The warm forecast could cause some crops to wake up and get damaged by any possible winter freezing.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Former Congressman Bob Michel passes
Former Congressman Robert “Bob” Michel died Friday morning at the age of 93.… MORE
Illinois ranked among least happy states
Illinois ranked in the bottom third for happiness, according to the latest Gallup poll that measured overall well-being in the country.… MORE
Judge says state workers will continue being paid
An Illinois judge has denied a request by the attorney general to stop paying state workers unless lawmakers resolve the state’s budget impasse.… MORE
Illinois snow totals well below average
By Cole Lauterbach /Illinois Radio Network SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is seeing much less snow than it usually does. While it’s good for your car and pothole repair, it may be bad for farmers banking on winter wheat yields. Even with last Wednesday’s light snow in northern and central Illinois, most of the state is experiencing…… MORE
Bill seeks to level playing field between independents, major party candidates
Bill to level signature requirements would even playing field between independents, major party candidates
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Durbin meets with Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin met with Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch for some 40 minutes this week.… MORE
Duckworth takes on massive price spikes on anti-overdose medication
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), along with colleague Dick Durbin, is seeing red after another pharmaceutical company dramatically increased the price of a life saving medication. … MORE
Rauner previews budget address
Gov. Bruce Rauner is getting set to give another budget address but every year he has done so the state has gone without a comprehensive state spending plan.… MORE
Regional school superintendent latest to join race for governor
The current regional superintendent of schools for Madison County is putting his name in the growing field of possible Democrats to take on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2018. … 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…