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* 20,000 Illinoisans exhaust jobless benefits

Illinois’ unemployment rate of 11.4 percent in February was the state’s highest since July 1983. It compared to 9.7 percent nationally.

* O’Hare to get $400 million from U.S. for new runways

What’s not immediately clear is whether the money is for completion of Phase I of the O’Hare Modernization Program’s proposed network of new and relocated runways, or the second phase, which includes a new runway at O’Hare’s southern end.

* CTA rails get high-tech checks

After a bad accident four years ago blamed on inspection lapses, the transit agency now brings in lasers and a sophisticated “brain box” once a year. The diagnostic equipment recently completed a check of the tracks to pinpoint any emerging problems that CTA inspectors might have missed.

* Cameras make Chicago most closely watched US city

While authorities won’t say exactly how many cameras are included, with 1,500 installed by emergency officials, 6,500 in city schools and many more at public and private facilities, nobody disputes an estimate of 10,000 and growing. Weis said he would like to add “covert” cameras, perhaps as small as matchboxes.

* University of Illinois interviews finalists for president

Five finalists are university provosts — typically the top academic officer of a university — according to trustee Pamela Strobel, chair of the presidential search committee. Eight candidates come from public universities, and some of them have ties to U. of I., officials said.

* U. of I. narrows presidential candidates to 10

* GSU awarded $7.1 million teacher training grant

* Knox College President Taylor to resign

* New college wants to build facility in Peoria

Rasmussen College - with 18 campuses offering online and on-campus education services - is eyeing a property in Central Peoria visible to motorists on War Memorial Drive and Interstate 74.

* Asian Carp: Can’t Beat ‘Em? Eat ‘Em

Pearl, Illinois company Big River Fish is planning to ship 30 million pounds of the invasive species to China this year.

“We’ve had groups in China taste it. They came here and ate it, and say it’s the best carp they’ve ever had,” owner Ross Harano said.

* Illinois Company to Begin Exporting Asian Carp to Overseas Markets

* Batavia sees year’s 3rd aldermanic vacancy

* Ground breaking next week on Des Plaines casino

* Aurora’s last riverboat casino to be dismantled

* [Galesburg] opens $7 million credit line

* Morton Board OKs sales tax commission

* Governor’s proposal has Danville officials planning more cuts

* Athens to move into new city hall Friday

* Decatur council OKs budget nearly $17 million less than previous year

* Springfield School Board accepts Watson’s resignation

Watson two weeks ago admitted she had copied substantial portions of the Philadelphia School District’s strategic plan into the Springfield district’s new plan, “Believe 2020,” which she was in charge of producing.

* Belleville OKs budget: You get $20 wheel tax; mayor gets 2 assistants

City leaders estimate that Belleville could receive $1.8 million less in tax reimbursement from the state in the coming year, and they said the wheel tax is needed to help them keep from cutting staff and services.

* Belleville approves $20 ‘wheel tax’

* New East St. Louis police chief is supposed to be in place; where is he?

Jenne, when asked when he is scheduled to start, said: “I’m getting mixed signals. I signed the contract in March. Two weeks later, I got an addendum asking me to take a 7 percent pay cut and two furlough days per pay period. I told them I am an exempt employee and I couldn’t do that.”

* Emergency repair: $1.2 million project will fix levee problem — for now

* O’Fallon mayor on bare-bones budget: ‘If there is any fat left, we can’t find it’

* Cahokia trustees will decline to testify in trial that seeks to oust them

Trustees Kevin Johnson, Trevon Tompkin and Phyllis Pearson are named in a noncriminal petition filed under Illinois election law by three losing candidates, Gloria McCoy, Robert Eden and Dennis Phillips, in the April 2009 village election.

* Union County board looking for more funds

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 6, 10 @ 9:10 am

Comments

Nothing about the tea party in Springfield yesterday? Is the Morton commission a bigger story?

Comment by John Ruberry Tuesday, Apr 6, 10 @ 9:19 am
Grab your nets and head to the Illinois River — we’ve struck carp! Mind your head when they start jumping.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 6, 10 @ 9:28 am
We could start a campaign to rename the fish to make it sound more exotic and, therefore, desirable. You know, squab instead of pigeon, that kind of thing. Howsabout Siam Snapper or Phillipine Phlying Phish?

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Apr 6, 10 @ 9:57 am
John,

I thought the lunatic fringe was your beat. Why are you looking for coverage of the tea party here? Hoping Rich would give you something to link to, or maybe do your work for you? Did you check the SJR? You really should tap into those commenters and steer them to your blog. They’d fit right in with your editorial views and the comments would be awesome.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 6, 10 @ 11:10 am
47th Ward. Why so angry?

And by the way, I was at the Rockford rally today.

Comment by John Ruberry Tuesday, Apr 6, 10 @ 8:44 pm
Not angry John, I just don’t like your blog much. I do feel sort of dirty for visiting it so often though. You make me more of a Democrat with every post. I especially like your expose on highway construction signage. And socialism. Also.

I can’t quit you.

PS: did Rockford top Springfield’s estimated 2,000 tea party attendees?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Apr 6, 10 @ 10:57 pm