The newest Illinois state troopers can count on a bigger payday.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Some Republican lawmakers calling Safe-T Act a failure
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Some Republican state lawmakers want to shore up Illinois’ Safe-T Act. State Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) wants to incentivize taking a job on a police force. Friess proposes a $500 tax credit for first responders.. Other ideas include giving judges more latitude to keep the bad guys locked up,…… MORE
State Sen. Koehler, others discuss bill that sets up fuel emissions monitoring
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Dave Koehler took part in a discussion Friday focused on the bill he proposed that creates a credit marketplace for low-emission fuels that would be run by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The Peoria Democrat and others testified to the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. Senate Bill 1556 would require fuel providers…… MORE
State Republicans file bill restoring citizen provision for police, deputies
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – State Reps. Dennis Tipsword of Metamora and Assistant Minority Leader John Cabello filed a bill in the Illinois General Assembly on Friday which they say “clarifies” a law enacted last year that allows non-citizens authorized to carry firearms to be hired as members of law enforcement. House Bill 5790 restores the citizenship provision for…… MORE
Illinois Senate looking to crack down on vaping
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A pair of proposals in the Illinois Senate would crack down on vaping. You can buy electronic cigarettes that look like school supplies. Or SpongeBob Squarepants. Joliet Township High School board president Michelle Stiff talks about the dangers of vaping. “Nicotine addiction can negatively impact academic performance and future opportunities,”…… MORE
Teacher shortage getting extra attention this week in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Even with such incentives as a $40,000 minimum salary, Illinois’ teacher shortage continues. “I was very proud to pass that law,” said State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). “It was very important to make sure that a living wage is really the base minimum requirement for the job, but we also…… MORE
Refugee rally fights for workers rights in Springfield on Thursday
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The fight for workers’ rights – particularly those of immigrants – came to the Capitol Thursday morning. A rally in front of the Lincoln statue called for passage of the “Work without Fear Act,” sponsored by State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “You have faced exploitation, persecution, and abuse,” Peters told…… MORE
Bill highlighting social media dangers to children is making headway in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A bill which aims to curb the dangers of social media to kids has passed an Illinois House committee. Sammy’s Law is named after a teenager who died after ordering drugs laced with fentanyl on Snapchat. Marc Berkman represents the Organization for Social Media Safety and explained the bill would…… MORE
Lawmakers want answers from deadly COVID outbreak at LaSalle Veterans home
The top staff at the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs has changed out since the COVID outbreak which killed 36 people at the veterans home in La Salle in 2020 and 2021. … MORE
Gov. Pritzker signs executive order to take on sickle cell disease
An executive order, which the governor signed Monday, takes on sickle cell disease. It’s diagnosed at birth and expensive to treat.… 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…