Illinois Summary - 11/9/11

Red Light Camera Proposal Moving Through General Assembly

(Springfield, IL)  --  Lawmakers are looking to put the brakes on fast drivers in Chicago.  They're considering a proposal to put more red light cameras in school zones.  The cameras would only be active from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Fridays.  A report conducted by the Chicago Police Department reveals nearly 900 school children were killed within a quarter mile from their schools between 2005 and 2009.  Supporters of the bill say the cameras will slow drivers down and help save lives.  The House is expected to take a full vote on the issue before the end of the day tomorrow.

Illinois House Committee Passes Pension Bill

(Springfield, IL)  --  The state's largest employee union is speaking out against plans to change the pension system.  AFSCME's Henry Bayer says the reforms don't benefit state workers because many of them will pay up to 50-percent more money to keep the same benefits they already have.  Bayer says he's also concerned because none of the people affected by the new pensions

system were consulted about improvements.  The bill creates a tiered system for pension holders who can choose which tier they'd like to participate in.  The measure passed out of committee yesterday and now heads to the full House for a vote.

Regional Superintendent Pay

(Springfield, IL)  --  A plan to pay regional superintendents from the corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax is headed to the House floor.  State representatives approved the measure in committee yesterday and are expected to vote before the end of the day tomorrow.  The measure will restore funding to the state's 44 regional superintendents who haven't been paid since July 1st.

Nationwide Emergency Alert System Testing Today

(Springfield, IL)  --  The first ever test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System is planned for this afternoon.  At 1 p.m., all broadcasters, cable TV, video providers, and satellite media will sound the alert.  If you're watching TV, don't be alarmed because the system will not inform you that it's just a test.  That's because there are limitations in the system.  The purpose of the test today is to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system and identify incremental improvements that can be made.

Occupy SIUE

(Edwardsville, IL)  --  Students at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville are staging an "Occupy" rally today at 10 a.m.  Organizer Harry Zollars says there are four main issues being addressed, including the state of American politics, the affordability and disparities within higher education, and the state of healthcare in America.  Zollars says the goal is to bring more than just awareness to the issues.  He wants students to find reasonable solutions to the problems.  A solutions panel will be held in the Goshen Lounge immediately following the rally.

SIUC Strike Update

(Carbondale, IL)  --  It's been a week now that faculty at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale have been on strike.  Members of the Faculty Association have been working without a contract for more than a year.  A federal mediator is now involved in the negotiations, which are said to be improving.

Illinois Ranks Poorly In Public Provision Of Mental Health Options

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois ranks at the bottom in the nation when it comes to spending on mental health.  That's according to a study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Ron Honberg, NAMI's Director of Policy and Legal Affairs, says the state cut nearly a third of its mental health budget in the last four years to save 187-million dollars.  He says instead of cutting so much money, they should've focused on cleaning up inefficiencies.  NAMI will release their report detailing declines in the nation's mental health spending later this week.