Illinois Summary - 9/27/11

IDOT Defends Creation Of 16 New Jobs

(Springfield, IL)  --  The Illinois Department of Transportation is defending its decision to create 16 new positions despite Governor Quinn's announcement to slash more than 19-hundred jobs across the state.  Spokesperson Josh Kauffman says the positions are vital for keeping the construction industry running smoothly, especially during winter months.  The "Operations Supervisors" will be responsible for overseeing and administering hundreds of construction projects and workers during the construction season.  Each could cap out with a salary of more than 100-thousand dollars.  That means the state will release more than one-and-a-half-million dollars to pay for the jobs.  Kauffman validates spending the money despite a multi-billion-dollar shortfall because the money is coming out of the IDOT Road Fund, not the General Revenue Fund.

Blagojevich Not Likely Trying To Strike Deal With Cellini Prosecution

(Springfield, IL)  --  Former Governor Rod Blagojevich's sentencing is being pushed back but does that mean he's looking to strike a deal with prosecutors in the Bill Cellini trial?  Some believe that's the former governor's plan but Political Scientist Kent Redfield says he doesn't think so.  He agrees that

people often cooperate with federal prosecutors in order to get a lighter sentence but he says Blagojevich's perjury conviction compromises the integrity of his testimony.  Cellini is a former fundraiser for Blagojevich who is also accused of corruption.  His trial will start October 3rd.

Pork Recall

(Springfield, IL)  --  More than 55-hundred pounds of pureed pork products are being recalled because they may have small metal fragments in them.  The manufacturer says the metal fragments may have come from blending equipment inside the Pennsylvania plant.  The four-and-a-half pound boxes of Imperial Sysco Pureed Shaped Meats Country Style Pork and Binder Products were manufactured by K. Heeps Incorporated and may have a mark on the box that reads, "EST. 9379."  The boxes were produced on June 16th and sent to more than ten states, including Illinois.  No injuries have been reported but if you've purchased one of these products, do not eat the meat and contact the manufacturer immediately.

IDOT Seeks Public Input On Road Projects

(Springfield, IL)  --  The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking public input to help in developing its multi-year program for road improvements  They're holding informational and feedback sessions in several communities.  The first one is tomorrow form 4 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the Oakley Lindsay Center in Quincy.  The meetings will give residents and businesses in the area a chance to better understand and weigh in on project priorities over the next five to seven years.  Another meeting will be held next Thursday in Springfield.

State Representative Pleads Guilty To DUI

(Carol Stream, IL)  --  One state representative tells a judge he's guilty of drinking and driving.  Randy Ramey made the guilty plea before a judge in DuPage County yesterday.  He was charged back in August after police stopped him and discovered his blood-alcohol content was more than two times the legal limit.  This is Ramey's first DUI offense.  He's been ordered to pay a 17-hundred-50-dollar fine and serve 100 hours of community service.  Ramey will also be on court supervision for one year.

Corn Harvest Better Than Expected

(Aledo, IL)  --  Aledo farmer Michael Zecher says he's been pleasantly surprised with his first couple of days of picking corn.  He says they're looking at average to above average yields between 150 and 185, despite the summer's drought.  Zecher hopes to start harvesting soybeans later in the week. He says the bean yields may be smaller than he anticipates.