At his briefing Saturday afternoon Governor Pritzker announced the creation of a new tele-health program and a mental health support hotline.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
State health officials address racial disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic
One of the stories the coronavirus pandemic is carrying with it – the disproportionate effect on blacks. More than a third of blacks and Hispanics tested are positive. Only 18 percent of whites tested are positive.… MORE
Frustrated Illinois gun owners get reprieve with card extensions
Illinois gun owners frustrated with delays are getting a reprieve.… MORE
Illinois State Police won’t be ‘storming into church buildings’ to enforce stay-at-home order on Easter
The state’s top cop said Thursday the Illinois State Police won’t be storming places of worship on Easter Sunday, opting for education over arrests.… MORE
Pritzker says organizers should consider canceling large summer events
Illinois public health officials reported Thursday the state is getting closer to “bending the curve” when it comes to new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
COVID-19 deaths in Illinois surpass 500
At Thursday’s daily coronavirus briefing, Gov. JB Pritzker said he is optimistic about Illinois’ testing capacity but is seeking more swabs.… MORE
Illinois unemployment breaks 200,000
Nearly 500,000 people have filed initial unemployment claims in Illinois in the last three weeks, including more than 200,00 people last week.… MORE
Congressman LaHood: “This is the model” as McLean County testing site continues through May
With over 1,200 people tested at the McLean County Fairgrounds, two Central Illinois congressmen announced the COVID-19 testing site would continue through May.… MORE
Constitutional attorney questions rules for churches under Illinois’ stay-at-home order
Houses of worship across the state are planning to hold Easter and Passover services online to comply with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, which was implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19.… MORE
Illinois sees largest increase in COVID-19 numbers
The fact that this is an important week on many religious calendars is not lost on the state’s top doctor, but Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says to stay home anyway — and stay away from others.… 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…