As state regulators consider whether to approve a proposed rate increase for the state’s second largest private water utility, its customers are criticizing it for poor service and high prices. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Under new law, Illinois employers can’t force workers to sit through anti-union meetings
Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at curtailing the practice of “captive audience” meetings – a strategy businesses sometimes use to dissuade workers from forming a union.… MORE
Study: Illinois students still struggle with post-pandemic learning loss
As the flow of billions of dollars in federal pandemic-related aid is about to end, many students in Illinois are still struggling to catch up academically from the learning loss that occurred when schools were forced to close.… MORE
Boys & Girls Clubs receives state funding to expand in Illinois
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs announced on Tuesday that it has secured funding from the Illinois General Assembly to help expand its reach around the state. According to a news release from the Boys & Girls Clubs, it will receive $4 million in state funding that was secured…… MORE
‘Listening session’ held Monday in Springfield about the police-action shooting death of Sonya Massey
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell responded to repeated calls for his resignation Monday night – because one of his deputies killed a Black woman in a shooting ruled unjustified – by saying his stepping down would solve nothing.… MORE
Lt. Gov. Stratton attends Birth Equity Initiative bill signing
“Do you feel that?” asked Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.… MORE
State fair leaders highlight ground improvements ahead of the fair
Final preparations are underway for the 2024 Illinois State Fair.… MORE
New exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield
More than a thousand photographic images of, and related to, Abraham Lincoln are online in a new exhibit from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield.… MORE
Quantum business park coming to Chicago, backed by $700M from state of Illinois
A California-based quantum computing company wants to build one of the largest quantum computers in the world on Chicago’s southeast side and the state is chipping in hundreds of millions of dollars to help make it happen. … MORE
Illinois State Police working with IDPH on an anti-violence campaign called “Pause to Heal”
Public health and police leaders will tell you gun violence has become a public health problem. … 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…