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Southwest Illinois News is designed & hosted by the Moore Design Group. How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com |
 New Legislation Would Protect Illinois Consumers Against Air Conditioning Disconnection SPRINGFIELD, IL (SWI-NEWS.com), May 4, 2008 - AARP has commended the Illinois House of Representatives for its unanimous passage of House Bill 5086, which will increase protections for consumers by preventing utility companies from shutting off cooling service if the temperature is forecasted to reach 95 degrees or above. HB 5086, sponsored by State Representative Bob Flider (D-Decatur), passed the House unanimously on Thursday. It will now move to the State Senate under the sponsorship of Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline). The legislation provides cooling disconnection protection to residential customers, for non payment of bills, if the temperature is forecasted to reach 95 degrees or above, on any day when the National Weather Service has predicted that temperature for the following 24 hours; it also prevents disconnection on any day preceding a holiday or weekend when the forecast indicates that a temperature of 95 degrees or above will be reached during the holiday or weekend. "Consumers need protections from having their electricity shut off during extreme summer weather - for older people to be without air-conditioning in the heat can be fatal," said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois State Director. "AARP commends Rep. Flider and the House for their commitment to protecting Illinois consumers who might be facing hard times, and we urge the Senate to pass this legislation." AARP is urging the Senate to pass this legislation that will especially help protect older Illinoisans and other vulnerable residents from having their air conditioning shut off during high temperatures. Two College Teams From Illinois Win EPA Awards to Develop Innovative Technology SPRINGFIELD, IL (SWI-NEWS.com), April 27, 2008 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last night that student teams from Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are among six teams nationwide to win its annual People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) competition. Loyola University students will build a laboratory to produce biodiesel from their cafeteria's vegetable oil waste, and the University of Illinois students will create a sustainable water development program for rural Nigeria. The national competition, sponsored by EPA's Office of Research and Development, encourages college students to create sustainable solutions to environmental problems through technological innovation. These sustainable solutions must be environmentally friendly, efficiently use natural resources and be economically competitive. Each P3 award winner receives funding up to $75,000 to further develop their designs and implement them in the field or move them to the marketplace. Honorable mention teams from EPA Region 5 are: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, to help design a sustainable water supply and distribution system for Pignon, Haiti; Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., to design a sustainable water supply for La Garrucha, Guatemala; and Ohio University-Main Campus, Athens, Ohio, for a project to improve public awareness of chemical exposure through a 3-D online environmental education game. Earthquake and Aftershocks Rattle Southeastern Illinois SPRINGFIELD, IL (SWI-NEWS.com), April 18, 2008 - The Blagojevich Administration briefed the public on what to expect following a rare earthquake centered in southeastern Illinois early this morning. Officials explained that the public should be aware of smaller seismic events called "aftershocks" that may be felt through out the state for as much as a week following this morning's 5.2 magnitude earthquake. As of 11:00 am today, Illinois has experienced six aftershocks measuring as high as magnitude 4.6. Officials also warned Illinoisans to be wary of people offering to repair earthquake damage, write earthquake insurance policies or insist that they can get paid by an insurance company for repair costs. Because earthquakes are so rare in the Midwest, most home and business-owners have historically declined to purchase earthquake insurance, which is offered as separate coverage at additional costs. If a homeowner does not have earthquake insurance, damage caused by the earthquake may not be covered. "Earthquakes certainly are not common here in Illinois and so it is understandable that people may be concerned about feeling vibrations in the hours and days ahead. We want to make sure people understand what is taking place and how to prepare for aftershocks as much as they can," said Governor Blagojevich. "We also want people to be very wary of those offering to repair damage or write insurance policies following the earthquake. Unfortunately, there can be people who try to capitalize on events like this." There are things homeowners can do to protect their property and make sure any damage is repaired by reputable contractors. After an earthquake or other natural disaster, families and business owners should take additional care when hiring a contractor to repair any damage. Homeowners who have earthquake insurance should notify their insurance company immediately if they suspect they have earthquake damage. The company will assign a representative to evaluate the damage and work with the owner to determine when and how reimbursements for repairs will be made. Since all insurance contracts are not the same, homeowners should work directly with their insurance agent to review their policies and coverage. Most Illinois homeowners' insurance companies offer earthquake insurance. Homeowners may want to talk with their insurance agents about whether it makes sense to purchase additional coverage for all potential dangers. Additionally, homeowners with insurance questions may contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Insurance Hotline at 866/445.5364. Illinois could experience many smaller seismic events at any time over the next several days; however most will not be felt by the majority of the state. Scientists from the Illinois State Geological Survey are currently coordinating with staff from Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Memphis where the Center for Earthquake Research and Information is located. These scientists are in Illinois to measure these smaller seismic aftershocks. What are Aftershocks? Aftershocks are additional earthquakes that occur after the mainshock and in the same geographic area. Usually, aftershocks are smaller than the mainshock, but occasionally an aftershock may be strong enough to be felt widely throughout the area and may cause additional damage, particularly to structures already weakened in the mainshock. Aftershocks are most common immediately after the mainshock and are most likely to be felt in the first few days after the mainshock. What to do during an earthquake or aftershock:
Personal preparedness is important for any type of emergency, including earthquakes. IEMA recommends people throughout Illinois maintain a disaster supply kit with essentials, such as:
BELLEVILLE, IL (SWI-NEWS.com), April 18, 2008 - In its seventh year, the Art on the Square show hopes to once again attract over 85,000 people to view the work of outstanding artist and fine craftsmen, May 16 - 17, 2008. A premier event in the metro-east region, the show offers visitors the chance to meet exhibiting artist, enjoy family entertainment, children's workshops, taste fine cuisines and take a walk through our historic neighborhoods. The event will take place around the gorgeous fountain in beautiful downtown Belleville. Art lovers can take the MetroLink to the Metro station on Scheel Street, just a few blocks from the fair. Two trolleys provided by the Belleville Heritage Society will bring visitors directly to the fair's entrance. For safety reasons, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, scooters are prohibited on the festival grounds. Exceptions for Police Officers only. Be kind to your pets - leave them at home when you visit the festival. Only seeing eye dogs will be allowed within the Festival site. Alcoholic beverages will be sold within the festival site. Regulations require that beverages purchased at the event remain on site. Please dispose of any alcoholic beverages before you leave the site. First Aid is available within the festival site. First aid is provided by area hospitals, Memorial Hospital and Saint Elizabeth's. For more information on the show, call the hot-line, 800-677-9255. 
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