Gasoline prices in California are over $3.00 a gallon. The above picture was taken New Years Day in San Diego California. It goes to show that at least one thing is better in Illinois where gas prices are under $2.00 a gallon.
If a city or other government employee enters into a verbal agreement which violates the law, is it enforceable? It would even be worse if that city employee knew that the agreement violated the law, and is enriched personally as a result of the knowing violation. Let’s assume the city employee is the chief legal counsel for the city, and creates a special exception for the city’s legal counsel contrary to the city’s ordinances. Is such conduct acceptable from ethical stand point much less from a legal stand point? You be the judge. The level of corruption in the State of Illinois, real or perceived, is beyond belief. It starts with city governments, goes to the county level, and then ends up at the State level. Let’s be honest and face the facts. Freeport and Stephenson County are not the exception to the Illinois rule: Corruption is ok – just don’t’ get caught.
Rockford, Illinois leads the State of Illinois in population decline. See http://newsroom.niu.edu/2015/05/26/illinois-population-shifts/ The State of Illinois leads the nation in population decline. To make matters even worse, the majority of the loss is attributable to people moving to neighboring states such as Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri. If they all were going to Florida, you could at least understand that they like Florida winters better than winters in Illinois! Illinois is a leader in one category – real estate taxes. It is a close second to New Jersey which has the highest real estate taxes in the country. See http://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-property-taxes/11585/ I have faith in Illinois – it will soon overtake New Jersey!
Winnebago County (Rockford) does lead within the State of Illinois in one category – Real Estate Tax Rates! See http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/03/13/uncategorized/brendanbond/list-residential-property-tax-rates-illinois-county/2303/
Do you think there is a correlation between high real estate taxes and population decline?
Black bears have been spotted in Freeport, Stockton, and now Rockford, Illinois. The bears are migrating from our northern neighbor, Wisconsin. There have not been any black bears in Illinois since 1870. Do you really believe that they decided to come to Illinois on their own? The answer is a resounding NO. Wisconsin Governor Walker and his Republican friends to the north by their tax policies gave the State of Wisconsin a decisive tax advantage over their high tax friends to the south. To further drive residents and businesses out of Illinois, Wisconsin has been secretly forcing black bears south into Illinois.
Mayor Morrissey of Rockford, Illinois stated – “It’s difficult enough to attract residents and businesses to Rockford when you look at the economic policies of this state, and now you cannot even go out at night without the threat of black bears attacking you.” Governor Quinn to his credit did say that if there are any bear attacks in the area, he would consider mobilizing the National Guard. Bruce Rauner, his Republican opponent in this fall’s election, stated that in order to encourage economic development he would recommend tax credits for bear processing plants if they would relocate to northwest Illinois.
For more information provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, go to
Mayor Jim Gitz of Freeport in his weekly column in the Journal Standard thanked Governor Quinn for repairs to West Street and Park Boulevard. Mr. Gitz must have a short memory. This Governor has done little for Freeport and Northwest Illinois west of Rockford. Thank the Governor for a 67% income tax increase, thank the Governor for doing nothing on a four lane US 20, thank the Governor for the train from Rockford to Chicago (If you live in Freeport, you can take the bike path to Rockford to catch the train.), thank the Governor for creating a business environment in this state that drives existing businesses out of the state such as MetLife, thank the Governor for destroying existing businesses in this state that cannot afford to leave, and thank the Governor for destroying the lives of many citizens of this state who have lost jobs, homes, and families as a result of his destructive policies. Yes, this Governor has created quite a legacy!
Freeport does have one big disadvantage when it comes to economic growth. It is located in Illinois! Illinois is known as anti-business state and high tax state (they go together). Although it may not be totally justified, that is the perception. To make matters worse, the reckless spending and high taxes at a state level must be contagious. Look at the Freeport School District! A tax rate of 6.5% in 2012 and for 2013 it is 7%, and this District had enough nerve to want 1% sales tax increase. While many states such as Texas have no state income taxes, Illinois raised its tax 67% a few years ago. It was supposed to be a temporary increase – what a joke. Taking the revenue away from the bureaucrats in Illinois is like taking sugar away from rats. Once the rat gets used to the sugar, it will do anything to get more. Same for the politicians in Springfield. Illinois, instead of looking for ways to cut spending, looks instead for new sources of revenue which is another way of saying more tax increases are coming!
You are an Illinois resident and are driving in the state of Illinois to the airport. You are stopped for going six miles over the speed limit. The officer is very polite, but takes your driver’s license since that is the policy in Illinois. Get a ticket and they keep your license until you post bond! Unfortunately, you do not have time to post bond since your flight is leaving in less than two hours. In addition you plan to rent a car when you arrive at your destination. What a way to start a vacation! You get to the airport with no acceptable State identification except a receipt for your license. If you get through security, try to rent a car with no actual driver’s license. Thank you Illinois! By the way, if you are a non-resident, you could keep your license.
Just another way you are penalized for being a resident of this state. No other state treats its residents like Illinois, but we already know that!
There is bill being considered in the Illinois legislature to correct this problem by allowing residents to keep their licenses after getting speeding tickets. Why has this taken so long? This is Illinois, so don’t bet on it becoming law. It’s a wonder that Illinois residents are not jailed in this state for a speeding ticket – sorry I shouldn’t have mentioned it. That will be next. Just another way to raise revenue – It is Illinois.
Some Events This Weekend!
FHN Festival of Trees Holiday Movie Series for children on Saturday with the remaining schedule as follows:
All at 10 am
Nov. 16 — Thor: The Dark World PG-13 ($3.50)
Nov. 23 — Labyrinth PG (FREE)
Nov. 30 — Frozen PG ($3.50)
Fall Instrumental Music Concert at Highland Community College – Friday November 15 at 7:30 pm in the Ferguson Fine Arts Theatre at Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport.
Congratulations to Area Football Teams in the State Quarter Final Games!
Quarter final games for area teams this weekend:
Class 1A
Lena-Winslow at Stockton, Saturday, Nov. 16, 1:00 pm
Winner will play either Ottawa Marquette or Chicago Leo
Class 3A
Winnebago at Stillman Valley, Saturday, Nov. 16, 1:00 pm
Winner will play either Aurora Christian or Seneca
Class 4A
Harvard at Rockford Lutheran, Saturday, Nov. 16, 1:00 pm
Winner will play either Chicago Phillips or Geneseo
Class 6A
Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge at Rockford Boylan, Saturday, Nov. 16, 1:00 pm
Winner will play either Lake Forrest or Batavia
If your team keeps winning, then plan on the championship games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb:
Class 1A, 2A, 3A & 4A: Friday, November 29
Class 5A, 6A, 7A & 8A: Saturday, November 30
The First District Appellate Court in a recent decision held that a noncompetition agreement is not valid and enforceable if an employee is fired or resigns within two years. Illinois companies can still require newly hired workers to sign noncompetition agreements, but if the employee is employed for less than two years the restrictive covenant will lack the consideration necessary to be enforceable by an employer. There must be two years of continuous employment to be considered adequate consideration to support a postemployment restrictive covenant.
For details see Fifield v. Premier Dealer Services, Inc., 2013 IL App (1st) 120327
This is the 10th and final year for the barn tour. It runs from 1 to 4:30 pm . You can spend a leisurely fall afternoon in the country on a self guided tour of three unique barns in Stephenson County where you will learn the stories behind their distinctive charm. There will be a special presentation at The Rafters Restaurant, 9426 W. Wagner Road, Lena at 3:15 pm. Knoxville, IL barn restorationist, Trillium Dell Timberworks, will present the program. Refreshments and tours of The Rafters will be offered. (Call Martha Ebbesmeyer at 815.235.2165 for details)
Good Day Illinois - Happenings in Northwest Illinois 