Illinois Briefs - 12/04/12

Senate To Vote On Bill To Give Immigrants Driver's Licenses

(Rockford, IL)  --  Nearly a quarter-million foreign immigrants will be eligible for Illinois driver's licenses under a bill being considered today by the state Senate.  Lawmakers say giving undocumented immigrants special licenses good for three years would ensure they are insured and know how to drive.  The bill already passed a vote by a senate committee.  A full senate vote could happen by tomorrow.

Senators Tab Four IL Lawyers For U.S. Attorney's Gig

(Chicago, IL)  --  Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk are recommending four people with ties to Illinois to be the next U.S. Attorney in Chicago.  The Senators sent President Obama their list that includes Chicago attorneys Jonathan Bunge, Zachary Fardon, Lori Lightfoot and Gil Soffer.  Whichever candidate succeeds Patrick Fitzgerald will have to tackle the ongoing battle against political corruption in the Windy City.

ISU President Cites Health As Reason For Resignation

(Normal, IL)  --  The president of Illinois State University is stepping down.  President Al Bowman says he'll resign as soon as the university finds a suitable replacement.  Bowman ironically just inked a new four-year contract with ISU.  He says he's been warned by his doctors to resign in light of ongoing health problems.

Firefighter Killed By Moving Fire Truck In Bartelso

(Bartelso, IL)  --  An Illinois volunteer firefighter is dead after he's hit by his own station's fire truck.  Authorities from Santa Fe Fire in southern Illinois say 45-year-old Tim Jansen died Sunday night from injuries suffered at the scene of a fire about 45 minutes east of St. Louis in the town of Bartelso.  Jansen slipped and fell under a moving fire truck while pulling off water hoses to fight the blaze at a resort clubhouse.  Apparently the firefighter driving the truck was unaware Jansen had fallen.