Gov-elect Rauner names comptroller choice

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO – Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner has announced a onetime state legislative candidate and businesswoman as his pick for Illinois' next comptroller.  

In a news release issued Monday, Rauner says Leslie Munger has been focused on fiscal and economic issues.  

Munger lost in November to Democratic state Rep. Carol Sente for a suburban Chicago legislative seat. Munger has also served as a Republican precinct committeewoman.  

The 58-year-old is a graduate of the University of Illinois and has a master's in business from Northwestern University. She's held director and management positions at Helene Curtis Industries and Proctor & Gamble.  

Munger will fill the position left vacant by the death last month of Judy Baar Topinka.  

This week, Illinois lawmakers are expected to consider the possibility of a 2016 special election to complete Topinka's term. 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…