Illinois Briefs - 2/5/13

Union Workers Protest Working Conditions Inside Prisons

(Chester, IL)  --  AFSCME workers will be picketing outside Menard prison today, protesting the changes in their working conditions since the closure of Tamms.  They say they've had to reduce the number of segregation cells, forcing them to double inmates up in the units designed for just one inmate.  One Menard inmate was killed by his seg unit cell mate last Thursday.  AFSCME Local 1175 President Kevin Hersch, says that murder could've easily been turned on a staff member who was just doing his or her job.  The picket will be from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Union Workers Urge Quinn To Keep Murray Open

(Chester, IL)  --  Mental health workers are urging Governor Quinn to keep the Murray Developmental Center open.  Quinn is expected to close the facility soon.  AFSCME Local 424 President Randy Clover says that will add more patients to other understaffed and overcrowded mental health facilities.  He says Governor Quinn must recognize the severity of the

danger he puts workers in when he shutters facilities.  AFSME workers will protest the closure and other issues outside the Chester Mental Health center from 2:00 until 4:30 this afternoon.

Illinois Has Gotten 11 Credit Downgrades Under Quinn

(Springfield, IL)  --  The state of Illinois has had 20 credit downgrades in its history, according to the Illinois Policy Institute.  Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno tells the Institute that eleven of those credit drops have come under Governor Quinn's watch.  Several credit ratings agencies have put the state in negative status.  Standard and Poor's just dropped Illinois' credit rating A to A-minus, citing the state's failure to reach a deal on pension reform.  The poor credit rating means taxpayers will pay more in interest every time the state borrows money.  According to the Policy Institute, Illinois pays nearly one-and-a-half percent more in interest than states with great credit.

Madigan Leading Polls For Governor Run

(Chicago, IL)  --  A new poll puts Lisa Madigan in the front of contenders possibly vying for governor next year.  The "We Ask America" poll surveyed 12-hundred-55 likely Democratic primary voters last week.  Madigan lead the rankings among men and women.  Fifty-one percent of all respondents said they'd vote for Madigan, while 26-percent would keep Governor Quinn in office.  In a three-way race between Madigan, Quinn and former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, Madigan leads with 37-percent of support, 20-percent say they'd support Quinn, and 15-percent say they'd back Daley.

Police Investigate Death Of Well-Known Auctioneer

(Medora, IL)  --  Police continue to investigate the death of a 77-year-old Medora man. Kenny Stanton was last seen Saturday morning around 10:30.  His truck was found about 23 hours later. Stanton's body was found along the Macoupin Creek bridge just north of Kemper or South of Rockbridge Sunday morning.   The Jersey County Coroner has not released an official cause of death, as autopsy results are pending.  Stanton was a well known auctioneer, an avid horseman and supporter of youth athletics.

Lyric Opera Performer In Critical Condition After On-Stage Fire

(Chicago, IL)  --  A fire-breathing actor at the Chicago Lyric Opera House is in critical condition after an on-stage accident.  The 24-year-old performer was burned during dress rehearsal yesterday, in front of thousands of onlookers.  It happened just 30 minutes before the five-and-a-half hour full dress rehearsal for "Die Meistersinger" was supposed to wrap.  A spokesperson for the Lyric Opera House says the actor was removed from the stage and emergency crews were called in.

Toby Keith Tickets Go On Sale Saturday

(Springfield, IL)  --  Tickets for the Toby Keith concert at the 2013 Illinois State Fair will go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m.  Concertgoers will have the option to purchase a VIP pass for the Grandstand track.  The new "VIPit" ticket includes a guaranteed, prime viewing location in the "Pit" close to the stage. The VIP ticket is 65-dollars but seats in the arena are going for as low as 40-bucks.  Keith will take the stage August 14th at 8 p.m.  Get tickets at Ticketmaster.com.