Local Interest

On May 8, 2012, a section of East Park Street, between Second Street and Third Street, in Champaign was dedicated to Catherine Hogue, black woman activist and long time County Board member. A sign now stands at the intersection in front of the Boys and Girls Club that reads, "Honorary Catherine Hogue Way."

THE FIGHT TO KEEP PCB’S OUT OF OUR DRINKING WATER IS STILL UNDERWAY AND NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

Come to Town Hall Meeting to Protect the Mahomet Aquifer

Thursday, May 17^th, 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Beckman Institute

Peoria-based Area Disposal, Inc., has been issued a state permit to dump highly toxic PCB’s, dredged from contaminated clean-up sites in Chicago, into the landfill at Clinton.  This landfill sits directly atop the Mahomet Aquifer from which 850,000 central Illinoisans draw our drinking water.  

PCB’s are extraordinarily stable poisonous compounds that persist in the environment for generations.  Several geological studies have shown that containment will not prevent them from migrating down to the aquifer.  Area Disposal and those who approved their plan are betting the health and lives of our own and future generations that it will.  Do you think that is a responsible wager?   Especially, when other disposal options are available.

Come to the Town Meeting to learn more about

"JUST SAY NO TO POLICE BRUTALITY"

1 On February 28, 2112, it was announced
that the City of Champaign had completed its investigation
into the June 5th, 2011 arrest involving Champaign Police officers
Patrick Simons, Brian Aschell, and Justin Prosser.

2 An investigative report regarding the June 5th arrest,
consisting of hundreds of pages' worth of documentation,
was submitted to Champaign City Manager Steve Carter on March 2, 2012.
Deputy Police Chief Jon Swenson told News-Gazette reporter, Patrick Wade,
"As thoroughly as we can, we've interviewed every witness we could get a hold of,
every officer that had involvement."
Swenson is not quoted as to whether Champaign Police interviewed the victim
and the numerous civilian witnesses who saw the incident.

3 A citizen complaint against the officers was filed within 30 days of the incident,
and later ruled to be without merit by then-Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney last fall.
Upon public release of a leaked dashboard video of the arrest,
Carter invited the victim to re-submit his complaint against the officers.
After State's Attorney Julia Rietz reviewed the video,

Or Gov. Mitch Daniels, for that matter...

In My View: What would Abe think about Gov. Scott Walker?

By LARRY SPIVACK

GateHouse News Service

Posted Apr 17, 2012 @ 07:00 AM

Others have noted the oddity of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce bringing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to Springfield even as the controversial Republican faces a recall election and a criminal investigation while dragging the nation’s worst job-creation record along like a ball and chain. But let’s pull back and consider a historical angle: In the run-up to Walker’s visit to the Land of Lincoln, what would Honest Abe say?

History suggests the capital city’s most famous son might be tumbling in his tomb. After all, Abraham Lincoln believed that a robust working class was the engine that could drive American prosperity. “Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed,” President Lincoln told Congress in 1861. “Labor is the superior to capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.” In contrast, Scott Walker gave tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks to big corporations in the name of creating jobs.

Enjoy an elegant & intimate evening featuring:

- The comedy of B.E.T's very own Damon Williams

- Live Jazz with Champaign Urbana's very own Kevin Turner

- Additional Musical Entertainment provided by DJ Stevenson

- Hors d'oeuvres will be served

-Win great prizes and giveaways from our sponsors!

Promptly starts at 7:30pm, doors open at 6:45pm

Admission: $25 per person (You must purchase tickets in advance ONLY, NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR)

For Ticket information call Mr. Chris at (773) 266-9317

Sponsored by : GQ Hue Fine Menswear, Dish Passionate Cuisine, Rose and Taylor Barber & Beauty Shop and State Farm - Joe Stovall

Friday, April 27, 2012
City View Banquet & Meeting Center 4th Floor
45 East University Avenue
Champaign, IL 61820

City View is located on the 4th floor of the Bus Terminal Station on University Street

On Tuesday, April 10 the Champaign and Urbana (Cunningham) Township meetings will have on their agendas two items to be voted on by all registered voters in attendance.

One item calls for an item to be added to the November ballot which urges representatives, from the local to national level, to endorse an Amendment which declares corporations do not have the same rights as people and states that legislation should be pursued which challenges the Citizens United Supreme Court decision by re-enacting curbs on corporate spending in elections.

Another adds to the November ballot a measure which challenges corporate enclosure of the commons by establishing laws in Champaign/Urbana which allow non-disruptive forms of free speech in areas where private business can currently prohibit it, such as private parking lots and malls.