Illinois’ hospitals had been hemorrhaging money because of the COVID-19 crisis. To help, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced that hospitals will receive a lifeline of $75 million in new federal money to help hospitals. … MORE
Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), urging the legislature and governor to stay in Springfield, wants more from both – particularly Gov. Pritzker.… MORE
Final preparations are being made for the graduated income tax amendment in Illinois. The Senate Thursday night approved the language for the ballot as well as a mailer outlining arguments for and against.… MORE
The Illinois National Guard will be packing up at the McLean County Fairgrounds Friday but the drive thru testing site is staying put.… MORE
Lawmakers are in Springfield to deal with the budget – and it was a topic at the Gov. JB Pritzker’s daily news conference Thursday.… MORE
With Governor J.B. Pritzker altering the phase three plan for restoring Illinois, many establishments will be opening sooner rather than later, and State Senator Jason Barickman sees it as progress.… MORE
Remember when Illinois had Primary Election Day despite the pandemic? A proposal to expand vote-by-mail for the general election – in 2020 only – is making progress in the Illinois General Assembly.… MORE
The Illinois state representative who made national news by suing Gov. JB Pritzker over his “stay home” order was kicked out of the Illinois House Wednesday because he refuses to wear a face mask.… MORE
One of the big points which have upset Illinois Republicans is by the wayside — for now.… MORE
Two words: al fresco.… 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…