Lawmakers are in Springfield to deal with the budget – and it was a topic at the Gov. JB Pritzker’s daily news conference Thursday.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Vote-by-mail making progress in Illinois General Assembly
Remember when Illinois had Primary Election Day despite the pandemic? A proposal to expand vote-by-mail for the general election – in 2020 only – is making progress in the Illinois General Assembly.… MORE
Illinois hotels will look much different the next time you book a room
Will you feel safe staying in a hotel room a year from now? Illinois’ hotels are taking steps to ensure customers feel safe. … MORE
Fireworks for lawmakers first day back in Springfield
The Illinois state representative who made national news by suing Gov. JB Pritzker over his “stay home” order was kicked out of the Illinois House Wednesday because he refuses to wear a face mask.… MORE
Emergency rule repealed
One of the big points which have upset Illinois Republicans is by the wayside — for now.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker announces restaurants can open outdoor dining beginning May 29
Two words: al fresco.… MORE
As budget decisions loom, decades of pension shortfalls haunt Illinois and Chicago
At the top of Illinois lawmakers’ agenda as they return to Springfield is crafting a budget in the midst of record revenue shortfalls inflicted by the COVID-19-related shutdowns. … MORE
Punishments for violating Governor’s stay-at-home orders questioned
The co-chair of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules that meets today in Springfield said he will move to suspend the rule.… MORE
House republicans want immediate vote on Gov. Pritzker’s plan
Butler said he does not think the Democrats, who hold a supermajority in both chambers, will allow a vote.… MORE
The Bank of Springfield Center is ready for the lawmakers
Company’s coming – up to 118 guests plus their support staffs. And after hosting basketball games, future President Donald trump, and Alice Cooper, Bank of Springfield Center general manager Brian Oaks says he’s ready to take on House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and the rest of the Illinois House of Representatives.… 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…