Afternoon News Update: March 31

There was a water main break this morning near a Rockford school. Marsh Elementary, which is on the city’s northeast side had to cancel classes as a result. There is no word yet if the school will resume normal activities for Tuesday.
The push is on to get people in Illinois signed up for health coverage through the state’s insurance marketplace. The deadline is set for midnight Tuesday, which is only hours away. Officials say people who aren’t signed up could face federal tax penalties. Counselors are currently available at events around Illinois.
Thousands of people have already been denied concealed-carry permits. More than 1,300 of them have now filed objections with the state police. A seven-member board appointed by Governor Pat Quinn is reviewing the objections. Almost 300 cases have been upheld so far.
Construction has begun on the Guilford High School Field House. School leaders will be celebrating with a ground breaking ceremony scheduled for Tuesday morning. The event will feature several keynote speakers.
April is almost here, which means the start of National Distracted Driving Month. Officials want to remind motorists that it’s illegal in the state of Illinois to talk or text on a hand held cell phone while driving. In 2012 alone, over 3,300 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found using a hand-held cell phone while behind the wheel increases the risk of crashing by three times. They also note driving while texting is six times more dangerous than driving drunk.
In the latest search of the Lake Michigan shore, crews didn’t find any more oil. This according to the Coast Guard after last week’s spill at BP’s northwestern Indiana refinery. Officials say an assessment team checking the area near the Whiting, IN refinery on Sunday spotted no visible oil on the shore or in the water. BP estimates between 15 and 39 barrels of oil were discharged into the lake.
It will cost about 3 percent more to attend one Illinois University this fall. Western Illinois University officials have approved a 2.99 percent increase for undergraduate students and a 2.97 percent increase for graduate students. These increases will affect tuition, room and board, among other fees. The price is guaranteed for four years for students entering WIU’s Macomb campus in the fall.

Categories: News