Illinois Briefs - 1/13/12

ISP: Road Safety Is Key

(Springfield, IL)  --  State officials are urging drivers to slow down and stay safe on slick roads.  A spokesperson for the Illinois State Police says reduced visibility is causing quite a few accidents, particularly on interstates.  Officials are asking motorists to exchange names and insurance information if they have a small fender-bender that doesn’t require emergency assistance.  Drivers then have seven days to call the nearest ISP district office and file an accident report.
                   
Quinn Moving Forward With Pension Task Force

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is moving forward with plans to tackle the state’s underfunded pension systems.  He’s appointed Elgin Senator Michael Noland to sit on a task force charged with finding the best measures for reform.  Noland says he wants to see lawmakers, unions, and other reform

groups come together and agree on ways to fix the problem.  Illinois’ pension systems are the worst funded in the nation, at just about 45-percent.

GOP Pushes To Repeal Tax Hike

(Springfield, IL)  --   Republican leaders want to put about one thousand dollars back into the pockets of working people.  They’ve introduced a bill that will repeal the 67-percent income tax hike implemented by Democrats last year.  Leaders Christine Radogno [[Ra-doen-yo]] and Tom Cross say the increase forced families to cut back while the state continues to spend out of control.  They say the state is in worse condition now than it was before the hike and it’s time to get rid of it.  

Lawmakers Discuss Gay Marriage In Illinois

(Chicago, IL)  --  A group of Illinois lawmakers want to make gay marriage a reality in the state.  They’re meeting with LBGT organizations about introducing a bill that would give same-sex couples the right to marry.  Representative Greg Harris tells the "Windy City Times" it’s going to be tough to get enough of his colleagues to support the measure.  He says having the strategy meetings is a necessary first step.  Harris says the bill probably won’t be ready for a vote until next year and even then, it’ll take a few more to actually pass.

Woodford County Gets Money For Wind Farm

(Eureka, IL)  --  Woodford County has already cashed in on nearly one-million dollars to host a wind energy facility, even though construction hasn’t even begun.  Gamesa Technology Corp., the developer of Minonk Wind LLC, is looking to put 75 wind turbines in the area.  The project was approved almost two years ago but the county is still waiting on a letter of credit from Gamesa.  The wind farm is located southeast of Minonk and will extend into Livingston County, where an additional 25 turbines will be built.

Decatur Good For Business

(Decatur, IL)  --  A small Central Illinois town is making big news on the business scene.  “Business Facilities” Magazine says Decatur is the third best city in the country for emerging logistics and distribution growth.  The Decatur & Macon County Economic Development Corporation is trying to use the ranking to attract new businesses and jobs.

Man Charged With Animal Cruelty

(New Boston, IL)  --  A New Boston man remains in jail after allegedly abusing animals.  Ricky Bonjour has been charged with two Class “A” misdemeanor and two Class “B” misdemeanor counts of cruel treatment of an animal and unlawful inhumane care for animals.  More than 40 dogs were found in his home after a Mercer County Animal Control Officer observed several dogs in bad physical condition.  Many of the dogs are now in shelter care and receiving veterinary care.  Bonjour is being held in the Mercer County Jail with a 75-hundred dollar bond.