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Illinois at 1 p.m.
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TOP STORIES:
HEALTH OVERHAUL-STATE EXCHANGE
CHICAGO — For the more than 30 states that defaulted to the federal government under President Barack Obama's health care law, time may be running out to decide whether to create their own state-run insurance exchanges. With the chance to apply for hundreds of millions of dollars in federal help set to expire in a few months, even Obama's home state of Illinois is expressing little interest in taking the next step. The law's disastrous rollout and lingering unpopularity have made it risky to raise the issue in a tense election year despite Obama's announcement Thursday that 8 million Americans have signed up for subsidized private insurance. By Carla K. Johnson. SENT: 950 words, photos.
XGR-ILLINOIS BUDGET-EDUCATION CUTS
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A new document released by Senate Democrats shows that many of the state's 860 school districts would endure serious funding cuts next year — but a few would actually gain — if lawmakers allow the state's temporary income tax hike to be rolled back as scheduled. Chicago Public Schools would see a $173 million decrease in funding and Waukegan schools would see a $4.5 million cut, but Carpentersville's schools would see a boost in funds because it would appear "poorer" under the state's current funding formula, according to the calculations by the State Board of Education. The release of the list is part of the Democrats' campaign to extend the income tax hike, but Republicans say they exaggerate how deep the cuts might be. By Kerry Lester. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos
For members who want to localize the story, the Senate Democrats' list can be found online at: http://apne.ws/1j9u6so.
STATE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS:
ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE-ETHICS
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Job recommendations and university application referrals from Illinois lawmakers should be tracked and publicized after clout-related scandals at the University of Illinois and the Metra transit agency, the General Assembly's top ethics officer said Friday. Legislative Inspector General Tom Homer also suggested that lawmakers adopt a congressional-style rulebook to govern such interventions. A top Senate Democrat and member of the ethics commission, Terry Link, wondered whether additional rules would go after "the good people or the bad." By Political Writer John O'Connor. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 500 words.
XGR-OBAMA LIBRARY
CHICAGO — At least one Republican lawmaker says he's filing a protest after an Illinois House committee recorded a 9-0 vote to commit $100 million to bring President Barack Obama's library and museum to Chicago, even though only five Democrats — and none of the committee's four GOP members — were there. Rep. Ed Sullivan of Mundelein said he didn't attend Thursday's hearing because a vote was not expected. He told WBEZ radio and the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald he would've voted no because he opposes using public funds for the library, which will house Obama's presidential records and artifacts. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 350 words, photo.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
CHICAGO — Illinois regulators crafting the first rules for the state's new medical marijuana industry have lowered patient fees and deleted a section that angered gun owners. Patients greeted the changes warmly. But some entrepreneurs who'd like to enter the cannabis industry think the high fees may drive up prices. SENT: 425 words. By Carla K. Johnson. UPCOMING: 500 words by 4 p.m.
AROUND THE STATE:
ILLINOIS DNR-TURMOIL
ST. LOUIS — A top Illinois Department of Natural Resources official is the latest administrator to leave the agency. Tony Mayville was fired Monday from his position with the DNR's Office and Mines and Minerals. The Du Bois man says his unsuccessful bid for an Illinois House seat was carried out before the DNR's chief cleared him to run, though he also believes his handling of campaign donations from a coal company also was a factor. By Jim Suhr. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 400 words. photo
MUMPS CASES
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Public health officials are investigating a sharp increase in the number of mumps cases recorded in central Illinois. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports there has been 52 cases of the viral infection reported in Morgan and Sangamon counties. The newspaper reports there were 26 cases reported in all of Illinois in 2013. Jim Stone is director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health and says "the spike is unusual." SENT: 230 words.
ILLINOIS PRISONS-HEPATITIS C
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois officials are planning to use a new, highly effective drug against Hepatitis C on prison inmates. But there are thousands of prisoners who have the virus and Soldavi costs at least $61,000 a treatment. But, a prison watchdog group that had recommended the drug's use says the state is obligated to provide treatment. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 300 words.
PIG VIRUS
MILWAUKEE — Farms stricken with a deadly pig virus must report outbreaks as part of a new program to help monitor and possibly control the spread of the disease, the federal government announced Friday. Porcine epidemic diarrhea has killed millions of pigs in 27 states since showing up in the U.S. last May, with Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and North Carolina being hit hardest. The disease has been blamed for recent increases in bacon and pork prices. Farmers have struggled to control the virus, because little is known about how it spreads and there is not yet a federally approved vaccine. By M.L. Johnson. SENT: 470 words.
EXCHANGE-GUIDE DOG
GRAYSLAKE — At just 5 months old, Bailey is getting an education at Grayslake Central High School. She has been attending an after-school ACT preparation class and other activities since January. However, unlike other pupils, she isn't learning from Grayslake Central's instructors. Junior Abby Perkowitz is the teacher for Bailey, a black Labrador puppy starting to learn how to become a guide dog. Perkowitz said the school serves as a valuable training ground for the animal she received from the nonprofit Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills, Mich. By Bob Susnjara. (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald. SENT: 820 words, photos
IN BRIEF:
— UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-PRESIDENT: University of Illinois trustees are holding a special meeting to name 19 members of the search committee that will look for a new president. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 130 words. More on merits.
— SIU-TUITION: New students at Southern Illinois University won't be paying more for tuition this fall. SENT: 130 words.
— POND DEATH: Suburban Chicago authorities say a teenager has died after he was pulled from a McHenry County pond. SENT: 130 words.
— DECATUR-TODDLER KILLED: A 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for the death of a 19-month-old Decatur boy who was killed in a hit-and-run crash last summer. SENT: 130 words.
— PEORIA KILLING-CHARGES: A trial for a Peoria man accused of killing his wife on Valentine's Day 2013 has been delayed again. SENT: 130 words.
— QUINCY-FATAL FIRE: Authorities have identified the two people who died in a Quincy house fire as a 25-year-old man and his infant son. SENT: 130 words.
— BLAGOJEVICH-CAMPAIGN FUNDS: A federal campaign account for imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is now empty, two years into the Chicago Democrat's prison term. SENT: 130 words.
— INFORMANT CHARGED: A Chicago real estate developer who was a key government witness in corruption cases is facing federal charges after authorities say he stole $370,000 from a Chicago suburb. SENT: 130 words.
— CHICAGO VIOLENCE: A 12-year-old Chicago boy is recovering after he was shot in the leg. SENT: 130 words.
— CASH RETURN SOUGHT: Two Minnesota residents want the Iowa City Police Department to return their money. SENT: 130 words.
— WOMAN KILLED-SMARTPHONE: The father of suburban Chicago volleyball player who was killed for her cellphone says he is grateful that major makers have agreed to put so-called kill switches in new smartphones next year to deter thefts and robberies. SENT: 130 words.
— CANTON FERRY: A farm cooperative has shut down a ferry service that shuttled agricultural products and other goods across the Mississippi River between western Illinois and eastern Missouri. SENT: 130 words.
— IMMIGRATION REFORM-REPUBLICANS: Candidate for governor Bruce Rauner and other top Illinois Republicans will join the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition at a gathering next week to urge Congress to adopt immigration reform. SENT: 130 words.
— CHICAGO-TRANSIT PROJECT: Transit officials have announced plans to untangle one of Chicago's worst commuter train choke points, and it may involve the destruction of 16 buildings. SENT: 130 words.
— CONSTRUCTION-ILLINOIS: The state of Illinois is investing more than $10 million for construction projects in Cook County. Gov. Pat Quinn's office announced Thursday the projects will be funded by the Illinois Jobs Now! construction program. SENT: 130 words.
— CHICAGO PLAYGROUNDS: Chicago officials held groundbreaking ceremonies for new playgrounds at three city parks, kicking off a project to refurbish or build 103 playgrounds around the city this year. SENT: 130 words.
— ILLINOIS-SHORT FILMS: The Illinois Film Office is looking for entries for this year's Shortcuts contest for makers of short films. SENT: 130 words.
BUSINESS:
STATE UNEMPLOYMENT
WASHINGTON — More than two-thirds of the states reported job gains in March, as hiring has improved for much of the country during what has been a sluggish but sustained 4 1/2-year recovery. The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment rates dropped in 21 states, rose in 17 and were unchanged in the remaining 12. Meanwhile, hiring increased in 34 states and fell in 16. Several states, including Illinois, continue to lag the gains made across the country. By Josh Boak. SENT: 330 words, photo.
SPORTS:
BKN--BULLS-NOAH
DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Chicago Bulls needed someone to step into that leadership void. Joakim Noah was the man. The Bulls' big man did just that after Derrick Rose went down and Luol Deng got traded, and look at them now. Noah emerged as sort of a point-center, running the offense while cleaning up on the glass and on defense, and Chicago wound up with 48 wins in a season in which it could have easily gone the other way. By Andrew Seligman. UPCOMING: 700 words.
HKN--BLACKHAWKS-BLUES
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues were exhausted but ebullient after beating the defending Stanley Cup champions in three overtimes to open the playoffs. The Chicago Blackhawks were settling in for a long haul against a long-time rival. Both teams must bounce back quickly with Game 2 on Saturday afternoon. By R.B. Fallstrom. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos.
BBN-REDS-CUBS
CHICAGO — Jeff Samarzija seeks his first win as the Chicago Cubs open a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds. Despite a 1.29 ERA, he is 0-1 in three starts. Alfredo Simon pitches for Cincinnati. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Game starts at 1:20 p.m. CT. With hometown lead on losing team.
BBA-WHITE SOX-RANGERS
ARLINGTON, Texas — The White Sox open a three-game series at Texas, with Felipe Paulino (0-1, 7.98 ERA) taking the mound in the opener for the visitors. The Rangers counter with Martin Perez (2-0, 2.70). By Schuyler Dixon. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts at 7:05p.m. CT. With hometown lead on losing team.
Also Moving:
— BKN--DEPAUL-SIMPSON: Former Chicago high school star Aaron Simpson has signed a letter of intent to play at DePaul next season. SENT: 130 words.
— BKC--ILLINOIS ST-MCCLOUD: Former Bismarck State College standout basketball guard Justin McCloud has signed a letter of intent to play for NCAA Division I Illinois State. SENT: 130 words.
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