U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Monday in the 2026 Democratic primary for Illinois’ open seat to replace longtime Sen. Dick Durbin. … MORE
Category Archives: State Election News
Pritzker balances messaging as some Dems encourage party to avoid LGBTQ issues
When Gov. JB Pritzker tells audiences how he became interested in politics, it often starts with stories about his mother. … MORE
Illinois’ community colleges see nearly 9% spike in spring enrollment
Enrollment at Illinois community colleges grew to more than 285,000 in the spring semester this year, an 8.9% increase over a year ago and the largest spring-to-spring enrollment increase since the Illinois Community College Board began collecting systemwide data in the late 1990s.… MORE
Current flag wins state flag redesign vote
The Illinois state flag may be around a lot longer, it turns out. … MORE
Pritzker says federal funds still being withheld; warns of further spending cuts
Gov. JB Pritzker accused the Trump administration this week of continuing to withhold nearly $1.9 billion from Illinois state agencies, nonprofits and small businesses, despite the fact that an order to freeze those funds was rescinded after a federal judge issued a ruling blocking the freeze.… MORE
BREAKING: Pritzker proposes $2B in spending growth without new income or service taxes
Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter the fiscal landscape. … MORE
Groups demand release of after-school program funding
Organizations that provide tutoring, recreation and other after-school programs are calling on Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education to release $50 million that was included in this year’s budget to fund those programs.… MORE
McClain lawyer calls star witnesses liars as trial nears conclusion
Jurors hearing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s trial are finally scheduled to begin deliberations Wednesday afternoon more than three months after testimony in the case began.… MORE
House Republicans ask state Supreme Court to toss out legislative map
Democrats continue to hold a supermajority in the Illinois House thanks to illegally gerrymandered House districts, House Republicans allege in a new lawsuit filed with the Illinois Supreme Court Tuesday. … MORE
‘Suspicion doesn’t cut it’: Madigan attorney urges jury to ‘see the man, not the myth’
As former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s defense lawyers began their closing arguments last week, attorney Dan Collins pointed to something the former speaker said when he took the witness stand earlier this month.… 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…