Local Control

The state’s mandates regarding masks and vaccinations are merely the headlines and excuses of the moment in an incremental dismantling of local control in public education - and other arenas - that began decades ago, with the pace only picking up since.

IFB President: Growing solutions through listening partnerships

I imagine there are great qualities about living in a big city or suburb, but I would not know. I have lived my entire life in the same rural community. I am proud of my rural, farm roots, but I also recognize the need to better understand the perspectives of others around the state and nation.

Many share blame for inner-city crises; small thinking won’t fix the problem

Not long after college, in the late-1960s, I was visiting friends on the gentrifying Near Northwest ...

Remembering the legacy of Herbert Hoover

Recently, C-SPAN released its 2021 Presidential Rankings Survey and President Herbert Hoover was ran...

Many share blame for inner-city crises; small thinking won’t fix the problem

Not long after college, in the late-1960s, I was visiting friends on the gentrifying Near Northwest Side of Chicago. My host couple and I took a stroll, before a night on Old Town nearby.

Do we really need a clean energy mandate?

After months of debating infrastructure, federal lawmakers may be turning their attention to a new subject: Power plants and the utilities that deliver electricity to homes and businesses.

America’s forgotten economist

It is often forgotten, but America’s conservative tradition was not based on free trade, but rather economic nationalism. The American System became the basis of conservative economic policy. This economic philosophy was developed by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists, continued by the Whigs under the leadership of Henry Clay and was eventually adopted by the Republican Party.

Oh, how reunions do change!

Ten-year high school reunion: Fully entrenched in the work world. Many  married. Lots of baby photos. Lots of fermented beverage, too. Lasts til at least midnight. 20th reunion: Discovery of the reason for name tags. You’re stocked with pictures of your kids. You talk about jobs. You show photos of your home. Less over-imbibing. Lasts til after 11.

Go your own way

Traffic jam

Where a kid can be a kid

Another day, another three inches of rain. You’re lucky if you can keep up with the mowing. The garden is happy, the flowers are happy, but it is possible to let your mood match the gloom.

Paid leave bill still on agenda for the governor 

This past May, Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon Booth (D-Peoria) and Gov. JB Pritzker worked out a deal with some key state business groups to mandate seven days of paid leave per year for every employee in Illinois. Workers wouldn’t have to give any reasons for the guaranteed paid leave.

Court says be reasonable

I teach Criminal Justice at our community college and it is not just a professional interest that ke...

IFB President: Illinois food supply remains strong

The summer of 2021 includes a long to-do list as restrictions have been lifted and people take to th...

1996: LHS students prohibited from driving during lunch hour Remember When is gathered from past pages of the Daily Record and other Lawrence County newspapers.

100 years ago july 27, 1921 The Board of Education is improving the yards at Central and Arlington s...

What are we fighting for?

A trillion is a million million. In the last 20 years we have spent $6.4 trillion dollars on wars in...

Contested races are essential

As the debate heats up nationally over election laws and voter suppression, new research shows Illin...

1921: Law officers seize moonshining outfit Remember When is gathered from past pages of the Daily Record and other Lawrence County newspapers.

100 years ago july 20, 1921 Lake Lawrence, the pleasure resort of Lawrence County, is in the hands o...

Contested races are essential

As the debate heats up nationally over election laws and voter suppression, new research shows Illin...

SNAP revamp could eliminate food insecurity

Food insecurity is a major problem in the U.S., and it worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Su...