For the first time since 2005, Urbana will have a new mayor. Alderwoman Diane Marlin bested incumbent Mayor Laurel Prussing by more than 900 votes in Tuesday’s Democratic primary – and she’ll take on Republican Rex Bradfield in the April 4th election. Marlin maintained the early lead she held through early voting, finishing with an unofficial total of 2,427 votes. Prussing had 1,510, while Evelyn Burnette Underwood finished third with 316.
In the first debate for Urbana mayor, the three Democrats - all women - focused on two main themes - crime and policing, as well as business development and taxes. About 60 people filled the Urbana City Building to watch Monday's event organized by the League of Women Voters of Champaign County. The three-way Democratic primary pits incumbent Mayor Laurel Prussing against Alderwoman Diane Marlin and Rev. Evelyn Burnett Underwood.
Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation Thursday requiring all Illinois hospitals to have protocols in place for diagnosing and treating sepsis, which occurs when infection causes the body's immune system to attack tissue and organs. The legislation was nicknamed "Gabby's Law", after a 5-year-old Monticello girl, who died of sepsis after hospital doctors did not check for the condition.
Richland Memorial Hospital in the Richland County town of Olney may become part of the Carle Health System, if state regulators approve plans announced by the two hospitals on Wednesday.
The pilot program currently has about 6,000 patients, not close to what advocates were hoping for at this point. They say there are number of reasons behind that - including the application process, and the state's failure to expand the list of qualifying conditions. Without legislative action, it will expire in January 2018.
