Champ Car-IRL unification at hand

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	Tuesday, February 19, 2008
	Champ Car-IRL unification at hand Champ Car teams this week began hustling to prepare for Indy Racing League's first open test in Homestead, Fla., on Feb 27 and 28, three sources close to both series told IBJ. That can only mean one thing, they said: Unification of the two open-wheel series is at hand. Champ Car and IRL lawyers are hammering out final details following intense weekend meetings, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. A press conference likely will be called later this week to make the unification announcement.   Super Bowl group aims to raise $25M "It's everybody's Super Bowl" will be the theme for Indianapolis' Super Bowl 2012 bid, which will officially kick off at a press conference this afternoon. Bid leader Mark Miles, president of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, said the bid committee will try to reach out to the entire community when strategizing to win the big event. The group is trying to raise $25 million in private donations to fund the festivities.
	Senate Republicans push version of tax plan Indiana Senate Republicans have advanced their own version of a property tax restructuring plan. They changed the bill passed by the Democrat-controlled House but provided about the same amount of relief for homeowners. The bill was endorsed by the Senate Tax Committee 9-0 this morning and sent to the full Senate. Doctors' group reaches agreement with Anthem A large group of Bloomington doctors has reached an agreement in principle with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana that will keep the doctors in Anthem's provider network. The agreement means Anthem customers will continue to receive discounted rates at Internal Medicine Associates, a group of 55 primary care physicians and five nurse practitioners. An existing contract between Anthem and Internal Medicine was set to expire Feb. 25.   Indiana native Eskew named Lilly director The board of directors of Eli Lilly and Co. has elected Michael L. Eskew, former chairman and chief executive officer of United Parcel Service Inc., as a new member. Eskew, who served as chairman and chief executive officer of UPS from January 2002 until December 2007, brings over 35 years of global corporate management experience to the Lilly board. He is a Vincennes native, and holds an engineering degree from Purdue University.   Mitsubishi closing Greenwood plant A plant in Greenwood operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Climate Control Inc. will close in September because the company lost a key contract with an undisclosed customer, according to the Daily Journal of Franklin. Some of the 60 workers might be transferred to a plant operated by the company at its headquarters in nearby Franklin   First Internet Bank dodges mortgage woes First Internet Bancorp is sidestepping mortgage problems that are dragging down some of the world's largest banks. The Indianapolis parent of First Internet Bank today reported $2.8 million in profit last year, up 33 percent from 2006. Much of the increased earnings came from mortgages received through the bank's acquisition in 2006 of Indianapolis-based Landmark Financial Corp. Barge maker abruptly names new CEO A new president and CEO has been appointed at American Commercial Lines, the big barge builder headquartered in the southern Indiana city of Jeffersonville, after the company reported a plunge in profit. Michael Ryan, the company's senior vice president of sales and marketing, will replace Mark Holden on March 1, the parent of Jeffboat said yesterday. American Commercial Lines said fourth-quarter earnings sank to $23.7 million, although revenue increased more than 13 percent, to $302.5 million.
	Bloomington downtown near full occupancy Last year, Bloomington's downtown netted 18 new businesses, with 25 businesses opening and seven closing, according to The Herald Times, citing a report issued by Bloomington Downtown Inc. The report also said eight companies expanded and 12 buildings were renovated. Downtown commercial space is 95-percent occupied, the report said.   Docs, hospitals to pay less for malpractice fund Indiana doctors and hospitals will catch a break on the rates they pay to support a malpractice payout fund starting next month. But the deal probably won't translate into lower patient bills. Patient's Compensation Fund surcharge rates will be reduced 19 percent for doctors and 1 percent for hospitals starting March 1, according to the state Department of Insurance. The fund was established in 1976 to help compensate malpractice victims.   Lawmaker not budging on same-sex marriage Hundreds of e-mails. Petitions with thousands of signatures. Phone calls. Letters. Radio ads. Statehouse rallies. Supporters of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage continue to press the issue despite a key lawmaker's firm stance that he will not give the proposal a hearing. Without that hearing this year, the amendment appears dead - good news for opponents of the amendment. But they, too, are pouring on the pressure, hoping to offset efforts by supporters.
	Report: Congress to ask about Zimmer deal U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie has been asked to testify before members of Congress about a multimillion-dollar contract his office awarded to former Attorney General John Ashcroft to oversee Warsaw-based Zimmer Holdings. The hearing before a House Judiciary Committee subcommittee is scheduled for Feb. 26, The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., reported yesterday. Christie, the top federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey, has not said whether he will appear.   From IBJ staff - Compiled by Norm Heikens IU, Purdue rekindle rivalry For the first time in nearly eight years, IU and Purdue will face each other as ranked teams. The No.14 Boilermakers travel to Bloomington tonight to play the 15th-ranked Hoosiers. Purdue has won 11 games in a row and leads the Big Ten by one game over Wisconsin and a game and a half over IU. Indiana star forward D.J. White is expected to play despite spraining his knee in this weekend's 80-61 win over Michigan State. Fox 59 will have game results at 10 p.m. Arson officials investigate west-side fire Arson investigators are looking into a west-side fire at William Penn School No. 49. Crews were called to the scene after a break-in alarm sounded. The fire started in a class room, and damage is estimated at $20,000. Powell says he'd consider another job During his visit to Indianapolis yesterday, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said he has no plan to seek office in the next presidential administration. However, he did say that if he were offered a job by the next president, he would seriously consider it. Powell made the comments while speaking at Butler University. St. Francis starts business A researcher is starting a business with his former employer, St. Francis Hospital, to develop autoimmune test kits.   Caterer headed for sale Sun Capital Partners is putting Crystal Food Services on the block.   Interstates go high-tech Transportation officials hope new technology will help traffic move faster.
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