Conditions improved over the past week but most of Illinois remains in a drought.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Illinois gas prices slightly down from last week
Gas prices in Illinois are down about five cents over the week, averaging $3.81 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.… MORE
Gov. JB Pritzker announces a six-year, $41 billion transportation infrastructure plan
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Announcing the largest multi-year transportation plan in state history, Gov. JB Pritzker (at lectern) responded to a reporter’s question about the pace of construction in the state. “Early on in the pandemic, it made it easier for work to be done, because there were fewer cars on the highways,” said…… MORE
Officials in Springfield call attention to the shortage of cancer drugs
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) stopped by Simmons Cancer Institute in Springfield Wednesday to call attention to the shortage of cancer drugs.… MORE
Bailey announces run for Congress
Eight months after losing the election to Gov. JB Pritzker, Darren Bailey made a Fourth of July announcement on his Clay County farm – he’s running for Congress.… MORE
New state law clarifies when a hotel can remove an unruly guest
Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a law protecting hotel workers from unruly guests.… MORE
State climatologist: June was slightly cooler and definitely drier than normal
The preliminary statewide average temperature last month was 71 degrees. That’s about a degree below normal.… MORE
Illinois gas prices down about 10 cents from last week
As people continue to travel during the Independence Day holiday, gas prices in Illinois are much lower compared to last year.… MORE
Illinois Tollway expects more than 9 million vehicles on the roads over the 4th of July weekend
The Illinois Tollway is gearing up for a busy 4th of July holiday weekend.… MORE
IBHE: U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action is disappointing
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) says Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling is a step backwards for racial equity at 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…