Recreational marijuana sales in Illinois topped $3 million Wednesday.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington woman asking for kidney for her husband
The New Year finds one couple in the Twin Cities desperate for a gift from an organ donor.… MORE
Some question bans, taxes on vaping products amid black market safety concerns
Many parents and politicians want to keep e-cigarettes and vaping products out of the hands of children, but an economist warned that heavy-handed restrictions could create a thriving black market.… MORE
Illinois ends cannabis prohibition with first legal sales across state
Thousands of people across the state lined up on New Year’s Day to buy pot on the first day of the end of cannabis prohibition in Illinois.… MORE
Libraries across Illinois are waiving late fees to encourage more use of public resources
Public libraries across Illinois are either eliminating late fees or are looking into such a policy.… MORE
Cannabis now legal in Illinois but law enforcement questions still remain
Adults 21 and older in Illinois can purchase, carry and privately consume cannabis in Illinois as the state ends prohibition, but there are still concerns from some in the law enforcement community.… MORE
New law expected to increase the number of poker runs, raffles in Illinois
Expect more poker runs and raffles in Illinois in 2020 thanks to a new law that takes effect Jan. 1 allowing non-statewide law enforcement associations to conduct such events.… MORE
Food stamps in restaurants, gender-neutral bathrooms among 250 new laws coming to Illinois on Jan. 1
More than 250 laws take effect next month in Illinois, changing the rules for everything from vehicle trade-ins to bathroom signs.… MORE
Illinois’ population loss more than 51,000 in 2019, most in past decade
Illinois lost nearly 105,000 people in net domestic migration between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, according to new numbers released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau. In total, the Land of Lincoln lost on net 51,250 people, the largest annual population decline this decade.… MORE
AAA: Gas prices up, will decrease after holidays
The holiday season has brought a spike in gas prices.… MORE
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…