Ill. strip club tax will fund rape crisis centers
Strip clubs in Illinois will soon have to pay an additional tax to help fund efforts to prevent sexualassault and counsel victims.
Gov. Pat Quinn on Saturday signed into a law a measure establishing the tax.
Supporters say strip clubs contribute to crime and violence and should help pay for fighting the problems.
The new tax will help reverse funding cuts in sexual assault services.
Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon had pushed for the tax and says it is projected to raise up to $1 million a year.
The law takes effect Jan. 1. It will place an annual surcharge on strip clubs that have live nude dancing and permit alcohol. Businesses could pay $3 per customer or pay a graduated amount based on their sales.
Police search for suspect in alleged abduction attempt
Police in Columbia, Ill. are searching for a man who attempted to abduct an 11-year old boy on Friday night.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch reportsthe boy was able to escape; police say the suspect is a white male in his mid to late thirties.
Muny says extended heat wave didn’t dent attendance
Despite the extended heat wave this summer the Muny is reporting that attendance was down less than a tenth of one percent.
More than 360,000 people watched a show at the outdoor theater, according to the Muny.
"We are so grateful to our amazing audiences," Denny Reagan, president & CEO of The Muny, said in a press release. "Week after week we had record-breaking heat, and each night thousands of people came to experience the magic our actors, musicians and scenic artists created."
Metrolink rail work starts today
Metrolink trains will not run between the Shiloh and Scott Stations from 8 pm until the end of service starting today through Thursday and on Saturday.
Busses will take riders between stations while rail work is being completed.
Westbound passengers should add an extra 20 to 25 minutes to their commutes.
Eastbound passengers can expect a 5-10 minute delay.
Cooler temperatures, drought expected to persist
A cold front from Canada will keep temperatures below normal for at least the next few days.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Thomas Spriggs said it’s not likely that we’ll have another stretch of triple digit temperatures.
But he says the drought is expected to last into the fall.
“Long-term pattern at least heading into the fall looks like it still favors a dry pattern that will continue through October,” Spriggs said. “Along the way there’s always those little bumps in the road that could happen, that could help us out. But as far as this general pattern that’s going to be expected over the next couple of months would still favor one that will allow this drought to persist.”
