If you’re looking to buy Powerball tickets, time may be running out. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Barickman: Madigan needs to take meaningful budget step
State Senator Jason Barickman said he is optimistic that a state budget will be formed this week, though there is one wild card.… MORE
Illinois House Democrats to unveil budget plan during Tuesday leaders meeting
Illinois Senate Democrats passed their spending plan last month. Leading Republicans offered up their proposal earlier this month. And by the end of the day Tuesday, House Democrats, who hold a significant majority in their chamber, will finally offer up their plan on how to spend Illinois tax dollars in fiscal 2018.… MORE
Duckworth expresses concerns about Senate GOP health care plan
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., continues to describe the Senate Republican’s health care overhaul plan one with devastating effects.… MORE
Madigan: Property tax relief part of ‘extreme right-wing agenda’
There’s a sense of optimism among the state’s legislative leaders, but with new demands from Democrats and Friday’s budget deadline approaching, it’s unclear if all sides will agree on a spending plan before the next budget year begins.… MORE
Senate intelligence boss: Illinois ‘great example’ for hack response
The head of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee says Illinois is an example for other states in how to handle an attack by hackers.… MORE
Illinois fair season underway, even amid budget crisis
The lemon shake-ups are being served and the chickens are being shown. Fair season in Illinois, despite the state’s budget woes, is under way.… MORE
Rep. Brady sees hope for workers’ comp reform despite state budget woes
Illinois lawmakers haven’t offered many signs of hope that they’ll agree on a budget, but Bloomington State Rep. Dan Brady sees some reason for optimism for a deal on worker compensation reform.… MORE
Durbin: Time for GOP to release ‘secret’ health care bill
U.S. Senate leaders could release the Republicans proposed health care bill as early as today.… MORE
No budget movement on 1st day of special session
The two leaders in the Illinois House differ on the recent history of state’s two-year budget impasse, with Republicans asking House Democrats to show their work.… 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…