Normal’s city manager said the town government will continue pursuing an extension of a tax increment financing district for Uptown Normal even if an affected taxing body or two are opposed to the idea.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Illinois Realtors: Proposed statewide property tax “untenable”
The best way to pay off Illinois’ unfunded pension debt is a statewide 1 percent property tax on top of local property tax levies for the next few decades, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.… MORE
Pritzker won’t support death penalty coming back to Illinois
Gov. Bruce Rauner wants the death penalty back in Illinois. It’s part of a plan of action he has along with some gun control measures to increase public safety.… MORE
Gov. Rauner uses veto pen to ask for new gun laws, death penalty’s return
Gov. Bruce Rauner is using his veto pen to ask lawmakers for a handful of tougher gun laws and for the state to once again sentence people to death. … MORE
Gov. Rauner proposes death penalty for mass murderers, cop killers
Governor Bruce Rauner is attempting to reinstate the death penalty for mass murderers and people who kill police officers.… MORE
IDOT program promotes motorcycle awareness, safety
The Illinois Department of Transportation is working to raise awareness about the alarming number of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes as the weather warms up.… MORE
Bill to exempt Illinois veterans groups from city bans on video gambling passes Senate
By Illinois Radio Network SPRINGFIELD – Illinois state senators have passed a bill that would allow veterans’ organizations to offer video gambling in their establishments even if local laws forbid it. Many American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts across Illinois already have video gambling, but some municipalities and counties have banned it. The…… MORE
Lawmakers look ease student access to medical marijuana-extract oil in school
Illinois school nurses could soon be dispensing an oil extracted from marijuana. … MORE
Illinois’ Top 200 voters picking state’s best scenic spots
Illinois bicentennial best-of voters are picking the state’s best scenic spots this week. … MORE
Sen. Duckworth: Ending Iran deal reckless, GOP lawmakers applaud move
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is calling President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal as reckless, but two Central Illinois Republican lawmakers are praising the move.… 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…