Illinois Summary - 7/25/11

Weather Cools Down

(Springfield, IL)  --  Central Illinois residents got a bit of relief from the scorching hot weather as weekend rains poured over the region.  The cooler weather is expected to stick around for at least the next few days.  Temperatures should hover right around 90 degrees until Wednesday but by Thursday, we could see that heat index rise above 100 again.  

Advocacy Group Weighs In On Mandatory Contraception Coverage

(Springfield, IL)  --  It's a move that could save more than half a billion dollars.  An Institute of Medicine report recommends all private insurance companies cover birth control as part of preventive care services.  The idea is to improve the overall health of Americans but one health advocate says there are major cost advantages for the state.  Stephanie Becker, with Illinois' Health and Disability Advocates, says there were more than 143-thousand unintended pregnancies in Illinois in 2006.  That cost the government a whopping 512-million dollars.  The Obama administration could adopt the recommendation by August 1st but it won't take effect until January 1st, 2013.

Killed In Action War Veteran Laid To Rest After 40 Years

(Collinsville, IL)  --  It's been 40 years coming but the family of one war veteran finally has closure.  Army specialist Randy Dalton was laid to rest yesterday at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Glen Carbon.  The Collinsville native was killed in 1971 when his plane was shot down in Cambodia.  More than 400 people attended the burial including Dalton's three surviving sisters.

Three People Dead After A Plane Crash In Central Illinois

(Rantoul, IL)  --  Three people are dead after a plane crash in Central Illinois, and all are believed to be residents of Champaign  County.  The single-engine plane went down just after 9 a.m. yesterday morning.  The plane was just about to take off when it crashed and then erupted in flames.  The exact cause of the incident hasn't yet been determined but weather is believed to have been a factor.

Deadline Approaching For Fourth Annual "Shortcuts Short Film Contest"

(Springfield, IL)  --  Aspiring filmmakers are tossing their hat in the ring for a chance to walk the red carpet.  This year's winner of the "Shortcuts Short Film Contest" will walk away with a cash prize and their film will be screened at the Chicago International Film Festival in October.  The contest is open to all Illinois residents 18 years old and older.  Applications are available online at illinoisfilm.biz but you better hurry.  The deadline is August 1st.