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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A disease that has decimated bat populations in the eastern United States has been detected in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said Thursday that two laboratories confirmed the presence of the fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome.

The disease was found in bats from four counties: LaSalle in north-central Illinois, Monroe in southwestern Illinois and Hardin and Pope in the far southern part of the state.

Researchers are especially concerned about the disease because bats play a crucial role in the environment.

In particular, they devour agricultural pests, saving that industry billions of dollars a year.

There is no known way to prevent the disease, which has now been detected in 20 states, most of them in the eastern U.S.

It affects seven hibernating bat species.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri senators have passed legislation scaling back tax breaks for developers and offering new incentives for high-tech businesses and world trade.

The Senate's 27-7 vote Thursday sends the bill to the House, where it already faces some opposition.

House Speaker Tim Jones has said senators "over-reached" by significantly lowering the amount of tax credits available for the construction of low-income housing and the renovation of historic buildings. But Jones likes provisions in the Senate bill that create new tax credits for air cargo exports, computer data centers and investors in high-tech, start-up businesses.

Gov. Jay Nixon praised the bill Thursday for containing "long-overdue reforms" to tax credits.

A similar proposal to overhaul Missouri's tax credits failed during a 2011 special session.

The first audit of the Rockwood School District in 18 years, rates the group 'fair'.

Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich released the results of his audit in the last hour. The most egregious issue he uncovered was that the district ran up more than 1.2 million dollars in extra construction costs. Other problems found in the district include improper attendance controls, inconsistent inventory of the school's property, and a conflict of interest for the adviser handling bond financing.

This audit comes just five weeks before voters decide on proposition S. That would provide over 38 million dollars to the district for a several construction and security projects.

A fair rating indicates that district needs to improve operations in several areas.