The National Guard’s been called out to support Chicago police during the rioting over the death of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis cop. While decrying the violence which has grown from the protests, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot still has a hard time processing now-former-Officer Derek Chauvin’s actions.… MORE
Emphasizing there is still a long way to go before coronavirus is beaten, Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike (pictured) welcomed Illinoisans Friday to Phase Three of the state’s Restore Illinois program.… MORE
The pandemic’s effect on Illinois’ economy is unique, as a University of Illinois expert says in a new report from a task force. For one thing, not only does it carry a lasting public health threat, but, as study co-author Geoffrey Hewings says, the quick, deep drop is a first of its kind thing.… MORE
The McLean County Board decided to table a proposal Thursday night to immediately implement terms of the so-called Heart of Illinois sub-regional proposal, in which 11 counties would reopen businesses at a faster pace than Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan.… MORE
All regions of Illinois are ready to go to Phase Three of Restore Illinois. Outdoor cafes and hair salons will be able to open.… MORE
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza set out to squash some rumors about whether or not Illinois lawmakers will be getting raises after they didn’t explicitly freeze their annual cost of living adjustment that automatically hikes their pay. … MORE
They would not go so far as to seek a recall, but four Illinois House Republicans said Thursday they want an audit of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, as it pertains to the security and customer service failures since the pandemic threw about 1 million people out of work.… MORE
The head of the McLean County Health Department believes the county government is not prepared to safely implement a quicker reopening of area businesses than prescribed by Gov. JB Pritzker’s phased-in approach.… MORE
East St Louis is the third Downstate community to host the governor’s daily coronavirus briefing.… MORE
Top state leaders were in the Morgan County village of Meredosia Wednesday morning to inspect flood preparations.… 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…