House Republican arrested for DUI

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An assistant minority leader in the Illinois House has been charged with driving under the influence.

Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Greenville, was arrested by the Macon County Sheriff’s department about 8 p.m. Monday in Decatur.

Deputy Chief James Chervinko says Stephens’ blood-alcohol content was 0.101. The legal limit is 0.08.

The 62-year-old pharmacist released a statement saying he is “truly sorry for my actions” and is “ready to face the consequences.”

Chervinko says an officer noted Stephens’ car on U.S. 51 in Decatur crossing the center line and hitting a curb. He says Stephens had a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech and glassy eyes.

Stephens, who has served most of the past 25 years in the House, was released Monday night from the Macon County Jail.

Group proposes alternative state budget to governor

CHICAGO — A conservative think tank has come up with an alternative budget to Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal that it says doesn’t raise taxes or borrow money.

The Illinois Policy Institute’s proposal takes Quinn’s budget and makes another $3.7 billion in overall cuts. That includes nearly $1 billion in state aid to municipalities and other funds, $900 million in labor costs and about $300 million in education.

Quinn’s budget cuts about $2 billion.

Institute CEO John Tillman says the group suggests spending within the state’s means by cutting and reallocating dollars. But the cuts involving labor would also require bargaining with unions.

The group doesn’t immediately address the state’s $6 billion in unpaid bills. It says if streamlined spending is instituted and the economy picks up, the bills can eventually be paid.

Hundreds hold suburban Chicago health-care protest

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The fight over health care in Washington drew several hundred people to the street outside Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s suburban Chicago district office.

Holding signs and chanting, some of the people participating in Tuesday’s protest called on Congress to pass the health care bill, while others demanded that it be killed.

Conservative tea party activists denounced “socialized medicine.” Others demanded improved health care and a man with a megaphone yelled for Bean to vote “yes.”

The two sides tried to out-shout each other in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg.

Quinn is trying to sell tax increase to lawmakers

CICERO, Ill. — Gov. Pat Quinn says he’s meeting with lawmakers to try to persuade them to back his income tax increase.

Quinn planned to head to Springfield on Tuesday after visiting a community college in Cicero.

The Chicago Democrat also suggested lawmakers should skip their upcoming spring break to vote on his tax increase. He says Democrats who control the Legislature should vote to pass it on their own if that’s what it takes.

Quinn says the income tax rate needs to go up 1 percentage point to avoid a $1.3 billion cut in education.

The state is grappling with a $13 billion budget deficit.

From Associated Press reports