EBNHS not in good standing with state, but it’s not a big deal

The East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Service’s (EBNHS) status as an Illinois corporation is “not good standing,” according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s website. That means the not-for-profit corporation is past due in filing their annual report and paying the related filing fee. The report was due March 1.

EBNHS Board member Tom Stone said he believes there has been a delay in filing the necessary paperwork due to the organization’s annual audit being conducted, but referred me to the group’s Executive Director, Peggy Shadid, for an official comment. Shadid said the accountant has finished preparing the annual report and she (Shadid) will be sending it in to the state.

What’s interesting is that the state doesn’t appear to require an annual financial report, but rather this form, available from the Secretary of State’s website, which simply asks for the names and addresses of the corporation’s officers and directors, and can even be filed online. The filing fee is $10. The EBNHS has been incorporated since 1986 and, presumably, required to file these annual reports for up to 25 years.

City Attorney Randy Ray said that the EBNHS’s failure to file their annual report with the state in a timely manner was “not a big deal,” but did add that they should remedy the situation as soon as possible. Both he and the Secretary of State’s office said that, once the report is filed, the organization’s status will be restored to “good standing” once again.

Missing this deadline might be a small matter except for the fact that this organization has a history of poor record-keeping and lack of transparency, which resulted in quite a bit of controversy when its revenue source came up for renewal a year ago. Since then, the group has been trying to improve its image and regain the trust of its East Bluff neighbors.

The EBNHS gets its funding from an extra tax that is levied on properties within the EBNHS Special Service District area. The annual levy amounts to roughly $67,000. Starting in 2010, the City Council decided to vote on collection and distribution of that tax revenue on a year-by-year basis, “to assure all required reporting was complete,” Councilman Tim Riggenbach explained at a March 23, 2010 council meeting. Riggenbach did not immediately return a call for comment.

City redistricting committee to meet next Thursday

From a press release:

Peoria IL, (May 4, 2011) — The 2010 Census data will cause changes to the City of Peoria Council Districts. As a result, the City of Peoria has formed a Redistricting Committee comprised of the District Council Members and chaired by Council Member Bill Spears. The Committee is charged with facilitating a public process for drafting changes to the Council Districts and making a recommendation to the City Council. The Committee will hold a series of meetings to provide opportunities for the public to participate in the process of redistricting.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 5:30 P.M. in City Hall, Council Chambers (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street. At this meeting, residents will have the opportunity to review maps depicting 2010 Census data, understand the legal framework for redistricting, and provide input on the criteria that is most appropriate in determining City of Peoria Council District boundaries.

Information regarding the City of Peoria Redistricting process can be accessed at http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/redistricting. For more information, contact Council Member Bill Spears, Chair, (309) 688-0960.

Weaver picks up Montelongo’s mantle

One Thursday morning a month, councilmen Eric Turner and Jim Montelongo would hold a breakfast chat at City Hall where all citizens can come and talk about their concerns. It appears newly-elected councilman Chuck Weaver is going to continue that practice. A city press release states that Weaver and Turner will be in City Hall Room 112 this morning, May 5, starting at 7:30 a.m. All citizens are invited and encouraged to attend.