The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Tuesday October 13, 2020

Olivia Butts
 
Forest Preserve District executive director Mary Ellen Wuellner stands at the covered bridge over the Sangamon River in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. A tax referendum on the Champaign County November 3 ballot would fund a new roof for the bridge, along with other capital projects.

Forest Preserve District executive director Mary Ellen Wuellner stands at the covered bridge over the Sangamon River in Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. A tax referendum on the Champaign County November 3 ballot would fund a new roof for the bridge, along with other capital projects. Jim Meadows/Illinois Newsroom

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Tuesday October 13, 2020

Today's headlines: 

  • With three weeks to go until Election Day, more than half-a-million Illinoisans have already voted in the November election.

  • Democratic Senator Dick Durbin says the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett are happening under a cloud. Durbin made his opening remarks on Monday. The hearings continue Tuesday with questioning of Judge Barrett.

  • Besides all the races for local, state, and federal office, some Illinois residents will make another key decision this fall -- whether Justice Tom Kilbride will serve another term on the state supreme court. He's up for retention, and needs to receive at least 60% "yes" votes.

  • Illinois reported more than 2700 new COVID-19 cases Monday, along with 13 additional deaths from the virus.The seven-day positivity rate for the state is at 4.3%, up nearly a full percentage point from a week ago.

In today's deeper dive, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District is looking for more revenue to maintain its parks. We learn about a property tax referendum on the ballot from Illinois Newsroom's Jim Meadows.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts and hosted by Brian Moline. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Ryan Denham, Herb Trix, and Jim Meadows.