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
First Illinois harvest forecast of the year
The people who count crops for a living have the first 2023 yield forecast out.… MORE
Veterans’ celebration at the Illinois State Fair
When you are a veteran, you have something nobody can take away.… MORE
Decatur Republican alleges Gov. Pritzker has his thumb on the scales of justice
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Downstate lawmaker who brought the lawsuit challenging Gov. JB Pritzker over the state’s new assault weapons ban – a challenge which went down the tubes at the Illinois Supreme Court Friday – says he is disappointed but not surprised. “You know, this is Illinois,” said State Rep. Dan Caulkins…… MORE
Normal Planning Commission approves zoning code changes for dispensaries
Normal is one step closer to changing the zoning codes for cannabis businesses.… MORE
2023 Illinois State Fair Ag Day Breakfast canceled
The Illinois State Fair announced Thursday evening that the annual Ag Day Breakfast, set for Friday morning, has been canceled.… MORE
Twilight Parade wraps up day one at the Illinois State Fair
The statewide FFA leaders served as grand marshals for the Twilight Parade, which closed out the first day of the Illinois State Fair.… MORE
Illinois’ annual celebration of agriculture is underway
Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Illinois State Fair mixed the serious and the not-so-serious.… MORE
Roger Schmidgall named Citizen of the Year in Normal
Roger Schmidgall was honored as the Town of Normal’s 2023 Citizen of the Year at the town’s annual appreciation reception Wednesday.… 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…