16 Dec 2024

Illinois Agencies Arguing Over Convex-Shaped Lump-Sum Funding That’s Actually Concave

By Rich Miller

The Democratic legislative leaders and the governor agreed to squirrel away $260 million in lump-sum appropriations to various state agencies last spring. But now some groups are figuring out that a big pile of state money is just sitting there and they are trying to stake their claims.

16 Dec 2024

The Next Act: New Village Theatre Owner Plans a New Course

By Jonathan Turner

The building that houses the Village Theatre (2113 East 11th Street, Village of East Davenport) has a long and colorful history. Recently sold, it faces an uncertain future, and likely will not be called a theatre in its next act.

09 Dec 2024

The Quid Quo Pros: Madigan and Solis Discuss the Art of the Deal via Wiretap

By Rich Miller

Whenever someone assures you that another person you’re both dealing with “understands” the “quid pro quo,” you’d be wise to run away as fast as you can and never look back. But that’s exactly how then-Alderman Daniel Solis assured then-House Speaker Michael Madigan in late June of 2017 that their mark – the developers of a West Loop apartment complex – would eventually be convinced to retain Madigan’s property tax appeals law firm.

25 Nov 2024

The Losing Party Advises Itself on How Not to Be Such Losers Next Time

By Rich Miller

In the wake of Donald Trump’s national victory and his losing margin dropping to 11 points in Illinois from 17 in two prior races, state legislative Democrats here have different views on how their party should proceed.

24 Nov 2024

Life in a New Key: Davenport's Bix Museum to Move Across the Street

By Jonathan Turner

After seven years tucked nearly out of sight in downtown Davenport, the growing Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archive is raising money for a move across the street.

18 Nov 2024

Can Madeline McCune Draft a Budget, Quell Partisan Rancor, and Raise the Dead?

By Rich Miller

Just about nothing happened in the first week of veto session in the House and the Senate. The Democratic legislative leaders are still trying to figure out what their members want to do in the wake of Republican President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory and whether that can be done. Whether that action starts in the second and final week of veto session, or in the lame-duck January session or in the regular spring session, is still up in the air as I write this.

11 Nov 2024

Will Pritzker Pull a Trump, Bend the Sun’s Light, and Craft More Propitious Financial Perceptions?

By Rich Miller

Back in 2018, about midway through President Donald Trump’s first term, the Illinois Senate passed a bill that was designed to prevent “the weakening of Illinois environmental and labor regulations in response to a weakening of federal regulations,” according to an Illinois Environmental Council press release.

07 Nov 2024

Walnut Creek’s Re-Routing Increases Habitats at Nahant Marsh

By Jonathan Turner

In its nearly quarter-century of existence, Nahant Marsh in southwest Davenport has worked to grow and improve inside and outside its borders.

06 Nov 2024

Is Geoengineering Saving Our Planet or Is It Our Biggest Health Threat?

By Todd McGreevy
Unnatural Clouds Over Erie, Illinois October 17, 2024

Local artist and friend John Bald reached out to me several months ago and said, “Todd, we have to do something about what they are spraying us with in the skies! Have you seen this?” Of course I have seen it, I told John.

04 Nov 2024

Harry Benton: 97th District Incumbent Representative, Union Ironworker, and All-Around Man without Qualities

By Rich Miller

As usual, plenty of false claims have been made during this state legislative election cycle. But the campaign I keep going back to in my own mind is the battle in the 97th House District.

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