By Dave Dahl CHICAGO – It’s impossible to tell whether any minds were changed during Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate, the second and final statewide debate put on by Nexstar Broadcasting and aired on its stations around the state, including WMBD Channel 31 in the Bloomington area. When asked what he believes the phrase “Black lives matter”…… MORE
By Dave Dahl NORMAL – The first of two statewide televised debates had both camps declaring victory, as Gov. JB Pritzker and State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) met Thursday night at Illinois State University in Normal. Nexstar Broadcasting put on the debate, airing on tee vee stations that included WMBD Channel 31 in Peoria and…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Former Gov. Jim Edgar rarely endorses candidates anymore. The Republican lawmaker going for another of Edgar’s old jobs – secretary of state – is an exception. “Realistically,” Edgar told a crowded room at a Republican campaign office near the Capitol Thursday, State Rep. “Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has the best chance…… MORE
State Senator Jason Barickman calls Gov. Pritzkers Safe-T Act, which abolishes cash bail, an “overreach.”… MORE
Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on State Sens. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) and Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort) to resign. … MORE
The checks will be in the mail. Or in your direct deposit.… MORE
A gathering of sheriffs in Springfield Tuesday gave State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) another opportunity to present himself as the law-and-order candidate for governor against incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker in November.… MORE
A candidate for Illinois secretary of state says there’s still far too much paperwork and delay in that office.… MORE
By Dave Dahl LEXINGTON – The candidates for the two top offices on the ballot this November – U.S. Senate and governor – presented their views in separate speeches in Lexington Wednesday. The Schuler Farms in McLean County hosted the Illinois Farm Bureau Candidates’ Roundtable. The city of Chicago has become the OK Corral, with…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When Republican Bruce Rauner was governor, he arrived at his party’s Illinois State Fair rally on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), the GOP candidate for governor this year, may have done him one better: showing up in a green John Deere 410 tractor. That was part of…… 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…