As lawmakers prepare to return to the capitol this week, Illinois’ gun-owner lobby is tracking more than 250 bills at the statehouse, most of which the group said would weaken Second Amendment protections.… MORE
Municipalities raise concerns over governor’s plan to hold funds in reserve
Officials from the Illinois Municipal League said communities have concerns about the governor’s proposal to hold 5 percent of Local Government Distributive Funds in reserve from local governments if voters don’t approve a progressive income tax in November.… MORE
Plane crashes on Interstate 55 near Lincoln
Illinois State Police say multiple people were on a small plane that crashed on Interstate 55 Tuesday morning, but their conditions are unknown.… MORE
The amount of money spent on film and television projects in Illinois hit a record high in 2019
The amount of money spent on film and television projects in Illinois hit a record high in
2019.… MORE
Group that represents state’s mayors rolls out 2020 legislative wish list
As the group which represents the state’s mayors and city councils rolls out its legislative wish list for 2020, the cities want a return to the old days for getting money from the state.… MORE
IDPH: Fourth person tests positive for coronavirus
The Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health Monday announced that a fourth Illinois resident has tested positive for COVID-19, the coronavirus.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers look to remove retail wine shipping ban
A new proposal in Springfield would open up a whole new market of direct-to-consumer wine delivery. … MORE
One state lawmaker has an idea for how to reduce costs for schools around the state
A new proposal in Springfield could change the way schools report their data to the State
Board of Education.… MORE
Tax amnesty program brings in $240 million for Illinois
More than 63,000 taxpayers came forward and settled tax debts during Illinois’ 2019 tax amnesty program, which captured $240 million in revenue for the state. … MORE
Bloomington study abroad is canceled due to Coronavirus scare
As Coronavirus or COVID-19 spreads across the country, the ripple effects of the disease are hitting closer and closer to home.… 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…