Illinois Briefs - 2/15/13

Gay Marriage Passes

(Springfield, IL)  --  Gay marriage is one step closer to reality in Illinois.  Thirty four state senators put their stamp of approval on the measure yesterday, sending it to the House for a vote.  If the House approves it, Illinois could become the 10th state in the nation to give gay couples the right to marry.

EPA Looks For Source Of Benzene In Wedron

(Wedron, IL)  --  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is trying to find the source of Benzene fumes in Wedron.  They've installed water filters in some of the homes in the area, hoping to determine if the cancer causing chemical is in the air or if it's coming up from the ground.  The problem was discovered about a year and a half ago and is believed to be unrelated to possible benzene spills in the area more than 30 years ago.  The E.P.A. has met with area residents to talk about the problem and will meet with them again on April 3rd.

Madigan Files Lawsuit Over SIUC Marketing Scam

(Carbondale, IL)  --  The Attorney General is suing a company that ripped off businesses in a marketing scam connected to the SIU Carbondale basketball team.  The Eagle Marketing Group, based in Edgewood, Kentucky, allegedly used the Saluki logo and trademarks to get Illinois

businesses to pay for ad space on a team schedule last year.  The company also allegedly told businesses they'd be featured in a television commercial, which never aired.  Most businesses paid more than 300-dollars for the ad space but a lawsuit filed by Lisa Madigan seeks to recover the cash and ban the company from operating in Illinois.

Get Your Tax Refund Directly On A Debit Card

(Springfield, IL)  --  You can skip the bank and get your Illinois tax refund directly on a debit card this year.  State officials say they'll offer the cards to those who file on the state's WebFile site at Tax.Illinois.gov.  The option is especially beneficial for people who do not have a checking or savings account.  The debit cards can be used for free at retail stores, gas stations, and banks that display the VISA logo all around the state.

IL Woman Leaves Crippled Cruise Ship

(Evanston, IL)  --  An Evanston woman is home on dry land today after suffering among the thousands of passengers aboard a crippled cruise ship.  Sandeep Berry says they were startled by the smell of fire on Sunday, the day the Carnival Triumph suffered damages when flames erupted.  The boat sat in the Gulf of Mexico with deteriorating conditions aboard until it was towed to a port in Mobile, Alabama late last night.  Said Berry via a cell phone yesterday, "It doesn't seem like they had a plan in place for this to happen."