Illinois Budget 10.08.08
Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.
If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.
Contacts:
Casey Laughman: (217) 816-3343, claughman@gatehousemedia.com
EMBARGOES: Please note that if a story has an embargo in the short story or editor’s note field, it cannot be published online or in print until that date. If you are unclear about an embargo note, please contact Casey Laughman.
GATEHOUSE NEWSROOM
JEAN HODGES: New way to download an image and more http://www.ghnewsroom.com/blogs.php?bid=243
LEADERSHIP SERIES: Live blogging from the Leadership Series can be seen at http://www.ghnewsroom.com/news.php?newsid=1223390408
TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT
Bartender still serving after 70 years
ROCKFORD – Felix Amore landed his first job in the bar business about 70 years ago. The 88-year-old hasn’t managed to leave the bar scene since. He wakes each morning in his Roscoe home, puts on a black dress shirt and red tie, then heads to his job as bar manager at Giovanni’s. By Elizabeth Davies of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1776785228
I
LLINOIS NEWS
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news
STATE BRIEFS: News from around the state. POSTED.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x811426188
BUDGET MESS: Gov. Rod Blagojevich quietly signed a component of the relief package state lawmakers approved last month to avoid deep budget cuts this fall. But he hasn't acted yet on the spending to actually restore or prevent the cuts, with his aides signaling the money might not be there to do that. By Doug Finke of the State Capitol bureau. Early version posted; will be updated.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1776784910
Bet on Cubs means long walk to work
PEORIA – As he stepped out onto Fulton Street in Peoria on Tuesday afternoon, the rain drizzling onto his Cubs hat, radio personality Mike Pesto began his walk home. Pesto is walking to work and back for a week because he promised to do so if the Cubs got swept in the first round of the playoffs.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1776785197
Conservationists want state parks bill vetoed
ROCKFORD – Illinois conservationists are hoping Gov. Rod Blagojevich will veto Senate Bill 790 — not because they want to see the state parks close, but because the bill would use money dedicated to hunting and fishing funds. By Cathy Bayer of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1272965069
11-year-old sells snowcones to buy lip balm for troops
LOVES PARK – Lip balm is a small thing people often take for granted. But not Ian Zarembski. The 11-year-old has been raising money to purchase lip balm to send to American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. By Katie Backman of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1985675096
ILLINOIS BUSINESS
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois_business
Overseas opportunities remain strong for exporters
CHATHAM – Micromedical Technologies Inc. ships around the globe, but it is the credit market at home that has created the immediate uncertainty for sales and leasing of medical diagnostic equipment. “The only place we’ve seen it is in the United States, where the leasing companies are less willing to give credit to doctors,” said Rick Miles, co-owner of the Chatham-based company with his wife, Diane. By Tim Landis of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1985675061
ILLINOIS LIFESTYLES
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois_lifestyle
Late bloomers: Summer’s over, but don’t despair; fall flowers await
Gardeners can look to fall plants to add punches of color to their homes’ landscape — whether in the ground or in containers. By Tamara Browning of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x282365268
Animal watching is a top priority at Edward R. Madigan State Park
For hunters, a “deer drive” is a cooperative effort to force deer into the open. At Edward R. Madigan State Park just outside Lincoln, a deer drive is a much more relaxed affair. By Chris Young of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1776785105
ILLINOIS OPINIONS
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/opinions
BRITT: Toon on CEOs and Congress.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/cartoons/x1776785236
Phil Luciano: Hairy and Stringy no match for mighty Joy
Joy now realizes she risked her life for chump change. A thief tried to steal a cash purse from the Peoria saloon where Joy works. But she fought him off in a melee that involved threats, knives, punches, kicks, choke holds, guns-drawn police and a thrice-fired Taser.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1452586894
Jerry Moore: By massaging facts, bailout can satisfy everyone
I wrote an article last week examining how four local legislators voted on the $700 billion bailout plan that came before the U.S. House of Representatives. Now I have a plan for them to tailor their differing votes to suit their needs.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1452586891
Editorial: Hard to squeeze out sympathy for Juice
At long last, O.J. Simpson has landed where, in the minds of most Americans, he absolutely belongs: Behind bars. May it be the last we hear from him. An editorial from the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/editorials/x1272964922
ILLINOIS SPORTS
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports
MIKE NADEL: Nadel is off until Sunday. He will be writing a column and notebook from Sunday’s Bears-Falcons game in Atlanta.
ILLINI: GOPHERS GOLDEN: After a 1-11 season in coach Tim Brewster's first season, Minnesota is one win away from bowl eligibility. Illinois hosts Minnesota Saturday. By John Supinie. Moving this evening.
BEARS: Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star will be writing a feature on Michael Turner, the former Northern Illinois star who leads the NFL in rushing in his first year with the Atlanta Falcons. Trowbridge will also be writing a notebook. Both stories will be posted this evening.