Marion County Police Beat for Sunday, January 29th, 2012

A 21 year old Centralia man is being held in the Marion County Jail for alleged domestic battery. Centralia Police arrested Dustin Wilson of South Maple after responding to a domestic battery in progress. Police say Wilson entered the Donna Campbell on South Maple Street without permission, pulled Campbell off the couch and pushed her outside, and later when she came back into the home allegedly picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Wilson then allegedly dumped a glass of milk on Campbell. 30-year-old Doneka Jones of East 13th in Centralia is being held in lieu of $3,000 bond for failure to appear on an unlawful possession of controlled substance charge. Salem Police arrested 23-year-old Andrew Howell of Salem Mobile Home Park for alleged disorderly conduct when he allegedly refused to leave the Guesthouse Inn when asked to do so. 23 year old Adam Joseph Felton of Meridian Road in Sandoval was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence by Illinois State Police. Felton posted $100 and driver's license and was released. 33 year old Kristy Lauren Marshall of East Nollman in Centralia was arrested for driving on a revoked driver's license by Illinois State Police. Marshall posted $150 cash and was released. - http://goo.gl/b0tUL

Illinois Trying to Add More Female Prison Guards

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State officials are looking for ways to increase the number female prison guards. The (Decatur) Herald-Review reported Sunday that the Illinois Department of Corrections wants to boost female and minority recruitment within the department. Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano says female guards are critical at both male and female prisons. The state operates all-female prisons in Lincoln, Decatur and Dwight. The announcement comes after a recent report by the Chicago-based John Howard Association on the Dwight Correctional Center. The watchdog group said that it received reports of inappropriate behavior from male correctional officers at the all-female prison. The watchdog group's report alleges that "inmates expressed distress over lack of privacy." Corrections officials say the ratio of male to female guards throughout Illinois' prison system is 5.4 males to 1 female.  full story

Illinois Governor Faces Hurdles As New Legislative Session Looms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It's tough being governor of a state weighed down by debt, overdue bills and rising expenses. It's even tougher when lawmakers seem happy to ignore your ideas when it suits their mood. That's the situation facing Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. The Chicago Democrat has seen his share of legislative victories, but he has also seen lawmakers ignore his budget proposal, routinely overturn vetoes and brush aside proposals like consolidating small schools. As Quinn prepares for his State of the State address, he faces twin challenges. He must come up with proposals to ease the state's massive financial problems and a strategy to increase his ability to enact those proposals. The governor says he has a strong relationship with the General Assembly.  full story

Local energy-efficient businesses earn award

MOUNT VERNON - Energy-efficient efforts by Mount Vernon businesses have earned the city the ActOnEnergy Most Progressive City Award.

The award was presented by Ameren Illinois to Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley in recognition of 19 Mount Vernon businesses that completed 26 ActOnEnergy projects between June 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011, according to George Justice, manager of Ameren Illinois Division VI.

"It's wonderful," Chesley said. "Through what I call a powerful partnership between the city and its businesses and industries, we are creating awareness, saving energy and helping the environment."

The projects, which received almost $265,000 in ActOnEnergy incentive payments, resulted in a savings of 4.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year for the businesses.

"That is enough electricity to meet the demands of 470 single-family homes for a year," Justice said. "Through these projects, power plant emissions and carbon footprints are reduced, resources are conserved and businesses become more competitive, all of which benefit employees, consumers and the community at large."

ActOnEnergy offers business customers - including private schools and nonprofits - energy efficiency incentives for lighting, refrigeration, motor systems and HVAC systems.

Incentives also are available for retro commissioning, multi-family buildings, commercial kitchen equipment and hotel and motel guest room energy management systems.

ActOnEnergy also offers a program for grain and livestock farmers, providing incentives for lighting upgrades, livestock waterers and such high-efficiency equipment as circulation fans, water heaters and exhaust fans.

Since ActOnEnergy was launched in 2008, the amount of annual incentive dollars available to business customers has grown from $3 million to $19.2 million. full story