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McHenry County News DISPLAY ADVERTISING & CLASSIFIEDS: 815-654-4850 • CIRCULATION: 815-654-4854 • E-MAIL: McHenryNews@RVPublishing.com
VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 6
11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115
THURSDAY, JAN. 31, 2019
JERRY NOWICKI PHOTO McHenry County News
Gov. J.B Pritzker signed an order Tuesday to join the U.S. Climate Alliance at a news conference in Springfield’s eco-friendly Southwind Park. Pritzker was joined by offi-
cials from the Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club emphasizing the need to take local action to address climate change.
Pritzker signs on to U.S. Climate Alliance By Peter Hancock
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an order Tuesday to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of governors who have committed to abiding by the terms of an international climate treaty known as the Paris Agreement, despite the fact that President Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from that pact. Speaking at a news conference in Springfield’s eco-friendly Southwind Park, Pritzker joined officials from the Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club emphasizing the need to take local action to address climate change while also taking a few verbal jabs at the president. “While the president is intent on taking us backward, I will work hard every day to move this state forward,” Pritzker said. Pritzker’s action made Illinois the 18th state to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, a group that was formed in 2017 immediately after President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. That agreement calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. During the news conference, Pritzker focused almost exclusively on the issue of electric generation in the state, saying Illinois is already on a path to producing 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, and he suggested the state could achieve 100-percent renewable production by around 2050. However, he offered no details about specific state laws, regulations or policies that would need to change in order for Illinois to comply with terms of the Paris Agreement. In particular, he did not respond directly to questions about how long existing coal-fired power plants should be allowed to continue operating in the state, or how such a change would affect the state’s coal industry, which provides some of the fuel to those plants. “I think it will be part of a broader effort across the state of Illinois to reduce emissions from those energy-producing plants that, certainly by 2050 as we move to a 100-percent clean-energy economy, will have to evolve,” Pritzker said. In his remarks, Pritzker also focused his attention almost exclusively on power plants and electricity consumption
while saying nothing about other major sources of carbon emissions such as vehicle emissions or agriculture and livestock production. He did, however, suggest that energy efficiency needs to be “part of the discussion” as his new administration works with lawmakers on a much-anticipated capital improvements package. He also indicated that his action to join the U.S. Climate Alliance would be just one part of his new administration’s
focus on environmental protection, something that was a key element of his 2018 campaign. “This is about protecting the beauty of our state’s natural resources,” he said. “We’re home to forests and farms, to rivers and lakes, to prairies and wetlands that should be preserved and protected for generations to come. This is also about ensuring that the people of Illinois have clean air and clean water. Every Illinoisan deserves a healthy environment to live and raise a family in.”
Algonquin Detective retires after more than 30 years Last week the Algonquin Police said farewell to Detective Sergeant Doug Lamz, who retired after over 30 years of service. Sgt. Lamz began his career with the Algonquin Police Department on July 15, 1988. After a short time, he was assigned to the Investigations Division and the North Central Narcotics Task Force from 1989 to 1992. He returned to the Patrol Division in 1992 where he stayed until being promoted to Sergeant in 1996 and was assigned to oversee the Investigations Division, supervising all major crimes investigations, until his retirement. Along with Investigations, Sgt. Lamz was instrumental in developing policies and procedures that dictate how the department collects and handles evidence. He was also a firearms instructor and armorer, as well as supervising the department’s School Resource Officers, DARE instructors, and NCNTF members. He was even Chief for a Week; an experience he will never forget. His dedication to law enforcement and the community continued through his work with the Child Advocacy Center and the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) as well as participation in many community events including National Night Out. Maybe most importantly, Sgt. Lamz was a friend and mentor to many past and present members of the Algonquin Police Department, including current Command Staff. His dedication to the communities’ residents and visitors, and his passion for service has been a positive influence on all the lives he’s touched. Sgt. Lamz, you will be missed! Thank you for your service and dedication to the Village of Algonquin!
Doug Lamz