Illinois Summary - 8/16/11

Horses Back On Track Today At The State Fair

(Springfield, IL)  --  The horses are back on the tracks at the state fairgrounds today and some lucky winners will walk away at least 20-thousand dollars richer.  Eight Review Stakes Grand Circuit races will feature purses worth 20-grand apiece.  That includes the two- and three-year-old pace and trot races.  Other races on the day include Illinois Topline, ISF Colt Stakes Aged Divisions, and Amateur Driving Race.  It all starts at noon.

Schools Can Stock EpiPens For Allergies

(Springfield, IL)  --  Schools are now authorized to keep EpiPens in stock to help students with severe allergies.  Attorney General Lisa Madigan says this could be the difference between life and death for students, particularly those who don't even know they have allergies.  One in 13 kids in the United States suffers from food allergies and doesn't know it.  In the past, students have been allowed to carry their own EpiPen but many would often forget them at home.

Agriculture Day At State Fair Is Today

(Springfield, IL)  --  It's agriculture day at the state fair.  Fairgoers will have plenty of exciting activities to enjoy.  There will be Open Beef, Goat, Swine, and Sheep Shows, a Draft Horse Show, Harness Racing, and an Auctioneer Bid Calling Contest.  The governor's Sale of Champions is also today.  And for a different kind of thrill, fairgoers can check out the High Dive Show on Central Avenue, stating at 2 p.m.

Food Pantries May Benefit From Asian Carp Problem

(Springfield, IL)  --  Some needy people in the state could soon have Asian Carp coming to their dinner tables.  Illinois' food pantries are all but unrolling a welcome banner for the invasive Asian carp.  They're working with the Department of Natural Resources and state fisheries to find a way to process the fish so they can provide it to the poor at no cost.  The Central Illinois Food Bank executive director says new products are welcome right now because of the increased use of food pantries and the rising price of food.

IDOT Launches "Operation Teen Safe Driving"

(Springfield, IL)  --  "Operation Teen Safe Driving" is in full effect.  It's the Department of Transportation's way of reducing teen deaths on Illinois roads.  Teen drivers are involved in over nine-percent of all accidents in the state but they only make up six-percent of the driving population.  But the OTSD Program is driving that number down.  There's been a 45-percent reduction in teen fatalities since the program started five years ago.  The program allows Illinois high schools to apply for a two-thousand dollar grant to implement the teen safe driving program as the schools compete against others to receive funds for post-prom and other events.

Illinois Lottery Brings In Billions

(Springfield, IL)  --  The Illinois lottery generated more than two-billion dollars in fiscal year 2011.  That's more than three-percent more than it generated in the previous year.  Spokesman Tracy Owens says the new scratch-off game "Cash for Life" is leading the charge.  Instant games benefiting specific causes like breast cancer, M-S, and veterans care brought in four-million dollars.