Illinois weighs policy clash over truck loads and taxes
Congress pressures Illinois to raise truck weight limits while IDOT backs heavier trucks with a new weight distance tax to fund highway repairs. The plan could generate about 50 million dollars annually. lawmakers face political resistance from Chicago aligned to regional transit funding. The article argues for prompt action to align weights with fees and avoid shifting costs to motorists.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Illinois
General Assembly
Arkansas
Missouri
Congress Oy
Illinois Department of Transportation
IDOT
House
Michael Madigan
Chicago
Reading program lifts adults from illiteracy in Franklin County
The Franklin County program at Christopher High School, led by Kathryn Greenwood, helps illiterate adults learn reading and writing since 1976. It notes adults gain label reading confidence and restaurant skills, while highlighting Cuba’s literacy rate as an embarrassment. Nine percent of American adults remain illiterate, hampering jobs and skill development.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cuba
United States
Christopher High School
Franklin County
Kathryn Greenwood
Southern Illinois
Congress Fails To Act On Social Security Crisis
Congress stalls on Social Security as deficits deepen and future benefits loom. Reagan and Senate Republicans call for 40 billion without tax or benefit details, while Democrats warn of grandmothers left to suffer. Debates hinge on politically risky cuts or tax hikes amid mounting debt.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Pete Domenici
Senate Budget Committee
Reagan
Senate
Reagan shifts to radical right amid budget, school issues
Tom Wicker analyzes President Reagan embracing right wing themes as a response to dropping poll numbers. He critiques a proposed voluntary prayer amendment and tuition tax credits, noting budget balancing pledges clash with deficit risks and church state concerns. Wicker warns these moves blur conservatism and empower radical elements.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tom Wicker
New York Times
Reagan
Jeader
White House
Smith
Supreme Court
Congress
District of Columbia
Energy residents urge against mayor in pending case
A reader from Energy criticizes Mayor Jeralds over assault and battery claims linked to Barron versus Jeralds, recounting past harassment of a 14 year old and a board meeting incident. The letter urges unity to help Barron regain his police post and challenges mayoral authority.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinoisan
Barron
Jeralds
Randy Patchett
Energy
Jesus Christ
Offe nsive bike signs in Carbondale spark protest
A Carbondale taxpayer urges removal of anti bike signs showing a bicycle with a diagonal bar. They argue the symbol inflames motorists and cyclist rights, calling for a verbal sign instead: No bikes on sidewalks Give them space on streets. Hartman Carbondale.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinoisan
Carbondale
Hartman Carbondale
Prison inmates plea for higher pay raise in Illinois system
A reader letter targets Charles Bedinger and AFSCME Local 1175 over proposed pay cuts for correctional staff. The writer argues staff have tough jobs and should not lose benefits, noting a 4 percent raise instead of 8 percent and proposed holiday cuts, while contrasting inmates' resentment and welfare concerns. The letter questions the fairness of pay structures across Illinois prisons.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinoisan
Charles Bedinger
Afscme
Menard
Chester
Bedinger
Tions
Mr. Bedinger
State of Illinois
Correctional Department
State of Illinois Corrections
Free schools and the 60s revolt a sober afterword
The New Educational Project rebels of the 1960s failed to build sustainable schools because they overestimated freedom without structure. Denker and Bhaerman recount their missteps, urging clearer responsibility, practical pedagogy, and firm guidance to prevent repetition as alternative schooling resurges with targeted programs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fred M. Hechinger
New York Times
Joel Denker
Steve Bhaerman
Simon & Schuster
Southern Illinois University Press
Denker
University of the District of Columbia
Bhaerman
Ann Arbor
Mich
Cuba
Also Mentioned on This Page
Reading America
Hes
Pontiac
Stateville
Joliet
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