SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Transportation officials in Illinois are testing drones for bridge inspections and other potential uses. The Illinois Department of Transportation said in a news release Tuesday it has purchased two drones. The department is exploring how drones might improve mapping or document progress in work zones. Transportation officials say live-streaming video from…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois’ public universities are being forced once again to plan to operate without state funding after going nearly the entire 2015-2016 school year without receiving any support amid the budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Legislature’s Democratic leaders. The Herald & Review reports a six-month spending plan that…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Former Congressman Aaron Schock has pleaded not guilty in federal court to misusing government and campaign money for personal use. Schock appeared Monday in U.S. District Court in Springfield to be arraigned on a 24-count indictment. It includes allegations of wire and mail fraud and theft of government funds. U.S. District…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Medical marijuana sales reached more than $4.4 million in November at licensed dispensaries throughout Illinois, marking another month of steady growth for the year-old industry. The state released new sales figures for November along with a new tally for how many patients qualify to buy marijuana legally. The Illinois Department of…
CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) – Southern Illinois University Carbondale says a $1 million donation will be used to renovate and expand the boat house and pavilion on campus lake. SIU Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell says the donation by 1955 graduate Ralph Becker will revitalize a “beloved and significant” campus landmark. Becker earned a degree in speech…
CHICAGO (AP) – Comptroller Susana Mendoza says state employees promised bonuses will now have to wait to receive them during the ongoing budget impasse. The office that controls Illinois’ checkbook announced Wednesday that payments to social services and public safety come first. Mendoza, a Democrat, took office this week after ousting Republican Leslie Munger in…
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Eight Chicago residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for the smash-and-grab crime at a Saks Fifth Avenue in suburban St. Louis. The U.S. Attorney’s office in St. Louis on Wednesday announced the indictments. All eight suspects are in their 20’s. Illinois State Police say they are also under…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner says he wants Democratic leaders to present him a budget proposal to end an 18-month stalemate before meeting again for another round of negotiations. Rauner made the announcement Wednesday a day before a planned meeting with legislative leaders, which he canceled. The Chicago Sun-Times reports (http://bit.ly/2h4CnUX )…
PORT BYRON, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association says Gov. Bruce Rauner weakened Illinois’ job prospects by signing a nuclear-energy subsidy. Rauner signed the law Wednesday creating a plan to allow Exelon Corp. to keep two unprofitable nuclear plants open with $235 million a year from ratepayers. But he says it will save consumers…
CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner are succeeding more at frustrating each other than at striking a deal to end an 18-month budget impasse that’s damaging the state’s fiscal health every day. The relationship between ruling Democrats, Republican leaders, and Rauner has only grown more toxic after several meetings in…