Illinois Republicans appeared upbeat and optimistic as the GOP’s national convention got underway Monday, calling for unity and showing little sign of the internal party struggles that have been brewing for years. … MORE
Category Archives: Politics
Mayor Chris Koos announces re-election bid for sixth term
In a Monday morning announcement, Normal Mayor Chris Koos said he seeks re-election in the April 2025 consolidated election for an anticipated sixth term.… MORE
US Rep. Sorensen says President Joe Biden should not run for reelection
In an emailed statement after President Joe Biden held court for more than an hour in a televised news conference, a Rockford Democrat is calling on him to drop out of the race for the White House.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker on President Biden: “He needs to go out there and answer all the questions”
Gov. JB Pritzker, back from Washington, says President Biden is ready to be the nominee this year. … MORE
Local Congressman encouraging lawmakers to pass a new Farm Bill
One Central Illinois lawmaker plans to oppose an extension of the Farm Bill and support crafting a new one before September.… MORE
Pritzker to meet with Biden, Dem governors concerned about president’s campaign
Gov. JB Pritzker traveled to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden and his fellow Democratic governors on Wednesday amid rising worry within the party about the president’s ability to continue running for a second term.… MORE
Illinois’ Comptroller showing strong support for the state’s new budget
The state’s fiscal year begins in two weeks. It’s a tight budget year. It’s a tough budget year. It’s a $53.1 billion budget, largest in state history.… MORE
Not enough lawmakers show up for a vote to send the Governor recommendation on Stateville and Logan prisons
The latest curve in the Pritzker administration’s path toward replacing Stateville and Logan prisons is this glitch: not enough lawmakers showed up to make a quorum Friday.… MORE
Central Illinois Congressman urging lawmakers not to vote for a pay raise
A Central Illinois Congressman joined several lawmakers recently to block Congress from getting a pay raise.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs $53B budget into law
The state’s $53.1 billion dollar budget is now law. Gov. JB Pritzker signed it in Chicago Wednesday morning.… 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…