The feds have signed off on a plan that lets U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) be chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Illinois without doing a major part of the job. As a federal officeholder, Kelly cannot raise money at the state level. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Amtrak will resume full service on Monday
By IIS Radio CHICAGO – Amtrak is resuming full service next week. Service levels had been cut in half during the pandemic, but will resume normal operations come Monday. Illinois Department of Transportation spokesperson Paul Wappel says there will be five daily trips between Chicago and St. Louis. “And that includes Amtrak national Texas Eagle…… MORE
Illinois’ legislative inspector general has had enough
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The office of legislative inspector general in Illinois does not have as much power as some would like. One of those people is the current inspector general, retired judge Carol Pope, who has submitted her resignation to the Legislative Ethics Commission. Pope called the position a “paper tiger.” “She is…… MORE
Corn Growers Director: Chemical plant explosion is going to hurt farmers in the fall
Harvest season is just around the corner, and the top leader of the Corn Growers Association, a fire in Northern Illinois this past June, will hurt farmers all across the state.… MORE
U of I professor weighs in on a later primary election
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – 2022 will be a year of change in Illinois politics. The every-ten-years redistricting process will result in a new congressional map and new legislative maps, the latter already having been signed into law by the governor. There is also a later primary election date – June 28, to allow…… MORE
State announces 3 winners in vaccine lottery
By Neil Doyle SPRINGFIELD – The first $100,000 Monday drawing as part of the state’s ‘All In for the Win’ vaccine lottery has taken place, and three winners have been chosen. The Illinois Department of Public Health will be notifying winners by phone or email and the three winners are from Springfield, Quincy, and Chicago. Last…… MORE
New legislation preserves biodiesel sales tax exemption
At the end of May, legislators in Springfield were able to preserve the biodiesel sales tax exemption, in what the top leader of the soybean association says will help farmers all across the state.… MORE
UI study: Baby needs consistency
Parents — especially parents of babies — you’ll want to pay attention here.… MORE
Asian-American history will now be part of the curriculum in Illinois schools
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The timing of governor’s signing of a new law mandating Asian-American history be taught in Illinois classrooms is no coincidence. While the discussion has been ongoing, “it occurred to us that this was the best way for us to respond to the rise in anti-Asian hate and xenophobia that…… MORE
Illinois State Fair is preparing for a re-start
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon was optimistic going into 2020, following the success of the last fair. “We had a very successful year,” Gordon said. “We set records for concert tickets sold, concert ticket revenue, and then overall revenue here at the fair. I think we brought in…… 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…