Transportation

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport has opened an indoor space for pets and service animals to do their business complete with artificial grass and miniature fire hydrants. In particular, the addition will make it easier for travelers with disabilities who will no longer have to go back out through security for their service animals to use the existing outdoor pet facilities. The pet relief room is located past security checkpoints in the rotunda area of Terminal 3. There are pop-up sprinklers to wash away liquid waste into a drain and plastic bags for cleanup.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says teenage driving deaths are down by nearly 60 percent in the state. The Democrat kicked off National Teen Driver Safety Week by announcing that is a new low since the state began the graduated driver's licensing program that took effect in 2008. Illinois Department of Transportation figures show there were 155 teen driving deaths in 2007. That number fell to 66 in 2014, a 57 percent decrease.

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued new rules about how to handle used tires. State officials say the rules will apply to operators of tire disposal and storage sites and facilities that retread, stamp and die-cut tires. The rules are meant to protect from tire fires and breeding of disease-carrying mosquitoes from standing water in tires. The rules will require operators to change the way they store used tires both indoors and outdoors. The rules also will give emergency responders easier access to tire piles in case there's a fire or other emergency.

Construction at a major Interstate 74 junction has given Tazewell County a windfall: $1.2 million over three years. County Administrator Wendy Ferrill says the revenue from 4,600 tickets for speeding and using cellphones in a work zone softens the blow of the state budget standoff. Tickets for speeding went from eight per month in 2012 to 74 per month in 2013, and 129 per month last year. This year, motorists are getting fewer citations: the monthly average is nearly 100 speeding tickets. Ferrill says some of the money could go toward a new squad car for the sheriff's department.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says his office will suspend mailing reminder notices on renewing motor vehicle registrations because there's still no state budget. White said Monday that interrupting the mailing service will save about $450,000 a month. White sent Gov. Bruce Rauner a letter last week warning of potential major problems at government facilities related to the budget standoff. He says vendors aren't being paid and are threatening to suspend services. He also worries that utilities could be shut off at the state Capitol in Springfield.