Progress Illinois

Congress Extends Unemployment Benefits
As jobless figures continued to climb, Congress rushed to pass legislation yesterday extending unemployment benefits to 1.2 million people who would have otherwise been cut from the rolls during the holiday season. The cost of extending the benefits is pegged at $5.7 billion, but economists say its an investment that will go a long way in sustaining other jobs and restoring consumer confidence.

Gov. Signs Bill, Releases Fund-Sweeps Money
The jobs of 179 child-welfare and human services workers have been spared and drug-treatment centers and state parks will remain open, following Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s decision to sign a fund-sweeps appropriation bill late Thursday. Not all of the $221 million that lawmakers had approved under the bill will be released, though. And 13 state historic sites are still scheduled to close on Nov. 30.

‘Green Lanes’ A Go
Traffic on some of Illinois’ busiest highways could get a little lighter for those willing to carpool, drive hybrids, or pay a little extra under a “green lane” proposal approved by the Illinois Toll Highway Authority board yesterday. Under the $400 million plan, an extra lane will be reserved along 80 miles of Chicago-area tollways. Find out more about what the conversion—which is slated to begin in 2010—will mean for drivers here.

Horseracing Industry Wins Prized Subsidy
A $90 million gaming subsidy is on tap for the state’s horse-racing industry. Under legislation passed yesterday, these racetracks gained the authority to tap into revenues from some of the state’s most profitable casinos for three more years. The measure is now headed to the governor’s desk.

Judge To Blagojevich: Hand Over The Documents
Despite his best efforts to keep a series of federal subpoenas under wraps, an appellate judge ordered Gov. Blagojevich to make the documents public under the state’s open records law. Still unmoved, the Blagojevich administration says it’s considering an appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. The Better Government Association filed suit against the governor on the basis that his administration’s refusal to release the subpoena violated the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

Reese Hospital Back On As An Olympic Site
With optimism running high that President-elect Barack Obama will help Chicago snag the 2016 Olympics, city officials are focusing intensely on where to set up the $1.1 billion Olympic Village. And it looks like the campus of Michael Reese Hospital is back on the table as a good possibility. Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th Ward) says that officials from Chicago’s Olympic committee are closing in on an agreement with the owner of the 37-acre Reese site.