Afternoon news update: June 26, 2015

Same-sex couples in Illinois had the right to marry thanks to a state law. Now, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it's a constitutional right. Illinois now has the distinction of being one of the final states to pass a same-sex marriage law, as the ruling legalizes those unions in all parts of the U.S. To Equality Illinois chief executive Bernard Cherkasov, it's a day he's been waiting to see for most of his life. "It does feel great to live in this moment," Cherkasov said. "I know people who have fought for this moment for generations, and many did not live to see this moment in their lifetimes, but to see the Supreme Court opinion, to read it, it just feels so validating." For Illinois same-sex couples, the ruling means their marriages will be recognized in all states. Illinois politicians from both political parties are applauding the ruling. "The decision by the Supreme Court affirms that same-sex couples across the nation have the right to marry whom they love and to participate fully - with their families - in the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Another step in the march toward equal rights has been taken today," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), one of the first Republicans in Congress to come out in favor of same-sex marriage, said "As Americans, we believe in human rights, civil rights and dignity. Today's ruling recognizes that our gay friends, family members, and neighbors are deserving of the same right to commit to the one they love." But a Springfield Bishop calls the high court ruling a "misfortune" and says that legalizing gay marriage does not make it morally valid. Wisconsin governor and presumptive presidential candidate Scott Walker called the decision a grave mistake.
Proposed changes to the state's home care assistance are supposed to save the state money, but changing eligibility rules for home care programs for seniors and people with disabilities isn’t popular with either party. The program is supposed to help those residents stay in their homes, with a Determination of Need, or DON score, deciding how much state aid they receive. The governor has proposed raising those requirements. State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) says it's only being discussed because of the unbalanced budget supported by Democrats. "The DON score really isn't the problem, it's indicative of the problem, and the problem is that we don't have a balanced budget before us today," Demmer said. State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) defends the debate, saying the change would not only take away state aid from more than 20,000 people, but end up forcing them into more costly nursing home care. "The interesting thing, I think, about the proposed solution, is the solution costs us more and makes the budget more out of balance," Harris said. By Harris's estimation, the change could the state cost tens of millions of dollars per year. What's not clear, however, is whether there will be a new contract by the end of July. AFSCME held statewide rallies this month asking for what they say is a fair contract -- the administration and union have been at the table for six months. They'll return to the table next week, but Lindall's been saying for months that the two sides are very far apart.
Two Rockford women are jailed and charged with home invasion and aggravated battery. 35-year old Megan Daugherty and 42-year old Angelisa Morales are accused of breaking into a home on Trilling Avenue in Rockford and beating the woman inside. The attack was Thursday morning around four o’clock. The victim was not seriously hurt.
Rockford Police make seven prostitution busts Thursday night using officers posing as both hookers and 'johns.' The Rockford Police Department District 2 M3 Streets Team in cooperation with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Tac Team targeted street level prostitution operations in response to citizen complaints.
The Illinois Tollway joined local and state leaders from the city of Belvidere and Boone County Friday afternoon to break ground on the construction of the final ramps needed to complete the Irene Road Interchange on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90). The new, full-access Irene Road Interchange is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2015.

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