Press Releases

April  2009

 

Time capsules recovered Dunn-Barton, Walker Halls

from Spring 2009 Issue of ISU Alumni Magazine

Campus life during the 1950s was remembered in February with the opening of time capsules found during the demolition of Dunn-Barton and Walker residence halls.  President Al Bowman and University Archivist Jo Rayfield opened both copper boxes, which will be kept in the permanent historical collection within the University Archives.

 

The time capsules were placed in the cornerstones when the buildings were completed in 1951 and 1955.  Documents recovered revealed that it cost between $800 and $1,000 to attend the University at that time.

 

Campus photos, newspapers, student and faculty directories, university publications, and official documents were in the boxes as well.  A financial report showed the University’s operating budget was $2.4 million, with $2.3 million of the total coming from state funding.  That compares to today’s $360 million budget, of which only $82 million is derived from the state.

 

Details of the construction project were also included.  Dunn-Barton opened to students in 1951.  The halls were named for Richard Dunn, a long-time legal counsel for the State Teachers College Board; and Olive Lillian Barton, dean of women from 1911 to 1940.  Students moved into Walker Hall in 1955.  It was named for Lewis Walker, a 1913 ISNU alumnus and president of the Teachers College Board from 1946 to 1960.

 

The halls were demolished last fall to make way for construction of the Student Fitness and Kinesiology and Recreation Building.  The $43.9 million building will open in 2010.

 
 

                               

A Guest Column by

State Senator Dan Rutherford

April 2009

Opening Thomson Prison Is Important

Last year Governor Rod Blagojevich announced he was going to close the Pontiac Correctional Center. This would have exacerbated an already overcrowded state-wide correctional system and been absolutely devastating to all of the Central Illinois economy. Residents and local leaders came together and rolled up their sleeves to aggressively present the objective rational as to why this move by Blagojevich must not happen. Sound public policy won out and Governor Pat Quinn announced that Pontiac would stay open.


During the effort to keep Pontiac open, I repeatedly said that I supported the original building of Thomson to help relieve the overcrowding, not for the purpose of closing another perfectly good facility. Thomson was built, but has sat idle for years. I am fully committed to helping Thomson be funded in the state budget.


For public safety and economic reasons, it makes good sense to open Thomson. Approximately $10 million is in next year's proposed budget for Thomson. The Department of Corrections (DOC) spent approximately $40 million, system-wide, on staff overtime last year. DOC projects overtime costs for Fiscal Year 2009 to be $61 million. The cost to open Thomson is approximately $50 million. Logic dictates that we find a way to address these matters while relieving the mandated double shifts and stress for the employees and their families.  


In addition, jobs are desperately needed in Illinois. Using precious tax dollars for needed public safety purposes will stimulate the economy in northwest Illinois and benefit the entire state. 


I call on my legislative colleagues to work in a cooperative manner. Pitting one region of the state against the other has proven not to work. It's time for the politicians to sit down and the statesmen to stand up.


I will be working with Governor Quinn to help craft a state budget that funds opening Thomson. I will do this in a spirit of working together. The confrontation approach does not lead to results.


I encourage those who care about public safety in Illinois to advocate for the opening of Thomson Correctional Center. It needs to happen, and for all the right reasons.

 

Rutherford: ‘Thomson Prison needs to be opened’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    April 14, 2009/rd

PONTIAC, IL – In a show of full support to the opening of the Thomson Correctional Center in Carroll County, State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) personally visited the site in Northwest Illinois. Rutherford stressed the need for cooperation amongst legislators, the Department of Corrections and Governor Pat Quinn.

“Illinois has a correctional system that is at 135 percent of capacity and 179 percent in maximum security. We now have a Governor who understands that correctional centers are overburdened. I believe that a fully funded Thomson Correctional Center will not only help the economy of Northwest Illinois but also be a major asset to public safety for our state. It is important that Thomson Correctional Center be fully funded and staffed in order to ease some of the burden on the entire correctional system,” Rutherford said.

Rutherford’s appearance at Thomson comes during the legislative spring break and prior to the state’s fiscal year 2010 budget being finalized. The Thomson Correctional Center was completed in 2001 and has been sitting idle since then.

Governor Quinn recently announced that the Pontiac Correctional Center was to be spared from a closure decision made by former Governor Rod Blagojevich. “The people of Central Illinois worked long and hard to keep PCC open for the benefit of the local economy and to not exacerbate an already overcrowded prison system. Those interested in a good public safety network for the Department of Corrections must now turn their efforts to opening Thomson. Sound public policy would dictate that we have all of our correctional assets open and fully utilized,” Rutherford said. “I am lending my support to help Northwest Illinois and the statewide correctional system. Simply put, Thomson needs to be opened.”


Senator Rutherford on Thomson Prison Audio File

Rutherford announces 2nd Veterans’ Legislative Day





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   April 22, 2009/rd

 
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Veterans from the 53rd Senate District are encouraged to attend the 2nd Veterans’ Legislative Day in Springfield on May 6, according to State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac).

Veterans and their guests are invited to take part in meetings, briefings and a reception to honor the contributions of Illinois veterans. Briefings will be held by the federal and state Veterans’ Administration officials. Members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will also hold a listening session and legislative briefing to discuss pressing veteran issues. The day will conclude with a free lunch and a special reception to honor Illinois veterans.

Interested veterans are asked to please RSVP by April 29th by registering online at www.vets.senategop.net or by calling 217-782-0797. The event is free and open to any Illinois veteran and their guests, but registration is required for the lunch.

WHAT: Veterans’ Legislative Day
WHEN: Wednesday, May 6th 8:30-9:30 check in and 11:00 am opening remarks
WHERE: Artisans Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield
RSVP: Call 217-782-0797 or visit www.vets.senategop.net by April 29th.

 

 

 

 

"New Illinois State Police director visits Pontiac" Daily Leader - 4/8/2009
Pontiac, Ill. -
The newly named director of the Illinois State Police on Tuesday morning explained how he came to have the position.

Director Jonathan Monken, in an interview Tuesday morning in Pontiac, said it was not a job for which he expected to be tapped.

“My first connection with Pat Quinn was back in 2005 (when Quinn was lieutenant governor) and I was named the recipient of the 2005 American Red Cross Hometown Hero Award,” said Monken. “My parents attended the presentation and I was able to appear on video from Iraq during the ceremony. I then did not see Mr. Quinn until 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

Rutherford statement on Blagojevich indictment

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 April 2, 2009/rd

 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A federal grand jury in Illinois’ Northern District indicted former governor Rod Blagojevich on charges based on allegations of corruption and executive malfeasance, according to State Sen. Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac).

“The Illinois system worked for the citizens when Blagojevich was impeached, convicted and removed from office. I’m confident that the federal system will work out for the citizens of Illinois as well,” Rutherford said. “I believe that we are only beginning to hear a small portion of what actually occurred under Rod Blagojevich’s tenure as Governor.”

 
 
Rutherford honored by Illinois Bankers Association


 
State Sen. Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) was recently honored by the Illinois Bankers Association, with their annual 'Outstanding Legislator of the Year' Award.

Senator Rutherford is shown with Joyce Nardulli, Illinois Bankers Association.

 
 

The Committee for Legislative Action is asking you

to register your opinion on

Tax Increases!

 

    

 

Finding ways to get more money out of the wallets and purses of Illinois' taxpayers has been proposed in Springfield. Tax increases have been called for by the Democrat majorities in the Illinois House and Senate. Income tax increase, gas tax increase, sales tax increase, a tax on services and a cigarette tax increase are all on the table.

 

The Committee for Legislative Action is inviting you to weigh in on the proposed tax increases.

 

Register your opinion on Tax Increases!

 

An email notice will be sent to those who submitted the survey to tell them the results are posted.

 

CLA will continue to frequently post news stories, from around Illinois, regarding the tax increase proposals.

 

 

Young Poets

 

Iroquois West Elementary School second graders did an extensive study of Abraham Lincoln this year. As a culminating activity, the students wrote poems using the information they learned. Two of the students, Josiah and Jessica, did an exceptional job

Jessica's poem


Lincoln was born in Kentucky.
Invited a new mom into his family.
Nothing could stop him from reading.
Civil War was going on while Lincoln was President.
Oath of office he had to take.
Lincoln is 200 years old.
Nobody could be a better President than him.


Josiah's poem


Learned a lot from books.
Illinois is called the Land of Lincoln.
Never lied, Honest Abe.
Civil War President
Orator gave speeches and good ones.
Lived in a log cabin in Kentucky when he was young.
Number 16th President of the United States.

  


 

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