Village Voices - We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks

A group of bipartisan lawmakers have introduced a new amendment to our state’s Constitution that would take the process of drawing legislative districts out of the hands of sitting lawmakers....

A couple of years ago while shirt shopping I stumbled across a pair of shoes that were on sale. I don’t really like shopping so when I absolutely have to go, I try to get it all done at once so I...

I’m having a hard time this year, and I’m trying to put my finger on it, so bear with me for a bit here. Every February things get intense throughout the region for one major reason – the IHSA...

Months before Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton cut to the front of line to be one of the first in Illinois to purchase legal marijuana on January 1st, plans were already in the works by the Pritzker...

What’s In A Name? A Rose, by any other name, would still smell just as sweet. OK, my apologies for going back into teacher mode during the unit on Shakespeare, but the reason for the quote popping i...

The first $50 million of the $420 million dedicated to statewide broadband Internet expansion was released during the week, along with information about how to apply for the grants. Applicants for...

By now the Super Bowl is ancient history as is the hysteria around it. I hope it’s not too late to comment on it one last time - but - here goes. Going on my own instincts and observations, it...

Governor J.B. Pritzker painted a rosy picture in his first “State of the State” address January 29, but Senate Republican lawmakers say a greater emphasis should have been placed on rooting out...

(Forgive me if I’ve told this one before) … But … one dark night outside a small town in the midwest, a fire started inside the local chemical plant, and in a blink of an eye it exploded into...

I hear a lot of things first. People send me emails, or tips on what they think is newsworthy, and a lot of times it is – so I look into it or try to help promote what’s happening. And admittedly...

Expect the drum beat on ethics reform to continue at the State Capitol as more legislators become embroiled in what is now apparently a web of corruption being unwoven by President Trump's Federal...

Vanity, thy name is woman. For the last few weeks, my wife had been telling me that we needed to update, or renew, or whatever it is you do, to keep our passports current. Most people probably know...

Well here we are in the last few days of January already. Perhaps the winter blues have set in. The mornings are still dark and night comes way too early. It’s too soon to predict what kind of winte...

A major issue with the state’s Automatic Voter Registration program made headlines during the week raising questions about the integrity of Illinois’ Elections. According to media reports, more...

OK, I apologize ahead of time because this really isn’t a column this week – it’s more of a campaign. The basketball Regionals will all be having their seed meetings, and everyone who is a fan...

Computers, smart phones, smart TV’s, smart thermostats, smart doorbells, smart alecs, and now smart houses - how do us dumb people keep up with all the smart techonology these days? Now they even...

In the wake of federal indictments and raids, and elected official resignations, a special legislative panel heard testimony during the week addressing ethics and lobbying legal loopholes....

Joining a chorus of fed-up legislators recognizing overburdened taxpayers deserve real property tax reform in Illinois, we must blow the whistle on the actions, and inactions, of the Illinois...

I’ve seen games go into overtime this year; we’ve had contests that were decided on the final shot as the buzzer sounded; there have been incredible chess matches as strong coaches battle it out w...

We should all swap problems; everyone knows how to solve the other guy's. You know, every now and then in a person’s lifetime, someone comes along who really leaves an impression on you. I met an...

The state’s population decline continues to be a cause for concern as Illinois enters a new decade with nearly 160,000 fewer residents. Our state ended 2019 with the largest population loss in the...

I think I’ve finally figured it out. Technology is awesome these days – we can now get the internet on a hand held instrument, locate exactly where on the globe we are, and there’s no shortage t...

Happy 2020! A new year, a new decade, and great eyesight. Remember when Y2K was the big scare? Our computers were going to shut down. We weren’t going to be able to bank or buy gas or groceries. Our...

It’s no secret that much of rural Illinois, the vast region of Illinois outside of Chicago and the collar counties, feels forgotten by Chicago democrats running Illinois when it comes to things...

With the Holiday season now upon us, the theaters and television stations have begun to release this year’s set of Christmas Movies. But which ones are the best? Which ones do you have to see each y...