Jones Says Governor Quinn Eyeing Centralia Murray Center for Possible Closure

State Senator John O. Jones says Governor Pat Quinn is now threatening to close the Murray Center in Centralia. He says the governor is sensing that his plan to close seven state facilities may be failing, so he might rethink his plan, and propose another round of closures. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has not finished work on Quinn's plan that affects the Chester Mental Health Center and Illinois Youth Center at Murphysboro. Legislators have called into question the Governor's rationale for closing the facilities that were picked, without having already a long-term plan in place. Jones said he is going to resurrect a 2008 legislative plan, which called for a Facilities Closure Panel to be formed. The plan stalled out when legislative majorities refused to allow the bill to be called for a vote in the Senate. Senator Jones said that anytime a closure is announced, or even mentioned, it can alarm a community, but the Senator urged everyone in Clinton County to react with caution and remain vigilant. The proposed legislation would be similar to the 95th General Assembly's House Bill 1235 Senate Amendments.

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Illinois House OKs Alternative Pay for School Chiefs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois House approved a plan to pay regional school superintendents after Governor Pat Quinn erased funding for their salaries last summer. 　 The House voted 74-36 Wednesday to use local property tax funds to pay superintendents and their assistants in 44 regional education offices. It would pay them for just one year. The measure sponsored by Democratic Rep. Frank Mautino of Spring Valley also creates a commission to determine the best way to continue the duties of regional superintendents. They conduct school safety checks, run programs for truant and troubled children and more. Quinn said the state couldn't afford the $11 million to pay them and cut it in the current budget. Most superintendents have been working five months without pay.

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Illinois House Targets Loophole on Teachers' Pensions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers are trying to close a loophole that let two lobbyists qualify for retirement benefits as teachers after spending a single day in the classroom. The measure passed the House on Wednesday and now goes to the state Senate. It targets two lobbyists for the Illinois Federation of Teachers. They spent one day as substitutes, which allowed them to qualify for the teachers' pension system. Democratic Rep. Jack franks of Marengo calls it "depressing" that he needed to sponsor legislation to remove them from the pension system. His bill passed 112-0.

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Illinois Corn Forecasted Lower Than Expected, Soybean Unchanged

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting Illinois corn yields at 156 bushels per acre, decreased by three bushels from October. The USDA estimates total production for the state to reach 1.95 billion bushels, down slightly from a year ago. Corn harvest was 89-percent completed by October 30th, and down from 98-percent last year. The USDA forecasts soybean yields at 46 bushels per acres, unchanged from October. They estimate total production for the state to reach 407.1 million bushels, down 13-percent from a year ago. Soybean harvest was 94-percent completed as of October 30th, and down from 99-percent last year. 　 Corn production nationally is forecasted at 12.3 billion bushels, down one-percent from October, and down one-percent from a year ago. Corn yields are expected to average 146.7 bushels per acre, down 1.4-bushels from October and down 6.1-bushels from a year ago. Soybean production nationally is forecasted at 3.05 billion bushels, down slightly from October, and down nine-percent from last year. Soybean yields are expected to average 41.3 bushels per acre, down 0.2-bushel from October, and down 2.2-bushels from last year.

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Dix Man Injured in Oil Field Accident Tuesday

Jefferson Rural Firefighters say a Dix man was injured in an oil field accident on Tuesday. Firemen were called to help James Grasherr after his arm got caught in an oil well pump off North Village Lane east of Texico. Fire officials say Grasherr was initially taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon and then transferred to a St. Louis Hospital.

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SIU-E Students Staging Occupy Rally Wednesday

Edwardsville, IL -- Students at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville are staging an "Occupy" rally today at 10 a.m. Organizer Harry Zollars says there are four main issues being addressed, including the state of American politics, the affordability and disparities within higher education, and the state of healthcare in America. Zollars says the goal is to bring more than just awareness to the issues. He wants students to find reasonable solutions to the problems. A solutions panel will be held in the Goshen Lounge immediately following the rally.

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Police Beat for Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Both Salem Police and Marion County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating burglaries. Salem Police received a complaint from Barbara Ball of East Bennett that her home had been entered both Sunday and Monday. A very small amount of cash was reported stolen. The Marion County Sheriff's Department is investigating a complaint from Chris Metcalf about a burglary to a barn on River Road in Iuka. A four wheeler was taken. A 24-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been arrested on an outstanding felony failure to pay or appear warrant. John Ferguson of Perkins Street is being held in the Marion County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond. 35-year-old Jennifer Odell of Marshall Creek Road in Odin posted $150 bond after being arrested for driving on a suspended license.

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First Ever Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned For One Wednesday Afternoon

(Springfield, IL) -- The first ever test of the Nationwide Emergency Alert System is planned forWednesday afternoon. At 1 p.m., all radio and TV broadcasters, cable TV, video providers, and satellite media will sound the alert. If you're watching TV, don't be alarmed because the system may not inform you that it's just a test. That's because there are limitations in the system. The system is designed to allow the President to address the nation across all media platforms in the event of a national emergency. Parts of the same system are used on a regular basis to pass on severe weather warning. The purpose of the test is to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system and identify incremental improvements that can be made.   - http://goo.gl/pQr4g

Illinois House Committee Passes Pension Bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - An Illinois House committee has approved a measure to change pension costs and benefits for state employees. The bill heads to the full House where its fate is uncertain. It would create three different "tiers" of pension benefits and costs. One of those is a 401k-style "defined contribution" plan. Supporters say the state needs to change its pension plans because it can't afford them. Unions strongly disagree with the changes being proposed. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees executive director Henry Bayer says the bill is asking workers to pay more. Language in the Illinois Constitution also bars reducing retirement benefits for current employees. House Republican leader Tom Cross, a sponsor, criticized the unions for not offering an alternative while acknowledging the state has a pension problem. - http://goo.gl/ZyKgd