Illinois Summary - 9/7/11

State Senator Says Governor Playing Political Games

(Bloomington, IL)  --  State Senator Bill Brady says Governor Quinn is playing political games by threatening to lay off thousands of state workers by the end of the week.  He says if that's the plan, Quinn is misguided in his attempt to ease the financial burdens of the state.  The governor is expected to announce the closing of a prison, a juvenile detention center and homes for the mentally and developmentally disabled later this week.  While the governor's office won't confirm those reports, they're not denying it either.  Quinn's budget office has said several state agencies would run out of money by the spring if no action is taken.

Department Of Natural Resources Aims To Pay Landowners For Public Access

(Springfield, IL)  -- The Department of Natural Resources is paying landowners to open up their land for hunting.  The idea is to give youth turkey hunters and more access to private land in the Illinois and Kaskaskia River watersheds.  One-point-five-million dollars in leases will be given out over the next three years as part of the Illinois Recreation Access Program.  Public access area users will have to buy permits through local soil and conservation districts for ten dollars per year.

Study Finds Nearly One Of Four Illinois Children Experience Food Insecurity

(Springfield, IL)  --  Nearly a quarter of children in Illinois may not know where their next meal is coming from according to a nationwide study.  Shannon Traeger with Feeding America says food insecurity in children has a lot to do economic issues.  Around 40-percent of children who do not have regular access to food are not eligible for federal and state programs aimed at eliminating hunger.  Overall, 15-percent of Illinoisans lack access to enough food at times.

Urbana Man Arrested In Death Of His Roommate

(Urbana, IL)  --  An Urbana man is dead after getting into an argument with his roommate.  Police say Charles Moody died at the Carle Foundation Hospital on Monday night after being run over by his roommate.  William Couch was arrested and charged with reckless homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol.  He will appear in court later today.

Kirk Backs Says There's New Threat In Afghanistan

(Springfield, IL)  --  U.S. Senator Mark Kirk says al Qaeda is still armed and dangerous but not as potent a terrorist organization as a new group.  He says the Haggani Network is the new face of terror, calling it the most dangerous, lethal and cancerous force in Afghanistan.  Kirk recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan in his capacity as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.  Kirk says the Haqqani network kills Americans and attacks government officials in Afghanistan and is fully protected by the government of Pakistan.  Kirk says the U.S. should cut off aid to Pakistan.  U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says aid to Pakistan is not a lot of money about 15-billion dollars a year, but Pakistan should have to earn it by cooperating with the U.S.

Dolphin Dies In Accident At Brookfield Zoo

(Brookfield, IL)  --  One dolphin is dead after a freak accident at Brookfield Zoo.  Nea the dolphin suffered a fractured skull after a crash with another dolphin.  Officials say the accident happened Monday, just before the four-year-old dolphin was supposed to perform in the zoo's 1 p.m. show.  Nea was the youngest of seven dolphins at the zoo.