Who’s that guy with the video camera? If you’re around politics, it could be a “tracker” from the enemy camp.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Next steps in cell phone technology not far away
Cities across Illinois are bracing for the next steps to get 5G cell phone technology in place and the capital city could be among the first to get it.… MORE
New laws aim to cut mental health costs, allow state to seek more federal funds
A package of bills to enhance how Illinois’ medical community deals with mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment is now law.… MORE
Local papers hold local governments accountable
When a newspaper closes, local governments in the area tend to borrow more, spend more, hire more workers and raise taxes, according to a study on the matter.… MORE
Study: Illinois facing billion dollar deficit
After Illinois lawmakers patted themselves on the back and told taxpayers the budget they passed this year was balanced, a bond issuance tells potential buyers that the state budget is $1.2 billion in the red.… MORE
State leaders aim to curb Illinois’ college brain drain
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a pair of bills aimed at curbing Illinois’ brain drain that’s resulted in sharp enrollment declines at the state’s public universities and community colleges.… MORE
Attorney General Candidates Debate Over Debates
The major party candidates for Illinois Attorney General are debating about whether they want to debate each other.… MORE
Not every student is ready to start school
Children who arrive to kindergarten with higher levels of readiness are actually more successful in grade school, they’re less likely to drop out of school and more likely to graduate… MORE
New laws on the books
Nearly 300 new laws in nearly 30 days have been signed by the governor… MORE
State opioid hotline helps increasing number of residents
The Illinois Department of Human Services says 5,000 people have called the opioid helpline for help since they first started taking calls back in December.… 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…