Illinois Summary - 7/13/11

Heat Relief On Way

(Springfield, IL)  --  Relief from excessive heat is on the way, but it won't stay for long.  The National Weather Service reports the heat will be back by the weekend.  Current indications are that the heat wave will be similar to the recent one.  The heat index is expected to exceed 105 degrees heading into next week.

AFSCME Members Hit Picket Lines

(Springfield, IL)  --  AFSCME members say they want Governor Quinn to be a man of his word.  They hit the streets at more than 75 state facilities yesterday, expressing their concern about cancelled pay raises.  They say they've done their parts to save the state money, and now it's time for the state to step up.  They've taken their case to a federal court to try to get Governor Quinn to make good on contracted pay raises.

Quinn Now Source Of Another Lawsuit

(Springfield, IL)  --  A wave of lawsuits is being filed against Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois.  The most recent brought on by five arbitrators who lost their jobs after lawmakers passed workers' comp reform.  The law sought to eliminate abuse within the system, and part of that deal was to get rid of the people who made payout decisions.  The arbitrators say they were fired without probable cause.  They're asking the court to reinstate them to their positions and give them half a million dollars in damages.

Governor's Office Mum on Catholic Charities Decision

(Springfield, IL)  --  A judge says the state must maintain its contract with Catholic Charities.  That ruling came down yesterday, but Jimmie Whitelow [[ whit-low ]] with the state's Department of Children and Family Services, isn't saying much about the decision.  He says they'll review the court order once they receive it.  The decision is temporary.  An official hearing is scheduled for August 17th.

Governor To Sign Jobs, Education Bills Today

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Pat Quinn says he's advancing clean energy initiatives in the state, and he's creating 15-hundred jobs in the process.  He's expected to provide more details at a bill-signing ceremony in Chicago later this morning.  In a separate ceremony, Quinn will approve legislation designed to increase math and science education opportunities in Aurora.

State Working With Residents After Violent Wind Storm

(Chicago, IL)  --  Hundreds of thousands of homes are still without power in the northern part of the state.  That leaves people vulnerable to crime, but Governor Quinn says he's taking steps to ensure their safety.  He's working with emergency agencies to supply resources in affected communities.  That means heavy trucks and correctional inmates are available to assist with debris removal and law enforcement support.  In the meantime, crews are working round the clock to restore power.