Illinois Summary - 9/23/11

Democratic Split On Redistricting Map

(Chicago, IL)  --  Chicago Congressman Danny Davis says he never said the new redistricting map violates the Voting Rights Act.  He's disputing reports he and Chicago Congressmen Jesse Jackson Jr. and Bobby Rush have split from the rest of the Democratic Party and refuse to help pay for the lawsuit filed by Republicans.  Davis says he's declined to pitch in any money because he's waiting for more information about the attorneys who will try the case.  But as far as Davis is concerned, the map is representative of the people in Illinois and when it boils down to it, he thinks Democrats can win the case against the Republicans.

State Senators Want Education Funding Restored

(Benton, IL)  --  Two state senators are asking their colleagues to override two of Governor Quinn's vetoes and restore education funding.  Senators Gary

Forby and John Sullivan say cuts to educational transportation are unfair for rural school districts.  Some students are walking about half-a-mile just to get to the bus stop.  They also want the legislature to reinstate salaries for the state's regional superintendents.  Senator Sullivan says the superintendents are elected officials whose jobs are protected by state statute.  He says it's not right to eliminate their pay without first finding a way to shift their responsibilities.  Lawmakers are expected to deal with both issues when they head back to Springfield on October 25th.    

Free Car Seat Safety Clinics Tomorrow

(Springfield, IL)  --  Kids safety is the primary goal of more than 80 car seat safety clinics that will be held across the state tomorrow.  State officials are teaming up with car seat experts to help parents make sure they're kids are properly strapped in.  About 700 expert technicians will be in the field to help parents make sure they're kids are buckled in the right way.  To find a free car seat clinic near you, check out BuckleUpIllinois.org.

Access To Healthcare Increasing Among Young Adults

(Springfield, IL)  --  New healthcare regulations that allow young adults to stay on their parents' healthcare plan until they're 26 has helped more than one-million people.  That's according to the National Center for Healthcare Statistics.  Kathleen Duffy, with the Campaign for Better Healthcare, says the law came at a good time because young adults are having more trouble finding work than other segments of society during the recession.

Joe Walsh Says Media Will Protect Obama Because He's Black

(Chicago, IL)  --  Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh says President Obama is safe for the 2012 election because he is black.  In a videotaped interview with Media Research Center, the Republican Congressman tells Brent Bozell that Obama pushed every one of the media buttons in the 2008 election.  He says the media is vested in seeing the nation's first black president succeed.  So much so that Walsh says the media's going to go to amazing lengths to protect him.  Walsh says he doesn't know the president personally, but he believes Obama's policies are, quote, "destroying this country."

Insurance Hotline Available To Illinois Residents

(Springfield, IL)  --  A new insurance hotline is available to Illinois residents who need general information.  State Senator Shane Cultra says it's an educational resource designed to help residents with questions about insurance-related matters. The idea is to help them make decisions that will best benefit them and their families.  Cultra says insurance can be difficult to understand because of all of the intricate details included in a policy, but people can get unbiased information about a variety of topics when they call the hotline.  The number to the hotline is (800) 444-3338, and operators are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m until 4 p.m.

Missing Jerseyville Girl Found In Colorado

(Jerseyville, IL)  --  A 15-year old Jerseyville girl has been found safely in Colorado.  Arica Blair apparently ran away with 23-year old John Allen, who happens to be a convicted sexual predator.  Allen has been taken into custody and Blair is in the care of social services after the U.S. Marshals Service and the local sheriff's department found the pair in Pueblo County.  Jerseyville Police said Blair left on her own last Wednesday and was considered a runaway, but they were concerned because Allen has never registered as a sex offender.  Blair was last seen September 14th when she was leaving school.