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dailyGAZETTE Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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LEE COUNTY
State’s attorney ‘deeply sorry’ Sacco-Miller calls actions leading to DUI arrest a ‘lapse in judgment’ BY KATHLEEN A. SCHULTZ kschultz@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5535 @KathleenSchul10
DIXON – Lee County State’s Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller, charged Sunday with misdemeanor DUI in the wake of a collision with a parked car, has issued a public apology for her “lapse in judgment” and plans to hold a news conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
According to an emailed statement this afternoon from SaccoMiller: “I am deeply sorry and regret my lapse in judgment yesterday. The Illinois State Police handled the accident and arrest professionally and according to the book, as I would expect nothing less. The case will be assigned to the appropriate prosecuting agency. I will cooperate fully with the process
More on A8 State’s attorney hasn’t previously committed a crime, disciplinary group says. and accept the consequences for my actions. I expect to be treated the same as any member of the public facing the same charges. “Business will continue as usual in the Lee County State’s Attor-
MORRISON | HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER AWARENESS
No rain date
ney’s Office with the usual considerations being made in each case.” She promised a full statement, including an explanation of “business as usual,” at the news conference. Sacco-Miller, 48, of Dixon, was arrested after hitting a car at 7:02 a.m. Sunday in the 500 block of East Fellows Street. No one was injured.
STERLING | TAX LEVY
City staring down 18.76 percent hike Public hearing to take place Dec. 7 BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
Tech school students brave elements, hold drive for cause
Anna Sacco-Miller
SORRY CONTINUED ON A8
STERLING – Huge increases in recommended contributions to police and fire pension funds have the city looking at a tax levy increase of 18.76 percent. The City Council unanimously approved the estimate that would fully fund the pensions, but has until Dec. 21 to pass a finalized version. There will be a public hearing for the levy at the Dec. 7 council meeting. Last year’s total levy increase came in at 4.95 percent, below the 5 percent hike that triggers the need for a hearing. If funded as recommended, the police pensions levy would increase by 43.90
Next meeting The Sterling City Council next meets at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7, at City Hall, 212 Third Ave., on the first floor in the Council Chambers. Go to sterling-il.gov or call City Hall at 815-6326621 for an agenda or more information.
School district levy increase
The Sterling School Board is proposing a property tax levy increase that would trigger a public hearing. A5 percent and the fire pensions levy by 47.55 percent. Those levies combined would make up 44.9 percent of the city’s entire tax bill, far surpassing the 32.4 percent that is levied for the general fund. LEVY CONTINUED ON A3
MORRISON
City signs off on loan for wastewater plant Photos by Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: Morrison Institute of Technology students stand in the drizzle Monday evening outside the school during the One Night Without a Home event geared to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness in the U.S. TOP: MIT students (from left) William Scanlan of Sandwich, Austin Thorsen of Elizabeth, and Tom Hopp of Dixon sit in their makeshift living quarters outside the school. RIGHT: Justin Hatfield of Elizabeth sits back in his humble – albeit temporary – shelter. National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week runs through Sunday, and MIT is holding a food, coat and blanket drive through Friday. Non-perishable food items, new or gently used coats and blankets can be dropped off in the foyer at the main entrance of the Rambo Building at 701 Portland Ave., Morrison. For more information, call admissions representative Jodie Eaker at 815-772-7218, ext. 207.
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Variables remain in determining the rate hike BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
MORRISON – The city’s financing for the first phase of its nearly $20 million wastewater treatment plant has been final-
ized, and construction is expected to start before the end of the year. City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen said the city signed the loan agreement Monday with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The 20-year loan is for $15,166,000, with an interest rate of 1.86 percent. Some of the engineering costs are not eligible for loan consideration. LOAN CONTINUED ON A3
Project budget Here is the projected cost breakdown for Morrison’s new wastewater treatment plant, and what portion is eligible for the low-interest loan from the EPA. Items Total Design engineering $1,355,257.21 Construction engineering $1,064,000 Construction $12,864,000 Contingency $384,600 Total $15,667,857.21 ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A11 COMICS ...............B6
CROSSWORD....B12 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
NATION/WORLD A11 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
Today’s weather High 59. Low 55. More on A3.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER, CALL 815-625-3600
Loan-eligible $897,400 $1,064,000 $12,820,000 $384,600 $15,166,000
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