Afternoon News Update: Friday February 20
- The Kinnikinnick School District and its teachers' union have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a 5-year-contract. Our partners at Eyewitness News are reporting the Kinnikinnick Education Association plans to meet on Monday, February 23, 2015 and the Board of Education meets on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 to vote on the terms of the agreement. The deal comes after months of negotiations and authorization of a strike.
- Caterpillar is keeping its headquarters in Peoria. CEO Doug Oberhelman says the company has decided after a two-year study that it will expand and improve its riverfront complex. Governor Bruce Rauner was on hand for Friday morning's announcement.
- Faced with Gov. Bruce Rauner's plan to cut their state funding by almost a third, Illinois' public universities are preparing to argue such drastic reductions would be a mistake while also mulling what to do if they're enacted. Universities say they will start making the case that spending on them is an investment in the state's economy. Lawmakers with universities in their districts say they're already talking about how to reduce the proposed cut.
- Attorneys for the city of Bloomington say the ride-sharing service Uber doesn't comply with rules in Bloomington and Normal and Uber drivers are subject to fines. Uber launched service in Bloomington and Normal on Sunday along with four other new Illinois cities. Reports indicate the Bloomington city attorney told Uber’s general manager that Uber can't operate, citing a municipal ordinance. City officials say they will work to make changes to code that would allow Uber and similar services. In the meantime, Uber drivers are subject to fines of $250 or more.
- Tonight’s Miranda Lambert concert at the BMO Harris Bank Center is sold out, a somewhat unusual event for downtown Rockford. And with tonight's temps reaching bone-chilling levels, city officials ask that you arrive early and have a plan for where you want to park. Rockford is offering a shuttle service to get country music fans to and from the event. The shuttle will pick up outside the Main Street North Deck (formerly Pioneer Parking Deck) located across from the Coronado Theater and drop off patrons in front of the BMO Harris Bank Center on Church St. The shuttle will run continuously from 5:30 p.m-8:00 p.m. prior to the show, and then again after the show from 10:30 p.m. - 12:00 midnight.
- Champaign school officials are investigating whether an Ash Wednesday service for students at Centennial High School violated any district rules. An Urbana priest says he conducted the early morning service for students who asked for it before they left on an out-of-town trip.
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