Illinois’ recovery has been dramatically slower than the national recovery, which itself has been unimpressive. Even though a record number of Americans are now out of the workforce, the U.S. recovery has left Illinois in the rearview mirror.
Without serious economic reform, Illinois likely has several years to go before the number of people working matches the count of January 2008 – nearly seven years ago.
The number of people working is one measure of recovery. Another measure of recovery the monthly BLS report captures is the number of payroll jobs.
U.S. nonfarm payrolls added 248,000 jobs in September, against consensus expectations of 215,000. This was a strong month for payroll jobs, and propels the U.S. recovery far beyond the Illinois recovery.
For the U.S. as a whole, the number of jobs lost during the recession has been regained, according to BLS’s business establishment survey. The U.S. has 1 million more jobs today than in January 2008, the pre-recession peak.
Illinois, on the other hand, is far from recovery by this measure as well. The Prairie State is still down 157,000 jobs from pre-recession levels, the biggest jobs gap in the entire country. At the current pace of job creation, Illinois is still several years from recovery.
- See more at: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/u-s-recovery-jumps-forward-illinois-falls-back/#sthash.aF3RIFrx.dpufEntire article can be seen at http://www.illinoispolicy.org/u-s-recovery-jumps-forward-illinois-falls-back/
108 comments:
Illinois’ economy was far from vibrant before the Great Recession, let alone seven years into the “Obama Recovery” which is the weakest recovery in American History. Who do we have to blame for this? I’ll tell you who – it is us, the voters. We continue to vote for people like Frank Mautino who is a lap dog for Michael Madigan,who has controlled the Illinois house since 1983. That is not a typo, Michael Madiagn has been the Speaker of the Illinois House for 31 years. Madigan has been a representative since 1970! For his part, Frank Mautino has been a representative since 1991. He was appointed to the seat held by his father for many years.
These are only two of the many people we, the voters, continue to send back to Springfield. The majority of them are self-described “Progressives,” the term liberals like to use when they are afraid that the voters are turning against destructive liberal policies. The government of Illinois promotes cronyism, holds back small business, and incentivizes corruption. It is not just the elected officials that are doing this. It is the countless members of the civil service and the thousands of appointed members to the endless boards and commissions that drain our life blood. Illinois has turned the redistribution of wealth into a bazar of sorts in which votes are bought and sold. This attitude permeates Illinois politics from the State House all the way down to local County Boards and Municipal Councils. There are only two things the Illinois voter can do – stop voting for people like Frank and Mike, or move away from the state. Many people are voting with their feet.
2:48. Well said!!
Talking about hitting the nail on the head......direct and too the point. Well written.
Bobby Thompson
Speaking of Frankie, did you see the picture in the NT? Great shot of him applauding Gov. Quinncometax as he announces his latest vote buying scheme. Also Can't help but notice Boss Harl trying to look serious and studious. Who is the guy that looks like a mortician just to the left of the Great Spender?
October 4, 2014 One of the truly great days in the history of Peru Town Forum - in the Illinois Valley as not only comments were received from one but both John Galt and the Ambassador of Dear Spotting. As beautiful as the changing colors of fall is enjoyed so is their spreading of gold dust upon Peru. One call and both immediately responded. WONDERFUL and welcome back
Quiet justin
5:37, Do you have a purpose or is your only attempt (a failing one at that) in life to try to silence me?
A little off the topic for this blog, but related:
The Boss Harl War Fund report for the third quarter is available on-line. Some interesting contributions this time around -
For some reason, an Electric supply company from South Dakota found themselves compelled to give the boss $250 - I wonder why, maybe that's part of the bidding process for transformers or something? We will have to ask the barber or one of the Chiefs. Our lobbyist also found it necessary to kick in to the kitty. There are a couple of individuals from out of town. One from Ottawa gave $500 to the cause! and some guy from Highland Park gave $200 - I wonder why these individuals thought it necessary to involve themselves in Peru politics?
Everyone should review the complete report :
http://www.elections.il.gov
in the center of the page select "View all Search Options" and then select "candidate disclosure search."
I think the boss harl comments are getting old. We get the reference to the Dukes of Hazzard but enough of the old tired joke.
10:35, To the uneducated, it might seem like a reference to that old TV show, but it is not. It is actually a reference to political corruption in the Untied States. "Back in the day..." many regions where distributed amongst a few connected bosses. The State of Missouri is a good example. Old Harry S. was once a Boss - sometimes called "Judge."
However, the best example is Boss Tweed from New York City.
So, I'll just keep going on referring to Boss Harl by his appropriate title.
The guy from Ottawa is the Commissioner of Public Property and the Executive Director of the Illinois Valley Contractors Association.
On the agenda for tonight's meeting is a request for the Mayor and City Council members to be present at the Halloween and Christmas parades. Well, it's an election year, so you know some of the aldermen will show up. Pretty sad that the request even has to be made, the mayor and city council should want to attend their town's parades! I think the last time BOSS Harl showed up was before the last election. He walked and threw out candy, got elected, and hasn't been seen since!
The guy from Highland Park is a municipal bond tax specialist. Interesting to note, his name shows up on the contribution list for Chicago Boss Ram Emanuel.
10:35 am, I disagree. Referencing Harl in a similar fashion as "Boss Hog", the stereotypical corrupt small town mayor of an equally corrupt small southern town is very appropriate for Harl and Peru in general. Those of us who are wise to Harl's phony and unethical shenanigans and Peru's corrupt establishment politicians know all too well how accurate the "Boss Harl" title is. Lighten up!
I misspoke in my 10:52 comment. Harry Truman actually worked for a Boss by the name of Boss Tom Pendergast.
I love how most of the aldermen are new within the last election or two but they are all "corrupt" and part of Peru's long-term political establishment. That's what you used to say about the "old" council that has mostly been replaced by these newer ones. That is what you will say about the next one as well. It's not like these people have been in office for that long. Stop making everything sound like a conspiracy and stop calling names (except for Rodney, we must protect Rodney right Lois?) and then maybe you will have some credibility.
Our town is not perfect, but it is not "corrupt." Besides, what are you doing to change anything? Nothing. Just another place to bitch and complain but you will do nothing to improve our town.
12:26... Oh, corruption is as strong as it every has been in the Illinois Valley. Its just that new faces have replaced the old ones. The Boss quickly consolidated control, but he is not as crafty as he thinks he is.
There are generations of "recognizable names" that have been sucking off the government breast since before you or I where born. They are takers that hold others down. Maybe they are playing him for a Ponzi... But, remember the current Boss's father or maybe it was his grandfather had aspiration's way back in the day....
Def have a purpose now quiet you
I JUST REVIEWED THE LIST ON CONTRIBUTORS TO MAYOR SCOTT HARL FOR HIS WAR CHEST. THE PUZZLE PIECES ARE FITTING TOGETHER ON WHO GETS BIDS AND WHO GETS JOBS, LIST GOES ON AND ON. I Agree that everybody should check out the site.
12:26 pm you have no idea what I'm doing to improve this town, and it is plenty. You think Peru is not corrupt? How about TEST and Chamlin's getting contracts with no bids? But they do provide wonderful meals, drinks and gifts for the mayor and council. How about giving an employee a raise during a wage freeze without getting it authorized by the city council or the union. How about the pizza lady's concerts being paid for by the citizens of Peru? How about hiring summer help by what their last name is? Corruption doesn't have to be huge (although the TEST and Chamlin examples are huge amounts of money), but corruption is corruption and cronyism is cronyism.
I find it unlikely that there is corruption. Those who constanly review FOIAS looking for conspiracy would have gone to the Attorney General or FBI with the findings. So far, none has been verified.
1:46, it depends on how you define it. Some people may consider the obvious cronyism as normal and accepted practice.
1:30
Engineering services are based on % of the job. That is the acceptable standard with all engineering contracts.
Water testing can be done either in-house or by contract. Many cities do it in-house. This can be costly with pensions, health and other legacy expenses. Others do out-source. It may or may not be in the best interest to get rid of the current provider if they are preforming. Nothing wrong with bidding the service. Those who deal with the current vendor may have more information that validates the service. If you get a poor performer your residents will throw them out of office quicker than flushing the toilet.
Like it or not. The employee wages were not criminal and verified as so by the FBI.
Pizza concerts were also reviewed by those in charge of airports and last look have also been within the parameters of a airport event.
Summer help and who was hired or not hired must have not broken any laws. And if there was no-show employees, it would have been front page news.
What we have is a few conspiracy residents that every city in America has. Politics is a very hot topic and its great to know that there are people out there that review every issue and request all those FOIAs. So far, nothing has been defined as corrupt.
1:30. I agree with you about the payroll thing but that is one scandal and the mayor will very likely suffer politically for it, even though he was not found to have broken a law.
Whether you like it or not, both Chamlin and TEST are highly reputable firms that service many municipalities and many larger than Peru. If the awarding of those contract is corrupt, then what law was broken?
I don't like dinners and drinks but I am pretty sure they are not getting these contracts because of dinner and drinks. ANY large firm the city does business with will most likely provide these things to their clients. I am not saying I agree with it, but it is another thing entirely to cry "corruption". By definition, it is not. Professional contracts like this are not required to be bid and often should not be. The lowest bid for some services is NOT the best way to go.
As for the concerts it is also not corruption. I don't agree with it but at the same time some people really like it and they are not really breaking any laws.
We have heard your whining about the summer help and last names. Not one person could name a "connected" person who was hired. It failed. Not one relative of current city leaders have been on the summer payroll. Perhaps they were in the past. But name a couple in the last three years. Cronyism? where?
The problem is things like this get said all of the time but because they are said does not make them true.
We heard when Baker was going out about how everyone was going to jail. Not only did no one go do jail, but we never really uncovered anything that was even remotely a big deal from 44 years of Baker ruling.
I think Harl is an ineffective leader and should be replaced by the voters. I happen to think most city council members actually have the good of the city in mind, even though I don't always agree with how they go about it.
When you and other bloggers talk so big about all of the illegal dealings and "people lining their pockets" it just becomes white noise. Getting a meal paid for or getting paid for the part time job of serving on the council is not "lining their pockets" or "corruption." It's the same damn thing Rodney gets and the same damn thing you would get if you served in the same capacity.
Your ridiculous accusations take away from the focus which should be electing good, high quality people to serve in roles like the mayor's office. But once again the blog will be wasted and there will just be more complaining and whining and no one will do a thing. Just more accusations and conspiracies instead of a focused effort to put an effective leader in office.
We have a good city. I am proud to be from Peru. Let's try to focus some positive energy in our community and make it better because we need to improve.
That is all you will here from me because this is not the place it will happen. Good luck.
3:19, at one time I was proud of Peru also.
Every town has practices that some consider corruption or cronyism. Many people consider it acceptable. But, many people do not. Most of this is 100% legal - but that does not mean it is moral. It just means nobody made a law against it.
3:45 too bad you are not proud of Peru. A city is NOT it's political "leaders". It is the people and the business and the schools and the overall experience of living here. Why would you not be proud of your community? I will take ours over many, despite the obstacles in our area. Stop judging our community by the politicians and be sure to vote what you want to see changed.
I'm seriously considering moving to Indiana.
Bye 523
Indiana has become a popular destination for young people looking for jobs. I know several families who have children living there and have for a long time. The state seems to be doing quite well.
@3:19, the city clerk, the committee chairman of the public works/third ward alderman, and the 4th ward alderman have had their children work as summer help. Third ward alderman's daughter worked last year.
Georgia is also a where few younger people have moved to. Chicago, several of the younger generation from the illinois valley reside and work, I know some whom have moved to Missouri. Florida is also where several have gone. And I agree with Lois, that Indiana also. These are people in the ages of 21-30. What should this be telling us who live here in the Illinois Valley?
People of Peru in the months to come you will hear a lot of geese honk when they fly over Peru! When you hear them honk remember to vote ALL the Democrats back into office Again. Mautino, Quin, and Harl have done a excellent job attracting big business to Peru! However, when the Ducks fly over Peru all you will here is quacks run our town and our State.
3:19,
Wasn't it 2-3 years ago the assistant fire chief son was hired as summer help? Did any firemans or fire engineers children work cleaning fire trucks or summer park workers?
How many nephews have been hired for summer help that have a different last name of those who are in the political arena, contractors, business owners?
Give it a rest, when I got out of college the only thing I wanted was to work in a big city or out of state, that's normal, as you get older you reflect on your roots and some of us made a decision to return, even after 25 plus yrs.
Lois, I'm so glad to hear Indiana is doing so well, so what! Are you and your bloggers going to go after the state now. Isn't there anything positive you can talk about. I bet if you would look into another city, aka, LaSalle, Oglesby etc, you would find the same so called unfounded corruption, the same cronyism, the same taking care of certain contractors, etc. start looking for something positive, and believe me you do not have all the answers like you think you do, this is a wonderful city, mostly because of the people.
Well, we also have several young people who have come from other states. Big deal. I'm one of them.
What is it with you people? Is this the place people just complain? This is pathetic. There are MANY great people in the LaSalle and Peru area here. to read this you would think the blog was reflective of this community. I am very glad that it's certainly not!
Quit complaining and do something positive like many of us do every day! No place is perfect! If you have ever lived anywhere else you would realize that Peru is a pretty typical town with way more going for it than most. My wife and I moved to the area for her job and to Peru like many people for the school system and we have no regrets whatsoever.
I did not mention Peru. What is your problem? Educated people often leave for better jobs and because Illinois is not a good place at this time to look for work, they go elsewhere. Please keep up with what is going on in Illinois before you choose to criticize a non judgmental comment I made.
I certainly hope that not all cities are content to let corruption run rampant and not all states either.
3:19 You gloss over issues and seem to believe that because nolawsuits are filed or arrests made no laws are being broken. That is not the case always, particularly in grey areas.
In many municipalities, investigative journalism brings issues to light, but unfortunately in this area it is sorely lacking, and the paper has its hands tied by dependence upon the advertisers.
So it is left to blogs to raise issues, and yes often blogs filled with nonsense and bar room accusations. But there has been much of substance brought up here and on Kristys airport blog that you summarily dismiss, only because no criminal charges have been filed.
Sorry, being positive does not mean being blind, and the discussion here will still go on. You need not read or participate, but please research an issue before you say no laws are being broken. Depending upon politically appointed law enforcement at any level to bring issues to light has been proven through history to be a mistake.
To those of you who are attempting to "down-play" and "minimize" the seriousness of Peru's not so secret traditions of padding the summer payroll with family and friends, I say this. When elected officials make that decision to use their position to influence the hiring of a family member which "denies" another youngster of the opportunity to have a summer job. As soon as the elected official makes that decision to help his family member or friend they have in fact "corrupted" themselves. There is no doubt that this is common practice in Peru becuase I pay attention and it's not hard to see first hand. To those of you who see this practice as harmless and unimportant in the grand scheme of things, I say you are so, so, wrong. When city officials cannot even conduct the hiring of summer help in a fair and impartial manner without revealing themselves as selfish and unethical in character. Aldermen and all other elected officials should go out of there way to never interfere or influence in the hiring of anybody, EVER! If they do they are in fact CORRUPT! Aldermen and all elected officials should NEVER accept or participate in complimentary meals or dinner invitations from principals of companies doing business with the city. I understand very clearly it is not illegal as some people on this blog like to point out. I don't give a damn that it is not illegal because as far as I'm concerned it is without a doubt "UNETHICAL" and "CORRUPT" in its very nature for elected officials to compromise the integrity of their positions. Peru's elected officials could earn my respect by simply not accepting any gifts or gratuities from TEST, Chamlin, or anybody else who is currently doing business with or wants to do business with the city. I am disgusted by this behavior by my elected officials because I believe when it is so easy for them to "compromise their integrity" in matters like hiring family and gorging themselves on free meals and beverages, they give themselves away as lacking in character, integrity, and honesty. I'm sorry folks. That is just a fact of life. Those of you trying to sugar-coat this behavior are condoning and in fact encouraging corrupt and unethical behavior and that says something about you too. It's not too much to ask of Peru's elected officials to rise above this type of behavior. This is much more important than some of you people think.
7:34 and 8:27, very well said!
8:27 Who has taken part in the recent city conference in Chicago and the free dinners. A list of the expenses would help.
8:27 Well stated and I agree with you totally.
8:27 - excellent post. The same should be said for political contributions. It is clear that Mayor Harl expects and gets a donation from many companies that do business with the city - including the for mentioned TEST and Chamlin - and many others.
Sorry, off topic - but did anyone else see that load of baloney on the NT web page about Utica loosing brewery that would have employed 250 people because the city approved a sand mine?
The NT hit an all time low by publishing this fantasy - and they promptly hid it when their own subscribers questioned the legitimacy of the claim. The article claims that a local well known family wanted to invest in a brewery in Utica and employ 250 people (not up to - just employ 250 people) but they decided to pull out because sand mining is ruining local tourism and is bad for "Starved Rock Country." I ask just what the heck would a full scale brewery do to the environment if this family actually had the wherewithal to fund it? I mean, Sam Adams doesn't even employ that many people and they are a national brand with very large brewery in Pennsylvania. Hogwash - pure hogwash on the NT's part that had one goal, to get people all wound up over the sand mines again and try to tell them that tourism is being ruined.
To me, real jobs are important, not fantasy jobs.
10:26 What is annoying about the article is that this guy never put any money down or broke ground with this project. There was never a business proposal brought to the attention of the city. Its all fantasy and takes a lot of guts to come and say I would have built this big business with all of these economic goodies but I won't because of the sand mind.
I would like to build a factory with 300 workers that would make space ships, but I won't because the city won't give me 100 million to buy all the land I need for my new factory. Both of those are ridiculous comments that shouldn't be front page news.
Have they completed the renovation of the Hotel Kaskaskia in LaSalle?
9:58 That list of who attended and the charges they turned in has already been posted.
you missed a few .....11:37
the Kaskaskia project dried up because they can't get tax dollars to pay for it. LaSalle and Peru should get together and use it for firefighting practice and get rid of that eyesore once and for all.
They have a history of trying to get other people to fund their hobbies. They are often successful.
8:27 and others. I ask again, of the mayor and eight current city council members, who are the family members who have been employed? PLEASE LIST THEM! You say this as if it were true but it is NOT TRUE. STOP LYING! Or list them. We will be waiting. Thank you.
Members of the same family owns the ideal spot for a brewery, the South Bluff Country Club, which similar to the Hotel Kaskaskia is deteriorating. A beautiful site with a unlimited amount of land near a water source. When is LaSalle going to do something about this hotel? With no one attending to it it could be considered a safety hazard.
2:28 - listing the name of someone that is not a public official or someone in the public eye (i.e. appeared in a news article, was mentioned in official minutes, etc.) can get you in hot water and I suspect that posting would not be allowed.
8:27 some do and some don't. I don't think its that big of a deal. I know Rodney went to the convention and went to dinner, he also told us on facebook what he learned. Free meals have no bearing on what type of official you should respect.
@2:28, I will tell you with 100% certainty that that there is a full-time city employee who told some parents that he could get their teenager a summer job, no problem. So, yes, this is how the city operates. Now, would you like the name of the employee? Maybe not because you could possibly be the employee. And I'm sure the employee reads this forum.
3:38, Illinois River Beer???
P-U! :)
"A golf course is a willful, wanton waste of a perfectly good rifle range." - Col. "Jeff" Cooper, USMC.
5:32, "a full-time city employee who told some parents that he could get their teenager a summer job" is does NOT make the city council or mayor corrupt. They did not promise that. Nor did you mention relatives being the issue. How does this prove anything.
It doesn't because this kind of talk is just wrong. There are NOT relatives of city council members getting hired because I know some of the kids who have been hired and they are NOT related to anyone. They are just good kids.
Case closed. Move on.
7:10 why don't you FOIA the past 5 years of summer employees and look at the names. There are absolutely, positively council members and the city Clerk's kids on that list. Wake up and stop kidding yourself!
@7:10- It seems by your closing statement you didn't like the truth. Happy hump day.
Anonymous said...
OK 7:10 PM. Pay Attention. I will describe what I have personal knowledge of past and present. Currently, as in this past summer, the Clerk Bartley's son has been employed as part-time help. Also, Waldorf's daughter was on the summer payroll this year. Also, both of Potthoff's children were on the city summer payroll throughout their entire High School and College years and the son remained on the part-time payrioll even beyond College. I am not sure if he is currently on the payroll but he was for many years. Furthermore 7:10 PM, since you obviously have your head firmly planted in the sand, I will share a very revealing story with you. an Alderman's daughter was assigned to an office setting in the Municipal Building as some sort of helper/intern I guess. After arriving at her work station each morning she promptly head for her desk, lay her head down and fall fast asleep. This apparently went on for a while until employees complained, and she was transferred to another crew of girls who do the curb painting and other things. Her new assignment apparently did not interferfere with her "napping" and the other girls promptly complained to their supervisors. Now, here is the best part 7:10 PM. When the alderman was informed of the situation he went to city hall and made a scene demanding to know why paople are "picking on" his child. That is the mindset of at least one alderman who seems to feel that city employment of family members is simply a "right of passage" for families of elected officials.
This is just one of the more entertaining stories of the summer "free for all" in Peru. Please don't try to make a big deal about talking about elected officials children and all that. Lois, if you are reluctant to print this comment, please contact Bartley to confirm the accuracy of the Sleeping Beauty story. Hopefully he will be willing to verify it for you.
Hope this helps you understand how un-informed you are 7:10 PM.
You're Welcome!
This was too important not to post as I was aware of some but not all of the problems you wrote about. I hope you don't mind I partially removed the Alderman's name but I am sure people will figure this one out by themselves.
8:23 Your facts are wrong and please post your name and then we can view your motivation for placing these stories. You can FOIA the payroll for the summer helpers and then place your comments after each on how they got the job. Maybe, you can even appraise the performance of each of these kids.
9:14 I have heard the very same facts about the third ward alderman's daughter.
I'm not saying all the summer help are related to aldermen/city clerk, but some have taken advantage of their positions to get their kids hired, and that is wrong.
The performance of the kids was not questioned or discussed until 8:23 am brought it up. The only thing that is wrong is using their positions to get their kids a job. Performance is up to the supervisor to take care of. If anybody is not doing their job, they should be let go.
8:23 am, Thank you for sharing that information. It really does illustrate the character of some of Peru's elected officials and also proves how little is expected of summer helpers. How many readers of the blog could sleep at work and not only not get fired but just get shuffled around between departments because you are an alderman's kid. That alderman should be run out of office on a rail. We taxpayers should not have to provide his kid with life's basic lessons like developing a work ethic and not sleeping on the job. Was she fired? If not, why not?
The summer jobs program was always just a way to distribute tax money to the children of connected individuals. I could tell you stories about what they did at the pool back in the 70's (during and after hours) and it did not involve much sleeping... but that was a different time and that sort of thing was normal for the kids of the day. Funny, those kids that where teens in the early 70's are calling the shots now - I guess that explains it.
9:14 - oh come on. You know the entire program is just "make work" to give connected children spending money in the summer. They often don't even have legitimate work to do.
Now - if we really wanted to get something done, like painting curbs, cleaning out ditches, etc. Why don't we get a chain gain from the county jail. Cheep and easy, all you have to do is pay one guy with a shotgun to watch them.
there is a report they put in the NT once a year that lists what everyone employed by the city gets paid. It is very fine print and contains hundreds of names. Many of the last names are repeated over and over again. Its not just summer help that is the problem.
I looked at last summer names on the payroll and there was only a few with recognizable names, are you referring to step kids or kids without the same last name as the elected official. 8:23? Please sign you name, we need to know your motivation for making accusations about a teenager.
Its too bad that a few like to pick on kids. I hope that those interested in politics and the performance of your city officials would have the courage to talk about the voting record of those city officials, its lacks class when someone makes a rumor about a 16 year old falling asleep at a job. I agree that we can reach for better quality in many areas in our city. I believe that many alderman, city department heads and employees are doing a very good job. And there are a few that are over their capabilities.
11:47 AM
The kids are not usually the problem, it is the officials who happen to have power in this city and allow continued nepotism. Aldermen and other officials should know better but don't seem to is the problem.
Why should 8:23 sign their name when nobody else besides Lois is signing theirs?
Everyone is missing an EXTREMELY important issue! Why on Earth is the city teaching the kids to be violent criminals? It is a FACT that guns are dangerous and enable people to commit violence. It is AGAINST THE LAW to allow them on public property. These kids are likely to be scarred for life! This needs to stop now! Of all things! A GUN CLUB!
8:23 in your anon. post you mentioned Dave Potthoff's daughter. I grew up with her and she never has worked for City of Peru. She is a Lawyer living in Minnesota.
12:59 PM
Dave P. has no children of that age and the blogger I am sure was speaking of a more current happening. Read it again carefully, it did not say what you interpret it to.
How many summer help kids were hired this year, excluding the seasonal people?
Wasn't it just a couple years ago, that a city employees kid was working for the city as summer help(don't know if kid drove city vehicles as part of job description), but, during the summer this kid was in police reports. I can't remember the offense. Most of us have had children, non are perfect. But, just saying. Give me a break, don't even try and combines me that certain people don't get special treatment. I do have a piece of fools gold too.
There were 23 kids on the payroll this summer.
Lois this is just sick. Not one bit of proof. Why do you continue to cater to craziness and talking about people's kids? This has been through your blog before. Why won't you try to use this to do something good? the summer workers are just to give jobs to elected officials kids? Why do you allow this to go on.
Nope. Just keep catering to the tiny disenfranchised crowd that thinks everything is a conspiracy. You are never going to try to improve our town with this public forum? So disappointing while others of us continue to work for positive change.
Freaking lies about people's kids. This is just ridiculous! Potthoff's kids worked for the city? LIES LIES LIES!
4:07 PM
Since none of you signed your names on your complaints, I can't take any of you seriously. When you make accusations, please have the courtesy to sign your name or I just consider your comments just as worthless as the ones that you think I make. It usually is those who squeal the loudest that have something to hide. People who don't have a horse in the race tend to be calm and sensible. Maybe we should have a new hiring rule that the city hire from the neediest families if they qualify. Their is a name for hiring family in a city business and it is called Nepotism and that is one word I have heard since forever about Peru.
OMG 4:07, open your eyes to the truth! I saw his kid's name on the list of employees.
Have we had summer help working also at the fire department detailing fire apparatus? If so, are they realitives of fireman or related to city employees? If so, who pays them Liberty Fire Company- donation money? or the city? Hummmm
@4:45, there will always be a rebuttle from someone who doesn't like the truth. It's a psychological method used by people to try and defray the truth. Good for you for hanging in there 4:45.
12:38 - your are wrong. Every child should be instructed in the basic use of firearms. Air Guns (or BB Guns) are a good introduction. Use of firearms does not make people violent. Ignorance makes people violent. Ignorance of the proper and safe use of firearms makes people dangerous.
My question is if we had 23 kids on the payroll this year plus jobbed out the grass cutting, there is no way the city saved $30,000 as Bernabie alluded to last Aug. He is trying to make himself look good at the time to get the raise, the only way we will know is if Hylla verifies that, and hopefully without pressure from Bernabie & Harl!
7:40 I am sure Mr. Bernebei will come up with a comparison between the cost from last year and the cost from this year. Then we will know if we saved money by hiring out services normally done in house. I too am anxious to see if this is the case.
I think you have to get the real number from Hylla, Bernie will spin it to make himself look good , how many kids did the city hire the previous year, I think it was around the same or less, if that's the case how did we save money by adding the cost of outsourcing the grass to the cost of the same number on the payroll as the previous year?
We should not hire kids period. "Jobs Programs" are political nonsense. If the job needs doing, then full time employees should do it. If it exceeds the capacity of the workforce, then it should be contracted out or additional people hired. We don't need to hire children just to give them money.
FACT: There were 20 kids + 7 lead men on the 2013 summer payroll and 23 kids on the 2014 summer payroll. I don't know how many lead men.
They should all be union employees. We don't need those private contractors or those part-time yutes. I voted for the guy that was going to make this happen.
No Unions! We need free thinking capitalist workers.
Right-to-work in Illinois 2015!
11:21 If you are referring to Harl, he was also going to get rid of Schweickert, Chamlin's and TEST. How did that work out?
Anon 9:51, how are kids supposed to learn about responsibility and get a work ethic for the future if they don't get a job and learn. The biggest problem today is the kids let the parents do everything while they watch TV. Your way of thinking must be the latter, let them watch TV
10:19 how many and who is related?
For how many years I have been reading the blog and other sources complaining about the lack of motivation to keep young people in our area. Now I read where young people should not be hired for summer city employment.
Next person commenting believes summer help should be all union employees but fails to state why.
Has anyone asked young people why they move out of the Illinois Valley? Could a major reason be the attitude of the older sect towards them? It would be to the areas advantage if some of the "older set in their ways, close minded individuals" would move or retire to open the ways for the younger group and than maybe some could stay. AMEN
@7:38, maybe parents should start teaching their kids to do household chores. Then when they are old enough to drive, make them get a part-time REAL job whereas they actually have to work. Instead of riding around on a golf cart, standing with a rake, in a circle at a park, looking at their cell phone, and texting. Lastly, watching only maybe one person actually doing the job. Waste of taxpayers money, city summer workers. Also, where are supervisor?
9:02 The biggest problem with the hiring of summer help is they are unsupervised. I truly believe they would be an asset to the city in the summer if someone would teach them what to do and how it should be done. Just think about the work that could be accomplished in three months with all those strong high school and college kids. There should not be a garbage can that is not emptied, the streets should be garbage free, no weeds in the parks or sidewalks, the ditches on Progress Drive should be spotless, I could go on and on, but you get the drift. If you tell the kids what to do and then check to see if it has been done you will see results. It just takes some planning and some goals set by the city on what they want to accomplish for the summer.
7:48 - part time jobs in the summer won't accomplish what is needed and working for the city, while lucrative to some, wont "keep kids in the area."
Youth jobs programs are not what we need from our city government. We need viable economic development which encourages expansion in the areas of modern manufacturing, transportation, process, agriculture, and natural resources and mining. Peru is only interested in retail - and most of the jobs in retail are low paying. In other words, Peru wants to collect sales tax and spend it - period. Our current administration is not concerned about bringing real employment to the area. This is actually true of most of the region.
Anon 8:45 Am Why wouldn't a successful summer job program be a foundation in keeping future adults in the area?
Why can't the city have a youth program plus a viable economic development at the same time? I see no way in which one would interfere with the other.
When was the last time you have seen a expansion of modern manufacturing in the mid west. Yes Unitite is building in LaSalle but this is not a expansion but rather the result of a dissatisfaction of electrical rates.
12:03 - not true. That company is expanding - they are adding another process to their existing capabilities. This process was supposed to be added to their Peru facility - but the cost of electricity made it more lucrative to put it in LaSalle. The Peru plant will continue doing what it is doing.
As you are well aware, mining and the processing of silica is expanding in our area. This will require additional transportation resources.
Manufacturing will and is returning to the mid-west. There is a very good chance that Madigan will approve right-to-work legislation next year.
Locally, we need to pull our collective heads out of our collective butts and embrace these types of operations.
Anon 4:09 Do you have a inside track on the interpretation of the English language or are you purposely disagreeing to disagree because of your behavioral habits? Read 12:03's comment that the company made a decision to move because of electrical rates and than read your own which are in agreement not disagreement.
Many are in favor of the approval of right to work legislation since the area presently needs something to team up with the present number of retail occupations. In question is what will the hourly wage be and how will it fit into the already established retail hourly wage? The advantage of working retail in comparison to working manufacturing is that you can take your shower in the morning in working manufacturing you have to shower when getting home before supper. I know I have worked both for a extended amount of time.
12:03 said that Unitite was moving to LaSalle. They are not, they are adding an additional facility in LaSalle - in other word, they are expanding. The Peru operation is not changing. Retail is fine, we just need more than that. We don't need Unions. In fact, they hold workers back and promote laziness.
2:12 No Unitite is not moving to LaSalle. Play with words all you want but the building going up next to Flying J is not a mirage and Peru stops at Marquette Street north of Wenzel Road. Formerly this same property which is a farm was Perus' but one of the biggest mistakes ever made in city history took place and LaSalle prepared itself for a unexpected future.
7:12, the point is that the Peru facility in NOT closing.
8:18 AM The point is why wasn't this expansion conducted in Peru, where land was available, the facility remaining under one area and one main office would cost less and communications quicker and cheaper. Why didn't our so called low cost electricity keep a high consumer of electricity in Peru? Where do you think the next expansion will be if not the entire facility moved to LaSalle and updated.
Also could you elaborate on the farmland with the LaSalle TIF signs which previously had been in Peru city limits?
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