Illinois Backlog of Unpaid Bills Nears $8.5 Billion

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka says the stack of unpaid bills in her office tops $4.2 billion and even more bills are piled up in other government departments. She said Wednesday the state's overall backlog is about $8.5 billion. That means organizations that provide services for the state, from businesses to hospitals to charity groups, must wait months to be paid for their work. Topinka's office is still paying bills that date back to September 1st, four and a half months ago. Illinois is behind on its bills even after officials cut spending and raised taxes. Topinka's report predicts the backlog will continue at similar rates. Some officials want to borrow money so state government can pay its vendors, but Topinka argues against more borrowing.  full story

Attorneys: Teen May Get Deal in Clock Factory Fire

PERU, Ill. (AP) - Attorneys say they expect to work out a plea deal for a teen charged in a fire that destroyed part of a massive clock factory in northern Illinois. Attorneys told LaSalle County Judge Daniel Bute on Tuesday that they anticipate an agreement by the time the 15-year-old Peru youth returns to court next week.

The boy is accused of helping set fire to the Westclox building on New Year's Eve. He is not subject to prison time in the Illinois Department of Corrections. But that's not the case for his alleged accomplice.

A La Salle County grand jury on Tuesday returned a one-count indictment against 17-year-old Steven Gallacher of La Salle on a charge of aggravated arson.

Gallacher will appear Thursday before a judge, who may schedule a jury trial. - http://goo.gl/IUPnX

Mo. student loses driving rights for Confederate flag

REPUBLIC, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri student lost his driving privileges at school for flying a Confederate flag on his truck.

The Republic school district twice suspended Riley Collier's driving privileges because of concern that the flag distracted some students and was offensive to others.

Collier says he does not understand why he can't fly the flag while driving to and from Republic High School. He does not consider the flag racist. He says it's about history and the way of life where he grew up.

Republic School District Superintendent Vern Minor says he can't talk about the situation because it involves a student. - http://goo.gl/mMZ1A

Illinoisans urged to take part in earthquake drill

CHICAGO - Authorities want more Illinoisans to register for the "Great ShakeOut."

It's not a new dance or exercise craze. It's a multistate drill meant to raise awareness about potential earthquakes in the region.

More than 152,000 Illinois residents have already signed up to participate in the second annual "Great Central U.S. ShakeOut" on Feb. 7. The drill starts at 10:15 a.m.

The director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Jonathon Monken, says the mantra of earthquake preparedness is "Drop, Cover and Hold On."

That is a reminder for people during an earthquake to drop to the floor, take cover under something sturdy and hold on to it until the shaking stops. - http://goo.gl/2aMIG

Autopsy Shows Centralia Woman Found Dead in Alley Apparently Died From Natural Causes

Preliminary autopsy results indicate a 62-year-old Centralia woman found dead in a city alley Monday morningdied from natural causes. Mary Brenton of South Poplar Street was pronounced dead on the scene by Marion County Deputy Coroner Roger Sutherland after her body was found lying face down in the middle of an alley about a half-block from the Huck's Store at Calumet and Poplar. The coroner's office reports pending toxicology and microscopic examination, the preliminary results show that Brenton died of a massive heart attack due to extreme blockages of coronary arteries and resulting enlargement of the coronary walls. There was also a significant amount of fluid surrounding the heart, making it work even harder, and ultimately contributing to her death. The examination revealed no signs of foul play. Brenton appeared to have been walking the short distance home with groceries she had bought at the Huck's store when she collapsed. - http://goo.gl/wi4uy