After suddenly pleading guilty as his federal corruption trial was wrapping up this week, former state Sen. Sam McCann won’t be released to await sentencing, U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless ruled Friday.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Career and Technical education leaders gathering in Springfield
See that valedictorian over there? Someday his furnace will give out, and he’ll have to call someone who took career and technical education courses as opposed to getting a four-year college degree.… MORE
Pritzker commits another $182 million to migrant response, details to come next week
The state and Cook County announced Thursday a roughly $250 million plan to provide shelter, health care and other services for recently arrived migrants. But according to their own plan, there’s still a roughly $70 million funding gap for the rest of 2024. … MORE
In last-minute reversal, former Sen. Sam McCann pleads guilty to corruption charges
As federal prosecutors were preparing to rest their case Thursday in the corruption trial of former Republican state Sen. Sam McCann, the one-time gubernatorial candidate had a change of heart. … MORE
Customers pay for utilities’ lawyers and corporate donations. Advocates want to change that.
Illinoisans pay tens of millions of dollars each year to utilities to cover costs they accrue for lawyers, belonging to trade groups, making charitable contributions and purchasing advertisements meant to boost utilities’ public image. … MORE
State treasurer’s office reports January missing money returns
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Nearly $17.2 million in missing money was returned by the Illinois State Treasurer’s office in the month of January, state treasurer Michael Frerichs announced Tuesday. The total includes more than $15.7 million in cash and interest and more than $1.4 million in stock value. The missing money comes in the form…… MORE
Transportation workers rally for new contract amid negotiations with state
Groups of Illinois Department of Transportation workers represented by local Teamsters unions rallied at facilities in Collinsville and Springfield Wednesday after recently passing a strike authorization and filing complaints against the state.… MORE
Gun rights groups ask SCOTUS to review Illinois’ assault weapons ban
In a long-expected move, national gun rights organizations are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Illinois’ ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines.… MORE
Leader of Illinois Municipal League wants relief for small towns
The group which represents Illinois municipalities at the state Capitol is out with its legislative wish list for 2024, and some of the priorities are repeats.… MORE
McCann trial delayed another day as he cancels plan to represent himself
The federal corruption trial of former Republican state Sen. Sam McCann was delayed again on Monday, but this time for only one day to allow a court-appointed standby attorney time to take over his defense. … 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…