All children need the love and support of a family to grow into healthy, productive adults. When children are abused or neglected and cannot stay safely in their homes, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) turns to foster parents to become part of a team to help them heal, remain in their communities and receive other supports so they can return home. May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month in Illinois, a time to thank the foster families and relative caregivers who have opened their hearts and homes to our most vulnerable children at a critical time, and to highlight ways all Illinoisans can get involved to ensure every youth in our state grows up protected, nurtured and loved.
Open government is good government or, at the very least, it is better government.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 1978, an important process became law that very few people know about and even fewer people understand. But the Illinois Administrative Procurement Act affects your everyday life in a very real way, especially lately.
As an unusual summer of quarantining, wearing masks and social distancing came to an end a few months ago, it was time yet again to head back to school. There was no doubt this fall semester was going to be strange, and nothing has changed much since those assumptions.
Forty-four years ago this week, I came to America. I had no idea what to expect. Most of my information about this country was from American movies that I adored.
Substantive change requires steadfast focus, a commitment to bold and decisive action, and a spirit of fortitude when addressing challenges.
This Labor Day we should celebrate America’s hard working men and women, especially the nurses, supermarket clerks, and other frontline workers who have faced unprecedented challenges this year. But as we recognize and honor them, consider that many in your state can be legally forced to pay money to a union or else be fired.
During this time of year, you might look out your window to see bees and butterflies buzzing around nearby flowers, moving from one plant to the next, pollinating along the way. Many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy in the summer are a result of the important work these insects do.
featured
A few months ago, my beloved country, America, was the envy of the world – strong economy, low unemployment and clear prosperity. It has always been the kindest country. A country with a heart. Our wealth and strength gave us a sense of superiority and invincibility. Things were rosy and full of optimism.
A few years ago, on a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Elene and I met a couple we knew from Effingham. As we were laughing, all of us said in unison: “It is really a small world.” And it is.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Emily Landon, lead epidemiologist at University of Chicago Medicine, spoke at the press conference on Friday after Gov. JB Pritzker announced the “stay at home” order that takes effect across Illinois Saturday at 5 p.m. Here are her inspiring comments.
When nations face crises, their citizens stand together – supporting each other, sharing the pain and the anxiety, sharing the apprehension and the sadness. They hug … they cry … they touch. They show love and support.
Are you satisfied with the direction of the country?
Illinois universities are urging members of the state’s congressional delegation to address obstacles facing international students and scholars. More than 53,000 international students attended colleges and universities in Illinois during the 2018-19 academic year, contributing $1.9 billion…
Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part …
Santa landed on the roof, cussing all the way.
Last week, as a member of the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons, I attended its annual congress in San Francisco. During the meeting about 2,000 surgeons were inducted as new fellows adding to the 85,000 fellows of the college. Surprisingly, 40% of the new fellows were from outside the United States and Canada coming from 71 countries some of which are friendly such as Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and France but many are not so friendly including Iran, Venezuela, China and Russia.
We put Ian in his grave. We put him under a huge oak tree. We put him by a glen where the breeze sings and leaves rustle. We put Ian in his grave. We put him by a glen on a summer’s day
Imagine going into cardiac arrest and the closest emergency room is more than 30 miles away. Or suppose your child is struggling with depression, but there isn’t a single psychiatrist in your county. Or consider experiencing unexpected pregnancy complications — yet living hours away from a h…
State Sen. Heather Steans knows how to get things done in Springfield, but her confidence that Illinois’ pension crisis is a “solvable problem” is worrisome given the ideas Democrats have floated.
Rocky was a cowboy; he carried his holstered revolvers around the neighborhood; wore his big white, hat low on his head.
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
My wife hates bears; eventually, she went from the general to the specific. Human beings personalize things; it is our nature. New Jersey bears got on her bad side, although they were not in Minnesota.
I am giving a talk to long-term state prison inmates, soon to be released, about how to navigate government and politics. This, on the premise they will need licenses to drive and ply some trades, and maybe even want to get involved in politics.
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
In 1988, American economist Robert Klitgaard boiled down corruption into a simple formula:
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
State Representatives Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), Amy Grant (R-Wheaton), and Chris Miller (R-Oakland) are calling for the repeal of the recently approved Reproductive Health Act and for new definitions for the viability of unborn children.
Most of the time I drive 70 mph on an interstate highway; occasionally, I kick it up to 71. At my age, blowing through the posted speed makes me feel like 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud.
"Wide open and unguarded stand our gates,
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
It is the Fourth of July weekend. Our nation’s 243rd birthday. It is a time for celebration with grilling, beer, friends and family. But we should not start the celebration before stopping even for a moment and reflecting on what it means for our country to celebrate its birthday and what it…
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
It is tempting for normal people to ignore our president when he starts ranting about treason and corruption at the FBI. I understand the temptation. I'm the object of many of his rants, and even I try to ignore him.
An old guy was driving along on an interstate highway, in the left-hand lane, going 55; which you can do on interstates. Heck, the minimum speed limit is 45. Most of the 45ers are trying to commit suicide.
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
Efforts are underway to legalize recreational use of marijuana in Illinois.
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the New Testament)
(Red-letter portions of the new Testament)
This is an observation that will, hopefully, not result in my issuing a mea culpa: Women are busybodies. Their key mission in life is to compile endless “honey do” lists. To a certain extent, that is commendable.