Gov. JB Pritzker, at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health today Thursday, saluted health care workers as the pandemic has finally ended.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Some Illinois Republicans accusing Pritzker administration of trying to entrap law-abiding gun owners
The state’s assault weapons ban is still not sorted out.… MORE
Former Illinois governor weighs in on Com Ed Four convictions
The old reformer himself, former Gov. Pat Quinn, returned to the Capitol Tuesday to again talk about ethics in politics and government – in light of the convictions of the Com Ed Four.… MORE
Firefighters are getting support from Illinois Lawmakers
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The shortage of volunteer firefighters – according to state lawmakers and fire officials – is a crisis. At a statehouse news conference Monday, the group said 85 percent of Illinois is covered by volunteer crews, whose numbers can be sparse. “Cahokia Heights had a fire a few months ago,” said…… MORE
Annual Illinois police memorial
The first Thursday in May is the day for the annual event.… MORE
Senate legislators highlight bills aimed at preventing fentanyl deaths
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – A group of senate lawmakers is highlighting legislation aimed at preventing fentanyl related deaths in Illinois. One measure requires all public high school students enrolled in health class to learn about the dangers of fentanyl says Senator Laura Ellman of Naperville. “This bill instructs school districts to talk about the…… MORE
State lawmakers pass bill that punishes public libraries for book banning
HB 2789 awaits the governor’s action.… MORE
Bill intended to watch out for bullied school kids awaits a vote in the Illinois Senate
In the year 2023, bullying means cyberbullying. … MORE
Illinois Republicans react to the Com Ed Four verdicts
Illinois Republicans were eager Tuesday evening to react to the guilty verdicts in the Com Ed Four trial.… MORE
ISP provides update after Monday’s pileup on I-55 south of Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A day after the chain reaction collision that killed six people along Interstate 55, State Police director Brendan Kelly told reporters in Divernon two of the victims cannot be identified, and he wants the public’s help. One person, he said, was in a blue Chrysler 300, and the other person…… 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…