Illinois lawmakers are scheduled to send Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation placing limits on local law enforcement’s ability to cooperate in the deportation of undocumented immigrants.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Deadline day arrives for Illinois lawmakers
Wednesday is the final day for Illinois state lawmakers to pass a balanced budget with simple majorities.… MORE
Minimum wage bill passes Illinois House
A narrow margin of victory came Tuesday afternoon for what may be the most controversial measure out of the recntly ripped-apart ‘Grand-Bargain’ set of bills.… MORE
Gun bill falters on procedural move
State lawmakers’ attempt to crack down on multiple gun offenders was temporarily stalled after an opponent used a procedural move to keep it in limbo, but it’s now headed to the state Senate for consideration.… MORE
Legislature passes measures strengthening tax-exempt status of religious centers
It’s could be onto the governor’s desk soon with a couple of bills to allow religious organizations to maintain tax exempt status in Illinois.… MORE
$5.4 billion tax hike vote expected in Illinois House
Democrats in an Illinois House committee are OK with their Senate colleague’s plan to raise taxes by $5.4 billion, but Republicans say the increase is far too great and the state should focus on getting more revenue through economic growth.… MORE
Automatic voter registration passes Illinois House
On Memorial Day, the Illinois House acted to automatically sign up voters after they do business with a number of state agencies.… MORE
Chicago pays tribute to fallen Bloomington soldier Josh Rodgers
The mother of U.S. Army Ranger Josh Rodgers took part in Memorial Day ceremonies at a site that was once the hub of anti-war protests during the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.… MORE
Illinois House proclamation honors Sgt. Rodgers
Illinois House members observed a moment of silence last week in honor of Army Ranger Sgt. Josh Rodgers, 22, the Normal Community graduate who was killed last month during a raid on an Islamic State compound in eastern Afghanistan.… MORE
Blagojevich attorney in new appeal: Courts fail to distinguish between politics, bribery
Imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is once again appealing his 14-year sentence.… 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…