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Addison VOLUME 12, NUMBER 40
219869
Independent www.TheIndependentNewspapers.com
October 1, 2015
Map Coalition gathers 300,000 signatures for redistricting reform Wants independent board to draw state legislative districts
By Cole Lauterbach Illinois News Network
The Independent Map Coalition announced last week they already have more than 300,000 signatures endorsing the plan to place an amendment on the 2016 ballot. The non-partisan group only needs a little over 290,000 per the Illinois Constitution, but they want to make sure the initiative will survive challenges. The well-funded group’s goal is to amend the state constitution to include a non-partisan independent commission responsible for drawing state legislative districts. The Coalition got a boost from the Illinois Farm Bureau last month when it made it’s 95 statewide offices collection points for signatures. A Cook County Judge threw out a previous effort to add a redistricting amendment to the ballot in 2014 after hearing arguments from attorney Mike Casper, a long-time ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan. Whether this initiative will meet a similar fate remains to seen. More news from downstate… Caterpillar announces plan to lay off more than 10,000 Peoria-based construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar announced plans Thursday to lay off thousands in an effort to reduce costs and restructure. The total layoffs could reach over 10,000
through 2018. In a release, the heavy equipment operator said the cost reduction steps will begin in late 2015 in what the company calls a reflection of a weakening sales outlook. The corporation expects to earn $48 billion in 2015, $1 billion less than they had previ-
ously projected. Since 2012, Cat has reduced its total workforce by more than 31,000. The company is also offering early retirement incentives to veteran employees. The downsizing effort could affect nearly 20 facilities around the world. Cat operates facilities in 25 cities
in Illinois and operate in 180 countries around the world. A Spokeswoman for Cat said the company employs about 21,600 employees as of the second quarter of 2015. State Treasurer wants student aid funding Illinois Treasurer Mike Fre-
richs is on a college town tour to urge lawmakers to pass legislation to fund the Monetary Assistance Program, or MAP grants. The financial aid helps pay for tuition and fees typically due before classes begin. Senate Bill 2043 would appropriate $373 million out of the
See COALITION, Page 3
Celebrating the Pope’s visit
photo provided
The week of September 21 was one of great anticipation for many Catholic grade school students, who took time to celebrate Pope Francis’ recent visit to the United States.
Inside:
Police Reports...........6 Sports ��������������� 18-19 Church.....................8 Classifieds..........24-25
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Here, students at a local school gather around the school’s own likeness of Pope Francis – a cardboard cut-out!
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