Nuclear bill advances
A bill that would lift a moratorium on new nuclear reactors in Illinois has passed the Senate.
State Sen. Sue Rezin’s legislation would end the 1987 prohibition on new nuclear operations in favor of small modular reactors. Instead of seeking a vote to override the governor’s veto of an earlier bill, Rezin introduced the new plan that would reduce the allowable size of small modular reactors.
Sharp increase in fatal crashes
A new study shows that Illinois saw a sharp increase in deaths from car crashes from 2012 to 2021.
According to the study by the Atlanta-based law firm John Foy and Associates, Illinois saw over a 37% increase in deaths from automobile crashes, the third largest increase in the country. Only Indiana and Oregon saw a larger increase.
The year with the highest rate of deadly crashes in Illinois was 2021, which had about 16 deadly crashes per 100,000 licensed drivers.
Casino heist suspect arrested
The Illinois Gaming Board has announced an arrest and charges against a Chicago Ridge man for his part in an armed robbery of more than $14,000 worth of casino chips from Rivers Casino in Des Plaines.
On Oct. 31, Ismail Ateyat is suspected of entering Rivers Casino wearing a black face mask, pulling out a handgun, pointing it at casino employees, stealing casino chips and fleeing the casino. Gaming Board agents were able to track Ateyat to his home, where they said they discovered the handgun, the mask and the stolen chips.
