By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – At downtown Springfield’s Pridefest Saturday, there were as many stories as there were people. Scott March, a teacher at Southeast High School in Springfield, said starting and sponsoring a Gay Straight Alliance was the correct thing to do. “My big brother, who is gay, was also a Southeast Spartan, and…… MORE
Illinois lawmakers missed a self-imposed deadline of May 19 to finish their work for the spring, as there was never even a hint of a budget.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When the leaders of the Illinois General Assembly drew up their 2023 schedule, today – May 19 – was supposed to be the last day of the session. But the lawmakers will have to be in some more days – probably next week – to consider a budget for the…… MORE
HB 1286 awaits full Senate action.… MORE
By Jake Fogal SPRINGFIELD – A bill in the Senate that would provide a $500 state income tax credit for volunteer firefighters is picking up steam in the final week of session down in Springfield. The proposal asks for the state budget to include an income tax credit, which would support Illinois’ dire need for…… MORE
A state lawmaker’s challenge to the assault weapons ban passed last year is in the hands of the Illinois Supreme Court.… MORE
By week’s end, Illinois lawmakers just may pass a budget and adjourn.… MORE
The state’s Republicans Friday could only look and listen, and think, someday that could be us, as they took in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ keynote address at a GOP dinner in Peoria.… MORE
Illinois Republicans Friday got a look at something they do not have of their own: a statewide winner.… MORE
With just a week to go in the legislative session, Illinois House Republicans say they have numerous good bills, if supermajority Democrats would only pay attention.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…