The Centers for Disease Control this week released some sobering statistics about last year’s flu season, but the numbers may not account for the people who got sick in Illinois.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Local Congressman is celebrating passage of new tax reform
Local U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) is celebrating the House passage of what’s called Tax Reform 2.0, making lower federal tax rates permanent.… MORE
U of I opens Illinois Bioprocessing Research Laboratory
Officials at the University of Illinois say a new bioprocessing research laboratory that was 20 years in the making, costing $26 million, will spur on needed developments in renewable resources and make central Illinois the bioprocessing capital of the world.… MORE
Anti-harassment panel releases report, says behavior still widespread
A panel of women politicians tasked with making suggestions to fix the culture of inappropriate behavior has released its first report.… MORE
Early voting for November election begins
Election day is still five weeks away, but voters can head to the polls today. Early voting in Illinois started Thursday.… MORE
State treasurer announces new component for unclaimed property program
If it’s too much work to get your own money back, there’s good news for you.… MORE
Sales tax on most online shopping goes into effect Monday
This weekend is the last opportunity for Illinoisans to avoid paying sales taxes while shopping online, even though the practice has technically been illegal for years.… MORE
Dems push for override of minimum teacher pay bill veto
Supporters of that “teacher minimum pay” bill – which the governor vetoed – are hopeful of an override when the legislature is back after the election.… MORE
Waste not, want not at the dinner table
As Americans, we waste up to a third of the food we buy. New research shows that problem is particularly pronounced among college students.… MORE
Congressional campaign challenges pre-existing conditions
The latest disagreement in the Congressional campaign between incumbent U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) and Democratic challenger Betsy Dirksen Londrigan is over which candidate is better for Illinoisans with pre-existing conditions.… 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…