Labor Day For many Americans, Labor Day marks the end of summer, a time for parades, picnics, events and store sales. But Labor Day is rooted in much more. The holiday…

‘Friday Night Lights’ in Illinois The origins of high school football in Illinois date back to the 1880s. Some of the state’s most tradition-rich programs originated before 1900, including schools such as…

The City of Springfield (Sangamon County) will receive $54,000 from the Illinois EPA for upgrades to drinking water treatment operations. The Springfield drinking water treatment plant is one of three…

Illini college football returns to the Land of Lincoln in a big way tomorrow night when the University of Illinois hosts Eastern Illinois University at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. This…

The Illinois Secretary of State has announced districts across Illinois will be receiving funding for library resources and programs to ensure residents have equal access to library services. Funding itself…

The Illinois Constitution Illinois Constitution Day is observed every August 26. This date marks the ratification of Illinois’ first state constitution in 1818, a milestone moment in Illinois’ journey to…

This week I met with the incredible staff from The Center for Youth and Family Solutions to listen to their concerns and challenges they have with the state’s child welfare…

ENERGY Proposed wind energy high-voltage line, which would pass through Central Illinois, faces uncertain future. The proposed “Grain Belt Express” transmission line would be an electricity trunk line similar to the…

National Senior Citizen Day Today and every day, we celebrate the wisdom and experience of our seniors. Happy National Senior Citizens Day! Did you know in 1988 Ronald Reagan declared…

JOBS Illinois unemployment rate rises again in July. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced Thursday that the unemployment rate increased +0.2 percentage point to 5.2 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased…