Governor Pat Quinn says the compromise concealed carry bill that easily passed the House Friday is “wrong for Illinois,” and Quinn vows to work with the Senate to, in his words, stop the bill in its tracks. 

Quinn and Senate President John Cullerton object to provisions in the bill that eliminate local gun regulations, like Chicago’s assault weapons ban.

The measure overwhelmingly passed the House Friday on a vote of 80-35.

Some parents of Capital College Preparatory Academy students describe themselves as being in mourning. 

The end of the school year means the end of CCPA, which was eliminated by the school board earlier this year for budget reasons. 

Two other Springfield schools are closing… students from Pleasant Hill and Wanless will be bused to CCPA’s former home at Feitshans School next fall.

A compromise bill that would end Illinois's long-standing ban on carrying concealed weapons has sailed through the Illinois House... but its future is uncertain, as both Governor Pat Quinn and Senate President John Cullerton are lining up in opposition to the bill.

They object to provisions that would eliminate most local regulations of guns, including a number of ordinances on the books in Chicago, such as an assault weapons ban.  The measure passed in the House with more than enough votes to override a veto, but it's unclear if the votes are there to pass it in the Senate.

Local lawmakers Raymond Poe, Sue Scherer and Rich Brauer all voted in favor of the concealed carry compromise.

Counselors have been talking with students in Riverton following the suicide death of a teenager there. 

The 14-year-old boy took his own life earlier this week, according to the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office.  Riverton school district officials say they have been trying to help students deal with their grief, and are referring families for additional assistance as needed. 

But they also say, contrary to numerous social media accounts, there is no evidence that bullying was in any way a factor in the boy’s death.

The head of the Boy Scout Council that serves the Springfield area says there has not been any backlash locally... so far... over the decision of the national council to allow gay youth to become scouts.

Dan O'Brien of the Abraham Lincoln Council says the consensus so far has been that it's most important to make sure as many young men as possible have the chance to benefit from scouting.

O'Brien says it's still possible the local group could lose sponsors or donors because of the controversial decision... but he's seen nothing to suggest that's going to happen.

The Illinois House could vote today on a concealed carry bill that one lawmaker called a great compromise… because no one is happy with it.

That measure cleared a House committee on Thursday, and supporters believe they have the votes to get it through the full House.

But opposition is mounting to the bill in the Senate… and Governor Pat Quinn also objects to the bill, because it pre-empts local gun laws like Chicago’s assault weapons ban.

Connecting to the Internet should get a lot easier across Springfield.

Comcast has turned on nearly 100 Wi-fi “hotspots” around town to give customers and visitors access to high-speed wireless broadband.

The State Journal-Register reports the service is free through July 4th.

After that, Comcast subscribers will get it for free, while others will be allowed two free one-hour sessions per month.

Springfield's unemployment rate plunged from March to April, resulting in the lowest jobless rate locally in four years. 

New state figures show Springfield's unemployment rate fell to 6.4 percent in April... a sharp drop from the 7.8 percent rate in March.  The April rate was also lower than the same time a year earlier, even though there were more than a thousand fewer total payroll jobs in the city this year. 

State officials say the mixed numbers are the result of fewer people looking for work and an ongoing sluggishness in the national economic recovery.

An Illinois House committee has decisively approved a compromise plan that would end Illinois's long-standing ban on carrying concealed firearms.

The measure that passed the Judiciary Committee on a 13-3 vote sets a "shall issue" standard that would require State Police to issue permits to applicants who pass a background check, meet training standards, and pay a $150 fee.  Local law enforcement would have the right to object to permit applications, and a separate panel would then decide whether to grant one.

The bill also sets statewide rules for where guns cannot be carried... including schools, parks, public transportation and most government buildings.  A vote in the full House is expected Friday.

A compromise concealed-carry bill that is intended to bridge the wide gap between gun rights supporters and gun control advocates could come up for a vote this week in the Illinois House.

House Speaker Mike Madigan supports the legislation, as does pro-gun Democratic Representative Brandon Phelps.

While the bill contains a “shall issue” standard that requires state police to give permits to anyone who meets basic requirements, it also allows local law enforcement to object…which would send the permit request to an oversight panel.

The bill also creates a long list of places where people could not carry concealed weapons, including schools, amusement parks, libraries, and state and federal government buildings.

Another bill on its way to Governor Pat Quinn would require school districts which offer sex education classes to include comprehensive information on birth control and STDs… not just on abstinence.

School districts would still have the ability to opt out of offering any sex ed… but if they did offer it, they could not provide abstinence-only instruction.

The measure passed despite opposition from groups like the Illinois Family Institute… which sent out an urgent e-mail Wednesday asking members to, quote, “pray that God would hold this bill back” until the legislature adjourns next week.

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser says he is reviewing information referred to him after the Illinois Attorney General’s Office declined to look into the Springfield police file shredding case.

Milhiser has made no determination yet on whether he will open up his own investigation in the case.

But one Springfield alderman thinks Milhiser may also have to take a pass.

Appearing live on 970 WMAY’s “Bishop On Air,” Sam Cahnman (mp3 download) said the close working relationship between police and prosecutors may pose a conflict of interest for Milhiser’s office.

Springfield Green is working to add more color to the downtown area for the summer months… and beyond.

The city’s beautification effort held a fundraiser Wednesday evening.

Some of the proceeds will pay for ongoing work to change out the soil and replant flowers in the large sidewalk planters throughout downtown.

Public Works Director Mark Mahoney says the next big project is to work on improved holiday decorations downtown when Christmastime rolls around again.

A Springfield man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for a 2009 armed robbery and murder.

23-year-old Antonio Phillips was convicted earlier this year of robbing and then fatally shooting William Suggs.   Suggs was discovered slumped over in a car at Mossman and Lincoln Avenues in December of '09.

The City of Springfield is moving to hire another private law firm to handle pending litigation. 

Mayor Mike Houston wants the Noll Law Offices to represent the city in two pending lawsuits stemming from the police department destruction of internal affairs files.  The city is facing a complaint under public records laws… and that plaintiff has also filed a federal lawsuit alleging a police conspiracy against him. 

Houston says the Noll firm has more expertise in handling federal lawsuits and FOIA cases than the city’s own legal staff.  The firm will be paid a maximum of $25,000 total for the two cases.

The city is also planning to hire a different firm to represent it in upcoming litigation over Chatham's decision to end its contract to purchase water from Springfield.

A fundraising event will be held this evening to support Springfield Green, the city’s beautification effort. 

Although coordinated through the Department of Public Works, Springfield Green is funded mostly through private donations and grants. 

The program is trying to raise money to complete the work of repotting the large planters stationed on the sidewalks in downtown Springfield.  The fundraiser is set for the Old Capitol Plaza… near 6^th Street… from 5 to 7 this (Wednesday) evening.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will not get into the middle of the controversy over the Springfield police department’s destruction of internal affairs records.

Madigan’s office has turned down Mayor Mike Houston’s request for an investigation… saying any criminal case should originate with the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office, and noting that a civil case is already pending.

Houston says State’s Attorney John Milhiser has been notified of the attorney general’s decision.

There’s no indication yet of whether Milhiser would pursue such a case.

It’s some of the best news in a long time coming out of Springfield City Hall’s budget office.

Budget director Bill McCarty says reductions in headcount and other spending have put city finances back in the black for the moment.

The city has a budget surplus of more than $4 million and now shows a positive daily cash balance.

But Alderman Frank Edwards notes that some of the city’s increased revenues come from grant money to hire firefighters… money which will run out in a couple of years, leaving the city to pick up the tab after that.

Local Red Cross volunteers are on standby, waiting to be dispatched to the Oklahoma City area to help with disaster relief.

The head of the Illinois Capital Area Chapter says she expects to receive the call for assistance soon, as the first responders on the scene will need reinforcements after long days and nights helping victims.

The Red Cross is seeking donations to help with the disaster relief effort.

Locally you can text REDCROSS to 70000 to start the process of making a donation.