Afternoon News Update: March 24

A mentally ill Rockford man will receive nearly 90 years behind bars for killing his mother. That’s the sentence a Winnebago County Judge has given to 30-year-old Franklin Byrd. The murder happened on the city’s east side back in 2009 when he shot and killed his mother, Leslie Byrd, at their Greenwood Avenue Home. Police had to surround the home and Byrd eventually gave himself up.
Rockford police have released the name of a women killed in a car crash. Officials say 21-year-old Suaveya Williams died as a result to her injuries. It happened early Sunday morning in the 1300 block of Seminary Street. Three other women passengers were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The crash caused significant damage to a utility pole, which led hundreds of residents to lose power.
A fire on Rockford’s southwest side has leveled a garage. It happened early Sunday morning in the 1300 block of Kent Street. Crews were able to put out the fire quickly, but the garage was already a total loss. No one was hurt in the blaze. The cause is under investigation.
A CTA stop at O’Hare Airport where a train derailed could be shut down for another day. Officials say more than 30 people were hurt early this morning when a train pulling into the station jumped the tracks and crashed into an escalator. All injuries are said to be minor. To remove the Blue Line train, crews will have to cut it a part. Inspectors are also reviewing video footage as they look for the cause of the crash.
About 125,000 Illinois public school students will be taking practice exams beginning this week. It will help them prepare for the new set of learning standards the state is set to adopt next year. The tests are tied to learning metrics called the Common Core Standards that have been adopted by Illinois and dozens of other states. The state will implement the new standards and testing in full next year.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will give his budget address Wednesday. Quinn is expected to reveal what he plans to do about the expiration of the state's temporary income tax.
Two state senators say Illinois needs another Big Ten conference school. A bill has been introduced by Republicans Michael Connelly and Matt Murphy. The two have said their measure would study what's needed for a public university in the state to join the conference. Currently, Northwestern and Illinois are a part of the Big Ten.

Categories: News