While a growing U.S. economy means a stronger U.S. dollar, it could cause a decline in agricultural goods being sold to foreign buyers.… MORE
While a growing U.S. economy means a stronger U.S. dollar, it could cause a decline in agricultural goods being sold to foreign buyers.… MORE
School districts that are struggling to hire new teachers could benefit from a new state law that cuts the red tape in hiring teachers from out of state.… MORE
With Illinois’ bottom-of-the-barrel credit rating, Moody’s Investors Service says the state’s continued population decline will make it more difficult to pay for government debt — and that could make the state’s credit rating even worse. … MORE
He almost never mentions him by name and now he won’t be attending the celebrations surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
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Another union has a new contract with the Rauner administration, marking the 19th such agreement on the books. … MORE
Illinois plans to add 200 new laws in the new year, but one lawmaker says that’s better than 8,000.… MORE
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has played an early role in vetting a key Cabinet nominee of President-Elect Donald Trump.… MORE
Following in the footsteps of her predecessor, state representative Mike Smiddy, Tony McCombie says House Speaker Michael Madigan should step down from his position.… MORE
Despite the state of Illinois having no budget for the last 18 months, the state must continue spending money to keep operations afloat.… MORE
The new year could be the year local governments find out what happens when they can’t meet their local pension promises. … 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…