Patch Flash: Teen Helps Save 25 Horses From Barn Blaze

A 15-year-old McHenry teen is being credited with saving the lives of more than 20 horses during a barn fire in unincorporated McHenry County, Wednesday.Madison Walraf was driving to the stables with her family to go riding when she saw the smoke rising. Fearing for the life of her horse, Red, she called 911 and ran over to the fire. In addition to saving Red's life, the brave girl helped evacuate an estimated 25 horses. Although many were saved, 18 horses died in the fire.

With Illinois on the brink of closing some 14 of its correctional facilities amid already widespread reports of overcrowding, a state lawmaker is pushing to reinstate a controversial early inmate release program.

A proposal, House Bill 3899, introduced late last year by state Rep. Arthur Turner (D-Chicago) would allow for non-violent offenders who have already served at least 60 days of their sentence to be released as long as they meet certain criteria while imprisoned. A similar bill, SB2621, has also been introduced in the state Senate.

John Maki, who heads the John Howard Association of Illinois, supports the return of the state's "meritorious good time" (MGT) program, which Gov. Pat Quinn eliminated two years ago in the midst of his Democratic primary. 

Assistant Police Chief Steve Lucchesi said the woman suffered a slight injury to her left arm, but declined treatment from paramedics who responded to the scene.

Another resident of the home, a 62-year-old man, was also duct-taped to a chair but uninjured in the invasion.

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), standing in for the still recovering U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, on Wednesday delivered a report on the state's financial health. And the news, according to Hultgren, is not good. "Last year, the General Assembly raised taxes on hardworking Illinoisans, but the statistics reported today make it clear that Illinois cannot tax its way back to prosperity," Hultgren said in a statement announcing the updated report. "Illinois cannot afford to continue on its current path -- and Washington will not bail the state out."