Illinois House lawmakers are exploring ways to address college student mental health needs.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Illinois lawmakers sending a revised debated legislative district map to Gov. Pritzker
Illinois lawmakers are sending a revised legislative district map to Gov. JB Pritzker.… MORE
Illinois Senate passes massive clean energy bill
The Illinois Senate passed a massive clean energy bill early Wednesday morning.… MORE
Congresswoman Bustos introduces new bill to lower vehicle emissions
An Illinois congresswoman is looking to improve air quality around the state and increase the demand for biofuels through the Next Generation Fuels Act.… MORE
Illinois Department of Revenue: Parents can claim back-to-school expenses
The Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding parents that they may be able to claim some of their back-to-school expenses on their taxes.… MORE
Statewide indoor mask mandate now in effect
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Heading to the store? Make sure you bring your mask. The new indoor mask mandate is now in effect, and includes stores, restaurants, gyms and any other indoor public spaces. It was announced last week, with Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike (eh-zee-kay) saying masks work. As of Aug.…… MORE
Bloomington resident is a $1 million winner in the state’s vaccine lottery
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The final drawing of the state’s ‘All In for the Win’ vaccine lottery has taken place, and somebody from Bloomington is one of the lucky winners. The Illinois Department of Public Health notified winners by phone or email on Thursday, according to a news release. The winners of the August 26 drawing are…… MORE
Rising COVID hospitalizations big concern for the state’s top doctor
The state’s top public health doctor says one of the biggest concerns right now is the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.… MORE
Governor Pritzker announces new vaccine and mask mandates
By WJBC Staff CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker and State Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike on Thursday announced new vaccination requirements and reimplemented a statewide indoor mask mandate for all Illinois residents, regardless of vaccination status. All healthcare workers, including nursing home employees, all pre-k-12 teachers and staff, as well as higher education personnel…… MORE
Governor Pritzker expected to announce statewide vaccine mandate for teachers K-12
By HOI ABC SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker is expected to announce a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all K-12 teachers and staff. The same mandate will apply to college professors and staff in Illinois. A source with knowledge of the announcement confirmed this with WEEK’s Capitol Bureau Chief Mike Miletich. The deadline for educators to get…… 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…