The IRS is warning well-intentioned Illinoisans to double-check the charity they’re donating to. It could be a scam.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Rauner lauds school funding deal during BHS visit
Amid a rare spirit of bipartisanship, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a school funding bill that the state’s chief executive said will bring more money to school districts based on the needs of children.… MORE
Rural Heyworth mobile home park’s water said to be contaminated with E. coli
The Illinois Environment Protection Agency is seeking a court order against the owners of a rural Heyworth mobile home park to immediately clean up E. coli contamination in its water supply.… MORE
Illinois Senate endorses school funding plan, sends bill to Rauner
Through all the drama and gridlock in Springfield, it looks as if lawmakers can all agree that they want schools to stay open.
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Lawmakers send school funding bill to governor; Brady officially named GOP Senate Leader
By Howard Packowitz and Sean Copeland SPRINGFIELD – A memorable day in Springfield as lawmakers finally hammered out a school funding deal on Tuesday, and a momentus day for Bloomington’s veteran legislator, Bill Brady. Senate Republicans officially chose Brady as the Senate’s Minority Leader. Brady has been the leader-designate since July when Christine Radogno retired…… MORE
Illinois ready to help Texas with storm damage
Illinois is ready with whatever emergency personnel Texas needs. Illinois’ emergency management boss says Texas just needs to ask. … MORE
Rauner signs automatic voter registration law
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a law designed to get more people to cast a ballot on election day in Illinois.… MORE
Rauner signs immigration law
Gov. Bruce Rauner has made it official.… MORE
Illinois House votes to approve new school funding plan
The Illinois House has approved a new school funding plan, following a failure by lawmakers to override Governor Bruce Rauner’s changes to a separate plan preferred by teacher unions.… MORE
Legislative leaders meet Sunday; ed funding reform vote expected Monday
Lower-income families in Illinois would have a better shot at deciding where their children go to school under a compromise education funding reform plan being discussed by legislative leaders behind closed doors Sunday evening.… 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…