Afternoon News Update: Tuesday December 2
- Jurors would get a big pay boost under legislation the Illinois House approved today. The measure would require counties to pay jurors $25 for the first day of service and $50 for each additional day. Counties now are allowed to pay jurors as little as $4 a day.
- Two local communities will benefit from a $33 million federal grant that will go toward funding enrichment programs across the state. Rockford Public Schools and the Boys and Girls Club of Freeport and Stephenson County will receive the funding.Illinois receives funds for the program based on a formula from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Three unattended but running cars were stolen this morning in Rockford, according to the Rockford Police Department. One vehicle, a 2005 Buick, was stolen from the 1500 block of Clifton Avenue. Two more vehicles were stolen from the 400 block of Saulter Avenue. Leaving a car running, unlocked and unattended is illegal in Illinois. Car owners could face a fine of $120 for leaving a vehicle unattended.
- Governor-elect Bruce Rauner made an appearance late this morning in Springfield, where Illinois lawmakers began their last three-day session of the year. At the top of the agenda is a push to raise the state's minimum wage. Rauner stated at the event that approving a minimum wage hike without enacting business reforms could hurt Chicago and worsen statewide unemployment.
- Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford is welcoming a 7-foot, feather-covered creature named "Pearl." Officials say Pearl is a rare type of dinosaur called an oviraptorosaur. Paleontologists discovered significant pieces of Pearl during the past two years at the Hell Creek Formation in Montana.
- A University of Illinois index that tracks the state's economy indicates steady growth since early this year. The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the university said that its Flash Index was at 106.6 in November. Any reading over 100 indicates economic growth.
- The Chicago City Council has overwhelmingly supported a measure to increase the city's minimum wage to $13 by 2019. Five aldermen voted against the measure, saying businesses will be tempted to leave the city and there could be job losses. Supporters say the minimum wage hasn't kept up with other increasing costs and people can't survive on it.
- Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says that November's statewide average temperature was 34.2 degrees — 8.2 degrees below average. That's the fourth-coldest November on record. The record was set in November 1976, when the average temperature was 33.4 degrees.
- Another abandoned Rockford home caught fire yesterday afternoon. The fire took place in the 1100 block of Greenwood Avenue. The flames were able to be extinguished within minutes. Investigators say evidence at the home suggests someone was inside when the fire broke out. No one was hurt, but the fire caused approximately $15,000 in damage. The cause is under investigation.
- A shooting in Rockford’s west side has left a 28-year-old man hospitalized with a non-life threatening wound. It happened yesterday afternoon near the intersection of Elm St. and Stewart Ave. Police say the man was shot once, and then the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. Authorities indicated the victim and shooter may be related in some way, but no arrests have been made.
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