Illinois senators Wednesday heard from educational experts about the difficulties students are experiencing in 2020.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Pritzker isn’t budging on contact sports this fall
Contact sports are still a no-go this fall, according to Gov. JB Pritzker.… MORE
Joint committee tackling “tough-on-crime” strategies
The idea of putting people into prisons is that, some day, they will get out and become better citizens.… MORE
Pritzker: State and municipal workers could be laid off without federal aid
Expect more unemployment – this time in the public sector – unless help comes from Washington.… MORE
Investigative committee in contact with U.S. attorney Lausch
There’s some progress to report in the work of the special committee investigating Commonwealth Edison and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).… MORE
UIS helps parents help e-learners
“This is the most exciting year to be in education!”… MORE
Teachers say it’s hard to detect signs of neglect in virtual learning
If the teacher and student are in the same room, it’s easier to detect signs of neglect or abuse. A panel of state senators Monday heard about the problems distance learning creates.… MORE
Illinois corn harvesting has begun
Illinois corn has just begun the harvest.… MORE
Annual “Ride to Remember 9-11”
Hundreds of motorcycles roared through Springfield Sunday morning for an annual observance of 9-11: the “Ride to Remember,” starting at the Harley-Davidson dealership in town and ending at the 9-11 memorial on the Capitol grounds.… MORE
Republican lawmaker complains about IDES
A Republican lawmaker is making sure someone is still out there, complaining about the problems the state is having getting unemployment benefits to those who have them coming.… 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…