Even though Joy, Illinois is not a major shopping hub, the small western Illinois town with a population of 385 continues to be a popular destination for mail during December.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
New Illinois divorce law would give pet custody to better parent
A new Illinois divorce law will let a judge decide who is the best parent for the family pet.… MORE
Friday is deadline to buy private insurance through Illinois Obamacare website
Friday is the last day for people who don’t get insurance through their job, and who are not enrolled in Medicaid, to sign up for Obamacare benefits. … MORE
Rauner signs opioid law
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday signed legislation designed to prevent opioid abuse.… MORE
AG Madigan scores settlement for pre-flat screen era TV and monitor buyers
Televisions are cheaper these days but Illinois Attorney general Lisa Madigan believes some Illinois consumers are owed money from a bygone era.… MORE
Questions linger about effectiveness of ISBE’s climate survey
Schools across Illinois are sending off the results of their latest climate survey, dubbed the the 5Essential Survey, but there are questions about what will become of the answers. … MORE
Durbin urges Alabama voters to reject Moore
With members of Congress stepping aside because of past sexual harassment allegations, voters in Alabama are deciding if they should send a candidate to the Senate with the another troubled history.… MORE
State Board of Education utilizes ‘virtual school’ to reduce education gap
In Illinois, access to educational resources is limited in rural schools. … MORE
Governor Rauner talks farming industry, highlights Brandt deal
Governor Bruce Rauner addressed the Illinois Farm Bureau recently in Chicago for the organization’s annual meeting, voicing support for the farming industry.… MORE
5-year Ag Census is underway
Farmers across Illinois are required by law to check in with the government in the coming weeks to provide certain information.… 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…