This blog is maintained for the sole purpose of allowing the people of Peru and those interested in the cities of the Illinois Valley to express their views.
“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
Is this an example of most cities in Illinois or the exception?
37 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Lois, I would like to answer your question but this is not a reply which should be drawn from general feeling but someone who has specific knowledge. I do know that there are no restrictions on most conditions that some employees may ask for and normally the employees attitude is that someone has to be at the top and someone has to be at the bottom without any consideration of whether it will be a contributing factor to bankrupting the company. Individuals who hold positions that are to lead all but have reduced their responsibility to a segment of the population have harmed Illinois for decades. A perfect example of this is Mike Madigan who wants a raise in taxes implemented for both individuals and corporations. Why? To enable the state to pay for his ideas that he has forced into actuality. Also he needs this money to distribute to those who keep him in power. With leaders such as Madigan's Illinois citizens will all be building pyramids.
I believe it is time to start considering the local cost of living and average wages in the private sector when determining the pay for public servants. There is no reason for a public servant to make 3 or 4 times the average wage of a private sector worker. In LaSalle County IL, we have an average family income of less than $50K. Why are we paying so much for public servants? We either need to decrease the pay of public employees or reduce their numbers. We also need to look at what the public servants are doing. Does it need to be done? Can it be done better by the private sector?
We also need to look at how the individual workers contribute to their pension in the Public Sector. I know that some school districts in Illinois have worked it into the contract that the tax payer handles the both the districts match and the workers contribution. This practice should be against the law.
Why isn't the cost of living tied into the public sectors wages as it is with social security benefits. It seems that the government employee will get a good %age raise again this year but because the COL has not gone up due to low gas prices social security will not be increased. Personally I consider all of America not just my own age group, but to be fair to those who draw social security it must be considered that they drive the least of all legal age groups. Now to be fair to all ages why don't the politicians have to be included in social security rather than another pension drawn up by themselves which is unbelievingly higher. Can you picture the viewpoint of those in political offices that felt the blogs of America had no power. But since have had to realize that they could not control a well manged blog which is communication and exchange of ideas of many rather than a newspaper, radio or television station which is limited to the viewpoint of the owners and that viewpoint is controlled by the politicians.
You have to be joking. You think politicians are worried about blogs? Politicians, businesses and so forth do care about strong trending issues on social media from constituents and customers. That's very different. Anonymous people on blogs? Absolutely no one cares. That is why most newspapers and online media has tied comments to Facebook. No more anonymous silliness. Including my comment here.
When it costs more to fund our library than our police pensions, it's time to stop and think. Does the library really need that much money? NO, it's crazy! Take money away from the library, they don't need granite counter tops!
9:39 - I think it is time for the brick and mortar libraries to go away. Have a small section for achieved documents, and put the remainder on-line. Consolidate hard copy historical documents it into one large library for the region. Otherwise almost everything can be viewed on-line. This includes school libraries.
Sorry you are very off base with your comment. Peru has little to no public space for residents to gather for research or educational programs etc beside the library. This institution provides a much needed service for residents of all ages. People who can't afford a newspaper subscription, can read several different papers at the library. Children learning the joy of reading many times read books provided at the library. Want to read a book yourself go to the library and if they don't have it they will get if from another library.
IMHO the Peru Library is the most valuable asset the cities possesses. Go by at any time of day and the parking lot and beyond is usually full of cars, meaning people are using this library.
I personally have had a library card from the Peru Public Library since the first grade. I took my children there and they have also learned how valuable a library can be.
I bet it costs less to maintain the library than our Taj Mahal in downtown Peru called City Hall and the employees cost us a whole lot less and do more for the community. And they don't need super expensive Christmas trees that hardly anyone even sees.
Don't even think of eleiminating this community necessity.
According to the News Trib Peru is increasing their tax levy. What I don't understand is why the need to increase our it when we continue to spend money like it's water? One alderman continues to inform us that our sales tax receipts are constantly increasing by as much as 5% per month and the mayor continues to remind us that we're writing a check to pay for projects. If these things are true, and we all know we're spending money like its water, then why the need for a tax levy increase?
Lois, anyone that believes in education, also believes in having a strong library system. A system which has a continuous and updated existence in both the communities education and its enjoyment. For a number of years a library also makes available computers which many families cannot afford. I have a much used swimming pool in my back yard and very seldom if ever would use a city pool but if the corporation that I work for would demand I move to a city without a library for my family I would be moving out as fast as I moved in.
I don't think we have the problem of not being able to afford computers in Peru. The library needs to be tailored to the city it serves. We don't have an intercity population base. We should review what is needed from the library and tailor it to our local wants and needs.
I for one would like a reliable free public Wi-Fi area.
Funny thing. the National norm is that Libraries are used less and less. Maybe the residents in Peru don't have access to the world wide internet? Ever tried to get a best seller? Never. They do have the biggest video collection and lots of audio tapes. Maybe, my tax dollars are going toward my neighbor checking out Fifty Shades of Grey? Have you ever heard that kids can't afford computers? They give them out like lunch programs at the schools. I have to believe that our government tax dollars must provide entertainment in the from of thousands of movies and music albums at our area library. I have to believe that nobody has internet access in the small town and our tax dollars must provide that for our all. Libraries played a very important part in society for many years, and nobody is saying get rid of them. Its just that government institutions that survive on tax dollars keep getting bigger and bigger and need more and more to fuel their kingdoms. You can say the same about local, state and National government.
Lois I agree with you a library is a great asset to any city and Peru has one of the best. I also would have to think $455,000 a year is enough to keep the library in great shape. What do you think?
10:02- The library only has to put the employees in the pension plan if they're full time. I can't imagine our local library needing more than one full time employee.
In La Salle County, The income per capita is $25,641, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $52,356.
Any government job that pays over the median household income needs to be reviewed. A policeman for instance, has a lower risk in Peru than he would in Chicago. So, I would expect higher compensation with the increased risk. We also have a lower cost of living in LaSalle County than they do in Cook County. So, compensation should be adjusted to match the local economy. This happens in the private sector and it should happen in the public sector.
As it stands now, the richest people in town work for the government. I lump school teachers in along with that. They benefit from a lower cost of living also. They also have an easier job than their equivalents in Chicago. Therefore, they should be compensated at a lower rate.
11:20 - are you serious? OK, Peru had one armed robbery that I can remember. An armed robbery happens about every ten minutes in Chicago. The population of Peru is 10,000 or so - with an influx of another 10,000 a day from the surrounding communities. The population of Chicago is 2.8 million.
1:06, you got to put a time fence around it. There was one back in '72 at the old Piggly Wigley. Then there was one or two way back in the '60's. Lets see, in '79 The Fulmers got hit by some guy from Winsconsin. Then, a kid with a cap gun scared The Bajesus out of the beertender at Friendlies - I think that was in the early '80s.
Come on 7:22 PM you have listed 3 armed robberies in 50 years and 1 cap gun hold up. There has to be more than that. Peru surely does not have a police force in the numbers it has and the car fleet to simply patrol the streets when 66% of the time no one is on them. It must be remembered that the county sheriff's department also patrol the Peru area along with the state police who have a headquarters a mile or two away. Peru has a very good volunteer fire department, would it be advantageous for Peru to attempt a volunteer police department to avoid the number of pensions it is now having to maintain. Also what does it take to become a district library and is there a savings. I understand in the winter there are no computers to use because the transient homeless occupy them all during the day when PADS is shut down.
to make a Library District you have to take out a petition to get a referendum on the ballot. The library does not want to do this because they know it will be defeated, giving the city ammunition to close the library.
We have a library in LaSalle. We should close ours down and leverage the use of that one. Maybe send them a couple of bucks now and then. But it would be more cost effective for Peru just to use LaSalle's Library.
12:21,you are kidding about a volunteer police dept. I hope. Show me anywhere in the US that has a voluntary police force in a town of 10,000 plus. You might have had one to many with that statement.
Anon 11:53 AM No I am not kidding about a volunteer police department. You may think that Peru is 10,000 plus but I sincerely doubt it. What drives Peru to be over 9,000 is nursing home patients which is extremely high. Presently the PPD is overmanned and overpaid. There are many duties performed by the PPD that you don't need done by a full time police officer and could be done by a volunteer. 11:53 As a non drinker I don't accept you insult that I may have had one too many when I submitted my comment to the blog. You show fear of trying a suggestion and appearances of having skin in the game. Personally I enjoy the challenge of trying something new and ending up being 1st on the block. Another style of a police Department is to outsource it avoiding all paperwork and pensions. This has been done for years successfully and is continuing.
you make a point. remove the nursing home population and the 70+ population and I bet Peru is a town of about 5,000. Nursing homes and 70 year olds don't need much policing.
4:22, you would be the first complainer when something happened in your neighbor and this so called volunteer cops never showed up do to training or really don't care. Get real, show me the 10,000 plus community with a volunteer police dept.
10:20, you are making yourself look uneducated with a post like that. Show me states that there are 5000 people in a nursing facility and or 70 plus years old.
1:17 - ? the statement was made largely in jest. However, if you want a "stat" here is one:
LaSalle County, IL population is aging. 18% of the population is over 65 (2014) - the norm in Illinois is 14%. This information is from the United States Census Bureau.
3:10 PM Sounds like a crisis to me also. Added to a constant high unemployment rate plus many other negatives our area has a major problem. What is this problem?
The real unemployment rate in the Illinois Valley is much higher than the phony rate reported in the news. That rate only counts people working and looking for work. It does not include the thousands of people working cash jobs, working part time jobs (like the Bobby V. jobs created in Peru), and those that have decided to "retire" early - drawing Social Security and working a part time job.
Since we are not "investing" in programs designed to attract and maintain heavy industry - the true "unemployment rate" in the Illinois Valley is closer to 20%!
37 comments:
Lois, I would like to answer your question but this is not a reply which should be drawn from general feeling but someone who has specific knowledge. I do know that there are no restrictions on most conditions that some employees may ask for and normally the employees attitude is that someone has to be at the top and someone has to be at the bottom without any consideration of whether it will be a contributing factor to bankrupting the company.
Individuals who hold positions that are to lead all but have reduced their responsibility to a segment of the population have harmed Illinois for decades. A perfect example of this is Mike Madigan who wants a raise in taxes implemented for both individuals and corporations. Why? To enable the state to pay for his ideas that he has forced into actuality. Also he needs this money to distribute to those who keep him in power.
With leaders such as Madigan's Illinois citizens will all be building pyramids.
I believe it is time to start considering the local cost of living and average wages in the private sector when determining the pay for public servants. There is no reason for a public servant to make 3 or 4 times the average wage of a private sector worker. In LaSalle County IL, we have an average family income of less than $50K. Why are we paying so much for public servants? We either need to decrease the pay of public employees or reduce their numbers. We also need to look at what the public servants are doing. Does it need to be done? Can it be done better by the private sector?
We also need to look at how the individual workers contribute to their pension in the Public Sector. I know that some school districts in Illinois have worked it into the contract that the tax payer handles the both the districts match and the workers contribution. This practice should be against the law.
Why isn't the cost of living tied into the public sectors wages as it is with social security benefits. It seems that the government employee will get a good %age raise again this year but because the COL has not gone up due to low gas prices social security will not be increased.
Personally I consider all of America not just my own age group, but to be fair to those who draw social security it must be considered that they drive the least of all legal age groups.
Now to be fair to all ages why don't the politicians have to be included in social security rather than another pension drawn up by themselves which is unbelievingly higher.
Can you picture the viewpoint of those in political offices that felt the blogs of America had no power. But since have had to realize that they could not control a well manged blog which is communication and exchange of ideas of many rather than a newspaper, radio or television station which is limited to the viewpoint of the owners and that viewpoint is controlled by the politicians.
You have to be joking. You think politicians are worried about blogs? Politicians, businesses and so forth do care about strong trending issues on social media from constituents and customers. That's very different. Anonymous people on blogs? Absolutely no one cares. That is why most newspapers and online media has tied comments to Facebook. No more anonymous silliness. Including my comment here.
When it costs more to fund our library than our police pensions, it's time to stop and think. Does the library really need that much money? NO, it's crazy! Take money away from the library, they don't need granite counter tops!
9:39 - I think it is time for the brick and mortar libraries to go away. Have a small section for achieved documents, and put the remainder on-line. Consolidate hard copy historical documents it into one large library for the region. Otherwise almost everything can be viewed on-line. This includes school libraries.
11:33 AM
Sorry you are very off base with your comment. Peru has little to no public space for residents to gather for research or educational programs etc beside the library. This institution provides a much needed service for residents of all ages. People who can't afford a newspaper subscription, can read several different papers at the library. Children learning the joy of reading many times read books provided at the library. Want to read a book yourself go to the library and if they don't have it they will get if from another library.
IMHO the Peru Library is the most valuable asset the cities possesses. Go by at any time of day and the parking lot and beyond is usually full of cars, meaning people are using this library.
I personally have had a library card from the Peru Public Library since the first grade. I took my children there and they have also learned how valuable a library can be.
I bet it costs less to maintain the library than our Taj Mahal in downtown Peru called City Hall and the employees cost us a whole lot less and do more for the community. And they don't need super expensive Christmas trees that hardly anyone even sees.
Don't even think of eleiminating this community necessity.
According to the News Trib Peru is increasing their tax levy. What I don't understand is why the need to increase our it when we continue to spend money like it's water? One alderman continues to inform us that our sales tax receipts are constantly increasing by as much as 5% per month and the mayor continues to remind us that we're writing a check to pay for projects. If these things are true, and we all know we're spending money like its water, then why the need for a tax levy increase?
Lois, anyone that believes in education, also believes in having a strong library system. A system which has a continuous and updated existence in both the communities education and its enjoyment.
For a number of years a library also makes available computers which many families cannot afford.
I have a much used swimming pool in my back yard and very seldom if ever would use a city pool but if the corporation that I work for would demand I move to a city without a library for my family I would be moving out as fast as I moved in.
I don't think we have the problem of not being able to afford computers in Peru. The library needs to be tailored to the city it serves. We don't have an intercity population base. We should review what is needed from the library and tailor it to our local wants and needs.
I for one would like a reliable free public Wi-Fi area.
Funny thing. the National norm is that Libraries are used less and less. Maybe the residents in Peru don't have access to the world wide internet? Ever tried to get a best seller? Never. They do have the biggest video collection and lots of audio tapes. Maybe, my tax dollars are going toward my neighbor checking out Fifty Shades of Grey? Have you ever heard that kids can't afford computers? They give them out like lunch programs at the schools. I have to believe that our government tax dollars must provide entertainment in the from of thousands of movies and music albums at our area library. I have to believe that nobody has internet access in the small town and our tax dollars must provide that for our all. Libraries played a very important part in society for many years, and nobody is saying get rid of them. Its just that government institutions that survive on tax dollars keep getting bigger and bigger and need more and more to fuel their kingdoms. You can say the same about local, state and National government.
While I enjoy having the library, why does it cost us so much money each year? $455,000 for a library is ridiculous.
Lois I agree with you a library is a great asset to any city and Peru has one of the best. I also would have to think $455,000 a year is enough to keep the library in great shape. What do you think?
People are expensive. Government employees are very well paid and that includes library workers.
i doubt the library employees are well paid. but they do get into the Illinois pension scam which probably costs the library a fortune.
Is anyone making more than $50K at the library? If so, they are well paid compared to the local population.
10:02- The library only has to put the employees in the pension plan if they're full time. I can't imagine our local library needing more than one full time employee.
In La Salle County, The income per capita is $25,641, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $52,356.
Any government job that pays over the median household income needs to be reviewed. A policeman for instance, has a lower risk in Peru than he would in Chicago. So, I would expect higher compensation with the increased risk. We also have a lower cost of living in LaSalle County than they do in Cook County. So, compensation should be adjusted to match the local economy. This happens in the private sector and it should happen in the public sector.
As it stands now, the richest people in town work for the government. I lump school teachers in along with that. They benefit from a lower cost of living also. They also have an easier job than their equivalents in Chicago. Therefore, they should be compensated at a lower rate.
Anon 9:56 AM
What makes you think a policeman in Peru has a lower risk than he would in Chicago?
11:20 - are you serious? OK, Peru had one armed robbery that I can remember. An armed robbery happens about every ten minutes in Chicago. The population of Peru is 10,000 or so - with an influx of another 10,000 a day from the surrounding communities. The population of Chicago is 2.8 million.
Don't forget. Peru has A bum living in A park. Ever drive down Cicero Avenue in Chicago?
Yes. One bum in one park. And during the week when all of Peru shuts down, not a creature is stirring except the PPD Squad Cars.
8:36 Your memory is not very good because, believe you me, we've had more than one armed robbery here in Peru. Add another one on the list today.
1:06, you got to put a time fence around it. There was one back in '72 at the old Piggly Wigley. Then there was one or two way back in the '60's. Lets see, in '79 The Fulmers got hit by some guy from Winsconsin. Then, a kid with a cap gun scared The Bajesus out of the beertender at Friendlies - I think that was in the early '80s.
Come on 7:22 PM you have listed 3 armed robberies in 50 years and 1 cap gun hold up. There has to be more than that. Peru surely does not have a police force in the numbers it has and the car fleet to simply patrol the streets when 66% of the time no one is on them. It must be remembered that the county sheriff's department also patrol the Peru area along with the state police who have a headquarters a mile or two away.
Peru has a very good volunteer fire department, would it be advantageous for Peru to attempt a volunteer police department to avoid the number of pensions it is now having to maintain. Also what does it take to become a district library and is there a savings. I understand in the winter there are no computers to use because the transient homeless occupy them all during the day when PADS is shut down.
We just need to put up a big sign that says - "From Chicago? Spend your money and move along. We don't like your type here."
to make a Library District you have to take out a petition to get a referendum on the ballot. The library does not want to do this because they know it will be defeated, giving the city ammunition to close the library.
We have a library in LaSalle. We should close ours down and leverage the use of that one. Maybe send them a couple of bucks now and then. But it would be more cost effective for Peru just to use LaSalle's Library.
12:21,you are kidding about a volunteer police dept. I hope. Show me anywhere in the US that has a voluntary police force in a town of 10,000 plus. You might have had one to many with that statement.
Anon 11:53 AM
No I am not kidding about a volunteer police department. You may think that Peru is 10,000 plus but I sincerely doubt it. What drives Peru to be over 9,000 is nursing home patients which is extremely high.
Presently the PPD is overmanned and overpaid. There are many duties performed by the PPD that you don't need done by a full time police officer and could be done by a volunteer.
11:53 As a non drinker I don't accept you insult that I may have had one too many when I submitted my comment to the blog. You show fear of trying a suggestion and appearances of having skin in the game. Personally I enjoy the challenge of trying something new and ending up being 1st on the block.
Another style of a police Department is to outsource it avoiding all paperwork and pensions. This has been done for years successfully and is continuing.
you make a point. remove the nursing home population and the 70+ population and I bet Peru is a town of about 5,000. Nursing homes and 70 year olds don't need much policing.
4:22, you would be the first complainer when something happened in your neighbor and this so called volunteer cops never showed up do to training or really don't care. Get real, show me the 10,000 plus community with a volunteer police dept.
10:20, you are making yourself look uneducated with a post like that. Show me states that there are 5000 people in a nursing facility and or 70 plus years old.
1:17 - ? the statement was made largely in jest. However, if you want a "stat" here is one:
LaSalle County, IL population is aging. 18% of the population is over 65 (2014) - the norm in Illinois is 14%. This information is from the United States Census Bureau.
Okay so we are 4 percent higher than the Illinois average? Sounds like a crisis to me!
the trend is increasing. no young ones coming in.
3:10 PM Sounds like a crisis to me also. Added to a constant high unemployment rate plus many other negatives our area has a major problem. What is this problem?
The real unemployment rate in the Illinois Valley is much higher than the phony rate reported in the news. That rate only counts people working and looking for work. It does not include the thousands of people working cash jobs, working part time jobs (like the Bobby V. jobs created in Peru), and those that have decided to "retire" early - drawing Social Security and working a part time job.
Since we are not "investing" in programs designed to attract and maintain heavy industry - the true "unemployment rate" in the Illinois Valley is closer to 20%!
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