September revenue report looks good, but warns of storm clouds on the horizon The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) has issued its report on the revenues collected by…

Illinois State Fair approaches attendance record The attendance figures are in from August’s Illinois State Fair and they show a significant rebound. Like so many other summer fairs and festivals,…

Illinois eviction moratorium set to end this weekend On Sunday the eviction moratorium in Illinois will come to an end. Governor Pritzker issued the final extension of the moratorium in…

National Farm Safety Week in Illinois This week is National Farm Safety Week and the theme for this year is “Farm Safety Yields Real Results.” We rely on our farmers…

Local vaccination rates trail statewide percentage Many people in our area and around the state have gotten the coronavirus vaccine, which is now available and recommended for everyone over the…

Energy bill passes House After months of negotiations, the House met on Thursday and passed a comprehensive energy bill which keeps Illinois’ nuclear power plants operating, protects Illinois jobs and…

Another unfair, partisan redistricting map passed The House and Senate met on Tuesday to make changes to the redistricting plan which was rushed through the legislature in the spring. Unfortunately…

Legislature called back for one-day session next week The House and Senate will be back in session for what is scheduled to be a one-day session next Tuesday, August 31….

On Monday the federal Small Business Administration approved Ford County and all neighboring counties for disaster assistance following the destructive flooding which struck on August 12. Three different types of…

Census results confirm Illinois’ population decline The U.S. Census Bureau has released the results of the 2020 Census, and the news is not good for Illinois. The official figures confirm…