(SPRINGFIELD) New York City is giving one-way tickets, with all expenses paid, to illegal immigrants in the Big Apple heading for Illinois, one of the most popular places to go, where state Democratic leaders have widely made it known that everyone is welcome. New York City officials say more than 47,000 tickets have been given out through a voluntary program with most traveling on planes and the others on buses. It’s reported the top destination for illegal immigrants out of New York City is Texas, then Illinois and Florida.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding those throughout the state to be aware of the ongoing potential for health risks from lead exposure. The state recently issued a proclamation from the Governor encouraging greater public awareness of the dangers of exposure to lead, noting that the main source of lead exposure in Illinois is still lead-contaminated dust & lead-based paint found in homes constructed prior to 1978, the year that such paint was banned for use, not only in Illinois, but nationwide as well.
(BELLEVILLE) Madison County voters are being asked if they want to separate from the City of Chicago. Those in favor of splitting Illinois into separate states say this is a small step in the process, but a step in the right direction, nonetheless. While about a third of the 102 counties in Illinois have passed similar referendums, 51 counties need to pass referendums asserting their desire to separate from Chicago. That’s when the Illinois General Assembly & the U.S. Congress would need to approve those counties’ request for Chicago to become the 51st state. Out of the 26 counties that have passed such referendums, 24 of them have taken the route where they gather encough signatures to place the question on the ballot.
(SPRINGFIELD) Youth hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 4,057 deer during the youth deer hunting season held earlier this month, October 12th-14th. Last year, youth hunters took over 4,500 deer during the three day season. For those youngsters who have an unfilled valid deer permit, they can use it during the upcoming first part of the state’s firearm deer hunting season, which is November 22nd-24th, coming up next month.