as the unmistakable heavy black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney. As thousands waited in a cold night rain in St. Peter’s Square, the cardinals signaled Tuesday they had failed on their first attempt to find a leader for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics and their troubled church. “It’s black, it’s black, it’s waaay black!” screamed Eliza Nagle, a 21-year-old Notre Dame theology major on an exchange program in Rome, as the smoke poured from the 6-foot-high copper chimney at 7:41 p.m. “They definitely got the color right this time,” agreed Father Andrew Gawrych, an American priest based in Rome, referring to the confusion over the smoke during the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. That was thanks to special smoke flares – akin to those used in soccer matches or protests – lit in the chapel ovens to make the burned ballots black, the sign that cardinals must come back for another day of voting today. Tuesday’s drama unfolded against the backdrop of the turmoil unleashed by Benedict’s surprise resignation
See DIVERSITY, page A6 See CARDINALS, page A8
LOCALLY SPEAKING
Northwest Herald photo
MARENGO
CARY
OFFICIALS DISCUSS GRAVEL PIT WORRIES
D-26 MULLS ADDING TECH COORDINATOR
In wake of unveiling of annexation plans, Marengo officials face questions over their inexperience with regulating the gravel pits along Route 23. The gravel pits are included in two of the three annexation plans formally presented to the City Council on Monday in an effort to extend Marengo’s borders to Interstate 90. For more, see page B1.
District 26 is considering adding an instructional technology coordinator to help teachers integrate computers and smart boards, and other equipment into their lessons. The position, which if approved would be in place next school year, would cost the district from $60,000 to $69,000 in salary. For more, see page B1.
McHENRY: Business growth, customer needs spur changes at Gary Lang Auto Group. Business, E1
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