Medication is only one piece of the health care puzzle. There are people who choose between an X-ray and new shoes for the kids. Or those who go to work sick because they can’t make ends meet without every last hour on the time card.

Pritzker’s contribution to Margaret Croke’s comptroller campaign has ignited a debate among Democratic candidates over independence, loyalty and the proper relationship between the state’s fiscal watchdog and the governor’s office.

Today, the presidential inauguration is held on Jan. 20, but the transfer of power wasn’t always on that day.

March may bring green shakes and basketball brackets, but in Batavia, it also brings opportunity, celebration, and a whole lot of community pride, writes Shirley Mott of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.

The city of Rochelle wants the Prairie State power plant in Marissa, Illinois, to remain open after 2035, until all bonds reach maturity in 2041. Gov. JB Pritzker does not.

The hamburger was ground, steaks sliced and beef chunks cut up and packaged. Some of the meat we canned as well. By late afternoon, we were all done.

On one level, this entire debacle sheds useful light on the legislative process to taxpayers and voters who rarely spare a thought for Springfield.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes that even works of fiction cause real life questions.

On Wednesday, March 4, our publications in Oregon, Polo, Mt. Morris and Forreston will be merged into our Ogle County Life publication, which instead of publishing on Mondays, will be published on Wednesdays going forward.

One of the most serious threats to press freedom has been playing out in a low-level federal court in Virginia, and it was already weakening the ability of journalists to hold this president accountable for his actions.

Are you willing to lose out on restaurant loyalty rewards tied to your phone number or email address? Would you get a test your doctor recommended if you thought that might make your grandkids ineligible for basic medical coverage?

The thing I was asked the most about by a landslide was the Bears stadium situation, Marc Silverman writes. I still believe there’s a better chance than not that the Bears find their way to Arlington Heights

Kudos to all involved, including teacher Paul Ritter, and here’s hoping more students and lawmakers have productive conversations about a better future for everyone in Illinois.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes the only way to change is to think of tomorrow, rather than yesterday.

Column: Deepen your self-love, not in phony egotistical ways, but in ways that are less judgmental. Judge yourself less, both the good and the bad. Sprinkle some kindness onto your wounds, writes Joan Budilovsky.

The teachers unions decried the state for not living up to its Evidence Based Funding law, which was supposed to bring all schools up to 90% “adequate” funding levels by next year.

Kidnapping, like a house fire, is a horror we rarely think about until it happens; then we realize how vulnerable we were all along.

It beggars belief how any lawmaker could sign off on transportation projects only necessary in the name of a private development in one tiny part of Illinois while broader efforts like the School Construction Grant Program have simply gone unfunded since fiscal 2004.

As winter fades, Sterling residents can look forward to the seasonal transition happening across local parks and recreation areas. Park district staff are preparing facilities and green spaces for increased activity as warmer weather approaches.

The controversial Dred Scott case of 1857 is considered a landmark in the debate over slavery in the United States. Few realize that Scott once lived in Illinois.

An early taste of spring brings muddy chores, family gatherings, a joyful baptism service, and gratitude for blessings both big and small, from healing and birthdays to thoughtful gifts.

Where the government actively drives up prices, it’s possible (but not guaranteed) that changing a rule actually changes consumer costs. But in far too many cases, the underlying economic truth is that people struggle to afford things when incomes lag behind rising costs.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek, a longtime member of the Kankakee County Bar Association, asks a simply question regarding those who sit behind the judicial bench.

OPINION: Another year, another bloated, tone-deaf budget from Gov. JB Pritzker. And once again, working families are expected to foot the bill.

Democrats warn that Donald Trump and his allies are threatening the integrity of the 2026 elections, setting up a high-stakes fight over the future of American democracy.

In this week’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about the recent Women in Networking event in which Bri Haug and Ari Hayden discussed the truth of work-life balance and self care.

All these years later, I recall the lack of pretension or appearance of celebrity. That was just the work of Jesse Jackson’s life, the same as it was in Peru in 2021 or in Decatur in 1999.

Now that the Bears are good, the payroll decisions only become more of a puzzle, and shedding DJ Moore's salary could impact the defense more than his skillset affects the 2026 team and beyond, Marc Silverman writes

Unsurprisingly, given his political leanings, Pritzker spoke to the importance of investing in state efforts as a means of mitigating long-term expenses. He also called for ensuring "we are focused on truly managing and measuring the real results of state programs."

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes permission is not needed to grab destiny.

A plan to give the state Department of Insurance new influence over rate increases passed the Senate in the fall veto session before falling four votes short in the House. But the proposal can resurface during the spring session.

Forty Democratic members of the Illinois House and Senate have been meeting weekly to come up with a plan to find some government efficiencies and create new revenue streams to help the state meet its obligations.

Bunsteads have a special place in Janet Lagerloef's memory, and she tracked down the original Big Rock school lunch lady's recipe.

I would have forgotten some of the stories I wrote about the children if I hadn’t written them down. If you can find time to write down cute stories about your children growing up, that would be great.

The proposal resulted from "several issues" Joint Committee on Administrative Rules members discussed during their meetings.

After Donald Trump blasted Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show as “an affront” to America, the Puerto Rican superstar’s performance instead underscored the nation’s evolving, multicultural identity – and exposed the political risks of waging a culture war against it.

"The report points out there are numerous ways well operators can avoid that responsibility, and it suggests IDNR has frequently been unable or unwilling to take strong enforcement action."

In this week’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster recounts a recent trip to Dallas, featuring a visit to a 10-acre hot springs spa.

In order to be at SoFi Stadium on Valentine’s Day 2027, the Bears must get to work immediately on many issues that need to be addressed now that the offseason has officially begun, Marc Silverman writes

Column: Children can explore the elements of coding from robotics to designing new apps with Ready Set Code classes through the St. Charles Park District.

General election campaigns draw considerably more interest than primaries, but when facing crowded fields of candidates who carefully manage messages and appearances, bank accounts can be revealing.

If you have a big goal, it’s essential to move toward it as quickly as you can, but it may be equally important to build yourself up and prepare for the storms of life because they will come.

Omitting the word “Jews” when commemorating the Holocaust is not a harmless slip but a dangerous erosion of historical truth that fuels ignorance, antisemitism and the gradual whitewashing of genocide.

I just do not see how Democratic legislators are gonna agree to take away any cash buffers while the state budget is under constant federal siege, with more likely on the way.

The current process is enshrined in the state constitution, as the court reminded when announcing Tailor’s appointment in January.

The Olympics have come a long way from their roots, particularly the Winter Games, whose earliest editions resembled winter carnivals.

GUEST COLUMN: Remember the flood of text messages we received in mid-2025 telling us we owned money for an unpaid toll? This went on for a couple of months – then the messages stopped. Or did they?

Protecting democracy in challenging times: Recent events across our country have underscored how vital it is to defend the principles of democracy.

We have had a real winter so far with cold weather and lots of snow. Our younger generation in the family has had lots of fun with sled rides.

We love reading! Reading is an important part of our lives. Reading makes the mind work and encourages us to use our vivid imaginations.