The investigation of a deadly amusement ride accident at the Ohio State Fair has led to Illinois Labor Department and Agriculture officials to give a ride the boot before next month’s state fair begins.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Obamacare repeal fails by 2 votes
The U.S. Senate narrowly struck down the so-called “skinny” repeal of Obamacare after three Republicans joined Democrats in voting ‘no.’… MORE
Local advocates kick-off ERA drive with help from prominent Republican couple
It’s ‘Back to the Future’ for supporters of an Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.… MORE
Mental health expert chides Senate leader for ‘mental health’ comment toward Rauner
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is taking heat for suggesting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s ‘mental state’ is why he won’t accept – as is – the education funding bill that lawmakers passed in May.… MORE
Senate President plans to give Rauner school funding bill Monday
Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said Wednesday he will send the education funding reform bill to Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday.… MORE
Duckworth slams Trump’s ‘discriminatory’ transgender military ban
U.S. Sen. and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth has slammed what she calls President Trump’s ‘discriminatory’ attempt to block transgender solders from serving in the military.… MORE
Federal help for Illinois flooding questionable
Illinois’ emergency managers say no one should expect help from the federal government once the flood waters in northern Illinois finally go down.… MORE
Illinois’ U.S. Senators vote against opening debate on Obamacare
Both parties in Washington D.C. say Obamacare is flawed, but Illinois’ Democratic U.S. Senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, voted Tuesday against opening debate to change things.… MORE
Police await DNA tests to identify remains
Tazewell County authorities said skeletal remains discovered Monday might near Pekin may very well be that of missing boy Robert Bee, however investigators can not positively identify the remains until the completion of DNA testing sometime next week.… MORE
Downstate coal plant owners appeal Exelon ‘bailout’ decision
The owners of a number of southern Illinois coal plants is appealing a ruling upholding what they call a bailout for Exelon nuclear plants in Illinois. … 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…