One Illinois county is a step closer to giving voters the power to abolish townships.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

BAD HOMBURG, GERMANY – Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday met with members of the Fresenius Kabi leadership team, including two members from the Illinois headquarters, at the company’s home facility just outside of Frankfurt, Germany. The European healthcare concern, which manufactures injectable medications and products for dialysis, offered the Governor and his delegation an update on their current expansion project in Melrose Park and a tour of their facility. 

“Fresenius Kabi is a great partner to the State of Illinois. The company not only has their North American headquarters in Lake Zurich, but it continues to make significant investments in our state, creating business opportunities and good paying jobs,” said Rauner. “I am excited to see the expansion in Melrose Park take shape and look forward to supporting Fresenius’ continued success in Illinois.”

In September 2017, Fresenius Kabi broke ground on a $250 million state-of-the-art expansion of their pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Melrose Park. The expansion will create jobs on top of the 500 Illinois workers already employed at the plant. Currently, Fresenius Kabi employs more than 1,700 Illinoisans across over 100 locations.

“We’re pleased to welcome Governor Rauner and the entire trade delegation,” said John Ducker, president and CEO of Fresenius Kabi USA.  “We’re proud of our operations in Illinois and throughout the world where we develop and produce life-saving medicines and technologies for patients.  In Illinois, continued investment is a priority so that more patients can benefit from access to affordable medicines throughout the United States.”

“Fresenius Kabi is a leading global manufacturer of life-saving products and we’re proud of their continued investment and commitment in Illinois,” said Greg Baise, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Their amazing innovation not only creates jobs in Illinois, it saves lives around the world.”

Illinois has a rich life sciences and biotech industry. In a study conducted by the iBIO, Illinois demonstrated the strongest revenue growth in the Midwest, with an average annual growth of 13.3%. The success of the industry is largely due to the rise in research and development expenditures and the ability to secure early-stage funding within the state.

“We have experienced an increase in interest by businesses within the life science and biotech industry cluster due to the success and growth of companies like Fresenius Kabi,” said Illinois Department of Commerce Director Sean McCarthy. “The State, along with our partners at Intersect Illinois, will continue to market this industry and build upon our identified competitive advantage to attract further investment, spur innovation and create jobs.” 

A proposal aimed at delaying the effects of helmet-banging head trauma by banning Illinois children younger than 12 from playing tackle football lacks the votes this spring, its sponsor said Wednesday.

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

Congressional Republicans are proposing stricter work requirements for people who get food stamps.

Here’s the link at Illinois News Network.

A Franklin County man pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, a class 3 felony, and was sentenced Monday to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to a news release from Williamson County State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Republican Senators at the Illinois statehouse want to block any move to change the state’s constitution for a progressive income tax.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Illinois farmers are off to a late start. April is the month in Illinois for planting corn. But so far this month, it has been wet and cold.

Here’s a link at Illinois News Network.

Before her mother went to prison, Olivia Weeks was a competent student but certainly not an outstanding one — certainly not one on track for an Ivy League education.

Here’s the link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

On April 14, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 1000 block of East Webster Street in reference to a hit and run.  Upon investigating, police arrested Carl G. Gunter, age 41, of West Frankfort for leaving the scene of an accident. Gunter was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On April 15, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 1200 block of North Maple Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Zachary A. Wilson, age 25 and Dakota W. Wilson, age 19, both of Benton for domestic battery.  Both were charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

Nearly a decade after his predawn arrest on sweeping corruption charges, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is likely down to his last legal hope Monday as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce whether it will take up his appeal.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.