Gov. Bruce Rauner has endorsed Republican State Sen. Darin LaHood for Congress.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Barickman hopes for state budget agreement during regular session
Illinois legislators have until the end of the month to pass a budget, but one Republican lawmaker said they aren’t getting the kind of cooperation they’d like from Democrats.… MORE
Durbin not surprised FEC feels powerless
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says the Federal Election Commission can’t enforce existing campaign finance laws ahead of a presidential election which could generate $10 billion in spending.… MORE
CTBA director shares thoughts on state revenue fixes
If you want to know where to find some money for state government, Ralph Martire has some ideas.… MORE
Barickman not surprised by pension law ruling
State lawmakers are now back to the drawing board after the Illinois Supreme Court issued a ruling last week saying the state’s 2013 pension reform law is unconstitutional.… MORE
Illinois Supreme Court: Pension reform unconstitutional
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that pension reforms passed by lawmakers in 2013 are unconstitutional. … MORE
LaHood on immigration: US must secure its border first
By Eric Stock PEORIA – State Sen. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, said he has proven his credentials on the immigration issue while serving in Springfield as he seeks a new gig in Washington. LaHood voted against measures to enable illegal immigrations to get a drivers license and to create a private scholarship fund for undocumented youth…… MORE
Flynn goes after GOP establishment in Republican primary
A man who tried to change Washington through the media now hopes to do the same as a member of Congress.… MORE
U.S. Rep. Schakowsky proposing new federal tax rates
An Illinois congressman plans to introduce a bill this week to raise federal income tax rates.… MORE
Legislation to cut down on number of specialty license plates passes House
SPRINGFIELD – Your favorite sports team. A charity or hobby you favor. A special event in your town. Illinois has nearly 200 specialty license plates that do more than simply show you have paid your registration fees for your car or truck.… 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…