Afternoon News Update: Wednesday February 25

Mayors of a half-dozen Illinois communities are asking Governor Bruce Rauner and top legislators for help in making sure nuclear plants in their areas stay open. They say the plants are essential because of the jobs they create. Exelon says plants in Clinton, Rock Island and Ogle County are struggling to remain profitable and it might have to close them.
Governor Bruce Rauner is urging Illinois farmers to help him protect "good" lawmakers and -- in his words -- "go after the bad ones" as he pushes his legislative agenda. Rauner told people at an Illinois Farm Bureau conference that lawmakers who oppose changes he wants to make will hurt farmers and businesses.
An aspiring medical marijuana business is suing the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The company called PM Rx claims the department didn't follow its own rules in choosing companies to grow pot. The company sought a license in a region that includes Ford, Iroquois and Kankakee counties.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says voters will have a clear choice in his April runoff election against Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia. Emanuel sees it as a race between someone who can face problems head-on and the politics of the past. But Garcia says yesterday's result signals that the city wants change. Emanuel failed to get a majority to win outright.
A Loves Park woman is facing drunk driving charges after officers pulled her over around early this morning near Windsor Elementary and Harlem Middle Schools. An officer was driving a marked squad car when 24-year-old Michelle Cole of Loves Park, passed by another westbound motorist. Following the traffic stop, Cole was arrested and charged with drunk driving among other charges.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and The Autism Program of Illinois are launching a statewide program to increase library services for residents impacted by autism. "Targeting Autism" is supported by a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The program aims to collect a number of solutions to address the support needs of autistic residents. White says empowering libraries to better serve those with autism "requires this type of collaborative effort."
Another transform Rockford meeting took place last night and the theme was “strong engaged families living in vibrant neighborhoods.” A panel of experts discussed the future of the city. Over 200 people were in attendance with an overflow room featuring a live video feed also being used, because of the high turn-out.
The Mayor, along with other Rockford leaders are urging the public to attend a hearing taking place now to bring rail service to the Forest City. The city texted residents an alert about the meeting which began less than an hour ago at the Zeke Giorgi Building. Our partners at Eyewitness News have learned even though the Amtrak proposal is on hold, it is not dead as the state deals with budget cuts.
Loves Park Police have released a surveillance camera photo of a woman they suspect attacked a motel housekeeper while nude last week. Police say that last Thursday morning, a housekeeper was placed in a choke hold while cleaning rooms at the Clayton House Motel on the 4800 block of N. 2nd. St. The suspect was entirely nude during this time and anyone with information is urged to call authorities.

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