Illinois Summary - 11/4/11

State Rep. Blasts Quinn For Playing Politics With Facility Closures

(Jacksonville, IL)  --  Jacksonville Representative Jim Watson says Governor Quinn is playing politics when it comes to shutting down state facilities.  Six of the seven facilities are downstate and in Republican districts.  Watson says he can't be convinced that it's just a coincidence considering Quinn didn't fare well down state in the election.  He says he doesn't understand why the worst state facility, which is near Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon's home town, didn't make the closure list.

Rezko Wants Out

(Chicago, IL)  --  A former Rod Blagojevich fundraiser says he's been in jail long enough.  Attorneys for Tony Rezko asked a judge yesterday to sentence him to 44 months, which is the time he's already served.  They claim their client is living under the same conditions as offenders of violent crimes because he

rarely sees the light of day.  Rezko was tied to the Blagojevich scandals and convicted for his role in a multi-million-dollar kickback scheme.  He was never called to testify but was a cooperating witness in the cases against Blagojevich and Bill Cellini.  Rezko is scheduled to be sentenced November 22nd.

Illinois GOP To Hold Straw Poll

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois Republicans are holding a straw poll tomorrow.  The poll will give party leaders an idea on who voters think they should support in the presidential election.  Online voting started last week, but those who want to vote in person should contact their local county office for more details.  There is a five-dollar fee to vote.

Soda Tax Not Likely To Be Taken Up This Year

(Springfield, IL)  --  Some health advocates across the state want to cut down on obesity by adding a sales tax on soda pops.  But a plan to increase the cost of pop by a penny per ounce isn't likely to pass the general assembly this year.  A report by the University of Illinois found the tax would reduce the number of obese Illinoisans by 185-thousand.  It would also add 606-million dollars a year to the state's bank account.

Scott Air Force Base To Lay Off 110 Civilian Workers

(Springfield, IL)  --  More than 100 workers on Scott Air Force base are slated to lose their jobs at the end of the year.  The cuts come in response to a Department of Defense directive to freeze civilian job growth.  Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon says this is just another blow to an already weak Metro-East economy.  She says she'll do everything in her power to help the workers find jobs elsewhere and make sure they have access to state resources.

>>Daylight Saving Time Ends Tomorrow

(Springfield, IL)  --  This Sunday will have 25 hours instead of the normal 24 in the day.  That's because Daylight Saving Time will end and clocks will fall back.  Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour tomorrow night before you go to bed.  Daylight Saving Time is designed to give people an additional hour of daylight in the morning during winter months.