By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Some statehouse Republicans – members of the “Illinois Freedom Caucus” – say Illinois public education offers little result, especially for all the money spent. “When only 30 percent of the kids can read at grade level,” said State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), “and barely 25 percent can do math at…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A new package of proposals at the statehouse takes on Big Insurance. In short, this would bring dental insurers under the same regulation as medical insurance. “This legislative package, More for Your Smile, is all about improving oral health care for patients by providing more transparency, more access, and more…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Republican state lawmakers are critical of new spending in the governor’s proposed state budget. There’s about $3 billion in new spending in the plan, which doesn’t sit well with the GOP. They say it’s not wise as the nation faces a potential recession. State Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) adds that…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker is unveiling a nearly $50 billion new state budget that makes a heavy investment in early childhood education. One of the biggest components of the governor’s spending plan is called “Smart Start Illinois.” It focuses on the importance of pre-school, quality child care, early intervention and home…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As Gov. JB Pritzker gives his State of the State and budget message today, Illinois House Republicans do not want him to forget the state’s shortcomings. “We have an acute shortage of child care workers in many parts of our state,” said State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Bourbonnais). “The cost of…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – You have less access to your medical records than you may think, and State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) says he wants to change that. “What we’re addressing here is the ability of a patient or their representative to know that the record that they’re looking at accurately reflects the diagnosis…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A southern Illinois sheriff, who says it’s unconstitutional for him to enforce Illinois’ new assault weapons ban, says emphasis on mental health works. And if the question is whether public leaders will pony up the money needed for it, Crawford County’s William Rutan says – it’s already being done. “I…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – With some states prosecuting people involved in abortions, a bill awaiting the governor’s action would provide some shelter. “There is language protecting patients from being charged out-of-network costs when a provider invokes the Health Care Right of Conscience Act,” said State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), the House sponsor. “It explicitly…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A history-soaked pair of inaugurations seated the 103rd Illinois General Assembly Wednesday in Springfield. Illinois’ first Black speaker of the House, Chris Welch (D-Hillside), took the oath of office a second time, as did the first woman to lead a caucus in the House, Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). The…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The assault weapons ban – which has the support of the House and Senate Democrats – was signed into law Tuesday night by Gov. JB Pritzker. Supermajority Democrats say it’s vital. “2023 has just barely begun but already there have been 1,151 gun violence deaths in our country,” said State…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…