Illinois Briefs - 12/19/11

New Bell Ringer Record

(Springfield, IL)  --  A Central Illinois Salvation Army bell ringer is getting a taste of fame.  Springfield's Darrell Tureskis has set a new world record.  He started ringing the bell last Thursday and rang for 60 hours straight.  Tureskis had to survive on liquids alone during the record-setting event because he wasn't allowed to eat solid foods.  He also had to stand and ring the bell for the entire time.  He was allowed a ten-minute bathroom break every four hours.  Tureskis tells the "Springfield Journal Register" that he's excited about the new record but more excited about helping the Salvation Army raise money for the needy.

Quinn:  Support Families Of Wounded Warriors

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is teaming with United Airlines to support "Operation Hero Miles."  The program provides airline tickets to military families whose loved one has been wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Governor Quinn says it's important that Illinoisans remember the sacrifices that military men and women

make.  He says they should be with family during the holiday season.  The program has issued more than 25-thousand tickets since they've started.  You can donate your frequent flyer miles by visiting FisherHouse.org.

Quinn Heads To Germany

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is heading to Germany today.  He's hand delivering Christmas cards to wounded soldiers.  Quinn plans to visit a West Frankfort, Illinois, soldier who was recently wounded by a road side bomb in Afghanistan.  Army Private First Class Chaz Ligon is recuperating in a German military hospital.  Ligon's parents told Quinn the soldier is in good spirits and looking forward to returning home soon.

Quinn To Receive Report On Public Financing

(Springfield, IL)  --  An Illinois task force has just two weeks to complete a proposal on whether the state should adopt a public financing system.  That means the state would help political candidates pay for campaigns.  The idea is to even the playing field and rid the system of the appearance of corruption.  Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon says the state can't afford to pay for public financing in every political race but she says it should at least pick up the tab for judges.  Simon says judges must remain unbiased and shouldn't feel compelled to take campaign money from lawyers and lobby groups.

Mother Kills Family, Turn Gun On Herself

(Pontiac, IL)  --  Five people are dead after a mother near Pontiac allegedly shot her three children and her boyfriend before turning the gun on herself.  Police are investigating the motive behind why Sara McMeen opened fire on her family early Friday afternoon.  Neighbors say they've heard McMeen fighting with her boyfriend several times over the past few months.  The 30-year old mother allegedly shot her children in the yard of their home Friday just after they got off of the school bus.   McMeen's mother said in a statement that the family is depending on God to get them through this difficult time.

Williamson County Boosts Holiday Patrols

(Springfield, IL)  --  Williamson County drivers are being put on warning.  The sheriff's department is stepping up its patrol efforts for the rest of the year.  They're holding several safety checks across the county.  They'll be looking for drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, who don't have valid driver's licenses or insurance, and those who aren't wearing seat belts.  Sheriff Bennie Vick says those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol will spend a portion of their holiday season behind bars.

State Senator Buys Gifts For Needy Kids

(Benton, IL)  --  State Senator Gary Forby is doing his part to ensure abused children in his district have a gift under the Christmas tree.  The Benton Democrat donated ten-thousand dollars to "Pat's Kids."  It's a nonprofit organization that purchases gifts for kids who are sexually and physically abused.  This is the third year in a row that Forby has made the donation.