NTSB: Plane Spiraled Before Fatal Crash In Illinois Field
CARLINVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A small plane that crashed last month while heading from Missouri to Michigan, killing four men aboard, entered into a “right descending spiral” before it went down in a southwestern Illinois farm field, authorities said. Investigators will examine the wreckage to determine if there was any mechanical failure as well as study the plane’s maintenance history and the pilot’s history, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report released this week. Found at the scene of the wreckage was a GoPro camera, which federal investigators are studying for clues. It may be more than a year before the cause of the crash can be determined, authorities said. – Associated Press
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Hired 35 People From House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Clout List
Despite repeatedly promising to be “independent” of longtime Democratic boss Michael Madigan, first-term Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker filled many prominent roles in his administration with people recommended by the state House speaker and party chairman. As Pritzker won the election in 2018 and was sworn into office last year, Madigan’s office sent him the names of scores of job seekers and the positions in state government they desired. Madigan’s successful recommendations far outnumbered those from other legislative leaders, with records showing the new governor made nearly three dozen hires and board appointments off the speaker’s clout list. – Dan Mihalopoulos – WBEZ
Gov. Pritzker Says Illinois Isn’t Quite Ready For Phase 4
Despite calls to reopen, Governor J-B Pritzker says Illinois is not ready. Senate republicans and some other local officials would like to see the state move to phase four now, saying businesses don’t understand why they can’t fully re-open when protests with hundreds and even thousands of people are being held. But, Governor Pritzker says the pandemic isn’t anything states were expecting or knew how to deal with at first. – WSIU
Judge: State Prisons Need To Improve Services To Hearing Impaired
A federal Judge says the state has been too slow in responding to the needs of inmates with hearing problems. The judge from the U.S. District Court’s Northern Division admonished the Illinois Department of Corrections for its slow response in helping hard-of-hearing inmates get tested and fitted with proper equipment. Rachel Weisberg, an attorney with disability rights group Equip for Equality, said there are 1,500 inmates who need devices like hearing aids. – Bill Wheelhouse – WNIJ
IHSA Summer Sports Guidelines Released, Future Of Team Sports Uncertain
The Department of Public Health’s new guidelines require teams with ten or more players to be separated into smaller groups. Practice time is limited to three hours per day, and the use of sport-specific equipment, certain indoor facilities, and even water jugs, is prohibited. IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said the Association worked on the original guidelines with their Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and sent them to IDPH for approval. In a statement, he commended the work of the organization. – Mike Smith – WUIS
Chicagoans Inch Their Way Back To Public Transit And Air Travel
Travel by planes, trains and taxis remain at dismal levels compared to pre-pandemic trends. But, as stay-at-home restrictions lift across the state, transit agencies are registering slight upticks, and more flyers are passing through O’Hare and Midway airports. – Mariah Woelfel – WBEZ