Illinois Briefs - 2/18/13

Gun Scare At Springfield Mall

(Springfield, IL)  --  A gun scare at the White Oaks Mall in Springfield turns out to be just a drill.  Police say they weren't notified about the after-hours event that left some workers shaken up.  A police spokesman says they learned about the incident after reports of an armed gunman began circulating on Facebook.  Dispatch caught wind of the social media posts.  Police went to the mall to check it out and discovered it was a planned drill.  Several employees apparently didn't know it was taking place.

Hutchinson Drops Out Of Congressional Race

(Chicago, IL)  --  Robin Kelly gets a big boost in the race to replace former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Junior.  Toi Hutchinson dropped out of the race yesterday and endorsed Kelly.  Hutchinson was considered a front-runner but says she doesn't want to create a rift within the Democratic

party.  She says the race is not about her, but about the needs of the people in the 2nd Congressional District.  Hutchinson will continue to serve in the State Senate.

Quinn Urges Taxpayers To Apply For Tax Credit

(Chicago, IL)  --  Some low-income workers can get a tax break when they file their returns this year.  Between ten and 20-percent of eligible taxpayers missed out on the Earned Income Tax credit last year because they didn't apply for it.   Governor Quinn says that's unacceptable and urges everyone to ask if they qualify.  The credit is designed to give people an incentive to work and is only available to those who are earning an income.   

State Farm Staying In Illinois

(Bloomington, IL)  --   A spokesperson for State Farm Insurance is putting rumors to rest.  Holly Anderson says the company is not moving its headquarters out of Illinois.  The announcement comes after word spread that State Farm might be looking to jump ship and move south, to either Dallas or Atlanta.   Anderson says it's true that State Farm, its employees, and policy holders will likely see changes soon, which includes expansions in Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix.  But the headquarters will remain in Bloomington.