By WMBD-TV CHICAGO – The Illinois Poison Center is warning residents of the increased presence of foodborne illnesses as the warmer months roll in. Why now and not winter? Basically with outdoor celebrations, hot food fails to stay hot and cold food fails to stay cold, increasing the risk of food poisoning. That, plus bugs…… MORE
A teacher, paratrooper, lawmaker, college and pro athlete, and Secretary of State will have his name on a state office building in Chicago.… MORE
Disabled Illinoisans who make a sub-minimum wage in community workshops would eventually make the minimum, if a bill which passed the House Thursday becomes law.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers have not finished a state budget, but – pending the governor’s signature – there is an official state mushroom.… MORE
State Rep. Dan Caulkins, a Republican from Decatur, wants to suspend the annual increase in the state’s gas tax for two years. … MORE
By WMBD-TV FULTON COUNTY – The Fulton County Health Department announced a pool of mosquitoes in Cuba have tested positive for West Nile Virus. According to their Facebook, the mosquitoes were collected on May 17. The Administrator of Fulton County Health Department Katie Lynn said, “West Nile virus activity has been present in the state, and…… MORE
HB 817 has passed the House, 98-14.… MORE
Unless they’re serving a life sentence, prisoners will get out and return to society. But ex-convicts have trouble securing gainful employment. People at a news conference at the Capitol say a bill awaiting Senate action would help. … MORE
A long struggle by a Native American tribe to reclaim its land in DeKalb County would be resolved if a bill which has passed an Illinois House committee becomes law.… MORE
As the Illinois General Assembly waits for a budget to be put together for a hoped-for Friday vote, other legislation is passing.… 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…