It will be nearly ten months before Illinois voters pick their governor, but the money already spent is mind boggling.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Durbin: DACA bill still on track after meeting with Trump
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is standing by his account of a meeting last week in which President Donald Trump reportedly used a vulgar phrase when referring to African countries.… MORE
Illinois projected to lose two congressmen in upcoming Census
When projecting out to the new decade, a new study shows Illinois’ loses two congressional seats.… MORE
Doctor: Work requirements for Medicaid would save taxpayers money, strengthen safety net
A doctor and author says requiring able-bodied people to work in order to receive Medicaid benefits will help everyone involved.… MORE
U of I eliminating farmland auctions
In hopes of better tenant relations, the University of Illinois will no longer put the rights to farm part of its thousands of acres of farmland up for auction every few years.… MORE
Budget negotiator says 6-month budget not in works
One of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief budget negotiators is trying to put the kibosh to a rumor that there’s an effort to pass a six-month budget to get through the November elections.… MORE
Bipartisan support for capital bill to support new Quincy veterans home, Chicago home
There’s bipartisan support among Illinois lawmakers for a plan to build a new veterans home in Quincy and for funds to finish a stalled Chicago veterans facility. … MORE
Barickman: Legalized pot sales policies need consistency
State lawmakers are unclear what the U.S. Department of Justice’s threats Thursday to enforce federal marijuana prohibition on states with legal pot sales will mean for Illinois.… MORE
LaHood: Federal road plan chances are 50-50
Congressman Darin LaHood said that he’d love to see a trillion dollars in federal spending on roads, bridges, locks, and dams. But he also has significant doubt that it could happen.… MORE
New year brings new sexual harassment laws to Illinois
New state laws meant to deal with stories of rampant sexual harassment under the dome in Springfield are now active. … 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…