The Help Wanted sign is out at dozens of Illinois manufacturers, but some training or expertise may be needed.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Durbin: Voting by mail, take care of it sooner rather than later
Fresh off a conference call with the U.S. Postal Service’s director of 2020 election mail, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said its recommendations for voting by mail are days ahead of Illinois law.… MORE
U of I test could help schools across the state
It could have been Gov. JB Pritzker’s happiest coronavirus briefing ever.… MORE
Statues of two historic Illinoisans will soon be on the move
The state’s evicting Pierre Menard and Stephen Douglas – their statues, anyway.… MORE
A call for tougher ethics
With a multi-million-dollar influence-peddling case landing a $200 million fine for Commonwealth Edison, and yet another lawmaker being indicted, House Republicans say it’s past time to tighten up on ethics.… MORE
Governor announces new restrictions on Metro East region
The coronavirus numbers in the St. Louis area are too high for Gov. JB Pritzker’s liking. And he’s ratcheting up the restrictions in the Metro East.… MORE
New program from U of I, EPA examines food waste
Learning about food waste – from an environmental perspective – is the goal of a new partnership between the University of Illinois and the state Environmental Protection Agency. … MORE
Not everyone wants to talk about Mike Madigan
A member of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, State Rep. Andre Thapedi (D-Chicago) says there are far more pressing concerns than the legal problems swirling about House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).… MORE
You still can’t vote often, but Illinois election authorities want you to do it early
Vote-by-mail is so 2020 !!… MORE
State distributing 2.5 million free face masks to public schools
The state is distributing 2.5 million free cloth face coverings to public schools across Illinois.… 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…