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Dixon shakes off rust; SHS likes a loud crowd SPORTS NOTEBOOK, B1
Prep football? We’ve got you covered in today’s Friday Night Blitz section
STATE WANTS YOUR INPUT ON BOAT DOCK DIXON, A3
ILLINOIS ELECTIONS | 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Rumor mill churns out challenge Bustos opponent pushes Bustos to pledge: Don’t turn your back on 1 office for another BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5570 @pam_eggemeier
GALESBURG – As speculation heats up about who will represent the Democratic Party in the 2018 Illinois gubernatorial race, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos keeps coming up in those conversations. The East Moline Democrat is among those mentioned by party leadership and political pundits as a possible opponent of Gov. Bruce Rauner, who on June 20
announced he would seek re-election. Others rumored to be interested are U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, former governor Pat Quinn, and state senators Kwame Raoul and Heather Steans. Although Bustos neither has confirmed nor denied an interest in running for governor, the Republican running for her 17th Congressional District seat in the November election tried to make the rumors an issue earlier this week. Patrick Harlan of Galesburg, president of the Knox County Tea Party, said Bustos
needs to promise the voters of Illinois that she is focused on the task at hand. The Harlan camp issued a news release Wednesday that asked Bustos to formalize the promise. “I am requesting that Congresswoman Bustos make a pledge that, if she were to be elected in November, she would uphold the duties of representing the constituents of the 17th District without resigning to run for governor of Illinois and requiring a special election,” Harlan stated in the release. RUMORS continued on A54
Cheri Bustos
Patrick Harlan
CITY BUDGET
FAITH
Pension funding: An uphill struggle
After more than 3 decades, Li Arellano is retiring from his pastoral role and as superintendent at Faith Christian School in Grand Detour.
And in Dixon, the hill is getting steeper
ANSWERING their CALL
A pastor who’s spent nearly 45 years searching for the gospel truth, and helping young people find it, is ready to move on to the next grand adventure: Retirement Say thanks to Pastor Li
A retirement celebration for the Rev. Li Arellano Sr. and his wife, Margrete, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Comfort Inn, 136 Plaza Drive, in Dixon. Go to faithassemblyofgranddetour.weebly.com or call Faith Assembly of Grand Detour at 815-652-4143 for more information.
BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
GRAND DETOUR – The Rev. Li Arellano Sr. has spent nearly 45 years being a resource for community youths who have the same questions about faith that he once did. “I’ve always been good with young people; I can relate to them,” he said. Arellano’s gift for connecting with community youths stems
from his love for children and his own experiences with struggling with acceptance of the church. “I love working with kids,” he said. “Adults are so childish.” When Arellano was 14, he turned his back on the church after his questions and doubts went unanswered. “I had questions people wouldn’t answer,” he said. “All my life, I’ve wanted to be available to have those answers to young people.” ARELLANO continued on A104 Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
T-storms likely
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 54 36 Pages
Today: 72/47 For the forecast, see Page A11
Business
Hospital’s hidden treasure has plenty to offer for patients and visitors. See Page C1
Community It was a wedding so nice, they had it twice. Nearly 3 dozen couples say “I do” at O’Connell’s Jellystone Park near Amboy. See Page C12
BY RACHEL RODGERS rrodgers@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @rj_rodgers
DIXON – The city’s balancing act to pay growing pension obligations and fund much-needed infrastructure improvements just became more rickety. Contributions to Dixon’s combined fire and police pension fund are estimated to increase from about $1.4 million to $1.6 million, actuary Todd Schroeder told the City Council this week. This came as startling news, considering the city committed an extra $500,000 to go toward pension payments last year in an effort to make a bigger Li Arellano Jr. dent in its rising obliDixon mayor fears gations and unfund- pension funding ed liability, Mayor Li could push city Arellano Jr. said. toward a “fiscal “We’re already emergency.” increasing pensions by 50 percent,” he said. “Based on the numbers, we’re so far from being caught up.” Paying more for pensions means having less for capital improvements such as infrastructure repairs or work that could stave off emergencies like the recent water main break on South Galena Avenue, he said. “Infrastructure is not something I want to short-change,” Arellano said. “It’s not a fiscal emergency, but it’s very close, given our infrastructure needs.” PENSIONS continued on A54
Index Births................. C5
Lottery............... A2
Business..... C1, C8
Markets........... A12
Classified........... B6
Obituaries.......... A4
Comics.............. A8
Opinion........ A6-A7
Community...... C12
Scoreboard....... B3
Crossword Saturday............ B7
Scrapbook........ C3
Crossword Sunday.............. C8
Support groups... C5
Dave Ramsey.... C1
Weather........... A11
Dear Abby......... C6
Wheels............ B12
Sports............... B1 Travel............... C10