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
Category Archives: State News
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
IDPH reports first human case of West Nile virus
By Neil Doyle SPRINGFIELD – State health officials are reporting the first human case of West Nile virus this year. The Illinois Department of Public Health says a Cook County resident in his 80s who became ill back in mid-June tested positive for the virus. “While we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we must…… 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
Flash index virtually unchanged from a month ago
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ economic growth continues. University of Illinois economics professor Fred Giertz says there may not be an asterisk, but there at least will be an advisory. “In most months, the Flash index compares this month’s collection of various taxes to the year before,” Giertz said, “but that was interfered with…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs new law expands background checks that streamline the FOID and concealed-carry process
Gov. JB Pritzker Monday had a busy day of signing bills.… MORE
Sen. Durbin unhappy about the lack of bipartisanship towards Jan. 6 investigation
The last-minute deal to reimburse police and the National Guard for their help after Jan. 6 in Washington, D.C., is just the latest example of threats of cutting pay and / or services in federal government, only to see an eleventh-hour solution.… MORE
Senate GOP reacts to a financial audit of IDES
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Once again, Illinois Republican lawmakers are calling out the Pritzker administration. This time it’s over unemployment money going to people who do not have it coming, and in some cases are not even alive. Reacting to a financial audit showing about $150 million the Illinois Department of Employment Security…… MORE
Smithsonian curator: Our relationship with history is complex
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – “I don’t think we should throw away history just because we don’t like it,” says Aaron Bryant. “And that’s what it’s come down to.” Bryant, a curator at the National African American Museum of History and Culture at the Smithsonian, shared his expertise with an Illinois House task force…… 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…