Illinois Summary - 7/29/11

AFSCME, State To Appear In Court Next Week

(Springfield, IL)  --  Things are moving along in the battle over pay raises between AFSCME and the state.  Both sides will appear before a circuit court judge next Thursday at 1 o'clock.  That's when a judge will set the hearing date for arguments to be heard.  AFSCME says they'll ask the judge to throw the case out because a lawsuit has been filed in a federal court.

Quinn To Honor Bet With Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is suiting up in a Green Bay Packers Jersey next week.  He's making good on a bet he made with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker when the Bears played the Packers in the NFC Championship.  The Bears lost, and now Quinn has to tote the green and gold while volunteering in a Kenosha food pantry.

Third Heat-Related Death In Madison County

(Madison, IL)  --  A third person is dead thanks to the heatwave in Madison County.  David Richardson was found in his home Wednesday.  The mailman notified authorities after noticing the mail hadn't been picked up for days.  Coroner Stephen Nonn reports it was about 97 degrees in the home when they found Richardson's body.  There was no working air conditioner, and all of the windows were closed.

Schwan's Loses Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit

(Springfield, IL)  --  A Marion man is four-point-two-million dollars richer.  Larry Holland won a workers' comp case against his former employer Schwan's Food Service Incorporated.  A jury determined that Holland was wrongfully terminated after filing a workers' comp claim.  Schwan's executives argued Holland was fired after refusing a demotion due to poor performance.

Governor Quinn Signs New Concussion Law

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn says students who suffer concussions will have to stay sidelined until they're cleared by a doctor.  He signed a new law yesterday that requires schools districts to work closely with the Illinois High School Association.  The goal is to develop guidelines and materials to educate coaches, athletes and parents about concussions.  This law comes just in time as students are gearing up for the fall sports season.

Weekend Gas Prices To Go Up Few Cents

(Springfield, IL)  --  Weekend gas prices are headed upward.  Patrick DeHaan, with gasbuddy.com, says gas stations are passing their costs on to the consumer.  He says wholesale prices have slowly been rising,  And if the stations have to pay more for their oil, you'll pay more for your when you head to the pump.

Lincoln Park Zoo Hosts Pork-A-Pa-ZOO-la

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois farmers are headed to the big city for "Pork-a-pa-ZOO-la."  It's a free event at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo.  Tim Maiers with the Illinois Pork Producers Association says it's a great way for people to meet farmers and learn more about how food is grown in the state.  Complimentary food samples will be handed out along with fun activities, prizes, and educational opportunities for kids and families.  All the excitement begins tomorrow at 10 a.m.