There were 6.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 20, 2023. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
IDNR implementing climate action plan
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be installing electric vehicle charging stations at state parks.… MORE
Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair featured more winners
An unusual ending to the Illinois State Fair livestock auction allowed more money to go to the winners.… MORE
Wednesday marks Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair
The Governor’s Day brunch at the BOS Center Wednesday morning was a Democratic love fest.… MORE
Illinois Capitol is a giant construction zone these days
Coming to work to supervise a $240 million renovation of the north wing of the state Capitol is quite a rush for Andrea Aggertt.… MORE
New law will help members of FFA and 4-H
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When you are a busy high school student – juggling academics and activities – the last thing you need is a black mark on your attendance record. Now, a new law will help members of FFA and 4-H by declaring time missed for those duties excused absences. “At least my…… MORE
Ranked choice voting a possibility in future Illinois elections
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A bill the governor has signed could introduce “ranked choice voting” to Illinois. Voters “would have the opportunity to select their first, second, third, or more choices to ensure that one candidate gets at least fifty percent of the vote in an election,” says advocate State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des…… MORE
State Capitol dealing with construction zones
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Coming to work to supervise a $240 million renovation of the north wing of the state Capitol is quite a rush for Andrea Aggertt. “It is a pretty overwhelming feeling to be in charge of such an historic renovation … it’s great. Speechless. Daily,” said Aggertt, director of the Office…… MORE
2023 Golden Abe award at Illinois State Fair
For many of us, the Illinois State Fair is about food. And an annual contest to select the best fair food has resulted in another win for Classic Kitchen.… MORE
Veterans’ celebration at the Illinois State Fair
When you are a veteran, you have something nobody can take away.… 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…