Tag Archives: Illinois

Illinois Tollway Rockford to Elgin Being Rebuilt to Three Lanes – Driving Nightmare!

Illinois is rebuilding the tollway (I-90) between Rockford and Elgin, but that does not stop them from charging tolls. If you have driven on the Tollway recently, you know that it is slow going, congested, and dangerous. The speed limit is 45 MPH all of the way from Rockford to Elgin. If there is an accident, you could be delayed for hours and miss your plane if you are going to O’Hare. Consider, an alternate route bypassing the Tollway and rejoining it at Elgin around Randall Road where the construction ends!

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Hope You Are Having a Wonderful Labor Day Weekend, But Don’t Forget the Second Installment of 2012 Real Estate Taxes Are Due Soon – Forget and It Will be Costly!

Second installments due as follows:

Carroll County – September 5

Jo Daviess County – September 9

Ogle County – September 6

Stephenson County – September 6

Winnebago County – September 6

If you are late, there will be an interest charge of 1.5 % per month which is an interest rate of 18% per annum. Sounds like usury to me! Of course, government is not subject to the rules the rest of us must follow.

Enjoy Shannon Homecoming Celebration This Weekend – August 31, September 1 & 2

There will be a volleyball Tournament, amusement rides, food, pancake breakfast, antique tractor  pull, parade, pork chop BBQ dinner, and many other events. Looks like a good way to spend  part of Labor Day weekend.

For all of the details go to http://www.shannonillinois.com/documents/laborday2013sm.pdf

Attention Small Business Owners – Your Electric Rates Could Be Going Up!

If you presently use FirstEnergy Solutions as your supplier, you probably received a letter stating the new rate beginning when your one year contract expires. Look at the rate and compare to your present rate. In reviewing one such letter the increase was over 30%. Do not ignore this letter since there is only a short time to terminate FirstEnergy Solutions as your supplier, and to obtain a new one. This does not apply to residential users since most municipalities (such as the City of Freeport) have negotiated separately on residential rates. If you use a different supplier, be sure to read any correspondence on renewal rates. One letter from FirstEnergy Solutions had the following penalty clause:

You will not incur any termination fee if you tell FirstEnergy Solutions you do not want to renew prior to your September 2013 meter read date. Termination of the agreement after that time will result in a cancellation fee of $1,000 for each account between 15,001 kWh to 100,000 kWh annually, $3,000 for each account using between 100,001 kWh to 400,000 kWh annually, and $5,000 for each account using more than 400,000 kWh annually.

Wow – what a penalty for not reading a letter and then trying to change your electric supplier!

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Attention Business Owners – Another Reason Why Businesses Are Leaving Illinois

The Third Appellate District Court in Illinois has found that an employee was entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for a wrist fracture as a result of a fall on or near her residence. The employee fell on a snowy sidewalk going to a van after eating her lunch at her own home. The van was owned by her employer who let her take it home. Case is sad but true. No wonder no one wants to be in business in Illinois. Private and public employers who let employees take vehicles home should look at this case. It would take the Illinois Legislature or the Illinois Supreme Court to correct this result in the future. Don’t bet on it! Milynarczyk v. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission

A Beautiful Weekend and If You Want to Travel – How About Going to State Fair!

Illinois State Fair, Springfield, now through August 18. Don’t miss the Butter Cow, Governor’s Day on August 14, or Republican Day on August 15. See our Illinois Politicians in action mixing with their constituents. For more information go to http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/

Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee, ends this Weekend, August 11. For information go to http://www.wistatefair.com/wp/

Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, now through to August 18. Iowa Fair also has a Butter Cow!
For a listing of events go to http://www.iowastatefair.org/

And looking ahead to February, there is only one State Fair – The Florida State Fair in Tampa which is February 6 to February 17, 2014. A nice place to visit in February when you live in Northwest Illinois! For more information go to http://www.floridastatefair.com/

Coming Soon Shindig III to Benefit Highland Community College, Saturday, August 17 – One of the Fun Events of the Year Which You Do Not Want to Miss!

The Highland Community College Foundation is preparing for “Celebrating the Oscars: A Night of Stars,” a charity fundraising event and auction. On Saturday, August 17, 2013, guests at the home of Hank and Linda Fortney will find themselves magically transported to Hollywood and a walk down the red carpet as part of a charity fundraiser for Highland Community College, entitled “Celebrating the Oscars: A Night of Stars.” Throughout the Fortney property near Red Oak, IL – a very modern, luxurious home beautifully landscaped on rolling acres – attendees will mingle with their favorite stars and fellow nominees, while savoring big screen hors d’oeuvres, desserts and spirits, and soft drinks. Celebrity attire is encouraged as the paparazzi will be present. “Celebrating the Oscars” begins at 5 p.m. with a silent auction. Live auction will begin at 7 p.m., with local auctioneer and HCC nursing graduate Doug Munda, Munda and Associates, looking for the highest bidder. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased by contacting the HCC Foundation at 815.599.3413 or online. Seating will be limited. Donors and auction items donated will receive special mention in the auction program. Several levels of sponsorships are available, and cash contributions are welcomed. Call the Foundation for details. Proceeds from the event will benefit HCC Foundation’s “Growing for tomorrow…Changing lives today” campaign that supports the Ray and Betty Stamm Health Science Nursing Wing, Nursing and Allied Health programs, and the Wind Turbine Technician program.

To buy tickets online go to https://highland.thankyou4caring.org/celebratingtheoscars

Carroll County Fair Starts August 6 at Millegeville, Illinois – See Casey James.

finished third on the ninth season (2010) of American Idol.

For more information and a full schedule of events go to http://www.carrollcountyfair.info/

What a Weekend for Fun Activities – Don’t Say There Is Nothing to Do in Northwest Illinois!

From county fairs to car shows. Just look at the activities listed in Good Day Illinois during the last week.

Forreston Sauerkraut Day Car & Bike Show – This Year Includes Fallen Heroes Traveling Wall

Saturday, August 3, 8:00 am to 4 pm – Forreston Sauerkraut Day Car & Bike Show, Forreston City Park, in Forreston, Illinois. There will be food including brats and hot dogs. The Illinois Fallen Heroes Traveling Memorial Wall will be there to view. To learn about the Memorial Wall go to http://ilpatriotguard.com/Fallen_Heroes_Memorial_Wall.html