By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Five days remain in the 2022 spring legislative session in Springfield. Lawmakers want time to campaign for the June 28 primary, later this year because of the delayed Census numbers. The main piece of business is to craft a budget, which State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) says seems to have…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – It’s not even Easter yet, but an Illinois Senate Democratic proposal looks like Santa’s big bag, and practically all Illinoisans have been good. “The beauty of the plan is that the package benefits taxpayers. The earned income tax credit is a permanent increase,” State Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) told a…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – For those paying attention to political commercials on television, State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) has a message for you: “We’re here today to discuss Gov. (JB) Pritzker’s meddling and blatant attempt to hijack the Republican primary by having his allies at the Democrat(ic) Governors Association run false ads on Richard…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – In a case which should have the attention of medical providers and insurers all over Illinois, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Springfield Clinic have let their affiliations with one another expire. Lawmakers in the Illinois House Wednesday evening quizzed executives from both organizations. “I’m not so sure what…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The untraceable “ghost gun” could soon be illegal in Illinois. These guns are built from a kit or 3D printed and have no serial number. State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) says his proposal would allow owners to convert these guns by assigning them serial numbers. Otherwise, they’d be outlawed. Buckner…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Despite concerns about higher costs, the Bloomington City Council Monday night approved the lowest of three bids to build a swimming pool and make other improvements at O’Neil Park on the city’s west side. The council voted 7-2, accepting the $13.87 million bid submitted by contractor P.J. Hoerr. The city…… MORE
By A.J. Harris BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Ward 1 City Council member and mayor pro tem, Jamie Mathy will resign his position, effective Tuesday. According to a statement, the resignation is the result of a business conflict that will no longer allow Mathy to hold a position on the council under state law. Mathy made the…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Now there is a bill inspired by the falling-out between a big insurance company and a big health provider in Springfield. A non-renewal between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Springfield Clinic has customers scrambling. “Most of our consumers and constituents were complaining about the lack of providers that…… MORE
Illinois Democrats congratulated themselves Thursday afternoon on the bill that replenishes the unemployment fund. Illinois Republicans wondered why.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – It seems like serving on a volunteer fire department is something more people did in Ye Olde Tymes. Now, people are busy, work in town, or whatever. Maybe a $500 tax credit would be an incentive for more people to join up. Illinois Firefighters Association lobbyist Margaret Vaughn is pushing…… 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…