In what has turned into a struggling year for farmers, President Joe Biden announced millions of dollars in relief funds during a stop in Kankakee on Wednesday.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Gov. Pritzker calling on Congress to protect women’s reproductive rights
Gov. Pritzker urges Congress to act quickly to protect women’s reproductive rights.… MORE
Help’s available for farmers who need mental health counseling
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Arguably, few jobs are more stressful than farming, and the current wet conditions don’t help. “People in agriculture are independent. They don’t like asking for help. They think they can do things on their own,” said State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield). “They need support, they need help, just like the…… MORE
State leaders hold annual firefighter’s memorial ceremony
A warm, hazy morning Tuesday greeted those attending the annual firefighters’ memorial ceremony outside the Capitol.… MORE
State and contractors working to be more diverse and inclusive
Both the state and its contractors are working to be more diverse and inclusive. … MORE
New law aims to protect students with outstanding fees
A new state law will ensure public high school students are not negatively affected by any outstanding fees.… MORE
LaHood and Osman discuss electric vehicles
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As fewer people buy gasoline, someone will have to pick up the slack. And how to pay for road construction is not the only question. “You’ve got to put some money into the grid,” said former U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood, who is also a former congressman from Peoria. “The…… MORE
Treasurer: Millions up for grabs in McLean County
The Illinois Treasurers’ office is looking to return millions of dollars to McLean County residents.… MORE
Illinois auditor general report blasts Pritzker administration’s response to COVID outbreak in LaSalle
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – In what Republicans surely see as an election-year gift, the Illinois auditor general is blasting the Pritzker administration’s response to the covid-19 crisis at a state veterans’ home as way too slow. Gov. JB Pritzker saw the report overshadow some good news he wanted to share about a pension buyout…… MORE
State’s annual police memorial ceremony
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When the state held its annual police memorial ceremony Thursday, it was a constitutional officer with no connection to the deceased whose words moved the crowd to applause. “While I will say thank you, and God bless you and keep you safe,” said comptroller Susana Mendoza, “rather than words, I…… 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…