As the state is set to lift the mask mandate at the end of the month, a central Illinois Congressman said the move was needed a long time ago.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
U.S. Transportation Secretary to visit Bloomington-Normal
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is coming to Bloomington-Normal this weekend to highlight work the Department of Transportation is doing to make electric vehicles more accessible to more Americans. According to a news release, that includes launching a new Rural EV Toolkit and announcing historic infrastructure funding under the bipartisan infrastructure law.…… MORE
Illinois Municipal League announces wish list for General Assembly
The voice of Illinois cities, towns, and villages at the statehouse again has a wish list for the General Assembly.… MORE
New proposal aims to fight “organized retail crime”
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is taking another step against what’s called “organized retail crime.” It’s the department store smash-n-grab and also the looting of trucks and trains, much of it captured on video. State Attorney General Kwame Raoul says it can happen just about anywhere. “This type of crime does not restrict itself…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker calling for a freeze of the state’s gas tax
Less than a year after saying the tax on gasoline needed to be doubled and then indexed to inflation, Gov. JB Pritzker says the infrastructure projects it pays for can afford a freeze.… MORE
U of I professor: Republicans are crowding into a primary to determine who should take on Gov. Pritzker
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Once again in Illinois, a major candidate for governor has to introduce himself to most of the state. The mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, has some challenges, according to University of Illinois Springfield political science professor Kent Redfield. “He has to present himself in a way that makes it look…… MORE
State Rep. Brady on spring legislative session and cancelled days due to COVID
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Illinois lawmakers continue to meet virtually due to COVID-19. The House and Senate have cancelled almost all of their January session days, but committees are able to meet virtually. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) says there is a lot to accomplish, which includes a balanced state budget. He spoke with…… MORE
Cancelled session days hurting business in downtown Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When the lawmakers cancel session days, business in the capital city suffers. “We were really looking forward to these ten to twelve weeks,” said Scott Dahl, director of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s front-loaded, which really kicks off our year in January, February, and March, when we typically…… MORE
The candidate for state treasurer wants to combine that office with the state comptroller
A candidate for state treasurer wants to combine that office with that of state comptroller. But it was corruption which led Illinois to have separate offices to begin with.… MORE
Proposed Bloomington city budget includes tens of millions in reserves, plus Rivian revenue boost
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington residents got their first look at how the city government’s budget might look when the next fiscal year starts in May, and it shows strong revenue even as the area’s economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. At Monday night’s city council meeting, government staffers said they expect to present…… 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…