The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 2

A2 The Pantagraph Saturday, November 17, 2012 www.pantagraph.com Daniel Day-Lewis used trip to Springfield to step into role ft- IT 1 NORMAL FROM AI decided to keep the tax levy at the same level as 2011 about $9.9 million the tax rate would be $1.2017 per $100 EAV and raise property taxes for the owner of a $150,000 home by $5 a year. If the council chose to keep the tax rate the same as the 2011 level $1.1897 per $100 EAV -the levy would have to drop to less than $9.8 million, Huhn said. Koos said if the council decides to make changes, he's confident members would not decrease the town's, contribution to police and fire pensions. "All you have to do is look at the state to see what happens if pensions are underfunded," he said. The proposed tax rate includes a $1.35 million contribution to the police pension and about $1 million to the fire pension.

In addition, the tax levy would cover the estimated $1.55 million to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund for non-union employees, and nearly $1.2 million to Social Security. If no reductions were made to those contributions, Koos said cuts would have to be made to the general fund, the town's other fund that depends on property tax revenue. That fund receives $1.6 million. Koos said he's asked town staff to consider some general fund cuts, but he would not be specific. When the recession hit, the town cut such things as the Harmon Arts Grant program and the printing of the parks and recreation brochures.

Both have since been restored. Koos said he doesn't favor cutting them again, saying "they've already suffered." Instead, he said, the cuts likely would affect services but none the public would notice. "We're at a bare bone's budget; there's not a lot of fluff," he said, adding he would not recommend cuts to police, fire or garbage service. Ill an effort to maintain a flat tax rate and prevent tax bills from increasing, the Bloomington City Council on Tuesday rejected a recommendation to raise the levy by $800,000. Instead, aldermen approved an estimated -tax levy that's about $400,000 lower than this year's $23.6 million levy.

The McLean County Board will consider cutting $350,000 from its proposed 2013 budget on Tuesday in an effort to keep the county's tax rate flat. Rachel Wells contributed to this report. DreamWorks and Twentieth Century FoxDAVID JAMES This publicity film image released by DreamWorks and Twentieth Century Fox shows Daniel Day-Lewis portraying Abraham Lincoln in the film "Lincoln." Blanchette said. "Then the secret was out." The resulting stir prompted Spielberg's production company to issue a press release from Hollywood announcing that Day-Lewis would play Lincoln in the movie. Goodwin says the result is a "staggering performance." "You feel like you are watching Lincoln," she said.

Goodwin said Day-Lewis told her Wednesday night that "those days in Springf ield were really important." While touring the museum's recreation of the president's White House, Blanchette said Day-Lewis stopped before entering the rooms that depicted Lincoln's death. "He didn't go in," Blanchette said. "He said he was portraying Lincoln while he was alive." Flick fact Question: True or false? If you buy Gold Springs Premium Spring Water anywhere in world and swear it tastes like home, you would be right. Answer below Daily digest Sunrise Rotary raises $16,000 for food bank BLOOMINGTON -Midwest Food Bank has received $16,000 from Sunrise Rotary Club of Bloomington-Normal. That is the amount the club raised during its annual Brats Bags fundraiser held recently on the downtown Bloomington square.

The event featured a brats lunch and bags tournament. Midwest Food Bank will use the money to support its backpack program that provides food for the weekend to school children in need. With the donation, Sunrise has contributed more than $75,000 to the food bank since the fundraiser began four years ago. Recycle carts should be delivered by Nov. 27 BLOOMINGTON -Recycle carts ordered in August should be delivered by Nov.

27. If you have not received your cart by then, call the Public Works Department at 309-434-2225 or 309-434-2278. Carts can be used immediately. Blue recycle bins can be taken to the drop-off facility at 402 S. East between 7 a.m.

and 2:45 p.m. weekdays or can be kept until a later date, when they will be collected curbside. Old bins will be given to local schools. Woodland board OKs Increased school budget SOUTH STREATOR- The Woodland School Board has approved an annual tentative budget of $2.9 million, a 4 percent increase from this year. School leaders project the increase would cost $100 more in taxes for the owner of a $150,000 home.

The increase was attributed to rising costs. Today in history Today is Saturday, Nov. 17, the 322nd day of 2012. There are 44 days left in the year. Today's Highlight On Nov.

17, 1962, Washington Dulles International Airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy. On this date In 1558, Elizabeth I acceded to the English throne upon the death of Queen Mary. Thought for Today: "Prejudice is a raft onto which the shipwrecked mind clambers and paddles to safety." Ben Hecht, American author and screenwriter (1893-1964). LOTTERY Friday's results My 3 3- 5-0 5-7-6 Pick 3 4- 0-9 9-0-1 Pick 4 0-8-6-4 2-6-9-3 Lucky Day Lotto 9-12-15-20-30 Mega Millions 5- 24-26-29-53(36) Lotto jackpot $4 million Mega Millions jackpot $26 million Powerball jackpot $214 million Answer That would be true.

The water comes from a natural mineral spring located six miles west of Atlanta, in Logan County. The company is based out of nearby Hartsburg. By Nick Pistor mck.pistorlee.net SPRINGFIELD During a secret tour of Abraham Lincoln sites in Springfield, two-time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis stood in the chamber of the Old State Capitol and breathed the air that once held Lincoln's high-pitched voice warning of the ills of slavery. It's where, upon receiving the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, Lincoln declared: "A house divided against itself cannot stand.

I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free." Day-Lewis noted the intimacy of the room as he tried to feel Lincoln's presence. "He asked if he could be left in the room for 10 minutes with no disruptions," said Dave Blanchette, deputy director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. So, the famed "method actor," who studies his roles in an attempt to transform himself into his subjects, was left alone that day two years ago as he searched to embody the real flesh of Lincoln, not just the marbled figure known to most Americans. "He was very studious and reverential," Blanchette said, saying the actor even asked to touch the letters Lincoln wrote to his generals, which are in the museum's archives. Blanchette hopes the new movie "Lincoln," in which Day-Lewis stars, will lead to more visitors in Springfield to experience the life of the 16th U.S.

president. On Thursday, the museum announced it would give $5 off its standard $12 adult admission to anyone presenting a ticket stub for the Lincoln movie through the end of the year. The movie focuses on the last four months of Lincoln's life as the president battled to pass the 13th Amendment, which made slavery illegal. Day-Lewis showed up at the museum in November 2010 with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and Spielberg producer Kathleen Kennedy. Spielberg's movie is based in part on Goodwin's bestseller "Team of Rivals." Day-Lewis wore sunglasses and LINCOLN FROM Al The movie "works on both levels," Bray said, for those who "are sort of drowning in Lincoln like I am" and for those who are "just curious." In a year that also included "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," Bray said, "I'm just glad it turned out as good as it is." He said, "I hope it will invite the American people to take him seriously again and also think of him as a struggling human being who faced the biggest challenge since George Washington." Likewise, Fraker thought "Lincoln" would capture the attention of casual observers.

"I think it will make them realize the genius of Lincoln and the humanity of Lincoln," Fraker said. "I would think it will make people want to learn more about him." People involved with Lincoln sites across Illinois are counting on that. "We expect it to have a very positive impact," said Teannie Riordan, assistant site manager at the David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington. "We already have seen increased interest with the trailers for the movie." Davis, a judge who rode the circuit with Lincoln and helped him on his path to the presidency, is not part of the movie. However, he is mentioned in Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," on which the movie is based.

The film focused on the last ILLINOIS FROM Al pay premiums, or whether they qualify for Medicaid. A call center would help consumers who don't have access to computers, or who have questions. and must a voice a fedora. He wished to go unnoticed. Day-Lewis's craggy features are an uncanny match for Lincoln's.

Like Lincoln, Day-Lewis is over 6 feet tall with dark hair and deep-set eyes. The actor reportedly lost weight to match Lincoln's signature lanky appearance. Day-Lewis, 55, had to duck his head to steer clear of the low ceilings as he toured Lincoln's home and old law office, Blanchette said. Just like Lincoln did. "He felt claustrophobic in Abe and Mary's house," Goodwin said.

"It wasn't just the ceilings. It's also the walls; they have lots of patterns on the wallpaper and the floors." As the secret tour pressed forward, the group stopped at a coffee shop. "His phone rang and he said, 'Hello, this is Daniel Lincoln notes On Jan. 15. 1860, Abraham Lincoln wrote Fernando Jones of Chicago: "Our republican friend.

J.W. Fell, of Bloomington, Illinois, can furnish you the materials for a brief sketch of my history, if it be desired." The same day, he wrote to another Republican, Alonzo J. Grover of Earlville, about his views on fugitive slave law. Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 marked the first time a Republican was elected president. I The ticking of Lincoln's watch in the film is the sound of the real Lincoln's watch, which was recorded in its home at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum, Springfield.

Although every president since George Washington had a Cabinet, the members' titles changed. Lincoln's Cabinet had secretaries of state, treasury, war, navy and interior, the attorney general and the postmaster general. I Lincoln was very tall and, when he was shot, had to be laid on bed diagonally. In the movie, he lies vertically. four months of Lincoln's life and his efforts to pass the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery.

Bray said actor Tommy Lee Jones "almost stole the movie" with his depiction of radical Republican Congressman Thaddeus Steven, who led the fight in the House for passage of the amendment. Bray thought some of the scenes involving Mary Todd Lincoln didn't ring true, but Fraker thought their "complicated" relationship and affection was portrayed well. Fraker saw parallels between today's Congress and the one I William McCullough had been clerk of the McLean County Circuit Court, where Lincoln frequently practiced law. On Dec. 23, 1862, Lincoln wrote to Fanny McCullough of Bloomington, regarding her father's death in a battle near Coffeeville, Miss.

"You can not now realize that you will ever feel better," Lincoln wrote. "You are sure to be happy have had experience enough to I Many comparisons have been made between Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. JFK's sister, Jean Ann Kennedy Smith, is listed as "woman shouter" in "Lincoln" movie credits. I Doris Kearns Goodwin's book title, "Team of Rivals," on which the movie was largely based, refers to Lincoln's Cabinet.

He filled it with political rivals representing Whigs, Democrats, Free Soilers, easterners, westerners, northerners, radicals and conservatives. SOURCES: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum, unvw.alplm.org; Papers of Abraham Lincoln, www.thelincolnlog.org; Internet Movie Database, www.lMDb.com faced by Lincoln. "Everybody was dug in then. Some of those people had to reverse themselves," he said. Bray said the movie provided "a sense of the dark, claustrophobic, smoke-filled room." He thought the movie showed "the core humanity of the man" while it also "demythologizes Lincoln, which is a good thing." Bray said, "What people, I hope, will take away from this is the profound depths of Lincoln's mind, yet the inability to read him." HAMAS FROM Al the area for early morning prayers.

So, too, was a Cabinet building where the Hamas prime minister received the prime minister of Egypt on Friday. In southern Gaza, Israeli aircraft went after the hundreds of underground tunnels militants used to smuggle in weapons and other contraband from Egypt, people in the area reported. A huge explosion in the area sent buildings shuddering in the Egyptian city of El-Arish, 30 miles away, an Associated Press correspondent there reported. The tunnels have also been a lifeline for residents of the area during the recent fighting, providing a conduit for food, fuel and other goods after supplies stopped coming in from Israel days before the military operation began. Missiles also knocked out five electricity transformers, plunging more than 400,000 people into darkness, according to the Gaza electricity distribution company.

A separate airstrike leveled a mosque in central Gaza, damaging nearby houses, Gaza security officials and residents said. The military had no comment on that attack and it wasn't clear whether weapons or fighters were being harbored in the area. member the exchange is created to create more competition and make it easier for consumers to shop for the best health insurance," Imus said. "If the insurance companies are running the exchange it's going to be harder for that to happen." also disagreement over whether the state should be able to actively negotiate with insurers on behalf of consumers, and be able to exclude health plans that don't offer a good deal. Brian Imus of the nonpartisan Illinois Public In Looking ahead, Quinn Illinois lawmakers resolve disagreements on operating a state-based exchange.

Consumer advocates want governing board free of insurance industry members and insurers want a in oversight. There's terest Research Group wants consumers and small business owners to have a big role in how the exchange will operate, in Illinois, and he supports Illinois playing an active role in negotiating with insurers. "I hope lawmakers re.