It sounds like a joke that writes itself – an arsonist is a fire chief. But it’s no laughing matter to Illinois lawmakers.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Despite ruling from JCAR, Gov. Pritzker wants to see what happens in the courts
It will take more than a bi-partisan, bi-cameral roadblock to get Gov Pritzker off his mask message. … MORE
Lawmakers: DCFS caseworkers need more protection
A former DCFS worker says – absolutely – caseworkers need more protection. … MORE
Lawmakers digging into Amazon Warehouse severe weather incident
By Dave Dahl An Illinois House committee is delving into the Amazon warehouse disaster in Edwardsville in December. You have to follow the science, says Marc Levitan of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Tornadoes are much more frequent and impactful than are commonly understood,” he told members of the Illinois House Labor and…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker: Freeze on gas tax due to high inflation
SPRINGFIELD – The governor’s concern about the price of gasoline represents a shift since nine months ago.… MORE
Senator Durbin calling on President Biden to ‘hurry up’ in finding SCOTUS replacement
Illinois’ Senior Senator is pushing the nation’s President to act swiftly to find a replacement for Justice Stephen Breyer from the Supreme Court.… MORE
Republicans respond to Gov. Pritzker’s announcement of state lifting mask mandate
Reaction to Gov. JB Pritzker’s mask mandate rollback announcement was, for Republicans, negative.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker announces statewide mask mandate to end Feb. 28
Those of you ready to unmask: circle Feb. 28 on your calendar.… MORE
Illinois Municipal League announces wish list for General Assembly
The voice of Illinois cities, towns, and villages at the statehouse again has a wish list for the General Assembly.… MORE
New proposal aims to fight “organized retail crime”
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is taking another step against what’s called “organized retail crime.” It’s the department store smash-n-grab and also the looting of trucks and trains, much of it captured on video. State Attorney General Kwame Raoul says it can happen just about anywhere. “This type of crime does not restrict itself…… 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…