By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The “Little Giant” has a big cheerleader who wants the Stephen Douglas statue returned to the Capitol lawn. Reg Ankrom of Quincy is two thirds of the way through writing a trilogy biography of Douglas and has a spirited defense at the ready: “Douglas did not own slaves.” Ankrom notes…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 22, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 66.1 degrees, 1.0 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.40 inches, 0.51 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 23 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture…… MORE
We’re getting used to working and doing other business remotely, and medical care is no exception. … MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Despite some rain, Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community – and its allies – turned out for Pridefest, the first one in person since the pandemic. Entertainment, food trucks, and booths from businesses and organizations filled the blocks just east of the Capitol Saturday. One of the organizers, Dean Mentjes, described the experience…… MORE
A little sticker carries a big penalty – 500 dollars per day – if gas stations don’t put them on the pump. The gas stations are now suing the state. … MORE
A University of Illinois expert in securities law and cross-border transactions says sanctions against Russia are not guaranteed to be effective. … MORE
By Dave Dahl If your grandparents were adventurous enough to fly, they just may have ridden on a plane which is the main attraction at the Experimental Aircraft Association show in Springfield Thursday through Sunday. It’s the Ford Tri-Motor, built in 1928 and sort of a precursor to the DC-3. Organizer John Salz, president of…… MORE
By HOI ABC SPRINGFIELD – The mother of Jelani Day, the late Illinois State University graduate student, is pleased the bill named for her son is now the law in Illinois. Gov. JB Pritzker has signed legislation requiring local law enforcement notify the FBI within 72 hours after the discovery of a body. Day went…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Four days after another bad report card for his child welfare agency, Gov. JB Pritzker defended both the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and its director, Marc Smith. An audit released last week blasted the Department of Children and Family Services for not keeping up on children’s vaccinations,…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Two former state senators are now awaiting word from the Illinois Supreme Court about their effort to recover pay they say they lost unconstitutionally. Attorney Michael Scotti represents Mike Noland and James Clayborne, he said during oral arguments Wednesday, “in their efforts to rectify the wrongful circumstances created by the…… 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…