Illinois Briefs - 1/5/12

Reverend Jesse Jackson Heading To South Africa

(Springfield, IL)  --  Reverend Jesse Jackson is heading to South Africa on a trade mission.  He's representing the state at the 100th anniversary of the African National Conference next week.  Governor Quinn says the mission supports his plan to double exports to South Africa by 2014.  Quinn says overseas trading is a key to expanding Illinois' role in the global marketplace, creating jobs here at home and growing our economy.  South Africa is the top importer of Illinois products in the African region.

Video Gaming Closer To Reality

(Springfield, IL)  --  Video gaming is closer to reality in Illinois.  The state has hired a firm to create software that will track all of the video gaming systems across the state.  Illinois businesses who would like to get a video gaming

terminal can apply for a license online with the Illinois Gaming Board.

GOP Candidates Must File By Tomorrow

(Springfield, IL)  --  The nation is watching as Republicans battle for the presidential nomination, but a deadline is looming right here in Illinois.  Candidates have just one more day to file petitions to have their name placed on the March 20th primary.  Mitt Romney is the only candidate who has already filed paperwork.  His team turned in five-thousand signatures along with the names of 54 potential delegates Tuesday.

Mount Vernon Senator Withdraws From Race

(Mount Vernon, IL)  --  Mount Vernon Senator John O. Jones is pulling out of the race to keep his seat in the legislature.  He's been in the state legislature since 1995, but new redistricting lines pit him against highland senator Kyle McCarter.  McCarter's team challenged the 12-hundred names Jones filed with the State Board of Elections.  About 300 of the names were deemed invalid.  Jones says he's keeping his options open and isn't abandoning his political future.

Twenty Illinois Soldiers Deploy To Afghanistan

(Springfield, IL)  --  Twenty Illinois National Guard soldiers are heading to Afghanistan.  The group volunteered for the deployment.  They bussed out yesterday, heading to Indiana and Poland first for training.  They'll then head to Afghanistan to help the Afghan government extend its authority across the country, perform security operations and help stabilize the war-torn nation.  The Soldiers will also mentor and support the Afghan National Army and support Afghan government programs to disarm illegally armed groups.  The deployment will last eight months.

Durbin Endorses Candidate In 17th Congressional District

(Peoria, IL)  --  U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says he's supporting former journalist and Quad City council member Cheri Bustos for Congress.  She's running in the 17th District, which includes Peoria, Rockford, and the Quad Cities.  Bustos is a healthcare advocate who says she will continue to fight for th healthcare needs of the people in the 17th.  She's facing two other Democrats in the March 20th primary.  The Democratic winner will run against current Republican Congressman Bobby Schilling in the general election.