A top economist shared his thoughts with a Springfield breakfast audience Wednesday. Curtis Dubay, chief economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said anything having to do with the economy has to do with the post-covid worker shortage.… MORE
Category Archives: Ask The Expert
IDOT reminding the public of how to check the road conditions from home
The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public to visit and bookmark gettingaroundillinois.com, a website with continually updated information on road conditions.… MORE
FBI Springfield warning the public about finding love online
Amid candy, roses, and finding love, the FBI in Springfield warns the public to think twice before swiping right on someone you might not know.… MORE
State Sen. Jason Barickman: Closure of restaurants and bars will be ‘devastating’
On Sunday, Gov. Pritzker announced starting Monday night through March 30 due to COVID-19; however, one local lawmaker said Pritzker’s decision could have a rippling effect on the economy.… MORE
Local Wealth Advisor: Fed rate cut “is not going to help right now”
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – To bolster the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve announced Sunday a rate cut, and one local financial advisor says the cut will not help. The Federal Reserve, led by Chair Jerome Powell, cut rates by a full percentage point to zero. The benchmark rate is now a…… MORE
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin: ‘Iran threatening to attack our four U.S. embassies’ never came up in briefing
Expect the Democrats’ drive to remove President Trump from office to pick up steam this week, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said in Springfield Sunday.… 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…