In fiscal year 2018, Illinois didn’t have a budget due to the ongoing feud between former Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratically-controlled General Assembly. In the months before a tenuous general election, the two sides agreed on a 2019 budget that the nonprofit Volcker Alliance now says was, in some ways, just as bad as not having a budget at all.… MORE
WalletHub reaffirms Illinois’ property taxes as second-highest in nation
It may not come as a surprise to residents that a new report again found Illinois’ property taxes were the second-highest in the nation, but the debate about how to address the problem continues, including among members of the Illinois Property Tax Relief Task Force.… MORE
Law enforcement group objects to release of non-citizen felons without notification
A law enforcement group and Republican legislative leaders said a recent Illinois Department of Corrections policy change means convicted felons who aren’t U.S. citizens are being released from prison in communities with no notice to local law enforcement, a practice they said raises public safety concerns.… MORE
Obituary: Evelyn Riebe
CULLOM- Evelyn J. Riebe, 85, of Cullom, IL passed away at 5:54 am on Monday, February 24, 2020 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cullom with Rev. Gabe Baumgardner officiating. Visitation will be…… MORE
New bill would let a state board set prescription costs
A state board would decide what the right price to pay for your prescriptions would be, under a bill introduced at the Capitol.… MORE
New policy has Illinois sheriffs hot under the collar
Statehouse Republicans and the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association are mad about prisoners who have done their time NOT being deported.… MORE
Police arrest four people for child sex trafficking crimes
After a long-term investigation, four people were arrested and charged with alleged child sex trafficking crimes.… MORE
Increased snow from cloud seeding, study featuring University of Illinois researcher finds
Scientists, including one from the University of Illinois, have for the first time been able to quantify the effects of seeding clouds with silver iodide to produce more snow using sophisticated radar technology.… MORE
IDOR announces revenue figures for first month of recreational marijuana
Illinois’ governor is reacting to adult-use cannabis sales and the tax revenue generated during the first month.… MORE
ISU Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts prepares for $52 million project
Administrators of the Wonsook College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University have been planning for a huge renovation project for years and now they have $52.3 million to get it done.… 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…