Opinion

Tidye Ann Pickett stood only 5-feet-2, and barely weighed 100 pounds. But nine decades ago, she stood tall in American track.

There are two primary challenges to legislative plans to regulate homeschooling in Illinois.

If most of these players hit, the Bears will likely make the playoffs and open their contention window, Marc Silverman writes

The recent disclosure by OSF to build a new hospital in Ottawa while shifting some of their long standing services to Peru came as a shock to everyone including me.

Opinion: From a nostalgic trip down memory lane at the Fizz Ehrler Memorial Turning Back Time Car Show in Sycamore to the competitive spirit of the USASA Soccer Tournament, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this weekend in DeKalb County, writes Cortney Strohacker.

The death of actress Shannen Doherty was a blow to her many fans. It also was difficult for those of us who are battling the same disease that she was: breast cancer.

When you care for someone with a disability or work in any capacity of providing service to that community, it’s impossible to become anything but intimately familiar with the way the state and federal government manage agencies.

Are you a dissectologist? Although the word does bring to mind distressing memories of a high school Biology lab, it actually describes a person who enjoys doing puzzles, usually jigsaw puzzles.

“We can’t allow this violence to be normalized.” Cortland Town Trustee Randi Olson included that quote in her statement about a threat made against her political opponent, state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore.

An oft-repeated $1.1 billion demand from Chicago’s mayor would actually wind up costing state taxpayers $5.5 billion. And Gov. JB Pritzker is turning a big thumbs down.

July brought new changes to state laws.

Margaret Abbott of Chicago was the first American woman to win an Olympic event, capturing first place in women’s golf at the second of the modern Games, in Paris in 1900.

Shaking people from closely held beliefs is difficult, especially when trusted sources deliver reinforcement. Broad data helps us see beyond narrow personal experiences, but only when we choose to look.

What qualities do you look for in a leader? Think about the qualities you appreciate in a boss.

Of all the accolades heaped on the departed ferryman, his most frequently cited virtue was his generosity.

The area, most of its land area not even surveyed by the U.S. Government to enable it to be legally sold, would eventually include nine surveyed townships, each consisting of 36 sections of (nominally) 360 acres each

Yesterday, I took a short walk. Short, because less than a quarter mile away, down a grassy path, a momma black bear and her cub visited the trout pond where I often fly fish.

Out of 49 total vice presidents, only two were politically affiliated with Illinois at the time of their election.

It’s up to the Bears to lead Chicago out of its sports sickness and one of the worst years in Chicago sports history, Marc Silverman write

What can employers do when an employee starts exhibiting signs of dementia? The Alzheimer's Association and Bank of America have released a new white paper that offers some tips for both employers and employees.

Playing at Pottawatomie means players of all ages benefit from the fresh air and picturesque surroundings while also improving their health.

Sam McCann’s career in public service may not be over.

Crispy white wines are a perfect fit for summer.

At the first of several public hearings about plans to create the Metropolitan Mobility Authority by consolidating CTA, Metra and Pace which took place July 9 in Chicago, leaders addressed what they call the “fiscal cliff.”

A little-noticed bill passed both the Illinois House and Senate that will generate $300 to $400 million a year for local governments, including $95-127 million for the Regional Transportation Authority.

On the evening of July 20, 1969, an estimated 650 million people worldwide watched televised coverage of the first moon landing. Plenty of people in Illinois joined in.

Sterling alderman: Here in the Twin Cities and beyond, our local governments take on the responsibility of removing abandoned properties to benefit our residents’ health, safety and welfare.

Soberness is based on availing ourselves to sound clear thinking, and subsequently allowing sound decision making to be afforded in each circumstance.

I believe nature speaks.

We don’t need to hear the jury’s verdict on Madigan and McClain to see how even a full conviction won’t sufficiently change course in Springfield.

Goodbyes can be hard even when one is saying goodbye to a beloved television series. The recent finale of "The Incredible Dr. Pol," a favorite for more than a decade, was like that for the Olivers.

We have survived another NASCAR in Chicago weekend.

There was the year when our very best vegetable harvest involved nurturing, but in an unexpected way.

The Dixon: Historic Theatre has plans to offer playwriting, sketch writing like Saturday Night Live, acting and auditioning, and for you brave souls, stand-up comedy – all of which will have performances at the theater.

When it comes to national political conventions in Illinois, two top every historian’s list: the 1860 Republican convention, from which ascended the political career of one Abraham Lincoln, and the 1968 Democratic event, marred by violent clashes between protestors and police.

The prospect of the theater that now passes as politics taking up even more of my time and attention makes me queasy. Because of that, I spend more time outside.

It was an act that became synonymous with American resistance. But it was based on a principle that helped build our American democracy.

“Germane to its authority.” That phrase is important to keep in mind as McHenry County Board members consider new rules.

I recently went into St. Stephen Church in Streator for the first time since it was permanently shuttered in October, as a result of structural concerns.

There are dates and times – but not locations – for public hearings on plans to create the Metropolitan Mobility Authority by consolidating CTA, Metra and Pace.

It’s not unusual to have a mind in overdrive, yet it’s also vital for the mind to have opportunities to rest.

On May 11, 1876, 91-year-old John Dixon followed his routine of walking to the post office from his home in North Dixon (at Jefferson and Bradshaw). But later that day, as the Chicago Tribune reported, he was “struck with palsy," which probably meant that he suffered a stroke.

For all of you who believe this a pessimistic essay, think again.

There’s still time to sign up for the annual run on July 6.

Every year, a pet meets with an unfortunate injury or worse because it became scared during Fourth of July fireworks. The loud noises often trigger pets' fight-or-flight response. Here are a few tips to keep pets safe.

Dietary supplements can mean vitamins but also minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, etc. They come in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies and powders as well as drinks and energy bars.

During the last couple weeks of the spring state legislative session, Senate President Don Harmon got whacked twice by allies, including Gov. JB Pritzker, but still managed to keep his cool.

The best advice thus far is to avoid taking any broad data or individual incidents as applicable to the entire state. Hopefully, we’re all still learning.

Opinion: The Downtown Sycamore Chalk Walk is coming up, and we’re calling all artists, from novices to seasoned professionals, to participate in this vibrant event Saturday, Sept. 14, writes Ashlee Weaver of the Sycamore Chamber of Commerce.

On July 4, 1826, as the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died.