Afternoon news update: May 12, 2015

A Wisconsin prosecutor says a white Madison police officer who shot an unarmed biracial man to death in March will not be charged because the officer used lawful deadly force. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne will file no charges against Officer Matt Kenny in the March shooting death of 19-year-old Tony Robinson Jr. Ozanne spent some 25 minutes laying out investigative findings in the case saying that Kenny had been punched in the head and feared for his life when he shot 19-year-old Tony Robinson Jr. Robinson was shot seven times after he struck the officer.
Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato and several others are protesting the potential parole of convicted murderer Calvin Madison. Madison shot and killed John Hogan at a Rockford gas station in 1970. Madison was originally sentenced to death, but was resentenced to more than 75 years after the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional.
"Concealed carry" is the law of the land in Illinois, and its supporters say no harm has been done. Now the National Rifle Association is taking aim at "silencers," currently illegal in Illinois but legal in 39 states. By the way, the NRA's lobbyist in Illinois says that's a misnomer. "They're called suppressors," says Todd Vandermyde, believing Hollywood has given the public the wrong idea."They act just like a muffler does." Vandermyde is trying to build support for the devices, which can be added onto a gun and which can be taxed. He says the suppressors make the sportsmen better neighbors and also help thwart hearing damage.
A Kankakee County jail inmate who escaped last month has been sentenced to more than 100 years in prison. Kamron Taylor spent three days on the loose last month after attacking a jail guard and stealing his uniform and SUV. He was convicted of murder for the killing of a man during a 2013 robbery attempt.
Firefighters from across the state gathered in Springfield today to remember those who died in service to their communities, and to honor 39 others for outstanding bravery and service. The 22^nd annual Illinois Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighter Medal of Honor awards ceremony took place in the State Capitol Complex this morning.
The Illinois Department of Transportation and more than 300 local law enforcement agencies announce the annual Click It or Ticket campaign over the next two weeks, cracking down on seat belt violators and impaired drivers. The Click It or Ticket campaign lasts through Memorial Day with Police enforcing seat belt laws, looking for drunk or drugged drivers and other traffic violations 24/7, with a large number of patrols occurring during the late-night hours.
One new tool of the Illinois State Police could be used in circumstances like this campaign. The Federal Aviation Administration has given the ISP approval to operate an unmanned aircraft system, or drone, program. While it could be used for a variety of operations, the ISP is adamant in saying it will not be used for surveillance.
The location of the Obama presidential library will be announced Tuesday, and it'll be near the grounds of the University of Chicago, where President Obama was once an instructor. The University of Chicago beat out the University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University in New York, and the University of Hawaii. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) says she always believed Obama would pick Chicago in the end. "I'm thrilled to hear that, and fingers crossed, it sounds like it's going to be on the South Side of Chicago, so that's fantastic," Kelly said. "I'm very happy that a decision has been made." Even politicians who disagree with Obama welcome the news. "I'm not a huge fan of President Obama, obviously, but we have to celebrate his achievement," said U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger(R-Channahon). "I think he's achieved some great things by being elected president from his background, so it'll be great to have it here." While the University of Chicago has been chosen as the host, it had offered two different sites in existing Chicago parks on which to build the library. Which of those sites is the final pick hasn't been announced yet.

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