Illinois Briefs - 1/18/12

Businesses Put Unlikely Hires Back To Work

(Springfield, IL)  --  Illinois employers that hired individuals under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit are now eligible to claim their share of 67-million dollars.  It's a special incentive for those who gave unlikely hires a second chance at employment.  Greg Rivara, with the state's Department of Employment Security says more than 27-thousnad ex-felons, veterans, and people on welfare were put back to work.  He calls that a win-win for both the workers and the employers.  

Pekin Manufacturer To Add 100 Jobs

(Springfield, IL)  --  A Pekin manufacturer is expanding, bringing 100 new jobs in the area.  Excel Foundry and Machine is pumping more than seven million dollars into a new facility, a move Governor Quinn says will strengthen the community and improve Illinois' competitiveness.  Excel manufactures bronze

parts for the mining industry.  The state is expected to kick in more than one million dollars to the project.

Father Kills Son In Hunting Accident

(Williamsville, IL)  --  A father accidentally shot his son in the head while hunting over the weekend.  Knox County Sheriff David Clague tells the Kewanee "Star Courier" that Steven Hayworth Junior was walking ahead of his father, trying to flush deer.  Two deer ran toward his father, prompting him to shoot, killing the boy.  A third hunter told authorities there's no way the father could've seen his son because of the terrain.

Police Bust Check Fraud Scheme

(Springfield, IL)  --  A man wanted in connection with a fraudulent check scheme is behind bars.  Illinois State Police say Alex Ferguson was wanted in Macon, Sangamon, and Lake Counties for the crimes.  He was picked up for speeding on I-55 last week.  Troopers allegedly found a laptop computer, a printer, several bank checks, and pre-written checks from a fake company inside the car.

Airline Offering Nonstop Service To Florida

(Bloomington, IL)  --  Allegiant Air is preparing to offer nonstop service from Bloomington to Orlando at the Central Illinois Regional Airport.  The discount airline will operate twice weekly between the two cities, starting May 16th.  Introductory fares will be as low as 75-dollars one way, not including taxes and fees.  Allegiant already flies from Peoria International Airport to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tampa, Florida.

Planning For Wind Farm Decommissioning

(Normal, IL)  --  Wind farms are popping up all over Illinois, but renewable energy experts say local governments must remember to plan for decommissioning in the process.  David Loomis with the Center for Renewable Energy at Eastern Illinois University, says the most difficult aspect of planning is trying to figure out how much money to set aside when the turbines have become obsolete.  He says it's hard to project how much all of the scrap metal will be worth once the turbines have outlived its level of efficiency.  Loomis says that subject will be addressed, along with sitting and taxing issues, at a Wind Farms Conference at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal on February 8th.