Illinois Briefs - 1/18/13

IL Unemployment Rate Holds Steady

(Springfield, IL)  --  The Illinois unemployment rate is holding steady at just under nine-percent.  That's according to new national labor data.  The rate of people out of work in Illinois last month was eight-point-seven-percent.  The national average is seven-point-eight-percent.

Body Of Dead Lottery Winner To Be Exhumed

(Chicago, IL)  --  The body of a Chicago man killed just one day after cashing in on a million dollar lottery prize will be exhumed today.  Urooj Khan was buried in the Rosehill Cemetery back in July.  A medical examiner originally ruled Khan died of natural causes, but recently changed the ruling, claiming Khan may have had cyanide in his system.  The case was reopened after a family member expressed concern.  Khan's wife has been questioned but she denies any wrongdoing.  

IL Foreclosure Rate Stays High

(Undated)  --  Illinois is still struggling when it comes to home foreclosures.  New data from RealtyTrac ranks Illinois fifth nationally for its foreclosure rate.  Illinois is one of 25 states where last year's foreclosure

rate was higher than in 2011.

Last Day To File For Foreclosure Settlement Claim

(Chicago, IL)  --  Today is the last day for some Illinoisans to file a foreclosure settlement claim.  Anyone who lost their home to foreclosure between 2008 and 2011 is likely to get compensation if their mortgage was serviced by Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, or GMAC.  Those who are eligible may have already received a claim packet in the mail but, they still have to sign up online to officially file the claim.  Check out NatioalMortgageSettlement.com for more details.

Voting Deadline Approaching For 2nd Congressional Election

(Chicago, IL)  --  The registration deadline is approaching for those interested in voting in the special election to replace Jesse Jackson, Junior.  Residents in the 2nd Congressional District have until the 29th of this month to get registered or change their registration information.  There will be a grace period for registration, beginning January 30th.  Anyone registering during the grace period will have to vote at the time of registration.  There's also an early voting period from February 11th through the 23ed.  The primary election will be held February 26th.

Poll: Illinois Less Popular For Pets

(Undated)  --  Fewer people in Illinois call themselves pet owners than most any other state in the nation.  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association Illinois is among the bottom ten states for pet ownership.  The survey found just 52-percent of Illinois households own some type of pet.  In Illinois, 34-percent of households own a dog while 26-percent own a cat.