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Whiteside County deputy delivers a happy meal
AMBOY HANGS ON TO EARLY LEAD
GIRLS BASKETBALL, B1
TECH TYPE, A3
TELEGRAPH Tuesday, January 5, 2016
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
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
DIXON
New city manager hits the ground running BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5525 @JPigee84
DIXON – New Dixon City Manager Cole O’Donnell said he was on the move Monday, getting ready
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for his first day on the job, much like a popular cartoon character. That first day – at least officially – started at Monday’s city council meeting, after he was sworn in. But O’Donnell isn’t one to stand on ceremony – run is more like it.
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ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A10 COMICS ...............B5
He was already at work before he took the oath. “Time doesn’t wait for anyone. You have to get moving as soon as you get here,” O’Donnell said. “It’s like Fred Flintstone and his feet. You get in the car and you CROSSWORD....B10 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ........... A21
have to start moving those feet.” And move those feet he did. His first day was filled with questions. Some, O’Donnell asked of staff and city officials. Others, they asked him. CITY MANAGER CONTINUED ON A5
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Today’s weather High 32. Low 22. More on A3.
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Cole O’Donnell
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