Illinois Summary - 10/28/11

Cellini Juror Removed Over Conflict Of Interest

(Chicago, IL)  --  The jury in the case against Springfield political insider and alleged extortionist Bill Cellini is back at square one.  The group had to start deliberations over after one of them was removed because of a conflict of interest.  Judge James Zagel says he won't release any details about the conflict until a verdict has been reached.  The jury will continue deliberations today.

Tenaska Discussion Tabled

(Springfield, IL)  --  A plan to build a coal gasification plant in Taylorville has been tabled.  Senate President John Cullerton pulled the Tenaska proposal out of the record yesterday after it failed to gain enough votes to pass.  The power plant is supposed to create 25-hundred jobs in Central Illinois, but

customers will be forced to foot the three-and-a-half-million-dollar construction bill.  Taylorville Mayor Greg Brotherton says he believes the bill was blocked by lobbyists from other power plants who don't want competition.

Jay Hoffman Dumps Congressional Bid For State Seat Instead

(Edwardsville, IL)   --  Jay Hoffman is giving up his Congressional bid to run for a seat in the Illinois State House instead.  The Democrat has been stumping in communities in the 13th Congressional district for about two months but has decided he'll be more effective as a state representative for the Metro-East.  He says the Illinois House gives him the best opportunity to advocate for issues like capital construction, education, and economic development.   The seat was held by Democrat Thomas Holbrook until this past Monday.  He resigned after Governor Quinn appointed him to lead the Pollution Control Board.  Hoffman served in the Illinois House from 1991 until 2010.

Quinn Health Alliance Veto Stands

(Springfield, IL)  --  The health insurance issue for state workers is still up in the air.  Governor Quinn vetoed a proposal to extend Health Alliance contracts and a senate effort to override the veto fell short by eight votes.  Champaign Senator Michael Frerich's says the bill is not dead.  He has one more shot at overriding during this veto session but if he is unsuccessful, he says he'll look at pushing something through the legislature during session next year.

Senate President Says Gaming On Hold

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is meeting with members of the legislature next week in an effort to strike a deal on gaming.  Senate President John Cullerton says the issue is being put on hold until after the meeting. Quinn wants slots taken out of the original proposal but doing that pretty much forces downstate lawmakers and the Ag industry to remove their support from the bill. 

Commission Rejects Governor's Plan To close Facilities

(Springfield, IL)  --  A plan to shut down state facilities and layoff thousands of workers is not in the best interest of the state.  The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability rejected Governor Quinn's plan to close a developmental center in Dixon, the juvenile detention center in Murphysboro, and mental health hospitals in Chester and Rockford.  The group has not yet voted on closure recommendations for facilities in Lincoln, Jacksonville, and Tinley Park.  The COGFA recommendation is not binding, meaning Governor Quinn can still move forward with the plan. A spokesperson for the governor says he'll be forced to shut the facilities down if lawmakers don't give him more money. 

Safely Dispose Of Old Medications

(Springfield, IL)  --  Tomorrow is National Take Back Day.  It's a program that allows you to take clean out your medicine cabinets and dispose of any old medications.  The medicines can be dropped off at police stations across the state.  Health officials say the proper disposal of old, outdated medicines can prevent abuse and cut back on negative drug reactions.