A federal judge on Friday denied Illinois’ request to end court oversight of its disability services. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Report shows Illinois union participation declining despite growth in new petitions
Overall participation in labor unions has declined in recent years in Illinois, although the state has seen an increase in successful unionization efforts for the second year in a row. … MORE
Massey’s death underscores state delay in launching mental health response program
An Illinois law intended to help people with mental illness avoid confrontations with police had been on the books for three years when Sonya Massey was shot by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy. … MORE
State leaders encouraging Illinoisans to help out with a new state flag design
Change could be in the air – or, at least, on Illinois flagpoles.… MORE
As Illinois receives praise for its cannabis equity efforts, stakeholders still working on system’s flaws
Medical marijuana patients can now purchase cannabis grown by small businesses as part of their allotment, Illinois’ top cannabis regulator said, but smaller, newly licensed cannabis growers are still seeking greater access to the state’s medical marijuana customers.… MORE
Tips on how to pay less on your utility bill, per the Citizens Utility Board
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When you pay your utility bill, do you ever feel like you should be paying less? “We have people who have come to us and said, I had no idea I was with an alternative supplier until my electric bll went thru the roof,” said Jim Chilsen, spokesman for the…… MORE
Longtime Harris supporters do victory lap for their candidate at DNC
On a cold morning in late 2019, Illinois state Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, boarded a bus bound for Iowa to knock doors for then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency.… MORE
Amid a ‘really, really big week for labor,’ Illinois unions, Democrats held up as model
Organized labor has been everywhere at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week, from the main stage to the Illinois delegation’s morning breakfast gatherings.… MORE
Obama legacy continues with Harris nomination, DNC speech in Chicago
Former President Barack Obama returned to his hometown Tuesday night to help launch the presidential campaign of Kamala Harris, and to mark the continuation of his own political legacy.… MORE
In primetime DNC speech, Pritzker leans into role of benevolent billionaire
Governor chides Trump as ‘rich in only one thing: stupidity’ By HANNAH MEISELCapitol News [email protected] CHICAGO – Cheered on by an Illinois delegation watching from the floor of the United Center, Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday night embraced an identity that’s generally proven alienating in both Democratic and Republican politics: being extremely wealthy. “Donald Trump…… 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…