Two new lawsuits allege decades of sexual abuse at a Chicago juvenile detention center. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Illinois lawmaker calls for strengthening protection for homeschooled children
By Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois lawmaker heading a child welfare committee said the state must strengthen its laws and policies to protect homeschooled children facing inadequate education, abuse and neglect. Rep. Terra Costa Howard, the chair of the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee in the Illinois House, called for action following a…… MORE
Illinois leaders believe they can still stem the tide of gun violence in the state
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois leaders maintain optimism that the state can continue pushing back against gun violence. “We are all acutely aware of mass shootings, school shootings, they offend our sensibility,” said Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). “I remind people regularly that there is a mass shooting every weekend in the…… MORE
State political leaders react to President Biden withdrawing from 2024 election
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – On just her third day as chairwoman of the Illinois Republican Party, Kathy Salvi sees only good things for Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump in Sunday’s announcement that President Biden will not continue his re-election campaign. “There is a very angry vote that will be coming and will…… MORE
U of I professor calling Sangamon County murder an outlier
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A University of Illinois professor says the police shooting of a woman who called 9-1-1 for help is an outlier. Ryan Williams teaches criminology and criminal justice in Springfield and says … the story of now-former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson killing Sonya Massey is a rarity of rarities.…… MORE
State’s largest privately owned water utilities seek rate increase amid lawmaker scrutiny
The two largest privately owned water utilities in Illinois are seeking to raise rates for a combined 1.5 million customers around the state. … MORE
Senator Durbin showing support for Pres. Biden to remain in the race
President Joe Biden returns to the campaign trail next week after battling a case of COVID-19.… MORE
Former Sangamon County Sheriff Deputy in court Thursday on July 3 murder charges
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy accused of first-degree murder was in court Thursday afternoon, a day after his indictment and arrest. Loved ones of Sonya Massey of Springfield would not comment after the hearing but applauded when Judge Ryan Cadigan ordered Sean Grayson, 30, held without bond. Prosecutors say…… MORE
Former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy faces murder charges in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The July 6 shooting death by police of a 36-year-old Springfield woman has been ruled not justified. Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson is jailed on a five-count murder indictment and has been fired from his job. “Those of us who have been born and raised in Springfield know that…… MORE
Amid heavy rainfall in southern Illinois, Nashville dam system breached; hundreds evacuated
Two days of heavy rainfall caused water to overflow and breach the dams of Nashville’s city reservoir on Tuesday, resulting in extensive flooding and the evacuation of about 200 people from their homes in the small southern Illinois town of about 3,000 residents.… 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…