Illinois Briefs - 12/23/11

IDOT Suspending Work For Holidays

(Springfield, IL)  --  With people hitting the roads for Christmas, the Illinois Department of Transportation is going to make it a little easier to travel.  They're suspending construction projects during the Christmas and New Year holiday weekends.  The idea is to reduce congestion and make it easier for traffic to flow.  There are a few places where they won't be able to open up all the lanes and they're still urging drivers to take it easy in construction zones.  IDOT is reminding drivers that the work zone speed limits are still in place even if no workers are around at the time.

Missing Carbondale Kids Found In California

(Carbondale, IL)  --  Police say two children reported missing from Carbondale have been found in California.  Seth and Zachary Aukema were last seen with their father Alfred on December 9th.  The two boys were found in Kern County,

California.  They were with family. Police are still looking for Alfred Aukema.  He's wanted in Union County for criminal sexual assault.

Jail Fight Starts Over Changing TV Channel

(Edwardsville, IL)  --  Some inmates in the Madison County Jail are in more trouble after a fight broke out over a TV channel being changed.  Authorities say a prisoner turned the channel and that's when an argument started.  That led to four men beating up another man. Jail officials don't know if the victim was the one who changed the channel.  He was taken to the hospital with severe face injuries.  The four men suspected of attacking him are now facing an additional charge of mob action.  The victim has also returned to jail.

FEMA Helps Illinois Fire Departments

(Washington, DC)  --  Senator Dick Durbin says some fire departments in Illinois are getting some help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  The departments are sharing 757-thousand dollars and will help them update equipment.  Fire departments in Charleston, Rockford, Northbrook, Effinghamd and Le Roy are getting money.  The Adams County Ambulance and EMS is also getting a share of the grant money.

Murphysboro Man Accused Of Stealing Christmas Presents

(Murphysboro, IL)  --  Police have arrested a Murphysboro man accused of stealing Christmas gifts.  Police say 29-year-old Daniel Leon Johnson was arrested after police searched his home.  They say he broke into another house and took a number of items, including wrapped Christmas presents.

Teacher Resigns After Heroin Arrest

(Granite City, IL)  --  A Granite City fourth grade teacher arrested for possession of heroin has resigned.  Police say Paulina Suess would inject the drug before going to school, but they found no evidence that she was using the drug at school.  She's scheduled to go to court January 8th.

Unemployment Down In Metro Areas

(Chicago, IL)  --  The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the unemployment rate dropped in nine metro area.  Rockford saw the largest decline in unemployment.  The IDES says Kankakee had the biggest increase in jobs over the last year.  The agency says the biggest job sector gains in the state are manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and public utilities.  IDES Director Jay Rowell says the state has added over 105-thousand jobs since January of last year.