Ribbon-cutting for Aurora’s new state-of-the-art, 911 Dispatch Center.
Thursday, Feb. 8, the City of Aurora held a ribbon-cutting in the debut of its new, state-of-the-art, 911 Dispatch Center.
Gun rightists seek U.S. Court to end State ban
By Peter Hancock In a long-expected move, national gun rights organizations are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Illinois’ ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines. In separate petitions filed Monday, Feb. 12 the Colorado-based National Association for Gun Rights and the Nevada-based Firearms Policy Coalition asked the...
Clean energy: DuPage County
DuPage County received nearly half a million dollars for clean energy and energy efficiency programs in the County. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded the County $449,660 as part of a $20.5 million allocation to 32 states, territories, local governments, and tribes through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant...
Black History Month celebrated at Aurora City Council
By Jason Crane In celebration of Black History Month, the Aurora City Council honored four chiefs and two aldermen who serve Aurora, at the Tuesday, Feb. 13 City Council meeting. Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin presented a Black History Month proclamation to Ward 7 alderman, Brandon Tolliver; chief engagement officer,...
Reader’s Commentary: View: Fact-checking, no diversity
By Bela “Bill” Suhayda Wayne Johnson conducted his own “coronation” of himself to becoming a fact-checker of me in this publication. He has dragged poor “Chas” Codington to the same undignified/ proletarian stature. Wayne needs reinforcements!! Fact-checking is a new thing in the free world. It’s been brought to us...
Reader’s Voice: A drug emergency in Oregon
February 8, 2024Dear editor; In 2020, Oregon voters decriminalized possession of small amounts of almost every hard drug. Progressives campaigned in support of this ballot measure, insisting that their state should help treat addiction rather than punish it. The measure passed with 58 percent support. Now, Oregon’s governor has declared...
Surveillance revolution took place in four steps
By John & Nisha Whitehead Forty years past the time that George Orwell envisioned the stomping boot of Big Brother, the police state is about to pass off the baton to the surveillance state. Fueled by a melding of government and corporate power—the rise of the security industrial complex—this watershed...
Capitol Briefs: Tax credits for children, manufacturers among new legislative proposals
Insurance coverage for fertility treatments, child internet regulations also introduced By Andrew Adams Cole Longcor& Alex AbbedutoCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com After failing to pass a child tax credit last year, advocates returned to Springfield Wednesday to propose a scaled back version of the policy which they say would still reduce child poverty...
Day in court postponed for former lawmaker who checked into hospital on eve of corruption trial
Sam McCann, charged with misusing campaign funds, set for trial next week By Hannah MeiselCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Springfield – On what was supposed to be the third morning of a weeklong corruption trial of former State Sen. Sam McCann, the onetime third-party candidate for governor instead videoconferenced into U.S. District...
Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers introduce police reform measures, advocates look to end tipped wage
Proposals draw support from gun safety groups, worry from law enforcement advocates By Andrew Adams& Alex AbbedutoCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Chicago — Families of gun violence victims are asking the state legislature to reform how police handle unsolved murder investigations through legislation introduced this week. House Bill 4753, sponsored by Rep....
Capitol Briefs: State gets ‘average’ lung cancer grade, announces opioid settlements, manufacturing grants
Lung Association rates state policies; opioid funds top $1.3 billion; ‘Made in Illinois’ program launches By Cole Longcor& Jennifer FullerCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com The American Lung Association’s 2023 “State of Lung Cancer” report shows Illinois has “a lot of work to do” to ensure individuals at high risk for lung cancer...
Weapons ban signed in Illinois
By Jerry Nowicki The Illinois Supreme Court has again denied a request from a Republican lawmaker seeking to repeal the state’s assault weapons ban. Governor JB Pritzker signed the ban on the sale, possession and manufacture of a long list of firearms, high-capacity magazines and certain accessories in January 2023....
Courageous young cancer patient in Aurora
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council honored a young cancer patient at the Committee of the Whole meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 6. A press release from the City stated Abigail Ayala, 12, was diagnosed with a Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, an aggressive sarcoma, February 7, 2023, She has spent...
Aurora Public Library District can assist in the voting process
The Illinois Primary Election is coming up on March 19! New voters and anyone seeking reliable information on the voting process need look no further than the Aurora Public Library District (APLD). Library staff members have been preparing for months by compiling resources, planning programs, and educating themselves on the...
12-year-old Aurora Cancer Patient to be Honored Tonight at Aurora City Council meeting in Recognition of World Cancer Day, Her First Anniversary of Diagnosis
In honor of World Cancer Day on February 4, the City of Aurora government will honor tonight, a young cancer patient who was diagnosed one year ago on February 7, 2023. Sixth-grader Abigail Ayala, 12, was diagnosed with a Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, an aggressive sarcoma. She has spent...
Chaos reigns, SWAT-team raids, prevail
By John & Nisha Whitehead Sometimes 10 seconds is all the warning you get. Sometimes you don’t get a warning before all hell breaks loose. Imagine it, if you will: It’s the middle of the night. Your neighborhood is in darkness. Your household is asleep. Suddenly, you’re awakened by a...
Group challenging Trump’s ballot access in Cook County court hopes for quick decision
Judge asked to overturn Board of Elections ruling By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com A national voting rights organization is asking a Cook County judge to overturn a ruling from the Illinois State Board of Elections and block former President Donald Trump from being listed on the March 19 Republican primary...
Democratic leaders poised to revisit Biometric Information Privacy Act after court rulings
Business groups have long sought changes to statute that’s led to hundreds of lawsuits By Hannah MeiselCapitol News Illinoishmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Nearly a year ago, the Illinois Supreme Court asked the General Assembly to clarify a 15-year-old law that’s led to hundreds of lawsuits and several high-dollar settlements with companies alleged to...
$55 million in grant funding will go to 111 Illinois park projects
By Capitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com The state announced 111 parks and recreation projects throughout Illinois will receive a portion of $55 million in state funding this year. The Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is a cost-sharing program between state and...
Comptroller of Illinois urges awareness of tax scams
Comptroller of Illinois, Susana Mendoza, is warning Illinoisans of email, telephone and mail tax scams as the 2024 filing season begins. One scam, for example, may contain a letter in a cardboard envelope with an IRS letterhead that contains the text “about your unclaimed refund.” That letter may request personal...