Month: November 2025

Vampire State: Feeding on our fear, freedom and finances

By John & Nisha Whitehead Monsters don’t always come wrapped in the trappings of horror or myth. Most often, monsters in the real world look like ordinary people. They walk among us. They smile for the cameras. They promise protection and prosperity even as they feed on fear and obedience.

A Focus on History: November 6 through November 12

November 6 Led by Bolshevik Party leader Vladimir Lenin, leftist revolutionaries launch a nearly bloodless coup d’État against Russia’s ineffectual Provisional Government. The Bolsheviks and their allies occupied government buildings and other strategic locations in the Russian capital of Petrograd, now St. Petersburg. Within two days the Bolsheviks formed a

Tier 2 pension reform bill moves forward, but Pritzker says there’s ‘a lot more work’ to do

By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com An Illinois House panel Wednesday, Oct. 29 advanced a bill aimed at reforming a state pension plan known as the “Tier 2” system, but only with the understanding that negotiations will continue and no final action will be taken until next spring at the earliest.

‘Drop in the bucket’: Illinois measures to offset SNAP cuts will not alleviate problem 

By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com  Illinois mother of four and food delivery driver Aubrey Lewandowski says she immediately started rationing the food she had left after getting a text alerting her that her Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits may not come through next month.  Lewandowski will be forced

Lawmakers approve $1.5B transit funding package without statewide tax increases

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois lawmakers approved new funding for public transportation agencies without large statewide tax increases previously proposed.  Instead, the measure would be fueled by revenue sources that currently feed the state’s Road Fund and an increased sales tax targeted to the Chicago area. The bill frustrated