Bloomington’s State Farm Insurance is again raising rates for Illinois auto owners to keep up with rising costs of insurance claims.… MORE
Bloomington’s State Farm Insurance is again raising rates for Illinois auto owners to keep up with rising costs of insurance claims.… MORE
No state has gone without a budget this long since the Depression days of the dust bowl, breadlines and soup kitchens, but now Illinois has achieved budget peace.… MORE
There was a captive audience in the Illinois House Thursday for the historic override vote of the governor’s tax hike and budget vetoes after the capitol building was put on lockdown.… MORE
The Democratic-dominated Illinois House, with the help of some Republicans, voted to override Governor Rauner’s veto of a budget and income tax increase.… MORE
Illinois State Police Trooper Ryan Albin was laid to rest Thursday after a funeral at Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City, where he graduated in 1998.… MORE
Moody’s Investors Services might still downgrade Illinois’ credit rating to junk status even if a $5 billion tax increase and budget is enacted Thursday.… MORE
Gov. Bruce Rauner is urging lawmakers in the House to not override his veto, saying that without reforms the state will soon be back for more money from taxpayers. … MORE
A bond hearing for the man accused of kidnapping University of Illinois visiting scholar Yingying Zhang revealed the suspect made statements indicating the woman fought and resisted him during the alleged abduction.… MORE
School districts across the state could be without funds if there’s not an evidence-based school funding reform measure, sought by House Speaker Michael Madigan, in place soon. … MORE
The fee that supports 911 systems across the state is going up under a law that lawmakers approved against Gov. Bruce Rauner’s wishes. … 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…