Republicans aren’t backing away from the need for economic reforms as an imperative to balancing the state’s budget. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Nation sees biggest jump in foreclosures since before market crashed
Illinois’ unusually high number of foreclosures contributed to a national jump not seen since the last housing market collapse. … MORE
State labor board declares impasse in AFSCME negotiations
Illinois taxpayers will potentially save billions on a contract between the state’s largest employees’ union and the governor after the state’s labor board declared impasse on all terms.… MORE
New license plates coming to Illinois next year
A new license plate featuring Abraham Lincoln will start appearing on vehicles in Illinois.… MORE
Worries over proposed legislation to save power plant
The latest opposition to Exelon’s proposal to save its power plants in Clinton and the Quad Cities has little to do with the two nuclear plants.… MORE
Madigan appoints lawmaker to negotiate budget deal
Republican leaders say they’re confused by Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan’s new tact to negotiating a deal on a budget for the rest of the fiscal year after Tuesday’s meeting with legislative leaders and the governor. … MORE
November peak month for vehicle, deer crashes
We are in the midst of the mating season for deer, and with hunting season kicking off this weekend more deer than ever will be on the move. That means a lot more collisions with deer on our roadways, said Tim Schweizer with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. … MORE
Ratings agency: Safe Roads amendment will tie lawmakers’ hands
While preliminary numbers indicate the popularity of the so-called transportation lockbox amendment, a ratings agency says it’s a credit negative for Illinois.… MORE
Southern Illinois soldier among those killed in Bagram suicide bomber attack
Defense Department officials confirm that one of the four Americans killed by a suicide bomber at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan was a Southern Illinois soldier.
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Veto session beginning in Springfield this week
Illinois lawmakers return to the Capitol this week for the annual veto session, a unique time on the legislative calendar specifically intended to overturn gubernatorial vetoes.… 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…