Nearly 2,500 Drivers Caught Speeding At 100 MPH In 2019
SPRINGFIELD – In a tweet, the Illinois State Police said troopers have handed out 2,492 tickets since January for driving 100 miles per hour or faster on Illinois roadways. Spokeswoman Mindy Carroll said that’s actually down slightly from last year. She also said state police will increase patrols over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. – Sam Dunklau, WUIS
Chicago School Board Approves New Teacher, Staff Contracts
CHICAGO – The Chicago Board of Education has approved deals with teachers and support staff that ends labor strife that included an 11-day strike. Chicago teachers last week approved the five-year contract deal that includes pay raises, $35 million to enforce limits on class sizes and a pledge to supply each school with a nurse and a social worker. The board on Wednesday also passed a new school calendar to make up five of the 11 days students missed during the strike. – Associated Press
DeKalb School Board Votes Against Arming Teachers
DEKALB – The DeKalb School Board voted unanimously against a proposal before the Illinois Association of School Boards on allowing teachers to be armed. The downstate Mercer School Board first introduced the measure last year. Schools wouldn’t be forced to arm teachers, even if the resolution results in a new law this spring. The association will vote on the resolution later this month. – Peter Medlin, WNIJ
Chinese Consul General: Trade War Talks At Critical Point
NORMAL – The Chinese Consul General from Chicago said talks to end the trade war between the US and China are at a critical point. During a speech at Illinois State University on Wednesday, Zhao Jian said the world’s two largest economies are interdependent. Zhao said US exports to China support more than a million US jobs and he noted the strong agricultural exports of Midwestern states to China. He did not address US complaints about intellectual property theft, currency manipulation or other industry supports the Chinese government allegedly facilitates. – Charlie Schlenker, WGLT