If you are a small business person, you could say this about credit cards: can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Illinois Supreme Court rulings address FOID seizures, hospital room privacy
The Illinois Supreme Court last week vacated a lower court ruling and reinstated a statute that authorizes the state to revoke a person’s Firearm Owners Identification card once they’ve been charged with a felony, even if they haven’t yet been convicted.… MORE
Illinois celebrates dispensary openings while manufacturers face significant challenges
While Illinois’ cannabis market is booming and the state has made progress in diversifying new licensees, significant hurdles remain for businesses hoping to enter the expanding market, according to an independent review of the industry.… MORE
Illinois Secretary of State applauding FDA for developing a system to review food additives
People interested in food safety are optimistic the federal Food and Drug Administration will finally get a handle on what goes into our food.… MORE
University of Illinois Springfield Professor: Watch out for political polling as Pres. election inches closer
Cut through the noise when you listen, watch, or read news. That is the advice of a University of Illinois Springfield professor who directs a graduate program in public affairs reporting.… MORE
Speaker of Illinois House: “I think there’s racism in America”
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), the first Black person to occupy that office, touched on race when he participated in a question-and-answer at the City Club of Chicago.… MORE
State wraps up case in challenge to assault weapons ban
A federal judge invoked images from the 1917 race riots in East St. Louis, Illinois, on Thursday at the end of a trial in a case challenging the constitutionality of the state’s ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines.… MORE
High court: Smell of burnt cannabis is not cause for warrantless vehicle search
State supreme court rules unanimously in case stemming from 2020 traffic stop By HANNAH MEISELCapitol News [email protected] Law enforcement officers in Illinois cannot rely on the smell of burnt cannabis alone to justify searching a vehicle without a warrant, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. The decision was unanimous, though Justice Lisa Holder White…… MORE
Jury deadlocks, mistrial declared in case of ex-AT&T boss accused of bribing Madigan
A federal judge on Thursday declared a mistrial after a jury deadlocked in their deliberations over whether former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza bribed longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan via a no-work contract for the speaker’s political ally.… MORE
Southern Illinois man wins $1 million in scratch off lottery game
A Southern Illinois man won $1 million from an Illinois Lottery instant ticket, according to the agency that runs the game.… 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…