Members of Illinois’ Republican congressional delegation differ on whether every state in the nation should accept other states’ concealed-carry permit holders.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Rauner defends state’s handling of veterans home where 13 have died
Is the water really safe at veteran’s home in Quincy? It’s a serious question now after 12 people died from Legionnaires’ disease in 2015 another died in November.… MORE
Illinois jobless rate holds steady despite loss of 1,100 jobs
The unemployment rate held steady last month in Illinois, but jobs were down a bit.… MORE
AAA Chicago sees record holiday travel, average gas price here seen at $2.40 per gallon
It will cost a little more to fill your gas tank in Bloomington-Normal before hitting the road this holiday season, compared to the same time last year. However, Beth Mosher of AAA Chicago said the price is reasonable given the turnaround in the economy and consumers having more disposable income.… MORE
Illinois population drops to 6th behind Pennsylvania
Welcome to Illinois, the newly-titled sixth-largest U.S. state.… MORE
Illinois’ congressional delegation split on federal tax cut bill
The U.S. House will vote again on Wednesday after the approved tax reform bill in DC tripped on a procedure and Illinois’ congressional delegation is split on whether the nation’s tax code should be reformed.… MORE
Congressional candidate’s views shaped by his religious faith, sees tax bill as morally ‘awful’
A University of Illinois professor of religious history in America is part of a crowded field of five Democrats who want to replace incumbent Republican Central Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis.… MORE
Illinois experiencing shortage of educators in Central and Southern regions
Despite record numbers of students graduating at Illinois State University with teaching degrees, there’s still a shortage of teachers and staff in central Illinois.… MORE
Durbin: GOP tax bill has some good, but ‘terrible’ overall
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said there are some parts of the Republicans’ proposed tax overhaul that he could support, but not enough to earn his support.… MORE
Illinois legislators prepare for tax vote
Illinois’ congressional Republicans are locked and loaded to vote on a compromise between separate versions of tax reform this week. If the votes are there, the president could sign it before Christmas. Among the changes announced Friday: the corporate tax rate will be reduced from 35 percent to 21 percent instead of 20 percent; the child tax credit will be increased to $2,000 from $1,000; and it would allow deductions up to $10,000 state and local taxes.… 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…