(SPRINGFIELD) The West Nile Virus is becoming more prevalent around Illinois. A mosquito pool collected in McLean County is the second positive test for the virus in that county this year, plus a dead bird found in Tazewell County this week has tested positive. So far, there have been 18 human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois, with one reported death. Statewide residents should take precautions against mosquitoes while outdoors.
(ROCKFORD) It was late last week that a federal judge in Rockford declared a state law banning concealed firearms on public transit systems as unconstitutional, at least as it applies to four individuals who challenged it in court. However, despite the ruling, the law remains in effect for everyone else throughout the state. The 2022 lawsuit by the four upstate men claimed the law prevented them from carrying their firearms for self-defense while on mass transit trains and buses in the Chicago metro area.
(SPRINGFIELD) A new report highlights just how bad Illinois has been with its budgetary process over the past several years. The watchdog group, Pew Charitable Trusts, found only Illinois and one other state had annual deficits in fiscal year 2022, a record low, plus Illinois is one of just six states that recorded a 15-year shortfall at the end of fiscal year 2022. The report notes that due to chronic deficits, Illinois lawmakers regularly delayed payments to hundreds of vendors for more than a decade, which only made the problem worse. Illinois’ backlog peaked at $17 billion in 2017 mostly due to 12% annual interest on unpaid bills.
(CHICAGO) A woman with a valid FOID card shot and killed a man who broke into her home yesterday in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Authorities report that two gunmen broke into a residence and flashed their guns. A 23 year old woman inside the home pulled out her own gun and a shootout ensued. One of the gunmen was shot in the chest by the woman and died later at a hospital. The other gunman ran off. The woman was not injured.