By week’s end, Illinois lawmakers just may pass a budget and adjourn.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Illinois GOP members react to DeSantis visit
The state’s Republicans Friday could only look and listen, and think, someday that could be us, as they took in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ keynote address at a GOP dinner in Peoria.… MORE
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes stop in Peoria
Illinois Republicans Friday got a look at something they do not have of their own: a statewide winner.… MORE
Illinois House GOP lawmakers propose some job-friendly legislation
With just a week to go in the legislative session, Illinois House Republicans say they have numerous good bills, if supermajority Democrats would only pay attention.… MORE
Some Illinois Republicans accusing Pritzker administration of trying to entrap law-abiding gun owners
The state’s assault weapons ban is still not sorted out.… MORE
State lawmakers pass bill that punishes public libraries for book banning
HB 2789 awaits the governor’s action.… MORE
Bill intended to watch out for bullied school kids awaits a vote in the Illinois Senate
In the year 2023, bullying means cyberbullying. … MORE
Illinois Senate Republicans introduce package of bills to fight crime, empower victims
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Senate Republicans have a package of bills which they say will put the priority back on the victims. “Over the last several years,” said State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), “Illinois has seen policies and proposals that prioritize criminals, while seemingly making victims out to be second-class citizens. “This is…… MORE
Next mayor of Chicago addresses Illinois House and Senate
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House and Senate Wednesday welcomed the next mayor of Chicago to a rare joint session. Brandon Johnson called Chicago a union town and Illinois a union state. “Just look at our state constitution, where we grant workers the fundamental right to organize and to collectively bargain. Right there…… MORE
Hundreds of gun owners rally in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Two days after Audrey Hale killed six people in a Nashville Christian school, the Illinois State Rifle Association put on its annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, featuring a program at the BOS Center, a march down Capitol Avenue, and a rally in front of the statehouse. The group’s leader…… 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…