Lawmakers struggle to finish health overhaul bill
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pushing toward a history-making vote, Democrats struggled to eliminate lingering complications standing in the way of House action this weekend on President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul....
Obama to sign bill to spur job growth
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is set to sign a jobs bill into law Thursday morning....
Clinton in Moscow for Mideast, nuclear arms talks
MOSCOW (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday opened two days of talks with Russian leaders on nuclear arms control and other security issues, and separately with top international diplomats on the outlook for bringing Israel and the Palestinians back to peace talks....
AP IMPACT: Gov't bank auditors got big bonuses
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Banks weren't the only ones giving big bonuses in the boom years before the worst financial crisis in generations. The government also was handing out millions of dollars to bank regulators, rewarding "superior" work even as an avalanche of risky mortgages helped create the meltdown....
'Jihad Jane' due in federal court in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Whether she was seeking love or vengeance, or just an escape from her dreary, small-town existence, Colleen LaRose searched the Internet and found Muslim extremists eager to engage the unhappy American....

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Flider Meets With Local Leaders About Budget Impact


State Rep. Bob Flider met with over 15 local officials yesterday to hear their concerns regarding Governor Quinn’s proposal to make cuts in the Local Government Distributive Fund.  Quinn is proposing taking $300 million in funds ordinarily destined for municipalities and use. . .

City of Decatur Maintains Positive Bond Rating


Moody’s Investor Service affirmed this week the city’s A1 bond ratings. City Staff say the rating was reaffirmed due to the city’s reductions in expenses, staffing, and services. A bond rating is similar to a person’s individual credit rating, and the better it is the less. . .

Decatur Unemployment Rises To Over 14 Percent


Unemployment is up this year in all of the states metro areas according to new data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The Decatur area saw a 5 point 9 percent increase in unemployment from 2009 or approximately 32 hundred jobs.  The jobless rate was 9.2% in 2009 compared to 14.4% in 2010. Joining Decatur in metro areas that reported the largest increases compared to. . .

IL House Republican Charged With DUI In Decatur


An assistant minority leader in the Illinois House has been charged with driving under the influence. Rep. Ron Stephens of Greenville, was arrested by the. . .

IL Policy Institute Releases Budget Proposal, Calls For Additional 3.7 Billion I


There’s a state budget proposal in print that doesn’t call for a tax increase – but it doesn’t come from any of the candidates for governor. It comes from the Illinois Policy Institute, a free-market think tank, which makes cuts about $3.7 billion bigger than the governor proposes in. . . .

DPS Board Continues Work On Budget, Unions Say Its Not Enough


The Decatur Public school Board held a work session last night to continue to tackle the upcoming budget and its projected shortfalls. With lagging revenues and missing state payments, the school board is suggesting a number of budget cuts to survive and has not. . .

Formal Charges Filed Against 5 People Accused Of Kidnapping


The Five people arrested in connection with the abduction of 2 Decatur boys last week have been formally charged.  The abduction took place last Tuesday outside of Webster Cantrell Hall following a supervised visit with their mother.   Authorities say 1-month-old. . .

Hendricks Named New Executive Director of DACVB


The Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Board of Directors has announced a new executive director. Decatur’s Jeff Hendricks will take over the position when the current executive director, Denene Wilmeth retires at the first of May. Jack Kenny, Park Board. . .

ISP To Take Budget and Personnel Hit


Hundreds of state troopers would lose their jobs under the proposed budget for Illinois’ new fiscal year, which begins in July. Jonathon Monken, acting director of the state police, told an Illinois House appropriations committee Monday he cannot achieve a 14 percent budget. . .

Traffic Updates and Street Closures-Updated 3-17-10