Afternoon news update: July 14, 2015

Developer Gorman and Company has withdrawn plans to build a low-income housing project in east Rockford on South New Towne Drive. The plan involved constructing new units among a neighborhood of single family homes and moving residents from Fairgrounds Housing to this project. But at a news conference earlier this afternoon, Mayor Larry Morrissey said the plan hasn’t been abandoned by Gorman, but the company instead will reassess and reevaluate the proposal following feedback from the community, which at times as been heated.
Illinois lawmakers have until Wednesday to override Governor Bruce Rauner's budget veto. Rauner rejected a spending plan Democrats acknowledge is $4 billion out of balance. State senators are back in Springfield Tuesday. Meanwhile, a legislative committee heard from about three dozen people Monday afternoon about the proposed closing of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Governor Bruce Rauner announced plans to close the state museum and it’s four branch facilities in response to the current budget impasse. Museum Associate Curator Chris Wigda says there will be serious consequences if this happens. State officials say the closure could be temporary if state finances improve. The Illinois State Museum was founded in 1877, and drew about 200 thousand visitors last year.
Northern Illinois University has hired its first chief diversity officer. Vernese Edghill-Walden has most recently been a provost at City College of Chicago. Creating the position is one of the recommendations a task force made after it looked at NIU's diversity and inclusion efforts.
The recently reached Iran nuclear deal could eventually save us some gas money. Because Iran hasn't been able to sell oil to the U.S. since 1995 because of sanctions imposed on the nation to curb its nuclear program, gas prices have been spiking. Once the new deal is in place, Iran would become an added source of crude oil, prompting a price drop at the pump.
One state office finishes processing payroll while another tries to speed up the court schedule on whether state workers can be paid during the budget impasse. The comptroller's office says paychecks will go out as scheduled Wednesday. Spokesman Rich Carter says only about 6,800 of the 65,000 total state workers were set to be paid July 15. "More people will be paid next week and then the week after," Carter said. "All 65,000 are not paid at the same time." Carter says the office will continue processing payroll as usual, unless a court orders otherwise. Such a ruling may be coming from the Illinois Supreme Court. The attorney general's office filed an emergency motion for a direct appeal to settle whether state workers can continue being paid while there's no budget in place.

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