PREP FOOTBALL 2015 Special Pullout Section – Inside, Pages 9-16
Thursday Aug. 27, 2015 Vol. 3, No. 25
The Weekly Post
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Gov. Rauner withholding Motor Fuel Tax revenues By BILL KNIGHT
PRINCEVILLE – Gov. Bruce Rauner is withholding Motor Fuel Tax revenues from municipalities, township road districts and counties because of unsettled budget talks at the Capitol, so thousands of dollars are staying in Springfield instead of going to where they were promised. “It is being withheld,” confirmed Miles Sodowski, a legislative aide to State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-46th Dist.). “IDOT and the Office of Management and Budget say that the amounts need to be appropriFor The Weekly Post
Elmwood OKs school budget
ated and without an IDOT budget they do not have the appropriation authority to disburse the funds.” Sid Stahl, president of the Princeville Village Board, said, “It’s putting a lot of people in a bind, especially this time of year, when so much of this work gets done. We’ve got bids out based on Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) work, and [contractors] expect to be paid. We’d anticipated getting it. Two months into the new Fiscal Year and I don’t know who’s running the state.” Rauner’s office claims the state doesn’t have the power to send money owed to
HARVEST HOME FESTIVAL
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Long wait for no word in Brimfield BRIMFIELD – If the fate of Superintendent Joe Blessman is at stake again next month, the boosters club might offer concessions. That’s one way for citizens to be served. More than 100 people showed up for the Brimfield Unit School District 309 Board of Trustees regular meeting Aug. 19. Almost four Blessman hours later, between 30 and 40 of them were still there. None of them got to speak. “We’re all here for a reason,” parent Greg Micklos pleaded as the meeting was abruptly adjourned. “Why wasn’t there any discussion tonight?” “Nobody asked to speak,” said board president Dan Heinz, adding For The Weekly Post
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prohibit union contracts requiring employees to contribute toward costs of negotiations. Motorists pay Illinois Motor Fuel Taxes of 19 cents per gallon for gasoline and 21.5 cents/gal. for diesel fuel – plus federal Motor Fuel Taxes of 18.4 cents/gal. on gas and 24.4 cents/gal. for diesel, and other pay-at-the pump taxes totaling 54.39 cents/gal. for gas and 61.03 cents/gal. for diesel. Last year, the state collected $1,215,624,527.74 and allocated $561,159,014.22 to counties, township
By TERRY BIBO
By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – Following a brief public hearing, the Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a 2015-16 budget that shows a slight deficit, from a starting balance of $2,593,260 to ending the Fiscal Year at $2,572,480. Within the plan, the district projects overall income of $6,568,456 and expenses of $8,318,079, resulting in a $1,749,623 shortfall. Key operating funds – Education, Operations & Maintenance, Transportation, and Working Cash – together show income forecasts of $5,663,256 and expected expenses of $5,732,567. “It’s looking pretty decent,” said Superintendent Chad Wagner. “I credit the staff for their conscientious purchasing. Depending on the state, it’s possible
local governments. “The state will not have appropriation authority to distribute the money collected by the Motor Fuel Tax to local municipalities because Speaker [Mike] Madigan [D-Chicago] and the legislators he controls failed to pass a balanced budget,” the governor’s press office said in a prepared statement. House Speaker Madigan and Rauner haven’t settled on a budget because the legislature hasn’t agreed to the governor’s demands such as limiting awards in civil lawsuits, restricting workers compensation, and letting local governments
Saturday’s parade was a highlight of this year’s Harvest Home Festival in Yates City, with floats based on the theme “Good Ole Country Living.” The picture above was taken by Bobbi Ulm, the one at right by Darren McMillan.The first Harvest Home Celebration was held in August of 1886 and the “Prettiest Baby Contest” has been around since 1936.
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