The latest curve in the Pritzker administration’s path toward replacing Stateville and Logan prisons is this glitch: not enough lawmakers showed up to make a quorum Friday.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
State treasurer touts unclaimed property program ‘I-Cash’
In the almost ten years since Mike Frerichs has been treasurer, his office has returned $2 billion to citizens and organizations through its unclaimed property program, I-Cash.… MORE
Legislature’s COGFA will make final recommendations about the future of Stateville and Logan state prisons
The Illinois legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Friday will make final recommendations about the future of the Stateville and Logan state prisons, which the Pritzker administration wants to replace.… MORE
LGBTQ leaders from central Illinois honored by Illinois Comptroller Mendoza
Three LGBTQ leaders from central Illinois were singled out for recognition Tuesday by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. It’s in celebration of Pride Month.… MORE
Over a hundred libraries across the state receive a total of $2M to expand technology
More than one hundred libraries in Illinois are in for a total of $2 million in grants to enhance and expand their technology.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs $53B budget into law
The state’s $53.1 billion dollar budget is now law. Gov. JB Pritzker signed it in Chicago Wednesday morning.… MORE
Illinois Gov. Pritzker makes a case for President Biden to be reelected on national TV
A president in office is trying to make progress. A convicted felon running against him is trying to make bail.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers have a chance to rest after last week’s adjournment
State lawmakers have scattered to their home districts after adjournment this past week.… MORE
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson headlines Peoria-Tazewell Lincoln Day Dinner
The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, shared his views with people in Peoria Saturday.… MORE
One of the state’s business leaders does not share Gov. Pritzker’s optimism about the economy
As Illinois political watchers observed Wednesday’s debate over the budget, many already are singling out the remarks of State Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) as he warned of difficult financial times ahead.… 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…