The federal government has revoked the visas of some international students studying at universities across Illinois, but college administrators are sharing few details, including how many students have been impacted. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Supreme Court rules House Republicans waited too long to challenge maps
Illinois House Republicans waited too long to file a lawsuit challenging legislative maps drawn in 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.… MORE
At Jones trial, jury hears lawmaker bringing colleague into fold of ‘personal benefits’
On a warm Tuesday evening in late June 2019, state Sen. Emil Jones III walked out onto the patio at a suburban steakhouse and into an hourslong dinner that would set the table for alleged bribes — and subsequent federal corruption charges.… MORE
Lawmakers seek ways to prevent data centers from straining Illinois’ power grids
By LEONARDO PINIMedill Illinois News [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — Illinois has been at the forefront of the data center boom, but state lawmakers are working to gauge and mitigate the impact these centers have on climate and energy consumption. In the last two decades, data centers have multiplied due to increased demand for cloud computing, information…… MORE
Amid global tariff war, Pritzker vows to be ‘stable’ trading partner with United Kingdom
Gov. JB Pritzker vowed Tuesday that Illinois will remain a “stable” trading partner with nations around the world, despite President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs that have disrupted global markets.… MORE
Bill banning dwarfism slur as mascot passes House
The House passed a bill Tuesday that would ban public schools from using mascots that discriminate against people with disabilities.… MORE
Illinois nursing homes seek Medicaid rate hike
Nursing home industry officials are urging Illinois lawmakers to increase the rates they receive from the state’s Medicaid system, arguing the current rates are outdated and are forcing many facilities around the state out of business.… MORE
Tens of thousands of Illinoisans take to the streets to protest Trump and Musk agenda
Tens of thousands of Illinoisans across the state took to the streets Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s and billionaire Elon Musk’s government downsizing, foreign policy choices and actions on the economy, immigration and human rights. … MORE
State Sen. Emil Jones III bribery trial set to begin 2 ½ years after indictment
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday morning in the federal corruption trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, who stands accused of accepting alleged bribes from a red-light camera company executive whose cooperation with the feds has also brought down several other Chicago-area politicians.… MORE
It’s not just Chicago. Downstate public transit agencies face funding challenges
Outside the busy systems of buses and trains moving about a million commuters around Chicago and its suburbs every day, 54 public transit agencies provide services throughout the rest of Illinois in communities surrounded by farmland and or home to state colleges and universities. … 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…