Illinois Briefs - 11/15/12

Ex-Dixon Official Enters Guilty Plea

A multimillion-dollar motor home, hundreds of horses and numerous properties are just some of the extravagant items a former Dixon official purchased with funds she stole from the city.  Former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell appeared in federal court yesterday where she plead guilty to embezzling 53-million dollars from city coffers.  Her crimes went unnoticed for nearly 20 years.  Now Crundwell faces 20 years behind bars when she's sentenced in February.

Cross, Quinn Agree On Urgency Of Pension Reform

(Chicago, IL)  --  Governor Quinn and House Minority Leader Tom Cross agree that a pension fix must come sooner than later.  Cross says he's hopeful lawmakers can pass a deal with both Republican and Democrat support.  The state will pay six billion dollars into the pension system this fiscal year.  Quinn says if something isn't done soon, the pension payments will continue to squeeze funding from everything the state wants to invest in, like education, healthcare, and public safety.

Bug Spells Doom For IL Ash Trees

Illinois agriculture officials remain very concerned over a destructive insect making its way across the state.  The Emerald Ash Borer is already responsible for millions of dead trees in northern Illinois.  The bug's larvae actually embeds itself underneath tree bark, ending its ability to transport water and nutrients.  It is highly attracted to ash trees which are found all over Illinois.

Group:  IL Public Schools Better, But Long Way To Go

Illinois public schools earn a grade of "C" when it comes to performance.  That's according to the educational advocacy group Advance Illinois.  The grade is actually an improvement since the group's last report two years ago when it handed Illinois schools a "D" for performance.  While the newest report was an improvement, Advance Illinois said the state's trend of flat academic performance is "disturbing."