Illinoisans looking to gamble at a new casino in Rockford or Danville or to legally buy marijuana to get high for fun will have to wait until next year for the debate to spark back up at the statehouse.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Durbin: Foreign hacking, not voter fraud, Illinois’ biggest election threat
Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator says hacking is a much bigger election threat than voter fraud.… MORE
Supreme Court rules states can require sellers to collect sales tax
By Illinois Radio Network WASHINGTON, D.C. – Illinois consumers can expect to pay more when shopping online after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states have the authority to require out-of-state online retailers to collect sales taxes. In a 5-4 decision in South Dakota vs. Wayfair Inc., the court ruled states can require sellers to…… MORE
At ISU, Rauner sees massive investments in higher education
Gov. Bruce Rauner touted the new state budget during his visit Thursday to Illinois State University, noting it includes $62 million to modernize and rebuild ISU’s College of Fine Arts.… MORE
Illinois election managers to visit Bloomington to train in cyber security
County clerks and other election managers from across Illinois will be in Bloomington this week for a training session that focuses on protecting the state’s election information technology. … MORE
State fairgrounds repairs to begin under new Illinois budget
The new state budget is providing first aid to the ailing Illinois State Fairgrounds. … MORE
NY Catholic Church tries again to prevent transfer of Sheen’s remains to Peoria
The legal wrangling isn’t over between Central Illinois and New York Catholics about the final resting place for El Paso native, Archbishop Fulton Sheen.… MORE
Special Olympians come to town to spread their joy
Special Olympians gathering Friday night at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium were experiencing the thrill of victory even before their competitions. … MORE
Man charged for opioid-induced homicide in Bloomington
One of a dozen opioid-related deaths in McLean County so far this year has led to a criminal charge of drug-induced homicide against a Champaign County man.… MORE
Rodney Davis still has hope in stalled farm bill
With the U.S. Senate moving on a farm bill, the House version may seem dead, but an Illinois congressman says that’s not necessarily the case.… 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…