A dry, hot summer (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)

One Illinois farmer says the drought has caused cracks in the earth so big “you can stick your whole hand down in them.” It’s hard to find a hardy soul hereabouts who hasn’t been complaining about this summer’s extreme heat.
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iseekgolf.com - Australasia's Ultimate Online Golf Site (iseekgolf.com)

Brian Carroll, 22, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame in the 103rd Western Amateur, presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf, at Point O'Woods G. & C.C., Benton Harbor, Michigan.
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Brady claims 300,000 more are on welfare (Lincoln Courier)

CHICAGO — The newest Republican candidate for governor is blasting Democratic incumbent Rod Blagojevich for increasing "welfare" rolls in Illinois, but Blagojevich disputes the characterization.
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WAND TV: More Fundage For Illinois Highways? (WAND)

More Fundage For Illinois Highways? The house postponed a vote last night on the $286.4 (B) billion dollar bill. It would provide a third more to Illinois than in recent years. The figures don't include any earmarked projects lawmakers won for their congressional districts.
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Serving Marion, Illinois (Marion Daily Republican)

MARION - On a Thursday trip to Southern Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich made an impromptu visit to Marion. He discussed with Mayor Robert Butler the state's support of infrastructure needed to bring traffic from the Interstate to the ballpark and surrounding area.
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4th Annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair to Be Held August 13 - 14 (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)

The fourth annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair is August 13 & 14 at the Ogle County Fairgrounds near Oregon, Illinois.
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New police force to patrol Capitol (Lincoln Courier)

SPRINGFIELD — A new police force will begin patrolling the Illinois Capitol and eight other nearby state buildings this fall, secretary of state officials said Friday.
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TransCanada's $1.7B US oil pipeline plans could be delayed, CEO Kvisle warns (Canada.com)

CALGARY (CP) - TransCanada Corp.'s planned $1.7-billion-U.S. Alberta to Illinois oil pipeline could be delayed if other new lines succeed in taking large quantities of oilsands crude across the Rockies to export terminals on the West Coast, chief executive Hal Kvisle said Friday.
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Democrats turn power into cash (The State Journal-Register)

Illinois Democrats have reaped the financial benefits of their political power, racking up a huge campaign fund-raising advantage that will make it even harder for Republicans to mount an election comeback.
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Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco Urges Governor Blagojevich to Sign HB 672 (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)

The Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco , representing 150 organizations throughout the state, urges Governor Rod Blagojevich to sign HB 672, granting authority to local governments to consider stronger clean indoor air laws and protect their workers and residents from secondhand smoke.
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Serving Marion, Illinois (Marion Daily Republican)

SOUTHERN Illinois -- Directors of Main Street communities from all over the State of Illinois, including the collar counties around Chicago, were given a taste of real "Southern hospitality" and a tour of Southern Illinois scenic attractions on Thursday.
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Democrats turn political control into money windfall (Belleville News-Democrat)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Democrats have reaped the financial benefits of their political power, racking up a huge campaign fundraising advantage that will make it even harder for Republicans to mount an election comeback.
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State legislation further protects day laborers (Belleville News-Democrat)

The Illinois General Assembly in June sent legislation that amends the state's 2000 Day and Temporary Labor Services Act to Gov. Rod Blagojevich that gives the state additional enforcement tools and workers more rights.
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Planned shooting complex triggers optimism of DNR chief, Sparta (Belleville News-Democrat)

SPARTA, Ill. - Far from being finished but quickly taking shape, the sprawling recreational shooting complex etched out of one-time mining land near this small southern Illinois town gets Joel Brunsvold and plenty of locals fired up.
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State clears agency of wrongdoing (Northwest Herald)

Former Turning Point Director Lou Ness said she felt no relief after hearing that the agency she piloted for almost 20 years had been cleared of financial wrongdoing by the Illinois attorney general's office.
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Fitch Rates $256MM Alexian Brothers Health System (Illinois) Revenue Bonds 'A' (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

Fitch assigns an underlying 'A' rating to the $256 million of Illinois Finance Authority variable-rate demand revenue bonds , series 2005 A, B, and C . The series 2005 A and B bonds are expected to be issued in the auction-rate mode and the series 2005C is expected to be issued as variable-rate demand bonds.
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Corn crops in Illinois are hurting from worst drought in 20 years (The Buffalo News)

PUTNAM, Ill. - A thin cornstalk comes out of the dry, dusty ground with just a slight tug, its bug-eaten roots barely an inch long. Husks peel back to reveal scraggly ears not much longer than a thumb.
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Serving Marion, Illinois (Marion Daily Republican)

HERRIN- Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich made a stop at Herrin Hospital Thursday afternoon to sign bills that are designed to help combat the current nursing shortage in the state.
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Judd feels right at home in Central Illinois (Herald & Review)

One thing can be said for this year's Decatur Celebration country music entertainer - he's not original. Music comedian Cledus T. Judd will be bringing his parodies, satire and standup to the Funfest Stage for two performances.
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Blagojevich signs laws to boost nurses in Illinois (BizJournals)

Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law Thursday six bills aimed to reduce the nursing shortage and provide better access to health care in Illinois.
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Giants hope statuesque rookie helps solve short-yardage woes (Covers.com)

ALBANY, N.Y. - It`s easy to spot Brandon Jacobs on the New York Giants practice field. He`s the one towering over the rest of the running backs. The Giants are counting on the 6-foot-4, 265-pound rookie from Southern Illinois to be...
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