On the heels of the vote, a central Illinois Republican is touting a victory in the National Defense Authorization Act that provides pay raises to military members.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
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
Senator Durbin: “Too soon to judge” new COVID-19 variant Omicron
Illinois’ Senior Senator says it’s still too soon to judge the new COVID-19 variant Omicron.… MORE
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
House Majority Leader Greg Harris retiring
SPRINGFIELD – One of Illinois’ top lawmakers says one more year will be quite enough.… MORE
State Sen. Bailey: “Government is not the answer” after seeing Chicago gunfire first-hand
Remember the “Pastor on the Roof”? He’s been joined by the “Candidate on the Roof.”… MORE
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
Downstate lawmaker: New EV legislation is an “opportunity for Illinois to see more success”
A downstate Republican lawmaker is praising a bill signed by Gov. Pritzker on Monday that looks to bolster electric vehicles on Illinois roadways.… MORE
State Rep. Dan Brady announces run for secretary of state
By Dave Dahl BLOOMINGTON – A local Republican is joining a handful of Democrats in the campaign to succeed Jesse White as Illinois secretary of state. It’s State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington). If six-term incumbent White, who is retiring, ever did a good job, Brady says he is not now. Brady says lines at driver…… MORE
Central Illinois Congressmen award McLean County with $100K grant to help improve Veterans Parkway
Two central Illinois congressmen announced a $100,000 grant for the McLean County Regional Planning Commission.… 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…