document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/officials-searching-to-squelch-meth-usage-in-central-illinois?fromrss=1' target=_blank>Officials Searching To Squelch Meth Usage In Central Illinois</a><br />While budget woes seem to have taken center stage in Springfield, one local lawmaker says the state must begin looking ahead, starting with a crackdown on the local drug scene.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/blagojevich-finishes-second-behind-palin?fromrss=1' target=_blank>Blagojevich finishes second behind Palin</a><br />Friday, Jul 3, 2009 * Second place ? Really? I want a recount The National Society of Newspaper Columnists chose Alaska Gov.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/southern-illinois-counties-get-federal-disaster-aid-for-may-storms?fromrss=1' target=_blank>Southern Illinois counties get federal disaster aid for May storms</a><br />Six southern Illinois counties are getting federal reimbursement for much of their efforts to recover from May storms.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/illinois-exports-topped-53-billion-in-2008?fromrss=1' target=_blank>Illinois exports topped $53 billion in 2008</a><br />State officials say an international organization reports that Illinois exported $53.4 billion in goods and services in 2008 - an increase of $4.6 billion over its exports in calendar year 2007.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/birkett-running-for-illinois-attorney-general?fromrss=1' target=_blank>Birkett running for Illinois attorney general</a><br />Though he's spent the last several months talking about a potential run for Illinois governor, DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett announced online Thursday that he will remain a prosecutor -- and run for Illinois attorney general in 2010.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/7-more-banks-fail-as-fdic-mulls-rules-for-sales?fromrss=1' target=_blank>7 more banks fail as FDIC mulls rules for sales</a><br />Six Illinois banks and one bank in Texas were shuttered Thursday as government regulators proposed new rules for private equity firms seeking to take over failed banks.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/illinois-firefighter-found-guilty-of-misconduct?fromrss=1' target=_blank>Illinois firefighter found guilty of misconduct</a><br />A former suburban Chicago firefighter has been found guilty of bilking his fire protection district out of nearly $200,000 in military leave benefits.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/additional-checkpoints-in-illinois-this-weekend?fromrss=1' target=_blank>Additional checkpoints in Illinois this weekend</a><br />Illinois law enforcement will be cracking down on drunk drivers during the holiday weekend.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/idot-to-make-driving-this-holiday-weekend-a-bit-easier?fromrss=1' target=_blank>IDOT to make driving this holiday weekend a bit easier</a><br />Driving can be tough on the July Fourth weekend but the Illinois Department of Transportation is trying to make it a bit easier.");
document.write("<br><br><a href='http://www.topix.net/state/il/2009/07/states-without-budgets-as-key-deadline-passes?fromrss=1' target=_blank>States without budgets as key deadline passes</a><br />States from coast to coast began a new fiscal year Wednesday with no budget plans and with cash quickly running out, sending some to the brink of shutdown and forcing others to furlough workers and cut services.");