Afternoon News Update: Monday February 9
- Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says it's wrong to force state employees to pay union dues when they don't join. The governor has signed an executive order to eliminate so-called "fair share" dues for public sector workers. The order has no effect on state workers who want to be in a union.
- A liberal website says Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock sold his Peoria County home to a Caterpillar executive in 2012 for more than three times its assessed value. Schock has said the price was in line with other nearby properties. But a watchdog group has filed a complaint and wants an ethics panel to investigate.
- Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow says he won't let any threats prevent him from doing his job as a prosecutor. He reacted Monday after authorities said convicted wife-killer Drew Peterson tried to take out a hit on Glasgow from inside prison. Peterson was convicted of drowning his third wife. His fourth wife disappeared and has not been found.
- Former Bolingbrook Police Officer and convicted murderer Drew Peterson has been charged with trying to hire a hit man to kill the prosecutor who put him behind bars. Officials allege that between September 2013 and December 2014, Peterson solicited an individual to carry out a murder-for-hire plot against Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow. Peterson is in court in Randolph County.
- The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office is investigating a domestic-related shooting that took place this morning. Authorities say a woman shot her husband at least once in the living room of their home in the 6000 block of Thorncrest Drive. The victim has not been identified and is being treated at a local hospital. No one has been charged.
- Dunkin Donuts is planning on opening five new stores in the Rockford area. A new location opened today in the 4100 block of Charles street. The restaurants will be complete with a drive through and will be opening at 4:30 AM, seven days a week.
- Rockford Police have announced a large amount of white powder found at Jefferson High School in Rockford is not heroin. On January 16, a student at Jefferson High School located a balloon containing an off-white powdery substance in the hallway outside of the gym. Field tests of the substance with a standardized kit determined a probable presence of heroin. However, Illinois State Police conducted a forensic analysis that determined the substance was not heroin and did not have any traces of a controlled substance.
- New documents show that about $3 million in repairs were made to the Illinois Governor's Mansion last summer. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports that documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show the repairs included patching roof leaks that damaged walls and contributed to black mold. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is planning a comprehensive restoration of the mansion but no date has been set for completion.
- A plan to restart Amtrak service between Chicago and Rockford is on hold. The Northwest Herald reports that a spokeswoman for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says the project is part of his review of state spending projects. Rauner signed an executive order freezing discretionary spending and temporarily barring agencies from awarding contracts without approval.Former Gov. Pat Quinn last spring announced a $223 million plan to restart the service for the first time since the 1980s.
- Gas prices in Rockford are on the rise. Average prices have risen over 18 cents per gallon in the past week, topping out at $2.25, according to Gas Buddy. Rockford drivers are still paying over one dollar per gallon less for gas than at this time last year.
- Police are looking for a man who used a gun to hold up this Subway on 11th street. Employees say the man ordered a sandwich and then pulled a gun while his order was being rung up. He then demanded cash. The gunman left on foot. He is described as a white male in his mid-twenties, about six-feet tall and 180 pounds. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and a brown mustache. Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call Rockford Police.
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