Illinois Summary - 10/24/11

Lawmakers To Override Smart Grid Veto

(Moline, IL)  --  State Senator Mike Jacobs says Ameren and ComEd customers can pretty much count on paying more on their utility bills.  The Moline Democrat says he's confident the General Assembly is going to override Governor Quinn's veto of the Smart Grid bill, which will add about three dollars a month to the customers' statements.  Jacobs says the extra money will be worth it in the long run because customers will get more efficient electric service.

Cellini Will Not Testify Corruption Trial

(Chicago, IL)  --  Bill Cellini is not going to testify in his own defense in the state's corruption case against him.  The defense team says Cellini's decision to stay off the stand leaves prosecutors with a greater burden to prove his role in the alleged extortion scheme.  They called four witnesses on Friday with the

idea of discrediting testimony from the prosecution's star witness Stuart Levine.  The trial is expected to wrap up sometime tomorrow.

ISBE Budget Hearing In Edwardsville Today

(Edwardsville, IL)  --  Officials with the The Illinois State Board of Education say the public's input is a critical piece of the puzzle as they build their budget for the 2013 fiscal year.  They're holding a hearing in Edwardsville today.  The meeting will be held at the Jon Davis Wrestling Center across from Edwardsville High School at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  Finance and Audit Committee Chairman James Baumann says the input will help them prioritize local needs.