The week of April 15 is National Work Zone Awareness Week, bringing attention to the importance of driving with alertness and caution in highway construction zones.

In 2012, 19 people died in work zones on Illinois roads. Two of those were construction workers, 10 were drivers, three passengers, two motorcyclists and two pedestrians. Your life and that of your passengers as well as those of construction workers and other motorists or pedestrians are at stake and work zone accidents are preventable with your commitment.

Read more: 1900 injuries, 28 fatalities annual average in Illinois work zones

Today would have marked the 91st birthday of former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington.  In recognition, the Chicago City Council has declared today to be “Harold Washington Day” in the city.

Washington was born in Chicago on April 15th, 1922.  His father, Roy, was a minister as well as a lawyer, and his mother, Bertha, was a singer.  Washington grew up in Bronzeville and attended DuSable High School.

Read more: Illinois Senate Democrats remember Harold Washington

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) secured the adoption today of a Senate resolution urging the federal Environmental Protection Agency not to renew an exemption that allows the S.S. Badger, a car ferry operating on Lake Michigan, to continue spewing nearly four tons of coal ash into the water each day. Frerichs and his Senate colleagues joined U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in criticizing a deal reached last week that would allow the ship to continue polluting the lake through the end of 2014.

Read more: Frerichs, Senate urge EPA not to renew permit for S.S. Badger

April is designated as National Autism Awareness Month, an opportunity for people to educate themselves and others about autism and the issues within the autism community.

The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most common symbol of the autism community. The puzzle pattern represents the mystery and complexity of the autism spectrum, and the different colors reflect the diversity of the people living with the condition.

Autism spectrum disorders are chronic, neurologically based developmental disabilities of with undetermined causes. They typically manifest during early childhood. These conditions impact the afflicted individuals’ cognitive, social and emotional functioning on a variety of levels. Those diagnosed with ASDs typically do not appear physically different; however, they traditionally communicate, interact, behave and learn in ways atypical in comparison to their peers.

Read more: National Autism Awareness Month

Business leaders and economic development organizations gathered in Naperville recently to discuss a proposal to restructure the lead state agency responsible for economic development in the state.

With concerns the agency is falling short in addressing unemployment and job creation, State Senator Andy Manar (D – Bunker Hill) has introduced legislation that would restructure the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

“The state has to do a better job of encouraging new business growth as well as attracting new businesses to Illinois,” Manar said. “I think the state can meet those tasks by restructuring the agency to be more focused and responsive to the needs of the business community.”

Read more: Proposal to restructure DCEO heard in Naperville