The rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air make a great visual, but exploding fireworks in the hands of untrained professionals or children can be a recipe for bodily harm and death to users and spectators, according to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM). OSFM recommends that the public celebrate July 4th by enjoying professional shows put on by trained individuals, as opposed to conducting makeshift displays using illegal fireworks.
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc., located in Marion, has been awarded a $7,066,000 contract by the U.S. Army. The award is for the procurement of 81mm, M220 motor propelling charge. The work will be performed in Marion.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Illinois Department of Revenue (DOR) announced today the indictments of two additional Illinois gas station owners for sales tax fraud. To date, the ongoing investigation has resulted in charges against 13 gas station owners, operators and accountants and payment of more than $52 million in previously unpaid sales tax by gas station owners to the state of Illinois.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced today that a Madison County man and a McHenry County man became the 21st and 22nd arrests in her crackdown on the most active traffickers who download and trade child pornography over the Internet.
“Possession and distribution of child pornography are not victimless crimes. Every time an offender views, downloads or trades images online, innocent children are victimized over and over again,” Attorney General Madigan said. “Child pornography destroys the lives of these young victims. My office will continue to work with our local partners to find these offenders and arrest them.”
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills issued the following statement after the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration for several counties in southern Illinois affected by the severe storms and flooding that began on April 19, 2011.
A decision by the Attorney General that would make public Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) information incited a firestorm of controversy at the Illinois Statehouse this week, according to State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville).
State Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) is urging college-bound seniors and college students whose parents have served our country in uniform to apply for the Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver program in order to help them cover the cost of a college education.
“While a college degree has become increasingly important to our children’s success, tuition costs continue to rise beyond the means of what many working families can afford,” Reitz said. “For the men and women who have courageously served in our nation’s military, this program can offer much-needed financial help in sending their children to college.”
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been awarded a $430,540 grant from the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
State Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) is co-sponsoring legislation in the Illinois House that would allow responsible gun owners to carry a concealed weapon in public.
“Illinois is one of only two states without a concealed carry law on the books and it is time that we recognize the rights of responsible gun owners in our state,” Reitz said. “I have faith in our law enforcement officials that concealed carry permits will be issued only after stringent criminal and mental background checks, as mandated by the bill.”
Illinois State Senate Candidate Jeremy Walker was on Southern Illinois University’s campus earlier today promoting funding for the state’s higher education facilities. Walker called for the General Assembly to override the governor’s amendatory veto that cut $100 million from Illinois’ public universities and community colleges and proposed a funding formula to ensure higher education gets its fair share of funding in the future.
U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today received a “Friend of Agriculture” Award from ACTIVATOR, part of the Illinois Farm Bureau. The award ceremony was held at the Monroe County Courthouse in Waterloo.
Heading into a federal courthouse in Chicago last week, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Chicago) told reporters, “You get to witness history.”
Blagojevich, 53, is accused of attempting to sell a U.S. Senate seat, vacated by the election of Barack Obama to the presidency. Blagojevich subsequently appointed Roland Burris, a former Democrat state officeholder, to fill the vacancy after the governor was arrested in connection with trying to use his power as governor to obtain personal financial rewards. He has been charged with 24 felony counts.
Blagojevich insinuates that Obama and his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel attempted to assert influence on his decision and has asked Judge James Zagel to call them as witnesses. Zagel has indicated that he won’t call either of them, but he has the prerogative to do so.
This week, state Rep. Dan REITZ (D-Steeleville) announced plans to help parents save money on back-to-school shopping through a sales tax holiday on clothing and school supplies for a period of 10 days in August.
“The working families in my district are facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and for many it is a daily struggle just to make ends meet,” said Rentz. “Record unemployment coupled with high taxes and monthly bills have kept parents from being able to afford even the most basic necessities for their children. Among these are back-to-school supplies and clothing, which every child should have. A sales tax holiday will be critical to helping these families send their children back to school prepared.”
For some Illini-heads, there are only two seasons: basketball and basketball recruiting. But with Illinois spring football practice beginning Tuesday, it's back to the gridiron, where the Illini posted only three winning seasons in the past 15 years.
Illinois lost its bid today for more than $500 million in federal school grants, as U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the state was not one of the winners in Race to the Top.
