Of the 158 House and Senate races in 2016, 81 currently have only one candidate. … MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Duckworth, Zopp don’t believe Emanuel, Alvarez should resign
Democratic candidates in the U.S. Senate race aren’t demanding resignations over the handling of the Laquan McDonald case.… MORE
SEIU supporting Duckworth for U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Hoffman Estates) picks up a big endorsement in his bid for U.S. Senate, and focuses her attacks on the Republican incumbent, not her primary rivals.… MORE
Manar: Lawmakers must take balanced approach to budget
Any Illinois Capitol-watcher who is pragmatic could say a vote on revenue must be bipartisan; otherwise, it could have and would have been done by now.… MORE
Manar sees second budget meeting as good sign
State Senator Andy Manar wonders what will happen at the second meeting in as many weeks between Governor Bruce Rauner and top legislative leaders.… MORE
State Senate passes bill for road work, lottery winnings, 911 centers
Money for local road projects – including the purchase of salt – and lottery winnings and 9-1-1 centers is a signature away from breaking loose.… MORE
March primaries could become pressure point in Illinois budget impasse
State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) said the budget impasse has carried on for so long, it’s possible Illinois might never get a spending plan for the budget year that started nearly six months ago.… MORE
Presidential hopeful O’Malley touts immigration record during Chicago visit
A Democratic presidential hopeful trailing behind the other two candidates argues he has a better track than both on immigration reform.… MORE
Barickman: Spending plan for local governments ‘problematic’
State Sen. Jason Barickman said lawmakers are showing they can work together to get things done in passing a nearly $2 billion spending bill to fund local government services, but the Bloomington Republican told WJBC’s Dan Swaney this stop-gap plan falls short.… MORE
Radogno: Some talk more than others at budget meeting
Once the cameras and microphones were turned off on the big budget meeting in the governor’s office Tuesday, the governor and four legislative leaders talked for about an hour.… 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…