Winnebago Chronicle

07/02/2023

Spending time with your children away from screens and other distractions is really fun. Passing on a family tradition and strengthening relationships are a couple of reasons why people camp.

Camping with kids may seem like a tough challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Spending time with your children away from screens and other distractions is really fun. Passing on a family tradition and strengthening relationships are a couple of reasons why people camp. Set Reasonable Expectations ...

07/01/2023

Before you dash to the grocery store, why don’t we make popsicles at home? Here’s a refreshing treat bursting with red, white and blue colors and fresh fruity flavors that bring relief on hot summer days.

Independence Day is just around the corner. Celebrating the Fourth of July brings a sense of patriotism and community as people gather to enjoy parades, fireworks and barbecues. The summer heat adds an extra sizzle to the festivities, making it the perfect time to cool down by indulging in ice pops....

06/28/2023

In May, there were 2,525 Illinois residences in foreclosure, a 3.6 percent increase from April. Despite having the nation’s highest percentage of homes in foreclosure, Illinois’ numbers are better than they were a year ago.

Illinois has the nation’s highest percentage of housing units in foreclosure. One in every 2,144 Illinois residences was in foreclosure proceedings for May, according to the most recent data from ATTOM, a property data provider. In May, there were 2,525 Illinois residences in foreclosure, a 3.6 pe...

06/28/2023

Amid record-high inflation last spring, the General Assembly temporarily waived the state's grocery tax for the coming fiscal year and delayed the annual increase in the motor fuel tax for six months. “I would like very much to eliminate entirely the grocery tax, but it is a matter of local governments and what they would do if they didn’t have that income as a result of the grocery tax,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

SPRINGFIELD – A new state fiscal year will begin July 1, ushering in the reinstatement of a 1 percent tax on groceries and a second increase to the state’s motor fuel tax in 2023. Amid record-high inflation last spring, the General Assembly temporarily waived Illinois’ grocery tax for the comi...

06/27/2023

As of Friday, Starbucks workers began participating in Strike with Pride, demanding that the company negotiate a fair contract with union stores and stop what workers call a “union-busting campaign,” which has impacted the company’s LGBTQIA+ workforce.

Workers at more than 150 Starbucks stores across the country, including several in Illinois, may strike over the next week, claiming unfair labor practices. As of Friday, June 23, Starbucks workers began participating in Strike with Pride, demanding that the company negotiate a fair contract with un...

06/27/2023

The $1 billion in federal funding will build upon Illinois $420 million Connect Illinois broadband infra-structure plan — a part of Rebuild Illinois, focused on delivering upgrades to ensure that every community across the state has 21st century broadband capability.

The governor’s office, along with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), said Illinois will be receiving over $1 billion in funding to support high-speed internet access through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This grant will help fund t...

06/26/2023

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old female who was diagnosed with high blood pressure at 32. I am 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weigh 130 pounds. I’ve been taking 240 mg of verapamil for all of these years. A few years back, my medication started coming in 120-mg dosages, so I started taking...

06/25/2023

Gardens, farmers markets, and stores are benefiting from the wide variety of fruits and vegetables available during summer months. And summertime brings the best colors of produce..

Gardens, farmers markets, and stores are benefiting from the wide variety of fruits and vegetables available during summer months. And summertime brings the best colors of produce. No fruit or vegetable has the same mix of vitamins and minerals. By eating different fruits and vegetables (in a variet...

06/24/2023

The humble potato is underrated. It’s a low-fat, low-cholesterol source of carbs and protein, packed with vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, calcium and more potassium than a banana. The bad reputation comes from typical toppings, like copious amounts of butter, sour cream and bacon.

Remember stuffed baked potatoes? I was discussing food with some friends, and none of us could recall the last time we had stuffed baked potatoes. We’ve been so occupied with quinoa and cauliflower rice that we overlooked the King of Carbs — good carbs, of course. The humble potato is underrated...

06/23/2023

The region has received “significantly” below average rainfall since very early this spring, according to the NWS. The most significant rainfall deficits over the last 30 days were located near the Chicago metro area.

The National Weather Service has officially designated many areas of northern Illinois and northwest and Indiana as being in a severe drought status. The region has received “significantly” below average rainfall since very early this spring, according to the NWS. The most significant rainfall d...

06/22/2023

In a move that drew intense backlash from immigrant rights advocates, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed House Bill 1298 then immediately filed emergency rules authorized by the law to “temporarily” pause enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program as of July 1.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration wasted no time last week in exercising new authority granted by lawmakers to limit the number of enrollees in a pair of state-funded health care programs for low-income noncitizens. In a move that drew intense backlash from immigrant rights advoc...

06/21/2023

Too much watering can be as bad as not enough watering. When the soil is without moisture, water the tree. Soil will generally dry out within seven to 10 days of not having a good soaking rain, so says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Commonly in Illinois there are periods of drought. During these times trees need to be given special attention and monitoring. Symptoms of drought include: wilted foliage a sparse canopy of off-colored and undersized leaves leaf scorch yellowing of the leaves leaf drop and premature leaf color Check...

06/20/2023

A new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker expands local police departments’ authority to use drones to surveil certain events, respond to certain 911 calls, inspect buildings and participate in public relations events.

CHICAGO – Next time you attend a parade, there might be an eye in the sky. A new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday expands local police departments’ authority to use drones to surveil certain events, respond to certain 911 calls, inspect buildings and participate in public relations eve...

06/19/2023

Over the past year, construction workers inside the Illinois Statehouse have stripped most of the building’s north wing down to its bare bones and are now in the process of restoring it to its original grandeur. That portion of the historic building, which includes the Senate chamber, has been closed to the public since last spring.

SPRINGFIELD – Over the past year, construction workers inside the Illinois Statehouse have stripped most of the building’s north wing down to its bare bones and are now in the process of restoring it to its original grandeur. That portion of the historic building, which includes the Senate chamb...

06/19/2023

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DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been experiencing pain in my chest, dizziness and shortness of breath on exertion. The chest pain lasts for a few hours. At one point, it was so bad that I couldn’t walk a hundred feet, had to use a cane and severely limit my physical activity. I’ve been to the doctor...

06/18/2023

There are few things tastier than a freshly baked pie. As the seasons advance, each month brings new “pies-sobilities.” Savor a tasty slice of pie this season and consider growing next year’s pie filling at home in a “pie” garden.

The summer season of freshly baked pie. fresh berries. summer fruit

06/17/2023

Father’s Day is tomorrow and if you’re wondering what to do for dear ol’ dad, How about a mouth-watering burger? There’s nothing quite like a juicy burger, especially when made with love for the special father figures in your life.

Father’s Day is fast approaching, and if you’re wondering what to do for dear ol’ dad, I have a suggestion. How about a mouth-watering burger? There’s nothing quite like a juicy burger, especially when made with love for the special father figures in your life. Now, I’m not talking about t...

06/16/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law that strengthens the range of penalties that a state watchdog can mete out for health care employees who conspire to hide abuse or interfere with investigations by the state police or internal oversight bodies.

This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Lee Enterprises, along with Capitol News Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill into law on June 9 that strengthens the range of penalties that a state watchdog can mete out for health care employees who...

06/13/2023

The Winnetka Republican-turned-Florida resident on Monday unveiled the portrait painted by Chicago Artist Richard Halstead and privately funded by Rauner. The 42nd governor of Illinois who served from 2015 to 2019. .

SPRINGFIELD – Former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s portrait has joined the “Hall of Governors” in the Illinois Capitol. The Winnetka Republican-turned-Florida resident on Monday, June 12 unveiled the portrait painted by Chicago Artist Richard Halstead and privately funded by Rauner. The 42nd governor ...

06/13/2023

“Book bans are about censorship, marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas and facts. Regimes ban books, not democracies,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday when signing House Bill 2789 into law, protecting public and school libraries from pressure to ban, remove or restrict access to books based on “partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Monday that seeks to protect public and school libraries from pressure to ban, remove or restrict access to books based on “partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” Speaking at the Harold Washington Library Center in downtown Chicago, Pritzker sai...

06/12/2023

All 50 states in the U.S. have experienced a tornado, but the greatest frequency is in the Great Plains, Southeast U.S., and Midwest. Illinois has an average of about 54 tornadoes annually.

In today’s world, it appears that everyone has seen or experienced a tornado up close and personal, at least from all the video that is available on social media. The fact is many people have only seen pictures or video and have not experienced a real tornado. However, their chances may be getting...

06/12/2023

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DEAR DR. ROACH: My 73-year-old wife has been diligent in getting her mammograms done, plus blood tests and doctor’s visits every three months. In November 2021, she came down with what seemed like a very bad cold that was actually confirmed by X-ray to be pneumonia. After two rounds of different a...

06/11/2023

How about a recipe that’s embarrassingly easy to prepare, is ready in minutes, costs next to nothing and adds amazing flavor to many of your favorite meals? We’re talking about homemade quick pickled onions.

How about a recipe that’s embarrassingly easy to prepare, is ready in minutes, costs next to nothing and adds amazing flavor to many of your favorite meals? We’re talking about homemade quick pickled onions. Once you start making these pickled onions, you’ll always have a jar waiting in the fr...

06/08/2023

The $50.4 billion spending plan anticipates about $50.6 billion in revenues for the fiscal year that begins July 1, making for a projected surplus of roughly $183 million, according to the governor’s office.

CHICAGO – Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the state’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Wednesday, marking the first spending plan of his second term as governor. The $50.4 billion spending plan anticipates about $50.6 billion in revenues for the fiscal year that begins July 1, making f...

06/07/2023

The bill came in response to a flurry of lawsuits filed in recent years in courthouses throughout the state challenging such things as Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigation orders, a law that would end cash bail, and, most recently, the state’s ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines.

SPRINGFIELD – People who file lawsuits in state courts challenging the constitutionality of a state law, administrative rule or executive order will now have to file those cases in either Sangamon or Cook counties. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed House Bill 3062, which applies only to cases b...

06/07/2023

Drought conditions continued to intensify in many parts of Illinois. Illinois State Meteorologist Trent Ford said the U.S. Drought Monitor now shows the Chicagoland area, much of central Illinois, and areas along the Missouri border from Quincy to St. Louis to be in a moderate drought. In addition, the northern two-thirds of the state is characterized as abnormally dry.

In this week’s column we examine the effects of current drought conditions across Illinois on crop development, prices and more. We’ll also take a peek at the current USDA crop and livestock indexes. Please read on …   Drought creeping across Illinois URBANA — Despite spotty rainfall events...

06/06/2023

The scholarship will now be available at participating community colleges and universities beginning in a student’s freshman year, for certain associate and bachelor’s degree programs, and is also available for advanced degrees and endorsements.

On Tuesday, June 6, the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) said the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has opened the 2023-24 application for the ECACE Scholarship, now with expanded eligibility for those pursuing or interested in pursuing a credential or degree in early...

06/06/2023

Illinois lawmakers passed 566 bills through both chambers of the General Assembly in the recently concluded legislative session – all but one of them in May. It sets the table for an approximate three-month bill-signing season for Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed 566 bills through both chambers of the General Assembly in the recently concluded legislative session – all but one of them in May. It sets the table for an approximate three-month bill-signing season for Gov. J.B. Pritzker. That’s because the state’s ...

06/05/2023

Another day of poor air quality is anticipated today across the state, primarily due to lingering wildfire smoke in the area.

Yet another day of poor air quality is anticipated today, primarily due to lingering wildfire smoke in the area. Those with chronic respiratory illnesses should limit their time outdoors, as posted by the National Weather Service on Monday morning, June 5. (Visit http://airnow.gov for additional inf...

06/05/2023

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DEAR DR. ROACH: I see supplements advertised on television that are supposed to clear “brain fog” and do many other beneficial things. Are these any good, and can they actually do the things that they claim? If they are effective, why aren’t they sold at drugstores? If not, how is it that comp...