Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed growing spending by about $2 billion without new income or service taxes in the upcoming fiscal year – though his administration acknowledged policy changes by the Trump administration could drastically alter the fiscal landscape. … MORE
Pritzker to call for expansion of 4-year degree offerings at some community colleges
The Illinois Community College System headquarters is pictured in downtown Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Campbell)… MORE
State official: renewable investments ‘best thing’ to lower energy costs
With an increasing number of officials warning Illinois might struggle to meet its renewable energy goals, regulators and lawmakers met Tuesday to discuss how the state should regulate its energy industry. … MORE
Eliminating immigrant spending, boosting education funding top Senate Republican budget priorities
A day ahead of Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual budget address Wednesday, Senate Republicans said they want budget negotiations to include cuts to noncitizen spending while bringing in “transparent accounting.”… MORE
4th District Appellate Court to hear two cases on the ISU campus
Next month, judges from a Springfield-based appellate court will listen to oral arguments, not in their usual courtroom, but on the Illinois State University campus.… MORE
Second ‘50501’ protest held outside Illinois Capitol
A second protest against the Trump administration took place in front of the Illinois Capitol Monday, less than two weeks after the first such protest was held.… MORE
Illinois State University students weigh in on future of student housing
Illinois State University students have mixed responses to alternative housing after the university announced the cancellation of a housing project last year.… MORE
Man dead after single-vehicle crash on Interstate 74 near Goodfield
One person is dead after their vehicle struck a guard rail on Interstate 74 near Goodfield.… MORE
Illinois health officials taking bird flu precautions despite assessing no ‘active risk’ to humans
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of an outbreak of the bird flu in humans is low, although Illinois’ health department is preparing for the possibility. … MORE
Radio Bloomington St. Jude Radiothon raises over $90K
The annual Radio Bloomington-St. Jude Radiothon wrapped up Friday and raised $103,739 for children with cancer.… 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…