Washington D.C. Republicans are pressing for changes to the Affordable Care Act and Monday those members in Congress released a view of what should change.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Pat Brady: State budget agreement could be soon
The former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party expects a state budget agreement soon because lawmakers won’t have any choice.… MORE
Dentists want out from fronting Illinois state employees’ dental costs
Dentists across the state, and around the country, who do work on patients with Illinois state employee insurance are forced to treat patients with minimal reimbursement for completed work – and they’re looking for a way out.… MORE
USDA: Farmers face another tough profit year
The U.S Department of Agriculture predicts another challenging year for farmers struggling to make a profit in 2017.… MORE
Study: Illinois’ charter schools sending more kids to college
A new study shows Illinois’ charter schools are sending a higher percentage of students to college than traditional public schools… MORE
February weather smashes records
No matter where you live in Illinois you knew it been mild winter and now we are finding out just how much warmer it was.… MORE
Package, including income tax increases, on hold at state capitol
The Illinois Senate adjourned late Wednesday afternoon without voting on massive tax increases that are tied to its “grand bargain” package of budget-related bills.… MORE
Durbin, Duckworth offer unfavorable critique of Trump address
You probably didn’t expect U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to give rave reviews to President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress.… MORE
‘Grand bargain’ pension reform bill stalls in Senate
The proposed bills to cobble together a state budget stumbled Tuesday when Senate leadership couldn’t muster the votes on a bill that would make nominal changes to Illinois’ public pensions as well as abolish future lawmaker pensions.… MORE
Rauner seeks to expand reach of Medicaid
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration is seeking to tweak the Illinois Medicaid program.… 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…