Broadband in rural areas may be as vital as running water. One politician has seen a shortage of both in her district.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Cites steps as improvements in ethics, transparency, efficiency

CHICAGO — Gov. Bruce Rauner today issued executive orders eliminating 53 boards and commissions that serve no public purpose and have been inactive for years, some for as long as two full decades.

“This is a matter of good government through transparency,” Rauner said. “The people of Illinois need to understand the ongoing work of the state. They should not be led to believe that people are still at work doing tasks that were completed 10 years ago, or that they are supporting advisory roles for which the need expired in the 1990s.”

Over the years, the State of Illinois has created more than 600 authorities, boards, bureaus, commissions, committees, councils, task forces and other similar entities. Many of them have completed their work and no longer operate, yet they still appear in State publications, public-facing websites, and Legislative Research Unit reports as if they were still doing the people’s work.

Today’s executive orders, EO 18-10 and EO 18-11, are a follow on EO 18-5 that Rauner issued earlier this year abolishing 19 other moribund entities. Collectively, the orders eliminate 72 redundant or inactive boards and commissions so that executive branch operations are more transparent and efficient.

One of the organizations that Rauner eliminated today — the State Government Accountability Council — was formed in 1999 and there isn’t any recorded activity since that time. Another, the Illinois Board of Athletic Trainers, last met a decade ago in 2008.

Rauner has used his constitutional executive authority to address ethical issues ranging from personal codes of conduct, conflicts of interest, and recrimination against employees reporting illegal behavior. Along those lines, the governor today also issued Executive Order 18-12, eliminating nepotism in state hiring. The move brings Illinois in line with more than half U.S. states including Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Kentucky and Michigan.

The order prohibits executive agency heads from the practice of nepotism in the appointment, promotion or recommendation of a relative to any agency or department under their control.

Rauner has supported ethics legislation as well. In June of this year his signature gave the legislature’s top watchdog freedom to investigate sexual harassment complaints without first having to get approval from the Legislative Ethics Commission, a panel of lawmakers appointed by House and Senate leaders of both parties.

He also signed legislation banning members of the General Assembly from using any public funds, including their member office allowances, as “hush money” to keep someone silent as part of a settlement of a sexual harassment case.

CAIRO — A congressional House panel will hold a hearing Tuesday concerning the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s failed oversight of the Alexander County Housing Authority — though no one from HUD’s program offices were asked to participate.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a hearing Thursday for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, a woman who says he sexually assaulted her as a teenager, as a claim of sexual misconduct emerged from another woman.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

9-14-18 at 6:30 pm Deputies arrested Courtney D. Miller age 19 of Royalton for child endangerment. This arrest is the result of the investigation of an incident that occurred in Royalton on 9-12-18. The investigation is in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

9-15-18 at 3:56 pm Deputies responded to a traffic incident in Valier that led to the arrest of Elizabeth Ann Leber age 42 of Sesser for driving under the influence of alcohol.

9-16-18 at 12:00 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Collin D. Batts age 24 of West Frankfort for aggravated domestic battery.

9-16-18 at 6:30 pm a traffic incident in rural Benton led Deputies to initiate an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Kalyn A. Hayes age 22 of Charleston for child endangerment. The investigation is in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

9-16-18 at 9:06 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Carlyle Road at Fitch Road. A 2017 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Jonathan C. Wallace age 18 of Wayne City, pulled from Fitch Road into the path of a 1984 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Robert W. Winemiller age 41 of Thompsonville, that was east bound on Carlyle Road. There were no injuries and Wallace was ticketed for failure to yield right of way and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

9-16-18 at 11:39 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in rural Thompsonville. The investigation resulted in the arrest of David C. Motter age 48 of Benton for domestic battery.

9-17-18 at 5:20 pm Deputies responded to a report of a burglary, theft and trespassing on a building and property in rural Benton. A property owner had gone to check on the property as recent thefts had occurred there. When he arrived, he observed two male subjects there taking items. The two subjects were unknown to the property owner and fled the area in a pick-up truck when confronted. The property owner was able to follow the suspects and obtain a description of the truck including the license plate information. The truck and suspects were later located and arrested. The stolen property was also recovered. Arrested were Vincent S. Rankin age 29 and Seth M. Petkas age 18. Both are from West Frankfort and both are in the Franklin County Jail charged with burglary and felony theft.

9-20-18 at 10:21 am Deputies received a report of a vehicle theft that had occurred in rural Benton. The investigation led to the recovery of a 2002 Dodge pick-up truck and the arrest of Elizabeth J. Zook age 39 of Mcleansboro for felony theft.

WARRANT ARRESTS

9-18-18 Jackie J. Walker age 59 of Granite City. Failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance.

9-18-18 Ashley N. Eubanks age 30 of Christopher. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

9-19-18 John K. Bettis age 33 of Logan. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

9-20-18 Jeffrey S. Woolard age 54 of Eldorado. Burlgary and theft.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.