Monthly Archives: July 2013

Concealed Carry Law Approved

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Illinois has now joined 49 other states in permitting the carrying of guns in public. Illinois State Police have 180 days to create an application process, so it will be 2014 before people can carry guns in public. Once permits are issued, there are limits to where you can carry guns. They will not be permitted in schools, parks, government facilities, buses and commuter trains, bars or restaurants where more than half the business is alcohol sales, and several other public places will continue to be banned areas. After a background check and 16 hours of firearms training (longest of any state), the concealed carry permit will be issued after payment of $150.00. The permit is good for 5 years. As with everything else in Illinois, a whole new level of expensive bureaucracy will be created to manage the license process. Soon the fee will be $1,000 a year to cover the salaries of the bureaucrats administering the system. Remember this – over 1/3 of Illinois State Policemen are paid over $100,000 per year!

The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners shouldn’t have to wait nine months for the right to carry concealed weapons, and said Association has filed motions in Federal Court to allow concealed carry by July 16.

Where Have All the Letters Gone? Long Time Passing. Workers at Carol Stream Have Picked Them Everyone. When Will They Ever Learn?

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Our mail from this area is now transported to Carol Stream to be sorted instead of Rockford. There was letter to the Editor in the Rockford paper recently complaining that they were not receiving all of their bills. To make matters worse letters are being returned for incorrect addresses when the addresses are correct. One person said that he has lived at the same address for almost 20 years, and in June a bill sent to him was returned to the sender. The sender called him asking if he had moved! This same individual never received his July Comcast bill. It is an old excuse when you do not pay a bill on time to say that you did not receive it. If you live in Northwest Illinois, it is probably true. Most of the workers in Carol Stream don’t even know where Freeport or Lena is located! Such poor business practices are just accelerating the destruction of the U.S. Postal System. The future is now – one must receive and pay bills online which is driven by the U.S. Postal System.

Don Morse Foundation Kickoff Party at Freeport County Club!

Be sure to go to this fun event held to benefit the charitable purposes of the Don Morse Foundation.

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What a Great Day for the Stephenson County Fair!

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Get Out to the Fair and Get Those Cheese Curds from the Jaycees – Their Stand Is Next to the Grandstand!

The weather should be terrific for the fair today and the rest of the week. There will be no excuse not to go to the fair. Fantastic events every night. How lucky we are to have such a wonderful fair!
Go to stephensoncountyfair.org/grandstand-shows for a complete schedule of events.

SURPRISE – THERE IS A REASON THE JOURNAL STANDARD DOES NOT REPORT ON FREEPORT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS!

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Recently, it was said that Good Morning Illinois would report on Freeport City Council meetings since the Journal Standard did not report on the meetings. There is a good reason the Journal Standard does not report on said meetings – they are not worth a reporter’s time.
Here is summary of the meeting on July 1, 2013:

Public Comments: 4 individuals spoke in support of making Chicago Avenue a two way street. Again a big issue was the placement of the mail boxes on the street.

Public Hearing on Appropriation Ordinance: Absolutely no one commented on it. No written comments and no public comments. No comments from alderman. Enough said. Everything is perfect in Freeport!

Second reading of several ordinances:

Maintaining electric rate tax – No discussion. This Council has not seen a tax it does not like.

Chicago Avenue two way street – much discussion by Council on effective date of ordinance and mail boxes on street. If only this council would spend as much time on the rest of the community considering the problems facing it. For example all of this time spent discussing Chicago Avenue when many other streets in this community are not safe to drive on due to their poor condition. ENOUGH SAID. YOU DECIDE WHAT IS IMPORTANT!

Appropriation Ordinance – discussed by a few Council members. Big issue an increase to the Mayor’s expense account which was approved by the Council. Also, discussion of $100,000 budgeted to tear down houses. The Mayor indicated if they had more revenue than anticipated, it could be diverted to tearing down houses! NO DISCUSSION OF OTHER AREAS IN FREEPORT SUCH AS THE HORRIBLE CONDITION OF THE STREETS. HOW SAD IT IS!

Reports of Department Heads:

Fire Chief – Announced his retirement at the meeting. Freeport thanks him for a job well done.

City Engineer – appears oblivious to problems facing Freeport. He lives in German Valley and serves as a Trustee for that community. Draw your own conclusion!

On a very serious note:

The Mayor and Police Chief discussed the recent murder. Both indicated that it will take the community’s help to solve this crime. Silence will only encourage further conduct of this nature. Unfortunately, one alderman stated that the citizens of Freeport should understand that no neighborhood will be safe in Freeport if this conduct is allowed to continue. How stupid does he think we are. Threats by this alderman in this case are disgusting. Spend less time on Chicago Avenue and more on the real issues facing this community. Talk is cheap – but in this case deadly.

Next Freeport Council meeting is July 15, 2013.

WATCH OUT FOR PENSION REFORM – ANOTHER NAME FOR MORE TAXES

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The Illinois legislature is now and has been for years considering pension reform. The citizens of this state should understand pension reform in Illinois will just mean a shifting of the tax burden for pensions to local taxing bodies. For example, local college districts and school districts will be responsible for paying the pensions of their employees. If you think your real estate taxes are high now, wait till they get done in Springfield. A 10 to 20% increase in your property tax bill would not be a surprise!

Watch Your Speed!!!

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New law in Illinois effective July 1, 2013. No court supervision if you are receive a speeding ticket for speeding more than 30 miles per hour (mph) over the posted limit on highways or 25 mph in urban areas.

HOW FAST SUMMER IS GOING!!!

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Now that the Fourth is over, it’s time for the Stephenson County Fair which is July 9-14. Go to the web site at stephensoncountyfair.org for a full schedule of activities. See you all at the fair!

Happy Birthday America!!!

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McPherson Law Offices wishes everyone a happy Fourth of July. It is the one day of the year that we celebrate our independence from England and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. After the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, the Fourth of July became a holiday in many places. Now it is the most patriotic holiday celebrated in the United States.

HOW SAD IT IS!

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Our troops are stationed around the world in order to preserve our freedoms. How sad it is to hear that due to budget cuts Fourth of July fireworks have been cancelled at many military bases including Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and Fort Bragg which is a large Army Base, both bases being located in North Carolina. I guess it is more important for the President to be flying around Africa at a cost of millions of dollars to the American taxpayer than to buy fireworks for our troops and their families. Our founding fathers would be shocked!