Afternoon News Update: Monday March 9
- Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is slated to sign Wisconsin's right-to-work legislation into law today. Under the bill, workers cannot be forced to pay union dues. The measure cleared the Republican-led Legislature on Friday
- The state's top Republicans are calling for comprehensive immigration reform, but there have been few details about what that would entail. Governor Bruce Rauner, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and U.S. Representatives Aaron Schock, Adam Kinzinger and Bob Dold spoke today at a Chicago forum on immigration reform.
- The Democratic leader of the Illinois Senate says Governor Bruce Rauner's proposed budget is "as unworkable as it is unconscionable." Senate President John Cullerton says the new Republican governor's spending plan would hurt the middle class by cutting programs such as public transportation, higher education and substance abuse treatment.
- A Cortland man was sentenced in court today on drug delivery charges. 23-year-old Jeremy Pesina, of Cortland, was sentenced to 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Pesina made two deliveries of over a gram of cocaine in October 2012. Both took place within 1000 feet of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere.
- Janesville police want residents to be on the lookout for an adult and some young children who are selling candy bars on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club. Police say it is a scam. According to police, these people have been seen at local businesses selling candy bars for $1 apiece and asking for donations for the Boys and Girls Club. Police say the club does not have members sell candy bars or solicit donations to raise money. The same is true for the Stateline Boys and Girls Club in Beloit.
- The Freeport School District has a new superintendent. Michael Schniffman was named to the position at a special meeting by a 5-2 vote. Schiffman grew up in the Freeport area and attended ISU and Western Illinois University.
- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration has announced the removal of 50 controversial red-light cameras at about two dozen locations citywide. The move comes as the former White House chief of staff seeks re-election and faces questions about the cameras impact on safety. Chicago Department of Transportation officials announced the move Sunday. About 300 cameras will remain.
- Parents with students at Rockford Public Schools can now connect with their child's classroom thanks to a new free mobile app.The Parent Portal within the app gives parents real-time access to their child's grades attendance records, assignments, class schedules and more.The app is available in the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPad Touch.
- The Winnebago County Coroner has released the cause of death of a Rockford man who was found dead in the 2000 block of Loomis Street on Saturday. 52-year-old R.L. Purvis Jr. died as a result of cardiac arrest. The coroner’s office has had a difficult time locating family members. Anyone with information is urged to call the Winnebago County Coroner.
- The average retail gas prices in Rockford dropped 3.3 cents per gallon in the past week, making the Forest City average $2.38 per gallon. The national average has increased 2.5 cents over the same period of time to $2.46, according to GasBuddy. That's also up 28.4 cents in the last month, but still down more than a dollar from a year ago.
- Beginning tomorrow, two construction projects could cause some delays on a few area roads. The Water Division will be making repairs in the 600 block of Whitman Street. That will cause westbound traffic to be closed from Ridge Avenue to Haskell Avenue. Detours will be posted. Work is expected to last up to two to four days.
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