Illinois Briefs - 1/26/12

No More Hidden Airline Fees

(Undated)  --  The Department of Transportation now requires airlines to include all taxes and mandatory fees in the price they quote for the ticket.  That means travelers won't have to worry so much about hidden fees.  The new rule makes it easier for people to comparison shop when they're looking to book a flight.   It takes effect today so from this point on, air passengers should know exactly what they're paying for before the deal is solidified.

Funding Creates Safe Routes To School

(Benton, IL)  --  The federal government is pumping more than 21-million dollars into improving infrastructure around some Illinois schools.  The Illinois Safe Routes to School program will allow districts to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, and signs near school property.  Metropolis Elementary School is

getting 200-thousand dollars for the upgrades.  State Representative Brandon Phelps says the funding comes right on time considering the damage caused by excessive floods last year.

Abortion Rates Down

(Springfield, IL)  --  The abortion rate is down and officials with Planned Parenthood Illinois say that's good news.  President and CEO Carol Brite more women are choosing to use contraception these days.  Data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health shows there were about 42-thousand abortions last year, which is the lowest number recorded since abortions became legal in 1973.

Attorney General Sues S And P

(Springfield, IL)  --  Attorney General Lisa Madigan says Standard and Poor's is partly to blame for the housing market crash and she wants a judge to have the final word.  She filed a lawsuit against the credit ratings agency yesterday.  The suit alleges the company allowed its desire for profits and fear of losing investment bank clients taint the integrity of its independent credit analysis.  As a result, Madigan said investors were deceived into buying the products.  S and P says the case has no merit.

Free Decatur Museum Admission

(Decatur, IL)  --  It's Family Fun Night at Decatur's Children's Museum of Illinois.  That means the whole family gets into the museum free from 5:00 until 7:30 tonight.  Volunteers will be on hand to talk about the exhibits.  The event is sponsored by the Huntington Learning Center.  

Sleeping On The Street For Money

(Champaign, IL)  --  Twenty-five people in Champaign are sleeping on the streets for one night.  They're pitching cardboard boxes on Neal Street in an attempt to raise both awareness and money for the homeless community.  Each participant wants to raise one-thousand dollars and they'll spend an hour outside for every 100-bucks they raise.  It's part of C-U At Home's "One Winter Night," which will take place on February 3rd.  To volunteer or donate, go to CUatHome.us.