House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s failure to focus on issues outside of the public health arena during the COVID-19 crisis was a significant shortcoming.… MORE
![Leading statehouse Republican says Pritzker’s ‘major flaw’ is not addressing human toll from Illinois shutdown](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/389/2020/05/08105254/state-capitol.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s failure to focus on issues outside of the public health arena during the COVID-19 crisis was a significant shortcoming.… MORE
Several counties in central and southern Illinois are preparing to issue their own plans to reopen their economies, despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order and his five-phase regional plan to reopen Illinois.… MORE
As the number of people seeking unemployment benefits continues to rise in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic, many say they are still experiencing problems filing claims.… MORE
Bad news for those who love the keystone event of the summer in Springfield and Du Quoin:… MORE
The Republicans in the Illinois House don’t care much for Gov. Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan, nor do they like spending two months away from the Capitol. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) says Gov. JB Pritzker is assuming too much power.… MORE
With some states beginning to open up for business and relax restrictions put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, a new study on these efforts found Illinois’ stay-at-home order was one of the most restrictive in the nation.… MORE
By Illinois Radio Network SPRINGFIELD – It’s not just the 177 Illinois state legislators who would need to come back to the Illinois State Capitol to vote on legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers would also need staff members, security and other personnel to return to conduct business. Illinois state lawmakers haven’t been in session since…… MORE
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phased plan to reopen the state was met with mixed reactions from state lawmakers.… MORE
Those of you who wanted a regional, phased-in approach for Illinois to return to commerce are getting that plan now.… MORE
Parents with essential jobs can get subsidized daycare for $1 a month – if they can find a center with an opening. … MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…