The Sugar Grove Library has identified Monday, July 13 as a target date for reopening with limited hours and services as part of the Phase 4 ReOpen Illinois Plan. A library differs from a business in that materials are circulated, touched, shared, and then recirculated to community members. Our physical
By Jerry Nowicki The U.S. Department of Labor released statistics Thursday showing 705,878 Illinoisans received unemployment insurance for the week ending June 20. While that was a decrease of 4,401 continued unemployment claims overall from the previous week, according to the data, the State still saw 46,005 new initial claims
By Rebecca Anzel State regulation of the number of persons allowed at gatherings does not violate Illinoisans’ First Amendment rights, the attorney general’s office argued in a court document. A lawsuit filed June 15 by the State’s Republican Party alleged governor JB Pritzker’s executive order limiting gatherings to 10 residents
By Jerry Nowicki Restaurants across the State are set to open for indoor dining Friday, June 26 among other additions to allowable activities under the State’s Restore Illinois plan. The State released new guidance for reopening businesses Monday. Restaurants must arrange their seating facilities so that tables are six feet
By Peter Hancock The State has released new guidelines for schools, colleges, and universities to return to in-person learning in the Fall as the State prepares to enter Phase 4 of governor JB Pritzker’s reopening plan Friday, June 26. During a news conference Tuesday in Chicago, Pritzker said every school,
Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement Thursday, June 18 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Donald Trump administration’s challenge to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “Today is a victory for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across the country, including many in Joliet,
As the State continues its process to safely reopen its private and public sectors, State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, has been appointed to the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission to provide insight on how to further reopen local and regional economies. “I am excited to work with my colleagues on both
Poor Donny. The stadium wasn’t quite full, not even one-third full, actually, for his self-congratulatory weekend rally in Tulsa. Because The Donald doesn’t believe in reading, he had to go by visuals and even he could see that 6,200 in attendance is a few less than the million red hats
In a recent column, I averred that the George Floyd death and protests-in-reaction represented a classic case of the powerful “us versus them” syndrome that is baked into the human brain. Racism is a subset of this syndrome. Floyd’s brother gave recent testimony to Congress that was in effect a
Plano Community Library representatives are excited to welcome everyone back into the building! Because COVID-19 is still impacting our daily lives, and we must follow standards from the State of Illinois for our reopening, the Library is going to look a little different. Here’s what you can expect. Please note
By John W. Whitehead The system is rigged. The system is rigged, the government is corrupt, and “we the people” continue to waste our strength by fighting each other, rather than standing against the tyrant in our midst. Because the system is rigged, because the government is corrupt, and because
By Peter Hancock State officials in Illinois reacted with cautious relief Thursday after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Donald Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle an Obama-era policy known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. That program, known as DACA, allows some undocumented immigrants to remain in
Aurora Public Art released the session listing of the third week of virtual youth programming for students who are sheltering in place amid COVID-19 cancellations. All sessions are free and open to the public. Summer programming includes sessions across many artistic media. Drawing, painting, music, dance, drama, and culinary arts
By Jerry Nowicki Attorney general Kwame Raoul has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced in a news release Tuesday. “After experiencing minor symptoms over the weekend, I consulted with my health care provider using telehealth services. Upon the advice of my doctor, I was tested yesterday and informed today
The Village government of Oswego is offering residents who have been laid off because of COVID-19 a $20 credit on their water bills. To apply for the one-time credit, residents must fill out a short online form and submit proof of unemployment, such as a statement from an employer, or
Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, ruling that federal employment non-discrimination laws protect all LGBTQ employees: “Today’s historic ruling by the Supreme Court is a long overdue victory for equal protection and civil rights. While
By Jerry Nowicki Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday. In a news release, Pritzker’s
Aurora mayor Richard C. Irvin announced a new reform initiative that focuses on strengthening police and community relations and accountability through a multi-phased approach of reviewing law enforcement policies and exploring new implementations, such as body cameras and a civilian review board. The Community Helping Aurora’s Necessary Growth and Empowerment
By John W. Whitehead “When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you, pull your beard, flick your face, to make you fight. Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you.” —John Lennon
