Your source for community news and sports 7 days a week.
Holiday event in Amboy PHOTOS, A11
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
NEWMAN HIGH, A11
TELEGRAPH
Monday, December 1, 2014
SERVING DIXON AND THE SURROUNDING AREA SINCE 1851
ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE | ANALYSIS
Minimum wage question looms Agendas light for last week of veto session under Quinn SPRINGFIELD (AP) – The biggest issue hanging over Illinois lawmakers in a final 3-day veto session this week is whether they can muster the votes to approve a minimum wage hike. The proposal is an uphill climb that proponents are continuing to pursue amid behind-the-scenes maneuverings in both Springfield and Chicago. Passing the increase would be a capstone on Gov. Pat Quinn’s decades-long political career, and Chicago officials are expediting an attempt to raise the city’s wage in
anticipation of action in the capitol. With Quinn’s political capital waning in his final days in office, the statewide bill’s fate rests in the hands of fellow Democratic leaders with big majorities but their own agendas. The General Assembly, which reconvenes Tuesday, has been quietly winding down for the year on most other substantive issues in the midst of the first inter-party transition between governors in more than a decade. State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, a Maywood Democrat, said she intends to call the minimum wage
bill for a vote in the Senate this week. Earlier this month, she introduced a new proposal that would increase the state’s current minimum wage of $8.25 to $11 for workers 18 and older by 2017 – a measure that goes beyond what Quinn and many other Democrats were demanding during the election campaign. While Senate President John Cullerton says he’s confident his chamber can pass the legislation in its current form, its fate in the House is far from certain. MINIMUM WAGE CONTINUED ON A4
AP
Gov. Pat Quinn answers questions Oct. 9 while debating Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner in Peoria. Lawmakers’ agendas appear light as they enter the final week of veto session under the outgoing Quinn.
PADS RESIDENTS WARM FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN DIXON
ILLINOIS | PENSIONS
Outgoing politicians entitled to payments Hefty sums due to those leaving state offices BY SCOTT REEDER Illinois News Network
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Marion Younger (left), vice president of PADS, looks on as residents of the Dixon shelter try on winter coats dropped off Saturday night. PADS is urging the community to pledge to spend a few hours outside in exchange for donations to the shelter as a way to recognize the struggles that others endure. The fundraising effort will run until Dec. 22. To donate to PADS, checks can be sent to PO Box 593, Dixon, IL 61021. For more information, contact Vanessa White, president, at 815-440-6598, or whiteva1979@yahoo.com. PADS residents and board members gather around the Christmas tree on Saturday night at the shelter in Dixon. “The shelter is more that just a place to stay,” Board President Vanessa White (seated, fourth from right) said. “It’s a home. And right now, we’re at capacity.”
$1.00
SPRINGFIELD – While Illinois politicians wrestle with how to tame the state’s ballooning pension shortfall, some of those leaving elected office in January will contribute to the problem by drawing large pensions of their own. For example, three statewide candidates defeated this year by voters will be eligible for hefty pensions. Gov. Pat Quinn may draw $136,000 a year in pension payments when he retires in January. His pension covers the time he served as governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and an aide in Gov. Dan Walker’s administration. State Treasurer Dan Rutherford failed to win the GOP nomination for governor but will be eligible in January for a yearly pension of $115,319 for his time as treasurer and a state legislator. State Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, lost his bid for state treasurer but still may collect a pension of $81,016 a year based on his time as a state lawmaker. PENSIONS CONTINUED ON A4
‘‘ ’’ Public life is very difficult. A lot of people don’t realize how much you put into it. If I’ve got 10 years in, I’ve earned every damn cent of it.
TODAY’S EDITION: 24 PAGES 2 SECTIONS VOL. 163 ISSUE 149
INDEX
ABBY ................... A7 BUSINESS ......... A12 COMICS ............. A10
CROSSWORD....B12 LIFESTYLE ........... A8 LOTTERY ............. A2
OBITUARIES ........ A4 OPINION .............. A6 POLICE ................ A2
Today’s weather High 21. Low 10. More on A3.
Mike Jacobs, outgoing state senator, D-East Moline
Need work? Check out your classifieds, B6.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER, CALL 815-284-2224 OR 800-798-4085