As neighboring states begin to loosen restrictions for businesses while Illinois remains under a modified stay-at-home order, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he can’t stop them, although he said he would discourage the practice to limit the spread of COVID-19.… MORE
There is still no word on when the Illinois General Assembly will be back in session.… MORE
Central Illinois was too wet for much planting last week, according to the latest USDA crop report.… MORE
A northwest Illinois church sued – and failed – in its fight against Gov. JB Pritzker’s “stay home” order, but the church held Sunday services anyway.… MORE
A disaster can make fertile ground for fraud. U.S. Attorney John Milhiser of central Illinois says a scam can look legitimate.… MORE
For decades, April 20 has been known to lovers of marijuana as “4/20,” an unofficial holiday celebrating cannabis. This year, with recreational cannabis use legal in Illinois since Jan. 1, fans of the plant were looking forward to the sort of mass celebrations that have been banned to reduce the spread of COVID-19 amid a global pandemic. … MORE
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has yet to detail how he plans to enforce his stay-at-home order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in places where local elected officials have said won’t enforce the order.… MORE
Small businesses in Illinois trying to stay afloat during the pandemic can now apply for state grants to help avoid layoffs.… MORE
Illinois is up to 61,499 coronavirus cases and 2,628 deaths.… MORE
The “regional re-opening” of Illinois is finally on the table for Gov. JB Pritzker.… 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…