Cities would have an easier time getting bike lanes and sidewalks put in, under a bill advancing in the Illinois House.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Senate bill would exempt lemonade stands from regulations
Ah, the innocent days of a lemonade stand. A card table on the sidewalk, a pitcher, ice, paper cups – and the public health department getting all up in your business.… MORE
Illinois Democrats select new party chairwoman
Illinois Democrats chose U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) to be their new state party chairwoman. … MORE
Bloomington mayoral hopefuls weigh in on weathering the pandemic, Welcoming City proposal
Two of the three candidates for Bloomington mayor believe economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic pose the most serious challenge for leaders in the Twin-Cities, while the other mayoral hopeful sees political polarization as the most difficult problem.… MORE
Another candidate for Illinois Secretary of State
Assuming Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White makes good – this time – on his retirement plans, there’s no shortage of candidates.… MORE
Illinois Democrats to elect new leader
A woman of color from the Chicago area will succeed Mike Madigan as Democratic Party chair in Illinois. We’ll know Wednesday night which one.… MORE
Normal’s mayor, council rival argue over water quality as leaders pass budget
A four-hour Normal Town Council meeting Monday night included disagreement whether Mayor Chris Koos’ neighborhood has rusty water.… MORE
Sen. Durbin calls on lawmakers to pass Pres. Biden’s proposed $1.9 Trillion relief package
In a speech on the Senate floor, Illinois’s Senior U.S. Senator is calling on lawmakers to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package with only weeks left until unemployment benefits run out.… MORE
Madigan’s successor resigns three days after appointment
Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt – a handpicked successor of former Rep. Mike Madigan – resigned Wednesday morning, just three days after his appointment.… MORE
Voters pick two finalists in race for Ward 7 Bloomington council seat
Two candidates declared victory Tuesday night to become the finalists vying for the Ward 7 seat on the Bloomington City Council.… 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…