Afternoon news update: May 11, 2015

What's the best way for Illinois to pay for roads? The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois says it's the gas tax, despite its imperfections. "It's definitely a good way for Illinois to plug the funding gap that it has for its highways. It will roughly affect individuals who use the roads more than others. It's not perfect, but the system is already in place and (it's) something that's going to be easy to implement," said economics and finance professor Julian Reif. The institute evaluated the pros and cons of three funding methods: GAS TAX - Pros: Easy to collect, roughly taxes people based on how much they drive. Cons: Regressive, taxes fuel consumed rather than miles driven, so drivers of fuel-efficient or alternative-fuel vehicles don't pay their fair share. TOLLS - Pros: Users pay only for the roads the use. Cons: Federal law may prohibit the institution of tolls on existing free roads. MILES DRIVEN TAX - Pros: Taxes people precisely for their use of roads. Cons: Difficult to implement a new system in which people would pay yearly based on odometer readings; doesn't account for out-of-state drivers using Illinois roads and Illinois drivers travelling in other states. The gas tax, now 19 cents a gallon, was set in 1990. Since then, drivers are using more fuel-efficient vehicles, so not only have 25 years of inflation diminished the value of the tax, but the state is collecting less per mile driven. Reif says a 10-cent increase in the gas tax would raise $600 million. The report doesn't take into account the consequences of gas tax funds being "swept" for other purposes by the governor nd lawmakers, a political decision that theoretically could affect revenue from any tax, toll or fee.
The identity of a woman found dead in her Beloit garage has been released. She’s identified as 19- year old Brandy Lee Carroll. Carroll’s body was discovered Saturday morning. One man is in custody on a probation hold and the investigation is on-going.
The body of 36-year old Sycamore man was found in the elevator of a downtown Rockford building. Rockford Police made the discovery inside the William Brown Building at 226 South Main Street. They do say the death is not suspicious. An autopsy is scheduled for today while the man's identity is being withheld until next of kin are notified.
The Rockford Housing Authority is making efforts to be more energy efficient. The $7.2 million project has taken three years. Nine of its 11 developments have been upgraded. Each of the sites has received more environmentally friendly lighting, appliances, insulation, water, heating and cooling. Some of the sites have solar panels on the roofs.
The U.S. Marshals Service says 20-year-old Steson Crider wanted in the March killing of a 12-year-old boy in Quincy was arrested in Mesa, Arizona. Authorities say he walked up to the boy and shot him in the head. Crider is charged with first-degree murder.
A Wausau, Wisconsin woman is the last link in a 68-person kidney transplant chain of donations that started in Minnesota, spread across the country and ended at the University of Wisconsin. The National Kidney Registry and 26 hospitals nationwide helped coordinate 34 kidney exchanges between 68 people.

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