Illinois Summary - 10/13/11

Residents In Murphysboro, Chester Want State Facilities To Stay Open

(Murphysboro, IL)  --  Residents in Murphysboro and Chester are fighting to keep state facilities in their communities open.  They showed up in droves at a public hearing yesterday to express their concern about closing the Chester Mental Health Center and the Illinois Youth Center.  The closures will have a 70-million-dollar impact on the communities, leaving more than 550 people without work.  Members of the Juvenile Justice Initiative, however, say closing the IYC won't be so bad.  They say other states are closing juvenile youth centers and treating the kids in their own communities.

State Senator Tackles Pension Reform

(Chicago, IL)  --  State Senator Matt Murphy says only government employees should receive public pension benefits.  He's says union leaders are draining the state's retirement funds.  He's filed a bill that would close the loophole by

limiting benefits to time worked with the local and state governments only.  Murphy says he discovered the pension loophole through a website called "OpenTheBooks.com," which lists salaries for every worker and retired worker on the state payroll.

Logan Correctional Center Closing Rally

(Lincoln, IL)  --  Residents and City leaders in Lincoln are gathering for a march today.  Their message, "Keep Lincoln Correctional Center Open."  They say the state's elected officials must pull together and work out a plan to avert Governor Quinn's plan to shut down seven facilities.  The march will start at 4:15 at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.  Marchers will end up downtown for a rally at about 4:45.

Ameren Consolidating Electric And Natural Gas Bills

(Springfield, IL)  --  Customer who use electricity and gas from Ameren Illinois are soon going to see just one monthly bill.  The consolidation will affect about 35-thousnad customers in the Grafton, Elsah, Hartford, South Roxana, Cottage Hills, Alton and East Alton areas.   Ameren representatives are available to answer questions about the consolidation which will take effect by the end of the year.  Customers can call (800) 848-2477 for more details.

Lt. Governor Simon to host Classrooms First hearing

(Springfield, IL)  --  Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon is inviting the public out to discuss how to make schools operate more efficiently.  Simon is holding a hearing in Carterville today.  She says the state's budget is really tight so it's important to come up with a plan to keep money in the classroom so kids don't suffer.  The meeting will be at O'Neal Auditorium on the campus of John Logan College at 11:30 a.m.