By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Republicans Thursday will respond to what the Democrats had to say on their day at the fair Wednesday. “Look at who is winning these primaries on the Republican side,” said secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias, a former state treasurer. “They are crazy as hell and are saying and…… MORE
Now that gubernatorial candidate State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) has drawn more criticism for comparing abortion to the Holocaust, Republicans all over the state are being asked about it.… MORE
The bill which kept senators busy in Washington all weekend, and which only passed with the Vice President casting a tie-breaking vote, is a big win for the environment, says Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council.… MORE
Illinoisans can sign up for permanent mail-in voting starting Wednesday.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As so often happens, the newsmakers show up at an event, and the reporters’ questions are about something different. Monday was no exception. Indiana’s solidifying abortion restrictions, causing major employers Eli Lilly and Cummins to wonder how much more business they want to do there. Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot would…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A new leader is in place for Illinois Democrats. State Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) succeeds U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), as some in the party – including Gov. JB Pritzker – said Kelly’s fund-raising abilities have been hampered by her status as a federal officeholder. “This past week has been…… MORE
A Central Illinois congressman, who fell in the primary, is detailing his next career path.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – One of the first things Gov. JB Pritzker did after defeating a nominal opponent in Tuesday’s primary was to sit for two days of interviews with statehouse reporters. He told WJBC’s Dave Dahl that “anti-corruption” Aurora mayor Richard Irvin turned out to be corrupt himself, and that Republican primary winner…… MORE
Admitting she voted for herself, State Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) strolled into the Christian County courthouse in Taylorville Tuesday morning and participated in early voting. … MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The six men seeking the Republican nomination for governor debated Thursday for ABC-7 in Chicago. Unsurprisingly, guns and school safety were major issues. “Our schools can be soft-armored. Each classroom can become a safe zone,” said State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia). “In our area, law enforcement takes a very active…… 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…