Illinois Briefs - 12/9/11

Lawmakers Come To Terms On CME/Sears Tax Breaks

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois lawmakers are going to get several chances to vote on a package of tax breaks designed to keep Sears and CME in the state.  Legislative leaders say they have a deal in place to vote again on the 250-million-dollar package of incentives and tax breaks.  The last attempt to pass something through the statehouse failed miserably.  This time lawmakers will vote on two pieces of the plan, allowing those who disagree with the amount of the tax breaks or the amount of tax relief for lower income families to jump off.  The Illinois House is scheduled to come back to Springfield on Monday.  The Senate is set to return on Tuesday.

Illinois Attorney General Says No Pension for Blagojevich

(Chicago, IL)  --  Illinois' Attorney General says Rod Blagojevich should not receive his state pension.  The announcement comes one day after a judge sentenced the former governor to 14 years in federal prison.  Lisa Madigan says it's clear Blagojevch's corruption occurred while he was in the statehouse.  She

says he should not collect his 65-thousand dollar a year pension.  Lawmakers had already moved to keep the governor from collecting anything in the time between his 55th birthday on Saturday and when he reports to prison in February.  Blagojevich will still be able to collect his 15-thousand dollar a year pension for his time in Congress.

Springfield Police Arrest Deadly Shooting Suspect

(Springfield, IL)  --  Springfield Police are not saying why a local man pulled the trigger in a Wednesday shooting.  The "State Journal Register" reports that Marcus Johnson is facing murder charges for the shooting that killed Albie Underwood and critically wounded Joseph "Dink" Simmons.  Police say the shooting followed an argument at a party, but they are not releasing any more details.  Johnson faces 45 years to life in prison on the murder charge.

Normal Police: Stabbing Victim Lied

(Normal, IL)  --  A 21-year-old woman who originally reported a man broke into her home and stabbed her on Monday has changed her story.  Normal Police say the woman admitted to stabbing herself.  Police Chief Rick Bleichner said detectives brought the woman in for questioning and some parts of her story did not add up.  She was arrested and charged with one count of disorderly conduct and filing a false police report.

Mercer County Woman's Death Ruled a Homicide

(Peoria, IL)  --  The death of a western Illinois woman is now officially a homicide.  A Peoria County coroner's jury ruled that Melissa White's October death was not accidental.  Police say White's husband William is considered a person of interest, but no arrests have been made.