SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Senate has approved a plan that would ban the use of cell phones while driving.
Senators voted 34-20 Thursday, sending the bill to Gov. Pat Quinn. His spokeswoman didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. The House approved it in March.
The proposal says drivers have to use hands-free devices or use speakerphone features for calls.
Police would be able to ticket drivers holding a cell phone except during emergency situations. Roughly 75 Illinois communities, including Chicago, already ban talking on cell phones while driving.
Bill sponsor Sen. John Mulroe says the bill makes roads safer.
Opponents say the bill is unfair to individual rights and for those who can't afford high-tech phones.
Texting while driving is already illegal in Illinois.
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Police are asking for help to find the suspects who robbed a Cahokia gas station overnight.
The Midwest Petroleum convenience store was robbed around 2:30 AM. Three suspects smashed the front windows of the store. The suspects drove off in a blue Chevy truck with an American flag rear window cover. Police say there is damage to the right rear corner of the truck.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Cahokia Police department at (618)337-9505.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - A Columbia lawyer says a local ordinance that treats marijuana possession as a municipal violation isn't being followed by Boone County sheriff's deputies patrolling within city limits.
The Columbia-based Missouri Civil Liberties Association says the sheriff and the county prosecutor are disregarding the intent of city voters who approved the change in 2004.
Columbia's ordinance treats possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana as a misdemeanor. Violators are usually released with a summons to appear in court rather than placed under arrest.
Columbia attorney Dan Viets says sheriff's officers are instead arresting pot users in the city under more stringent state laws, and Knight is not downgrading those cases to municipal status.
The sheriff and prosecutor did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.
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A suspect is in custody after allegedly shooting into a South St. Louis home.
Police were on the scene when they saw the suspect fire several shots into a home near the intersection of Nebraska and Cherokee. Officers chased the man and caught him just a few blocks away.
No one was injured in the home and it is not known why he shot at the house.
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