A new law will remove the statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes in Illinois.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Families impacted by gas tax increase
One of Illinois’ new taxes has been in effect since July, and somebody’s put a sharp pencil to it all to see how it impacts your family budget.… MORE
New workplace standards become law in Illinois next week
One of the hundreds of new laws taking effect next Wednesday in Illinois will require nearly all employees in the state to take harassment training and small businesses have been working to comply with the new requirement.… MORE
Illinois Comptroller: ‘We are still managing a significant backlog of bills’
The state’s checkwriter-in-chief says while there is a long way to go, 2019 has been a pretty good year. … MORE
Single-vehicle accident claims life of Odell man
A fatal Christmas Eve accident has claimed the life of a 51-year-old Odell man.… MORE
Illinois could end 2019 with under 1,000 traffic deaths for the first time in years
Traffic fatalities in Illinois are down so far this year and state transportation officials want to keep it that way even with a record number of travelers expected to hit the roads for the holidays.… MORE
T. Rowe Price invests in Rivian
Rivian is adding more money to it’s investment coffers to the tune of $1.3 billion.… MORE
New report says Illinois EPA needs more funding, staff
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for protecting the environment and public health, has struggled amid funding and staffing declines – the agency has half the staff it had 15 years ago – and rollbacks of environmental protections are making its job more difficult.… MORE
Illinois’ new parking tax takes effect Jan. 1, but includes broad exemptions
To help generate $45 billion in new revenue for the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan, the state will start taxing parking businesses on Jan. 1. … MORE
Cannabis law could allow cigar, hooka lounges to have consumption, but owner says unlikely
Illinois’ new recreational cannabis law will allow cities to give local cigar shops and other similar businesses permission to let cannabis smokers partake in their shops. The Illinois-based member of a tobacco association says not to hold your breath. … 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…