Jerry Costello II, a former state lawmaker from southern Illinois, is the new acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. He had been head of the conservation police at the Department of Natural Resources since shortly after Gov. JB Pritzker took office.… MORE
License suspended for McLean County surgeon
Shaun Kink, an orthopedic surgeon formally employed in McLean County, has seen his medical license suspended.… MORE
Illinois officials prepare response infrastructure for COVID-19, say public risk remains low
The state’s public health officials said Friday the risk from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus from China, remains low for Illinois residents and the state is preparing in case the outbreak intensifies.… MORE
Authorities identify two men involved in deadly Delavan shooting
Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley has released the name of the man who was shot and killed on a Delavan man’s property Thursday night.… MORE
Federal officials to allow partial REAL ID application online, but Illinois leaders say it’s too late
The Department of Homeland Security announced it will allow a portion of the REAL ID application process to be completed online, but Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office said it was too little, too late.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers discuss ethics rules as some grow impatient
An Illinois Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform hearing Thursday got into the nuances of elected officials prohibited activities, including what kinds of elected or appointed positions already elected officials can take on, but a Republican state lawmaker said she was concerned by the seeming lack of urgency to address corruption.… MORE
Illinois sheriffs’ group opposes calls for ending cash bail system
Illinois lawmakers may soon take up more criminal justice measures, including plans to change or end the state’s cash bail system, a proposal that has divided Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers could remove religious exemption for child vaccination
State lawmakers could make Illinois the sixth state to remove a religious or philosophical objection to vaccines required to attend school.… MORE
ISU names new vice president, provost
Illinois State University has a new vice president of Academic Affairs and provost.… MORE
ISU ‘Birds Give Back’ receives 2,188 gifts, over $1 million
The second annual Birds Give Back – 1 Day for Change at Illinois State University surpassed its goal by receiving 2,188 gifts for a total of $1,118,734.… 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…