Not even eight hours after an announcement that a state budget deal is on track to get to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) adjourned his chamber for the night just before 11 p.m. Wednesday without voting on the bill.… MORE
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is releasing a report on the extent of child sexual abuse in the Catholic church.… MORE
Durbin was in Lincoln to announce a rural health initiative: the Roadmap to Grow Illinois’ Rural Healthcare Workforce.… MORE
Once Democratic leaders in the Illinois General Assembly announced lawmakers would return Wednesday, you had some angry Republicans.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – At downtown Springfield’s Pridefest Saturday, there were as many stories as there were people. Scott March, a teacher at Southeast High School in Springfield, said starting and sponsoring a Gay Straight Alliance was the correct thing to do. “My big brother, who is gay, was also a Southeast Spartan, and…… MORE
Illinois lawmakers missed a self-imposed deadline of May 19 to finish their work for the spring, as there was never even a hint of a budget.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When the leaders of the Illinois General Assembly drew up their 2023 schedule, today – May 19 – was supposed to be the last day of the session. But the lawmakers will have to be in some more days – probably next week – to consider a budget for the…… MORE
HB 1286 awaits full Senate action.… MORE
By Jake Fogal SPRINGFIELD – A bill in the Senate that would provide a $500 state income tax credit for volunteer firefighters is picking up steam in the final week of session down in Springfield. The proposal asks for the state budget to include an income tax credit, which would support Illinois’ dire need for…… MORE
A state lawmaker’s challenge to the assault weapons ban passed last year is in the hands of the Illinois Supreme Court.… 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…