A pathway to public safety, and fiscal responsibility

By Ahmadou Dramé The state of Illinois has a duty to deliver public safety to all residents in a manner that is fiscally responsible, equitable and effective. An analysis of current government spending, however, raises concerns whether policymakers and elected officials are meeting their responsibilities. State and local governments in

U.S. citizenship as spectacle, transaction, or privilege

By John & Nisha Whitehead Few modern political figures have done more to prompt spontaneous national discussions about the Bill of Rights and constitutional limits on government power than Donald Trump—if only because he tramples on them so frequently. Indeed, president Trump has become a walking civics lesson. Consider some

Governor’s office cuts revenue projection by $500M

By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker’s office is now projecting state revenues to come in about a half-billion dollars below the baseline projections assumed during his February budget address. The latest downward revision comes as lawmakers are entering the final two-week stretch to approve a budget before their

Lawmakers seek to reverse Illinois law penalizing companies that boycott Israel

By Simon Carr & Sonya DymovaMedill Illinois News Bureaunews@capitolnewsillinois.com A growing number of state lawmakers are moving to repeal a 2015 Illinois law penalizing companies that boycott Israel to protest its policies toward Palestinians. Amid concerns about Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, lawmakers in Springfield supporting human rights for Palestinians

South Elgin teacher Erbach awarded Golden Apple Award

The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, honoring, and retaining great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, surprised Matthew Erbach, a ninth through 12th grade teacher at South Elgin High School in Elgin, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Erbach

Fee Prohibition Act bad for small business

May 14, 2025Dear editor, As a small business owner in Illinois, I am deeply concerned about the impending implementation of the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA), set to take effect July 1. While the intention to reduce costs for merchants is commendable, the practical implications of this legislation pose significant

Diabetes Club of Fox Valley members hear from Mayor of North Aurora, Mark Gaffino; ‘Tee Off to Defeat Diabetes’ golf outing June 20

By Russ George Members of the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley held their May membership meeting Wednesday, May 14, at Oak Street Restaurant, 945 Oak Street, in North Aurora. Club vice president of programs, Chuck Nelson, introduced guest speaker, Mark Gaffino, mayor and Village president of North Aurora, stated, “Mayor