“It doesn’t take a majority to win, just a tireless minority that will keep starting brush fires in the mind and hearts of their fellow men.”

Samuel Adams

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Taxpayer Dollars Going to Multiple Lobbying Organizations

As just stated Peru in search of economic development now includes 24,000 for a Lobbyist in Springfield, 24,000 for a Volunteer Economic Director with a city approved Expense Account and also operating as Oval Wacker Consulting with free office space at city hall.

(Foia Ordinance 6091 for information on the OWC legal information - 10 pages)

We also have working for us IVAC which is working on regional economics and MCS working through the internet advertising Peru. I do not have the figures at hand for that cost.

Addtionally we have Sen. Rezins office located in Peru and she is available for state information and assistance and Rep. Mautino's office is about 5 miles west in Spring Valley.

Are we spending almost $100,000 per year or close to that for economic development?
The citizens receive very little information on the success or lack of from these investments. Details are in short supply.



83 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think this seems pretty straightforward. These are two separate positions that serve two separate purposes. I think we definitely need the economic development position.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure we pay MCS $1,000 per month.

Anonymous said...

3:12 pm. Isn't the lobbyist working to bring economic development to Peru? How is that different from what Bobby V is doing?

Peru Town Forum said...

It seems that I read something in city news about hiring a Liason between Vickery and City Hall, so is that still in the works. You know like the elected reps of Rezin and Mautino have people in Springfield in their employ to be available with help with the electeds are not available.

Anonymous said...

lobbyist position and economic development position are different jobs. The people in Springfield are Mautino, Rezin and the lobbyist. Vickery is working on the business promotion in Peru, MCS is also working the marketing aspect for Peru. According to your calculation that is $24,ooo in Springfield and $36,000 in economic development in Peru. According to the posted contract Mr.Vickery sole purpose is Peru, not lobbyist work!

Anonymous said...

@4:10 we may have to FOIA records but didn't Vickrey go to Washington with Harl to lobby over the past several months? Lois do you know if Bob went along. I'm almost positive he did.

Anonymous said...

Part of the contract not showing states Vickery will be doing lobbying work and is not exclusive to Peru.

Anonymous said...

3:34 Vickrey's job is working to bring businesses here. He has a huge amount of contacts and one decent business opportunity could pay his salary. That is his job. A lobbyist's job is working directly with politicians at the state and federal level. I believe some type of economic development position is necessary. I am not certain about the lobbyist but that is just my opinion. How some people see elected politicians fulfilling this role is beyond laughable.

Also, for those of you who always seem to think that everything Peru does is wrong and everything LaSalle and other communities is brilliant, are you aware that LaSalle has a FULL-TIME economic development director? Just curious if you did since we are apparently so crazy for having a part-time person when our economic development far exceeds anyone else in the Valley. Just a thought for a little balance to the conversation.

Anonymous said...

all of these people getting their fair share of the butter.

Anonymous said...

No matter which side of the glass anyone of the city representatives decides to shine each has a set of goals for the promotion of Peru. Those included in this promotion are Mayor Scott Harl, the members of the city council, all elected and appointed city representation and most certainly you and me.
Many have criticized Peru for being "all about business" and lack of sponsorship of family activities even though at this very moment Peru is involved in the State Senior League Tournament and conducts a yearly firework show for the community.
It is the "all about business" attitude that Peru is becoming known for that has to be and should be addressed fairly. Mayor Harl, and many others including myself have had to look for employment upon the loss of a long term position. To make matters worse although the job loss is never during a good time it is always at the worst of times. It must take place when school expenses are due, the holiday season is approaching or someone is enduring a sickness in the family. Because of this, being a blue collar area of hard working ethnic background which the last thought of is the loss of a job for most of our work years we finally have become aware that you are ahead of the market when prepared. Mayor Harl and many of the city officials have reached out to various corporations to attract a ample amount of jobs in the area so that our employment lines are short if not at all and that every family goes to bed at night with a full stomach.
Yes a parade is important, a city wide hamburger cookout would be fun, a cruise night creates a large attraction and the concerts at Maude Powell Square are enjoyable as would be many other activities. But at this time with the loss of Office Depot and Diamond Star in Bloomington I find it critical to stay on track to attract jobs and to do this the more eyes and ears Peru has working for it, professionally and non professionally the more successful we will be.
A positive progressive individual would not be asking the 4 alderman why they voted in favor of keeping the lobbyist but rather asking the 3 aldermen why they voted Nay.

Peru Town Forum said...

6:34 PM

The nay aldermen did explain their position at the Finance mtg and it was vaild in contrast to the aye votes which were basically saying we need a presence in Springfield. One more bit of information, Mayor Harl did not lose his job he decided to retire and run for the office that his grandfather was defeated for. Many of us will never forget that.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:34 everything you said comes across positive and meaningful. One thing not mentioned here is the city work force that everyone from within forgets about. Being all business is wonderful as long as it's the entire city business not just the white collar positions.
Public works guys are getting older and getting burnt out on certain days, instead of focusing on giving Bob V more money and paying a lobbyist which to many of us think he is worthless. We need more man power we need an updated truck lift and the list goes on. We all know Rodney was not wanted by those at the hall but to be honest Rodney came around he listened and pushed to get us much needed tools that we fought for years to get. Our department is left in the dust. The city does need more things for families to do. Why can't a city like ours have the best of both sides? It seemed when Rod was doing fun things in for families those at the hall were to busy sabotaging things. It is sad but true what we all hear on the radio about how we are like big Scrooges I at times agree. We bust our asses for our city and there should be more to show. Moral sucks and we walk on egg shells some days. This would be a much happier town if all you's at the hall would drop your arrogance and work together like we do.

Anonymous said...

Lois and/or someone else who is familiar with Mayor Harl please correct me if I am wrong but years ago I remember Mayor Harl selling insurance for Physicians Mutual when there was not enough work in the Operating Engineers.
Mayor Harl was working as a Operating Engineer Local 150 when elected for his 1st term in April 2009. He did not retire until after being elected. Fortunately he could retire and once again allow Peru to have a full time Mayor.
One must consider that the Peru Mayor is a full time job and without assistance such as a City Administrator cannot be accomplished by someone who has to occupy a full time job. Many would like to maintain that it is not a full time occupation but with the traveling and time absorbed making contacts etc. it is.
It is no secret that some, how many I don't know would prefer a city manager which would be a long drawn out change of government structure but it could be done if a quick fix city administrator proved not to be a justified answer. As with change Peru government could start with what is easiest and work it way and stop at what works best, which may be a city administrator.

Anonymous said...

@8:52PM Thank you for the kind wake up call. Your comment sadly is proof that so often when a group is doing a outstanding job everybody forgets about them. This is a excuse or a band-aid but a truthful admittance of failing the people who keep the "guts" of Peru running. Our city, if any city, should have the best of both sides. I compliment you on your sincerity and will discuss and follow up on your feelings about teamwork.

Anonymous said...

8:52PM In the comment of 10:08PM
In the third sentence the word not is missing.
The corrected sentence should read-"This is not a excuse or a band-aid but a truthful admittance of failing the people who keep the "guts" of Peru running".

Anonymous said...

He retired with a good pension and is now supplementing that with his political career.

Not much development in Peru besides retail. The sand transportation was a refreshing change of pace for Peru - as was the fertilizer storage and transport on the river. Maybe we should exploit our river front by trying to attract more barge terminals to Water Street instead of "Gourmet Burger Joints."

Anonymous said...

When rampant "graft and corruption" exists in the form of phony lobbyists, phony consultants, unnecessary liasons, unnecessary advertising agencies, and unnecessary "part-time" soon to be "full-time" assistants to assistants to assistants, the culprits (elected officials) perpetrating that graft and corruption have successfully created the fantasy that all these entities are necessary if Peru is to be successful. Harl and his minions will hammer it home that Peru cannot thrive without "greasing" all these lobbyists, consultants, and all the others. It's all bullshit. While Harl and at least four aldermen make their decision based on "bullshit". I base my opinion on the fact that not one of them has ever mentioned a single "tangible" contribution or benefit realized as a result of the tax money spent on all this crap. Someone on this blog uses the term "buttering the bread" of the connected companies or individuals. That person is absolutely in tune to the reality of Peru politics and the graft and corruption that dominates the scene. I don't care how Peru's elected officials try to legitimize these scams. It's all bullshit!

Anonymous said...

When rampant "graft and corruption" exists in the form of phony lobbyists, phony consultants, unnecessary liasons, unnecessary advertising agencies, and unnecessary "part-time" soon to be "full-time" assistants to assistants to assistants, the culprits (elected officials) perpetrating that graft and corruption have successfully created the fantasy that all these entities are necessary if Peru is to be successful. Harl and his minions will hammer it home that Peru cannot thrive without "greasing" all these lobbyists, consultants, and all the others. It's all bullshit. While Harl and at least four aldermen make their decision based on "bullshit". I base my opinion on the fact that not one of them has ever mentioned a single "tangible" contribution or benefit realized as a result of the tax money spent on all this crap. Someone on this blog uses the term "buttering the bread" of the connected companies or individuals. That person is absolutely in tune to the reality of Peru politics and the graft and corruption that dominates the scene. I don't care how Peru's elected officials try to legitimize these scams. It's all bullshit!

Anonymous said...

@9:36PM Mayor Harl just stated at the last council meeting that his is not a full time mayor.

@8:52PM I agree with you. That $24,000 for the lobbyist could have been spent on much needed manpower or tools for the employees who are down in the trenches everyday. I feel that is a much better use of taxpayer dollars than getting Harl in front of bigwigs to promote himself. I just don't understand why the other aldermen don't see what we all see.

Anonymous said...

Mayor Harl did not lose his job - he quit. He is also not a full time mayor. He has said so himself. Why would we think that Peru needs a full time mayor and an administrator to help him? Doesn't he already have an ASM and a PSM?

Anonymous said...

To 10:08 It appears, from your comment, that you have an inside track from within our city. Maybe it is time for our city officials to step back, sit down, and take a good look at what is going on in our city. You are on the inside looking out and I think you've lost touch with those who are actually doing the work that is keeping our city functioning. Listen to those who are out there in the trenches and not the lobbyists, economic developers, administrators, appointed officials, etc. They are the ones who need your undivided attention and the necessary equipment to make their job better and safer. Let's quit purchasing huge SUV's for city administrators to take home, 14 baby changing tables for park restrooms, and start updating the equipment used by our laborers.

Anonymous said...

8:52-Didnt the ASM and PSM lead us to believe everything was 'peachy" adn the city has "never ran better"?
Thannk you for your honesty! There is no perfect job in the world but I agree with you that the workers employed by city are the true backbone of Peru! Keep up the good work!
P.S. Nobody should have to walk on eggshells

Anonymous said...

8:52

Rodney was sadly absent when voting for leadership for the department. His abstain votes were noted by many.

Anonymous said...

So we are going to take an anonymous bitter employee (who knows if he/she really is) as some sort of gospel? Really? I have a close friend who works for the city and they are quite happy working there and think things run pretty well. I am sure of they posted they would be ridiculed though.

Anonymous said...

10:28, I've heard it to. Not here, in face to face communications. I only know one employee, so that is the limit of my direct knowledge. But when there is one...

Anonymous said...

10:47 is the employee who is your friend happy or unhappy? It was difficult to tell from your post.

Anonymous said...

7:53
You are s full of it, you think there is so much corruption and graft, in this day and age with all the cameras and so many eyes watching, welcome to the 21st century. As for the lobbyist and the economic director they are vital tools to ANY CITY that does business with the government, and companies that want to relocate or STAY in an area.
I shows me that you are either an unhappy employee, a worker who was passed over for promotion or just someone who doesn't understand how a large corporation is run.
Take a business class you might learn something.

Anonymous said...

Most have vote for a full-time Mayor in 2013 and that is what we have.

Anonymous said...

11:26, he or she is worried because the atmosphere is political and you have to be careful what you say and to who. I guess the motto is keep your mouth shut, do you job and go home. Making recommendations only gets you singled out. Those are the person's words.

Anonymous said...

12:56 Listen to the video of the July 27th meeting when it comes out and you will hear the mayor himself state that he is not a full time mayor.

Anonymous said...

Still have not heard a word or seen any minutes from what was supposed to be the final Task Force Committee meeting in which they were to forward their recommendations and approve the results of all their closed sessions. Any thoughts on this topic?

Anonymous said...

10:28, who are you kidding, the moral is the lowest it's ever been, lineman are leaving as quickly as possible, if a buyout was offered you would see a large group of employees leaving, the person who is happy is Bernie's assistant. Bernie and King aren't going to tell a committee that the moral is bad, that's a reflection on them.

Anonymous said...

11:26 - very happy as a city employee.

Anonymous said...

3:17 you said "lineman are leaving as quickly as possible." Tell us where are they going if it is so bad? Outside of retirements, who has left? Lots of people would leave a job they loved with a good buyout offer so that doesn't count. Please share.

Anonymous said...

5:08, two left, one more is leaving for Ameren

Anonymous said...

what is a buyout? I imagine the linemen are going to Ameren.

Anonymous said...

3:17 just wants names and more details so the shit storm starts. There are a couple of three that are happy here but there is a reason for it. Insider backstabs don't only happen at the hall we have a few out with us to, kind of like the way the mayor set The horticulturist up for destruction. Oh and the plumber. But yet certain ones can fail drug tests and keep there job. Certain guys are in the club that everyone talks about on here. The more that leave here the more who will start speaking out. Story after story we could write a story.

Anonymous said...

3:46, most are happy in the administration end

Anonymous said...

It sounds to me like the only economies being developed are the personal economies of the many individuals involved in economic development. Furthermore, it is becoming the biggest SCAM in local government.
Tell me, what does it matter if a barge terminal opens in Peru or in Spring Valley? Or if a warehouse opens in LaSalle or in Utica? To you and me - it doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
What we need is ONE and ONLY ONE entity that "lobbies" or "develops the economy" for the entire Tri-County area. We don't need Peru doing one thing, potentially bad mouthing LaSalle or Oglesby in the process. We don't need Ottawa doing something different, probably involving "Tree City" or "Starved Rock Country." We need one "Czar" that will work to bring jobs - real full time jobs - to the area.
Lastly, I'll tell you that Peru is only focused on consumer activities - anything that involves people spending money and generating sales tax. The new sand facilities where a fluke and came to us - we did not go and hunt them down. Geology and the Interstate Highway System had more to do with that then any "MCS Web Pages."

But this will not happen. To many people are getting a paycheck through all this redundant promotion. Two many pieces of bread are being buttered. When will the butter tub run empty?

Anonymous said...

9:52 for the record I was more interested in proof because you made it sound like all of these people were leaving and clearly that is not the case. Stop making it sound like the only happy ones are the ones in tight or getting special treatment. It is usually a good idea to get along with the boss. Quit your whining and be glad you have a good job. If not, get a better one. That is the American way.

Anonymous said...

A good topic to discuss is the NO BID contract awarded by Peru to "save" some trees. $80,000! That is $615.38 for each of the 130 Ash Trees on City Property!

And that will NOT solve the problem because they CANNOT force property owners to do anything if they have an infected tree! This 80 grand is just being flushed down the toilet in order to butter a friend's bread.

The 130 Ash Trees on City Property could be chopped down by city employees in a week. They can have a big bon fire at the old dump and all the wood would be gone in a few days. Or they could just use it to heat the city building next to Washington Park.

But no! We are going on some stupid crusade to "save" a few tress. Jeez! Are we stupid or what?

Anonymous said...

9:34 I agree! Cut them down and plant them with evergreens. They help the environment. Don't waste the money!

Anonymous said...

I heard on the radio that the instigator for the hydro-electric sign is a Peru sign company - and I believe I've seen some donations in the old "connected business file."

Anonymous said...

8:27 it's usually a good idea for us to get along with the boss? Figures you would say something so freakn ignorant. The boss should be working to get along with us to. Not saying they are mean I'm pointing out that mentality around here from our micro managing superiors. Many of us are happy we have jobs here but it doesn't mean we have to be happy with the way the ship is being directed. If that special committee wanted the truth from what really goes on here they should have sat us down individually and in private, better yet anon surveys.

Anonymous said...

11:36 maybe that committee saw through the loop holes and heard thru the grapevine that things were not as peachy keep as the bosses seemed to indicate. maybe that's why we're not hearing the results or recommendations from the task force. maybe our leaders didn't like their recommendations. just maybe!!!

Anonymous said...

the ash trees were bid. i saw add in newspaper and were competitive bids. They even hld a public bid meeting.
my question of Lois is why when you knew that do you put in a post you know to be wong. Are you just trying to cause trouble.

Peru Town Forum said...

1:00 PM

I no absolutely nothing right or wrong about the ash trees.

Peru Town Forum said...

I know absolutely nothing about ash trees but wonder if it is worth it to try and save them and instead replant with something that does not require constant upkeep and expense. Buy some good sized new trees and take care of them.

Anonymous said...

1:00 If there were indeed competitive "bids" and even a public bid meeting why does the ASM state (in the public services meeting minutes) that Shearer was the "only" rfp response received?

Anonymous said...

You know what I have not seen this year? I have not seen the "Marvelous Mystery Machines" - now maybe I'm must not looking in the right places. But - not once since the ice broke have I seen the Vactor Truck or the Street Sweeper. Can anyone tell me if they have been removed from the garage yet?

Anonymous said...

1:49 I've seen the vactor truck being used by the electric department on Shooting Park by the Northview reconstruction. As far as the street sweeper have not seen it in my neighborhood at all this year.

Anonymous said...

I was told the vactor has been used over 18 times already and the street sweeper has been out hundreds and hundreds of hours.They said the mileage proves it.I personally have seen it many different times. Maybe someone should call the public works to confirm but I got this right from a city employee. He told me the vactor will pay for itself and has been the best purchase in a log time. 149 why not check or is it your agenda to just throw some mud and see if it sticks.

Anonymous said...

The street sweeper may have 100's of miles on it but it still has not made it to all the streets in Peru.

Anonymous said...

Think the street sweeper went through once, so far. Left more of a mess than it started with. Threw loose chunks of asphalt up onto the lawn. Wouldn’t do that if the street wasn’t all crumbled up along the edge. Had to rake them up so that I could mow lawn.

Anonymous said...

if the trees were bid out then the bill for the newspaper ad should have been on the disbursements. Also it should have been on the city web site. What everyone needs to remember is the difference between an rfp and bid.

Anonymous said...

What is the connection between the tree service and the city? If there is one will someone please tell us what it is or who it is so we can put this topic to rest.

Anonymous said...

8:36 - The tree service is in Ottawa, it is connected to Tree City Illinois (i.e. they got the contracts to plant trees all over the place), this program is run by the LaSalle County Democrats, Mautinoo is about to resign his seat in the general assembly, Harl wants to replace him, and that is about it.

Anonymous said...

57 comments started by this subject and sadly most of them negative. Don't be puzzled by employees of Peru Electrical going to Ameren, it is account of money. Everyone complains about the wages of Peru city employees but do not know the difference in Peru pay to other similar industries. As for either of the two dismissed employees nowhere else would they have gotten off so easily.
A blog can be a very good thing for a city but when it is full of crybabies and negativity of a city it cannot do much good. I do know that I will never move to Peru because of what I have read on the blog. Truth or lies I'll not take a chance.

Anonymous said...

Well, if we had honest open government, people would not complain. But, we in Peru have a government that likes to conduct business in the dark. Furthermore, "they" hold the belief that the citizens are simply a nuisance or even a necessary evil. The City of Peru is against Strategic Planning, yet there is obviously some secret plan that is being worked regarding huge amounts of money for new buildings. Yet nobody will talk about it publically. Finally, there are many businesses that are largely supported by local government contracts (meaning they don't have much business other than stuff associated with the government). These businesses frequently show up as campaign donors. So - right or wrong - the there is an appearance of "pay to play" in Peru. Even employees show up as being campaign donors.
I am sure that any actual illegalities are minor. However, all of this gives the appearance of impropriety. This has eroded my confidence in this Government to the point that I will - moving forward - automatically assume that anything "they" do is corrupt and for personal gain. Sorry - but "they" got a big hole to fill in the confidence department.

Anonymous said...

741 you are so misinformed or are trying to spew bad information. I Illinois rfp's and rfb's are exactly the same from legal. I was at the meeting this was explained in detail. You must have been blogging during that conversation or something else because you were there I believe. It seems like the group of about 7 or 8 of you want negatives no matter what. Read todays tribune and see what folks in Princeton think about negativity like you people are focused on. This negative, blog is exactly what Princeton says is hurting there city.

Anonymous said...

10:31, it was not the wage of the lineman, they are the same, they can get more OT with Ameren, problem was the way the city is being ran, moral is at it's lowest.

Anonymous said...

While the ash trees are being killed off, one should also take note that the Bradford pear trees are also infected. This is evident by patches of dead leaves appearing. Perhaps Peru needs an arbor policy like many of the suburbs have. My son can't remove a tree without a replacement that has city approval.
As for the sweeper we've not seen it in our area and we had grinding and re-paving work. The debris field remains as the contractor didn't clean it up.

Anonymous said...

10:27 - So you want the government to tell you IF you can cut down a tree on your own property? And IF they give you permission, then they must decide what type of tree you MUST purchase and plant? My god man! That is totalitarianism! IF I lived in that "burb" I'd be buying a lot of copper nails for use on my nightly walks! Besides, trees close to houses are dangerous and drive insurance rates up. I killed and removed every tree on my property years ago.

Peru is just trying to copy the Ottawa Tee City thing and it sounds like some people around here are drinking the Starved Rock Country Kool-Aid.

We need less trees! More factories! More mines!

Anonymous said...

9:02 No matter if they're the same or different, no matter what you call them, read the minutes from the 7/6 public services meeting. We got one and only one rfp as stated by the ASM himself.

Anonymous said...

You know, locally we could get a lot of tourism with the Starved Rock Country thing. If I had the money, I'd buy up about 1000 acres of farm land and revert it back to a natural prairie. Raise buffalo, deer, pheasant, etc. and offer hunting tours. People could stat at the "lodge" and drink wine. Get up early in the morning to shoot a buffalo, then eat buffalo for dinner. I bet there are a lot of rich guys in Chicago that would love to be able to shoot a buffalo only an hour and a half from downtown!

Anonymous said...

9:02 if you were at that meeting then you were sitting in a chair with a table in front of you so not taking your bias comment.

Anonymous said...

Do you really think people would drive down from Chicago just to shoot a buffalo?

Anonymous said...

absolutely 12:50

Anonymous said...

I drove to Wyoming to do that.

Anonymous said...

A buffalo hunt in South Dakota costs $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the options.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand what you mean by a buffalo hunt. If I want to hunt a living creature I will go to Afghanistan. Why pick on some poor defenseless buffalo that can't shoot back. Isn't that a coward?

Anonymous said...

10:26

Well said. I have a relative in South Dakota. Somehow he became involved with housing two different groups of pheasant hunters, during the beginning of the season, last year. Upon their departure, they left more pheasants in the freezer than they took. Evidently, after the kill and some pictures, the game was left for someone else to try and use. (Which he didn’t want any at all) OR have any of you heard of the great goose hunters that head to Northern Illinois in the Fall, to kill the geese? One guy was telling me about going to “The ditch” after the days hunt and “Breasting out" 17 geese that had been discarded by the days “Great white hunters”. Geese were shot, pictures taken and the geese were discarded. Ever wonder how many ducks and geese and other game get thrown out of the freezers in the Spring ?? I agree that todays hunters are starting to leave a bad taste in peoples mouths. The name of the game seems to be “Look, it’s moving, lets kill it”. Don’t get me wrong, there are decent hunters who use what they kill, but there is also a group that is giving hunting a bad name. Why would anyone want to kill a buffalo anyway? For what it would cost, you could probably buy double the amount of beef.

Anonymous said...

1:08 - that is total BS. You are making that up. You have a strict limit on how many you can take. There are some of these hunt expedition businesses that will take the meet and donate it to a food bank for you. But you can't leave it behind without a sizeable penalty. Most states have a provision in the criminal code to cover this. Here is one example from Texas:

"It is an offense (Class C misdemeanor) if a person while hunting kills or wounds a game bird or game animal and intentionally or knowingly fails to make a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal or bird and include it in the person's daily or seasonal bag limit. It is an offense if a person intentionally takes or possesses a game bird, game animal, or fish and intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, or with criminal negligence, fails to keep the edible portions of the bird, animal, or fish in an edible condition. It is a Class A misdemeanor to fail to retrieve or to keep in an edible condition a whitetail or mule deer, pronghorn antelope, or desert bighorn sheep hunted without landowner consent; from a vehicle, boat, or aircraft; on a public road; at night; or with the aid of a light."

If a game warden catches you doing this in Illinois, he has the authority to confiscate your vehicles (truck, 4-wheeler, boat, etc.)and your firearms immediately - before the judge even gets involved.

A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail.

So get off the Cecil the Lion bandwagon. This is a viable sport. It is fun. It provides tens of thousands of jobs, and is a vital part of the economy of many states.

Anonymous said...

The numbers are simple. According to the government's own statistics, hunting and hunting related activities have a huge impact on the economy of almost every state. Even the State of Illinois - which is NOT friendly to hunting, it contributes:

$451 million in retail sales with a multiplier effect equal to $950 million. A total of $250 million in wages for almost 9,000 jobs. Sales tax and motor fuel tax over $25 million, and income taxes of over $50 million.

And Illinois all but bans hunting with the liberals in Chicago imposing their views on "down state".

I say lets build "Starved Rock Country" into a hunting Mecca.

Anonymous said...

8:16 AM Your idea of fun is sickening. Killing an animal for sport is wrong. Do they eat lion meat? Does the crazy lady on Facebook who loves killing wild animals, Sabrina Corgatelli, eat the meat? For you and for her, it's just the fun of watching a defenseless lion or giraffe die. How can that be considered fun by a normal caring compassionate human being?

Anonymous said...

8:16

You are in dreamland if you think all laws are followed. 10:26 said it well. I looked up a buffalo hunting site. Place was in South Dakota. (7000 acres) Pictures of the property show rolling grasslands as far as the eye can see. Not so much as a cornstalk for a buffalo to hide behind. So don’t see much problem in driving to the top of the nearest knoll, and “glassing” the whole area, to find the herd. Good, now how do you want to kill one. They allow you to use bow, black powder or a hi powered rifle. So now lets kill one. Drive up to about 300 yards from the herd, jump out of jeep and put rifle across hood and shoot one. Or maybe if you want to use a bow, we’ll drive up closer, as the animals are not much shy of being tame. They offer mature bulls, young bulls, cows and if you want tender meat, yearling calf's. $5300 for a trophy bull, and prices go down from there. Does not include lodging, meals or transportation. Really a nice sport. I would really be proud to say I killed a (penned in) buffalo. If some of these places will take your meat and donate it for you, what was the idea behind killing it? Just for fun ? I have heard of plenty kill, then discard, over the years. How can game wardens control any of this when they are spread so thin ? And don’t tell me this is BS. There are a lot of laws broken daily in the sporting world. Wasn’t it but a few years ago a couple Illinois Valley sportsman were caught up North with a trunk full of fish, over the limit. They were just one of those that got caught. Also, how many deer were wounded by bow hunters and never retrieved.? You forgot to mention anything about the discarded game in the Spring.

Anonymous said...

10:41, there you go making things up again. Yes, I would find it extremely fun. If I had the money, I'd buy up a few thousand acres of farmland here in LaSalle County and open up my own buffalo hunt. We are sitting on a gold mine here. Close to Chicago - we can get them down every weekend for hunting one animal or another.

Anonymous said...

10:17

The ONLY place that a person could hunt in this "Illinois Valley Mecca", would be their backyard. Farming practices and chemicals have made this area a hunting desert. When was the last time you saw a covey of quail ? Where are all the pheasants that used to be sort of plentiful ? About all that is left is deer and tree rats, and the rabbits in your backyard. Drove to Springfield last October. All the way down, I don't know that I saw any fence rows, other than the fence along the hi-way. If there was an occasional waterway, it was trampled flat by any and every fox and coyote, with in 5 miles. The fields were either plowed or had a disc run over them, as far as the eye could see. No place for a field mouse to hide, let alone a rabbit or pheasant. There might be a few bucks generated in Illinois by hunting, but it's by those with the means to join duck clubs or hunting (deer) clubs. At least they can quench their thirst to kill.

Anonymous said...

1:22 - that's why it would be required to buy thousands of acres of farm land and then recondition it back in to natural prairie and woodland. I'm not saying it would be easy, practical, cheap, or even legal. Not 100% sure, but I believe the county zoning ordinance would prohibit a person from buying a farm and taking it out of agricultural production. I know they won't let you buy a farm and build houses without jumping through all kinds of hoops. It would be interesting to propose though - if I had about $100 million to spare. :) It's really a philosophical discussion - it will never happen as long as corn is used to burn in our cars.

Anonymous said...

All the big bad animal hunters who find it exciting to hunt pent up targets why don't you volunteer for some real action in Afghanistan and take your sorry ass chances? You people are pathetic.

Anonymous said...

8:20 - I think you should be forced to butcher your own cow or chicken. For every hamburger you eat, a cow died a painful death - nail gun to the head while being held in place with steel gates. That is after a life of being force fed grain and hormones to encourage growth beyond what is capable in nature.

Meanwhile, many of these African hunting resorts actually fund the nature preserves that are responsible for saving many animals from extinction. The actively look for and capture poachers so that the government can prosecute them.

In the US. If it was not for organizations like Ducks Unlimited, wild geese would be all but extinct. These organization lobby governments, pay for, and prevent natural habitats from being destroyed by agriculture and housing developments.

You are the pathetic one.

Anonymous said...

11:17 I'm doing my part, I'm a vegetarian. How about you?

Anonymous said...

I'm heading down to Southern Illinois to do some pig hunting. It's great fun and you can take all you can carry. They are becoming a real problem down there. Here is what the DNR says about pig eradication:

"Wild Boar can be found in 32 Southern Illinois counties, but can also be found in the mid-west as well. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has asked hunters to report sightings of feral swine to access movement, and to plan for eradication. You do not need a hunting license to take wild pig. The DNR does not consider them to be wildlife, and therefore they are not protected. You may take as many as you like, and pretty much are open to any weapon to hunt them with."