Illinois Briefs - 7/22

Remains Of Vietnam Vet Return Home After 40 Years

(Collinsville, IL)  --  It's been 40 years since Randy Dalton's helicopter went down in the Vietnam War, and now his family will finally get some closure.  The Army Specialist's body will arrive at the Lambert Airport in St. Louis today then a motorcycle escort will lead him to Sunset Hill Funeral Home in Glen Carbon.  More than one thousand flags have been placed on the side of the road to honor the fallen soldier.  He will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Sunset Hill cemetery Sunday.

Quinn signs Several Bills Aimed At Reducing Sex Crimes

(Springfield, IL)  --  It's a crackdown against criminal sex crimes.  Governor Quinn signed several bills yesterday targeting sex offenders.  The first requires the Juvenile Justice Commission to make recommendations on ensuring effective treatment of juvenile offenders found guilty of a sex crime.  Another stiffens the penalty for video images of child pornography.  It's now a felony one class higher than cases that have only still images.  And finally, Quinn approved a measure that requires sex offenders to register at the college where they attend or are employed.

Lieutenant Governor Pushes For Chicago To Iowa City Rail Connection

(Moline, IL)  --  Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon says a railway between Chicago and Iowa City is a move that will create jobs and spur economic development.  Though progress is moving slowly, Simon encourages Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to finalize his state's rail plan and move forward with the connection.  Simon says part of the holdup is because Branstad isn't sure if Iowa will be able to provide matching funds for the Moline to Iowa City extension.  Early estimates show that the state could stand to gain about 45-hundred jobs.

Payments To State Fair Performers

(Springfield, IL)  --  It's a full lineup of performances at this year's state fair and it comes with a big ticket price.  A "Herald and Review" report indicates the state will dish out nearly 600-thousand dollars alone for Lady Antebellum, Aldean, and Three Doors Down.  Perhaps even more surprising is that the artists will be paid in full the night of their performance.  That's something businesses contracted with the state can't say.  According to the report, the state still has a backlog of three-point-five-billion dollars in unpaid bills.

Aviation Program Ended At University Of Illinois

(Champaign, IL)  --  University of Illinois Trustees say it's time to end its aviation program.  Students currently enrolled in the bachelor degree program in Champaign-Urbana will be allowed to finish.  Trustees voted, six-to-two, yesterday to end the program, which is expected to save the university about 750-thousand dollars.

2012 Corn, Soybeans Expected To Be More Profitable

(Springfield, IL)  --  2012 is going to be a profitable year for corn and soybean farmers.  That's according to a recent University of Illinois Farm Economics Facts and Opinions report.  The report indicates that the per-acre return for the crops will be nearly 100 dollars more than predictions for this year.   The 2012 net return for corn is 269-dollars-per-acre while soybeans will bring in 136-dollars-per-acre.

Volunteers Needed For Illinois State Fair

(Springfield, IL)  --  Volunteers are still needed for this year's state fair.  Those who help out will man the information booths, the Illinois State Fair Museum and the interactive agricultural exhibit called "Farmer's Little Helpers."  Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of 15 hours during the ten-day fair, which starts August 12th.  Applications are posted on the Illinois State Fair's website at llinoisstatefair.info.