Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing is seeking a fourth term in 2017, making the annoucement at her Urbana home Wednesday. There could be a 3-way race for the office in the February Democratic primary, with Urbana Alderwoman Diane Marlin running, and fellow city council member Aaron Ammons reportedly weighing a run for the city's top office.
Ward 7 Alderwoman Diane Marlin says she wants to be become 'the city's biggest cheeleader,' and adopt a positive tone in launching her campaign for mayor. She admits the fight over property tax exemptions at the city's two hospitals are hurting finances, but also says it's taking up too much of the focus on the city.
Urbana Mayor Laurel Prussing says the proposed fiscal 2017 budget released Monday holds the line on the city's property tax rate, and has no new hires. But she says the $49.5 million spending plan also includes investments like road repairs, including the partially grant-funded MCORE project, reconstructing a section of Green Street.
The 4th District Appellate Court Monday denied requests for a stay of the ruling that threw out a state law that denied property tax exemptions to Illinois hospitals based on their charity care. Those requests were sought by the Carle health system and Illinois Department of Revenue. Carle and Presence Hospitals may file a lawsuit as a result.
The Illinois Coalition to Invest in Higher Education looks at the state's nearly 9-month budget impasse, and not only the impact on students, but the local economy. Members who held a press conference Monday include mayors, those leading research efforts on the University of Illinois campus, and student leaders from the U of I and Parkland College.
