Illinois Summary - 10/05/11

Congressman Jerry Costello Not Running For Reelection

(Belleville, IL)  --  Congressman Jerry Costello is retiring after more than 20 years of service.  His colleagues say it's a great loss for the Metro-East.  Governor Quinn echoed that sentiment, calling Costello a tireless advocate for the citizens of Illinois.  He says Costello has worked with politicians on both sides of the aisle to boost Illinois' job creation and economic development.  Quinn says he wishes Costello the very best of luck in his future endeavors.

Hoffman Says He's Got The Upper Hand In Congressional Race

(Belleville, IL)  --  Former State Representative Jay Hoffman says he's got the upper hand on Republican Congressman Tim Johnson.  Hoffman is running against Johnson in the 13th Congressional district and says a recent poll shows voters prefer him over Johnson by one percentage point.  Hoffman's

campaign conducted the poll which revealed Hoffman's 43 to 42 percent lead over Johnson.  Polls typically have a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points so a 43 to 42 percent lead is essentially a tie.  The new 13th congressional district includes Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Springfield and the Metro East.

BOA Responds To Senator Durbin

(Springfield, IL)  --  Senator Dick Durbin says Bank of America customers should quote "vote with their feet" and leave the bank after it imposed a five-dollar debit card fee on its customers.  In a written statement, bank officials say they're not trying to gouge customers or take advantage of them in any way.  They say they're simply trying to recover a portion of the money they lost when they discontinued overdraft fees on every day debit card purchases.  They say new federal regulations on debit card interchange fees further cut their revenues.  Officials claim they're not the only bank that initiated fees for debit card transactions, in fact, most major banks in the United States moved in the same direction.  

Champaign Police Still Looking For Suspect In Attempted Abductions

(Champaign, IL)  --  Champaign police are still searching for three suspects accused of trying to kidnap ten children in the last two weeks.  Authorities say they don't believe the suspects are working together in any way.  Deputy Police Chief Troy Daniels says they're re-interviewing all of the children and taking the most credible information to solve the cases.  They're working with the FBI, the U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement agencies to crack the case. 

AGCO Buys Out Illinois-based GSI Holdings

(Springfield, IL)  --  Workers at Assumption Illinois based GSI Holdings have no reason to fear for their jobs.  The company was recently purchased by AGCO, the third largest farm machinery manufacturer in the world.  Officials with AGCO say there are no immediate plans to make employment or business model changes at GSI. 

Legislation Introduced To Ease Burdens Of Farmers

(Rock Island, IL)  --  State Representative Rich Morthland says he's trying to ease the financial burden for farmers.  Morthland has introduced a bill that would eliminate sales taxes that farmers pay when they purchase the items they need to do work.  Morthland says taxes on twine, other binding tools and sensing items are inappropriate and unnecessary.

AFSCME Teams With Local Leaders To Oppose Facility Closing

(Rockford, IL)  --  Union workers are speaking out against the closure of Singer Mental Health Center In Rockford.  They're teaming with local law enforcement agencies and religious leaders today to express their concern over the closure.  They say shutting the facility down will leave nearly 850 people without care.  They're meeting at the University of Illinois-Rockford School of Medicine at 3:45 in the afternoon, just before lawmakers hold their first public meeting on the closure.