Illinois Briefs - 12/27/12

Quincy Police Look For Bank Robber

(Quincy, IL)  --  A man in his mid to late 20's made off with an undisclosed amount of money when he robbed a bank in Quincy yesterday.  Police responded to the robbery at First Mid-Illinois bank near the Quincy Mall around 4:00 yesterday afternoon.  They say the suspect was wearing a blue stocking cap, a red jacket, black rimmed glasses, and gray sweat pants.  They're still looking for the suspect they describe as a six foot tall Black man.  Anyone with information should contact local authorities.

IL Lawmakers Update Mobile Device Bans

(Springfield, IL)  --  Changes are coming for Illinois drivers who insist on using their cellphones while they're behind the wheel.  Effective immediately use of all mobile devices - including the taking of photos - will be prohibited in all roadwork zones and within 500-feet of emergency zones.  In addition the law prohibits commercial drivers from using all hand-held devices.

Price At Parking Meters To Rise Sharply

(Chicago, IL)  --  Drivers who head into the Windy City will need extra loose change if they plan to park their cars.  The city's new pact with Chicago Parking Meters Incorporated means the price to park at metered spaces will go up drastically.  Parking at more than 80-percent of Chicago's metered spaces will cost drivers another two-bucks an hour.  Parking spaces close to downtown will cost an additional four-dollars per

hour and prime parking spots in downtown will be jacked up by six-dollars-and-50-cents an hour.  The price increases will be introduced slowly and officials say all parking spots will be clearly marked with those new rates.

S. Illinois To Dig Out From Blizzard

(Carbondale, IL)  --  Southern Illinois will have to dig out from yesterday's major winter snow storm.  A foot-and-a-half of snow fell yesterday in some parts of southern Illinois where most roads going through its small towns proved impassable.  The National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky reportedly issued its first blizzard warning ever for an area which includes parts of southern Illinois.  Forecasters say the snow will taper off by early tomorrow.  Expect high temperatures to be in the low 30s and lows in the upper-teens.

Parents, Guardians Required To Report Missing Children

(Springfield, IL)  --   Parents who fail to report their children missing could be charged with a felony after January 1st.  Children under 13 must be reported missing within 24 hours.  Those two and under must be reported within the first hour of their disappearance.  State representative Jack Franks says before "Caylee's Law," parents weren't even required to report their children missing.  The law comes after two year old Caylee Anthony, from Florida, was found dead months after she went missing.

Thomas More Society: Gay Marriage Not Necessary

(Springfield, IL)  --  A bill to legalize gay marriage could come up for a vote next month but Peter Breen, with the Thomas More Society in Chicago, doesn't like the idea.  He says if the bill passes, religious groups, bed and breakfasts, wedding photographers, and other organizations could be forced to accommodate the couples, even if they don't want to.  Breen says same sex couples already have plenty of rights under the civil unions law.  Sponsors of the proposal say they have enough votes to pass the measure in the House.

Disability Placard Crackdown

(Springfield, IL)  --  Using a disability placard or license plate of someone who's deceased could mean a 25-hundred dollar fine and revoked license.  A new law cracks down on people who abuse handicapped parking, making it a Class A misdemeanor.  The first offense comes with a six month driver's license suspension, double that for the second offense.  And the third time you're busted, you'll have your license revoked for a full year.  Secretary of State Jesse White says they're sending a strong message that anyone who doesn't belong there, shouldn't park there.  The law takes effect next Tuesday.

NIU Huskies In Miami For Bowl Game

(Dekalb, IL)  --  The Northern Illinois University Huskies are in Miami, prepping for the Orange Bowl.  They'll square off against Florida State at 8:30p.m. next Tuesday.  Many critics call the Huskies underdogs because they didn't automatically qualify for the bowl game, but advanced when they ranked above other automatic qualifying teams.  The team went 12 and one this season.  The Northwestern Wildcats are also in Florida.  They'll face Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl next Tuesday.