By Dave Dahl Now that political Illinois has caught up on its sleep, it’s time to evaluate what lawmakers did over the weekend. Republicans say the $46.5 billion budget is geared to the election. “It’s a political document,” said Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois Springfield. “The Democrats are in…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – For those who may have been asleep when the Fiscal Year 2023 budget was passed in the wee hours, Gov. Pritzker and other Democrats reinforced their highlights Saturday morning at the Capitol. “Gas, grocery, and property tax relief,” Pritzker said in his office. “More support for local government than ever…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Some things about the last day of session were new – adjourning in April, not May, for one. Not new – partisan disagreement. Just before 6 a.m. Saturday, lawmakers passed a FY 23 budget of $46.5 billion, one Republicans say is salted with one-time gimmicks that will expire after a…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Once Gov. Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) sprung their budget news Thursday evening, Republicans reacted. “As our spending has continued to grow, we’re covering it up with these one-time federal revenues,” said State Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon), the House Republicans’ chief budget…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A half hour after informing Republicans of their plans, Gov. JB Pritzker and top Democrats in the General Assembly announced an agreement on a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. “Because of our focus on fiscal balance, this budget will provide over $1.8 billion – $1,8 billion!…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The back-and-forth over crime continues as the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session dwindles to a close. Senate Democrats, proposing a bill to waive fines when carjacking victims’ vehicles are photographed by red light or speed cameras, brought out their own victim, Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), who said perpetrators need…… MORE
Depending on how long you’ve been in Springfield, it’s either a beloved memory for basketball games and concerts … or it’s a hulking eyesore.… MORE
A rainy day in Springfield cleared up enough for a pleasant setting for the annual celebration of the Second Amendment: Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Pretty soon, with a few days to go, it’ll be crunch time at the Capitol. Illinois House Democrats are the first to introduce a proposed budget. “Beyond what’s in the spending plan, we need to support families in our state by returning some money to them to deal with the…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House and Senate Democrats – mostly lawmakers of color – are getting involved in what has become a big story in Springfield – racist social media posts, allegedly by a man who was on the police force. Officer Aaron Nichols resigned Tuesday, rather than sit for an interview with…… 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…