-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
According to a survey of Aurora area restaurants, “Significant outdoor dining equipment, such as large tents/warming areas, heaters, additional outdoor furniture, lighting, and warm clothing for servers, could create additional costs for dining establishments. Additionally, businesses must consider approaching local municipalities regarding outdoor dining permits and permissions, as well as identifying necessary safety measures for securing outdoor dining structures.”
While COVID-19 hurt crop prices earlier this summer, the disease hasn’t affected farmers as much as other industries. “We’ve had a pretty good uptick here in prices, which has kind of been due to weather in other countries, and China started to buy some corn and soybeans,” said Mark Pflugmacher, who farms in north Champaign. “It was a pleasant surprise. We weren’t expecting to have this kind of price during harvest.”
Comment: Most of the U.S. press is still ignoring this about face by World Health Organization.
Researchers said, “there are two lessons for citizens and policymakers: Treat this as a health crisis above all, because we won’t see ‘normal’ until the pandemic is subdued. And direct all government help, such as enrichments to unemployment benefits, to lower-income workers.”
“You can go and do streetscapes and beautify your downtown, and you can make all kinds of changes to improve the aesthetics of your community. But if your businesses are empty and you have empty storefronts, it really doesn’t matter. So we diverted those dollars for direct assistance to those businesses,” said Rochelle City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh.
Jim Dey: “Politicians want greedy geezers to be somnolent, not belligerent, and they fear Frerichs’ words will rouse them from slumber.”
“Do we want to loosen current restraints on our politicians? We should look at the favors they have given to the politically connected.”
According to the Illinois Gaming Board, $39 million was played in Sangamon County between March and August. The video gaming terminals brought in more than $166,000 for the county, and more than $50,000 was just from March 1 to March 16.
The governor has said he plans to hold school funding flat this year, but there are mounting concerns about the toll of plunging revenues on future budgets.
It started last month with six businesses, all of which were cited for failure to comply with regulations regarding the wearing of face masks. Since the new orders went into effect Saturday, about a dozen more businesses have been cited by the Winnebago County Health Department — most of them for failing to suspend indoor dining services.
“‘History has always been argued,’ (Ron) Onesti says. Americans have widely different takes on events happening now, let alone 500 years ago. He says he welcomes thorough debates about how to handle the Columbus issue. ‘Our biggest problem as a community is more about the process, or lack of process…Something that is so near and dear to our culture was so completely removed at the behest of violence and destruction.'”
“What we heard very loud and clear after our last survey was that parents wanted a choice where they can make an informed decision for their child, and we are trying to honor that,” said Superintendent Fred Heid.
“We understood the mayor’s stance when she took those down to protect the men and woman that protect us in this city. We’re totally for that. That temporary time is up,” said JCCIA President Sergio Giangrande. “Mayor, we’re asking you to be a woman of your word and bring the statues back.”
Hobson is the co-CEO of Ariel Investments, a Black-owned investment company in Chicago.
Said Michael Nabors, Evanston North Shore NAACP at a rally Friday, “There have been threats against Dr. Horton and the vice superintendent of the board. We are here to support them all.”
Atlanta’s mayor begins by saying, “Black women have always been on the front lines of social justice” from making phone calls and organizing to running for office. Lightfoot punctuates that list of contributions: “All while being fly.”
Michael Glasser, president of the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance: “Unable to cover the cost of repairs and upkeep, many small to mid-sized housing providers will have no choice but to defer maintenance, and many may eventually lose their buildings to foreclosure, depriving our city and the region of housing for those who need it the most, at a time when they need it the most.”
“We don’t want to be another empty building on the street of our great downtown,” said Heidi Vance, owner of a boutique in Forest Park that is experiencing lower revenue and higher expenses due to the pandemic.
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