Illinois Briefs - 9/1/11

Illinois National Guard Deployed To Vermont

(Springfield, IL)  --  Ninety-five Illinois National Guardsmen are helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in Vermont.  Governor Quinn ordered both helicopter and troop assistance after being asked by Vermont state officials.  The Illinois crew will help deliver food, water and medicine to several isolated towns in Vermont.  Governor Quinn says he's proud to lend a hand to fellow Americans in their greatest time of need.

Police To Conduct 200 Roadside Safety Checks This Weekend

(Springfield, IL)  --  If you're planning to hit the road this weekend be sure to buckle up.  Police are boosting their crews in an effort to make sure drivers are following traffic laws.  They'll conduct more than 200 roadside safety checks across the state to get drunk drivers off the street before they can cause any deadly crashes.  Nearly 800 people were injured on Illinois roads over the 2010 Labor Day weekend.  This year, the checkpoints will be dedicated to victims of drunk driving.

Woman Who Allegedly Shot Kids Is In Police Custody

(East St. Louis, IL)  --  A woman accused of shooting two young children in East St. Louis is in police custody.  Authorities say the woman, whose name has not been released yet, shot the three- and four-year-old children then drove across the Mississippi River into downtown St. Louis.  That's where she hit three pedestrians before getting out of her vehicle with a shotgun.  She was sitting on the pavement when authorities apprehended her.

Sex Trafficking Ads Not Tolerated

(Springfield, IL)  --  Sex trafficking ads that solicit minors in Illinois will not be tolerated.  That's according to Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who joined 45 other AGs across the nation, alleging that ad company Backpage.com is a magnet for people looking to exploit minors.  They want the company to provide detailed information to prove they enforce policies to prevent illegal activity.  According to a letter sent to the company, there have been more than 50 charges filed against people trafficking or attempting to traffic minors on their website in the last three years.

New Report Highlights Lack Of Transparency in 2011 Redistricting

(Springfield, IL)  -- It's a process that was, quote, "done in the dark," and now one advocacy group says the redistricting process needs to change.  A new report put out by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform says the Democratic leaders' promise to be transparent fell flat.  The report claims voters were left out of the process, despite the public hearings that were held across the state.  Those hearings were intended to get voter input but failed to give them a voice on the finished product.  That led to one of Illinois' most gerrymandered maps.  The ICPR says Constitutional or statutory changes should be made now so the same thing doesn't happen in 2021 when the maps will be redrawn.

Quinn Approves Funding To Expand Community Healthcare Facilities

(Springfield, IL)  --  Springfield's Central Counties Health Centers is receiving three-million dollars to build an addition to its current facility.  It's part of Governor Quinn's plan to meet the health care needs of under served communities and high-risk patients.  He's approved funding for 14 community service centers across the state to expand or improve access to better healthcare.  Other Central and Southern Illinois community service centers receiving money include Rural Health Incorporated in Anna.  The Community Health Improvement Center in Champaign.  And the Shawnee Health Service and Development Corporation in Carbondale.

Gay State Rep Jumps The Broom

(Springfield, IL)  --  State representative Deborah Mell is married.  She skipped town last week to marry her partner Christin Baker in Iowa.  The Chicago rep is the first gay elected official in the state to take nuptials with her partner.  Unfortunately though, the move means nothing in Illinois, where gay marriage is still illegal.  The couple's marriage doesn't give them any more rights than those who are engaged in a civil union.