For many of us, the Illinois State Fair is about food. And an annual contest to select the best fair food has resulted in another win for Classic Kitchen.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Veterans’ celebration at the Illinois State Fair
When you are a veteran, you have something nobody can take away.… MORE
Decatur Republican alleges Gov. Pritzker has his thumb on the scales of justice
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Downstate lawmaker who brought the lawsuit challenging Gov. JB Pritzker over the state’s new assault weapons ban – a challenge which went down the tubes at the Illinois Supreme Court Friday – says he is disappointed but not surprised. “You know, this is Illinois,” said State Rep. Dan Caulkins…… MORE
2023 Illinois State Fair Ag Day Breakfast canceled
The Illinois State Fair announced Thursday evening that the annual Ag Day Breakfast, set for Friday morning, has been canceled.… MORE
Twilight Parade wraps up day one at the Illinois State Fair
The statewide FFA leaders served as grand marshals for the Twilight Parade, which closed out the first day of the Illinois State Fair.… MORE
Illinois’ annual celebration of agriculture is underway
Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Illinois State Fair mixed the serious and the not-so-serious.… MORE
Illinois State Fair butter cow unveiled
The famous butter cow, 2023 edition, has taken her place inside the Dairy Building for the Illinois State Fair, which starts Thursday.… MORE
New name for McFarland Mental Health Center in Springfield
Gov. JB Pritzker tried Wednesday to correct an historic wrong by re-naming Springfield’s McFarland Mental Health Center for a woman committed by her husband in 1860.… MORE
Illinois State Fair featuring a sensory friendly area in 2023
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair is for everyone, says fair manager Rebecca Clark. “One in seven individuals live with a disability,” said Clark. “Those with autism, PTSD, and other sensory-processing sensitivities often experience sensory overload, limiting their ability to comfortably participate in social gatherings.” A “sensory friendly” area next to the…… MORE
2023 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen
An experience babysitting a child with a seizure disorder is guiding the path of this year’s Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.… 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…