Energy Performance Contract Approved
(Decatur, IL) -- Decatur is going to be making more than 17-million-dollars in infrastructure improvements in exchange for more than 23-million in savings over the next 17 years. The city council has approved a contract with Johnson Controls to optimize energy efficiency, mostly from the replacement of antiquated water meters. The goal of energy performance contracting is to improve the
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Special Legislative Session Begins Today
(Springfield, IL) -- State lawmakers return to Springfield today for the special legislative session on pension reform. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton have been battling over which chamber’s pension bill is best for the state, so a committee of ten lawmakers is being formed to hash out the differences. The special session will cost taxpayers about
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SCOTUS Approves Concealed Carry Extension
(Springfield, IL) -- The U.S. Supreme Court is granting Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request to have a couple of weeks to act on the state’s concealed carry bill. Governor Quinn has until July 9th to sign or veto the legislation approved by the General Assembly that restores residents’ Second Amendment rights. Madigan will then have until July 22nd to decide if she’d
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Macon County Looks To Join Others Allowing Concealed Carry
(Decatur, IL) -- Macon County may soon become one of a handful of jurisdictions in Illinois to allow concealed carry before the state law goes into effect. State’s Attorney Jay Scott says he and Sheriff Tom Schneider will meet later this week to discuss some sensible regulations that will dictate how and when residents will be able to carry a firearm in public, however a specific
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Two Suspects Arrested In Connection With Charleston Rape
(Charleston, IL) -- Two suspects are facing charges in connection with a sexual assault in Charleston Sunday afternoon. The female victim says she was raped by several Hispanic men inside a residence. Police later arrested 25-year-old Jorge Lux and his 17-year-old roommate. Both are from Guatemala, which has also prompted action by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
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Charges Will Not Be Filed In Charleston Rape Case
(Charleston, IL) -- Authorities in Charleston say they will not be filing charges against several men who had been accused of an April gang rape at a house party. Police identified several suspects and were poised to make arrests but further investigation revealed that charges were not warranted. A review of evidence and the inconsistency of witness statements led the Coles County
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Mattoon Man Pleads Not Guilty To Hiding Evidence
(Mattoon, IL) -- A 21-year-old Mattoon man is pleading not guilty to hiding evidence in connection with the fatal shooting of a bartender in March. Andrew May is said to have hid a pair of liquor bottles stolen by the suspect, Thomas O’Dell. May is also accused of hiding the shell casings produced during the slaying of Ben Newton. O’Dell was killed in a gun fight when cops caught
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Central Park Traffic Flow Changes Today
(Decatur, IL) -- Things will be well-marked but authorities still want drivers to use plenty of extra care approaching Central Park today. That’s because the traffic flow around the park is flip-flopping. The flow of cars will be westbound on South Park Street from Franklin to North Water Street and eastbound on North Park between Water and Franklin. The changes are being made to
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Manar To Be Mentored By Former Governor Edgar
(Springfield, IL) -- State Senator Andy Manar is going to be mentored by former Governor Jim Edgar. The Democrat is one of 40 people chosen to participate in this year’s Edgar Fellows Program. The program is aimed at teaching key leadership skills and strategies to inspire bipartisanship. Manar says he’s humbled to have a chance to learn under leaders like Edgar. The fellows chosen
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Memorial In July For Fallen Decatur Soldier
(Decatur, IL) -- Governor Quinn is planning to attend a memorial next month for a fallen Decatur soldier. Bikes, cars and all vehicles are welcome to join the escort of the Fallen Heroes Wall at 9 a.m. July 21st and pay tribute to Sergeant Jesse Tilton. The 23-year-old was killed in Afghanistan in July, 2010 when his unit was attacked by insurgents. Folks will gather at the Decatur Civic
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