Illinois Summary - 9/9/11

Quinn Praises Obama Jobs Plan

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn says he supports President Obama's jobs plan and he's calling on Congress to put aside partisan politics and do its part in putting Americans back to work.  But the question is, can he work with both sides of the aisle to help save more than 19-hundred jobs in Illinois.  Former Governor Jim Edgar says that's actually the key for Quinn to turn the state's fiscal condition around.  Edgar says fixing the state's budget problems won't happen overnight but he says the ability to compromise defines every good leader.  Edgar says Quinn will need to come to the table prepared to negotiate with all lawmakers, including Republicans.

AFSCME Says Lawmakers Should Pass Supplemental Budget

(Springfield, IL)  --  An AFSCME spokesperson says lawmakers have the power to avert a massive layoff of state workers.  Anders Lindall says Governor Quinn vetoed 376-million dollars from the budget lawmakers sent to him.  Lindall says that money is just sitting in the General Revenue Fund.  He wants lawmakers to pass a supplemental budget allowing Governor Quinn to keep the agencies running until the end of the fiscal year.  Otherwise, Quinn says he'll lay off more than 19-hundred state workers.

Senate President John Cullerton Responds To Layoffs

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is calling on lawmakers to pass a supplemental budget to help thwart his plan to lay off more than 19-hundred state workers.  He says he's willing to come to the bargaining table and make something happen but if lawmakers don't act, Quinn says the cuts will just get deeper.  Senate President John Cullerton says he already had plans to quote, "revisit the shortcomings of the budget that was passed in the spring."  He says Quinn doesn't have the authority to close state facilities without legislative approval.  Cullerton says he's confident that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability will conduct a thorough review of the governor's proposals.

9-11 Events Coming To Central Illinois

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois residents are preparing to remember the 10th anniversary of the attacks on 9-11.  Here are some of the events happening around Central Illinois: Parkland College in Champaign will host a "Phoenix Park: Embracing Life After 9/11" presentation today at 11 in the morning in the Flag Lounge.  Lincoln's Challenge Academy in Rantoul will host a 9-11 program tomorrow at 10 in the morning and Danville residents, police, firefighters, National Guardsmen and Army Reserves will commemorate 9-11 with the dedication of a wall of valor at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon at Sunset Memorial Park.  The Soldiers From Above, an organization that helps homeless veterans, is holding a 5K run at 6 o'clock on Sunday night at Winter Park in Danville.  Registration starts at 5 o'clock that evening.  It's 25-dollars to run and 15-dollars to walk. 

Hundreds Of Layoffs Coming Down The Pipe For Illinois

(Springfield, IL)  --  Nearly 23-hundred people in Illinois will lose their jobs in the next few weeks.  A report issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity reveals the bad news.  Among those who will be unemployed are 497 workers at Edwardsville-based UTI Integrated Logistics and another 200 Edwardsville workers at Buske Lines Incorporated will also be laid off.  One hundred-94 workers at Lowe's Home Centers across the state will lose their jobs as well as 628 workers at Chicago Restaurant Partners.  The companies are required to inform the state when they're planning to do a mass lay-off.

Illinois Can Compete For Education Grant

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois didn't make the first round of cuts but now the state is eligible to compete for up to 28-million dollars in "Race to the Top" funding.  Nine states were among the finalists in round two of the education reform grant program.  The U.S. Department of Education says Illinois is one and all are in the running to receive the money.   An additional 200-million dollars will be available in Round three.

Drought Likely To Diminish Illinois' Corn And Soybean Crop

(Springfield, IL)  --  It doesn't look good for corn and soybeans in Central Illinois.  State climatologist Jim Angel says the severe drought in August had a devastating impact on the crops.  Some farmers have had to truck in water to keep their crop in decent shape.  This August was the 13th driest on record since 1895 and early reports show September to only be half as wet as usual so far.