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AMBOY HANGS ON TO EARLY LEAD
GIRLS BASKETBALL, B1
Whiteside County deputy delivers a happy meal TECH TYPE, A3
dailyGAZETTE Tuesday, January 5, 2016
SERVING ROCK FALLS, STERLING AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1854
ILLINOIS | CONSOLIDATION REPORT
Report: Bigger isn’t better Task force says it’s time for government to go on a diet and save taxpayers money OAK BROOK (AP) – A task force appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner recommended more than 2 dozen ways to shrink Illinois government and cut costs to taxpayers, though many ideas already have faced stiff opposition and the Republican acknowledged getting legislative approval won’t be “just a walk in the park.” Several of the 27 recommendations announced Monday mirror anti-union measures that Rauner has unsuccessfully pushed since taking office last year, including allowing local governments to opt out of collective bargain-
ing with public-worker unions. Others, such as consolidating school districts, have failed under previous governors. “An entity of government is somebody’s political power base. ... It’s an opportuBruce nity for cronyism, for Rauner patronage, for pensions,” Rauner said during an event in DuPage County. “Somebody’s going to push back.”
From county boards to mosquito abatement districts and municipalities, Illinois has almost 7,000 units of government – far more than any other state. Rauner created the Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force in February after campaigning on a promise to lower taxes and reduce government bureaucracy. He said Monday that the task force’s suggestions, which also focused on eliminating unfunded mandates, could save taxpayers billions of dollars per year. CONSOLIDATION CONTINUED ON A5
Inside
Now that the task force has made its recommendations, one of its members – local lawmaker Tom Demmer (left) – says his next job will be to make the report’s recommendations a reality: A5 A closer look at what the report said should be done: A5
SAUK VALLEY
MORE ROOM TO ROAM FOR BISON
Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
Jim Walters is the new executive director of the YWCA of the Sauk Valley. He takes over from Carol Fitzgerald, who held the position for 30 years.
A new year, a new era, a new face at the Y BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com
A bison chews on grass Monday in the north enclosure of Nachusa Grasslands. In December, the enclosed area was expanded from 500 to 1,500 acres, thanks to a new tunnel under Stone Barn Road that gives the animals access to land on the north and south sides of the road. In October 2014, 30 bison were introduced to the grasslands. Between May and September, 16 calves were born, and in late October, 29 new bison were added to the herd, bringing the total to 75. The bison can be viewed only from roadsides and fence perimeters, so spectators are advised to bring binoculars. The grasslands are located on Lowden Road, a few miles northeast of Franklin Grove. Go to nachusagrasslands.org to learn more.
STERLING – When the YWCA of the Sauk Valley kicked off a new year, the nonprofit also ushered in a new era. Jim Walters, 48, put in his first day as executive director on Dec. 29. Walters is the first permanent leader of the organization in the past 30 years who isn’t named Carol Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald retired in July 2015, ending her run as the longest-serving director since the Sterling-based YWCA was established in 1924. Retiree Eileen Mershart, former director of the YWCA in Madison, Wisconsin, served as interim director until Walters was hired. Walters’ hiring brings a leader with a wealth of experience in advocacy for domestic violence victims – one of the organization’s primary missions. He’s worked in nonprofit settings for 21 years, 17 of those with domestic violence programs, and he also served as vice president and treasurer for the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. WALTERS CONTINUED ON A5
STERLING CITY COUNCIL
Member will add a new dimension in sound to commission BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
STERLING – The Challand Middle School band director is the newest member of the Sterling Band Commission.
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TODAY’S EDITION: 20 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 162 ISSUE 18
The Sterling City Council Monday approved Mayor Skip Lee’s appointment of Kevin O’Keefe to the five-member commission. The members serve 5-year staggered terms; O’Keefe’s term expires June 30, 2020. The commission is responsible for overseeing the municipal band, con-
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ...............B5
certs, and other city programs in the performing arts, including exclusive control over the band’s finances. The commission, which reports to the council, also is responsible for management and uses of the Grandon Civic Center. O’Keefe is a 2006 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University. After graduation,
CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ........... A21
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
he was a music teacher and band director at Montmorency School in Rock Falls, moving to Sterling. He also spent time as band and choir director in the Eastland school district, before taking the Challand job. COMMISSION CONTINUED ON A5
Today’s weather High 32. Low 22. More on A3.
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