Illinois Briefs - 12/26/12

Candidate Filing Deadline Today

(Springfield, IL)  --  Anyone looking to run for local office this spring has until 5:00 today to get their petitions turned in.  The original deadline was Christmas Eve but lawmakers changed to elections code, pushing the date back two days.  The idea was to help municipalities save money.  Many are traditionally closed on Christmas Eve but they would've had to change that in order to accommodate the original deadline.   

Pension Reform Still Priority During Lame Duck

(Springfield, IL)  --  Pension reform is still a high priority during next week's lame duck session.  Governor Quinn believes lawmakers can negotiate and pass the deal during the three days each chamber will be in Springfield.  The Senate will be in session from January 2nd through the 4th.  The House will be in from the 6th through the 8th.  The current proposal calls for downstate and suburban school districts to pick up more of their teacher pension costs, plus a retirement age increase and changes in cost of living adjustments.

Gold Star Plates Available For Military Families

(Springfield, IL)  --  Gold star license plates will be available to military families come January 1st.  Spouses, parents, and even a sibling of those who've died while serving in the Armed Forces are eligible to get the special plates.  Fees vary depending on when your current registration

expires.  For more details, check out CyberDriveIllinois.com.

School District Updating Alert System

(Jacksonville, IL)  --  District 117 is changing the communication system it uses to notify parents of emergencies, school cancellations and other events.  The new system is expected to save time by merging the parent database and the alert system into one program.  Officials say the newer system will update address and phone number changes within one say.  Parents will have the option of receiving communication with the district via email, phone calls or text.  They can make that choice by accessing Skyward on any of District 117's school websites.