Afternoon News Update: Tuesday August 19
- The man accused of playing a role in two Rockford robberies pleads guilty to the charges. Twenty-one-year-old Devante Egan was arrested for being the getaway driver during two armed robberies in 2010 and 2011, including the August 18th, 2010 robbery of the KFC on N. Main Street. Egan was sentenced to spend the next 18 years behind bars.
- Several cars have been smashed after concrete pieces of a Downtown Rockford parking deck fall this morning. The pieces fell onto cars parked underneath the Water Street parking deck. At least two cars were damaged. Luckily, no one was inside at the time. The crack is about ten feet long and a foot wide. City officials have closed the deck to prevent further damage. It's not clear at this time what caused the deck to crack.
- U.S. Senator Mark Kirk continues to push for the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. The Illinois Republican on Monday hosted a business roundtable in Chicago for Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred Hochberg. They also toured UTC Aerospace Systems in Rockford to emphasize and discuss the importance of reauthorizing the bank.
- Advocates for term limits in Illinois say the state Supreme Court likely will decide whether the issue can appear on the November ballot, no matter how an appeals court rules. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner is urging the high court to take up the issue "immediately" once the lower court issues a ruling. The decision must be made within days because the ballot must be certified by Friday.
- High school coaches across Illinois now must get training on how to spot concussions in student-athletes. Governor Pat Quinn signed a measure Tuesday in Chicago requiring the Illinois High School Association to develop an online certification program.
- A former school bus driver from northern Illinois has been sentenced to 20 days in jail for driving drunk while on duty. Forty-three-year-old Jill Beebe of South Elgin pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence. She was arrested last September while working her route in West Chicago.
- Self-serve beer could be on its way to Miller Park. Milwaukee Sportservice has filed an application with the city to install two beer vending machines at the Milwaukee Brewers ballpark. Users buy a card they can scan at the machine, which can pour up to 48 ounces every 15 minutes. The Common Council's licensing committee is expected to review the application in September.
- Illinois State Police and local districts are reminding drivers to use extra caution in school zones. Lieutenant Colonel Todd Kilby says motorists should watch for pedestrians as well as school buses with flashing lights. Kirby says Illinois State Police officers will be increasing patrols to focus on school zones.
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