•October 12, 2022•
The Decatur Audubon Society invites members and other interested persons to a general meeting and program at the auditorium at Rock Springs Nature Center at 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur at 2:00 p.m. on October 16. A bird study video will be followed by brief announcements. Then speaker, Duane Friend, State Master Naturalist and Climate Change Specialist with the University of Illinois Extension, will present an illustrated program “Weather and Climate.” Since 1993 Duane has had many roles for which he has provided information and education on soil quality, weather and climate, energy conservation, and disaster preparedness. Light refreshments will be served following the program.

•October 12, 2022•
Pritzker, Bailey refuse to get specific in some important areas
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois
jnowicki @ capitolnewsillinois.com

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey generally stuck to their talking points Thursday at their first debate on the same stage.
The questions and answers were similar to those posed during a forum organized by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors, on which I served as a questioner and we covered in-depth last week.
During Thursday night’s debate, organized by Nexstar Media Group and AARP and hosted at Illinois State University in Normal, I found some of the most interesting answers were the ones where specifics were lacking.
For the governor, that was when he wouldn’t say what changes he’d make to the Pretrial Fairness Act provision of the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform that will end cash bail on Jan. 1. Read More

•October 12, 2022•

Haunted House season has returned to Illinois and with that comes screams, creaking doors, ghosts and goblins. Safety is a top priority of the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) when it comes to these amusements.
“We want to remind local jurisdictions and the owners/operators of ’Haunted Houses’ that these occupancies can present special hazards that make them particularly vulnerable to fire and fire injuries if applicable codes are not followed. Keeping the public’s and workers’ safety in mind should be top priority for operators of these amusements,” said Acting Illinois State Fire Marshal Dale Simpson.
Two tragic fires in the 1970s and 1980s at haunted houses led to closer scrutiny of haunted house safety. Most haunted houses in Illinois today are required to have smoke detectors and be protected by automatic sprinkler systems. The rules of the State Fire Marshal’s office serve as the minimum requirements that must be met, with local fire and building departments possibly imposing more stringent requirements. Read More