Illinois Summary - 7/1/11

Governor Quinn Makes Deeper Cuts To Budget

(Springfield, IL)  --  With just a few hours to spare before the fiscal year ended, Governor Quinn signed his name to the state budget.  But it might come as a bit of a surprise.  The Governor said on several occasions the budget didn't provide enough money for education and human services.  But he made further cuts in both of those areas.  The final budget comes in at 32-point-nine-billion dollars.

Holiday Gas Headed Back Up

(Springfield, IL)  --  Holiday travelers may not be happy to hear this, but gas prices may be heading back up.  Beth Mosher with Triple-A says a refinery problem has caused gas to go up in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.  She says it may not be too long before Illinois sees a spike.  Mosher says travelers can check out fuelcostcalculator.com to figure out how much gas will cost them along their route.

Public Memorial For Lura Lynn Ryan Today

(Kankakee, IL)  --  A public visitation for Lura Lynn Ryan is being held today.  It will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home.  The former first lady died Monday with her husband by her bedside.

Police In Full Force This Weekend

(Springfield, IL)  --  Police are beefing up their crews over the holiday weekend.  Local departments are joining with the Illinois State Police to conduct more than 200 roadside safety checks.  There will also be 300 nighttime safety belt enforcement zones across the state.  More than one-million dollars in federal highway safety funds will be used to keep Illinois roads safe through the holiday period.

Authorities To Focus On Drunken Boating Over Holiday Weekend

(Springfield, IL)  --  Boaters who are thinking of drinking and boating may want to think again this weekend.  The Illinois Conservation Police say they're keeping an eye out for those boating under the influence.  State authorities say alcohol use is one of the leading causes of boating deaths in the state.  Those planning to consume alcohol while aboard are encouraged to have a designated skipper.

Feds Give 1.4-Million To State Group For Migrant Workers

(Springfield, IL)  --  Some migrant farm workers are eligible to receive housing assistance and job training.  It's part of a one-point-four-million-dollar grant given to the Illinois Migrant Council.  The funds will be aimed at helping seasonal agriculture workers lead more stable lives while they're in the state.  Sixteen other groups nationwide will also receive five-point-seven-million dollars from the U.S. Department of Labor in the same effort.