By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Once Charles James starts speaking, you realize quickly why he says what he has to say is sometimes unwelcome. “We have some Third World health care statistics,” James said, “in, really, what is arguably the best health care available in the world.” James is president of both the Illinois Rural…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Outrage over gas prices made for rich Republican fodder at a campaign announcement starring State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia). The senator, one of six Republicans who want to be governor, wants the legislature back in Springfield to do something about the gas tax. The state’s share had been 19 cents…… MORE
Schools will be able to teach students about proper gun storage under a new state law.… MORE
One of the Republicans running for governor, Jesse Sullivan, told reporters in Springfield Tuesday he wants to defund teachers’ unions, partly by making it easier for teachers to opt out of teachers’ unions.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A high-ranking city employee is calling out Springfield aldermen on her personal social media – in a vulgar fashion. After a lengthy council meeting recently, deputy clerk Nicole Cunningham criticized the aldermen, solicited people to run against them next year, and then called the aldermen “assholes.” Cunningham followed up with…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 5, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 71.1 degrees, 3.1 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.40 inches, 0.51 inches degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The six men seeking the Republican nomination for governor debated Thursday for ABC-7 in Chicago. Unsurprisingly, guns and school safety were major issues. “Our schools can be soft-armored. Each classroom can become a safe zone,” said State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia). “In our area, law enforcement takes a very active…… MORE
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends the public return to hanging birdfeeders.… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 3.9 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 29, 2022. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 24 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 3 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Corn planted reached 89 percent, compared…… MORE
By HOI ABC UTICA – Damage to cabins at Grand Bear Resort near Starved Rock in Utica is estimated at $4 million. 61 fire agencies used around five million gallons of water to put out the fire at the resort Monday night that destroyed around a third of the cabins. All of that water had to…… 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…