ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL review NOVEMBER 2002 THE MAGAZINE OF THE MUNICIPALITIES
Governor Rod Blagojevich
ELECTION 2002 Secretary of State Lt. Governor Jesse White Illinois’ State Constitutional Pat Quinn Officers
Attorney General Treasurer Lisa Madigan Judy Baar Topinka
Comptroller Daniel W. Hynes Ad Copy
Page 2 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 ILLINOIS review MUNICIPAL THE MAGAZINE OF THE MUNICIPALITIES
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
contents 5 From The Editor's Desk 6 Applications Available for 2003 Governor's Home Town Awards 7 2002 Friend of Municipalities Awards 8 Appreciation Day Held To Celebrate Adult Literacy Programs in Chicago 9 Effects of Photoprocessing Tax Loss in Illinois Municipalities 12 Studs Terkel "Humanities Heroes" Announced 13 Studs Terkel Humanities Service Awards Nominees 14 Solving The Shortage of Engineering Technicians 15 Partnerships That Work: Financing The Future 21 A Visit From the Malaysian Highway Authority Editor KENNETH A. ALDERSON 22 Congress of Cities Update Managing Editor 23 Legal Q&A - Drug Paraphernalia GARY KOCH 25 December 2002 Municipal Calendar (ssn 0019-2139) Telephone (217) 525-1220 26 New & Noteworthy Volume 81, No 11, November 2002. Total 27 The One Stop Connection & Connectivity of number 936. THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL RMMAN REVIEW is published monthly at Springfield, IL, by the Illinois Muncipal League, Editorial 28 Municipal Exchange Service and Executive Offices, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield, IL, 62701. Subscription per year: Member $5.00. Domestic $10.00. Periodical postage paid at Springfield, Illinois. ON THE COVER: Congratulations and best wishes to Illinois’ newly elected Constitutional officers: Governor- Postmaster: Send address changes to elect Rod Blagojevich, Lt. Gov.-elect Patrick Quinn, Illinois Municipal League PO Box 5180, Attorney General-elect Lisa Madigan, Secretary of State Springfield, IL 62705-5180. Jesse White, State Comptroller Dan Hynes and State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.
November 2002 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 3 Illinois Municipal League Ad Copy Over 85 Years of Service to Illinois Municipalites Web Portal
If Someone’s Looking - Can You Be Found? Taking You Where Legal You Need To Go Legislative Putting You Where Municipal Codes You Need To Be Municipal Calendar Ad Copy Municipal Exchange Review Magazine News Use IML Telecom Tax Ordinances e-Marketing to Homeland Security, Legislatiave News, Get Found! News, more... A resource for Illinois Calendar of Events Municipal League Members and others Conferences / Conventions, Training, more seeking information. Announcements A place for you to pro- Gary Niebur Elected President of IML vide resources and Ad Copy information to those Product Services who use the site Publications, Software, more... through self-publishing abilities. Links Directory Illinois General Assembly www.iml.org National Associations, State Departments
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Page 4 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 PRESIDENT Mayor Gary Niebur, Edwardsville From The FIRST VICE PRESIDENT EDITOR’S DESK... Mayor G. Michael Ingles, Pontiac SERGEANT-AT-ARMS The Village of Lake Zurich has won an award in the Mayor Gerald R. Bennett, Palos Hills category of intergovernmental cooperation from the Urban Innovation in Illinois 6th Annual Awards Competition. The VICE PRESIDENTS Mayor Arlene Mulder, Arlington Heights village won for its regional approach to beautification of the Mayor Donald L. Maue, Breese U.S. Route 12 Corridor. According to the judges, Mayor Brad Demuzio, Carlinville “Typically, each community deals with highway Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago beautification on its own turf; so this project is exceptional Village President Eugene L. Siegel, Chicago Ridge for applying the idea of regional cooperation and using Mayor Gail Mitchell, Fairview Heights state-of-the-art techniques.” Mayor Saul Beck, Ford Heights Mayor James L. Gitz, Freeport Village President Scott Newberg, Hampton National League of Cities President Karen Anderson, Village President Irwin A. Bock, Hanover Park Mayor of Minnetonka, Minnesota, has appointed Swansea Mayor Daniel M. Pierce, Highland Park Mayor Michael Buehlhorn to a 15-member Nominating Mayor Ron Tendick, Jacksonville Committee that will be responsible for recommending a Mayor Darryl Lindberg, Loves Park slate of officers and Board members to lead the NLC in Mayor THomas C. Carper, Macomb Mayor Dick Dietz, McLeansboro 2003. The committee will hold an open hearing to receive Mayor Stan Leach, Moline nominations during the Congress of Cities in Salt Lake City Mayor Mark Terry, Mount Vernon on December 4. Village President Marilyn Sindles, Mundelein Mayor Buehlhorn is a former president of the Illinois Mayor Nicholas B. Blase, Niles Municipal League and serves on the Board of Directors of Mayor Kent M. Karraker, Normal the National League of Cities. Mayor Ernest F. Kolb, Oak Lawn Mayor Rita L. Mullins, Palatine Mayor R. David Tebben, Pekin The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mayor David P. Ransburg, Peoria Mayor Charles Scholz, Quincy will raise the maximum amount of grants that are available Mayor Doug Scott, Rockford through the Individual and Family Grants programs and the Village President B.J. Hackler, Saint Joseph Small Project Grants, which are given to state and local Mayor Leonard E. Ferguson, Salem governments and private nonprofit organizations. FEMA Village President Al Larson, Schaumburg must annually adjust grant disbursements to reflect changes Village President David Owen, South Chicago Heights in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers. This Mayor Karen Hasara, Springfield year individual and family assistance has been increased to Village President Louis Sherman, Steger $15,000 and small project grants have been increased to Mayor Ted Aggen, Sterling $53,000. Village President James A. Leather, Stillman Valley Village President Edward J. Zabrocki, Tinley Park For more information, call Magda Ruiz at (202) 646-2705. Mayor Tod Satterthwaite, Urbana PAST PRESIDENTS The Illinois Municipal League mourns the passing of: Mayor James E. Kingston, Paxton Matt Bildhauer, 95, former mayor of La Salle. He Mayor William F. Murphy, Woodridge served as mayor from 1949 to 1953. Village President Ray J. Forney, Ashton Leland Boblitt, 76, former village president of Mayor Greg Sparrow, DeKalb Divernon. He was village president from 1953 – 1957. Mayor Neil Dillard, Carbondale Joseph C. Moore, 74, former mayor of Hoopeston and Mayor Michael S. Buehlhorn, Swansea Village President Frank Meredith, Sherman retired judge. He served as mayor from 1961 to 1965. Mayor Roger Claar, Bolingbrook
November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5 Applications Available for 2003 Governor’s Home Town Awards
Everyday across Illinois, volunteers unconditionally give of their time and efforts to improve the quality of life for the citizens of their communities. Many times, however, those efforts go unrecognized. It’s time to make a change! Illinoisans have an excellent opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of their fellow citizens by nominating volunteer efforts for the 22nd annual Governor’s Home Town Awards competition. Administered by DCCA’s Bureau of Community Development, Governor’s Home Town Awards are presented in eight categories, based on community population. Applications for awards may be submitted by a variety of community representatives, such as local governments, schools, community organizations, chambers of commerce, community action agencies, area agencies on aging, local job training organizations, etc. Applications are reviewed by a team of impartial volunteer judges, who conduct site visits to finalist communities before deciding on winners. The judges also select one project from among the first place Ad Copy winners to receive the coveted Governor’s Cup, a traveling silver trophy which signifies the project deemed most representative of the spirit of Illinois volunteerism. Past Govenor’s Cup winners have ranged from a Crisis Nursery in Champaign County to a downtown revitalization project in Fairbury. Both individual category winners and the Governor’s Cup designee are announced during the annual Governor’s Home Town Awards banquet each June in Springfield. The deadline to apply for the 2003 Governor’s Home Town Awards is February 14, 2003. For more information, or to receive an application guidebook, contact Lou Ann Ladage at DCCA, phone 217-558- 2838, e-mail: [email protected].
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Page 6 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 2002 Friend of Municipalities Award
Recently the Illinois Municipal League recognized four Representative Sidney legislators through the newly created Friend of Mathias is a Republican from Municipalities Award. The Award is designed to honor Buffalo Grove and has those in the General Assembly whose invaluable assistance represented the 51st District in not only helped turn our legislative initiatives into law, but the Illinois House for the past also were willing to help out in any way they could. four years. He currently serves This year’s recipients are: Representative Frank as the minority spokesman on Mautino of Spring Valley, Senator Evelyn Bowles of the House Cities & Villages Edwardsville, Senator Stanley Weaver of Urbana, and Committee. Prior to that, he Representative Sidney Mathias of Buffalo Grove. Each served in municipal government were recognized for their contribution to preserving the in a variety of leadership interests of municipalities. positions including mayor of Buffalo Grove for eight years. Senator Evelyn Bowles is a Knowing first hand how local government is affected by Democrat from Edwardsville what happens at the state level, Rep. Mathias took the lead and has represented the 56th on legislation to reinstate the municipal sales tax. District in the Illinois Senate for Additionally, he champions Municipal League initiatives over eight years. Before her and has proved to be a valuable player in our agenda. appointment to the State Senate, Bowles served five consecutive Representative Frank terms as the Madison County Mautino is a Democrat from Clerk. Prior to her election as Spring Valley and has county clerk, Bowles worked in represented the 76th district in the Clerk’s office as the Chief the Illinois House for the past Deputy from 1951-1974. No eleven years. He was the lead stranger to the ins and outs of sponsor in the House of local government, she was the lead sponsor in the Senate for Representatives for the Non- the Non-Home Rule Sales Tax that enabled non-home rule Home Rule Sales Tax bill that communities to have extra flexibility regarding sales tax enabled non-home rule increases. She has also taken the lead in creating legislation communities to have extra that addresses storm water management issues while flexibility regarding sales tax protecting municipal interests. Sen. Bowles has been a increases. He also sponsored champion for local government issues throughout her career the Simplified Telecommunications Tax Rewrite bill, which in public service. As she has decided to retire this year, we streamlined and simplified the telecom taxes and will have lost a strong advocate for municipal interests. We disbursement of those taxes to municipalities. Rep. wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors. Mautino was frequently a key player in the successful passage of many other pieces of pro-municipal legislation. Senator Stanley Weaver has His current committee assignments in the House include the dedicated his life to public on Cities & Villages Committee, as well as serving as service. First serving in the Chairman of the Insurance Committee. Illinois House for two years, the Republican from Urbana has represented the 52nd District for thirty-two years in the Senate. Prior to his career with the Illinois Legislature, Sen. Weaver had the distinct honor of serving as mayor of Urbana as Ad Copy well as president of the Illinois Municipal League. He currently serves as the Majority Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. Sen. Weaver has been of great service to Illinois municipalities by guiding IML initiatives through the Senate and by assisting the League in stopping bills hostile to municipal interests.
November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 7 Appreciation Day Held to Celebrate Adult Literacy Programs In Chicago
By JESSE WHITE, Secretary of State
I recently had the opportunity to participate in a drive- The New Chapters Grant Program provides around to three festive, outdoor sites hosted by Chicago instructional services that seek to enhance the basic reading, Literacy Coalitions to celebrate our office's continued math, writing or language skills of parents and children who support of their adult literacy programs. are temporarily housed at a domestic violence shelter The Chicago Literacy Coalitions are associations of the facility. Individual grants are awarded to a partnership of an adult literacy provider agencies in the Southside, Westside, adult literacy provider agency and a domestic violence Northside and Hispanic neighborhoods of Chicago. The shelter. four groups meet regularly to share training, expertise and The Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy support for adult literacy. Grant Program provides instructional services that About 4 million Illinois adults lack the basic reading, enhance the basic reading, math, writing or language skills math, writing or language skills to function effectively at of both parents and children during the summer, when many home, at work and in the community. We are committed to traditional educational programs close. Services include providing literacy programs that will enable Illinois citizens educational experiences that build on community resources to fully participate in the family, work and community roles for family learning. Individual grants are awarded to they enjoy. educational agencies such as libraries, community colleges, The Chicago Literacy Coalitions are composed of community based organizations, school districts and agencies that receive funding through the Secretary of volunteer organizations. State’s Literacy Program. To this end, our office The Workplace Skills Enhancement Grant administers grant programs that provide basic literacy Program provides on-site instructional services to the services to enhance reading, math, writing or language employees of Illinois businesses to enable the employees to skills for targeted program participants. These direct- increase their basic reading, math, writing or language service grants are awarded through an annual competitive skills, maintain their employment and increase their application process. eligibility for promotion. Individual grants are awarded to The office also supports the Illinois Adult Learning businesses that match the award and operate in partnership Hotline, 1-800-321-9511, a statewide referral system that with an educational provider. links prospective students or volunteers to local literacy and The Making Work Pay Grant Program provides adult education programs. instructional services to prospective or hired individuals. The Community Volunteer Literacy Grant Businesses must commit to hiring new employees during Program provides training for volunteers who tutor adults the grant period and training these individuals in the ares of over the age of 16 in basic reading, math, writing or employability, technical or basic reading, math, writing or language skills. Individual grants are awarded to libraries, language skills. Individual grants are awarded to businesses community colleges, school districts, community based that match the award and operate in partnership with an organizations, volunteer organizations and correctional educational provider agency. facilities. I am pleased to add that the General Assembly has The Family Literacy Grant Program provides approved nearly $7 million in grants for these programs for instructional services to parents and children to enhance Fiscal Year 2003. In a year of tight financial times for the their basic reading, math, writing or language skills together state, this continued commitment to literacy in Illinois is and separately. Participation by the whole family increases appreciated. the benefits of the instruction. Individual grants are Additional information is available from our Web site at awarded to a partnership of educational agencies, including www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Select Programs, and then an adult literacy provider, a child-at-risk organization and a select Literacy. Additionally, interested persons can call 1- public library. 800-665-5576, punch number 1, then number 3.
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Page 8 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 Effects of Photoprocessing Tax Loss in Illinois Municipalities
By MICHELLE NORRIS and NORMAN WALZER
As a part of sales tax reform, in 1988 municipalities General Trends gave up the right to impose a 1% sales tax by ordinance and Mayors responding to the survey were asked about the agreed to accept a 16% share of a 6.25% state sales tax. current economic conditions in their city and the largest (16% of 6.25% equals 1.0%.) Local governments were number (38.8 percent) reported that conditions are fearful of the loss of local authority, but were promised prosperous with signs of economic slowdown, followed by additional revenue to be generated by a statewide tax, 29.6 percent reporting stable conditions with no changes namely a 1% tax on all items sold out of state but used in expected in the next year or so. On the other hand, nearly Illinois. Prior to 1988 the 1% Municipal Use Tax only one in five (17.3 percent) cities statewide reported relatively applied to cars, boats, airplanes and other items bought prosperous conditions and better than the surrounding outside Illinois but titled or registered in an Illiois region. municipality. When the State of Illinois withheld a When asked about the effect of the national recession significant amount of that new “local” revenue it replaced on the municipality, the largest number (41.1 percent) the “local” revenue that had been reallocated by the State reported an across-the-board slowdown but no large with a replacement source - the State 5% portion of a new employers cutting back even temporarily. An additional tax on photoprocessing. 34.7 percent reported a slight dip in employment but that the On a monthly basis, 0.4% of the total sales tax was set unemployment decline was not really noticeable throughout aside and distributed to Illinois municipal and county the city. The remaining 25 percent of respondents reported governments based on their share of the state population, as large employer cutbacks or closings. determined by the most recent U.S. Census. Funds were These economic conditions obviously affect the current shared amongst all Illinois communities whether or not revenues for services provided by the city government. processing operations were located within the government Statewide, 46.7 percent reported revenues sufficient to meet entity. current needs but with no expansions and 10.2 percent Recent balanced-budgeting actions by the Illinois reported that revenues are sufficient to add services as General Assembly resulted in the loss of state needed. On the other hand, 30.5 percent reported that photoprocessing tax revenue beginning 2003. This loss, revenues are inadequate for current services, but with no combined with reductions in the local share of state use and immediate plans for cutbacks and 12.2 percent reported replacement taxes, could exacerbate revenue declines in service cutbacks under consideration. municipalities already facing the consequences of a Overall, 55.2 percent of respondents reported that they nationwide economic slowdown. had not taken unusual cost-cutting measures to balance the Generally speaking, the absence of photoprocessing FY03 budget. However, mayors were split regarding the revenue will result in an estimated loss of approximately adequacy of current revenues at this time and 40.6 percent $2.10 per resident each year. While this reduction initially reported that they had taken such actions. The approaches may not seem large, when combined with declines in other that had been taken by these municipalities include: delayed disbursements passed on to local governments annually replacement of vehicles or equipment (76.3 percent); (mainly the local share of sales and use taxes) brought about delayed repairs and maintenance on buildings (53.8 by reduced consumer spending, some municipalities must percent); postponed construction of buildings (43.0 find alternative revenue sources or take other actions such percent); smaller pay increases than planned (32.3 percent); as postponing expenditures. and attrition through retirements (28.0 percent). To determine the impact of the sluggish economy and The largest number of respondents (64.6 percent) the potential loss of state funding including the reported that they expect revenues in FY03 to remain at Photoprocessing tax, the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs FY02 levels or less. Cities reporting inadequate revenues recently surveyed mayors in Illinois cities larger than 2,500 for FY03 were also asked about strategies they might on a variety of fiscal and related issues. Special attention pursue in the future. Nearly two-thirds (62.8 percent) of was paid to the impact of the recent recession and changes those reporting inadequate revenues expect to increase fees in various revenue sources. The expected impacts of losing for services and an additional 47.5 percent reported the Photoprocessing tax revenues are included in the expecting to apply for project funds from the federal or state questionnaire and are described in this article. Responses government. One in four cities (25.7 percent) expected to are examined by financial condition and size of raise property tax rates and 23.0 percent expected to municipality. This article is a preliminary analysis of 198 consider a new tax. Approximately the same number (19.7 cities responding to the survey. More detailed comparisons percent) expect to contract for services as a way to reduce will be available when the final responses have been costs. compiled. The average size of the municipalities responding to the survey was 16,218. Ad Copy Ad Copy
November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 9 Taken alone, the revenue decline caused by the loss of Responses to Loss in Revenues the Photoprocessing tax is probably not large enough to The estimated loss of the Photoprocessing tax is $2.10 cause immediate major spending adjustments. per resident. This figure compares with other sources of Nevertheless, in a city of 25,000, for instance, it would intergovernmental aid including income tax ($67.00), motor mean an estimated annual decline of $52,500 and translates fuel tax ($27.80), and state use tax ($9.25), a total of into not replacing one or more positions on the city payroll. $104.05. Thus, the loss of the Photoprocessing tax would When taken together with sluggish local retail sales and be approximately two percent of these three categories. other economic activity because of the national recession, Statewide, 64.1% of the mayors responding to the the revenue declines can mount. survey reported that they had budgeted for the loss of the When mayors were questioned as to whether the Photoprocessing tax. They were then asked about the reduced shared revenue would cause significant changes in specific impacts that might result. The most common the municipality under current fiscal conditions, two-thirds responses (Table 1) were that new employees would not be (67.7%) reported that it would not. On the other hand, hired (33.2 %) or that projects would be postponed (42.6 mayors were also asked to rate the overall economic %). These are usually the first options exercised rather than conditions in their municipality with 40 percent reporting termination of employees. economic declines in the past few years. This group Fewer than one in five mayors (18.4%) reported a need reported that loss of the Photoprocessing tax would cause to borrow from other funds to meet essential payments. significant changes in their municipality. This compares Likewise, only 13.2% of those surveyed said that an with 16.8% who reported that the loss of the tax would have increase in property tax rates, or the addition of an entirely no major impact on the budget because of growth in other new tax, would be required to offset the revenue loss. revenue sources. Approximately one city in ten reported cuts in ongoing
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Page 10 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 Table 1. State Shared Photoprocessing Revenues
Question Percent Number programs to offset the revenue loss. While a few Municipalities will lose state shared municipalities did indicate potential cuts in the police photoprocessing revenues of approximately budget (for example, the DARE Program) or that $2.10 per resident this year. What will that community recycling programs would be slated for revenue loss mean in your municipality? potential cuts, budget reductions were most often associated cuts will be made in specific on-going programs 11.1 21 with postponed capital projects or improvements. property tax rates will increase to replace lost revenues 13.2 25 Obviously, while cutting back on capital projects may a new tax will probably be added 10.5 20 provide needed revenue in the short term, a continued projects will be postponed or delayed 42.6 81 neglect of required capital maintenance and upkeep could a new employee(s) will not be hired due to have negative consequences in the long term unless overall lack of funds 33.2 63 municipality will "borrow" from other funds revenues fail to increase or stabilize. to meet essential payments 18.4 35 Finally, when asked if the community had specific contract services with private sector to reduce costs 8.9 17 plans to replace the loss, only 16.7% percent indicated that no major impact on budget because of other a plan was currently in place. When they do exist, the plans revenue growth 16.8 32 mainly include raising taxes (specifically sales, other 8.4 16 telecommunications, property, utility or gas taxes). Given the current fiscal conditions will this Reductions in police staffing were also cited as a potential loss of state shared photoprocessing revenue cause significant changes in your response. The fact remains however, that less than one city municipality? in five had a replacement plan in effect and the overall yes 32.3 62 impacts of this revenue loss will depend on economic no 67.7 130 conditions in the future and responses by municipal Has your municipality budgeted for the loss of officials. Perhaps most interesting is that more than half the state shared photoprocessing revenues? (63.0%) of the municipalities facing economic declines, yes 64.1 123 also reported having budgeted for the loss of the revenue, no 35.9 69 but more than three-quarters of respondents reported no Do you have specific plans to replace the loss of the state shared photoprocessing revenue? plans to replace the tax at this time. yes 16.7 32 Much as one might expect, economic conditions affect no 83.3 160 the municipal responses to the revenue declines. For ______instance, 66.7% of municipalities reporting economic Source:IIRA Municipal Questionnaire, 2002 declines in the past few years said that projects would be postponed or delayed, compared with only 39.1% of those with stable to prosperous conditions. (35.6%). Also interesting is the extent to which the Cities with declining economies reported that either a municipalities plan to borrow from other funds to replace new tax would be added (18.5%), new employees will not the revenue loss (22%). be hired (37.0%), or funds would be diverted to meet As far as cities larger than 25,000 are concerned, only essential needs (25.9%). These numbers differ substantially 25.7% of respondents reported that the loss of from those reported by communities with stable to Photoprocessing tax revenue will bring significant changes. prosperous conditions —- 9.3%, 32.9% and 17.4%, Furthermore, over half (62.9%) of the largest responding respectively for the same categories. cities reported specific plans to replace the lost revenues. Effects by Size of Municipality Conclusions The impact on municipalities varies with city size. As The survey results indicate that while a majority of the one might have expected, the largest impacts tend to be municipalities are not currently experiencing major fiscal anticipated in municipalities with larger populations, pressures to the point that they may have to reduce services, although nearly one-third of all responding communities, some are, and others report that the expected FY03 revenues regardless of size, said that the loss of revenue will have will be inadequate to meet planned expenditures. Increases substantial impacts on their budgets. in fees for services, delays in maintenance or replacement of Small municipalities (less than 10,000) are divided equipment, and possible increases in property tax rates may with over half (61%) reporting a significant impact, but that come in the future because of revenue shortfalls. they had already budgeted for the revenue decline. While the loss of Photoprocessing tax revenues may Additionally, a smaller percentage (20.5%) said that, not trigger major budgetary adjustments, it will bring about generally speaking, there will be no major immediate such changes in some municipalities and some mayors impact because of other revenue growth elsewhere (9.1 %) reported that they had budgeted for these declines. The or that projects will be postponed (43 %). However, a ultimate impact will be determined by the speed and extent of the national recovery, as well as how local conditions substantial number (28.8%) reported a possible hiring adjust. If the national and state economies do not recover freeze. quickly, then the survey results suggest that municipalities Nearly one city in four (23.3%) of the respondents with will have to make corresponding adjustments in service populations between 10,000 and 24,999 said the loss in delivery. revenue will result in significant changes but more than ______two-thirds (69.5%) said that they have budgeted for the The authors are graduate student in Political Science and director, Illinois revenue loss. Among these cities, the greatest impact seems Institute for Rural Affairs, Western Illinois University, respectively. They to be postponement of projects (45.8%) and no new hires thank the Illinois Municipal League for its financial support of this project and assistance in collecting the data.
November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 11 Studs Terkel “Humanities Heroes” Announced
The Illinois Humanities By recognizing their efforts, the IHC also encouraged Council, in conjunction with others, notably local governments, to pay more attention to Illinois mayors, is proud to the humanities. The awardees of the Studs Terkel announce the recipients of the Humanities Service Award will receive an engraved medal Third Annual Studs Terkel of recognition at ceremonies held in their communities this Humanities Service Awards. fall. These local "humanities Named after the prize-winning oral historian and heroes" were selected by their author, Studs Terkel, the awards reflect the spirit of this mayors for their outstanding prominent son of Illinois. Terkel, a modern-day renaissance efforts to champion the man who has been an actor, playwright, jazz columnist, film humanities in their narrator and disc jockey, is most admired for documenting communities. Through these 20th-century America through the words and voices of awards, the IHC was able to recognize the exemplary efforts ordinary people. Ordinary people who, like the recipients of of 81 individuals from all over the state who furthered the the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Awards, have done understanding of the humanities in their communities. exceptional things in their communities. Following is a list "The IHC could not have identified the 81 Studs Terkel of the awardees, the community in which they live, and the medallists without the help of Illinois mayors," said IHC mayors who nominated them. Executive Director Kristina Valaitis. "These champions of For additional information about the Studs Terkel the humanities make their communities and our whole state Humanities Service Awards, contact the IHC at 312-422- more vibrant." 5580 or email [email protected]. You can also visit our Recipients were selected for their service in the website at www.prairie.org. humanities. The majority of these recipients was involved in ______creating awareness about local and/or regional history in The Illinois Humanities Council is an educational organization dedicated their communities through the establishment of historical to fostering a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of individuals and communities. Through its programs and services, the IHC societies or museums. Others were noted for their promotes greater understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in outstanding dedication to education, formal and informal; to the humanities by the citizens of Illinois, regardless of their economic literacy and library programs; and to creating awareness for resources, cultural background, or geographic location. cultural heritage, music, literature and the arts.
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Page 12 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 Studs Terkel Humanities Service Awards Nominees
William R. Iseminger, Collinsville, Mayor Schaeffer C. Jack Jacoby, III, Alton, Mayor Sandidge Michael A. Lambert, Plainfield, Village President Rock Edward R. Lewis, Jr., Canton, Mayor Bohler Richard M. Lichtenstein, Skokie, Mayor Van Dusen Craig Lindvahl, Effingham, Mayor Utz Spencer Loomis, Lake Zurich, Mayor Krischke Haki R. Madhubuti, Chicago, Mayor Daley Michael G. Matejka, Bloomington, Mayor Markowitz Ruby Nance Mayer, Makanda, Mayor Ross Olga McCoy, Hoffman, Village President Guile Molly McKenzie, Cahokia, Mayor Reed Sybil Stern Mervis, Danville, Mayor Jones Deborah Miller, Hoffman Estates, Mayor McLeod Raymond H. Montgomery, Petersburg, Mayor Kube Don P. Moon, Waukegan, Mayor Hyde Nominee, Community, Nominating Mayor/ Village Pres. John A. Nicholson, Franklin Grove, Village Pres. Logan Betty Adams, Oregon, Mayor Arians Dolores Nielsen, Addison, Mayor Hartwig Doris Aimers-Voss, Wauconda, Mayor Eschenbauch Dorothy Oleshko, Midlothian, Village President Murawski Jim Ashby, Elmwood Park, Village President Silvestri David Parro, Tower Lakes, Village President Kuskowski David Baillie, Elburn, Village President Willey Dee Pasternak, Naperville, Mayor Pradel Sherrilyn Bednarcik, Oswego, Mayor Weber Coreen Pichen, Cary, Mayor Huffer Dona Benkert, Warrenville, Mayor Lund Judith Puckett, Fairfield, Mayor Borah Phyllis Betenia, Downers Grove, Mayor Krajewski Patricia Puma, Thayer, Village President Wood Charles Blackman, Harrisburg, Mayor Morse Fran Reitz, Cicero, Town President Gonzalez Joe Bonansinga, Quincy, Mayor Scholz Nathan Rothschild, Centralia, Mayor Demijan Joan Bourland, Bethalto, Mayor Bryant Chuck Schaden, Morton Grove, Village President Scanlon Ethelyn Boyd, Mascoutah, Mayor Daugherty Alma Shepherd, Mokena, Village President Chiszar David Brady, Divernon, Mayor Brenning Michel Siblik, Mount Carroll, Mayor Bulman Adele Bratt, Bulpitt, Mayor Hodson Joyce E. Skoog, Hinsdale, Village President Faulstich Joseph A. Burlini, Arlington Heights, Mayor Mulder Mary Ann Smith, Rockford, Mayor Scott Joseph S. Dalida, Georgetown, Mayor Acord Tina Sonderby, La Grange Park, Village President Tutt G. Cullom Davis, Springfield, Mayor Hasara Mark W. Sorensen, Decatur, Mayor Howley Tom Devlin, Oneida, Mayor Lawson Linda Stengele, Fox River Grove, Village President Tasch Judy Ekblad, Elmhurst, Mayor Marcucci Carole Stern, Annawan, Village President Franks Helen Marie Engelbrecht, Granville, Mayor Borri Elmer C. Stille, Granite City, Mayor Selph Dal Estes, Pontiac, Mayor Ingles Bobette Takiff, Glencoe, Village President Ruzicka Ivan Fahs, Wheaton, Mayor Carr Frank Keith Underbrink, Libertyville, Village Pres. Laska Shirley Martignoni Fedeli, Rockford, Mayor Scott Ann Vance, Western Springs, Village President Kravcik Lyle Q. Foster, Gurnee, Mayor Rudny Susan Vance, Rock Falls, Mayor Mulvaney Cecilia Green, Bartlett, Village President Melchert Douglas Ward, Glen Ellyn, Village President Mathews Ford J. Green, Godfrey, Village President Campion Tim Ward, Rushville, Mayor Smith James W. Hale, Geneseo, Mayor Lesage Steve and Dorothy Waschuck, Central Stickney, Mayor Lamar Hartman, Irving, Village President Jurgena Tabor (of Stickney) Gerard Hasenstab, Fairmont City, Mayor Bregen Don Webb, Waggoner, Village President Stewart Dorothy Hawn, Salem, Mayor Ferguson Louise Graham Weder, Highland, Mayor Bowman Alice Ryerson Hayes, Lake Forest, Mayor Preschlack Cynthia Weglarz, Palos Park, Mayor Moran Bette Cerf Hill, Chicago, Mayor Daley Gregory J. Weiss, Homewood, Village President Hofeld Delores Ann Holmes, Evanston, Mayor Morton Pamela Whamond (deceased) Mr. Wilbur Whamond Margo A. Hupe, Peotone, Village President Baran accepting on her behalf, Park Ridge, Mayor Wietecha
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November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 13 Solving the Shortage of Engineering Technicians
By MARK SCHWENDAU Kishwaukee College Technology Instructor
If you are in a position of having to hire an engineering “engineering technician” that are not readily gleaned from technician or CAD designer, you know how the search for government studies. In general, the employer is looking for qualified, competent individuals can be time consuming as persons holding the knowledge of an Associate’s or well as frustrating. Simply put, there is a shortage of our Bachelor’s degree to fill these positions. Additionally, college aged young people entering the fields of science and knowledge of a specific CAD software is often required. technology. The Clinton administration even commissioned In Illinois there are currently around 250 openings in a study that found the shortage of students entering these this field, according to the Illinois Department of fields as a potential threat to our national security! Employment Security. The CIP (Classification of The Illinois Drafting Educator’s Association Instruction Programs) code is 48.0105 for drafting and (www.IDEA-Online.org) is a not-for-profit professional 16.0810 for CAD drafting. Not found in government education organization with a mission of advancing the studies is the shortage educators of drafting and design drafting and design occupations through better education. technology that extends all the way up to PhDs in The IDEA, founded in 1957, is the only one of its kind in engineering. There are spot shortages from Illinois middle the nation. Educators that participate in this organization do schools up to our state universities. so without pay out of dedication to their students and a love Some suggestions for helping Illinois solve its shortage for their occupational field. Illinois is rich in manufacturing of drafters, designers or “engineering technologists” are as and construction concerns that employ drafters and follows: designers specializing in a wide variety of areas of expertise 1. Provide summer internship opportunities for such as architecture, civil, electrical, map making, students and educators alike. mechanical, piping and welding, to name some of the most 2. Serve on advisory committees - educators are common. Most of these drafters were educated in their required to assemble to satisfy requirements of the Illinois occupation by one or more of the nearly 1,000 drafting State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Community educators employed throughout Illinois in secondary and College Board (ICCB). post-secondary institutions of education, both public and 3. Serve as contest judges for local and state drafting private. competitions. Drafting (also termed CAD - Computer-Aided 4. Establish scholarships for students to transition Drafting) is recognized as a growth field where job from high school programs to community college programs. openings outpace qualified candidates to fill annual 5. Offer your time and financial resources to assist positions available. According to the Bureau of Labor drafting educators in the marketing of their programs to the Statistics (www.bls.gov/oco/ocos111.htm), there are local community (parents and students alike). 230,000 drafters in the United States with 12,000 employed 6. Serve as a guest speaker and bring something to in Illinois. the classroom for “show and tell.” Designers usually hold higher educational levels than 7. Offer your work site up as a possible field trip for drafters and thus are given more responsibilities. There are students and have “goodies” for them to eat and drink. many different kinds of designers in the United States. Many parents and counselors of high school young Those designers classified by the U.S. Department of Labor people mistakenly counsel this population into 4-year post- that relate to the IDEA are industrial designers, interior secondary educational tracks to become engineers when designers, landscape designers, automotive designers, tool less than 20% of them will succeed. A better plan might be and die designers and exhibit designers. These to counsel them to become engineering technicians, as a professionals number almost 100,000 nationally and 5,000 recent U.S. National Center for Education Statistics survey in Illinois. revealed that the gap between salaries of those holding It is important to note that not all designers and drafters Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees is narrowing. It is more are readily detected in government studies and statistics as logical and effective to start with an Associate’s degree in so many are self-employed. Designers may be titled by technology before progressing onto a Bachelor’s degree in work experience or educational attainment. Those who engineering. More students complete Associate’s degrees carry the title by educational attainment usually have a than Bachelor’s degrees. Bachelor’s degree. ______Another important point is these fields have changed Mark Schwendau was an alderman in Plano from 1970-1989. He faster than the government has adapted to them. It is volunteers as webmaster of the Illinois Drafting Educator’s Association Web site. He teaches drafting and design as well as web design at common for employers to use terms of “CAD designer” or Kishwaukee College.
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Page 14 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 Partnerships That Work: Financing the Future
Introduction employed in agriculture. The blue collar industry is This article tells the story of the effects of a single dominated by major manufacturing companies, such as strategic capital investment on an economically distressed Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Caterpillar. High neighborhood in Decatur, Illinois. It is a story of a school graduates comprise 82.7 percent of Decatur partnership between a local community service agency, the residents, and the median household income is $38,746. City of Decatur, residents and organizations in Decatur’s The Decatur Macon County Opportunities Near North community, the Illinois Facilities Fund (a Corporation1 nonprofit community development financial institution), Designated as a community action agency in 1965, and the State of Illinois–and it confirms that a single DMCOC has served as an “agent of help and change” for strategic investment can lead to dramatic positive change in the low-income and elderly population in Decatur for over a community facing many challenges. 35 years. With a staff of 160, this county agency supports a In 1992, the Illinois Department of Children and multitude of services, including Head Start; housing Family Services (DCFS) and the Illinois Facilities Fund assistance and emergency shelter; energy assistance; brought together finance, public and private funds, design, weatherization; adult job training; senior transportation; a construction, and child care to increase the quality and senior citizens nutrition program; and rent subsidy quantity of child care in selected low-income communities programs. In 1999, the agency served 15,327 persons and throughout Illinois. 7,192 families through all of its programs. Of these families, The new Child Care Facility Development Program 88 percent had incomes below the Federal Poverty Level, issued an RFP and received 44 qualifying applications for and 78.7 percent were single parent, female headed new buildings. The Decatur Macon County Opportunities households. Corporation (DMCOC) was a successful applicant, which resulted in a new building for Decatur’s Near North The Child Care Facility Development Program neighborhood. Decatur’s Near North is a low-income Under the Child Care Facility Development Program, a community with a significant amount of public housing; an $21 million construction project, seven centers were aging, dilapidated private housing stock; and few financed by the Illinois Facilities Fund through its own community resources or thriving businesses. investment, funds from a tax-exempt bond issue, and The story of how the New Horizon Family and Child additional funds raised by each of the child care agencies Development Center (New Horizon Center) was built, the selected to participate in the program. Through an services it provides to the community, and the coordinated innovative agreement, the bonds are repaid by the Illinois government action on public housing reform, urban Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the buildings planning, and economic development programs that has will be owned by the child care agencies when the bonds are followed, demonstrates how this investment catalyzed completely repaid in 2004. positive, real, and lasting change. Gail Evans and her Board at the DMCOC responded to this opportunity, submitting one of the 44 proposals The City of Decatur received from child care agencies throughout Illinois. The Decatur, Illinois, located in Macon County, 180 miles DMCOC proposal detailed the need for additional child southwest of Chicago, is an industrial city in the heart of the care in an impoverished area of Decatur. DMCOC had been Illinois corn belt. It has experienced the economic decline of operating the Longview Community Day Care Center, many similar communities across the rust belt over the past located within the Longview public housing development in 20 years. In 1999, Decatur had a population of 83,885 and the Near North area of Decatur, since the mid-1970s. The an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent. The labor force is Decatur Housing Authority renovated a 10-unit apartment comprised of 53 percent white collar jobs, 30 percent blue building at Longview in 1974 to serve the child care needs collar jobs, 15 percent in the service industry, and 2 percent of public housing residents. However, at the time the proposal was submitted, most of the children served by this facility did not reside in the Longview development, but
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November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 15 lived in the surrounding neighborhood. The center served percent (+11.5) of the families had an income below the 73 children and had a waiting list of 67 with an estimated poverty level. Eighty-three percent (+9.9) of all persons 11-month wait. In addition, the poor condition of the facility under 18 in the area were living below the poverty level. was compromising the children’s safety and posing a threat Data from the 1990 census for Phoenix Park also show to continued public funding. In their proposal, DMCOC that of 356 family households, 61 percent (+11.4) were described the need to renovate Longview to better meet the maintained by a single female. Such families are not only in needs of public housing residents, and the need to meet need of child care, but could benefit from the multitude of growing child care needs in the community through services that the DMCOC offers, alleviating the stress that construction of a new building. There was ample vacant and often accompanies poverty and single parenthood. abandoned property close to Longview. Land Acquisition The proposal included DMCOC’s larger, long-term One of the key criteria for participation in the Child plans to refocus and relocate several of the agency’s other Care Facility Development Program was the identification programs to the Longview community, where social of available land. Thanks to existing partnerships, DMCOC services were in short supply. This provided an opportunity was able to quickly gain the commitment of the Decatur to support a neighborhood redevelopment effort in collaboration with the City of Decatur, the Decatur Housing Authority, and DMCOC that would not only bring needed child care to the area, but eventually a senior center, a new Head Start facility, housing for the disabled, and mixed- income housing. This shared vision made the proposal particularly appealing: the new child care center would not only serve families, but would be the backbone for redevelopment and economic development of an entire community. A New Investment in Decatur In November of 1992, DMCOC received the news that it would get a new building under the Child Care Facility Development Program. Although this was a great opportunity for DMCOC to expand programs in the Near North area, it also meant raising 10 percent of the total The poor condition of most of the houses in the neighborhood construction costs, approximately $190,000. Because the DMCOC Board and staff had little private fundraising Planning Department. Together they identified the most experience, this was a major undertaking. Executive appropriate site, but this included property that had nine Director Gail Evans and her Board were dedicated to the homes, two of which were on the City’s demolition list. The project, convinced that they could make a difference and remaining seven homes were occupied, with five of these meet this commitment. Eight months later, the new funds homes in substandard condition. This meant that a total of were in the bank. seven families would be relocated in order to obtain the property for the New Horizon Center. The City of Decatur The Proposed Area recognized that this was a great opportunity not just for Photographs of the child care site and surrounding area DMCOC, but for the entire community. The Planning included in DMCOC’s proposal to the IFF revealed vacant Department refocused its interests regarding this land to and decaying homes, empty lots, few neighborhood take advantage of the IFF and DCFS resources. Using resources, and virtually no commercial activity such as federal Community Development Block Grant funds, the grocery stores or restaurants. The area was notorious for its families were relocated to other parts of Decatur. Many of high drug traffic and crime. The housing stock within the the families welcomed the opportunity to move. Rolanda Near North area is the oldest in the City of Decatur, with 2 Johnson, then-Deputy City Manager, pointed out that approximately 41 percent built before 1940. renters often fare very well in the relocation process, The Near North comprises a large portion of the receiving a lump sum payment that they can use towards a Phoenix Park neighborhood. The 1990 census reveals the down payment for the purchase of a home. Therefore, many high rate of poverty in Phoenix Park and the Near North families saw the move as a benefit, both in terms of area. Seventy-nine percent (+8.2) of all households in the changing the environment they lived in and the financial area had annual incomes of less than $15,000. In 1989, 59 opportunity of home ownership.
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Page 16 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 To complete the land acquisition process, the City contributions are necessary each year to maintain and demolished the old houses and donated the land for the child expand DMCOC’s programs. Without the ability to hire a care center, working hard to complete this process in a full-time employee to raise new funds, DMCOC has not timely manner so the project could stay on schedule. This been able to support some projects, according to Evans. Yet, initial involvement by the City was an essential force that while the New Horizon Center added significant new helped propel future redevelopment efforts. responsibility for DMCOC staff, DMCOC has successfully Planning and Design Process absorbed this growth and continues to focus on the needs of With the land secured and vacant, construction could the Near North area. begin. Although the architect, Boyer, Hoppe and Associates, The Center Opens and the construction company, Pepper Construction, were New Horizon Center opened its doors on April 18, based in Chicago, local subcontractors were used on the 1994, with a licensed capacity of 176 children. When IFF construction site. This gave President Trinita Logue local businesses and workers a arrived in Decatur to attend chance to benefit from the the center’s opening, her cab project. Typically, a one-time driver hesitated to take her investment of $1 million for the into what he thought of as a construction of a child care dangerous neighborhood. facility results in approximately Over time the New Horizon 23 jobs for one year.3 Given the Center would help to change total cost for New Horizon such perceptions. Center of $1.9 million, Children from approximately 43 temporary Longview moved a few jobs were created. Many were blocks to the New Horizon available to Decatur residents. Center, and children from the Jonathan Boyer and Longview wait list were given Heidrun Hoppe, principals in the additional spaces. After Boyer, Hoppe and Associates The New Horizon Family and Child Development Center renovations, the old Longview architects, had spent the previous year studying every reopened as the Effie Oliver Child Development Center in available aspect of child care center design. They visited 1995, increasing both the availability of quality child care in many centers in Illinois and in other states. These efforts the neighborhood and the number of jobs available through were followed by their direct work with Gail Evans and her the child care centers. child care staff on the design of the New Horizon Center. New Services, Expanded Child Care Choices Jonathan Boyer became the lead architect, and he and New Horizon Center strives not only to provide early Heidrun Hoppe spent days in the old Longview center childhood development, but also to serve as a resource for observing how it was used. The look of the community, the parents and the community. Besides the programs offered site, and the scale of the project led to a design that reflected through DMCOC, the center is a meeting place for various the cottage-like homes with which the children and parents events, such as the Women’s Wellness Retreat. This seminar were familiar. educates approximately 60 parents and center staff about Management Skills Program The Child Care Facility women’s health issues each year. Development Program also required that participants attend The center also works to involve members from the a professional development seminar dealing with financial community in its day-to-day operations. The Foster and strategic planning, fundraising, and facilities Grandparent program has placed five volunteers in New management. The Management Skills Program was Horizon Center classrooms. Foster Grandparents volunteer designed to prepare agencies participating in the Program 24 hours a week to form relationships with children with for the tremendous growth they would be experiencing, special or exceptional needs. According to Jo Cosby of the particularly in the areas of business management, personnel, Foster Grandparent program, “This is one of the loveliest and facilities management. This course was also designed to daycares I have ever been in, absolutely. I think that any kid assist the agencies to raise the funds necessary to maintain would want to come to a facility like this.” the new centers and give them the knowledge to feel Child Care Workforce Issues confident in undertaking other construction efforts in the Similar to educational institutions, child care is both future. The Management Skills Program would prove to be facilities-intensive and labor-intensive. In total, New invaluable to the DMCOC with its new center, as well as Horizon Center employs 49 full- and part-time employees, with its other efforts in the revitalization of the Near North including teachers, substitute teachers, facility maintenance, area. janitorial, kitchen, and administrative staff. In addition, Through this experience, DMCOC became a major New Horizon Center supports employment in Decatur by player in the entire revitalization of Near North. According purchasing the majority of its supplies from local to Gail Evans, the Management Skills Program was very businesses. helpful, especially in terms of fundraising and building Nationally, 30 percent of the child care workforce turns management capacity. However, although the DMCOC was over each year.4 New Horizon Center has also faced the able to raise the initial 10 percent of the building costs, challenge of staff turnover of about 15 percent, which is ongoing fundraising has been difficult. New private lower than the national average but still creates time-
November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 17 consuming management challenges. In this period of it is likely that many of these mothers have had to go back economic opportunity, many women have left this low- to work and subsequently find child care, increasing the wage field. A well-known challenge in the child care demand for subsidized care. industry is retention of teachers because wages have not These data suggest higher demand for child care increased to remain competitive with other employers. services. However, New Horizon Center has been under- Illinois child care teachers working in programs funded enrolled by up to 20 percent for several years. Gail Evans predominantly by parent fees earn an average hourly wage believes this is due to a variety of factors, and is the result of $9.76, and teachers working in programs receiving IDHS of the steady growth of other child care services in Decatur child care subsidy payments earn even less, at $8.21 per during the late 90s, including an increase in licensed homes, hour.5 In contrast, the average hourly wage of many other as the opportunity to go into the child care business has workers tends to be higher. For example, a postal service empowered many women. Data from the Child Care clerk earns an average of $17.72 per hour, and the average Resource Service (CCRS) show that the number of full-time starting hourly wage of a toll booth attendant is $12.05.6 child care centers that serve subsidized children increased New Horizon Center Site Director Troy Clayton pointed out only slightly during the 1990s in the DMCOC service area. that many of their workers leave to become Head Start However, the number of licensed homes increased from 74 teachers—a federally funded program that pays more. The in 1996 to 93 in 1997 in Decatur. average hourly wage for Head Start teachers in Illinois is At the same time, the TANF implementation and $12.32.7 companion programs, including a voucher-based However, as explained by staff teacher Tracy Jones, distribution of the federal Child Care Development Block New Horizon Center offers other benefits that make it a Grant in Illinois, which pays for child care by unlicensed good place to work. She says that it has a family providers at lower rates than those paid to child care centers, atmosphere, and it is the “small things” that keep her there. has created incentives for low-income families to utilize Impact on Parents unlicensed child care. With the TANF-supported voucher The mission of New Horizon Center as described in the system, many mothers are using alternative means of child parent handbook outlines the commitment to children and care, such as relatives or other unlicensed homes. the community: In view of this effect of government policy on child “The mission of the New Horizon Family and care, consideration must be given to the findings of many studies showing that licensed care provides more stable Child Development Center is to enhance the 8 confidence, self expression, discipline, and support for working parents than unlicensed care. This curiosity of the children we serve by providing stability is vital for parents to maintain their employment. opportunities for educational and social growth. More importantly, licensed care, particularly as it begins to We partner with families to enhance the child’s collaborate more with programs such as pre-kindergarten development by enabling our parents to and Head Start, is designed to provide early childhood participate in work activities. Through this development so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. partnership, families will become empowered to Licensed care centers are also more integrated into the reinvest in the growth of our community.” economy than unlicensed care, supporting more permanent Since New Horizon Center opened its doors, it has direct and indirect jobs, providing a boost to local provided many parents with the opportunity to pursue their economies. own educational and professional goals. Lessie Chargois, a The challenges that the New Horizon Center face in resident of the Near North area for over 30 years and a light of changes in government policies demonstrate the member of the DMCOC administrative staff, has seen the interconnection between human services and economic neighborhood and the center through many changes. She development. These challenges also serve as a reminder for believes that “New Horizon Center has given single policymakers to take a holistic view of investing in mothers opportunities to further their education and get communities, including human capital. jobs.” New Horizon Center Motivates Redevelopment in Near Welfare Reform: New Demands and New Challenges for North New Horizon Center Even though the desire and possibility for change was New Horizon Center opened just prior to a tumultuous present before the New Horizon Center, Rolanda Johnson time for the child care industry. The Personal Responsibility claims that “The center was the piece that got this thing and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), rolling...it just made sense to do additional land clearance enacted in 1996, which restructured government support to when you have children and parents coming and people the nation’s poorest citizens, was expected to put a huge coming there for jobs. There was a sense of renewal...I think strain on child care centers, with many mothers returning to other stakeholders in the area could see that this area could work. PRWORA shifted focus from cash assistance to be revitalized....” By taking a chance in this neighborhood, training and work requirements. Work, Welfare, and others became convinced that change was not only possible, Families, a statewide agency, found that in Macon County, but was in fact already taking place. Members of the the number of women receiving support from Temporary Decatur community built on their already strong and Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (the replacement for proactive partnerships to create a joint vision for the future. Aid to Families with Dependent Children), declined from As a result of this vision, an entire neighborhood will be 1,905 in July 1997 to 582 in March 2000. Although it cannot rebuilt and will provide a ripple effect of revitalization in be assumed that all of these former recipients are working, not only Near North but also the surrounding areas. “New
Page 18 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 Horizon Center provided the motivation for clean-up that With this in mind, the DHA applied for and received propelled the city and others to do more.” says David Carr, $34.8 million in Hope VI revitalization funds in 1999 from Executive Director of DHA. the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Positive Changes in Near North (HUD) to help with the revitalization of Longview Place in When asked about the state of the neighborhood before conjunction with the City’s Near North redevelopment the New Horizon Center, Foster Grandparent Cathleen efforts. These funds support rebuilding public housing using Banks expressed that “People used to be scared just to walk new concepts in neighborhoods facing unrelenting blight the street...I used to never turn down this street, I was scared and poverty. By replacing substandard public housing with at night.” Many community members pointed to Mr. a mixed-income, resource-filled community, residents are Lucky’s, a tavern once located nearly across the street from empowered to improve their own lives. New Horizon Center, as a long-standing source of trouble in Property around Longview Place is being cleared, and the neighborhood and a poor influence on children. Rodger the City is continuing its acquisition of property in the area Birt, a Decatur native and former to be transferred to DHA for redevelopment. Plans for the owner of Birt’s Mowers and redevelopment continue to be More on nearby Route 51, said made, using the latest urban that Mr. Lucky’s was the biggest planning models. “crack house” in town and Redevelopment in the Near attracted drunks to the area. Mr. North will involve the Lucky’s was closed in 1998 as development of an entire part of the city’s redevelopment neighborhood, with new efforts. Paula Poe, the Foster businesses and other services Grandparent program director, being provided to the area’s expressed that many of the residents. volunteers were apprehensive Barriers Overcome about coming into the Although the Near neighborhood, because of what North area has been they knew about the area. “When transformed from a drug- you see a neighborhood like that, ridden, much-avoided part of I don’t care who you are, you’re the city to the future site of a apprehensive to go into that vital neighborhood with neighborhood, for fear that many resources, it has taken something may happen.” When over a decade to realize these Shana Sloan, New Horizon David Carr, Executive Director of the Decatur Housing Authority, goals. An obstacle that Center program director, first told holds a plan of the Hope VI redevelopment in Near North Rolanda Johnson pointed out her family that she would be was “acquiring funding to do working in the Near North area, they were surprised that she the acquisition and demolition of over 120 acres of land. It’s wanted to go into what they perceived to be a bad a slow process, in terms of having the local resources to neighborhood. According to Shana, “Even people from acquire, demolish and relocate.” According to Johnson, Decatur have historically thought of it [Longview] as a “Hope VI is a huge benefit because it will speed up what dangerous place, even if it’s not true.” was going to be an unbelievably slow process from the When asked about the current state of the Near North, city’s perspective.” representatives from the City of Decatur, Decatur Housing Staff turnover at the City also contributed to earlier Authority, and the New Horizon Center all agree that the delays. Lapses in staff positions resulted in setbacks, as the center made the first positive contribution in the project would get pushed aside during these transitions and neighborhood. According to Foster Grandparent Cathleen the vision for the area often changed under new staff. Banks, “It sure has changed, now there’s no trouble.” The Without the perseverance and leadership of Gail Evans of center, which has no fences or barriers, has not suffered DMCOC and David Carr of the DHA, the project would not from any vandalism. have reached today’s level of success. Even when many Due to severe public safety issues, the City of Decatur doubted that the area could be saved, Gail Evans designated the Near North a redevelopment area in the early diplomatically persisted and convinced others of the need 1990s. The City then began buying property in the 86-acre for services for children, seniors and others affected by community, but with no concrete plan for future poverty. Continuity was the primary factor in the realization development. DHA, with support from city planners and of the vision for Near North. Gail Evans from DMCOC, began an analysis of the aging The pride and excitement of all those involved in Longview Housing Development. Built in the 1940s, revitalizing the Near North community clearly indicate they Longview would soon need considerable repair if it were to are ready for the changes to come. However, the changes do continue to serve the housing needs of the community. not come without a cost. The relocation process for some Instead, it was clear that the costs of such major individuals means moving from the neighborhood that has infrastructure investment to improve Longview might be been their home for many years with no certainty about the better directed to new homes and a new community planning future. Lessie Chargois, a resident of the Near North area model that would result in a mixed-income neighborhood. for over 30 years who was relocated, experienced stress
November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 19 the child care center so that they would not be lost when the homes were torn down. These changes in the landscape of the neighborhood are the first steps toward redevelopment in the Near North that will lead to long-term benefits and growth of that area as well as the entire city of Decatur. Conclusions Although New Horizon Center is perhaps the most dramatic example, other communities with child care centers built through IDHS, DCFS and IFF’s Child Care Facility Development Program have experienced a similar growth in community revitalization, jobs, pride and commerce. These examples demonstrate that a focus on mothers and their very young children can open the eyes of the larger community to economic development opportunities as well as human needs. ______1 Economic Development Corporation of Decatur–Macon County, Community Profile 2000. This aerial photograph shows New Horizon Center and the many 2 City of Decatur, Five Year Consolidated Plan FY 2000-2004. vacant lots that have been cleared in anticipation of the Hope VI 3 National Economic Development and Law Center (1999). Economic redevelopment Impact of the Child Care Industry, Santa Clara County. 4 National Center for the Early Childhood Workforce, Profile: The Child throughout the process and was upset, nervous, and worried Care Work Force—NCECW Fact Sheet (Washington, DC: NCECW). about the future. Rodger Birt, owner of Birt’s Mowers and 5 The Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Illinois Network of More, believes that he is being relocated to a dangerous Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (2001). Who’s Caring for the location, where his business will suffer because customers Kids? Status of the Early Childhood Workforce in Illinois. will not want to come to his shop. He will also lose the 6 The Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (2001). Who’s Caring for the visibility that he had on busy Route 51. Birt claims that he Kids? Status of the Early Childhood Workforce in Illinois. has had few incidents of crime at his shop in the Near North, 7 The Center for Early Childhood Leadership and the Illinois Network of but is worried about his new location. Johnson empathizes Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (2001). Who’s Caring for the with these situations, saying that “although no business Kids? Status of the Early Childhood Workforce in Illinois. 8 National Economic Development and Law Center (1999). Economic should be harmed financially, of course you can’t pay for Impact of the Child Care Industry, Santa Clara County. (left to right) the sentimental piece...I can imagine that there is another Assistant Teachers Betty Anderson, Julie Day and Jocelyn Walker side to every story and I know there is frustration because of Children sitting: Schyterrious Dady Qaniyah Brown Tyreonna Horne the length of time it has taken, which is unfortunate.” Drewana Murphy Cassidy Jordan Aaliyah O’Neal While there have been challenges to overcome, ______significant and positive changes in the Near North are The authors of this article are: Trinita Logue, President, Illinois Facilities Fund, Chicago; Elizabeth Evans, Director of Public Policy and beginning to take place. During the summer of 2000, Communications; Suzanne Poland Noetzel, Public Policy Assistant; Amy demolition and relocation made a noticeable change in the Bevan, Project Intern; Marylou Gervacio, Project Intern. neighborhood. Vacant land replaced dilapidated homes. The children of New Horizon Center took flowers left from the yards of these homes and transplanted them in the garden at
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Page 20 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 A Visit From The Malaysian Highway Authority
By DARRELL W. McMURRAY Engineer of Local Roads and Streets, IDOT
On August 30, 2002, the Illinois Department of The study team consisted of four officials from the Transportation (IDOT), Bureau of Local Roads and Streets MHA: George George, Director General; Ismail Md Salleh, Technology Transfer (T2) Center, hosted a visit by a study Monitoring and Regulatory Director; Mr. Sazali Harum, team from the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA). The Central Regional Director; Mdm. Haslina Hashim, Land MHA is in the initial planning stage of establishing a Liaison Officer; and two concessionaires: William Tan management and training center for their employees and Chee Keong and Mr. Khew Check Kiet. organized this study team tour to evaluate various training Much of the discussion in the meeting centered around centers in the U.S. They focused on training offered, each organization’s structure and responsibilities in relation management and day-to-day operations. Six MHA to the benefits and methods of distributing information representatives participated in tours of the California through training. Even though each of us is focusing on a Department of Transportation, the Illinois Technology different level of highways, the methods used by the T2 Transfer Center, the Federal Highway Administration Center to disseminate information to local agencies through (FHWA), National Highway Institute, Turner Fairbanks the Technology Transfer process (i.e., training seminars and Research Laboratory and the New Jersey Turnpike System. classes, Video/Publication Library, the Quarterly The information gained from this tour will be used as a Newsletter) were of great interest to the study team. model to develop their training center. Particular interest was shown in the selection and level of The study team’s interest in the Illinois T2 Program training that we offer, our instructors and the location of peaked after visiting the T2 page on the IDOT Web site and classes. Also of interest were the Video/Publication Library finding the services that we offer. The fact that our center and our concept of on-site training using videotapes and is located within the Department of Transportation and the publications from the Library. The study team was staff size added interest since we are similar in provided with copies of the Training Program, the Quarterly organizational responsibility. The MHA was originally Newsletter, a videotape on Preventative Maintenance and a established as a statutory body for the purpose of publication on Work Zone Safety for their later review and supervising and executing the design, construction, consideration for their program. operation and maintenance, the collection of tolls and A surprise to us was the interest that the study team contract administration for the Toll Highway System in showed in Abraham Lincoln and Historic Route 66. In light Malaysia. However, with the advent of privatization, of this interest, a tour of Lincoln’s home and the historic highway project implementation is now carried out by area was arranged after lunch. It certainly was a Kodak private sector or concession companies (contractors). The moment. MHA now oversees the rights of the government in relation The study team departed with a wealth of information, to the privatized toll highway projects during the pre- grateful that the Illinois T2 Center was one of their stops on construction, construction and operation, and maintenance the tour. We believe the meeting was technology transfer on phases. This change in responsibility has encouraged the a global scale. MHA to consider the need to train not only their personnel ______but also the private sector concession company employees. Credits to: Willy Scheller, Technology Transfer Program Coordinator By providing training, the MHA feels that they can realize a higher quality toll highway system more economically.
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November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 21 Congress of Cities Update
By CHRIS BECKER, Deputy Executive Director National League of Cities
ABC News White House Correspondent Ann Compton Combined these two general sessions will offer city has joined the Congress of Cities line-up for a general officials innovative perspectives on both the substantive session examining the impact of the economy on America’s issues and leadership skills needed to lead during these cities and towns. The session will be held on Saturday challenging times. morning, December 7. The Congress of Cities will also feature nearly 50 The Congress of Cities begins in Salt Lake City on substantive workshops on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Tuesday, December 3, with Leadership Training Institute focusing on a wide range of issues including municipal seminars and concludes on Saturday, December 7, with finance, hometown security, economic development election of NLC leaders followed by a gala closing strategies, approaches to building quality communities, celebration hosted by the Salt Lake City. leadership challenges in today’s world, ensuring race Compton is a seasoned national journalist who is now equality and successful early childhood. The sessions are covering her sixth president for ABC news in a career that designed to meet the needs and concerns of elected leaders has taken her to the White House, Capitol Hill, and through from cities and towns of all sizes. seven presidential campaigns from the height of the Cold In addition, the Salt Lake City host committee has War to the Internet revolution. assembled an impressive schedule of mobile workshops On September 11, 2001, she was the only broadcast providing real life case studies of successful – and reporter allowed to remain with President Bush on board transferable – municipal programs. Air Force One when he was unable to return to Washington Visit the NLC Web site at www.nlc.org and click on the after the terrorist attacks. yellow 2002 Congress of Cities button for up to date Compton will lead a talk show style dialogue on how program information and to register on line. the national economy and the aftermath of the terrorist attacks have affected revenue and expenditures in cities and towns. The panel will feature experienced state and local leaders and economic experts who will explore fiscal challenges in states and cities and what action is needed to help cities weather the economic downturn and maintain high quality municipal services. Compton joins leadership expert Dr. Stephen Covey who will address the delegates at the Friday, December 6, general session. Covey is the author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and is co-founder and Vice Chairman of Franklin Covey, a leading global services firm. His presentation will explore how to apply his philosophy of principle centered leadership and principle centered living to the challenges local elected officials face in their communities today.
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Page 22 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 Legal Q & A Drug Paraphernalia
By ROGER HUEBNER, General Counsel, IML JERRY ZARLEY, Paralegal, IML
This monthly column examines issues of general Municipal Code, and the non-home rule regulations do not concern to municipal officers. It is not meant to provide conflict with the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act. legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting with your Home rule municipalities may exercise any power and municipal attorney. As always, when confronted with a perform any function pertaining to its government and legal question, contact your municipal attorney as certain affairs including, but not limited to, the power to regulate unique circumstances may alter any conclusions reached for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and herein. welfare provided it is not an area of regulation exclusive to Many Illinois municipalities, both home rule and non- the state.v Since no express state only authority or limitation home rule alike, have businesses operating within their exists, home rule municipalities may regulate drug corporate limits that sell items that may be considered to be paraphernalia pursuant to their home rule powers. However, drug paraphernalia. These municipalities most likely have Section 1-2-1 of the Illinois Municipal Code and Article 7, individuals who possess such items as well. The Illinois Section 6(e) of the Illinois Constitution limit the General Assembly has declared that cannabis and controlled punishment that can be imposed by a municipality to 6 substances threaten the public health, safety and welfare.i months in jail. In addition, any fine cannot exceed $750.vi The State legislature has also implicitly determined that the Non-home rule municipalities, on the other hand, have sale and/or possession of drug paraphernalia promotes the only powers granted to them by law.vii The general rule commercial trafficking and use of cannabis and other provides that non-home rule municipalities only have controlled substances.ii Consequently, it enacted the Drug authority that is expressly provided under statute or which Paraphernalia Control Actiii to suppress such trafficking is necessarily implicit from express authority. Implied and use.iv However, the possession and sale of drug power asserted by a municipality may be gathered from a paraphernalia is as much a local problem as it is a State single express grant of authority or from several.viii A city problem. Unfortunately, the General Assembly did not which is not a home rule unit can exercise only those provide explicit statutory authority to municipalities to powers expressly delegated by General Assembly or those regulate or prohibit drug paraphernalia. that arise by necessary implication from those expressly ix Q: Can Illinois municipalities regulate and/or prohibit the delegated powers. Finally, non-home-rule municipalities possession and sale of drug paraphernalia? may only exercise powers granted by law or by the Illinois Constitution and possess only those powers expressly A: Both home rule and non-home rule municipalities alike granted, powers incident to those expressly granted, and may regulate the selling and possession of drug powers indispensable to the accomplishment of the declared paraphernalia provided, however, that the punishment in the objects and purposes of the municipal corporation.x home rule regulations do not exceed that allowed in the The Illinois Municipal Code provides that the corporate Illinois Constitution and Section 1-2-1 of the Illinois authorities of each municipality may: (1) pass and enforce all necessary police ordinances;xi (2) do all acts and make all regulations which may be necessary or expedient for the promotion of health;xii and (3), pass all ordinances and make all rules and regulations proper or necessary, to carry Ad Copy
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November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 23 into effect the powers granted to municipalities, with such drug paraphernalia complies with these standards, you are fines or penalties as may be deemed proper.xiii Finally, the strongly encouraged to consult with your municipal Drug Paraphernalia Control Act provides that the provisions attorney. of any ordinance enacted by any municipality or unit of ______i See 720 ILCS 550/1 and 570/100 (West 200) respectively. local government which imposes the same or greater ii restrictions or limitations upon the availability of drug See 720 ILCS 600/6 (West 2000). iii 720 ILCS 600/1 et seq. (West 2000). paraphernalia . . . are not invalidated or affected by this iv xiv Supra, note 2. Act. When read together, it would appear that the above v ILL. CONST. ART. 7, Sec. 6. provisions give non-home rule municipalities the authority vi 65 ILCS 5/1-2-1 (West 2000). vii to regulate drug paraphernalia, especially when enacted ILL. CONST. ART. 7, Sec. 7. viii Fischer v. Brombolich, 207 Ill. App. 3d 1053, 566 N.E.2d 785, 152 under the intent of protecting public health. However, even Ill. Dec. 908 (5th Dist. 1991). though the Act authorizes municipalities to impose greater ix Geneva Residential Ass’n, Ltd. v. City of Geneva, 77 Ill. App. 3d restrictions, and non-home rule municipalities can regulate 744, 397 N.E.2d 849, 34 Ill. Dec. 177 (2d Dist.1979). concurrently with the state in this matter, non-home rule x People ex rel. Ryan v. Village of Hanover Park, 311 Ill. App. 3d 515, ordinances cannot conflict with the state statute.xv 724 N.E.2d 132, 243 Ill. Dec. 823 (1st Dist. 1999), appeal denied 246 Ill. Dec. 131, 188 Ill. 2d 582, 729 N.E.2d 504. In conclusion, all Illinois municipalities have the xi 65 ILCS 5/11-1-1 (West 2000). express or implied statutory authority to regulate drug xii 65 ILCS 5/11-20-5 (West 2000). paraphernalia within certain limitations. Properly enacted xiii See supra, note 6. xiv municipal ordinances also do not violate the federal 720 ILCS 600/7 (West 2000). xvi xv See e.g., Ill. Atty. Gen. Op. No. S-1186 (1976). constitution. However, it is important that the xvi See e.g., Village of Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, 455 U.S. 489, 102 ordinances have the clear intent of protecting the public S.Ct. 1186, 71 L.Ed. 2d 362 (1982). health, and have a clear definition of what constitutes drug paraphernalia and the prohibited activity. To ensure that your municipal ordinance, or potential ordinance, regulating
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Page 24 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 December 2002 Municipal Calendar
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November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 25 New & Noteworthy
Competitive Communities Program Health, Social Service Projects Funding Announces Two New Participants The William Randolph Hearst Foundation is currently Department of Commerce and Community Affairs accepting applications for large scale projects which (DCCA) Director Pam McDonough announced two new provide direct health, social and youth services to under participants in the Competitive Communities Initiatives served populations. The foundation prefers applications (CCI) Program, the Village of Naplate in LaSalle County from existing projects which have a proven impact on the and the City of Hamilton in Hancock County. The CCI community, rather than awarding start-up funds. Proposals designation is given to communities that show a desire to should provide an overview of the project, the organization, improve their economic competitiveness. the target individuals and the amount of the funds requested. “The CCI program is an example of how DCCA teams Applications are accepted year-round. For more up with our partners at the local level to promote economic information, contact the Hearst Foundation at 212-585- development. The program provides technical assistance to 5404. Further guidelines are also available online at local officials, helping them develop strategies to improve http://hearstfdn.org/gl_application.html. the quality of life and attract new businesses to their communities,” said McDonough. The Competitive Communities Program was established by DCCA to help local communities develop Needs of National Water Structure Identified successful organizational structures, perform local self- assessments, and develop action/implementation plans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) DCCA assigns a CCI specialist to work with the local recently released the Clean Water and Drinking Water community in developing a local leadership structure, Infrastructure Gap Analysis report. This report evaluates conducting a self-assessment and preparing a written action the funding needs of the nation’s water pipes and plants plan. In addition, CCI specialists serve as a link to the from 2000-2019 for capital, operations and maintenance. community in identifying private and government agencies The report estimates that given no growth in revenues, the that can provide technical assistance and resources. capital, operations and maintenance as well as drinking Communities were recommended based on a set of water gap will total $535 million. However, by assuming criteria established by DCCA. When considering an real revenue growth, the size of the gap can decrease by up application, CCI examines the community’s proposed to 90%. objectives, organization and expected results. Community To view the report, please visit support is considered, and the community must commit to http://www.lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id-482. follow program guidelines as outlined in a Letter of Agreement. CCI guidance is provided free to participating communities. For more information on the CCI program, Youth Look to Mayors for Guidance contact 217-558-4223. According to a recent survey conducted by Hart-Teeter, 41 percent of young adults would place a fair amount of consideration on a request from the mayor or governor to Census Estimates Will Be Disclosed enter government service. Only 30 percent of young people would give such consideration to an appeal from an athlete, A federal appeals court ruling confirmed an earlier musician or actor. The council for Excellence in decision by a lower court, requiring that Census Bureau Government released a report, entitled “Young American’s population estimates be disclosed. The Census Bureau uses Call for Public Service,” which included the survey. The a mathematical formula to estimate the number of people report indicates a substantial increase since 1997 in the who for various reasons have not been counted in a census. number of youths who would prefer to work in the public Actual counts are used in political redistricting and the sector vs the private sector. distribution of government funds. The ruling would not Two-thirds of the youth polled believe that the require that estimates be used to make these decisions, government can positively affect domestic problems. This rather the ruling requires that the estimates be made public, trend crossed gender groups as well as political affiliation. as afforded by the Freedom of Information Act. Civil rights The shift in the popularity of the public sector has many groups, urban leaders, and other political leaders have causes, however the dominant factors appear to be a desire argued that underestimation has resulted in communities not to tackle domestic challenges, such as improving schools receiving as much of the population-based federal funding and disease control. as they were due. The ruling asserts that the public has the right to be informed of adjustments in population estimates for every state, county, and neighborhood in the nation.
Page 26 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 The One Stop Connection & Connectivity of RMMAN
By BARRY J. KRUMSTOK, Assistant to City Manager THOMAS MELENA, City Manager MARK NANNINI, Finance Director City of Rolling Meadows
The Rolling Meadows Metropolitan Area Network hall and other locations were upgraded to increase (RMMAN) is a project designed to connect residents, performance of the existing local area networks (LANs). schools and local government agencies through the Thanks to the RMMAN, citizens can now access Internet and a common technology network using high- information, through a convenient portal, and speed Ethernet and wireless technologies. Through a communicate with Rolling Meadows city agencies shared vision and spirit of cooperation, beginning in April through a new Internet gateway found at 1999, numerous agencies, entities and businesses worked www.rmman.org. through this “one stop information to bring this effort live to the public on July 17, 2002. The shop” residents can sign-up for free e-mail accounts, true infusion of products and services was established obtain information on public services and park district through a pledge of $1 million dollars by the 3Com programs, link to other sites, etc. Corporation (the Midwest Regional home office is based The network is maintained by RMMAN, a not-for- in Rolling Meadows). profit organization specially created for this project. RMMAN integrates 3Com technology and equipment Eswoosh, a Rolling Meadows Web developer and to enhance the existing networking infrastructure utilized technology consultant and development company, is the by city government bodies such as City Hall, Park District consultant for the RMMAN organization and is joined by Buildings and the Library. The Rolling Meadows Park technology leaders from local school districts (currently District now uses RMMAN wireless bridges to connect to including Community Consolidated School District 15, the Internet via the ICN (Illinois Century Network). In High School District 214, Harper College). addition to the wireless network, switches located at city
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November 2002/ Illinois Municipal Review / Page 27 MUNICIPAL Exchange SERVICE Provided as a public service to member municipalities...
Page 28 / Illinois Municipal Review / November 2002 MUNICIPAL Exchange SERVICE Provided as a public service to member municipalities...
November 2002 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 29 MUNICIPAL Exchange SERVICE Provided as a public service to member municipalities...
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