Illinois Summary - 11/18/11

Redistricting Battle In Court

(Chicago, IL)  --  One Illinois Congressman says the state's Democrats committed a, quote, "legislative drive-by shooting" when they drafted new district boundaries.  Republican Representative Peter Roskam made the analogy during Day One of the trial, which seeks to throw the newly drawn maps out.  The boundaries pit members of the GOP against each other and could push at least five out of Congress.  Republicans filed a lawsuit, claiming the map heavily favors Democrats and minimizes the Latino voice.  They've offered their own version of the map.  A three-judge panel is hearing the case.

Quinn, Catholic Leaders To Meet

(Springfield, IL)  --  Catholic Bishops and Governor Quinn are meeting to discuss some of the governor's political decisions.  The meeting comes after the religious leaders publicly rebuked Quinn for presenting an award at a ceremony hosted by an abortion rights group.  Quinn claims to be Catholic, but the leaders say some

of his actions defy Catholic morals.  That doesn't just include his decision to present the award.  It also includes his approval of the new Civil Unions law, which allows gay couples to adopt kids and become foster parents.  The meeting is scheduled for December 16th.

Public Has Right To View City Officials' Texts

(Champaign, IL)  --  All electronic correspondence between government workers at meetings is subject to public scrutiny, even text messages made on personal cell phones.  The Attorney General released the opinion after city council members in Champaign refused to turn the records over to a reporter.  A reporter with "The News-Gazette" requested the documents in a FOIA letter after watching the council members pass messages at a public hearing.  Newspaper officials claim the messages could contain information that sways votes on public issues and in that case, should be made public.  The city of Champaign has 30 days to turn the documents over or file a lawsuit.

Pittsfield Couple Files Discrimination Complaint

(Pittsfield, IL)  --  A interracial couple in Pittsfield says they never imagined they'd have to deal with workplace discrimination.  John and Hope Mizell say a manager at Hardee's made derogatory statements to Hope, who is African American.  The couple alleges the manager told Hope she didn't like Martin Luther King Jr. or Black people.  The Mizell's have filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  Officials from the Hardee's restaurant say they're taking the complaint seriously.

Semi Almost Hits Construction Workers

(Dongola, IL)  --  Illinois State Police officials say a semi-truck barely missed construction workers when it flipped over on I-57 yesterday.  The driver lost control of the rig when it hit a portion of the roadway that was being repaired.  He was given a ticket for improper lane usage.  Lieutenant Steven Shields says the accident serves as a reminder to drivers that they need to follow the speed limit and pay attention in construction zones.

Conceal Carry Fight Continues

(Springfield, IL)  --  U.S. Representative Tim Johnson's attempt to amend the National Right-To-Carry-Reciprocity Act was unsuccessful, but he says he'll introduce the measure again next month.  The move would've given Illinoisans the right to carry guns legally.  Illinois is the only state in the nation that doesn't have a conceal carry measure on the books.

Tax Deal Could Cost Millions

(Springfield, IL)  --  Lawmakers' plan to cut a tax deal with Illinois businesses is likely going to cost the state 850-million dollars a year.  The idea is to keep companies like Chicago's Mercantile Exchange from leaving Illinois.  The original package would've required that CME only pay taxes on trades that originate in the state.  But the cost of the package sky rocketed when lawmakers and Governor Quinn added breaks for Sears plus earned income tax credits for individuals.  Quinn's office says the 850-million-dollar loss wouldn't impact the state for at least three years. That's about the same time the temporary income tax hike is set to expire.

New Video Highlights Farming

(Bloomington, IL)  --  A new cartoon is designed to give Illinois fourth graders a lesson in agriculture.  The "Food for Thought" video explains connections between the pork and soybean industries.  It'll give students a glimpse of how farmers earn a living and take care of their farms.  All fourth-grade teachers in the state will be receiving the DVD.  The teachers can get up to 200 dollars to help cover educational supplies and expenses if they decide to use the video in class.