ChampaignTaxpayer's blog

This news out of Chicago is surprising, especially since Chicago is facing serious economic challenges. 

Chicago is fighting Wal-Mart from entering the Chicago market and is specifically targeting larger type "big box" stores.   I often shop at Wal-Mart and Sams Club and even buy my furniture and applicances from Sams Club.   I appreciate their commitment to low prices.

If Wal-Mart is so bad, couldn't people just decide to not work there if the pay and benefits are not attractive?   Also, if the people of Chicago did not want lower priced products, couldn't the big box critics encourage customers not to shop there?  Here in Champaign-Urbana, these stores appear to be attractive to both customers and quality employees.  

"Burke said the measure -- which would apply only to companies with 50 or more employees who benefit from a city subsidy -- would satisfy labor leaders who have opposed more Wal-Mart stores in Chicago."

Why are labor leaders deciding what choices the customers of Chicago should have?   I don't have any problem with labor leaders negotiating for themselves, but I don't think labor leaders should be deciding what's best for customers. 

"Wal-Mart spokesman John Bisio issued a statement after the meeting saying the proposal "is the wrong direction for a city that desperately needs jobs and economic growth."

I've always wondered why I've never seen a Walmart in Chicago.   Now it makes more sense.   As a taxpayer and consumer, I don't want other special interest groups making choices for me.   It's hard to imagine life without Wal-Mart and Sams Club. 

How can something like this happen? 

It was great that Curtis Road finally reopened before christmas!   It is very nice to access I-57 via Curtis Road.   Ideally, it would have been renovated and scheduled to open when the Curtis Road ramps were completed on I-57.   It's a shame that my family wanted to use the Curtis Road ramp but avoided it all year because of all the construction.   A little background.   But they are going to close another section of the road this spring.   Ugh!

I can only imagine how smooth things will go when they start planning for the high speed tram.  

I have little confidence in the planning ability of our local and state government based on what I'm witnessing and reading about our local road projects.   

Updated: I-57, not I-74.   Thanks for correcting me.

The Illinois Fair Map Amendment is an opportunity for individuals on both sides of the political aisle to benefit from a more democratic solution when determining political districts.   While we look to springfield with a sense of helplessness, there is something that we can do to make a difference.   Let's work together and get the 500,000 signatures necessary to get on the ballot.  

For the last three decades, legislators have created their own districts after drawing a name out of a hat!

Illinois is the ONLY state in the nation that allows this magic trick to determine such an important issue.

We need your help to change this process and take it from the legislators and put it in the hands of an independent commission in order to make redistricting more transparent, fair, and accessible to the public.

In order to do this, we need to collect 500,000 signatures in Illinois by April 1, 2010!

How you can help:

• Download Petiton Forms
• Organize a Petition Party in your community
• Invite an organizer to your community event

Resources:

• Nuts and Bolts of this Citizens’ Initiative
• Current System vs. IL Fair Map
• Read the IL Fair Map Amendment
• View a PowerPoint Presentation about the Fair Map Amendment

 Become a fan of this effort on Facebook.   Also on Twitter.  

According to US News and World Report, Urbana High School was the only school in the area school to receive "Bronze" or better.   University High earned an honorable mention.  

News Gazette article here. 

You can find the methodology used here.  

Summary statistics found here.  

Congrats to Urbana High School!

I have begun to investigate the governor candidates for the republican primary.    I'm trying to figure out "how exactly" a particular governor candidate proposes he can turn this state around.  

In order of the most recent Tribune poll standings:

1. Jim Ryan has a 10 Step Plan.
2. Andy McKenna provides list of issues here.  
3. Bill Brady mentions that he has a blueprint on commercials.   Here are his list of issues.
4. Kirk Dillard has a comprehensive plan for making Illinois a destintion economy.   Here is his list of issues. 
5. Adam Andrzejewski's take on the issues can be found here.*
6. Dan Proft is talking policy revolution but I can't find find his plan on his website.*
7. Bob Schillerstrom has Timeout Initative that can be found here.*

5-7 are in a-z order b/c they were not individually identified in the Tribune article. 

I've learned a few ideas that I find interesting:

• Zero based budgeting
• Limit spending to population growth plus rate of inflation or some other metric.
• Funding the implementation of pro-business education at all levels.
• 401-k style retirement programs for state employees.
• Roll back taxes and fees to competitive levels no higher than any of our neighbor states.
• Institute a moratorium on all new programs.  No new programs will be signed into law until and unless long term funding for that program is secured.
• 72 hour minimum budget review period before budget can be passed into law.

Some highlights thus far:

• Kirk Dillards comprehensive plan is impressive!
• Dan Proft's message and web content is impressive!
• Adam A's issue overview is very impressive!