Illinois Briefs - 8/23/11

Former Legislator Put To Rest

(Sparta, IL)  --  A former state representative is being laid to rest today.  James Holloway served eight consecutive terms in the Illinois House of Representatives, serving the 58th district from 1958 until 1975.  His district included Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, Union, Pulaski and Alexander counties.  Holloway died Saturday in Chester Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.  The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta.  The burial will follow at Caledonia Cemetery.

State Revokes Licenses For Eleven Healthcare Workers

(Springfield, IL)  --  The state is cracking down on healthcare workers who take advantage of their patients.  Eleven workers had their licenses revoked yesterday, and according to a new law, they can no longer practice in Illinois.  Carmi doctor Morris A. McCall had his license taken away.  He was convicted of sexual crimes against minors.  And Moline doctor Stephen Charles Adler had his license revoked for indecent solicitation of a child.  The move comes after Governor Quinn signed a bill that requires those convicted of sexual offenses or violent crimes against their patients be automatically revoked.

Senator Katowski Champions Spending Reform

(Springfield, IL)  --  State senator Dan Katowski says he's committed to helping the state beat its financial woes.  He's heading a commission designed to overhaul the state's current budget process.  The idea is to review current spending habits and recommend a percentage of the state budget go toward improving the quality of education, enhancing the economic well-being of citizens, protecting the state's most vulnerable citizens, and improving the efficiency of state government.  The commission held its first meeting last week.

Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Downstate Towing Company

(Murphysboro, IL)  --  Illinois' Attorney General wasted no time putting a new law to work.  Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit yesterday against Rich's towing company in Jackson County.  The owners are accused of illegally dumping used tires, vehicles, old mobile homes, and construction debris on vacant land.  Madigan is seeking a 50-thousand-dollar civil penalty for each violation plus ten-thousand dollars for each day the violations continue.  The lawsuit comes just days after Governor Quinn signed a bill, which stiffens the penalty for illegal dumping.

Regional Superintendent Says Governor Misguided

(DeKalb, IL)  --  The Dekalb County Regional Superintendent of Schools says it's tough living without pay.  Gil Morrison is one of 44 Regional Superintendents whose pay was eliminated from the state budget.  The supes have vowed to stay on the job  --  even without pay but they've filed a lawsuit against the state, asking a judge to reinstate their pay.  Morrison says Governor Quinn was misguided when he cut their salaries because state law clearly requires regional superintendents to be paid from the state's operating budget.

New Law Stiffens Penalty On Those Who Torture Victims

(Springfield, IL)  --  Criminals who abuse and torture their victims for prolonged periods of time could serve up to 15 years behind bars for the crime.  The new law comes after an Illinois woman was severely beaten by her husband for two days.  The husband received a four-and-a-half-year sentence for domestic battery, but prosecutors say he deserved a tougher penalty.  Now, the prosecutors can seek a Class One felony sentence in cases involving great bodily harm where the victim is intentionally subjected to prolonged physical pain.

State Treasurer Boosting Illinois In China

(Springfield, IL)  --  State treasurer Dan Rutherford is busy trying to boost Illinois' economy in China.  Rutherford took off for China on Friday and after a visit to the Great Wall, he got busy working.  He was the keynote speaker at an "invest in the U.S." seminar Sunday where he pitched Illinois.  He had a briefing on economics and commerce at the American Embassy yesterday before rounding out his evening as a guest speaker at Beijing University.

Chicago Gears Up For Court Battle On Sales Tax Loopholes

(Springfield, IL)  --  Mayor Rahm Emanuel says Chicago is losing tens of millions of sales tax dollars and he plans to go to court to get it.  He says some businesses are taking advantage of a system that allows them to create sales offices in cities outside of Cook County, which is where they're headquartered.  One tax attorney says the companies aren't breaking any laws.  Stanley Kaminski, a tax attorney at Duane Morris LLP, says the businesses are just using legal methods to lower the tax burden for their customers.  The City of Chicago is expected to file a lawsuit sometime this week against Channahon and Kankakee where many regional sales offices are located.