A gathering of sheriffs in Springfield Tuesday gave State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) another opportunity to present himself as the law-and-order candidate for governor against incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker in November.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
State Rep. Dan Brady: Still too much paperwork and delays at Secretary of State office
A candidate for Illinois secretary of state says there’s still far too much paperwork and delay in that office.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker continues fight for abortion rights at Planned Parenthood Illinois
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker has not forgotten about the abortion debate. Pritzker, campaigning at Planned Parenthood of Illinois Tuesday, said after the Roe v. Wade reversal, abortion’s definitely on the ballot in two months. And what about bringing lawmakers back to Springfield for a special session? “I am telling you that our efforts…… MORE
Rain is helping Illinois crops
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 28, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.5 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.20 inches, 0.56 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 24 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
Convicted cop killer with Central Illinois ties given 55 years in prison
By 25 News ROCKFORD – A federal judge on Monday sentenced a Central Illinois man to 55 years in prison for killing a deputy U.S. Marshal who was trying to arrest the fugitive on McLean County residential burglary charges in 2019. A jury in April found Floyd Brown, 43, of Springfield guilty of second-degree murder…… MORE
McLean County farm hosts IFB Candidates’ Roundtable
By Dave Dahl LEXINGTON – The candidates for the two top offices on the ballot this November – U.S. Senate and governor – presented their views in separate speeches in Lexington Wednesday. The Schuler Farms in McLean County hosted the Illinois Farm Bureau Candidates’ Roundtable. The city of Chicago has become the OK Corral, with…… MORE
Springfield officials hope everyone enjoyed the Illinois State Fair
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The city of Springfield hopes everyone had a good time at the Illinois State Fair and enjoyed the city’s motels. And restaurants. And gas stations. Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau director Scott Dahl says the rule of thumb for economic impact is $125 per person per day. “Even if they…… MORE
US secretary of agriculture paid a visit to McLean County
By Dave Dahl LEROY – A program to promote ethanol and biofuels brought U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) to McLean County Tuesday. They visited the Casey’s General Store in Le Roy to discuss another $100 million for petroleum dealers to use and promote the next-generation fuels. “As we demand…… MORE
Weekly USDA crop report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 21, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 71.3 degrees, 2.5 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.89 inches, 0.11 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 20 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
IDOT introduces new safety program ‘It’s Not a Game, Illinois’
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Fairgoers had a chance to put on some virtual reality goggles which are supposed to imitate the effects of having a .08 percent blood alcohol level. That’s too drunk to drive. Participants then attempted tasks which are seemingly simple – if you are sober. “Fatalities are up on…… 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…