City OKs cash to fix Southwest’s sewer backups October 18th, 2009
ELGIN — With many residents still battling the aftermath of sewer backups into their homes, the city council has approved more money to be funneled into the city’s overhead sewer and backwater valve assistance program.
Elgin looking to trim $1.5M from fire department October 18th, 2009
ELGIN — City staff is set to talk with firefighter union members on Oct. 26 about cutting $1.5 million from the department’s budget.
On Friday, Elgin Association of Firefighters Local 439 president Lt. John Fahy said he had been contacted about setting up the session, which will include members of city staff and two members of the union’s board in addition to Fahy.
Why Elgin is still spending in the downturn? October 18th, 2009
Elgin this week laid off 11 workers in an attempt to chip $1.2 million off next year’s budget deficit, which is at least $5.5 million.
Elgin cuts 11 jobs for 2010, targets unions next October 18th, 2009
With an Elgin city budget deficit of $5.5 million looming for 2010, the city Thursday laid off 11 people, reassigned one person from full-time to part time and eliminated the vacant city forester position.
Elgin budget improves, but cuts still needed October 18th, 2009
Elgin’s financial picture came into slightly better focus Wednesday afternoon, as city leaders learned their shortfall this year is only $1.7 million to $2.2 million and it will be covered through city reserves.
Elgin to fix combined sewer flooding October 18th, 2009
Elgin city leaders on Wednesday night set aside $130,000 for a cost-sharing program to help residents in the South West Area Neighbors part of town avoid sewer backups in their basements.
Key numbers missing in Elgin budget debate October 18th, 2009
With a multimillion dollar deficit staring them down, Elgin City Council members have a four-hour retreat scheduled for Wednesday to plan for 2010 and beyond.
Elgin leaders look to calm youth homes October 18th, 2009
Elgin city leaders hope that a month from now the staff and board of directors at the Larkin Center – which operates homes for emotionally troubled and sexually abused youths – will have found a way to reduce the number of police calls.
Suburbs weigh new revenue against protecting old October 18th, 2009
When Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Video Gaming Act in July, he opened the door for video gambling machines in bars, truck stops and restaurants across the state. What he also did was put suburban communities that have their own casinos in a very tough spot.
Volunteers clear another 200 pounds of garbage from Fox River October 18th, 2009
Elgin firefighters and area residents continued their quest Saturday to clean a stretch of the Fox River in downtown Elgin, removing some 200 pounds of garbage from its banks.
The Friends of the Fox River and Elgin Firefighters Local 439 hope the cleanup becomes an annual fall event.
Jenni Kempf, program coordinator for Friends of the Fox River, said most of the trash was cans and bottles but did include a box spring mattress.
She said the effort is the first step to ensure the river is preserved for future generations.
“As an environmental measure, removing trash and debris is more about stewardship,” said Kempf. “If you care about how an area looks, you’ll take other measures to protect it.”
Friends of the Fox River has hosted cleanup events in a plethora of Fox River communities this year, including Aurora, Algonquin, Carpentersville, Elgin, Montgomery, Oswego and St. Charles.
For more information, call (815) 356-6605 or visit friendsofthefoxriver.org.
Elgin Fire Department Lt. Robert Bedard estimated the team removed about 200 pounds of trash from both sides of the river, south of the Chicago Street bridge to the National Street overpass.
Saturday’s efforts were not as extensive as an effort on Sept. 11, 2008, when fire department divers lugged large pieces of trash from the riverbed.
Bedard said so much was accomplished last year that little was left to clean on the east bank and volunteers this year could focus on the west bank.
“We removed a tremendous amount of garbage from that stretch,” he said. “Every year, it gets a little better.”