Illinois Summary - 7/14/11

Gun Safety Tips

(Springfield, IL)  --  A 13-year-old girl is in critical condition and a 39-year-old woman is dead in Illinois  --  both allegedly shot by the hand of minors.  Todd Vandermyde with the National Rifle Association says these are just two reasons why parents should be more cautious about how they store their weapons.  He says there are plenty of storage options out there, including locking devices and safes with biometrics on them.  He also says it's also a good idea to educate children on the dangers of firearms.  The NRA has a safety program complete with videos and coloring books to help parents reinforce gun safety.

Lottery Scratch Off Proceeds Help Fund Breast Cancer Research

(Springfield, IL)  --  You don't have to be a scientist to help find a cure for breast cancer.  A simple two-dollar investment could lead to the cure, and it could make you 20-thousand-dollars richer.  The Illinois Lottery has a scratch off called the "Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure."  It's raised more than nine-million dollars toward the cause.  All of the net proceeds go toward breast cancer research and education.  A spokesperson for the Illinois lottery says they're thrilled to contribute to helping people beat the disease.

Illinois Takes Steps Toward Energy Independence

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois is taking steps toward energy independence.  Governor Pat Quinn approved a measure yesterday that will allow a coal gasification plant in Chicago.  The project will cost about three-billion dollars to complete.  It's expected to reduce carbon emissions and create about 15-hundred jobs.

Democratic Strategy Sets Them Up For Re-election

(Springfield, IL)  --  One Political Scientist says House Democrats are using recent policy changes to set themselves up for re-election.  Kent Redfield is a professor at the University of Illinois in Springfield.  He says Speaker Michael Madigan and his colleagues have locked into a strategy that shows voters they can make tough decisions.  What are those tough decisions?  Well, Redfield says making strict cuts to balance the budget, reforms to education and workers compensation, and creating a two-tiered pension system are just a few things that may help Democrats in the 2012 election.

Fight For Concealed Carry In Court

(Springfield, IL)  --  Advocates for conceal carry say they're not giving up the fight.  The Illinois State Rifle Association is asking a federal judge to put a stay on the enforcement of the ban to carry a gun.  A motion was filed last Friday in the U.S. District Court in Benton.  Illinois is the only state in the nation that doesn't allow citizens to carry a concealed firearm.  The ISRA says that violates a person's second amendment right to bear arms.

Two-Point-Two-Million Dollars Headed To Illinois

(Chicago, IL)  --  Two point two million dollars is headed to Illinois communities.  It's part of a 92-million-dollar settlement with JP Morgan Chase over a bid-rigging scheme that left municipalities, school districts, hospitals, and nonprofits vulnerable after municipal bond derivatives purchases.  JP Morgan is now the third financial institution to settle in the ongoing investigation.  Bank of America and UBS previously settled with the states for 67- and 90-million dollars, respectively.