Illinois Briefs - 1/24/12

Quinn Has Power To Replace Kirk

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn has the sole power to replace Senator Mark Kirk if he isn't able to complete his term but lawmakers are looking to change that.  They've introduced a bill that would require the state Senate to approve the Congressional appointment.  This could be a priority issue for Illinois lawmakers this year considering Senator Kirk suffered a physically debilitating stroke over the weekend.  Kirk's office has not announced any plans for his retirement.

Cameras Allowed In Illinois Courtrooms

(Springfield, IL)  --  News cameras are now allowed in some Illinois courtrooms.  The state Supreme Court has given trial courts the green light to let cameras in, but there are some restrictions.  Jurors and potential jurors aren't allowed to be photographed and victims of violent felonies can request

they not be photographed.  The cameras are also not allowed to capture proceedings in juvenile, divorce, adoption, or child custody cases.

Conceal Carry Fight Continues

(Springfield, IL)  --  Gun advocates are hoping this is the year Illinois allows residents to carry guns legally.  The proposal failed by just six votes in the state House last year but Todd Vandermyde, with the National Rifle Association, says he's working with lawmakers to get the additional support.  He says several pending lawsuits could help change the minds of conceal carry opponents.  Illinois is the only state in the nation that doesn't allow some form of concealed carry.

Rifle Association Buys Gun For Single Mom

(Champaign, IL)  --  The Champaign County Rifle Association is helping an 18-year old single mother protect her family.   They raised 500 dollars to buy Sarah McKinley a new shotgun.  The teenaged mom shot and killed a man who broke into her Blanchard, Oklahoma, home on New Year's Eve.  Police took her shotgun for evidence, but the Rifle Association says they don't want the teenaged mother and her newborn baby to be without protection.

South Roxana Marine Dies

(South Roxana, IL)  --  A man with ties to South Roxana is one of six U.S. Marines that died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last week.  Corporal Jesse Stites lived in the area from 1993 until 2003 before moving to Florida with his family.  He was a crew chief aboard the helicopter, which transported Marines and equipment to combat zones.  Stites was expected to complete his Afghan tour in March.

Big Bust On Synthetic Marijuana

(Decatur, IL)  --  Two men are facing drug charges after police seize 68-hundred pounds of fake marijuana.  The Macon County Sheriff's Department arrested Nazmi Abdallah and Zeyad Abdallah at the Decatur Food Mart, where the men work for their father.  Police also found real marijuana, 30-thousand dollars cash, a gun, and ammunition at the store.  Police say it's one of the biggest busts in the state since the synthetic drug ban took effect January 1st.