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Monday March 13, 2000

Bud Price, Senior Editor

Update

Microsoft Wins Award At Chicago Automation Show

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Microsoft Corp. has earned a prestigious 1999 Editors' Choice award from Control Engineering magazine for the Microsoft Windows DNA for Manufacturing platform, a comprehensive, integrated platform for building and deploying distributed applications for the Business Internet. The award was presented at a gala reception at Chicago's Ritz-Carleton Hotel for the National Industrial Automation Show and Conference which opened today.

"Editors' Choice award winners represent the best of the best for users of automation, control and instrumentation," said Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief of Control Engineering and Control Engineering Online. "Every year, our editors select from hundreds of innovations featured in Control Engineering and Control Engineering Online. These 40 award winners represent the leading innovations that we covered in 1999."

Business Headlines

Courtesy Crain's Chicago Business News

Hospitals and patients in Chicago stand to gain greater access to scarce donated organs under new federal guidelines for transplant operations that go into effect this week. Despite strong opposition from Wisconsin and other states, the Clinton administration is forcing a fundamental change in allocation rules to make more organs available in high-volume transplant centers like Chicago.

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The takeover of Chicago's hometown oil company, Amoco Corp., by London's British Petroleum Co. plc and its ambitious CEO, Sir John Browne, has ended any pretense of a merger of equals or the presumption that Chicago would emerge as a North American headquarters.

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O'Hare International Airport's massive World Gateway expansion project could get under way early next year, according to a city Aviation Department request to federal regulators. The project, which aims to reduce delays and modernize the airport, calls for building two new terminals, reconstructing another and adding as many as 32 gates.

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Chicago is no e-commerce powerhouse, but it dominates one small corner of the dot.com universe -- online sales of hardware and home-improvement services. No fewer than four local home-improvement online ventures have been launched in the past year.

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Half a year after electricity deregulation kicked off competition in Illinois, the state's power market is veering back to a monopoly. An arcane regulatory glitch is forcing Commonwealth Edison Co. to offer a price well below market this summer to its customers that can choose among electricity suppliers.

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As Internet shifts to heavy industry, Chicago buzzes with new ventures Internet gurus have seen the future, and it resides in an increasing number of Web sites -- including those of many Chicago companies -- that are hawking unglamorous goods such as scrap metal, industrial filters, rebuilt transmission parts and even animal fat. business-to-business e-commerce is expected to grow exponentially as efficiencies from ordering and keeping inventory online are realized in a cross-section of industries.

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Fast-growing small companies are finding an egalitarian culture, one with a flat management organization chart, can produce results. A business that forgoes hierarchy to emphasize teamwork often can stimulate more ideas and added revenue, sources say. And, flat corporate structures also seem to keep turnover to a minimum.

MONTHLY STOCK REPORT

Net stocks can drop too, Feb. tally says Going "too far, too fast" contributes to Apac Customer Services Inc.'s fall from grace, making it the biggest loser among publicly held Chicago companies, according to a survey conducted for Crain's. Meanwhile, the biggest gainer of the month was Illinois Superconductor Corp., a company delisted by the Nasdaq stock market last June for insufficient assets.

Morning Edition

Chicago Tribune Merger Creates Nation's Third-largest Newspaper Co.

By City News Writer, Alyce Hinton

(45 seconds)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN) Times Mirror Co., the Los Angeles Times, and Chicago-based Tribune Company merged late Sunday (3/12/00) to create the nation's third-largest newspaper company. The stock and cash deal is valued at $8 billion. John W. Madigan will head up the new company headquarted in Chicago.

The combined daily newspaper circulation of the merged companies will be 3.6 million, ranking it third behind Gannett and Knight Ridder. The merger would create a company with $55 million in projected Internet revenues, sources said, placing it in the top 20 rankings for interactive information services.

Financial details and other particulars of the arrangement are expected to be released today (Monday).

Republicans charge Democrats with dirty politics in 36th District House race

Evergreen Park--March 11, 2000--Some Republicans are alleging that the Democratic Party is running a "straw candidate" in the race for the 36th District of the state's General Assembly.

The candidate in question is Terrence McGlynn, a resident of Oak Lawn who runs a law office out of Chicago. His opponent for the Republican nomination in the 36th district, which includes a part of Chicago and some southwestern suburbs, is Patricia Vlasis, who is also a resident of Oak Lawn. Vlasis told City News USA, "We can't find any record of Mr. McGlynn as a Republican voter. To the contrary, McGlynn has voted in at least the last two Democratic primaries." Vlasis added, "In fact, McGlynn has nothing but Democratic connections as far as we can see."

Worth Township Committeeman, Maureen Murphy, also charged that McGlynn might be a plant for Democratic House Majority Leader, Mike Madigan. Murphy, a former member of the Illinois House representing the 36th district, said, "There may not be a paper trail, but we are looking for a smoking gun and it looks like we're getting close."

When contacted about the allegations, McGlynn denied any affiliation with Democrats, but he did admit he had voted Democratic in recent primaries. The Illinois primary will take place on March 21st.

Clinton Power Plant Gets Good Report Card

CLINTON, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Following a three week inspection the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant has received a good report card from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (NRC)

The inspection was necessary because the plant shut down in the fall of 1996, and restarted last May. Federal officials say that they did find some discrepancies in repair records which occurred while the plant was owned by Illinova. However, the current owner, AmerGen was found to be in compliance with all regulations.

A spokesman for the federal commission stressed that the adverse findings in no way threatened the safety of the facility. AmerGen Vice President Michael Coyle said that the company will use the NRC report as a basis to help develop operating standards and procedures.

Lake County Power Plant Opponents To Meet

LIBERTYVILLE, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Concerned Citizens of Lake County will conduct a public meeting today to present three reports documenting the impact of siting a merchant 'peaker' power plant in Libertyville.

The group says that the proposed plant would have negative impacts on air and noise pollution, and siting of a peaker plant connected to the electircal grid would provide no preferred power security to Libertyville. Speakers include Henry Henderson, Commissioner for the City of Chicago Department of Environment, Toy Overbye, Developer of an industry recognized power system analysis tool, and Howard Schechter, with the Midwest Environmental Assistance Center.

The session begins at 9:00 a.m. today (MON) at the Libertyville Civic Center.

Appeal To Be Filed In License-For-Bribes Scandal

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--An attorney for the parents of six children killed in a Wisconsin accident says he will file an appeal to a court decision issued Friday. Judge Julia Nowicki denied a request to reveal the names of everyone being investigated in the license-for-bribes scandal.

Joseph Power, attorney for Rev. Duane Willis notes that the appeal will be a lengthy process. Judge Nowicki suggested that a Freedom Of Information request might be the proper way to obtain the information. However, officials in the secretary of state's office say the information is private and exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

DOC Director says, "We Want To Build Schools, Not Prisons"

RUSHVILLE, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Don Snyder, Director of the Illinois Dept. of Corrections says that his agency does not want to build prisons. "What we want to see built are schools," Snyder told the Lincoln Day Dinner in Schuyler (SKY'-LER) County.

He said that under his administration, the Department has taken measures to reduce the return rate of prisoners. "We can give them education, and skills, but if we don't change their habit patterns they will just keep coming back," he said. "We have reduced the number of attacks by prisoners on guards, and on each other. We have also reduced the number of lock downs. And, we have done that by increasing the punishment for breaking the rules," Snyder exclaimed.

The Dept. of Corrections plans to build a juvenile detention facility in Rushville, the county seat, bringing much-needed jobs to the community.

Rockford School Deseg Hearings Continue

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--The Rockford school desegregation hearings will continue today. A witness for the plaintiffs testified Saturday that Rockford School District sorts students into high and low level classes based on their race and is "not ready for local control."

Her testimony directly contradicts that previously given by district expert witness Christine Rossell, a Boston University professor, who said her research shows "no evidence" of discrimination in honors and gifted classes.

But the Rockford Register Star reports that whether the statements or studies of Jeannie Oakes, a professor and associate dean of education at UCLA, will even be admitted into evidence won't be known until court resumes at 9:15 a.m. today.

Springfield Medical Guide

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--A new guide to major medical facilities in Springfield will make it easier for out-of-town patients to find their way around the city. The guide grew out of the city's ongoing efforts to promote and encourage the development of Springfield as a center for medical excellence.

In 1998, Springfield and Sangamon County analyzed the medical industry in Springfield and began preparing a strategic plan for growth. The multi-faceted strategy focuses on the attraction of new business, expansion of existing businesses and growth of the market for medical services.

The guidebook contains maps to 11 major medical facilities in Springfield, as well as detailed driving directions to each site. Also included are listings of local hotels and motels, recreational opportunities such as parks and movie theaters and locations of shopping areas. It was prepared under the direction of the City's Office of Economic Development. Funding for the printing of the guide was provided in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.

Chicago's largest hospitals gain with organ-rationing by need instead of location

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Hospitals and patients in Chicago stand to gain greater access to donated livers and other scarce organs under new federal guidelines for transplant operations that go into effect this week.

Crain's Chicago Business News reports that despite strong opposition from Wisconsin and other states, the Clinton administration is forcing a fundamental change in allocation rules to make more organs available in Chicago and other high-volume transplant centers. Kevin Burke, deputy assistant secretary for legislation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says, "It's mere geographic boundaries that are keeping people from receiving the livers they need."

An estimated 68,000 people nationwide are on transplant waiting lists, including about 4,100 in Illinois.

Voter Registration Network Being Created

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--The State Board of Elections will soon create an advisory committee of election officials to discuss the design of a statewide computer network for voter registration.

Board Director Ron Michaelson said the members of the advisory committee are being contacted and should begin meeting soon after the March 21st primary election. Michaelson said that a statewide system would reduce vote fraud and cut costs. The responsibility of processing voter registration applications, maintaining registration records and serving as each jurisdiction's chief registrar would still remain with each election authority.

Michaelson said. "During this next phase, we look to the advisory committee members for their guidance and expertise on how to proceed in this important project."

Former Bears kicker in race for Supreme Court

by City News USA Reporter Dan Zanoza

Chicago--March 13, 2000--Former Chicago Bears place kicker, Bob Thomas, who has been a jurist since he left the team in the 1980's, is now running for the Illinois Supreme Court.

Thomas is a Republican opposed in the primary by two other candidates in Illinois' 2nd district.Thomas has created a controversy by openly declaring himself the only pro-life candidate in the race which some say violates Rule 67 of the code that regulates judicial campaign procedures.

The race for the high court is expected to be extremely close with Thomas' reputation as a former Bears player possibly putting him over the top.

Congressman John Shimkus Calls Minimum Wage Hike "Needed."

RUSHVILLE, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Congressman John Shimkus, sponsor of a bill to increase the minimum wage by a dollar an hour, told the Lincoln Day Dinner in Rushville Sunday that it is time to increase the minimum wage.

"Our economy is good now," he said. "It is time to see that the benefits are extended to those who are paid the least for their labor."

Shimkus also defended his bill to tie the minimum wage hike to a tax cut. "I am particularly concerned about the inheritance tax. It is not fair to force a widow to sell the family farm or business just to pay Uncle Sam."

Shimkus appeared with State Sen. Laura Kent Donahue and State Rep. Rich Myers, calling for a Republican sweep in the fall elections.

Charter For Children

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Hundreds of individuals and organizations across the state have worked together to forge the new Charter for Illinois Children, which is a comprehensive statement of a common vision and goals for children. On Tuesday, communities throughout Illinois will hold events to launch the charter on a local level.

In Sangamon County, the event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Prairie Heart Institute at St. John's Hospital. Local agencies, businesses and residents are invited to attend the ceremony to publicly endorse the charter. The commitment ceremony will include recognition of supporters and their programs, public signing of the charter by participants and a video message from Illinois first lady Lura Lynn Ryan and former Chicago Bears football player Chris Zorich.

A reception will follow the ceremony to give participants the opportunity to celebrate their successes and network with others committed to the charter.

Couple Face Child Abandonment Charges

By City News Writer, Alyce Hinton

(30 seconds)

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN) - Dameon Lewis and his wife Donna of Rockford allegedly went to Mardi Gras and left their children home alone. When they returned from their trip they were each charged with four counts of child abandonment and locked up on a $50,000 bond.

Police say a school employee suspected a problem when the children didn't show up for school for a week. Their parents say they left the children with a baby-sitter, but the baby-sitter's parents say no such arrangements were made. The couple have been released on bond, and the children have been reunited with their parents.

Caterpillar Expands In China

PEORIA, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--The Chinese Government has approved the establishment of Caterpillar Paving Products to be located in the same facility as Peoria-based Caterpillar Ltd.

The new company will manufacture a series vibratory compactor for sale in the People's Republic of China. The unit is in the 10 to 12 metric ton size class, which offers the largest vibratory compactor opportunity worldwide. The first compactors built there should be available later this year.

S.R. Ramseyer, Vice President for the Asia Pacific Division said, "We want to participate and help the massive roadbuilding program planned by China's construction of its National Trunk Highway System."

Chicago Hosts Manufacturers

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000-- Manufacturing is important to the United States and especially the Midwest, accounting for the largest portion... over 35%... of many Midwestern states' economies. Chicago's McCormick Place is the site of National Manufacturing Week which begins today.

The Windy City becomes the #1 industrial marketplace in North America today, featuring 2,100 exhibitors and 600,000 square feet of displays focusing on the newest technology, innovations, and products for the networked economy of the 21st century. Last year the event drew over 52,000 industry professionals

Market Basket Prices Higher

(50 seconds)

PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Prices in supermarkets across America inched up slightly during the first quarter of 2000, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation's Marketbasket Survey. The latest informal national survey shows a 27-cent increase in selected grocery items from last year's fourth quarter.

Americans paid $33.49 for 16 selected items during the first quarter of this year, the highest average recorded since the survey's inception in 1989. The 27-cent hike from last quarter's $33.22 average also marked the third consecutive quarter where the average price slightly increased.

American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation's largest and most influential farm organization with nearly 5 million members, conducts its informal quarterly Marketbasket Survey to help track retail food prices to ensure they are in line with prices received by the nation's farmers and ranchers. While grocery prices have increased during the past three quarters, the farmers' and ranchers' share has remained steady and low. The farm value of each food dollar spent in the United States is approximately 21 cents. Labor, at 38.5 cents, is the largest component of the consumers' food dollar.

AmeriSuites Opens 100th Hotel

(30 seconds)

PEORIA, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--Ten years after opening its first property in Atlanta, AmeriSuites, which is credited with revitalizing the all-suite lodging segment, has reached another milestone with the opening of its 100th hotel.

The landmark hotel, located in Peoria, IL, is consistent with AmeriSuites prototypical design: a new construction property featuring 380-square foot suites with separate living and sleeping areas and kitchenettes. The hotel is owned and managed by First Hospitality Group, and operated under a franchise agreement with AmeriSuites.

CNSports!

by City News USA Sports Director Mark Vasko

(Peoria,Il)--Pleasant Plains High School won the boys Class "A" basketball tournament on Saturday in Peoria's Carver Arena. The Cardinals defeated 2nd-ranked Teutopolis 56-43 in the title game. It wasn't easy, as Pleasant Plains had to outlast Riverton 78-68, in a triple-overtime semifinal earlier in the day. They still had enough left to put together an 11-1 run to start the fourth quarter and pulled away from T-town for their first state title. They might repeat as champs, as the Cards were led by junior all-stater Dusty Bensko with 14 points, while sophomores Ryan Sunley and Jordan Roth added 13 points each. The Cardinals outrebounded the Wooden Shoes handily at 42-21. Teutopolis was led by Mitch Koester with 16 points. Pleasant Plains ends the season at 34-2 and the Shoes finish at 33-2. The third-place game went to Manlius Bureau Valley over Riverton 65-62

(Indianapolis,In)--March Madness is in full swing as the field of 64 teams has been announced for the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The likes of llinois, DePaul, St. Louis and Valparaiso are in....while Notre Dame will miss out. The 25th ranked Illini are the 4th seed in the East Regional and will take on 13th seeded Pennsylvania on Friday, in a game in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. DePaul is the 9th seed in the East Regional and will have a Friday first-round matchup against 8th seeded Kansas, also in Winston-Salem. St. Louis is the 9th seed in the Midwest Region and will play on Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio against 8th seeded Utah. The good news for Valpo is that they are in the tournament. The bad news is that they are the 16th seed in the Midwest and have to play top-seeded Michigan State, also on Thursday in Cleveland. Notre Dame, at 18-14, will have to settle for a likely berth in the NIT tournament, after missing out on the Big Dance.

(Indianapolis,In)--The brackets are out for the women's post-season NCAA tournament. Illinois, Notre Dame and Marquette are among the 64 teams that will play for the national championship. The Illini will play in the Midwest Regional and have a first-round matchup against Utah. Illinois, at 22-10, gets the 6th seed and the Utes come in as the 11th seed. Notre Dame, with a record of 25-4, is the 2nd seed in the Mideast Regional and will play 15th. seed San Diego in the first-round. Marquette is the 7th seed in the East Regional and will take on 10th seed Western Kentucky in game number one. First-round games will be played on Friday and Saturday. The four number-one seeds in the tournament are Georgia, Tennessee, Connecticut and Louisiana Tech.

CNWeather*

Midwestern Regional Climate Center

by Meteorologist Steve Hilberg

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS, March 13, 2000 (CN)--It appears the weather pattern will remain fairly active this week with chances for precipitation about every two to three days. After a cool start warmer weather could return by the middle or end of the week. We'll be watching precipitation closely this month as much of Illinois is still feeling the effects of the dry summer and fall. Normal March precipitation for Illinois ranges from two and a half inches in the far north to five inches in the far south.

ON THIS DATE IN WEATHER HISTORY...MARCH 13TH, 1961. WARM, SPRING-LIKE WEATHER ENTERED THE MIDWEST WITH HEAVY RAINS DEVELOPING IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS. ROCKFORD SET A RECORD OF 1.25 INCHES OF RAIN, WHICH TIED MARCH 13TH OF 1917 AS THE GREATEST SINGLE-DAY PRECIPITATION TOTAL FOR THIS DATE.

NOW THE FORECAST, FOR TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW NORTH...CHANCE OF RAIN CENTRAL. HIGHS UPPER 30S NORTH TO AROUND 50 FAR SOUTH.

TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS MID 20S TO MID 30S.

TUESDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS MID 40S TO MID 50S.

WEDNESDAY...CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW NORTH...CHANCE OF RAIN CENTRAL...CHANCE OF SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS SOUTH. LOWS 30 TO 40. HIGHS UPPER 40S FAR NORTH TO UPPER 50S FAR SOUTH.

THURSDAY...CHANCE OF SHOWERS NORTH AND CENTRAL...CHANCE OF SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS SOUTH. LOWS 30 TO 40. HIGHS 40S FAR NORTHWEST TO UPPER 50S FAR SOUTH.

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