Gov. JB Pritzker had what he considered good news at his coronavirus briefing – the 42nd in a row.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Barickman: State’s budget a top priority
Illinois lawmakers haven’t been in session for over a month and this is normally one of the busiest times of year in Springfield, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman.… MORE
Budget analysts give options for perilous Illinois budget, expect deep cuts
Budgetary experts say Illinois is in for some real pain when lawmakers get around to crafting a budget for the coming fiscal year that will be marred by low revenue and higher bills due to the economic fallout over COVID-19 shutdowns.… MORE
Bloomington council urged to boost aid to hardest hit in pandemic’s fallout
A Bloomington City Council member is calling on the council to support using taxpayer dollars for direct aid to residents feeling economic hardships from the coronavirus pandemic.… MORE
DCFS suspends some foster care visits, parents turn to technology to stay connected
Parents of children in foster have turned to technology to stay in touch with their children after DCFS suspended some in-person visits to reduce the spread of COVID-19. … MORE
Report: State has spent more than $1.7 million dollars on secret charter flights from China for PPE
Gov. J.B. Pritzker defended his decision Wednesday to arrange for two charter flights to transport millions of masks and gloves from China to Illinois to bolster the state’s limited supply of personal protective equipment as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Richards to lead McLean County Democrats; Beard re-elected to GOP chair
A busy night in the virtual political ring as McLean County Democrats, Republican precinct committee people and the McLean County Libertarian party elect leaders.… MORE
Rep. Brady sees state making some progress processing jobless benefits
People who’ve filed for unemployment benefits are starting to get their checks, although for many, the checks aren’t coming fast enough, State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) said late Tuesday.… MORE
Public health officials survey COVID-19 cases, track recovery rates
Public health officials released new figures Tuesday showing that more than 40 percent of people with COVID-19 got better within a week and recovery rates increased with additional time. … MORE
Illinois House GOP members discuss problems with filing for unemployment
A top Illinois Republican is sick and tired of the complaints about the Illinois Department of Employment Security.… 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…