An Amtrak train that makes stops in Pontiac and Normal is suspected of carrying the coronavirus.… MORE
Sponsors of vaccine mandate proposals at Illinois statehouse face opposition
Several measures at the Illinois statehouse dealing with vaccination requirements face opposition, and the sponsor of one measure said she could modify her proposal.… MORE
Report: Illinois homeowners paying ‘shadow mortgage’ worth thousands
Illinois homeowners, whether they’ve paid off their mortgage or not, have an additional “shadow mortgage” averaging $90,000 that they’re on the hook for in the coming years, according to a new report. … MORE
Illinois House Revenue Committee leaders urge budgeting based on real revenues
State lawmakers in the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee may, or may not come up with an official revenue estimate to include in the budgeting process for the spending plan that begins this summer.… MORE
Hundreds march in Springfield for International Women’s Day
Postponed from a frigid January, the Springfield installment of the national women’s march enjoyed pleasant conditions for a rally and march Sunday — which was International Women’s Day.… MORE
SIU to provide medical services for Illinois state prisons
The Illinois Department of Corrections is launching a new pilot program to improve health care services for state inmates.… MORE
New geothermal system added to Kingsley Junior High
Unit 5 is writing a roughly $3 million dollar check for upgrades at one of their older buildings.… MORE
Beard: Repeated vandalism at McLean County GOP headquarters
The McLean County Republican Party has experienced repeated vandalism for several months at two different office locations, according to GOP Chair Connie Beard.… MORE
Lawmaker criticizes proposal to tax ammunition for school safety grants
A proposal to levy an additional tax on ammunition in Illinois to deposit into a fund for school safety grants will face opposition from Republicans and gun groups. … MORE
Pritzker, Illinois’ congressional Republicans trade barbs over election security
Illinois’ Republican congressional delegation wants Gov. J.B. Pritzker to focus on fixing problems with the state’s automatic voter registration program instead of President Donald Trump’s personnel decision.… 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…