Illinois Briefs - 2/01/12

Tax Hike Should Be Permanent

(Springfield, IL)  --  State Senator Mike Jacobs says the temporary income tax hike implemented last year might not be so temporary after all.  He says the state can't afford to lose the additional revenue from the hike.  Lawmakers planned on paying down a multi-billion dollar backlog of bills with the additional money but one year later, the backlog hasn't budged.  Jacobs says if the income tax is scaled back, they'll have to find new ways to generate money or there will be big cuts coming down the pipe.

Pledging Put On Hold At Illinois College

(Jacksonville, IL)  --  Literary groups at Illinois College in Jacksonville aren't taking in any more pledges this year.  The school suspended all pledging after three students were hospitalized in separate hazing incidents.  Privacy laws prohibit the college from releasing specific details but a spokesperson says at

least one student had life-threatening injuries.  Pledges that were going through the orientation process will be allowed into the societies.

Cameras In Trial Courts

(Undated)  --  Trial courts in Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Whiteside Counties are opening their doors to allow video recording.  It's part of a new pilot program announced by the state's Supreme Court, which allows cameras in the courtroom.  There are some restrictions, though.  The cameras are also not allowed to capture proceedings in juvenile, divorce, adoption, or child custody cases.  

Strike Averted At Lemont Refinery

(Lemont, IL)  --  Citgo refinery workers in Lemont, Illinois aren't going to hit the picket lines.  A strike was averted last night after the United Steelworkers Union struck a tentative deal for a new three year contract.  The tentative plan addresses benefits, wages, and working conditions.  The agreement still needs to be ratified by union members.  

Springfield Man Veteran Of The Month

(Springfield, IL)  --  A Springfield man is Illinois' veteran of the month.  Terry Vance served two years in Vietnam but he's spent a lifetime trying to help other veterans.  He says his goal is to touch at least one veteran a day and help them find jobs after returning from war.  He received an award for his community service yesterday from the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.  

Wear Red On Friday

(Undated)  --  Illinoisans will be wearing red this Friday, which is National Wear Red Day.  Health officials say wearing red will help bring awareness to heart disease in women. It's the number one killer of women in America but eating lots of fruits and vegetables and exercising daily can help ward off the disease.  Doctors say you should know the signs of heart attack and call 9-1-1 in the event you or someone you know experiences symptoms, which include unexplained fatigue, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness.   

Winter Wheat Standing Strong

(Undated)  --  Illinois' winter wheat crop is rated mostly good thanks to the mild winter weather.  Only three percent of the crop is rated poor.  Twenty-two percent is fair, 68-percent good, and seven-percent is excellent. Temperatures have soared at least five degrees above the average 30-degrees for this time of year.  Precipitation is slightly above normal in Southern districts but topsoil is nine percent short, 77-percent adequate, and 14-percent above normal.