President Donald Trump has commuted the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich… MORE
Category Archives: State News
President Trump considering commuting Blagojevich’s sentence
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich could see his prison sentence commuted, ABC News reported Tuesday.… MORE
Chicago reacts to Trump sending elite border patrol to immigrant sanctuary cities
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Chicago will not be bullied in response to President Donald Trump’s planned crackdown on illegal immigration. … MORE
As more states consider biometric privacy laws, expert warns about Illinois’ approach
Other states are looking to copy Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, but an innovation expert warned about a potential pitfall of the state law.… MORE
Contractors say Community Builders apprenticeship program threatened by Illinois bill requiring prevailing wage
The Illinois Associated Builders and Contractors have raised concerns about a measure to require private contractors working in refineries or ethanol processing plants to pay prevailing wage would destroy the group’s Community Builders apprenticeship program.… MORE
Lawmakers file bills to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, plastic straw restrictions, $1 million insurance policy requirement for gun owners
While a measure to require gas station attendants to pump gas in Illinois was tabled, other bills at the statehouse have been catching the attention of Illinois taxpayers.… MORE
US Census raises pay rate for Illinois workers, offering $20 to $30 hourly
In an effort to compete with record low unemployment, the U.S. Census is offering higher wages than it has ever offered.… MORE
Epidemic in China could hit farmers in Illinois
The trade dispute with China, a disease that halved its hog herd, and thus the demand for U.S. grains to feed them, and robust competition from South America all have had Illinois soybean farmers dealing with a reduction in demand.… MORE
Analysis details how Illinois Republicans lost ground in Illinois
An analysis of election data over the last decade highlights where Illinois’ Republican Party lost the competitive swing of Illinois’ electoral fight with Democrats. … MORE
Pritzker says budget proposal will include $225 million in savings
By Illinois Radio Network SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Friday that his budget proposal will include $225 million in savings along with the potential for $750 million more in taxpayer savings in three years. The current fiscal year ends June 30. At $40 billion in state funds, the fiscal year 2020 spending plan was the…… 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…