Thursday, May 23, 2013
70 mph on rural interstates not a done deal yet, as bill has its opponents.
By Steven Jack A bill to increase the maximum speed limit in Illinois could hit Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk for signature soon. Whether Quinn will sign it remains to be seen. The bill, introduced by Republican State. Sen. Jim Oberweis, would raise the speed limit on rural Illinois highways to 70 mph. The bill, which has passed both chambers of the state legislature, has been met with opposition due to safety concerns by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to the Chicago Tribune. “The progression of this legislation is a good example of what can be accomplished when lawmakers work together in a bipartisan manner for the good of our state,” Oberweis said. “It …
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Luckily, the Will County website with court information remains intact, according to Sun-Times Media reports.
The Will County Courts website is currently experiencing down time, following a recent cyber attack, Sun-Times Media reports. Unknown hackers infected the site with malware and additional coding last Friday, Courts Administrator Kurt Sangmeister told reporters. Fortunately, this particular site is separate from the court website site that contains information on Will County cases. It contains basic information such as parking info, judge profiles and driving directions. The website will come back online as soon as it’s bugs are fixed, Sangmeister said. Get the full story from the Sun-Times Media
Special use permits and intergovernmental agreements were approved by the Will County Board.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The bill, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), would prohibit all teens 17 and younger from using UV tanning beds.
By Amanda Luevano Legislation to ban minors from indoor tanning beds was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn on Tuesday after being approved by the Illinois Senate. House Bill 188, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), would ban Illinois minors age 17 and younger from UV tanning beds. Currently, minors ages 14 to 17 are allowed to tan if they provide a parent's signature. Spray-on tanning is exempt from the legislation, as is phototherapy, which applies to situations where a physician supervises tanning when it is necessary to treat a medical condition. Radogno said in a press release that she sponsored the bill to protect Illinois minors from the serious health risks involved with indoor tanning beds. “Not only do children …
Last week's gas boycott in New Lenox brought prices below Mokena and Frankfort, but MayorTim Baldermann isn't satisfied.
The gas boycott last week in New Lenox brought prices below Mokena and Frankfort, but Mayor Baldermann isn't satisfied. Mayor Tim Baldermann is taking the last few weeks of gas station price gouging to Attorney General Lisa Madigan. At the regular village board meeting Monday, he said he's asking Madigan's office to investigate the matter. Residents in New Lenox had been subjected to prices between 11 cents and 13 cents higher per gallon than Mokena and Frankfort for "a solid three weeks." After a boycott was called for last week, the price of gas actually went up on May 17 from $4.21 to $425. For at least part of the day, most stations across the Lincoln-Way communities were charging the same. Since then prices have come dropped to $4.…
Former Miss America a game-changer for GOP? Stantis cartoon: Mayor Difficult. Your Reboot Illinois Daily Tip-Off
Friday, May 17, 2013
Passed by a 35-21 vote, the bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Pat Quinn, who has not yet said whether he intends to sign it.
By a vote of 35-21, the Illinois Senate approved legislation on Friday that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe marijuana as pain relief for severe medical conditions. The bill now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn for his signature. According to the Chicago Tribune, the bill covers 33 specific conditions—including multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV infection—and includes several controls, with a four-year trial program, dosage limits, fingerprinting, background checks and licensed dispensing centers. “This bill is filled with walls to keep this limited,” the paper quoted sponsoring Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), who urged lawmakers to pass the legislation as a compassionate measure for those suffering with extreme pain. In opposition, Sen. …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Frankfort's Fire and Police Commission wants the alleged victim of Frankfort cop Donald Walsh to testify before a disciplinary hearing, reports the Sun-Times Media.
While the courts are pursuing the criminal case against Frankfort Police Officer Donald Walsh for alleged aggravated domestic battery and burglary charges, the official disciplinary action by the Frankfort Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is seeking testimony from the victim. That may be a violation of the victim's rights. Walsh, who is accused of beating his former girlfriend in July 2012, is facing a hearing of the Fire and Police Board. Village Attorney David Silverman is seeking testimony from the victim, who fears she could be at risk if she agrees to testify. The Will County prosecutor in the case, Dave Neal, told Will County Judge Bobbi Petrungaro "he believes the village’s desire to subpoena the woman violates her rights …
Joe Werner, the former mayor of Mokena, bid farewell at the Monday Village Board meeting, the Chicago Tribune reports.
The Monday Village Boad meeting was anything but typical. It marked the end of former Mayor Joe Werner's career as top municipal leader. With the re-election of all incumbent trustees—John Mazzarana, Joseph Siwinski and George Metanias along with Clerk Patricia Patt—elected officials formally took their seats. While the newly-elected Mayor Frank Fleischer took an oath to uphold the standards of his leadership role, the evening was really all about former Mayor Joe Werner. Werner dropped out of the race in January. It would have been his third term. Despite a hotly contested and bitter race that sparked the ire of candidates on both sides, Werner left office on a positive note. He expressed his appreciation for the board members and staff…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Illinois state officials, non-profit administrators and union representatives will offer perspectives during the Illinois Pension Forum starting 4:30 p.m. Monday at Century Junior High in Orland Park. Join us for our live blog and weigh in.
Editor's Note: The live blog had to be cancelled due to a lack of any usable Internet connection at the location. I took copious notes, however, and I'll still be posting a recap. I'll add the link here once it is done. Thanks and sorry. A forum on Illinois pension issues will be held 4:30 p.m. Monday at Century Junior High, 10801 W. 159th St. in Orland Park. The following people are scheduled to speak: Join us for our live blog and offer your own thoughts on the points discussed. Orland Park Patch’s live blog through Cover It Live will provide minute-by-minute updates from the meeting on this page starting at 4:30 p.m. Look in the Cover It Live window above, and you’ll see an area where you can join in and offer your comments and …
Brian Potter
12:35 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Its NOT already 85 when driving in the sticks of Illinois??? more ›