By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As fewer people buy gasoline, someone will have to pick up the slack. And how to pay for road construction is not the only question. “You’ve got to put some money into the grid,” said former U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood, who is also a former congressman from Peoria. “The…… MORE
The Illinois Treasurers’ office is looking to return millions of dollars to McLean County residents.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – In what Republicans surely see as an election-year gift, the Illinois auditor general is blasting the Pritzker administration’s response to the covid-19 crisis at a state veterans’ home as way too slow. Gov. JB Pritzker saw the report overshadow some good news he wanted to share about a pension buyout…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When the state held its annual police memorial ceremony Thursday, it was a constitutional officer with no connection to the deceased whose words moved the crowd to applause. “While I will say thank you, and God bless you and keep you safe,” said comptroller Susana Mendoza, “rather than words, I…… MORE
State government employees now have a few more years to take advantage of a pension buyout program.… MORE
By Dave Dahl JOLIET – We’re on a one-way route – to electric vehicles. And the public and corporate acceptance of EV’s can’t happen fast enough for U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The question is, will it happen quickly enough to defeat the climate crisis?” said Buttigieg. “Will it happen equitably enough that everyone gains…… MORE
Illinois Senior Senator is lashing out at Republicans after a document leaked from the Supreme Court suggesting a possible overturn in the Roe v. Wade case.… MORE
Despite the Supreme Court opinion of Roe v. Wade, Gov. Pritzker reports abortions will remain legal in the state.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Reaction was immediate Monday night to the blockbuster news that the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade soon. A shocked Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), a leading pro-choice lawmaker, said still, all is not lost. “I think that (Illinois lawmakers) were clairvoyant when we took a very close look…… MORE
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pritzker is signing a package of new laws to address the teacher shortage in Illinois.… 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…