January 16, 2009 Athergus VOLUME 115 | ISSUE 12 Illinois Wesleyan University IWU Student Senate names new president NICOLE TRAVIS Afolabi, Jedrzejczak or junior STAFF REPORTER presidential candidate Emily Vock earned a majority of votes as After four elections and a three- required by the election code. week lag in notifying the student Because Afolabi and Vock had body, Student Senate named jun- received the most votes, ior Babawande Afolabi the 2009- Jedrzejczak was removed from the 2010 president. race and a run-off election ended “I was humbled,” Afolabi said in Afolabi’s favor. Sophomore of his win. “Looking back three or Matt Hastings, who ran uncontest- four years ago, I was back in ed, won the title of vice president. Nigeria, and then to be named the “After we had the second run- Student Senate president of a fine ning of the election and it went institution like this? It’s unbeliev- into the run-off, I felt a little bit able.” happy because that showed that But for Afolabi, the victory fol- there was nothing like a name MIKE WHITFIELD/THE ARGUS lowed several complications. advantage [from the large publici- Above: Babwande Afolabi, the recent Student Senate President-elect, speaks at the Student Senate During the initial election peri- ty materials],” Afolabi said. “If debates last November. Afolabi won the position after four elections were held. od, Student Senate received an there were a name advantage, I anonymous complaint against probably should have won out- Afolabi and junior presidential right.” candidate Casey Jedrzejczak for The counts for all election votes Normal Police apprehend Shepard publicity materials exceeding the were withheld due to Student size limit defined in the Senate Senate policy. CHRISTINE ANDERSON winning playwright was intoxicat- spot to stop on his occasional vis- election policy. Once the accusa- “I think I got my first lesson of STAFF REPORTER ed. Shepard told police he was its to the area. tion was verified, both candidates politics, which is to be ready for driving home to Kentucky. Owner of Fat Jack’s Tyler were asked to remove the offend- anything and everything,” Afolabi In the early hours of Saturday, A breathalyzer test revealed Holloway told The Pantagraph ing material, and a decision from said. “I got to learn a lot during Jan. 3, the Normal Police arrested Shepard’s blood alcohol content to that Shepard visited the bar a few the Election Committee called for the process.” actor Sam Shepard after pulling be .16, twice the legal driving times before the incident. Afolabi’s disqualification. “I know it might have seemed him over for speeding and an limit. The actor was taken to According to Holloway, Shepard The election committee then frustrating to the student body, but alleged DUI. McLean County Jail following his is known to visit on occasion for met to update the election code, in order to follow the Constitution After visiting Bloomington’s arrest and was released later that drinks and conversation with those adding a provision that allows and then revise the Constitution Fat Jack’s, local authorities day after posting $300. who frequent the bar. candidates to appeal decisions fol- and make it better, this is what had stopped Shepard on North Main Shepard told police he spent the “He seems like a good guy,” lowing a formal complaint or to happen,” Vock said. Street. He maintained a speed of evening at Fat Jack’s and was Darcy Smith, a regular Fat Jack’s injunction. Afolabi appealed the Several aspects of the series of 46 mph in a 30 mph zone, which headed to a local Best Western to patron and Bloomington resident, decision that led to his disqualifi- elections threatened to skew the prompted Normal Police spend the night. He was returning said. “I was there on Friday night cation, won the appeal, and was final results. In addition to nega- Lieutenant Mark Kotte to pull him home from a trip to Minnesota and [Jan. 2], and he wasn’t being con- entered once more into the race. over. stopped to drink at the Shepard’s driving led Kotte to In what was intended to be the SEE SENATE, P.3 Bloomington tavern, a favorite SEE SHEPARD,P.3 final election, none among suspect that the Pulitzer Prize- IWU junior Student Students, IWU women’s Weather heads to reviews Argus staff basketball Egypt for Saturday Gran Torino take on ranks number High: 28 Low: 15 excavations Blagojevich one in nation Sunday NEWS, P.3 FEATURES, P. 4 OP/ED, P. 10 SPORTS, P.16 High: 24 Low: 17 2 NEWS JANUARY 16, 2009 NEWS BRIEFS New year brings new laws for Illinois CHRIS BROOKS an expansion of the bill’s provi- toral votes. STAFF REPORTER sions. Lawmakers eventually Illinois Wesleyan Professor of Impress Me The Rapture. This event is free At the beginning of 2009, overrode his veto. Political Science Greg Shaw said The Hart Career Center will spon- and open to the public. For more approximately 120 new Illinois “It’s a definite step in the right that he remains doubtful that the sor an interview workshop on information, contact the Office of state laws came into effect. Last direction, but it doesn’t go far remaining states will join this Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. in Student Activities. year, Jan. 1 marked the beginning enough. One loophole is the cor- movement. the Myers Welcome Center of current anti-smoking legisla- porate board members and their Another law now in effect is Auditorium.Interviews can make The Ice Fishing Play tion. families and others can plausibly Senate Bill 300, which increases or break you. Learn how to The IWU Theater Department will While none of this year’s laws give quite a bit as ‘private’ citi- the penalty for first-time DUI respond to interview questions. present The Ice Fishing Play on have reached the same level of zens,” Professor of Political offenders. The law stipulates a and gain the knowledge and confi- Friday, Jan. 16 at 11 p.m. in the publicity, new legislation could Science Tari Renner said. first-time offender must equip his dence you need to make every Phoenix Theater. The play, direct- potentially affect s many Illinois IWU Professor of Political or her vehicle with an ignition interview a great interview. For ed by Becky Griffith and written citizens’ lives. Science James Simeone said the interlock device in order to drive more information, please contact by Kevin Kling, is about a man Arguably the highest-profile law is a good start, but that the or work with a suspended license. the Hart Career Center at campus who is repetedly inturrupted by law that came into effect Jan. 1 burden ultimately rests with the The device tests the driver’s extension 3071. people from his past as he was House Bill 824. This package people. According to him,.llinois breath for traces of alcohol, and if attempts to ice fish in peace and contains campaign-finance citizens need to continue to liquor is detected, the vehicle will Fellowship Dinner solitude. This event is free and reforms and serves to end pay-to- demand reform in order for these not start. The 19th annual Dr. Martin Luther open to the public, and seats will play politics in light of Gov. Rod issues to be completely resolved. This law also lengthens the King, Jr. Fellowship Dinner will be given on a first come, first Blagojevich’s alleged fundraising Additionally, House Bill 1685 is license suspension for anyone be held on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5 serve basis. For more information, practices. now in practice. This law puts who fails a breath-alcohol test or p.m. in the Main Lounge of the contact email [email protected]. The law prohibits anyone with Illinois into the National Popular refuses to submit to such a test Memorial Center. The event will state contracts worth $50,000 or Vote Interstate Compact (NPV). when they are stopped under the feature Jerome Ringo, an environ- Casino Night more from making political dona- Only two other states, Maryland suspicion of driving under the mental pioneer, speaking on "The Alpha Gamma Delta is hosting tions to the state officeholders and New Jersey, have signed the influence. Color of Green: Dr. King's Vision their annual Casino Night on who award the contracts or to a legislation. Several laws governing insur- for the Future." Tickets are $13 for Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. for dia- declared candidate for the posi- These participating states agree ance and health issues have also adults, and $6.50 for IWU stu- betes research. A five dollar dona- tion. to award their electoral votes to taken effect. One law prohibits dents and children under 12. They tion is required for admission. The After making its way through the winner of the national popular employers and licensing agencies can be purchased through the event will include games as well the General Assembly, this bill vote. However, the agreement from requiring genetic testing or IWU Bookstore. For additional as an auction. For more informa- was originally vetoed by does not take effect until member information, contact Carl tion, email Katie at Blagojevich, who recommended states amass a total of 270 elec- SEE LAWS, P.3 Teichman at (309) 556-3429. [email protected]. Comedian: Jay Black Comedian Jay Black will perform on campus on Friday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. in the Hansen Student Center. Originally an English teacher, Black turned to comedy and has since entertained club and college audiences around the country.