Inmate transfers from Ill. prisons almost complete

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois prison officials are moving quickly to empty correctional facilities that are slated to be closed.

Department of Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano says 124 inmates have been moved from the high-security Tamms prison since Thursday.  The inmates, who’ve been called “the worst of the worst,” are moving to the maximum-security Pontiac prison.

Twelve inmates remain at the state’s “supermax” and 48 in Tamms’ minimum-security unit.

Solano says all residents also have been moved out of three halfway houses targeted for closing.

Gov. Pat Quinn ordered the transfers after a judge on Wednesday lifted an injunction blocking the shutdowns. A union representing correctional employees had sued to stop the closings, but the Illinois Supreme Court ordered the injunction lifted.

The facilities are scheduled to close by Jan. 4.

Heroin Bust In Streator

Drug dealing doesn’t take a holiday.

Bonnie Nieto of Streator was arrested at her home Friday by members of TRIDENT.  She was picked up for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.  Investigators say they found five grams of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Nieto was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Santa Tracking Begins

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP) – Volunteers are pulling on their Santa hats, phone lines are set, and tracking screens are ready – NORAD Tracks Santa is primed for its 57th annual goodwill mission.

Santa trackers start taking calls early today, telling children – and some adults – when Santa is due at their house. The last shift won’t end until nearly 24 hours later. The number is 877-HI-NORAD or 877-446-6723.

NORAD Tracks Santa began in 1955 when a newspaper ad listed the wrong phone number for kids to call Santa. They wound up calling the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD’s predecessor.

Not All Religious Leaders Against Gay Marriage

CHICAGO (AP) – A group of clergy members is pushing to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois.

More than 200 pastors and rabbis released an open letter yesterday calling for legislators to approve legislation allowing gay marriage. They say it’s a matter of equality, conscience and justice. The group plans to send the letter to lawmakers.

State Rep. Greg Harris and state Sen. Heather Steans say they’ll call for a vote on the gay marriage bill when lawmakers gather in January. The legislation would offer same-sex couples marriage rights now only available to heterosexual couples.

The Chicago Democrats say public opinion favoring equal rights for same-sex partners is moving rapidly. Four states voted in favor of the issue or opposed a ban on it last month.

Mendota Man Hurt In Crash

Police say a Mendota man was drinking when he crashed in DeKalb County.

Juan Escatel was arrested for DUI and taken to Valley West Hospital after crashing with Thomas Thomas of Somonauk Saturday afternoon.  Deputies say Thomas was trying to turn onto a county road from Route 23 when Escatel crashed into him.

Escatel wasn’t seriously injured.

Peru Business Grows Beards For Charity

Hockey players grow beards for the playoffs.  Workers at Maze Lumber in Peru grew there’s again for charity.

Thirteen Maze workers grew their beards from early November thru last Friday.  People paid a dollar per vote for their favorite beard and the winner was salesman Dave Munson.  They ended up raising over 26 hundred dollars, twice what they raised last year.

The money goes to The Marine Corps League’s Christmas for Kids.