By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When we live on the moon, it could be in a structure made in Rockford. And that’s cool. Ingersoll Machine Products’ Rosenberg moon habitat has won the 2023 Makers’ Madness contest, put on by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Illinois’ world-class manufacturing industry is leading the charge as one of the…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Two days after Audrey Hale killed six people in a Nashville Christian school, the Illinois State Rifle Association put on its annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, featuring a program at the BOS Center, a march down Capitol Avenue, and a rally in front of the statehouse. The group’s leader…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Backers of a bill to hold the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 for a month’s supply brought out a retiree to make their case. “I (have been) insulin-dependent for well over twenty years, and this is needed legislation for a lot of people,” said Judy Johnson of Springfield. “I…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – We’ve been hearing about the teacher shortage for years, and Alan Mather – a 33-year veteran of Chicago Public Schools – is trying to do something about it. The Golden Apple Foundation, of which he is president, is trying to elevate the profession. “Our ‘accelerators’ program, which is primarily for…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – You probably can’t write the history of Illinois without including Native Americans, but a bill which has passed the state House wants to make sure. “This bill highlights the true DNA of our state,” said sponsoring State Rep. Maurice West II (D-Rockford). “The word Illinois is derived from the Native…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) says her bill which could lead to a new state flag could do something many of us would think impossible. “It does get, I believe, people in the state excited about Illinois again.” The bill, which has passed the Senate, would create a commission to…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Responding to book bans, putting menstrual supplies in both men’s and women’s rooms – what about fixing the pension system? During a busy week for moving legislation, members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus – about a half dozen Downstate Republican representatives – say supermajority Democrats still have it all wrong.…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – In another sign that the pandemic is moving farther into the past, hundreds of union members crowded into the Capitol Rotunda Thursday to rally for higher wages for home care workers. Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Illinois contend that higher wages, including the actual wage also being…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Given the abundance of possibilities, you would think it would be difficult to select Illinois’ official state nut. State Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington) says that’s not the case. “The wood of the black walnut tree is highly valued by furniture makers for its durability and attractive color, and the nuts…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The discussion of book banning has entered the Illinois General Assembly. The House passed a bill which would deny state grants to libraries which go along with book bans. “To me, this is a complete go-around. An end-around on the local control and authority of library boards,” said State Rep.…… 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…