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18 percent Rauner: No NEWMAN TIPS OFF ITS SEASON tax levy bump? more refugees STERLING, A3
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Tuesday, November 17, 2015
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
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
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. SORRY CONTINUED ON A8
Anna Sacco-Miller
DIXON | PUBLIC SAFETY PENSIONS
Public works could get hit the hardest
No rain date
Finance director wants $300K boost to pension contribution next year BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
Tech school students brave elements, hold drive for cause
DIXON – Finances will be tight when the City Council sits down for its budget talks at the start of the new year. The reason, according to Finance Director Paula Meyer, is because of public safety pensions. And the solution – for next Paula year, at least Meyer – is tightening public works’ belt. Meyer recommended at Monday’s meeting that the city put $1.3 million toward pensions next year, a $300,000 increase over what was put in last year. She’s proposing budgeting $200,000 less
Next meeting The City Council will next meet at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at City Hall, 121 W. Second St., Dixon. Go to discoverdixon.org or call City Hall at 815288-1485 for an agenda or more information.
School district levy increase
The Dixon School Board is proposing a property tax levy increase that would trigger a public hearing. A5 for public works to help offset the extra $300,000 going toward the pension gap. She said the city “should” be putting about $1.5 million toward pensions. PENSIONS CONTINUED ON A3
DIXON | CITY MANAGER
City eventually OKs Nord’s extension 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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INDEX
Councilman wanted to check wording before signing off BY BRENDEN WEST bwest@saukvalley.com 815-625-3600, ext. 5529 @BWest_SVM
DIXON – Interim City Manager David Nord got a 1-month extension Monday night. But it took a little longer than expected. Just before the vote on whether to extend Nord’s contract, Councilman Mike Venier said Mike the council Venier needed “a little more discussion.” In January, East Moline ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A11 COMICS ...............B6
CROSSWORD....B12 LIFESTYLE ........... A7 LOTTERY ............. A2
NATION/WORLD A11 OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6
In other action While in closed session Monday, the City Council unanimously voted to purchase the Kenzley Title Group building at 87 S. Hennepin Ave. for $245,000. Mayor Li Arellano said the building will house entities of Dixon One, a consolidated marketing arm the city is working to create. City Administrator Cole O’Donnell will take over as Dixon’s first city manager, but Nord’s contract is set to expire at the end of November. Without an extension, the city would be without its top employee through December. EXTENSION CONTINUED ON A3
Today’s weather High 59. Low 55. More on A3.
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