Two Bluford Residents Hurt In Jefferson County Wreck

Two Bluford residents were injured in a two vehicle crash at Route 15 and the Harmony Lane east of Mt. Vernon Wednesday afternoon. State Police say 63-year-old Frank Eang of St. Louis pulled from the stop sign on Harmony Lane in front of a car on Route 15 driven by 23-year-old Melissa Dutton of Bluford.
Both Dutton and a passenger in her car, 25-year-old Joshua Coombs of Bluford, were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon for treatment of major injuries. Eang escaped injury. He was ticketed for failure to yield at a stop intersection. The wreck occurred at 1:14 Wednesday afternoon.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Sears Issues Memo To Employees Considering Options to Leave Illinois

Springfield, IL -- In the wake of Illinois' failure to provide tax relief, Sears officials are reminding employees that they're considering options to leave the state. They issued a memo to employees today, saying quote, "Our commitment to you remains the same; to be thorough in our review of all of our options."
The Vice President of Communications Chris Brathwaite penned the memo. He says he hopes lawmakers work out the kinks of the tax deal soon because they have to make a decision on whether to leave or stay by the end of the year.
The Senate passed a plan that would've given the company millions of dollars in tax incentives but the measure overwhelmingly failed in the House.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0

Union Leaders Call Pension Reform Unconstitutional

Springfield, IL -- Governor Quinn is on board with a legislative plan to stop double-dipping into more than one pension system. If he signs the bill it will prohibit two union leaders from getting payouts from the Teachers Retirement System.
David Ormsby, a spokesperson for the men, calls the move unconstitutional. "The legislation is blatantly unconstitutional because it impairs an benefit that they're legally entitled to", said Ormsby. The union leaders earned the government pension after substitute teaching for just one day. Some lawmakers expressed concern over a potential constitutional breach with the reform but agreed something must be done to end abuse within the system.
The constitution prohibits lawmakers from reducing or tampering with pensions once they've been established. Ormsby says his clients are considering their legal options and prepared to fight the battle in court if that's what it comes down to.  http://bit.ly/tenSb0