Illinois Summary - 9/16/11

Governor Quinn Heads To China

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn says he's looking to expand Illinois' trade opportunities with China.  He's heading to the country today to meet with officials about boosting business in the Asian market.  Part of his mission is to get the Asian country to buy more soybeans.  China is Illinois' third largest exporter, behind Canada and Mexico.  The country purchased more than three-billion-dollars' worth of Illinois goods in 2010.  Quinn says boosting Illinois' exports will create jobs and put people to work.  He's traveling with a group of 30 politicians, business leaders and educators.  Their itinerary includes stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.  Quinn will be back in Illinois on September 24th.

Judge Karmeier Campaign Contributions Under Fire

(Springfield, IL)  --  Campaign contributions made to an Illinois Supreme Court justice seven years ago are under fire.  A group of attorneys say Justice Lloyd Karmeier received between two-and-a-half and four-million dollars from insurance giant State Farm when he ran in 2004.  They say Karmeier won the election then reversed a one-billion-dollar judgment against the company.  The attorneys want the state Supreme Court to reconsider the case against State Farm, and this time, they want Karmeier to excuse himself from participating.  

State Worker Salaries Made Public

(Springfield, IL)  --  Are you curious about how much a specific state worker is being paid?  Well, now there's a new website that can calm your curiosity.  It gives people access to public employee data such as salaries, pensions and state-level workers compensation claims.  Adam Andrzejewski [[ann-jre-ef-ski]], who heads the group "For the Good of Illinois", says it's all about transparency.  The onetime Republican candidate for governor says the new website is 95-percent complete.  He says they're still seeking information from some police and fire departments.  Some of the data is old but there are plans to update it every year with the most recent information available.  You can see the website at OpenTheBooks.com.

Safe Driving Renewal Program Changes

(Springfield, IL)  --  Safe drivers in Illinois don't have to go the the DMV to renew their licenses.  The State is upgrading the Safe Driver Renewal Program so instead of just putting a sticker on the back of their license, drivers who haven't received a ticket in at least four years will have their new license mailed to them.  Secretary of State Jesse White says the old sticker system was causing hassles for drivers at airports.  And, he says even renting a car was sometimes troublesome.  The Safe Driver Program was started 13-years ago and every year more than 700-thousand Illinois drivers qualify for the program.

School Pulls Apple Juice On Reports Of Arsenic Contamination

(Liberty, IL)  --  Apple juice is no longer on the menu in the Liberty School District.  The food service supervisor pulled the drink after the popular TV host, Dr. Oz, claimed there were unsafe levels of arsenic in it.  The TV doctor announced that traces of arsenic were found in apple juice concentrate from countries like China, Chile, Brazil, and others.  The food service manager pulled the juice after looking at the labels and discovering that it contained concentrate from both China and Chile.  The Food and Drug Administration has since issued a report disputing Oz's claims.  They say drinking apple juice is safe.

Governor Quinn Promotes Credit Union Membership

(Chicago, IL)  --  Governor Quinn says helping people become more financially adept must be a priority in the 21st century.  He says it's important that people have banking alternatives that allow them to save money.  That way, when they're ready to buy a car or a home, they have an institution they can borrow from.  Quinn promotes credit union membership because he says credit unions believe in people and give them a fair shot at saving and investing.  In fact, he says he urged one state credit union to set up shop in the small town of Pembroke when he discovered there was no bank there.  He spoke at the National Credit Union meeting yesterday, commending the leaders for their commitment to local communities.

Foreclosure Conference Tomorrow At Edwardsville High School

(Edwardsville, IL)  --  If you live in the Metro-East and you're having trouble making your mortgage payment, there's an event planned just for you.  Illinois Mortgage Relief Project workers will be on hand at Edwardsville High School tomorrow to give advice to those who are behind or upside-down on their mortgage.  The Homeowners Protection Act gives those who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments a 90-day grace period if they enter housing counseling.  If you plan on attending the session tomorrow, be sure to bring your most recent mortgage documents, pay stubs and driver's license.

HUD Money Coming To Illinois

(Chicago, IL)  --  HUD has awarded more than six-million dollars to Illinois.  The grant funds will help public and assisted housing residents find employment and connect with needed services.  It will also help the elderly and people with disabilities maintain their independent living.  The money allows the grantees to retain or hire case workers to work directly with these HUD-assisted families to connect them to the supportive services that meet their individual needs.  The money is going to the towns of Carbondale, Lebanon, Champaign, Rockford, Aurora, Rock Island, Kankakee, Peoria, and the Chicagoland area.  Macoupin, Menard, Greene, Henry, and Lake counties will also receive some of the money.