http://www.wjbc.com/wire/wjbcnews.rss WJBC offers all the latest news for McLean County and beyond. Visit WJBC.com on the web for more! 2005 Radio Bloomington 60 http://www.wjbc.com/wire/wjbcnews.rss http://www.wjbc.com/wjbc-rsslogo150.gif 144 80 WJBC offers all the latest news for McLean County and beyond. Visit WJBC.com on the web for more! http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18924_GravelPitZBAPartTwoWEB_013217.htm Testimony continued Thursday night in the public hearing concerning the proposed gravel pit across the street from Fox Creek Elementary School. Farnsworth engineer Don Adams tells the McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals the equipment on site can only be used within a specific area. Attorney Jack Morel represents those opposing the pit. He expressed concerns that the five-year Special Use Permit doesn't start until the first truck hauls gravel off the site. The project's attorney, Bill Wetzel, called Certified Residential Appraiser, Teresa Adelsberger to testify about home values in the surrounding area. Fri, 07 Nov 2008 1:36:16 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18915_DowntownStrategyWEB_225855.htm More than 150 people gave input Thursday night on a new plan to advance downtown Bloomington. Farr and Associates was hired to create redevelopment plan. It'll include finance strategies and assignments. President Doug Farr says in order for the plan to work, it needs public support. Some ideas from audience members included getting a grocery store to build competition, building on the area's link to history, promote the arts already there, and build more green space. The audience was also for making some link between Uptown Normal and downtown Bloomington, like a trolley. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:01:55 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18914_HS_VB_Sectional_Championships_214735.htm HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Class 3A at Washington--Metamora over Bloomington, 25-16, 25-16 Metamora (35 - 2) advances to the Freeport Super-Sectional. Paige Waggoner served 16 straight points in the second game to turn an 8 - 11 deficit into a 24 - 11 lead. Lindsay Herman led Metamora with 10 kills. Morgan Obery dished out 19 assists for the Lady Redbirds. Bloomington (29 - 9) was led by Lauren Seyller with 8 kills and Kasey Heckelman with 7 kills. Alina Agamy led the Purple Raiders with 11 assists. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:50:00 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18910_RepublicansonFutureWEB_181003.htm Republicans in the state are watching carefully who the Governor is picking to fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat. State Senator Dan Rutherford says whoever is chosen, most likely a Democrat, will have an effect on the Republican party. Rutherford says local party leaders are gathering to talk about what the party can do to reassess itself after Tuesday's election. He says Republicans need to reach out to young people, and points to Aaron Schock as the best example of the future of the party. Rutherford also wouldn't say whether or not he plans to run for Governor in 2010. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:13:01 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18907_ObamaHistoryWEB_171309.htm The election of someone from Illinois as president means instant history for much of Springfield. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is considering ways to honor Barack Obama’s campaign addresses outside the Old State Capitol. Dave Blanchette, spokesman for both the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, says the library, as official repository of state history, already has some important Barack Obama artifacts. The Old State Capitol is where the former state senator declared his run for the White House in February 2007. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:16:07 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18905_JonesSenateWEB_164835.htm CHICAGO, IL - Chicago Democrat Emil Jones is retiring from being Illinois Senate president but he won't rule out being Illinois' new U.S. senator in Washington. Jones says Thursday that he would consider it a great honor if Governor Blagojevich chose him to be Barack Obama's successor. The 73-year-old Chicago Democrat says he's too young to retire and has several options to remain active. Blagojevich has often lavished praise on Jones, but has set no deadline to name Obama's replacement. The successor would serve the remainder of the term, ending January 2011. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:54:22 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18902_RodOnObamaWEB_155227.htm Governor Blagojevich says his All Kids health care plan is likely to be used as a model for a nation wide children's health care plan. Blagojevich says President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to develop a nationwide health care program for children based on Illinois' All Kids program. Blagojevich says providing health care to children is a moral responsibility. He says as a state senator, Obama was crucial to developing the All Kids program. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:55:36 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18900_EmanuelProfileWEB_152952.htm CHICAGO, IL - President-elect Barack Obama's new chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, has White House experience and a Chicago tough-guy attitude. The 48-year-old Wilmette native is the son of an Israeli-born physician, and the brother of a prominent Hollywood agent. His combative style as political director in the early days of the Clinton administration earned him the nickname ``Rahmbo,'' and he later lost that job. But he stayed on as a senior adviser and oversaw some of Clinton's top initiatives, including NAFTA and an assault-weapons ban. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:34:04 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18898_CraiglistWEB_152701.htm CHICAGO, IL - The Web site Craigslist says it will crack down on ads for prostitution as part of an agreement with attorneys general in 40 states, including Illinois. The deal will require people who post ``erotic services'' ads on Craigslist to provide a working phone number and pay a fee with a valid credit card. The Web site will provide that information to law enforcement if subpoenaed to do so. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:29:57 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18897_MartinSentencingWEB_142801.htm A Unit five school bus driver will spend nine months in jail for sexually abusing a minor. 38-year-old Steven Martin of Heyworth pled guilty to grabbing and groping a girl under the age of 18 in February. The abuse did not happen on the bus he drove for Unit five and the victim was not a Unit five student. Martin is also sentenced to four years probation. He was suspended from Unit five earlier this year. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:30:28 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18892_SpiritMcLeanCoWEB_140548.htm This year's WJBC Don Munson Spirit of McLean County award winner gives her time and money to the homeless of McLean County. Donna Thomas and her husband were mobile missionaries and when he died in 2000, she decided she had continue volunteering in some way. She started cooking at the Safe Harbor Shelter and noticed another need. So she started feeding people on the street out of her trunk. Thomas says she's thankful for the award and hopes sharing her story will raise awareness about the homeless in Bloomington-Normal. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:09:42 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18884_DBA_Meeting_1WEB_132936.htm What would you like to see in Bloomington's downtown? The group that manages the city's central business district wants to know. Jennifer Mullinix of the Downtown Bloomington Association tells WJBC's Beth Whisman, the group is opening the floor to all ideas tonight -- in a public forum scheduled for 7 p.m. at the State Farm building downtown. Farr Associates is conducting a $200,000 dollar study to determine how downtown can be improved. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:32:39 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18882_ObamaEmanuelWEB_125030.htm (Washington, DC) -- Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel has accepted the job of chief-of-staff in the new administration of President-elect Barack Obama. Emanuel informed Obama of his decision today. The 49-year-old Emanuel is a hard-nosed Democratic tactician with experience in the Clinton White House. He was first elected to Congress in 2003 and engineered the Democratic takeover of the U.S. House in 2006 as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:53:13 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18880_ObamaEmanuelWEB_122835.htm (Washington, DC) -- Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel has accepted the job of chief-of-staff in the new administration of President-elect Barack Obama. Emanuel informed Obama of his decision today. The 49-year-old Emanuel is a hard-nosed Democratic tactician with experience in the Clinton White House. He was first elected to Congress in 2003 and engineered the Democratic takeover of the U.S. House in 2006 as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:31:29 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18878_OldStateCapitalWEB_114649.htm SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Barack Obama's election as the next U.S. president has made Springfield's Old State Capitol even more historic. Known as an Abraham Lincoln site, the building now has an important link to a 21st-century event, the starting point of Obama's successful presidential bid. State officials on Wednesday said they'll commemorate Obama's appearances at the Old State Capitol on Feb. 10, 2007 to announce his presidential candidacy and again on Aug. 23 to introduce Joe Biden as his choice for vice president. However, officials say they haven't determined how. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:50:46 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18876_LandfillReferendum1WEB_111238.htm A group fighting a proposed expansion of the Clinton Landfill says the public has spoken. DeWitt County voters -- by a two to one margin Tuesday -- asked the county board to rescind its support for the expansion to allow chemical waste. County voters struck down a similar measure earlier this year -- asking the public whether it should support the expansion. WATCH Clinton Landfill President Matt Varble says the county board can't ignore a second overwhelming vote against the landfill expansion. But County Board Chairman Steve Lobb says how the board voters doesn't matter -- because the EPA has the final say. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:15:21 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18874_LandfillReferendum1WEB_105342.htm A group fighting a proposed expansion of the Clinton Landfill says the public has spoken. DeWitt County voters -- by a two to one margin Tuesday -- asked the county board to rescind its support for the expansion to allow chemical waste. County voters struck down a similar measure earlier this year -- asking the public whether it should support the expansion. WATCH Clinton Landfill President Matt Varble says the county board can't ignore a second overwhelming vote against the landfill expansion. But County Board Chairman Steve Lobb says how the board voters doesn't matter -- because the EPA has the final say. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:00:55 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18870_LandfillReferendum1WEB_103013.htm A group fighting a proposed expansion of the Clinton Landfill says the public has spoken. DeWitt County voters -- by a two to one margin Tuesday -- asked the county board to rescind its support for the expansion to allow chemical waste. County voters struck down a similar measure earlier this year -- asking the public whether it should support the expansion. WATCH Clinton Landfill President Matt Varble says the county board can't ignore a second overwhelming vote against the landfill expansion. But County Board Chairman Steve Lobb says how the board voters doesn't matter -- because the EPA has the final say. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:33:21 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18867_Evening_of_the_Stars_WEB_100215.htm Red Cross of the Heartland's Scott Vogel tells WJBC Duke University and Olympic basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski will be keynote speaker at Evening of Stars. Evening of Stars is on April 30th at the Double Tree Hotel and conference center in Bloomington. Previous speakers include Mike Ditka, Bob Costas, Cokie Roberts, Lynn Redgrave and many others. Tickets go on sale soon. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:05:53 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18873_AxxNANWEB_105423.htm A Livingston County woman is in critical condition after she crashed her car into a semi truck while driving the wrong way on Interstate 74 early this morning. State Police say 21-year-old Ashley Harris of Reddick was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-74 near Downs at about 12:15 a.m., when she struck the semi head on. Harris was airlifted to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where she remains in critical condition. The semi driver, 44-year-old Daniel Froman of Cincinnati, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Bloomington. He was treated and released. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:57:53 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18858_MasseyRaceWEB_071428.htm BLOOMINGTON - A McLean County judge has ruled race played no factor in the handling of a sexual assault case against a Bloomington teen now serving 92 years for raping a woman. Yarii Massey was convicted in June of the May 2007 rape of a woman in her Bloomington apartment. The 17-year-old was also was convicted of burglarizing several homes before the attack on the 20-year-old woman. In a hearing to reconsider his sentence, defense attorney Larry Spears said Massey may have fit ``the myth of the young, black violent male'' for authorities investigating an assault of a white woman. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 7:23:04 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18852_GravelPitZBAPartOneWEB_071204.htm The McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals began hearing testimony concerning a proposed gravel pit across the street from Fox Creek Elementary School. Bloomington Attorney Jack Morel represents those opposing the pit. He filed a motion with the board to immediately refer the issue to the McLean County Board because Zoning Board member Jim Finnegan owns the property where the gravel pit is being proposed. Finnegan wasn't at Wednesday night's meeting. Zoning Board members voted they can remain impartial. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 7:17:54 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18860_I74AXDownsWEB_072103.htm State Police are investigating the cause an accident along westbound I-74 near Downs early Thursday morning which sent two people to the hospital. Police say a car and a semi-truck ended up in a ditch at about 12:15 a.m. Police had to shutdown part of the highway to land a Life-Flight helicopter to remove the injured. The interstate reopened at about 4:45 a.m. The conditions of the two people injured are not yet available. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 7:26:36 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18832_WatsonUpdateWEB_160525.htm More than two weeks after suffering a stroke, the minority leader in the Illinois Senate says he won't seek a third term as head of the chamber's Republicans. Frank Watson's spokeswoman, Patty Schuh, says the 63-year-old Greenville politician notified his caucus of his decision Tuesday. Watson has served in the leadership post since 2003. He was campaigning for another Senate candidate in southern Illinois the middle of last month when he felt ill and was hospitalized. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:08:16 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18834_ObamaSenateSeatWEB_165021.htm Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says members of his senior staff will help check out candidates who want to replace Barack Obama in the Senate because the Democrat is headed to the White House. Blagojevich told reporters at a Wednesday news conference that he won't his rush decision to name Obama's successor. The governor says he'd like to be in a position to make an announcement before Christmas but he didn't want to over promise. The latest he says he could go is around the New Year. Blagojevich says he will speak with President-elect Barack Obama to see if he has any recommendations for a Senator. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:53:29 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18828_SuperComputerConstWEB_145036.htm Construction has begun on the $72 million building at the University of Illinois that will house a new supercomputer expected to be the fastest in the world. Rob Pennington, deputy director of the university's National Center for Supercomputing Applications, says the building should be finished in 2010. The computer, known as Blue Waters, should be running in 2011. Officials ceremonially broke ground at the site in Champaign Wednesday. But work on the foundation already had started. The university is working with IBM on Blue Waters. It will be capable of performing a thousand-trillion operations a second. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:55:46 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18827_FutureGenHopesWEB_144841.htm Supporters of the FutureGen clean coal plant are hoping that a Barack Obama administration will revive their chances of building the plant in Mattoon. The director of the Coal Research Center at Southern Illinois University says he considers Obama's win a positive for FutureGen. But John Mead stresses patience because whomever Obama chooses as Department of Energy chief must first be approved by the Senate. An alliance of power and coal companies that had worked with the government on the experimental plant picked Mattoon over Texas sites late last year. But the Energy Department pulled out citing ballooning costs. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:52:40 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18829_ConConOptionsWEB_145322.htm Supporters of a failed constitutional convention referendum are gathering Wednesday afternoon in Chicago to discuss their options. One is a possible lawsuit over what they say was an unfair election. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn says county clerks refused to pass out fliers a judge ruled were needed to clarify confusing ballot language about the referendum. The Chicago Bar Association says it will ask the Illinois Supreme Court to examine the process that put the constitutional convention referendum on the ballot. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:58:50 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18825_RepublicansonIllinoisWWEB_144359.htm Republicans say they're not giving up on Illinois even though Democrats Barack Obama and Senator Dick Durbin breezed to election Tuesday. And they won in many areas that have been traditionally Republican. But GOP Senator Christine Radogno of Lemont says state affiliations are cyclical and her party's improved campaign tactics helped prevent the loss of state Senate seats, although it lost three in the House. Exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks show that about half of all voters now identify themselves as Democrats, up from about two in five the past two decades. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:46:38 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18823_ObamaEmanuelWEB_143907.htm Barack Obama will have no time to lose in putting together a governing team, and he's already made his pick for White House Chief of Staff. The President-elect has called on Chicago Congressman Rahm Emanuel to head his office. Emanuel was a former political advisor to President Clinton. He hasn't officially accepted the job offer, and is reportedly mulling the idea. With just 76 days until the inauguration, Obama is expected to move quickly to begin assembling a full White House staff and selecting Cabinet nominees. And Treasury Secretary could be another of his first appointments. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:42:07 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18820_TownMeetingWEB_141936.htm Local leaders are using every legal and ethical option to keep the Pontiac prison open. That’s the message from a town meeting held at the Pontiac VFW. State Senator Dan Rutherford says he plans to meet with the governor sometime in the next ten days. Rutherford says, for public safety reasons, the governor must keep the Pontiac Correctional Center open, citing concerns about overcrowding in the state’s prisons. The state claims closing the prison will save money, but a study shows that the Pontiac area could lose $54 million. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:22:51 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18818_Congress_Money_WEB_140356.htm Is your congressman influenced by votes, or by campaign donations? A group called MapLight.org suspects that too many congressmen are spending too much time and effort courting out-of-district donors with deep pockets. Co-founder and executive director Daniel Newman, says 79 percent of sizeable campaign donations to congressmen are from outside that congressman’s district, leaving an influence of wealth rather than influence of democracy. Newman says a public financing system would stop that. For top contributing states, Illinois is ranked sixth among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:07:26 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18816_LivingWageReactionWEB_133323.htm Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton says the council needs to act on the Living Wage issue. Voters approved an advisory referendum Tuesday, which includes an hourly wage of $9.81 with an annual cost of living adjustment. Stockton tells WJBC's Beth Whisman there are three options before the council. Stockton says the council could also talk about it, then vote the wage down, or talk about it and approve the wage with some changes. He says the definition including subcontractors is too broad and he'd like it taken out. The Central Illinois Organizing Project, which pushed for the wage, says it doesn't mind that change. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:36:41 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18814_WoodfordFloodingWEB_125609.htm Woodford County was recently declared a federal disaster area because of flooding and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is taking applications from residents who have damage to their homes. Melynda Petrie with FEMA tells WJBC's Beth Whisman help from the federal government comes in the form of grants that do not have to be paid back. People whose homes were damaged between September 13 and October 5 can go on-line and apply for assistance at www.fema.gov. The deadline to apply is December 2. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:06:30 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18811_ObamaDayAfterWEB_105619.htm President-elect Barack Obama spent the morning after his historic election at his home in Hyde Park on the city's South Side. He had breakfast with his daughters, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha, just before the girls left for school. Then Obama, wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses and workout clothes, left for the gym. As Chicago cleans up from Tuesday night's celebration in Grant Park, a series of banners waves around City Hall. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:59:01 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18809_KoeppenSentWEB_093133.htm A Bloomington man who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home and taking a man hostage has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. Twenty-three-year-old David Koeppen told the judge a drug habit was behind his attempt to obtain money from 41-year-old Kevin Wilson. Koeppen asked to be sent to a prison with a drug rehab program. Police accuse Koeppen of forcing his way into Wilson's home a year ago and pouring bleach down his throat while he slept. Koeppen was arrested when Wilson told a bank teller he was being forced to withdraw money. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 9:34:25 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18801_ISUELECTION1WEB_065329.htm Students from Illinois State University gathered in Schroeder Hall on Election Night to celebrate democracy. There was excitement at the Election Extravaganza upon the news that Barack Obama would be the next president. ISU sophomore Molly Keane organized the Extravaganza and said she was proud to cast her vote for president. She felt pretty special casting her ballot. Molly was one of about 1,000 ISU students to use the early voting system. Hundreds of students later took the the streets of Normal to celebrate Obama's victory. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 6:56:46 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18798_11thCongDistrict2WEB_064703.htm Democrat Debbie Halvorson defeated Republican Marty Ozinga in the 11th district race to succeed retiring Jerry Weller. Halvorson finished with 58 percent of the vote. Ozinga secured 34 percent of the vote. Green Party candidate Jason Wallace had seven percent. In her victory speech in Joliet, Halvorson said she would work to strengthen the economy and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. She believes Illinois can lead the rest of the U.S. by pushing green energy such as wind farms. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 6:49:59 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18793_County-Board-ElectionWEB_043419.htm The McLean County Board will keep its 13:7 ratio of Republicans to Democrats after Election Night. Incumbent Democrat Rick Dean was upset in District 2 by James Soeldner who spoke to his supporters at Jim's Steakhouse. Both Diane Bostic and George Wendt ran unopposed as Republicans in District 3. District 4 Democrat Laurie Wollrab beat out incumbent Republican Ann Harding. Wollrab says she's looking forward to working with everyone. Republican Sonny O'Connor defeated Betty Kinser in District 5 in Normal. Kinser says she's lucky to even have run. She suffered a serious health crisis. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 4:37:57 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18786_1104ObamaElected_013846.htm Associated Press - Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself. The 47-year-old Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states - Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa. A huge crowd thronged Grant Park in Chicago to cheer Obama's improbable triumph and await his first public speech as president-elect. Obama and his running mate, Sen. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 1:41:24 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18805_LivingWageWEB_084416.htm Bloomington voters seem to support the idea of a living wage of $9.81 per hour with an annual cost of living adjustment. The final tally for the advisory referendum was 65 percent for it and 35 percent against. Laurie Bergner with the Central Illinois Organizing Project is pleased. She says the next step is implementation -- that's up to the city council. Bergner doesn't think it will take the tax increase Mayor Steve Stockton has suggested in the past. The living wage question isn't on any particular agenda for a city council vote. But, the city is expected to address the issue in the future. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 8:52:40 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18769_Circuit_Clerk_WEB_010901.htm Republican Don Everhart will take over as McLean County circuit clerk after defeating Democrat Brian Plath. Everhart says the campaign took a lot of effort: Brian Plath says he probably didn't get all the Obama votes like he should have because the presidential race got most of the attention. Everhart takes the office held by retiring Circuit Clerk Sandy Parker. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 1:12:02 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18766_IL-Winners-Congress-senate-WEB_005506.htm CHICAGO (AP) _ Republican state Rep. Aaron Schock won the race for Illinois' 18th Congressional District. He will be youngest member of Congress when he takes office. Democrat Debbie Halvorson beat Republican Marty Ozinga to take away a GOP congressional seat in Illinois. She'll be the first Democrat to represent Bloomington-Normal in Congress since 1932. Republican Incumbent Tim Johnson was re-elected in the 15th District. Illinois voters are also sending Democrat Dick Durbin back for a third term in the U.S. Senate. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 0:57:24 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18764_ObamaRallyBreaksupWEB_004736.htm CHICAGO (AP) _ Barack Obama's happy supporters are filing out of Grant Park tonight after celebrating the Illinois Democrat's historic win over Republican John McCain. More than 100,000 people jammed in the city's lakefront park -- where young and old of every race gathered to watch Obama speak. He took the stage with his wife and two young daughters to screams and cheers. The downtown Chicago park is where police fought anti-war protesters during the turbulent 1968 Democratic convention. It was transformed by white tents and a stage lined with American flags and hung with red, white and blue bunting. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 0:50:11 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18761_VoterTurnoutNumbersWEB_004042.htm Election results came into the Government Center on Election Night at a steady pace, and neither the McLean County Clerk nor the Bloomington Election Commission had any problems to report. County Clerk Peggy Ann Milton says she had a 73 percent voter turnout, but that's not what she wanted. Bloomington Election Commission Director Char Stanford says she saw an 80 percent voter turn out in the city limits. Both officials say they had no serious problems at the polls, with returns, or with the machines. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 0:45:15 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18746_BradyMcCainRally_172743.htm Republicans are gathering in Chicago Tuesday as well for a rally. State Representative Dan Brady says he's at a rally for John McCain. The group is waiting for election returns at the same place where Republicans gathered to elect McCain as the Republican candidate for President. Brady says there are a lot of issues going on in the country right now. He says Republicans are cautiously optimistic about electing McCain as President and will be closely watching returns. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:31:03 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18743_ObamaRallyWEB_164118.htm Hundreds of people are lining up outside Chicago's Grant Park for a Barack Obama rally. Some are desperate for tickets to the evening event that Obama supporters hope will become a victory celebration. Teri McClain of Seattle is wearing a two-sided placard and holding an Obama action figure. She's pleading for someone with a ticket to take her as their guest. WJBC's Jim Fitzpatrick is talking with supporters in the park. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley told reporters nearby the evening will be emotional. And vendor Chris Sharp's doing brisk business selling Obama rally towels. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:44:25 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18740_ISUVotingTimes1WEB_153910.htm Most ISU students voting at the Brown Ballroom Tuesday were surprised by wait times. Although traffic fluctuated because of classes and lunch, the average wait time for students this afternoon was about 20 minutes. That was much shorter than what people expected. There were two precincts inside the Brown Ballroom, and most students had fresh voter registration cards. A poll watcher from the Republican party stopped by in the afternoon but didn't notice anything unusual at the poll, like students using the wrong address to cast a vote. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:42:23 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18734_ObamaChicagoWEB_150258.htm A big party in Chicago as thousands converge on Grant Park for Barack Obama. They're bracing for tens of thousands of supporters. WJBC's Jim Fitzpatrick is there. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:06:03 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18726_MitsubishiOctoberSalesWEB_130150.htm Mistubishi saw a slight increase in car sales last month compared with September, but it's still not good news overall. Spokesman Dan Irvin says October sales were up 1.4 percent over the month, but down nearly 20 percent compared with the same time last year. Car sales have been down for several months this year. Irvin says it's something all auto makers are experiencing. Irvin says Ford saw sales drop 30 percent and Toyota saw a 23 percent decline. Mitsubishi Galant sales, the car manufactured in the Normal plant, were up 24 percent from September. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:04:58 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18725_ObamaRallyWEB_121211.htm Chicago -- Excited Barack Obama supporters began showing up at Grant Park last night. Brothers Tom and Dan Kreiglstein of Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood were first to arrive. They showed up about 7:30 p.m., and took turns sleeping in the lobby of the nearby Congress Hotel. A few dozen people had showed up by 11:00 this morning. Seventy-thousand tickets were handed out for the official rally in Hutchinson Field. But Chicago officials are expecting hundreds of thousands more to flock to other sectors of Grant Park. The Park won't open until 8:30 p.m. tonight. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:14:50 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18724_MenardPrisonWEB_114449.htm SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Corrections officials have eased restrictions at the state's largest prison. The 3,500 inmates at Menard Correctional Center near Chester had been confined to their cells since October 27 after two fights between inmates had to be broken up by guards firing warning shots. As a result, inmate visits were canceled and prisoners were served meals in their cells. Corrections spokesman Derek Schnapp says there is limited inmate movement and visits are allowed again. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:47:35 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18729_VotersWEB_135037.htm There was an early morning rush at Precinct 25 in Normal, which is located at the Ironwood Golf Course Clubhouse. Most people were through the line and out the door in about 10 minutes. But two roommates, who were both first time voters, ran into a snag. Michael Trotter says they got up at 4:30 am to be first in line. His roommate was on the list and able to vote immediately. Trotter had his voter registration receipt, but he had to wait for the election judges to verify his info with the clerks office before he could actually vote. Trotter says if you don't vote, you can't complain about how things are going. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:54:41 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18709_StanfordVoting2WEB_084533.htm The head of the Bloomington Election Commission is asking voters to bring identification with them today -- just in case their vote is challenged. Director Char Stanford tells WJBC's Laughlin and Reynolds, if your registration status is called into question, you will have to provide ID. Stanford says voters who have become inactive -- for missing the last two federal elections -- will also have to show ID. But photo IDs are not required. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 8:48:28 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18711_VotersWEB_104846.htm There was an early morning rush at Precinct 25 in Normal, which is located at the Ironwood Golf Course Clubhouse. Most people were through the line and out the door in about 10 minutes. But two roommates, who were both first time voters, ran into a snag. Michael Trotter says they got up at 4:30 am to be first in line. His roommate was on the list and able to vote immediately. Trotter had his voter registration receipt, but he had to wait for the election judges to verify his info with the clerks office before he could actually vote. Trotter says if you don't vote, you can't complain about how things are going. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:52:23 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18701_ObamaRally1WEB_075606.htm Even if you don't have a ticket to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's rally in Chicago -- you can still attend. Accommodations have been set up in a location just north of the area reserved for ticket holders. Ray Orozco, director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communication, for those who don't have tickets, they will be sent to Butler Field, where they can watch the rally on a large TV screen. Everyone must enter on Congress Parkway, where admission will begin at 8:30 p.m. tonight. WJBC's Jim Fitzpatrick will be there long before then. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 7:59:16 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18708_ElectionPreview2WEB_083803.htm Central Illinois will send at least two new representatives to Washington next year -- as two veteran lawmakers are retiring. There are three candidates on the ballot in both the 11th and 18th congressional districts, where Republicans Jerry Weller and Ray LaHood are not seeking reelection. But Republican Tim Johnson is seeking his fifth term in office -- against Democratic challenger Steve Cox. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin seeks a third term against Republican Steve Sauerberg. Republican State Representative Keith Sommer, whose district covers much of rural McLean County, faces a challenge from Democrat Tom Shrier. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 8:40:37 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18696_TownCouncilMarriottWEB_224013.htm Officials at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Uptown Normal are looking to make it a destination before it even opens. Council Members, Mayor Chris Koos and Town staff joined the hotel's newly hired Sales Director, Heather VanVoorhis, for a guided tour of the nine-story, 230-room facility Monday night. VanVoorhis says she's focusing on a combination of business from state associations, Illinois State University, State Farm and others. Mayor Koos says having VanVoorhis as the main contact will help a great deal. The hotel is scheduled to open in July. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:43:35 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18695_VotingPerksWEB_183805.htm Voters will pick a new leader for the country tomorrow, and maybe pick up some free cheesecake, coffee, ice cream and other goodies. But some authorities question whether such giveaways run afoul of election rules. Chicago-based Eli's Cheesecake is giving voters a free slice of the dessert at the company's main store on the city's Northwest side. Those who don't live in the Chicago area can get an election-related cheesecake deal online. Other companies are also joining the Election Day festivities. Starbucks is offering a free cup of coffee to anyone who reports. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:40:27 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18694_ObamaRallyInviteWEB_171723.htm Chicago-- Barack Obama supporters without tickets to his Election Night event in Chicago can still be part of it in Grant Park. City officials announced Monday that a jumbo TV screen will be put up in Butler Field for the overflow crowd that's expected there. Obama's ticketed event is being held farther south in the lakefront park on Hutchinson Field. An event permit application says 65,000 spectators will attend. City officials wouldn't estimate the size of the overflow crowd. But Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has said as many as a million people could show up. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:19:49 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18688_WHERETHEYSTANDEverhartWEB_162128.htm The McLean County Circuit Clerk race has gotten heated in the last few weeks...in today's installment of Voice Your Vote, WJBC takes a closer look at the candidates themselves. Where they stand: Don Everhart. The Republican has been living in McLean County for 34 years and works in the Recorder's office as a Chief Deputy. He says if the Clerk's office isn't run correctly, people could suffer. Everhart says if elected, he'll see the office through the final phase of automating the judicial system, which handles child support payments. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:31:04 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18686_ObamaGrandmotherWEB_161553.htm CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Barack Obama says that his grandmother has died. The Democratic presidential candidate announced the news in a joint statement with his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng. Madelyn Dunham died peacefully after a battle with cancer. The Illinois senator says Dunham was the cornerstone of the family and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength and humility. He says she was the person who encouraged and allowed the family to take chances. The candidate learned of her death this morning while campaigning in Florida. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:22:00 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18681_WaterChemicalPricesWEB_153757.htm Bloomington might have to spend more on chemicals for water purification this year. Water Department Director Craig Cummings says this is the most volatile chemical pricing that's been seen in the last thirty years. He says the city's cost is more than chemical prices. Cummings says it's the amount of chemicals used each year. Cummings says higher chemical prices are based on volatility in the Gulf from recent hurricanes, high gas prices, and higher raw materials costs for the chemicals. Cummings says companies won't do multi-year pricing because the market is so volatile. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:40:53 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18679_ElectionPreviewWEB_151412.htm CHICAGO, IL - Officials in Illinois now say more than 877,000 people have voted before Election Day. The latest figure is nearly four times the state's former early voting record of about 220,000 in the February primaries. Illinois election officials hope the record early turnout will mean shorter lines on Election Day, when many expect turnout to be about 80 percent. Cook County Clerk David Orr says overall turnout in the Chicago area could be more than 85 percent. He says that would approach record highs for a presidential election year. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:19:40 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18678_VrdolyakGuiltyWEB_151045.htm CHICAGO, IL - A former Chicago politician who led white aldermen in a spectacular feud with the city's first black mayor 25 years ago has pleaded guilty in a real estate kickback scheme. Edward Vrdolyak pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as his trial was about to get under way. The 71-year-old former alderman and was accused of arranging a kickback for attorney Stuart Levine in the sale of a piece of property for $15 million. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:16:22 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18676_DurbinDuaghterWEB_150656.htm WASHINGTON, D.C. - Private funeral services are planned Thursday for the daughter of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who died from complications related to a congenital heart condition. Christine Durbin died Saturday in a Washington, D.C.-area hospital at the age of 40. She was the oldest daughter of the Illinois Democrat and his wife, Loretta Durbin. Thursday's services will be limited to family and close friends and will be held in suburban Maryland, outside Washington. Christine Durbin worked for 16 years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the emerging markets division. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:12:53 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18672_NormalCellPicturesWEB_144901.htm Normal Police have released pictures and video from the Sprint Store burglary. Police say at the beginning of August, two men went into the store at 200 Greenbriar and stole 76 boxes and cell phones. They say the two were inside the store for two to three minutes. Police have eight digital still pictures and two videos of the suspects taking the phones. More information can be found at the Normal Police Department's website, www.npd.org. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:51:42 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18671_EarlyVotingFinalsWEB_122519.htm More than 11,000 people came to vote early in McLean County and Bloomington. This is the first Presidential election for early voting. Bloomington saw 5,732 people cast a ballot last month, while McLean County had 5,367. The numbers don't include absentee ballots. Statewide, the number of early voting records has quadrupled, reaching 821,000. Illinois election officials are hoping that record turnout before election day will mean shorter lines on Tuesday. Turnout numbers are expected to reach 80% this Presidential election. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:50:18 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18667_RutherfordPrison1WEB_121251.htm A state task force created to help Livingston County recover from the closure of the Pontiac prison isn't moving fast enough for state Senator Dan Rutherford's liking. Rutherford tells WJBC's Laughlin and Reynolds, the task force should have been set up months ago. Rutherford says Governor Blagojevich hasn't specificed how the task force will help, and whether laid off workers will get retraining. The Pontiac Republican also expects the Barack Obama's coattails will be strong enough to carry other Illinois Democrats to election day victories. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:38:57 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18661_HealthcareEffect2WEB_121217.htm When the Pontiac Correctional Center closes at the end of the year, there will be a drastic impact on healthcare providers in the Pontiac area. Dave Ochs is the administrator of OSF Saint James Medical Center in Pontiac. He says the hospital will suffer losses totaling $1 million. Ochs hopes the newly-formed Livingston County economic development group will help the area get through the tough economic times, by attracting new businesses to the community. The state continues its shuffling of prison inmates. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:25:41 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18654_Timothy_P_WEB_113159.htm Local veterans will host a special tribute ahead of Veteran's Day next Tuesday. It's at the VFW Post 454 in Bloomington this weekend and will feature Bloomington native and Vietnam vet Timothy Irvin, better known to local music fans as Timothy P. Timothy P. tells WJBC's Ron Ross he will do his After the War song. You might have heard him perform it when the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall was in Normal this past summer. Tickets for Saturday night's event are $10 at the door and the show is from 7 pm until 11 pm. They will also be collecting toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:39:37 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18650_BoyDeath2WEB_105718.htm The Peoria County Coroner says a four-month-old El Paso boy has died from injuries he sustained in a crash on Interstate 39 Friday night. Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says Brayden Terrell was pronounced dead at 9:25 a.m. yesterday in the pediatric intensive care unit at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. 10 people were hospitalized in that accident that happened at about 9 p.m. Friday north of Hudson. Seven vehicles were involved in the chain reaction crash. Brayden's foster mother, Lyndall Canter, is in fair condition. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:14:50 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18633_Blm_Circuit_City_WEB_104832.htm The Circuit City store in Bloomington will stay open, but 155 of more than 700 stores nationwide will be closing by the end of the year. The company is trying to return to profitability. The electronics retailer says thousands of employees will be losing their jobs. The store closures represent 20 percent of the company's existing facilities. Fourteen stores in Illinois are closing. Circuit City is the nation's second largest such store. Business has been eroding in the weak retail sector and from competition at Best Buy. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:51:42 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18634_WHERETHEYSTANDPLATHWEB_104847.htm The McLean County Circuit Clerk race has gotten heated in the last few weeks. The Democrat running for the office is a political newcomer. Where they stand: Brian Plath. Plath is originally from the Twin Cities area, but left for a few years. He recently moved back and was looking for a way to get involved in the community. Plath says he knows the clerk's office isn't a top priority for a lot of people, but says it's still an important race. Plath says there are a lot of things he can do to keep the office moving forward. Plath says he wouldn't move employees for the sake of moving them. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:56:58 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18643_Poll_Monitoring1WEB_105009.htm The Illinois Attorney General's office is sending representatives to polls around the state tomorrow to make sure everything's running smoothly. Spokesman Scott Mulford says 166 teams of lawyers will randomly visit sites to look for voter fraud and irregularities. He urges people to call if they do see illegal activity. Locally, McLean County State's Attorney Bill Yoder says he's have an assistant on standby if there are any legal issues that come up. There was a problem in the last election, where a polling place ran out of ballots. Bloomington and McLean County polling places will be inspected. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:06:36 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18597_NormalPreview2WEB_063449.htm The Normal Town Council will decide tonight whether to approve spending $47,500 to develop a Sustainability Plan. City Manager Mark Peterson says it's part of the Town Council's 2008 overall Strategic Plan. He says the Hile Group will put it together -- and it will do more than simply address green technology. Peterson says this is the first Sustainabilty Plan for the Town. He says it'll take about a year to complete and involve numerous public meetings with stakeholders throughout the process. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 6:37:50 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18594_BearsbeatlionsWEB_180527.htm CHICAGO (AP) -- Rex Grossman dove into the end zone, then ran to the side and spiked the ball. He had something to celebrate and the Chicago Bears had reason to exhale. Grossman came off the bench to replace injured quarterback Kyle Orton and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 5:36 left, helping the Bears rally from a 10-point deficit for a 27-23 victory over the winless Detroit Lions on Sunday. Matt Forte had 126 yards rushing for the Bears, who lost Orton to a right ankle injury and safety Mike Brown to a calf problem late in the first half. They didn't lose the game, though. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:11:29 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18590_ABEProgramWEB_180424.htm If you're working full-time or raising a family, going to college can be difficult, so Lincoln College-Normal has a program to make it possible. Pam Johnston coordinates the Accelerated Bridge to Education, or ABE Program. They started with about a dozen students a year ago and now about 140 are enrolled. She says the program is unique because students attend class one night a week and do the rest of the work on-line. New students can start classes every five weeks. It is a part-time program and costs about $250 per credit hour, but students can apply for aid. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:07:41 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18596_syriaraidWEB_051301.htm DAMASCUS, Syria -- Syria's foreign minister says his country may resort to more ``painful'' measures if the United States doesn't give an official explanation for a deadly cross-border raid. Syria retaliated to the Oct. 26 U.S. raid that it says killed eight people by ordering the closure of an American school and cultural center in Damascus. But the foreign minister Walid al-Moallem says those measures were ``introductory.'' He warns Syria could escalate its response in the future. He did not elaborate. The minister spoke today in a TV interview with the Lebanese ANB satellite station. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 5:15:31 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18575_1102RedbirdWBBall_162059.htm Illinois State's women's basketball team defeated Odyssey 81-72 at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena to open up their season. R.C. McBride has all the details. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:23:50 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18573_PeoriaPoliceWEB_094018.htm PEORIA, Ill. (AP) -- Peoria police are investigating the death of a man killed by officers who say he opened fire on them with an assault rifle. Police say officers were responding to a call of shots fired early yesterday morning when 27-year-old Demeteric Mobley shot at their squad car with a semiautomatic assault rifle. Officers returned fire, striking Mobley several times. Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says a preliminary autopsy shows the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. No one else was injured. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 9:42:50 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18572_ObamaCautiousBlacksWEB_092507.htm CHICAGO (AP) -- The endgame of this election has gripped black America with a powerful mixture of emotions. It's something like a Hollywood blockbuster whose conclusion feels assured but still sets the heart racing. Barack Obama's potential victory represents a previously unimaginable triumph over centuries of racism. But beneath the hope and pride lies fear: of polling inaccuracy, voting chicanery, or the type of injustice and violence that have historically stymied African-American progress. Management consultant James Lowry in Chicago says he's filled with joy, expectation, and fear. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 9:31:58 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18571_JenniferHudsonUpdateWEB_092639.htm CHICAGO (AP) -- Friends and relatives of Jennifer Hudson are expected at her childhood church in Chicago for an evening memorial service to mourn the Oscar-winning actress' slain mother, brother, and nephew. The memorial for Darnell Donerson, Jason Hudson, and Julian King is set for late afternoon Sunday at Pleasant Gift Memorial Baptist Church. A publicist says Jennifer Hudson and her sister, Julia Hudson, won't attend the service. The three victims were shot late last month. No one has been charged in the killings. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 9:29:17 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18567_MorrisAvenueProgressWEB_055917.htm Work on Morris Avenue is almost done. Bloomington City Manager Tom Hamilton says the pavement is finished. He says workers are finishing seeding, sidewalk, and grading. The road is expected to open mid-November. Hamilton says once Morris is done, work will then soon start on the Six-Points and Veteran's Parkway intersection. There's no start date on that project yet. Hamilton says it's sometime in the next year or two. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 6:05:22 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18565_TravelSavingsWEB_055847.htm The struggling economy has forced some people to put off making their holiday travel plans. Don't think you can afford to fly, but you can't miss seeing the family at Christmas? There are ways to save some cash without missing those holiday memories. Local travel agent Tim Davis says be flexible and book your flights midweek if you can. If you are driving, AAA recommends maintaining a speed of between 50 and 60 miles per hour on the interstate, make sure you tires are properly inflated and take public transportation when its possible. Daily non-stop service from Bloomington to Dallas starts today. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 6:01:31 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18562_1101isuvbweb_045800.htm The Illinois State Redbird volleyball team fell in four sets on Saturday night to Wichita State 25-20, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20. Greg Halbleib was there and has more. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 5:07:41 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18557_1101scoreboard_045729.htm High School Football Scoreboard U-High 13 Streator 14 FINAL WJBC's Craig Bertsche was in Streator and has more on the heartbreaking loss for the Pioneers. Danville 0 Normal Community 7 FINAL WJBC's Eric Lapan has more on Normal Community's thrilling win over Danville. Mt. Vernon 16 Bloomington 27 FINAL WJBC's Greg Halbleib was at Bloomington and has the details on the Purple Raider victory. Polo 26 Heyworth 16 FINAL WJBC's Dan Kinzinger has the details on how Heyworth's season came to an end against Polo. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 5:02:00 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18555_110108bptweb_220121.htm The Bloomington Prairie Thunder hockey team was victorious on Saturday night as they defeated Fort Wayne 5-4. Ed Hammond was there and has more. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:04:17 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18543_SpecialOlympicsDinnerWEB_191642.htm Special Olympics' supporters are getting together this week to help raise money for the organization. Area Six Director Katie Herriott says the inaugural Holiday Dinner and Auction is taking place Thursday at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Bloomington. She says all the proceeds will stay local. Herriott says athletes don't pay to be part of Special Olympics and these types of events ensure it stays that way. Co-Owner of the McDonald's franchise in Bloomington-Normal, Julie Dobski, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased ahead of time by calling Katie Herriott at 309-888-2012. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:24:17 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18542_ObamaBushStatesAPWEB_191507.htm HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) -- Barack Obama is sounding a confident note as he campaigns in states that went for President Bush four years ago. He's campaigning in Nevada, Colorado and Missouri today. At one event, he told supporters, ``We have a righteous wind at our back.'' At a rally in Henderson, Nevada, the mere mention of John McCain's name drew boos from the crowd. Obama said: ``You don't need to boo. You just need to vote.'' Meanwhile, early voting numbers have been tilting Democratic. In North Carolina, officials said 52 percent of early voters were Democrats and 30 percent were Republicans. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:18:47 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18541_EarlyVotingAPWEB_185810.htm WASHINGTON (AP) -- Experts are predicting Tuesday will see the highest voter turnout in decades. Record turnouts for early voting are helping feed that speculation, and so is the weather. Forecasters say conditions will be generally favorable across the country. Besides early voting, the youth and Hispanic voter turnouts are the big factors political scientists look at when trying to predict how many eligible Americans will vote. And one political science professor projects that the number of African-Americans voting will increase by about 20 percent. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:05:10 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18537_DurbinDaughterDeathAPWEB_184640.htm CHICAGO (AP) -- The oldest daughter of Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has died. She was 40. Christine Durbin died in a Washington, D.C.-area hospital Saturday from complications relating to congenital heart condition. Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker says Christine Durbin worked for 16 years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the emerging markets division. She is survived by her parents, husband Marty Johnson, son Alex, brother Paul and sister Jennifer. Shoemaker says Christine Durbin ``fought a heroic lifelong battle with heart disease.'' Funeral arrangements are pending. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:56:02 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18536_DavidFosterWallaceAPWEB_184536.htm NORMAL, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois State University is holding a memorial for author and former professor David Foster Wallace. Wallace hung himself last month at his home in Claremont, California. He was known for conflicted and deeply emotional works as the 1,000-page novel ``Infinite Jest'' and the essay collection ``Consider the Lobster.'' On Saturday, fellow authors, colleagues from the university's English department and former students are hosting a tribute. Wallace taught at Illinois State from 1993 to 2002. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:53:22 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18534_McCainFaithAPWEB_184316.htm SPRINGFIELD, Va. (AP) -- John McCain is attacking Barack Obama for saying that his victory in Iowa's caucuses last winter had ``vindicated'' his faith in the American people. Campaigning in northern Virginia, McCain told a crowd, quote, ``My country has never had to prove anything to me.'' Yesterday in Des Moines, Obama told supporters: ``My faith in the American people was vindicated and what you started here in Iowa swept the nation.'' The Obama campaign calls McCain's criticism ``pathetic'' and a distortion aimed at attacking the Democrat's patriotism. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:47:36 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18531_1101TitansWRAP_174942.htm Illinois Wesleyan made the trip to Naperville, but couldn't come away with the victory as they lost 30-7 Saturday afternoon to North Central. Eric Stock has the complete details. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:07:46 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18524_1101RedbirdFootball_174232.htm Illinois State defeated Youngstown State 54-44 for their first win at Hancock Stadium. Dick Luedke has the complete details. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:57:19 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18493_TimeChangeNAN_084449.htm It's time to fall back. Standard time returns this weekend at 2 a.m. Sunday, so set your clocks back an hour before going to sleep tonight. The change means most Americans will get an extra hour of rest, but those working overnight shifts might toil an hour longer. It also means some will forget to change their clocks, and show up early for church or other events on Sunday. Daylight time returns in March. The time change doesn't apply in Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 7:47:06 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18491_MarksteinerSuicideWatchWEB_070007.htm McLean County jailers have a suicide watch for a 21-year-old man charged in the rape and beating death of his pregnant sister-in-law. Jason Marksteiner of LeRoy is charged with counts of intentional homicide of an unborn child, murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault in the death of 19-year-old Jodi N. McGrew. McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery said Friday that Marksteiner is in a high-visibility cell and receives counseling. Autopsy results show McGrew died of head injuries and strangulation. Marksteiner remains jailed on $1 million bond and will be arraigned November 14th. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 6:04:58 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18488_SheleyDelayWEB_064530.htm GALESBURG- Defense attorneys representing a man charged with killing eight people in Illinois and Missouri last summer say an evaluation of his mental fitness will not be ready for a month. At a hearing in Galesburg, attorney Jeremy Karlin said a doctor has only recently been appointed to evaluate Nicholas Sheley's competency. The report was initially due next week. Sheley faces first-degree murder charges in the June deaths of eight people. The 29-year-old has pleaded not guilty. Also Friday, prosecutors asked for documents related to an alleged jailhouse incident this week involving Sheley. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 5:54:47 CST http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/18486_I39AccidentWEB_063911.htm Illinois State Police are investigating the cause of a bad accident on Interstate 39 north of Hudson Friday night. Initial reports say the crash involved two semis and two cars with several injuries and a life flight. Police shut down northbound I-39 for clean up and to transport the injured. Police aren't releasing any more information on how many were injured or what caused the crash. More information is expected to be released later today. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 5:49:10 CST