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• Target to launch clinics in Chicago, south Florida
  Sep 2, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Target has 21 clinics in Minnesota and seven in Maryland stores. In the last two years, the dominant players in retail health clinic expansion, CVS and Walgreens, have slowed their growth. CVS would not disclose the actual number of visits.
• District 118, DEA
  Sep 1, 2010 — Commercial-News
  The DEA gave its 10-day "intent to strike" notice last Thursday following a union vote that drew 98 percent support.
• County finance committee passes budget
  Aug 31, 2010 — Commercial-News
  ...the Vermilion County budget moved past the committee level. The county board's finance committee voted unanimously to pass the budget on to the full county board, which will meet on Sept. 14. The budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year -- which begins on Dec. 1 -- follows past recent precedents in not asking for a tax increase from residents. The budget revenue estimates of $42.07 million short fall of the fiscal year's estimated expenditures of $44.25 million. County Board...
• Chicago Tribune Jon Hilkevitch column
  Aug 30, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Louis only because it inherited the obligation when it bought the track along the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1996. The Union Pacific has not agreed to allow for increases in passenger service once the 110 mph track upgrades are completed on the 284-mile line between Chicago and St. Louis would be slashed to two hours. The request is contained in IDOT applications vying for a second round of federal grants to advance Illinois' 110 mph passenger rail program.
• Study
  Aug 30, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  The full report is available online at civicfed.org. The state's level of borrowing in that time period is second only to fiscal 2003, when then- Gov. If you drive the Eisenhower, there was funding for that.
• Two years after closures, state parks on the rise
  Aug 29, 2010 — The Pantagraph
  It's part of our (America's) heritage." But Bruce Howes, Moraine View State Park's superintendent, said the IDNR staff remains shorthanded. There are still the campers and people who fish." And, fishing is very good for walleyes, saugeye, bluegills and crappie, Leon Gibson said. The Gibsons think at least some folks are unaware the park has reopened.
• Public transportation
  Aug 26, 2010 — Effingham Daily News
  Rides serves a number of southern Illinois counties with public transportation. Wednesday's meeting kicked off Phase II of the primer process in which Effingham County is presently engaged. Moreover, he said, the funding stream for such programs has been in place for more than 30 years.
• New Metra Union Pacific North schedule snarls commute for many
  Aug 24, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Both Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad, which staffs the UP North line, apologized for the snafus and promised to work out the kinks. The UP North is Metra's third-busiest line, handling 3 million passenger trips a year along the North Shore and North Side. The new schedule presented a chance for critics to raise concerns about the eight-year, $185 million project to rebuild 22 bridges on Chicago's North Side. Commuters reported fewer coaches and aisles so jammed that...
• Quinn draws fire over timing of inspector general's ouster
  Aug 24, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Wright questioned Quinn's commitment to keeping the watchdog office independent. Stermer got the same message at his government e-mail address. But Kupper said that decision was unrelated to the Stermer e-mails.
• New Metra Union Pacific North schedule snarls commute
  Aug 23, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Both Metra and the Union Pacific Railroad, which staffs the UP North line, apologized for the snafus and promised to work out the kinks. The UP North is Metra's third-busiest line, handling 3 million passenger trips a year along the North Shore and North Side. The new schedule presented a chance for critics to raise concerns about the eight-year, $185 million project to rebuild 22 bridges on Chicago's North Side. Commuters reported fewer coaches and aisles so jammed that...
• Buck
  Aug 20, 2010 — Mt. Vernon Register-News
  Rorye O'Connor Aug. 20, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- MT.
• Even for GOP, Blagojevich proves popular state fair attraction
  Aug 20, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Blagojevich also will chat with Fox News' Chris Wallace and Comedy Central's Jon Stewart. The relevancy of the Republican Party in Illinois has been deflated since former Republican Gov. George Ryan was convicted on federal corruption charges.
• MVTHS expects balanced budget for 2010-11
  Aug 20, 2010 — Mt. Vernon Register-News
  Rorye O'Connor Aug. 20, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- MT.
• New health insurance plan for the uninsured launches in Illinois
  Aug 20, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Also, under health reform, health insurance plans must cover children with pre-existing medical conditions beginning Sept. 23. Also, people may be asked for proof that they do not have other insurance options. Applications will be available at insurance.illinois.gov/ipxp. Premiums for ICHIP are higher than those for IPXP, under state law.
• District 117's transportation funding cuts double
  Aug 19, 2010 — Jacksonville Journal-Courier
  ...cut next year in transportation funding for Jacksonville School District 117. Gov. Pat Quinn recently announced that transportation funding to school districts was being cut 42 percent this year instead of the initially-proposed 21 percent. District 117 set a target to reduce $15,000 on field trip costs, but "it's kind of a double-whammy on transportation," Superintendent Les Huddle said. "It's something we'll have to monitor." There will be no bus routes cut, Huddle...
• Emphasis on preventive care no guarantee that employees use benefits
  Aug 19, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  ...new health care legislation soon will require insurers and employers to fully cover preventive services for workers. But the challenge may be to get employees to take advantage of the benefit, according to a new study. The Midwest Business Group on Health said workers are not using preventive care programs as much as they should despite an emphasis by large corporations in recent years on wellness. A key tenet of the health overhaul legislation, known as the Affordable Care Act,...
• O'Fallon seeks grant money
  Aug 19, 2010 — Belleville News-Democrat
  Graham said project grants are usually announced several years before the money becomes available. When the call comes, the overpass might not be high on aldermen's to-do list. When a vote was taken Monday night on the four grant submissions, the Porter-Simmons project came the closest to failure.
• Survey: Workers often ignore preventive-care benefits
  Aug 19, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  ...employers, including Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) , Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) and Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE:KFT) Boress said employers should take advantage of the heightened awareness that came with the health legislation to point out the importance of preventive screenings as a way to detect chronic conditions that, if left untreated, could lead to higher costs for employers and their workers.Many companies offer incentives for workers to participate in wellness programs or get...
• Brady holds budget details until after election
  Aug 18, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Pat Quinn, said he will "demand every agency" present him with a budget that is 90 percent of what it is today. Quinn also has adopted that approach by tightly holding on to details about potential cuts. Much of it will." Quinn says Brady's budget cuts would hit education and result in higher property taxes.
• Group touts 'truth' about health care reform
  Aug 18, 2010 — The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.)
  ALTON -- Seniors were told the "truth" Tuesday about the new health care reform law and issues surrounding Social Security. The Alliance for Retired Americans kicked off its "Truth Tour" at the IAMAW Local 660 in East Alton. The event was one of several stops in Southern Illinois that the organization made in order to educate retirees about how the new health care law will affect Medicare and the truth about Social Security. Barbara Franklin, president of the Illinois Alliance,...
• O'Fallon seeks $2.2 million for four grants; chances of getting all four is pegged at 'zero'
  Aug 18, 2010 — Belleville News-Democrat
  Graham said project grants are usually announced several years before the money becomes available. When the call comes, the overpass might not be high on aldermen's to-do list. When a vote was taken Monday night on the four grant submissions, the Porter-Simmons project came the closest to failure.
• County plans to start public transportation
  Aug 17, 2010 — The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.)
  Residents may call in to make a reservation for rides as late as the day before transportation is needed, and the residents will be picked up and delivered back to their homes. Personal attendants would ride free of charge. The cost would be $1 for children under the age of 5 for a round trip within Macoupin County. Monthly passes would be available for within Macoupin County.
• Macoupin plans to start public transportation
  Aug 17, 2010 — The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.)
  Residents may call in to make a reservation for rides as late as the day before transportation is needed, and the residents will be picked up and delivered back to their homes. Personal attendants would ride free of charge. The cost would be $1 for children under the age of 5 for a round trip within Macoupin County. Monthly passes would be available for within Macoupin County.
• Small businesses to catch tax break on health premiums::
  Aug 17, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  The credit is worth up to 35 percent of the cost of the business' premiums in 2010. By Jan. 1, 2014, when the health care law is expected to be fully implemented, the rate increases to up to 50 percent.
• D-80 budget balanced despite cuts
  Aug 16, 2010 — Mt. Vernon Register-News
  Rorye O'Connor Aug. 16, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- MT.
• LCCC nursing program flourishes
  Aug 15, 2010 — The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.)
  We look at their grade-point average and admission test scores. A student must average 80 percent to pass a course. LCCC also is one of the few -- if not the only -- community colleges to offer a health assessment course. He works at the Nurse Managed Center and continues his education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
• Tax credits for health premiums target small firms
  Aug 15, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  The credit is worth up to 35 percent of the cost of the business' premiums in 2010. By Jan. 1, 2014, when the health care law is expected to be fully implemented, the rate increases to up to 50 percent.
• BroMenn CFO to step down
  Aug 14, 2010 — The Pantagraph
  BroMenn Medical Center in Normal and Advocate Eureka Hospital in Eureka is leaving for a career break, and her departure has nothing to do with BroMenn Healthcare System becoming a part of Advocate Health Care earlier this year, BroMenn officials said Friday. Penny Cermak, who has been with BroMenn for 14 years and has been chief financial officer for nine years, will leave the organization at the end of September. She will be replaced by Aron Klein, director of finance at Advocate...
• 'Medical home' concept saving Illinois millions on health care
  Aug 12, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  ...health care reform is for someone to have a medical home and coordinate the care around patients with a primary care doctor being the center of that," Hamos added. "That really is the potential cost savings in health care reform. It is important for us to make a go of this." The study also showed that a disease-management program launched by Hamos' department has saved more than $300 million during the last three years by helping Medicaid patients adhere to taking their prescriptions...
• BRIEF
  Aug 12, 2010 — Commercial-News
  Newstex) -- DANVILLE -- The Small Business Development Center at Danville Area Commu-nity College will host "Advanced QuickBooks: Instruction In Payroll" from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the DACC office in the Village Mall. Pat Owens from Clifton Gunderson will present: setting up pay-roll, calculating payroll taxes, preparing payroll tax forms and W-2 prepa-ration. Registration fee is $25 and includes breakfast at 7:15 a.m. To register by Aug. 14, call 442-7232 or at
• Free rides on CTA far exceed predictions
  Aug 12, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  The largest part of the increase, 155,823 additional free rides on Metra trains, was attributed to low-income disabled individuals in the state Circuit Breaker program.
• Medicare's rosy health (x)
  Aug 12, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Congress is plowing it into the expansion of benefits under the new health care law.See that (x) in the headline above? We put that there because the trustees' report comes with a surprise twist from Medicare's chief actuary, Richard Foster. The trustees are required by law to appraise Medicare based on certain assumptions.
• More free rides taking toll on transit agencies
  Aug 12, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  The largest part of the increase, 155,823 additional free rides on Metra trains, was attributed to low-income disabled individuals in the state Circuit Breaker program.
• Tourist center at Oakwood rest stop closes
  Aug 12, 2010 — The News-Gazette
  ...-- OAKWOOD -- Tourists needing information at the Salt Kettle rest stop off Interstate 74 are on their own. As part of the state budget process, 13 of 15 tourist information centers around Illinois have closed, including the center at the Salt Kettle rest stop near Oakwood on the north side of Interstate 74, accessible only from the westbound lanes. Only two tourist centers will remain open in Springfield and Chicago. The tourism information center at the Oakwood rest stop was...
• EDITORIAL
  Aug 11, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  Democrats weren't straight with Americans about the costs of health care reform before the law passed. Congress is plowing it into the expansion of benefits under the new health care law. See that asterisk in the headline above? The trustees are required by law to appraise Medicare based on certain assumptions.
• State restores $20M in probation funds
  Aug 11, 2010 — Mt. Vernon Register-News
  Quinn restored the funds in response to an appeal by Chief Justice Thomas R. Fitzgerald.