Illinois Briefs - 12/12/11

Pension Benefits Restored

(Springfield, IL)  --  Lawmakers say their plan to strip two union members of their government pensions is unconstitutional and they plan to reinstate the benefits.  A House committee approved a measure yesterday that will allow the union leaders to keep their benefits after substitute teaching for just one day.  It will also allow Chicago union leaders to double dip into several pension systems at the same time.  House Bill 3813, which lawmakers sent to Governor Quinn two weeks ago, would have prohibited that.  All three Republicans on the committee voted against the idea to restore benefits.  The measure is expected to come up for a vote on the House floor today.

Tax Deal For Businesses Coming Soon

(Springfield, IL)  --  State representatives are back in Springfield today attempting to pass a bill which provides tax breaks to Sears and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  The proposal failed in the House just two weeks ago.  Only three Republicans voted for the proposal but Minority Leader Tom Cross says they've

reached a deal.  He says the new version will allow businesses to carry their losses forward in a tough economy.  A new company has also been tagged onto the deal.  Champion Laboratories will be given the go-ahead to expand in Downstate Albion and relocate offices to Lake Forest.  Cross calls it a broad-based approach to retaining and growing jobs in Illinois.

Tribune" Reporter Subpoenaed

(Chicago, IL)  --  A "Chicago Tribune" reporter is being subpoenaed in the case against Springfield powerbroker Bill Cellini.  The "Tribune" reports writer Annie Sweeney received the subpoena on Friday.  The newspaper originally reported that one of the jurors who helped convict Cellini failed to tell the court she was a convicted felon.  Now, Cellini's team wants copies of all of the newpaper's notes, recorded interviews, and other documents associated with the juror's interview.  Officials with the paper say they intend to fight the subpoena because it interferes with the newsgathering process.

No More Golf Classic In Springfield

(Springfield, IL)  --  The Midwest's only professional golf classic for women is being cancelled.  Organizers for the Springfield LPGA say no one stepped up to sponsor the event after State Farm pulled out.  The event had been held in Springfield for the last 36 years.

Nearly Four Thousand Couples Engaged In Civil Unions

(Undated)  --  The state's new civil union law hasn't even been on the books six months but one advocacy group says it's already proving to be a success.  "Equality Illinois" says 37-hundred couples have engaged in civil unions since they were legalized in June.  Just over half of the unions took place in Cook County but 12-hundred were approved across downstate Illinois.  "Equality Illinois" says 90 of the state's 102 counties performed a civil union this year.

Hunting Area Reopened

(Grafton, IL)  --  A Grafton hunting area is open to the public again after a wildfire destroyed nearly 15-hundred acres last month.  Officials say the fire at Pere Marquette State Park may have done more good than harm because it burned away invasive plants and cleared the area for native trees such as oak and hickory.  The fire broke out on November 17th but officials still haven't determined what caused the blaze.