News In Brief

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State Faces $1.5 Million

Repair From Roof Collapse

SPRINGFIELD (AP)

` The cash-strapped Illinois government may have to spend as much as $1.5 million to repair the roof of a jail in the northwestern region of the state.

No one was hurt in late November when a drywall ceiling inside the Thomson Correctional Center in Thomson collapsed. Illinois Department of Corrections spokesman Derek Schnapp says he doesn't know how long repairs will take.

Schnapp says the reconstruction could cost between $1 and $1.5 million.

The collapse occurred in one of Thomson's minimum-security wings. The inmates housed there were transferred to the facility's mostly unused maximum-security areas.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to close the Pontiac Correctional Center in central Illinois and move its inmates to Thomson.

Illinois Highway Work

Suspended Until Monday

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)

State transportation officials say a lot of construction work will be suspended through Sunday to allow for smoother holiday travel on roadways.

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Milton Sees says the agency wants to ensure there is safe travel for millions of motorists traveling to visit loved ones.

He says he hopes the suspension of construction and opening lanes will prevent any mishaps on the roadways.

The agency says nearly 2.5 million people in Illinois will be traveling for the holidays. The majority, about 1.9 million will be traveling by vehicle.

Firemen Called to Christmas

Day Church Fire in Colp

Carterville

Carterville firemen were called to the Shaffer Chapel AME Church in Colp at 2:30 p.m. Christmas day to fight a fire in the church's two-stay bell tower.

Smoke and fire were both visible from the historic church, built in 1916, when firemen arrived. Firemen were able to knock down the fire quickly, although the department says the entire building received heavy smoke and water damage.

Firemen say they do not suspect arson.