A Central Illinois lawmaker is “disappointed” his no longer on the January 6th commission to investigate the deadly capital insurrection.… MORE
Category Archives: Politics
New law expands access to FMLA for educational support staff
By IIS Radio CHICAGO – A new state law makes it easier for educational support staff to take time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Gov. JB Pritzker signed the legislation, lowering the threshold of hours worked that must be met to be eligible for the FMLA from 1,250 to 1,000 over the…… MORE
U.S. Rep. LaHood “committed to running for re-election”
Whether he meant to or not, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) said he is running for another term in Congress – as opposed to running for governor or Illinois Supreme Court justice or simply retiring.… MORE
Davis on being pulled off the January 6 Select Committee
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) supports the decision of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to remove all his nominees, including Davis, from the select committee investigating the Capitol security break of Jan. 6. “In the end I’m disappointed, because I wanted a chance to talk about the security failures…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs new legislation to take aim at “period poverty”
Newly signed legislation takes aim at what they call “Period Poverty” – when women cannot afford or otherwise access feminine hygiene products.… MORE
Police and health professionals hold “Opioid Crisis Next Door” conference in Springfield
The scourge of opioids is not going away. … MORE
Gov. Pritzker announces new mask mandates
Gov. JB Pritzker is taking the guesswork and debate away from local school boards. He announced Wednesday afternoon public and private P-12 educational institutions will adhere to a mask mandate.… MORE
Illinois attorney general going after predatory lenders in the student loan business
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – General Raoul goes to Washington! Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday to support legislation to help people escape predatory student loans. “Failing to hold these predatory institutions accountable does nothing but line the pockets of the shareholders at the expense of taxpayers,” Raoul told…… MORE
Former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich files lawsuit over not being allowed to run for elected office
A lawsuit was filed this week by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.… MORE
Sen. Durbin working with Illinois Attorney General to pass bankruptcy reform for student loan borrowers
Illinois’ Senior Senator is working with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to pass bankruptcy reform for student loan borrowers.… 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…