Illinois House passes gambling bill with more casinos, slots at racetracks

The Illinois House approved a sweeping gambling expansion plan Wednesday, renewing an effort to build new casinos and put slot machines at Arlington Park that has stalled since last year. The plan would allow for 1,200 slot machines at the Arlington Heights track, as well as new casinos in Lake County, Chicago, the south suburbs, Rockford and downstate Danville.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120523/news/705239717

Published: Wed, 23 May 2012 15:31:00 -0700

Newest Elgin special assessment improvements to start this summer

ELGIN — City officials said Monday that a long-awaited public works project using special assessment financing should finally get under way this summer. The streets involved in this project — labeled Special Assessment Area V — include Willard Avenue between Chicago Street and Villa Street, Illinois Avenue between Bent Street and May Street, Van Nostrand Place between Liberty Street and Illinois ...
http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/12676211-418/newest-elgin-special-assessment-improvements-to-start-this-summer.html

Published: Mon, 21 May 2012 07:49:34 -0700

From the Storyteller

I’m not sure if it’s because my senior prom was 10 years ago or downstate or at a school of about 200, but it was nothing like the event South Elgin High School students described. For one, I spent less than $100 on my dress. I did my own hair, makeup and nails — if you count biting my nails as a manicure. I’m also pretty sure tickets to our prom, held at the poultry building at the Illinois ...
http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/12452595-418/from-the-storyteller.html

Published: Thu, 10 May 2012 14:28:10 -0700

A look at local layers of Illinois government

ELGIN — A move to have voters elect trustees for the Fox River Water Reclamation District instead of having them appointed by local state legislators may be dead in the water. But its chief sponsor, state Rep. Keith Farnham, D-Elgin, says he still wants to look at cutting back on the perks enjoyed by them and others who hold office in some of the hundreds of similar governmental bodies in ...
http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/12676339-418/a-look-at-local-layers-of-illinois-government.html

Published: Mon, 21 May 2012 07:57:50 -0700

Amtrak route for area on target for late 2014, early 2015

DUBUQUE, Iowa — George Weber, who heads the passenger rail division of the Illinois Dept. of Transportation, says Amtrak service between Chicago and Dubuque, Iowa, stopping at Rockford, Freeport and Galena, is on target to start in late 2014 or 2015.
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1898603842/Amtrak-on-taret-for-late-2014-early-2015

Published: Fri, 18 May 2012 10:05:56 -0700

Amtrak outlook: Running between Chicago and Dubuque by 2015

DUBUQUE, Iowa — George Weber, who heads the passenger rail division of the Illinois Department of Transportation, says passenger train service between Chicago and Dubuque, stopping at South Elgin, Rockford, Freeport and Galena with a possible stop in Lena, is on target to start in late 2014 or 2015.
http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1898605302/Amtrak-outlook-Running-between-Chicago-and-Dubuque-by-2015

Published: Fri, 18 May 2012 18:20:27 -0700

Sliders add eight players

The Springfield Sliders filled out their Prospect League roster with the addition of four position players and four more pitchers.
http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x639953677/Sliders-add-eight-players

Published: Wed, 23 May 2012 21:33:37 -0700

SATURDAY'S ILLINOIS PREP ROUNDUP: T.F. South wins SSC Blue badminton title

The host T.F. South badminton team won eight of 10 singles spots Saturday to win the South Suburban Blue Conference title with 57 points.
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/1879d944-3ed5-5bf9-9025-70ec8f3de7c9.html

Published: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:30:00 -0700

Chicagoan found guilty in ’08 murder of Elgin man

ST. CHARLES TWP. — A Chicago man faces at least 60 years in prison after he was convicted in Kane County court of killing a man in Elgin more than four years ago. Dion Spears, 29, of the 9700 block of South Princeton Avenue, was convicted Thursday by a Kane County jury of first-degree murder, armed violence (a Class X felony) and unlawful possession of a controlled substance (a Class 4 felony ...
http://couriernews.suntimes.com/12454624-418/chicagoan-found-guilty-in-08-murder-of-elgin-man.html

Published: Thu, 10 May 2012 15:43:59 -0700

Nightlife: Ballydoyle Aurora

POSTPONED Cocktails with Larry Miller: Larry Miller has sustained a head injury. The performances set for April 13 at College of DuPage and April 14 at Elgin Community College Arts Center have been postponed until further notice. For COD, call Call (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org. For ECC, call (847) 622-0300 or visit elgin.edu/arts. COMEDY Comedy Shrine: Tim Walkoe and Kristen Toomey, May ...
http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/entertainment/12699001-421/nightlife-ballydoyle-aurora.html

Published: Tue, 22 May 2012 07:37:14 -0700