Regional budget 10/24/07
GateHouse News Service Regional Budget (10/24/07)
Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://ghns.ghnewsroom.com
*Please check this Web site in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.
Contacts:
Regional Editor Jonie Larson, (217) 816-3343, jlarson@gatehousemedia.com
National Editor Jean Hodges, (630) 348-3350, jhodges@gatehousemedia.com
STATE BRIEFS: New daily feature of briefs from around the state offered up to papers. Posted between 4 and 6 pm each day. Categories: Illinois and Illinois News News
E.PEORIA PLAN NIXED: CHICAGO - A state panel today declined to approve plans for a proposed 128-bed nursing home in East Peoria. The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board voted 3-0 against granting a "certificate of need" for the $10.6 million Manor Court. RAMSEY/CHICAGO BUREAU/this evening/Illinois
BOARD UPHEAVAL: CHICAGO - The state panel that approves or denies large medical projects is still short two members and had to cancel two meetings earlier this year because it lacked a quorum. Meanwhile, a task force that is supposed to study the regulatory body hasn't been assembled, even though it faces a March deadline to make recommendations. RAMSEY/CHICAGO BUREAU/this evening/Illinois
LICENSE DESIGN: Secretary of State Jesse White today is unveiling newly designed driver's licenses with enhanced security features. The security features and a new color scheme are meant to deter production of counterfeit licenses and to help police and others verify the authenticity of a driver's license or state-issued identification card. COLINDRES/CAPITOL BUREAU/With art/this evening/Illinois and Illinois News
CAMPAIGNS AND CONTRACTS: A new state Web site will allow anyone to check whether contributors to state campaigns also have state contracts. The site contains contract information from Comptroller Dan Hynes' office and campaign contribution data from the State Board of Elections. It was created by Hynes' office. HEUPEL/CAPITOL BUREAU/this evening/Illinois and Illinois News
NO TICKETS: City officials are agreeing not to enforce the $75 fine on the tickets issued to 32 Manual and Woodruff students who were ticketed for walking in streets in late September. In exchange, they're asking schools to hold assemblies on civic involvement and proper behavior for students. The 1 p.m. conference stems from a meeting between police, city officials, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the King Holiday Committee. MCDONALD/PEORIA/this evening/Illinois News
COUNCIL - 4 AM ZONE: The City Council votes tonight on one of five possible options for expanding its 4 a.m. liquor license district. We'll see if any progress is made. Last time a vote came up, they deferred it. SHARP/PEORIA/Illinois News
AIRPORT SECURITY: There's a proposed agreement coming through the pipe that will replace the handful of public security officers at the airport with Peoria County sheriff's deputies. Talked to one security guy off the record who said after more than 20 years there he feels like he should be able to keep his job. They will have to apply to sheriff's department, pass tests, to do so. The County's judicial committee may take up discussion since involves the sheriff hiring six or so people. HANEY/SZOKE/PEORIA/Illinois News
RACE RIOT: Local commission being formed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Springfield race riot next year. SHERMAN/SPRINGFIELD/Illinois News/this evening
COLLENROLL: Rock Valley, where enrollment is pretty even with last year, remains the school of choice for up to 40 percent of grads from regional high schools. They get the first two years of college at bargain prices but quality is high, says RVC pres and a student. Rockford College say in increase in students , a welcome start in their struggle to grow and climb out of financial problems. GERI NIKOLAI/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR, words 450-600 by 6
BREAKOUTS: Yes.
PHOTOS: Yes. In hand, students at RVC taken Monday; CELBERS
GRAPHICS: Chart.
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR/this evening/Illinois News
STATE BRIEFS: News happening in areas throughout the state as provided by GateHouse staff and properties.
Business
RETAIL CONFERENCE PREVIEW: Chicago will become a meeting place for municipalities and retail developers this week. Representatives from four municipalities in the Rock River Valley will travel to the windy city to market their communities as great places for new retail development. Officials from Rockford, Cherry Valley, Roscoe and Freeport will be looking for new opportunities to earn sales tax dollars on Thursday and Friday at a conference in Chicago sponsored by the International Council of Shopping Centers. This is the deal-making version of the Vegas conference that is more like a speed dating event for retailers and municipalities. Cherry Valley Village Administrator David Nord credits this conference with some of the newer retailers and restaurants coming to his area. BRIDGET THARP/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR/this evening/Illinois
RIVER DEVELOPMENT: Tuesday, the City, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, will host an educational workshop on the newly designated River Edge Redevelopment Zone. An afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. and an evening session will begin at 5 p.m. Both forums will be held at the Rockford Public Library Auditorium, located at 215 N. Wyman Street. The workshops will focus on the development and redevelopment opportunities the River Edge program will bring to Rockford. SEAN DRISCOLL/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR/this evening/Illinois News
Sports
WESSLER COLUMN: (with mug) On Nebraska broadcast prof, producing a documentary on the man 'who saved college hoop,' with a prelude on the scandals of 1950s and our old BU pal, Squeaky Melchiorre. WESSLER/PEORIA/this evening/Illinois Sports
Illinois basketball
ON GUARD: Freshman guard Demetri McCamey can barely catch his breath wihtout hearing soemthing from coach Bruce Weber. The comparisons between McCamey and former Illini star Deron Williams have already begun. Meanwhile, Weber is pushing McCamey with the hope that a future star could become something big sooner. SUPINIE. Champaign. Illinois sports and Big Ten. Moving this evening.
Illinois football
ILLINI NOTES: Notebook from Illinois coach Ron Zook's weekly press conference. SUPINIE. Champaign. Illinois sports and Big Ten. Moving this evening.
BEARS: Feature on Devin Hester. REED SCHRECK/ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR/Illinois Sports, Pro Sports and Bears
BREAKOUTS: Update box
Opinions
OTHER OPTIONS TO WAR: President George W. Bush told reporters last week that if we want to avoid "World War III," we need to be serious about keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. EDITORIAL/SPRINGFIELD/posted/Illinois Opinions, GHNS-Opinions and GHNS-Opinion, Editorial.
BRITT: Toon shows Dick Cheney holding a noose that is labeled "For Iran." CARTOON/CHRIS BRITT/SPRINGFIELD/Illinois Opinions and GHNS-Opinions
TRADE GAMES: Consumer concern over imports, jobs has more Americans wary of free trade. EDITORIAL/PEORIA/Illinois Opinions and GHNS-Opinions