New data shows that about 65 percent of college seniors carried student loan debt when they graduated in 2017, although the figures for Illinois fall below the national average. … MORE
![Illinois student loan debt lower than national average](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/389/2018/10/15140239/Student-loans1.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
New data shows that about 65 percent of college seniors carried student loan debt when they graduated in 2017, although the figures for Illinois fall below the national average. … MORE
It’s harder to imagine an odder couple than President Trump and Vice President Pence.… MORE
A crowd estimated at 250 stood in a country club ballroom for a not-quite-half-hour speech from Vice President Mike Pence Friday afternoon.… MORE
The two main candidates for governor found their way out of the Chicago area for a joint appearance, this one a statewide broadcast debate in Quincy.… MORE
Races up and down the state will determine who will be in the Illinois statehouse and could shape how the state addresses its massive pension debt.… MORE
State workers represented by AFSCME – particularly the newest hires – said they hoped Oct. 1 would mean, once and for all, they would get the money coming to them through contracted “step” increases.… MORE
Illinois ranked dead last in terms of fiscal stability using the most recent data that marks the first year lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner failed to agree on a budget. The author of the report notes that the state also had lower taxes at the time.… MORE
A high-profile visit at a high-dollar luncheon comes in the closing weeks of a Downstate Congressional race. Just don’t tell three-term incumbent U.S Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) it’s a desperate move.… MORE
Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker has repeatedly dodged questions about the basic details of his progressive income tax proposal, but he’s not alone in his refusal to talk specifics. … MORE
A new report highlights waste and pork in Illinois’ budget and its author says it just highlights the slap in the face to Illinois taxpayers.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…