November 6, 2018 12:21October 30, 2018 12:18September 17, 2007 12:05August 16, 2007 16:01August 9, 2007 15:51August 2, 2007 16:20July 17, 2007 12:04June 6, 2007 10:37May 30, 2007 12:21May 29, 2007 12:28May 23, 2007 13:36May 14, 2007 11:25May 3, 2007 15:14April 23, 2007 16:45April 11, 2007 15:13April 9, 2007 15:56March 28, 2007 13:17March 28, 2007 13:16March 15, 2007 10:16April 9, 2007 16:05February 14, 2007 13:45January 24, 2007 16:09January 10, 2007 15:05January 7, 2007 15:56January 7, 2007 15:56January 8, 2007 16:33January 8, 2007 16:31January 8, 2007 16:28January 8, 2007 16:27January 8, 2007 16:24January 8, 2007 16:22January 8, 2007 16:39January 8, 2007 16:09January 8, 2007 16:07January 8, 2007 16:00January 8, 2007 15:58January 2, 2007 13:47January 8, 2007 15:56January 8, 2007 15:53January 7, 2007 15:46January 7, 2007 15:43January 7, 2007 15:41January 7, 2007 15:39January 7, 2007 15:36January 7, 2007 15:34January 7, 2007 15:31January 7, 2007 15:29January 7, 2007 15:26January 7, 2007 15:18January 7, 2007 15:16

What's important, post-election? Law and rights

"Voting is not my thing," said the 20-something waiting for a bus. The others watched the interview between glances at their phones. Voting is an ancient and archaic means for determining the popular will after all, and it's the 21st century now - shouldn't there be an app for this? Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Politics messy, so free press is crucial

It was cold this morning and I could see my breath; that's bad and good -- I'm alive, but I'm in a place where the climate can kill me. Winter is coming, the trees have yet to show their colorful display to make us see some beauty in the falling temperatures, and we're going to have to scrunch up our shoulders and remember to dress warm again until spring. Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Friday's a special day to remember our POW/MIAs

Sept. 21 is POW/MIA Day - a day to recognize our nation's prisoners of war and those missing in action. It is a day set aside to salute the men and women who have served and sacrificed to keep America free, and to recognize the families of our missing service members (who continue to hope and pray that their loved ones will someday come home). Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Intern expands her horizons with Daily News gig

I wasn't sure what to expect this summer. After all, I was entering a town I wasn't familiar with, and I was starting my second newspaper internship. Friday, August 17, 2007

Preservation is an opportunity

How magnificent it would be in the not too distant future - two, five, 10 years from now - to be able to market Robinson by saying, "We have preserved our old high-school gym built in 1938 by the Public Works Administration..." Friday, August 10, 2007

Little worth celebrating in rate deal

Like most sports fans, we have a true appreciation and even admiration for gifted athletes. Over our many years of watching all types of sporting events, we've seen talented men and women make plays and set records that still, to this day, leave us wondering how they did it. Friday, August 03, 2007

Springfield mess: it's not the process, it's the people

Since the Illinois General Assembly's spring session passed the May 31 deadline and lurched into overtime, a growing chorus of media outlets, special interests and taxpayers are declaring "the system is broken." Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Overtime session: Casinos may play part in solution

It was indeed an interesting week in Springfield leading up to the May 31 budget deadline. A budget did not pass both the House and Senate before the deadline, so it seems that any budget that is passed will now take a super-majority rather than a simple majority. Thursday, June 07, 2007

Power-rate 'relief' doesn't fix the larger problem

It has now been almost five months since Ameren and Commonwealth Edison customers saw their electric rates spike in January. In Springfield, this issue has been the subject of much discussion and heated debate, but very little action. While members of both parties have pushed for rate relief in varying forms, the state's leaders have thus far refused to work together to allow for any solution. Thursday, May 31, 2007

Tough decisions needed this week on state budget

With the deadline for a budget to be completed looming Thursday, there are very few who believe an agreement will be reached before the scheduled end to the 2007 spring session of the Illinois General Assembly. Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Prospect of late session only part of budget puzzle

Most of the discussions in Springfield this past week centered on the realization that now that the governor's gross-receipts tax has been defeated, a budget still must be crafted within the next couple of weeks to avoid an overtime session of the General Assembly. The scheduled adjournment date for the spring session is May 31. Thursday, May 24, 2007

Few options left to deal with tax, spending issues

The biggest news in Springfield this week was the House Committee of the Whole hearing regarding the governor's proposed gross-receipts tax and the vote the following day that pronounced unanimous opposition to the plan. Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Laying down lives for strangers is what cops are all about

The Bible tells us in John 15:13 that Â""greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends." (1 comments) Friday, May 04, 2007

Finger-pointing continues on power rate issue

Another week has passed by without final action by the General Assembly on the electric rate issue. Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Legislators have plenty of gun bills to consider

Last week, I mentioned that a bunch of gun-related bills are awaiting consideration. Since I have not focused much on gun-related bills in any of my columns and there was no legislative action last week, I will review gun legislation this week. Thursday, April 12, 2007

Who wants to talk about spending?

As the Illinois General Assembly's 2007 session progresses, several topics of importance are beginning to dominate the debate in the Capitol. But by far the most prominent discussion is whether a major tax increase will be enacted, and if so, how much that may be. Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Democrats coming out against GRT

Claiming that he "has the Lord on his side" in his attempt to impose the largest tax increase in Illinois history, Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues to trumpet the virtues of the implementation of a gross-receipts tax in Illinois. Thursday, March 29, 2007

A confession: In praise of cowboys

I've got a confession to make: I am not a cowboy - and never was. Oh, I wear cowboy boots, Levis, Western belts and shirts and don't get my hair cut much. But I am not a authentic cowboy, even though I got my first pair of cowboy boots when one of my father's friends gave me a pair of his when I was about eight and helped out on the farm. Thursday, March 29, 2007

'Current Occupant' out of touch on taxes

"Brother, can you spare a dime?" That may be the refrain of Illinois small business after another four years of Democrat Rod Blagojevich. (1 comments) Thursday, March 15, 2007

Gross-receipts tax a 'dangerous' way to raise revenue

Last week, Gov. Rod Blagojevich delivered a combined "State of the State" speech and budget address. This week, I will concentrate on providing you with information on the budget proposal and try to update you on where the electric rate issue stands. Thursday, March 15, 2007

1,000 bills filed in House so far as session starts

The first week of session for the 95th General Assembly is over. The renovation of the Capitol delayed the start of session for a few weeks. However, the renovation did not slow down the filing of potential legislation. Thursday, February 15, 2007

Spring session brings lots of new initiatives

When members of the House of Representatives return to Springfield on Feb. 6, hundreds of bills will already have been filed for consideration. Committees will begin to hear testimony on these proposals and important legislative deadlines will start to occur. I count on constituents to contact me with their feelings about proposals. Thursday, January 25, 2007

Democracy Project puts 'we the people' back in control

Last week, I described a real problem that I believe exists in the current process regarding the way certain legislation is pushed through the General Assembly. Thursday, January 11, 2007

Flawed legislation, and process, led to power-rate mess

Well, the seemingly never-ending war of words between House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones over the impending electric rate increases continues. Friday, January 05, 2007

Reviving draft is an ill-advised idea

I return for service in the 110th Congress Jan. 3 and a very different world it will be. The leaders of this new Congress have promised many changes involving health care, taxes, ethics reform and other issues. Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Better compromise needed on rates

Before I get into this week's column regarding legislative news, I want to wish everyone a happy new year! My sincere wish is that 2007 is the best year yet for you and yours! Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Allowing huge increases not an option

Week 2 of the fall veto session was much more active as far as important legislative proposals being debated and acted upon than was the first week. The 94th General Assembly has adjourned until Sunday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. Monday, December 04, 2006

Best solution is to 'phase in' power rate increase

Over the past several weeks, there has been a great deal of discussion, debate, and political rhetoric concerning what consumers in Illinois will be paying for electricity beginning next year. Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Lots of history, not much action in first week

As expected, Week 1 of the fall veto session was more notable because of the location than the legislative action. Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Power rates electrify veto session

As I mentioned last week, there are really only a couple of pieces of legislation that will be the subject of veto override attempts. Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Veto of sex-offender bill will be reviewed

Last week, I mentioned that there are only a handful of bills vetoed by the governor that will likely be voted upon this fall during the veto session in an effort to override the governor's veto. Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Veto session: Just about anything can happen

We are in the final weeks leading up to the fall election, but it is also soon time for the General Assembly to meet in what is known as the "Fall Veto Session." Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Being "at peace" is a choice we make

Sunday morning, and that familiar whine let me know that it must be 5:30. Thursday, August 10, 2006

Students from abroad bring the world home to us

Maybe, like me, you've yearned to experience the grandeur of Europe, the stateliness of Russia, the traditional customs of Asia. Monday, July 17, 2006

The new state budget: perception won't pay the bills

Now that the 2006 spring legislative session has concluded, lawmakers are back home in their districts visiting with constituents, discussing what occurred over the last four months in Springfield, and soliciting their feedback. Thursday, May 25, 2006

Budget passes, but tough issues remain

As anticipated, the FY 2007 Illinois budget was pushed through the General Assembly last week and the spring session of the General Assembly came to an end. Thursday, May 11, 2006

Crawford County soldier tells his side of the Iraq war

My parents recently submitted my picture to the Daily News with a few lines regarding my recent deployment to Iraq. Over the past couple of weeks I have received e-mails from folks back in Robinson, most of whom I haven't spoken with for a number of years. Monday, May 08, 2006

Chicago bunch will have the last say on budget

Before I get started this week on updating you regarding issues in Springfield, I want to take a moment and thank some very special people for their work. Monday, May 01, 2006

50th birthday didn't come with all the facts

I don't know when it all started, but as I recall, I do remember the look of pity on the faces of those over 50 at my 50th birthday party. Monday, May 01, 2006

Eminent-domain bill has protection for property owners

The House of Representatives met for only two days last week and is scheduled to meet two days this week. While there was not much news on progress related to the budget, an important bill did pass related to the topic of eminent domain. Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Garden hose helps in flash-flood resuce

On Saturday, April 8, I was on my way home from work when I started to pass by the road that I usually take to work which had been flooded from overflow of the Embarras River that morning. Monday, April 10, 2006

Lawmakers late, but not "overtime"

The originally scheduled adjournment date for the 2006 Illinois General Assembly was last Friday, April 7. Because of continuing problems constructing a budget for FY 2007, the General Assembly will meet beyond the original adjournment date. Monday, April 10, 2006

More than 100 bills going to governor

As expected, the past week was very busy. The General Assembly approved more than 100 bills last week that will be sent to the governor for his consideration. Monday, April 03, 2006

Eddy: State legislative session nears the finish line

There are two remaining weeks scheduled for the 2006 spring session of the Illinois General Assembly. Last week, weather and the primary election slowed action in the House. Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Renewable-fuels bill on the move

Last week saw very little action on the House floor. Most of the action came as House committees considered Senate bills that had been passed over during the first half of the springsession. Monday, March 20, 2006

Lawmakers will seek "responsible" funding source

As we look ahead to the final few weeks of the spring session, there are several issues of importance that we will be facing. Monday, March 13, 2006

Crunch time in the legislature

As expected, it was a busy week in the House last week as third reading deadline was Friday, March 3. Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Controversial bills up for vote

With the deadline approaching for substantive House bills to pass out to the Senate and vice-versa, there was more action in the House last week. Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Budget contains "more of the same"

As I reported last week, the buzz in Springfield was the governor's budget address. I was hopeful the governor would change course and provide us with a budget proposal that would show some fiscal responsibility. Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Industries need help adjusting to world economy

October 2005 noted a sad passing for Hutsonville and Crawford County when Lexel was laid to rest after a long, difficult, painful struggle. Wednesday, February 15, 2006