Illinois Public Media News

 An Illinois lawmaker says he wants Boeing Co. to build a new manufacturing plant in Decatur.
 
The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises Newspapers reports Forsyth Republican Rep. Bill Mitchell is hoping the Chicago-based aerospace company will build its new factory in the central Illinois community.
 
Boeing is looking for a location to build its new 400-seat 777X jetliner.
 
Boeing is looking at a $7 billion to $10 billion plant that would start with 3,250 workers in 2018 and grow to 8,500 by 2024.  Mitchell says Decatur has "great manufacturing capacity and a highly skilled workforce.''
 
Several other states also submitted offers by Tuesday's deadline. They include Missouri, Alabama and California.    Boeing officials are expected to announce the new plant's location early next year.

Friday night, the University of Illinois’ volleyball team looks to return on the path it was on two years ago.

"The South African government said Friday it is aware of reports that the bogus sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial once faced a murder charge, and said he is being investigated," The Associated Press reports from Johannesburg.

The House has approved a bipartisan budget deal to cut around $23 billion from the federal deficit over 10 years while removing the threat of a possible government shutdown until 2015.

At train stations from Rhode Island to Illinois to Oregon, children line up this month for one of the most important journeys of the year….on the Polar Express. Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers recently took the trip in the central Illinois town of Monticello, where he was greeted with hot chocolate, plenty of music and dancing, and of course a visit from old Saint Nick.

Attorneys for former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich are scheduled to argue their appeal Friday morning.

Illinois State Police say they have launched a new website that publicizes the application process for Illinoisans who want to carry concealed weapons.

The passing of Illinois’ same-sex marriage law meant a number of celebrations among couples awaiting the day, but a lot of questions persist. One advocacy group is holding a series of forums, including one in Champaign Wednesday, to help explain the law. 

Peoria officials say they want a World War II warship moored in Indiana to relocate to central Illinois.