Should Illinois’ state workers be required to actually live in Illinois?… MORE
Category Archives: State News
White: Stop driving distracted and move over
With a number of Illinois State Troopers being hit by passing motorists, Secretary of State Jesse White is reiterating to not drive while distracted and obey the move-over law.… MORE
Governor signs law banning local right-to-work zones
In another thumb in the eye of former Gov. Bruce Rauner, Gov. JB Pritzker Friday signed a bill outlawing local right-to-work zones.… MORE
Arrest made in Trooper’s death
An arrest has been made in the March 28th death of Illinois State Police Trooper Brooke Jones-Story. 55-year old Craig Dittmar of Stockton will be charged with two counts of Reckless Homicide. Driving a truck tractor semi-trailer combination along Route 75 in Stephenson County Dittmar hit Jones-Story’s squad car and the vehicle she…… MORE
Londrigan eyes rematch with Davis
Launching her 2020 campaign for Congress, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan channeled her inner Larry the Cable Guy.… MORE
Graduated income tax amendment clears first hurdle
Illinois lawmakers have begun airing out the idea of a graduated income tax, by which people who make the most pay at a higher rate. It passed a Senate committee on a partisan vote.… MORE
Capitol rally pushes for apprenticeships to help pay for college
A state lawmaker appeared at a Capitol Rotunda rally sponsored by the Young Invincibles.… MORE
Lawmakers urge census participation
Senators spoke at a news conference to encourage all to participate in the 2020 Census — even undocumented immigrants.… MORE
Governor signs bill giving more money to college grants
Signing a bill into law in Springfield Thursday, the governor said his budget gives more money to Aim High and to MAP – the Monetary Award Program.… MORE
Pritzker optimistic about DCFS
Gov. JB Pritzker Wednesday chose Decatur as the place to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month.… 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…