WIRC-CAA VICTIM SERVICES
Child Abuse & Sandusky 
We need to be willing to step up and speak out on behalf of our children.
On July 12, 2012, the Special Investigations Task Force of the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania State University, headed by Louis Freeh, former head of the FBI, released its findings regarding the sexual abuse of young boys by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. During the seven-plus months the task force worked, they conducted over 430 interviews, and analyzed over 3.5 million e-mails and other documents.
Those of us watching the media and its presentation of the criminal investigation and eventual arrest, trial and conviction of Sandusky on 45 of 48 counts often found ourselves wondering how this could have happened. How could no one have done anything? Why weren't the few reports ever acted upon? In its report, the Task Force targeted four specific men in positions of power who knew as early as 1998 about Sandusky's inappropriate behavior. Yet none of these men took any responsible action regarding the 1998 incident or a subsequent February 2001 incident that was again reported to head football coach Joe Paterno.
As a result, Mr. Freeh stated in a press conference their "callous and shocking" disregard for child victims was evident. The report found that in addition to these four men, the Penn State Board of Trustees did not have appropriate reporting procedures in place, even though as a university, they are required under the Clery Act. Full text of the report can be found at TheFreeReportonpsu.com.
From years of work on the prevention of child sexual abuse, I know too well that a culture of silence and disbelief in a child's report is all too common in families, communities and our institutions when it comes to the issue of child sexual abuse. Too many times, when faced with a disclosure, adults don't know what to do, often state if they don't have "proof", they don't want to confront a respected leader who is behaving suspiciously, they don't want to "ruin" someone's reputation. What about the child? What about potential future victims?
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TCR&WMC
Tri-County Resource & Waste Management Council
The Disappearance of Used Tire Collections
Illinois residents buy approximately 2 million
tires a year!
As outside summer activities begin and mosquitoes join the parties, we start thinking about vector abatement. Used tires are one of the most popular breeding grounds for mosquitoes because they retain water. Considering traditional used residential tire collections are no longer being funded, the following is an update of your options for used tire recycling.
The $2.50 per tire user fee collected from retail customers is now funding the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) two-phased program for the management of used and waste tires. The IEPA's Used Tire Program's two main components are: a regulatory agency dealing with generators, transporters, processors, and end users of waste tires to ensure all are operating in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations; and the operation of a clean-up program that removes waste tires from dump sites.
There are only two clean-up programs for used tires, as follows.
Consensual Removal Program (CRA)
Under this program, the IEPA conducts used and waste tire removals at individual properties throughout Illinois. The IEPA will remove up to 1000 tires at a site at no cost to the property owner. If more than 1000 waste tires are present, the IEPA will remove the last 1000 waste tires after the owner removes those in excess of 1000.
Used Tire Program
The Used Tire Program conducts waste tire removal for units of local government (ULG) throughout Illinois. These removals are designed to assist ULGs with the proper disposal of waste tires that are illegally dumped on public or abandoned properties. The IEPA also works with the ULGs to ensure that actions are taken on the local level to prevent and enforce against the illegal dumping of used and waste tires in their jurisdiction. These removal actions are conducted by request from the ULG.
If you miss the old days of cleaning your ditches of tires and bringing them in to a county collection point, tell your legislators you want the regional collection of used residential tires program back!
For more information, call Chad Braatz at 309-331-4782.
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DIRECTIONS - Suzan Nash, Executive Director |
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Once again as has happened before, I had a particular subject in mind, however, something occurred to redirect my thoughts and actions. Unfortunately this time, it was catastrophic as my topic became refocused due to the sudden death of an Agency employee - a member of our Agency family.
It was a Tuesday morning and Don Johnson was at work at the WIRC's Regional Recycling Facility. I received a call that he was being taken to the hospital and then the rest is known. Read more...
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Let Your Next Project Benefit From
Illinois Energy Now Rebate Program
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| The Western Illinois Regional Council is currently accepting projects to submit to the Illinois Energy Now public sector energy efficiency rebate program. This program is administered by the State of Illinois and provides rebates for energy efficient upgrades to electric and natural gas systems. Upgrades can be lighting, heating and cooling, motors and kitchen appliances. Eligible applicants include local governments, counties, townships, special units of government, public schools, colleges, universities and state and federal agencies. Under last year's program, successful rebates were awarded to several local communities including the City of Macomb receiving $1,600 for lighting upgrades to the water treatment plant and the City of Monmouth receiving $12,894 to replace the lighting in its city hall. Read more... |
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CDAP Public Infrastructure Awards Announced
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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity earlier this spring announced grant awards for the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) public facilities applications.
The following communities were awarded grants:
- Village of North Henderson - $18,853 to construct water source improvements
- City of Hamilton - $350,000 for sanitary sewer improvements and relining of sewer main
- City of Macomb - $350,000 for water main improvements
- Village of Bryant - $350,000 to connect the village to the City of Lewistown water source
- Village of Bardolph - $127,210 for water improvements
- Village of Avon - $41,200 for design engineering for sanitary sewer
- Town of Astoria - $350,000 for water treatment facility improvements
- Village of Joy - $55,500 for design engineering for sanitary sewer.
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The Earlier the Grant Application Process Begins, the
Better Chance of Having Your Project Funded
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Although official word has not yet been received of a submission deadline for 2013 grant applications, it is anticipated that it will be sometime in February 2013. The WIRC Community Development staff has begun the process with several communities and strongly urge that if your community has a project in mind, that you contact Planning Coordinator Shannon Duncan. The reasons to start the application process on a timely basis include:- It is very likely that WIRC will have to conduct an income survey of the community or of a target area.
- The CDAP program for public facilities requires a 25% match from the community. The funding source for the project must be identified and committed by the funding source.
- If permits are required from a federal and state agency, i.e. EPA construction permit, such permits need to be available for submission with the application.
- Land purchase agreements and right-of-way agreements need to be established.
WIRC also anticipates the CDAP Design Engineering applications will have a May 2013 submission date and early preparation is encouraged. You can contact Shannon Duncan at 309-837-3941 or shannon@wirpc.org should you have any questions or would like a representative from
WIRC to attend your council/board meeting.
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Funded Housing Grants Help
Low Income Homeowners
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The Illinois Housing Development Authority recently announced the award of three Single Family Owner Occupied Rehabilitation housing grants submitted by the WIRC. The City of Carthage and villages of Avon and Kirkwood will all receive $252,000 to rehabilitate six homes in each community. The funds will be made available as grants to low income homeowners with priority given to the elderly, disabled and very low income families. The rehabilitation of the homes will consist of replacing roofs; updating electrical and plumbing systems to meet state and national codes; eliminating lead based paint hazards; replacing old or inoperable heating systems; and improving the energy efficiency of the homes by insulating attics and sidewalls and eliminating major air bypasses. The grants are for a two year period and will run through June 2013.
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WIRC Anticipates CDAP Notices
and Encourages Early Application Process for
Housing Rehabilitation Grants
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The WIRC submitted six Community Development Assistance Program Housing Rehabilitation grant applications to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity during March 2012. Applications were submitted for the communities of Avon, Bushnell, Colchester, Kirkwood, LaHarpe and London Mills. WIRC expects to receive award notices in the near future. It is anticipated that approximately 15 communities will be funded statewide.
Although the 2012 grants have not been announced, it is possible the 2013 program time frame and funding will be similar to 2012. Because of the lengthy time of application preparation and the extensive amount of surveying required, it is highly encouraged that interested communities contact the WIRC by September 1, 2012, if interested in application assistance in 2013.
Contact Community Services Director Kevin Wiehardt at 309-837-3941 or kevin@wirpc.org.
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New MCPT Transit Facility Update
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The new facility, which includes a bus wash building and fueling station, is scheduled to open by April 2013. |
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The mission of the McDonough County Public Transportation (MCPT) is to provide safe, reliable, clean and courteous public transportation services to all residents of the two-county area of McDonough and Hancock that are in need of such services. This is done by operating 45 public transportation vehicles, ranging in size from mini-vans to 40' large transit buses. Read more...
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 NetWIRC Newsletter - Volume 21/Issue 1
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Western Illinois Regional Council
223 South Randolph St.
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 837-3941
patti@wirpc.org
Go to our website!
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Thank your customer, tell them how valuable they are to you, but don't go overboard. Insincerity is easy to spot.
Western Illinois Regional Council
c/o Western Illinois Regional Council
Macomb, Illinois 61455
309-837-3941
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