Category Archives: Local News

Adults can use cannabis for fun starting Jan. 1, here’s how Illinois’ new law works

Adults can use cannabis for fun starting Jan. 1, here’s how Illinois’ new law works

By Illinois Radio Network SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, it will be legal for adults to possess and use recreational marijuana in Illinois, but new law includes limits on how much residents can have and where they can use it. Executive Director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois Pam Althoff said legal marijuana will mean…MORE

New report says Illinois EPA needs more funding, staff

New report says Illinois EPA needs more funding, staff

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for protecting the environment and public health, has struggled amid funding and staffing declines – the agency has half the staff it had 15 years ago – and rollbacks of environmental protections are making its job more difficult.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…