Illinois Briefs - 2/17/12

Quinn To Meet With Chinese VP

(Springfield, IL)  --  Governor Quinn is in Los Angeles today visiting with Chinese Vice President Xi.  The governor is among a group of politicians participating in a round table with the man who's said to be China's next leader.  Quinn is expected to talk about import expansion.  The state's Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon spent time with Xi earlier this week.  She also talked about strengthening the ties between Illinois and China.

AARP Pushes For More Ombudsmen

(Springfield, IL)  --  A bill designed to give nursing home residents a greater voice is on the docket in Springfield.  AARP's David Vinkler says they're supporting a bill that will shore up the state's Ombudsman program.  That means more people will be available to advocate on behalf of seniors who

don't have loved ones to look after them.  Vinkler says the ombudsmen will be responsible for dealing with and reporting issues that can be solved right there in the nursing home and others that must be handled through the state's Department of Public Health.

Sears Cutting 100 Jobs

(Hoffman Estates, IL)  --  It just got a 150-million dollar tax deal with the state but now Sears is cutting 100 jobs at its Hoffman Estates headquarters.  Sears spokesperson Chris Brathwaite tells Crain's Chicago Business the layoffs were spread across several departments.  He says the job cuts do not breach he deal it made with the state to keep jobs in Illinois.   

Lawmakers Urge Quinn To Pay Union Raises

(Undated)  --  Central and Southern Illinois lawmakers are expressing concern over the state's failure to keep a contract with union workers.  Senators John O. Jones, Larry Bomke, Michael Frerichs, and Representative Brandon Phelps are among a group of 35 lawmakers who penned a letter to Governor Quinn asking him to implement the pay raises that should've taken effect last July.  The letter says quote, "We realize that the state faces a precarious financial situation...but the general assembly neither directed nor authorized you to unilaterally refuse the pay raises."  Quinn refused to give the state workers their raises despite the fact that the increase is written into the union's contract.  The case is tied up in court.