By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The new congressional map is headed to the governor’s desk. Highlights, if you will, include sprawling, strangely shaped districts, potential primaries, and hard feelings. “The people will get the type of government that we have designed for them,” said State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) late Tuesday. “A government that is…… MORE
The process of creating a new congressional map for Illinois – following the Census – is necessary, and it’s also a little ugly.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is about to repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion act – seen as the last abortion restriction standing. The legislature finished it off late Wednesday night. The pro-life faction says parents and kids should have good relationships, and if they don’t, the kids can always go to court. Repeal…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Disagreement over the covid vaccine bubbled up again … when the Illinois House Wednesday debated – and passed – a bill tightening a “Right of Conscience” act so you can’t use it to get out of your employer’s testing and vaccine requirements. Like other opponents, State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville)…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local lawmaker has been weighing his options the last few months about a run for statewide office. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has been exploring the idea of running for Illinois Secretary of State. Current Secretary of State Jesse White, a Democrat, has held the office since 1998, but…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ law requiring parents to be notified if their daughter is getting an abortion may not be on the books much longer. A proposed repeal has passed the Senate and moves to the House. All Republicans joined State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) in voting against. “The parental notification, thankfully, saves…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A committee Tuesday approved a bill to, in effect, allow employers to fire you for not following your workplace’s covid regulations. The bill, which now awaits House debate, amends the “health care right of conscience” act such that you cannot use your religious beliefs as a reason to bypass tests…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – It took the mayor to break a tie and confirm the appointment of Bloomington business owner De Urban to fill the Ward 6 seat formerly held by Jenn Carrillo. The vote came after the city council heard from Carrillo herself and seven city residents opposing Urban’s appointment. They claimed Urban…… MORE
There’s now a Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force in the Illinois House. The chairman, State Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), said it’s serious business.… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said Friday he’s nominating a downtown business owner to fill the vacant Ward 6 city council seat. De Urban is owner of Alley Kats Art and Antiques, and must win majority council approval to fill the seat formerly held by Jenn Carrillo, who resigned because she…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…