The head of the Illinois Department of Transportation says driverless cars are closer to the state’s roadways than you may think.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Humane Society issues coyote cautions
With colder weather sweeping in, Illinois residents, especially those with pets, should be aware that coyotes will be searching for food for winter, which means they are more likely to be closer to homes.… MORE
Illinois’ burdensome, expensive fracking regulations keep companies away
Illinois still is waiting for its first fracking operation, four years after a law opened the door to the practice.… MORE
Illinois Supreme Court tosses Beaman appeal
The Illinois Supreme Court has tossed an appeal made by Alan Beaman, who claims three former Normal police officers pressured prosecutors to charge him with the death of his former girlfriend.… MORE
New sexual harassment policy at Illinois Capitol ‘puts fox in charge of henhouse’
Lawmakers passed bills, took classes and made endorsed statements saying the culture of sexual harassment in Springfield was on its way to finally being addressed. But others say it wasn’t near enough to persuade victims to come forward.… MORE
State loses court battle in election law, not likely to appeal
The 2018 election ballots in Illinois could look different after a judge ruled in favor of removing a law critics say is protectionism.… MORE
Illinois corn harvest off the pace late into season
Corn production in Illinois is slightly behind pace this year, with 95 percent of the crop harvested statewide as of the middle of November, a couple percentage points below average.… MORE
Thanksgiving costs down more than $10, least expensive meal since 2013
The American Farm Bureau Federation says you’ll pay the lowest price for Thanksgiving dinner since 2013 this year.… MORE
Bloomington named Illinois’ drunkest city
Bloomington is considered the drunkest city in Illinois according to a recent study from the CDC which concluded excessive alcohol consumption cost the US economy nearly 250 billion dollars in 2010.… MORE
Illinois remains in interstate Crosscheck voter database
Despite a motion to withdraw, Illinois will remain in the interstate Crosscheck voter registration database.… 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…