By IIS Radio CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s asking the Illinois Attorney General to investigate shady COVID-19 testing sites. There have been reports of pop-up testing locations, that in some cases aren’t even giving people their results says the governor. “Some of them may be fly-by-night pop-up testing where all they are doing…… MORE
For as much as the governor talks about Illinois being a leader in the pandemic fight, the numbers are still worrisome. … MORE
It’s the same advice from Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike: get your shots, get your booster, wear a mask, wash your hands, social distance, stay home if you are sick.… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Several non-profit groups are getting an early Christmas present on behalf of a Chicago World War II veteran. 85-year-old Ernest Ulrich died 22 years ago, but his wishes to donate more than $2 million to various groups were never fulfilled. That is, until now says Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs. “We…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – A look back at Illinois weather this year. February 2021 was brutally cold, with many records set all over the state. Spring and summer featured plenty of rainfall in central and southern Illinois, while the northern part of the state remained dry says State Climatologist Trent Ford. “The 2021 northern…… MORE
By WJBC Staff GIBSON CITY – State Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City) on Monday announced his re-election campaign to the 106th District. “I’m proud to work on issues important to this region, including improving roads and infrastructure, increased funding for K-12 schools, economic development, and supporting public safety,” Bennett said in a news release. In…… MORE
The baby Baphomet – a goatlike creature worshipped by Satanists – has taken its place alongside a Christmas tree, Nativity, and menorah in the Capitol Rotunda.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The problems of being needy – to the point of homelessness – expand the farther you are from a medium-sized or big city. Getting things done, says Meredith Montgomery, takes money. “We’re looking at the opportunity to ask the state to appropriate money from the emergency relief funding to improve…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) may be getting more publicity than the other Republicans running for governor, but one political watcher says he still has serious flaws as a candidate. John Jackson, a visiting professor of political science at Southern Illinois University’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, says Bailey lacks…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – State lawmakers and one of the big teachers’ unions in the state are arm-in-arm on a new proposal to try to make schools safer. Legislation – still being drawn up – would crack down on school districts which do not follow security mandates. And it’s easy for State Rep. Fred…… 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…