Wednesday, May 14, 2008
May 2008 issue - Vol.8, No.8

   We Mean Business. Illinois Business.
 
 

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  River users object to Missouri River flow levels

   A biological opinion issued recently by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has spurred ongoing debates concerning management of the Missouri River.
   Paul Johnston, public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Omaha, Neb., said the debate deals mainly with flow management. Released in December, the amendment to the original 2000 biological opinion issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service laid out prescriptive flow schemes for the Missouri River. FULL STORY
 

 More Architecture/Engineering/Planning Headlines

     Urban levee districts attract more development, less concern
     East St. Louis riverfront draws inspiration from Laclede's Landing
     Passage of state bill could expedite pace of state design-build projects

  Bankers, lobbyists successful in keeping state tax exemption

   SPRINGFIELD - A major piece of banking legislation that would have cost Illinois banks at least a $1 million each annually was defeated in the final days of the 93rd General Assembly, leaving Southwestern Illinois bankers relieved but cautious until next session.
   The omnibus bill, House Bill 848, which included five separate bills, was defeated May 26 by a vote of 81 to 23. Of the separate provisions specified in the five bills contained in HB 848, arguably the most damning clause was this: the proposed elimination of the state income tax exemption on interest income.
   Southwestern Illinois bankers and their lobbyist say it won't be a surprise if the bill resurfaces next session. FULL STORY
 
 

 More Banking/Finance/Economic Development Headlines

     Stalled transportation bill puts peak construction season in jeopardy
     April stats show job losses slowing, tax and fee hikes still worrying businesses
     Steel companies prepare for impact of president's tariff removal

• Gateway Commerce Center exceeds growth forecast
• Execs ponder status, future of corporate accountability
• Businessman doubles as mayor
• Entrepreneur wears multiple hats in support of business, community

• Hurricane quartet expected to spike cost of home building materials
• Steel price hikes hammer commercial construction
• Crews stand idle as state diverts 30 percent of user fee dollars
• Contractors recently given reins to settle job site trade duty disputes

• Attorneys, insurers, physicians point fingers over medical mal
• Medical malpractice crisis drives a dozen insurance carriers out of Illinois
• Legislators consider raising the bar on malpractice suits
• Admitting fault up front saves money long term, study shows

• Pro-labor, anti-employer 'replacement worker' law effective Jan. 1
• One-Stop Centers match job seekers with employers seeking workers
• Career expo sparks youths' interest in construction trades
• Construction workforce still in great demand across Southwestern Illinois

• Is Madison County the 'judicial hellhole' that tort reformers claim?
• Congress, Illinois draft bills to decide when class action cases go to fed court
• Contractors, insurers object to Several Liability Law
• Governor signs Several Liability Act into law

• Home builder bucks Bluff trend by building in Bottom communities
• Tight South County real estate market may drive companies to SW Illinois
• East St. Louis neighborhood lands housing, park
• Missouri companies team to launch $54 million Illinois development

• Military orchestrates arrival of troops with supplies
• Phone Masters makes clear connection with clientele
• State, local interests address transportation needs
• Area code solutions include new ways to assign numerical series

• State, local interests address transportation needs
• Highway 50 stretch earning name as 'golden road'
• Federal funding plans still very much alive for new Mississippi River bridge
• 10 years of the 'new' Clark Bridge easing traffic flow to and from Alton