To keep our democracy strong, we need to restore trust in news media
Americans are politically polarized, cynical about long-respected institutions and disappointed with elected leaders at the local, state and national levels. What’s driving these trends? I believe a sweeping lack of trust is a significant factor.
Sheriff's words welcome lawbreakers
“All they are saying,” claimed Illinois Sheriffs Association executive director Jim Kaitschuk about dozens of his members, “is ‘We’re not going to knock on people’s doors to ask whether they have registered their firearms.
Democrats get it done in lame duck session
When the Democrats get their act together during a legislative lame duck session, they can really pass a lot of stuff in short order.
Flick: The amazing success of Tim Romani
In many a successful life is that one, single day out of the literal thousands that changes everything.
You can win a battle and still lose the war
President Eisenhower and Prime Minister Churchill met at a conference in Bermuda in 1953. The topic was post war rebuilding of Europe and mutual defense against Russian aggression.
Illinois sent into chaos over Safe-T Act
Kankakee County Judge Thomas Cunnington set off a chaotic chain reaction Dec. 29 with his ruling that the General Assembly over-stepped its constitutional grounds when it voted to eliminate cash bail.
Flick: Now he's an Indiana mayor, too?
FLICK LITE. Our latest listings, as offered by the readers and your own resident Lite Boy:
Don't worry, be happy
We had booked a package deal vacation at Montego Bay in Jamaica.
Flick: 2022? Was it 222 much?
Just what kind of a year was 2022?

Lawmakers urged to resist push to classify pawnbrokers as predatory lenders
By this point, the words were just crushing: “I’m sorry. We just can’t help you.”

Fairness being added to Illinois' justice system despite efforts to prevent progress
After years of work and deliberations – and a last-minute hiccup from a court ruling – Illinois is poised at last to implement the Pretrial Fairness Act, ending money bond across our state.
Diminished opportunities for deserving families
Johann Bonelli, the family progenitor, was born in Weingarten, Switzerland, in 1827 and emigrated to America in 1859 on the ship ‘Emerald Isle.’
The truth always matters
Big mistakes yield large damages. Fox News has been sued for $1.6 billion dollars in damages over their role in falsifying the claims of the Trump campaign that there was widespread voter fraud in the presidential election and claiming that it was done, in part, by manipulating electronic machines such as those Dominion Voting Systems sold to a number of jurisdictions.
Don't fall for fear tactics when it comes to Safe-T Act
Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) headed up her chamber’s efforts to amend the controversial SAFE-T Act this year. The day before the bill came up for a vote, I asked her what were, in her opinion, the largest misconceptions about the 2021 social justice reform law.
Navigating the holidays after loss
December 19, 2022Between the joyous music and beautiful Christmas lights, we often forget about those struggling throughout the holiday season because of the loss of family or a friend.
Finding hope and joy this holiday season
Years ago, as we continued seeing the changes Alzheimer’s brought to my grandma, our family began taking over tasks to help her prepare for the holidays.
Keep the belief
Things are pretty good. Not perfect; but not horrible either.
Parties should respect each other
The state legislative debate last week over amending the Pre-Trial Fairness Act provisions within the controversial SAFE-T Act featured many of the same obfuscations and outright misinformation that characterized the fall campaign by Republicans and many of the same insufficient answers by Democrats.
We are all just looking for common ground
The creative process is somewhat of a mystery. Try thinking of something new if you don’t believe me.
Pearl Harbor destruction remembered
Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, Admiral Chester Nimitz was attending a concert in Washington D.C. He was paged and told there was a phone call for him.
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"South Pacific" sets sail for LTC stage
Lincoln Trail College’s theater department is planning a few enchanted evenings with its spring prod...

Daily News editor dies suddenly
Robinson Daily News/Lawrenceville Daily Record Editor, Crystal Wimberly, has died. She was 41.

Niemerg conducts office hours here Feb. 2
Crawford and Lawrence counties' new state representative will host satellite office hours in Robinso...