Where the government actively drives up prices, it’s possible (but not guaranteed) that changing a rule actually changes consumer costs. But in far too many cases, the underlying economic truth is that people struggle to afford things when incomes lag behind rising costs.

I kept thinking about that moment when new life, soon to be crawling and climbing, meets a life that is shuffling down a slope in time.

Wadsworth: This is part two of the story about the 1904 battle between Dixon’s ministerial association and Thomas Young, the owner of the Nachusa House.

OPINION: Another year, another bloated, tone-deaf budget from Gov. JB Pritzker. And once again, working families are expected to foot the bill.

Democrats warn that Donald Trump and his allies are threatening the integrity of the 2026 elections, setting up a high-stakes fight over the future of American democracy.

All these years later, I recall the lack of pretension or appearance of celebrity. That was just the work of Jesse Jackson’s life, the same as it was in Peru in 2021 or in Decatur in 1999.

Now that the Bears are good, the payroll decisions only become more of a puzzle, and shedding DJ Moore's salary could impact the defense more than his skillset affects the 2026 team and beyond, Marc Silverman writes

Years of collective work, vineyard refinement and expanded production capacity have elevated Stoller Family Estate's wines to their clearest expressions yet.

After two battles with breast cancer, each annual mammogram brings a level of fear and trepidation. Still, it's worth it to be able to catch things early.

Unsurprisingly, given his political leanings, Pritzker spoke to the importance of investing in state efforts as a means of mitigating long-term expenses. He also called for ensuring "we are focused on truly managing and measuring the real results of state programs."

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes permission is not needed to grab destiny.

Jim Wise: In the Sauk Valley, there are people everywhere who provide the services that keep our homes heated, water flowing, internet working, and our daily lives running smoothly. However, some overlook these valued service providers.

A plan to give the state Department of Insurance new influence over rate increases passed the Senate in the fall veto session before falling four votes short in the House. But the proposal can resurface during the spring session.

Forty Democratic members of the Illinois House and Senate have been meeting weekly to come up with a plan to find some government efficiencies and create new revenue streams to help the state meet its obligations.

I would have forgotten some of the stories I wrote about the children if I hadn’t written them down. If you can find time to write down cute stories about your children growing up, that would be great.

It has been over two weeks since we said goodbye to our beloved black Labrador, Zeke.

The proposal resulted from "several issues" Joint Committee on Administrative Rules members discussed during their meetings.

Recently I had a curtain-opening experience after reading a poem that left me kind of excited. About breaking more rules with the English language.

After Donald Trump blasted Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show as “an affront” to America, the Puerto Rican superstar’s performance instead underscored the nation’s evolving, multicultural identity – and exposed the political risks of waging a culture war against it.

The drivers were acknowledged every day with special treats, from baked goods to gift cards, personalized tumblers and specially made thank you cards from the students.

"The report points out there are numerous ways well operators can avoid that responsibility, and it suggests IDNR has frequently been unable or unwilling to take strong enforcement action."

In order to be at SoFi Stadium on Valentine’s Day 2027, the Bears must get to work immediately on many issues that need to be addressed now that the offseason has officially begun, Marc Silverman writes

We are in a time where saying no or saying yes is becoming more than the product of a philosophical discussion. There are very real consequences to the decisions we make. Being on the sidelines is becoming less an option.

Column: What's Happening in Batavia? A scam warning, tree trimming and parkway tree programs and what to do if your sewer backs up, writes Lori Botterman.

For a lot of people, the Super Bowl isn't about the game. Maybe it's about the commercials; maybe it's about the halftime show. For some of us, though, we want to see it all. Too bad we haven't found a way to do it yet.

If you have a big goal, it’s essential to move toward it as quickly as you can, but it may be equally important to build yourself up and prepare for the storms of life because they will come.

General election campaigns draw considerably more interest than primaries, but when facing crowded fields of candidates who carefully manage messages and appearances, bank accounts can be revealing.

Omitting the word “Jews” when commemorating the Holocaust is not a harmless slip but a dangerous erosion of historical truth that fuels ignorance, antisemitism and the gradual whitewashing of genocide.

I just do not see how Democratic legislators are gonna agree to take away any cash buffers while the state budget is under constant federal siege, with more likely on the way.

The current process is enshrined in the state constitution, as the court reminded when announcing Tailor’s appointment in January.

The Olympics have come a long way from their roots, particularly the Winter Games, whose earliest editions resembled winter carnivals.

Protecting democracy in challenging times: Recent events across our country have underscored how vital it is to defend the principles of democracy.

GUEST COLUMN: Remember the flood of text messages we received in mid-2025 telling us we owned money for an unpaid toll? This went on for a couple of months – then the messages stopped. Or did they?

We have had a real winter so far with cold weather and lots of snow. Our younger generation in the family has had lots of fun with sled rides.

We love reading! Reading is an important part of our lives. Reading makes the mind work and encourages us to use our vivid imaginations.

I do love words, which is why I was fascinated by Anne Fadiman’s attraction to what she calls “four-dollar” words. However, I have spent too much time in the newspaper biz to share Fadiman’s word addiction.

A union coalition backing Tier 2 reforms has long argued Pritzker’s proposals don’t go far enough to deal with their concerns about how the reduced benefits for employees hired since Jan. 1, 2011, negatively impact recruitment and retention.

If you were governor of Illinois, you might assume your primary job would be to govern Illinois.

Wadsworth: I’ve never heard anyone talk about this fascinating Nachusa House story from 1904. But it captures a unique moment in Dixon history when state, religion and business collided in a raging controversy.

Many Latinos backed Trump because they were disillusioned with the Democrats’ failure to restrain prices, and they’re now abandoning Republicans for exactly the same reason.

The argument is that using personal data is more invasive. But the business’s motives are the same: increasing profit margins based on factors aside from their costs.

Downstate lawmakers haven’t moved an inch for a variety of reasons, none of which is good enough to not get this done immediately. And because of this, Illinois has allowed the state of Indiana to enter the game as a real player for the Bears stadium, Marc Silverman writes

For a lot of us, the answer to the childhood question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" took a winding path until we found our calling.

Chances are good you know the name of Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who has held the office since December 2016. Can you name her immediate predecessor? Or her 2018 or 2022 general election opponents?

In this week's column, Toby Moore explains there are different type of praise and trust, but while some are genuine, others come with strings attached.

"Recent events have made me increasingly concerned about the actions of our executive branch and the growing instability they cause both at home and abroad," Mike Gallagher of Morris writes in a letter to the editor.

Last December marked the 10th anniversary of my monthly column in the Ogle County Life. Thanks to those who have read it, and to the Ogle County Life for faithfully publishing it during that time.

Column: "Reading Wendell Berry this morning made me feel guilty I wasn’t doing more for my community, my state, my world," Rick Holinger writes.

Law enforcement requires strong leadership in order to effectively handle domestic violence calls, columnist Tom Weitzel maintains

With the calendar turning to February, it’s crunch time for basketball and wrestling. The wrestlers will be in the midst of it Friday, Feb. 13, at Byron for the individual sectional, always one of the top sporting events of the school year.