By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Given the abundance of possibilities, you would think it would be difficult to select Illinois’ official state nut. State Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington) says that’s not the case. “The wood of the black walnut tree is highly valued by furniture makers for its durability and attractive color, and the nuts…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The discussion of book banning has entered the Illinois General Assembly. The House passed a bill which would deny state grants to libraries which go along with book bans. “To me, this is a complete go-around. An end-around on the local control and authority of library boards,” said State Rep.…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Opposite sides of Second Street, opposite views on abortion. That’s how things played out on a grey midday Tuesday in Springfield. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois said with the Dobbs decision a year ago, in which the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Row v. Wade and returned abortion…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Protection for whistleblowers is the topic of a bill the attorney general is calling attention to. “Fear of retaliation is the single greatest factor to discourage victims of labor abuses from seeking justice,” said Kwame Raoul, adding that bosses’ bad behavior crosses a line when it includes intimidation, threats, and…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Now that Chrysler’s parent company is no longer making Jeeps in Belvidere – and expanding its electric-vehicle operations not in Illinois, but in Kokomo, Ind. – Republican lawmakers have had enough. They say while Illinois still has a great workforce and unmatched transportation networks, property taxes and now a guaranteed…… MORE
The Illinois House minority leader looks to bat .500 on her anti-drug bills.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois might go for “ranked choice voting” in the next presidential primaries – in which you can name follow-up choices if your favorite candidate drops out. The Illinois House Ethics and Elections Committee brought in Fair Vote’s Terrance Carroll, who says this promotes issues, as candidates “tend to be more…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police are seeing an increase in road rage. There are a lot of angry drivers across the state, but especially in the Chicago area where road rage is tied to quite a few expressway shootings said ISP Trooper Jayme Bufford. “If other drivers are following too closely or…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – It’s the Illinois Supreme Court’s turn to decide whether the elimination of cash bail in the state is constitutional. The court heard oral arguments, as a lower court ruled against the legislature and tossed out the law. Arguing there’s never been a need for cash bail, assistant solicitor general Alex…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Giving your workers peace of mind is valuable, say proponents of a new law requiring employers to offer paid leave. So valuable, they say, that workers will become more productive and more dedicated, knowing they can tend to their personal affairs or stay home sick without fear of losing money…… 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…