Know Where to Go with the Illinois Official Highway Map

July 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Know Where to Go with the Illinois Official Highway Map

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD – The new Illinois Official Highway Map, featuring Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg on the cover, is now available. The 2017-2018 maps have QR (quick response) codes for numerous transportation and travel websites, updated route information and useful links.

“It’s time to update your maps,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “These maps are great to keep on hand while traveling throughout our state and are a helpful resource in emergency situations.”

Smartphone users can scan the QR codes printed on the maps for pertinent and timely information during their travels.

• QR codes:

o Getting Around Illinois website
o Amtrak and Illinois high-speed rail websites
o Start Seeing Motorcycles website
o Chicago and St. Louis traffic websites
o Alternative fuels website
o Enjoy Illinois website

• Additional websites:

o Illinois Scenic Byways
o Illinois Amber Alert
o Illinois State Police Scott’s Law (“move over law”)

Made possible by funding from the Federal Highway Administration, the Illinois Official Highway Map is published by the Illinois Department of Transportation every two years on recycled paper with soybean oil-based inks. Contact DOT.maps@illinois.gov to request a map. Free copies also will be available soon at interstate rest areas and at the IDOT tent at the Illinois State Fair, Aug 10-20.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, State News

Mt. Vernon High School superintendent talks new position, demolishing old high school

July 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/35959370/new-mt-vernon-high-school-superintendent-talks-new-position-demolishing-old-high-school

MT. VERNON, IL –  (Brandon Merano,  WSIL-TV.  Please click on the ling above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A new interim superintendent has taken the reigns of the Mt. Vernon high school district.

 

New MVTHS Superintendent Marylin Holt (WSIL photo)

Monday was Marilyn Holt’s second day on the job.

The veteran educator has more than 30 years of experience, and she’ll make $65,000 during the 100-day term of her contract

.
She said she plans to help Mt. Vernon High School get out from under a financial cloud that built up over several years.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Cairo, Illinois: America’s Forgotten City

July 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.antiquearchaeology.com/blog/cairo-illinois-americas-forgotten-city/

NOTE:  This story back from 2016 was floating around social media from the Antique Archeology Website.  Since American Pickers is big in Southern Illinois, and anytime  I post that Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz will be in the area has a great response from you, I decided I would post this story.

The story is by Sarah Buckholtz.  I have posted stories in the past about the history of Cairo, and there is a huge response.  Please click on the link above for the full story.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Slider, State News

Southern Illinois University Struggling to Update Student Housing

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

CARBONDALE, IL  – (WMCL Radio.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt.)

Southern Illinois University leaders say they have too many old dorm rooms, but not enough students to build new ones.

Trustees for the Carbondale campus last week said they’re going to have to cancel a planned new housing project because it would lose money.

 

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, State News

Tom Miller interviews Governor Bruce Rauner on WJPF

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Newsradio WJPF interview with Gov. Bruce Rauner

CARTERVILLE, IL –  Above is the link to Tom Miller’s interview of Governor Bruce Rauner on WJPF.

Here are some highlights.  He had some strong words for Speaker of the House Mike Madigan over holding Illinois hostage with the school funding issue.  He called a special session in the senate for noon today.  He also called out Democrat State Represenatives Brandon Phelps (Norris City) and Jerry Costello II (Smithston) for voting for Madigan.

He discussed the Chicago school bailout.  He said it is not fair to Southern Illinois districts.  The governor will have an amendatory veto to Senate Bill 1, if he hasn’t already.

He also mentioned how there is a Democratic spin that he was the one who raised taxes.  Governor Rauner vetoed the tax increase as well as the spending bill.

The interview is nine minutes long.  It is well worth your time.  – Steve

 

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, State News

Real-time Traffic Info on I-57 Project Available on Getting Around Illinois Website

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Illinois Department of Transportation District 9

CARBONDALE, IL  – As part of its commitment to provide the public with the latest information to plan their trips, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is sharing additional details on travel conditions in the Interstate 57 work zone near Marion through the Getting Around Illinois website.

To access, simply click here and select the “D9” traffic layer. Green cones signify vehicles are moving freely, yellow cones represent moderate reductions in speeds, orange ones show an even greater reduction and red cones indicate traffic is stop and go. Clicking on each cone displays the average rate of speed in which traffic is moving on northbound I-57 and the approaching westbound lanes on Interstate 24. Clicking on the sign icons shows the messages currently being displayed to drivers via digital message boards.

The information is made possible through IDOT’s use of Smart Work Zones. The system utilizes sensors to relay traffic information in advance of a work zone so motorists are aware of any backups and can elect to use detours or seek alternate routes.

The I-57 project is the first time IDOT is expanding the technology to share information with the public online. The project currently consists of reconstructing the northbound lanes from approximately Marion to I-24. The southbound section was completed earlier this year. The entire project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

GettingAroundIllinois.com debuted 10 years ago and relaunched earlier this year in a mobile-friendly format. The site is a one-stop shop for visitors seeking traffic counts, road conditions, weather radar and other travel-related information.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, State News

Marion man jailed on DUI Charges in Jefferson County

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press Release from Travis Allen, Jefferson County Sheriff

MT. VERNON, IL – On 07/23/17 at about 9:52 PM our office began receiving 911 calls about a blue van speeding up, slowing down, and swerving lane to lane on I-57 north bound from about the 92 mile marker.

While Deputies were responding to the interstate at least two callers reported what they thought were gun shots coming from inside the van. Deputies got behind the blue van as it approached the Mt.Vernon 95 mile marker.

The van exited I 57 eastbound onto Broadway. As the vehicle turned onto Broadway the Deputy activated his overhead lights and preformed a traffic stop on the vehicle. Another Deputy and Officers from the Mt.Vernon Police Department assisted as the Deputy preformed a felony stop on the vehicle.

Two occupants in the vehicle were both compliant. Inside the vehicle Deputies discover beer and M-80 style fire crackers. No weapons were found. The driver 28 year old Brent A. Tite of Marion was arrested for Driving on a revoked license from a prior DUI. Deputies suspected Tite to be under the influence at the time of this stop.

Field sobriety testing was conducted and Tite was arrested for DUI. Tite is charged with Driving while license revoked, Felony Driving under the influence while revoked for DUI and improper lane usage. Breathalyzer results indicated his alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.

He is currently in the Jefferson County jail awaiting bond to be set.
I want to publicly thank our Deputies and all Officers involved for doing a great job in getting this guy off the road. This reckless behavior could have caused an accident or got someone seriously hurt in other ways. Good job guys! Chief Deputy Taylor

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Gas prices likely to rise after state budget strips tax exemption on ethanol

July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/economy/gas-prices-likely-to-rise-after-state-budget-strips-tax/article_3a76b51e-7013-11e7-86ed-7329c341da0e.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL (Cole Lauterblach, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

An advocate for gasoline wholesalers says they’ve been betrayed by the newest Illinois budget and could see a shift away from ethanol-mixed fuel because of it.

E10 gasoline, which is regular gas with ten percent ethanol blended in, has had a 20 percent tax exemption at the wholesale level since 2011. The budget passed by lawmakers earlier this month removed that discount that would have been up for renewal in 2018, which industry experts say will likely result in an increase of between 7-10 cents per gallon at the pump.

Bill Fleischli, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association, said his members could stop using the E10 gas if straight fuel gets cheap enough.

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Moody’s: Illinois avoids ‘junk’ credit, but risks remain

July 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/35934262/moodys-illinois-avoids-junk-credit-but-risks-remain

CHICAGO, IL – (Associated Press – WPSD-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A major credit rating agency says Illinois’ rating won’t be lowered to “junk” but warns the state still faces serious financial challenges and long-term risks.

Moody’s Investors Service on Thursday affirmed Illinois’ current rating with a negative outlook, saying a downgrade remains possible in the next two years.

Moody’s put Illinois under review for a downgrade earlier this month, after the state entered its third fiscal year without a budget

 

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Illinois celebrates 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Press release from the Illinois Department of Human Services

Chicago -The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), along with several other state agencies and councils, hosted a celebratory event to honor the 27th anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the James R. Thompson Center. The interactive and informative event included an art exhibit, entertainment by performers with disabilities, ADA informational workshops, and exhibits from federal, state, and local organizations.

“At IDHS we are committed to a simple motto that many know well, ‘treating people the way we wish to be treated.’ On July 20th we commemorate and celebrate a living doctrine that does just that,” said IDHS Secretary James Dimas. “The Americans with Disabilities Act has been empowering individuals with disabilities to be treated the way we all wish to be treated by enabling them to reach their employment, education, and independent living goals for 27 years. Please join me in celebrating this landmark legislation.”

The ADA celebration included presentations from IDHS Division of Rehabilitation Services Director Quinetta Wade and Illinois Tollway Authority Director Greg Bedalov. ADA informational workshops informed job seekers and employers about the benefits of the ADA, and entertainers with disabilities performed for those in attendance. The entire event was free, accessible, and open to the public.

To further encourage all Illinoisans to reaffirm the principles of equality and inclusion, Governor Bruce Rauner proclaimed July 20, 2017 the Americans with Disabilities Act Day. Governor Rauner’s proclamation is attached.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News
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