Category Archives: Politics

State lawmaker introduces “Freedom Act”

State lawmaker introduces “Freedom Act”

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Denying someone their job because of their vaccination status is discrimination, according to State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich). His “Freedom Act” would outlaw it. Shouldn’t people go to work with the assurance everyone around them is vaccinated? “Well, shouldn’t everybody that has the right to go to work understand that…MORE

Rep. Davis running for another term in Congress

Rep. Davis running for another term in Congress

Removing whatever suspense remained, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) has announced he wants to stay in Congress. He will run in the newly drawn 15th District, which includes Taylorville but not much of Springfield.MORE

Illinois House Republicans are responding to the inflation numbers

Illinois House Republicans are responding to the inflation numbers

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Some Republicans think your bank account would be a good place for some Covid relief dollars. State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) announced the plan to give taxpayers up to a $400 credit. “We expect the overall cost of this proposal to be about $1.4 billion,” Demmer said at a Zoom…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…