The bill to lift the state’s sales tax on groceries was not popular with everyone.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Gov. Pritzker takes victory lap after legislature passed state budget
Wednesday morning – hours after the legislature passed the $53.1 billion budget in its all-night finale – Gov. JB Pritzker felt like taking a victory lap.… MORE
Illinois House approves $53 billion budget
A $53.1 billion budget is on its way to the governor.… MORE
Illinois Poison Center sounding alarm on increased calls during summer
By WMBD-TV CHICAGO – The Illinois Poison Center is warning residents of the increased presence of foodborne illnesses as the warmer months roll in. Why now and not winter? Basically with outdoor celebrations, hot food fails to stay hot and cold food fails to stay cold, increasing the risk of food poisoning. That, plus bugs…… MORE
State Sen. Preston proposes an honor for former Secretary of State Jesse White
A teacher, paratrooper, lawmaker, college and pro athlete, and Secretary of State will have his name on a state office building in Chicago.… MORE
Illinois House passes bill that would phase out the sub-minimum wage for the disabled
Disabled Illinoisans who make a sub-minimum wage in community workshops would eventually make the minimum, if a bill which passed the House Thursday becomes law.… MORE
Lawmakers approve new state mushroom
Illinois lawmakers have not finished a state budget, but – pending the governor’s signature – there is an official state mushroom.… MORE
Local lawmaker wants to hit the brakes on Illinois’ gas tax
State Rep. Dan Caulkins, a Republican from Decatur, wants to suspend the annual increase in the state’s gas tax for two years. … MORE
West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes found in Fulton County
By WMBD-TV FULTON COUNTY – The Fulton County Health Department announced a pool of mosquitoes in Cuba have tested positive for West Nile Virus. According to their Facebook, the mosquitoes were collected on May 17. The Administrator of Fulton County Health Department Katie Lynn said, “West Nile virus activity has been present in the state, and…… MORE
Big package of business incentives has passed the Illinois House
HB 817 has passed the House, 98-14.… 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…