SPRINGFIELD – Methamphetamine production is a mushrooming problem in rural Illinois, and some children are dangerously caught in the middle.

A parent who manufactures methamphetamine in the home deals with dangerous caustic chemicals, and the process is volatile, often leading to explosions. Fumes from the cooking process can be inhaled by children, exposing them to the drug – a powerful stimulant.

URBANA – The union that represents court clerks has filed two unfair labor practice complaints alleging that Champaign County Presiding Judge J.G. Townsend unfairly denied one clerk the right to have a union representative with her during an investigative interview and that Townsend later retaliated against a union steward who had filed grievances against him.

The complaints were filed Wednesday with the Illinois Labor Relations Board in Springfield.

SAVOY – Has an older member of your family become forgetful about such things as taking medicines, paying bills or turning off the stove?

These can be early signs of dementia, and they may mean mom or dad should no longer be living alone.

SPRINGFIELD – Despite a $1.5 billion short-term borrowing plan enacted in May to help the state pay overdue public aid reimbursements, area pharmacists are still struggling because of a delay in those checks.

"Currently the amount past due our very small business is approximately $160,000 – in addition to current billings of about $55,000," said Carl Hudson of Hudson Drug Shop in Paxton. "Needless to say, this creates a tremendous strain on our abilities to maintain a normal business environment."