Poison control officials want people to be cautious in how they use poison as the weather turns cooler and mice and rats seek out warmer places.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Illinois drivers paid $100 million more in gas taxes in first month of tax increase
By Illinois Radio Network SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he will make sure new tax revenue from the state’s higher gas tax is spent property after federal agents raided the offices of Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Martin Sandoval as part of a corruption probe. Drivers in Illinois paid $100 million more in gas taxes in…… MORE
New report ranks Illinois as least ‘tax-friendly’ state
Illinois is the “least tax-friendly” state in the nation, according to a new report from business and economic forecasting publisher Kiplinger.… MORE
Governor says policies are helping the economy grow
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting policies he said are helping grow the state’s economy, but an opponent of his progressive income tax proposal said it’s more important to highlight what the governor hasn’t said.… MORE
Congressman wants to talk trade not impeachment
A local Congressman says there’s nothing in the Ukraine transcript to add up to criminal charges – or impeachment.… MORE
Task force seeks consensus on cannabis sales in Bloomington
Task force members studying the possibility of allowing recreational marijuana sales in Bloomington said Thursday night they want more information before making recommendations to the city council.… MORE
Schnucks to stop all tobacco sales starting next year
Schnucks announced Thursday that beginning next year it will end the sale of all tobacco products.… MORE
Pritzker: Sandoval should give up chairmanship
The governor is unambiguous on this one – a lawmaker who was key to the new infrastructure plan should give up his chairmanship of the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, at least for now. … MORE
Poll: Millions unaware of REAL ID deadline, advocate says fall 2020 travel could be ‘chaos’
A national survey regarding federal REAL ID requirements suggested that next year’s holiday travel season could be chaotic.… MORE
Harvest will begin in earnest
A warm, wet week finished off September for Illinois farmers. The statewide average temperature was 68 degrees, seven above normal. … 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…