Columnist

Primary races will tell a lot about Illinois GOP

Published by admin on Sat, 12/16/2023 - 10:45am

A group of ultra-conservative Illinois House members known as the Eastern Bloc has been stirring up trouble with the establishment in both parties for years.
The Republican districts they represent stretch from north of Decatur, over to Tuscola, and down to Mattoon, Shelbyville, Effingham and Vandalia.
They are the fellas (they’re all men) who demanded that Chicago be kicked out of Illinois.

The economics of ice, a slippery slope

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 10:23am

Ice is weird stuff. The solid form of water is both loved and hated, a thing that can cause great good and great harm, a thing which can both entertain and cause fear, and a thing which nature provides for us for free out of doors, but we continue to make ourselves indoors or stranger yet, purchase it. Today we look at the last conundrum, the economics of ice.

Surviving the deep snow of 1830

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 10:06am

Sitting in my office, I can see no hint of snow and I am glad. Remembering the polar vortex of a few years ago, I realize that it will happen again and so I am sad again. So, partially to make myself feel better, today's topic is the worst winter in history in Will County, that of 1830 -31.
The Black Hawk War had yet to be fought, and there were a very few courageous settlers who braved the unknown on the Great Prairie during those years. This is their story.

Legislators must be careful with questionaires

Published by admin on Sun, 12/10/2023 - 1:17pm

Imagine a lobbyist approaching a legislator and promising that if the member voted for a specific bill the lobbyist would contribute to their campaign committee.
Lobbyists have been convicted here for doing just that, going back to at least 1982.

December 1879, by the week

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 11:51am

One hundred and forty-four years ago Braidwood was a village in turmoil and for the usual reason - the threat of strikes. It hung over the head of everyone like a menacing cloud. Set the way back machine for the first week of December, 1879.

December 1923, good food, good times

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 11:18am

If you are expecting hard news from one hundred years ago, you will be disappointed. December 1923 was all about shopping and making merry. Take one giant step backward in time to see what I mean.

Belt-tightening needed for next year’s expected deficit

Published by admin on Sun, 12/03/2023 - 1:06pm

The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget released a revised state revenue and spending forecast last month for the current fiscal year and it’s pretty good. Its projections for next fiscal year, however, was not nearly as strong.
Projected Fiscal Year 2024 revenues have been revised upward by $1.4 billion, according to GOMB. However, “most of this fiscal year 2024 revenue forecast revision is assumed to be one-time in nature,” the budget office warned.
Spending has also been revised upward by $969 million, leaving a $422 million net surplus.

Commerce, it's what a town is all about

Published by admin on Tue, 11/28/2023 - 10:29am

All towns have one thing in common. It is the place where people in the surrounding area go to purchase the goods they need to survive. It is still big news when a new business comes to town. So, what kind of businesses were in Wilmington early on? Let's look at the newspapers and find out.

Mining not the only game in town, snapshot 1870's

Published by admin on Tue, 11/28/2023 - 10:26am

Of course, when the history of Braidwood and vicinity is talked about, the subject is mining, mining and mining. Yet we know that Braidwood was not a one-trick pony. Today we look at the other occupations and businesses that rounded out the community of miners.
Let's first look at H. W. Blood, manufacturer of soda and mineral water. Mr. Blood came to Will County in 1863, farming for two years, He then entered the bottling house of J. D. Page, of Joliet, and remained there some 2 years. He then moved to Wilmington where he purchased a half interest in

Thanksgiving tradition in the coal fields

Published by admin on Mon, 11/20/2023 - 2:18pm

Today images of the Thanksgiving holiday include turkeys, pilgrims and many other things that were never included in the first Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. The pilgrims did indeed have a three-day feast at Plymouth, but it was not repeated the following year. The first national day of Thanksgiving was declared in 1789 by President George Washington, but it was a one-time only event as well.