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.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi has so far raised and spent the most money. And while he has a substantial lead in the polls, it’s unclear yet if his wide support is paper-thin, meaning he could be taken out with some strong attacks.

The bill would amend the Illinois Insurance Code by requiring certain health care plans to fully cover an annual PET scan for clients age 35 or older, regardless of symptoms or a doctor’s order.

Larson: I feel shame, I feel a sense of guilt concerning this animus being visited by one American upon another.

Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog of all. But he’s got plenty of cousins in the Land of Lincoln.

I am in third grade at school. I like math best. My favorite time of school is recess. I like playing with my friends.

As January’s chill has had a tight grip throughout the month, I reflect on the city’s recent efforts and activities, and share some of the highlights within this monthly update.

Those pushing Pritzker to opt in make the logical argument that federal tax credits don’t affect the Illinois budget. Opponents who have always stood against tax dollars funding private education challenge the new federal program on the same grounds.

Louie was about my age when he flew from his home in Caracas, Venezuela, to visit his cousins. They lived in the neighborhood and were part of the gang of friends who hung out together on weekends and summers.

Roberts: There seems to be a big fuss lately about fraud in state governments, as evidenced by the misuse of federal funds in Minnesota.

Please think of the trees before choosing to print something like Chapter 6: System Reliability Investments (243 pages), but there is good information available for those willing to spend the time.

Column: With the new year, businesses and organizations are already embracing fresh opportunities to connect, give back, and grow together, writes Shirley Mott of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.

I’m all for Poles taking multiple swings at the defensive line through the draft and repeating what he accomplished on offense last year, Marc Silverman writes

When it comes to "cures" for diseases like Alzheimer's disease, it's best to bring a healthy dose of skepticism to every report. Sadly, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Find out how not to be caught by a scam.

Counting all four-year public schools and nearly 50 community colleges, the state has a physical infrastructure presence geographically proximate to virtually its entire population.

In this week's column, Toby Moore weighs the question: Is it better to miss an opportunity rather than joining with the wrong person?

Column: What's Happening in Batavia? Prevent frozen pipes, learn about internet safety, donate to a prom giveaway, writes Lori Botterman.

Oil production has been at the forefront of many news stories lately, so let’s look at oil production in the world and see if we can make some sense of it.

In Kevin Hieronymus' first school year at the BCR, he witnessed Angie Noble put on the finishing touches on a record-setting career for the Princeton High School girls basketball team. 40 years later, he's watched Keighley Davis take over as the PHS girls scoring leader

"The back of the Will County property tax bills will include a warning to get ‘same day’ or ‘manual’ postmarks if sending payments on or near the due dates. I’m predicting more than usual payments considered ‘late’ due to the change."

Politically, it’s imperative that the state not be seen as giving the billionaire Bears ownership a taxpayer-funded stadium. If they can give themselves enough cover, then maybe (maybe) they might possibly find enough votes for this.

In a closely contested girls basketball game between Byron and Dixon, it was the Tigers emerging on top in overtime. From the opening tip-off until the final score of 46-43, it was tight all the way between the pair of state-ranked teams.

McDermott: You do not need to like what happened, but you owe it to the future to remember the good and the bad. This story is about the bad. 

Many of its words were improvised, and some were not even original. But Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech summarized the struggles of millions and inspired people of all backgrounds, then and now.

Sullivan Rutherford Estate's Cœur de Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon has hints of blueberry, plum, dark chocolate and dried flowers.

As a child, I saw people in wheelchairs, power chairs, mobility scooters and many other pieces of equipment. I never once thought I would need to rely on any of those.

Anyone running for governor now has about four weeks to craft their own budget proposal for the next fiscal year and can do so in the context of Thursday’s memo. That means going deep into details.

Time becomes more precious, golden, invaluable, even sacred ... when you’re waiting.

Cayden Hansen, 20, and Kenny Wilcoxen, 68, who had a 37-year Hall of Fame career at Walnut/Bureau Valley, have made for a perfect match coaching the Princeton Logan eighth grade basketball team together this season.

“When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.”

The list of guests who were reported to visit the Nachusa House in Dixon reads like a Who’s Who in American history. In today's history column, Tom Wadsworth elaborates on three notables: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Ronald Reagan.

Sometimes one individual can make a difference. In the case of Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam, she took on segregation in the schools of one of Illinois’ most important cities – and won.

As the session continues, I suspect we’ll find McCombie correct. Not just on the push to increase revenue, a bit like guessing the sun will rise in the East, but in her other prediction: the toughest votes will wait until January’s lame duck session.

For me, the 2025 Bears season will be remembered for restoring my faith in an organization that I’ve loved since I was a young child, Marc Silverman writes

Coach Lalor, our family and I are beyond humbled by the overwhelming outpouring of love, support and gratitude by so many families, friends, coaches, officials, community members and players who have been our football family for so many decades.

If you happen to catch a bug, how do you decide whether it’s best to get some activity or get some rest? You can base it on your symptoms.

New statistics from the American Cancer Society are cause for optimism, even for those with the most fatal forms of the disease. It's also a stark reminder about the need for early detection.

With the caveat that our state’s ballot access laws allow for changes before the November election, here’s a look at the current electoral math.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes that the huge steps taken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. certainly should take away our own excuses to change our reality.

Column: Winter doesn’t mean life on the farm comes to a halt. Quite the opposite, especially these days with the addition of the Primrose Farm Agricultural Education Center, writes Patricia MacMillan for the St. Charles Park District.

Morris resident Mike Gallagher responds to State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, comments on the passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability act.