Shell to Close Operations in Illinois and Missouri

ROXANA, Ill. (AP) - Shell Oil Co. plans to close its oil blending and packaging plant in Roxana, where Shell began operations in 1918. A company spokeswoman says the Wood River Blending Plant is closing because it needs major upgrades and because it is on property Shell doesn't own. The closure of the Shell Lubricants site will result in the loss of more than 80 jobs in Roxana, just east of St. Louis. The company says it will also close its regional distribution center in O'Fallon, Mo., which employs more than a dozen people. Shell says the distribution center will close at the end of the year, while the Roxana plant will close at the end of 2013. A Shell spokeswoman says employees will have the chance to apply for jobs at other locations.   full story

Union Will Push Tax on Wall Street at Chicago G-8

CHICAGO (AP) - The nation's largest nurses union will call for a tax on Wall Street institutions at a march and rally in Chicago the day before the city hosts the G-8 and NATO summits. Chuck Idelson of National Nurses United says thousands of nurses and activists will take part in the demonstration May 18th. He says they'll call on world leaders to adopt a so-called "Robin Hood" tax on major trading by banks and other financial institutions. The goal would be to raise money for revitalizing the economies of the United States and other G-8 nations. The rally will feature musician Tom Morello, who performs solo as the Nightwatchman and was a member of Rage Against the Machine. The G-8 and NATO summits will be in Chicago May 19th to 21st.  full story

Illinois Voters Can Officially Head To The Polls

Illinois voters can officially head to the polls. Monday marks the start of early voting for Illinois' primary election, and it's available until March 15. Voters do not need a reason to vote early in the Democratic and Republican primaries.

The primary election in Illinois is March 20. The voting includes nominating contests for the Illinois House and Senate, county offices, congressional races and several referendum questions. Sandoval School District voters are being asked to approve a bond issue to pay for 25% of the cost of building a new grade school.

All Marion County county-wide offices are uncontested in the primary. There is a race to represent the Republican Party on the ballot in County Board District Two. Those seeking the positions are incumbents Michael Ice of Salem and Erwin Hahn of Iuka, as well as Creighton Engel and William Holzhauser, Junior of Salem. Voting officials expect the close Republican presidential primary and new candidates vying for redrawn federal, state and county seats to drive early voter participation. Registered voters must show a current driver's license or a valid photo ID to participate.

Early voters cannot change their votes after final submission. Early voting locations are available statewide. In Marion County, early voting is taking place in the county clerk's office on the second floor of the courthouse. The county clerks office is also the voting location in all other area counties. - http://goo.gl/jvRad

No Structural Damage Reported in Several Out of Control Grass and Woods Fires on Sunday

Several fire departments fought grass, brush, and woods fires on Sunday. Odin Firemen fought a fire in woods at the Ruth Uhls property at 3310 Odin Road. The fire spread from weeds and grass that were being burned off around a pond. Odin Fire Chief Greg Smith reports they provided mutual aide assistance to the Centralia Fire Protection District on a grass and woods fire at 2783 Barker Road in rural Centralia.

Centralia District Firemen also fought a pasture fire at a home off of Benning Road in Clinton County. It spread out of control from a grass fire and took over an hour and a half to bring under control. Salem Firemen were called to a very small brush fire at 132 South Vincent Street. The extremely warm temperatures and humidity along with a brisk wind resulted in the National Weather Service issuing a Red Flag Warning for South Central Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The warning advised against burning because of the likelihood of fires getting out of control. - http://goo.gl/AKsTI