Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that would put mental health on a par with physical health in the state’s public schools.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Special Illinois House committee to meet Tuesday on challenge against appointed representative’s qualifications
An appointed state lawmaker running in next month’s primary could have her qualifications challenged, starting with a hearing this week.… MORE
Health advocates want to limit prior authorization by insurance companies
Doctors and patients say they’ve had it with some paper-pusher at an insurance company standing between you and your treatment.… MORE
Illinois gun dealers raise concerns with Firearm License Certification Act rules
Illinois gun dealers told Illinois State Police officials about their concerns with the rules for the Firearm License Certification Act.… MORE
Republicans say Illinois schools being held ‘hostage’ by ‘bullying’ as governor plans to withhold money unless progressive tax passed
After Illinois state lawmakers toiled for years over changing the formula for how the state funds school districts, Republicans said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to hold back millions unless voters approve a progressive income tax puts that in jeopardy.… MORE
Pritzker: Being caught on wiretaps with Blagojevich in 2008 ‘has nothing to do with where we are today’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday the secretly-recorded conversations he had with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2008 have no bearing on his efforts to fight corruption in Illinois.… MORE
Questions about education funding and the proposed progressive income tax
Some lawmakers are accusing the governor of playing politics with education funding. … MORE
Governor touts the plans he has for higher education
A post-budget-speech victory lap at the University of Illinois Chicago Thursday included a pitch to help College Illinois.… MORE
Illinois House Republicans say governor’s proposed budget holds state ‘hostage’
Republicans said the governor’s proposed budget was based on “pixie dust” and was designed to hold state spending “hostage” unless voters approve a $3 billion progressive income tax in November.
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Pearson: Blagojevich can run for Congress
Many are still in shock and wondering why President Trump commuted the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.… 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…