Their families know – when you leave for your workday as a firefighter, you may not come home. That’s why there are ceremonies such as the annual firefighters’ memorial service outside the Capitol. … MORE
Category Archives: State News
Illinois House passes big energy bill
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – That big energy bill has finally come together in Springfield. Fossil fuels would be on their way out in favor of wind and solar. Backers say it puts Illinois to a clean energy future. State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) says the bill’s no good for the city-owned coal utility here.…… MORE
Illinois House lawmakers debating clean energy proposal
House lawmakers are discussing a new clean energy proposal.… MORE
Statue of Ronald Reagan could join others outside the statehouse
A young Abraham Lincoln stands watch over Second Street in front of the state Capitol, but he was not born in Illinois. Ronald Reagan was. And it’s possible a young Reagan could join Lincoln and others outside the statehouse.… MORE
Illinois’ economic performance may have hit a plateau
An economics professor who keeps track of how Illinois is doing remains impressed by the post-pandemic performance.… MORE
Illinois Corn Growers Director worried about seed and fertilizer inflation for 2022 crop
As the harvest season rapidly approaches, farmers are looking ahead to next year’s crop and are keeping close tabs on the cost of fertilizer and seed.… MORE
Republicans call for ethics reform
Illinois House Republicans say the supermajority Democrats’ game on ethics is like Mother Hubbard’s cupboard — empty.… MORE
A new plan to phase out fossil fuels could come out of the Illinois House session
A plan to phase out fossil fuels, promote renewable energy, and create jobs could come out of the Illinois House session Thursday. But not everybody is that optimistic.… MORE
New state law requires health insurance companies to cover more cancer screenings
Two new state laws require health insurers to cover more cancer screenings.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker “very concerned” about new abortion law in Texas
Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s deeply concerned about the abortion law passed in Texas.… 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…