By David W. Tretter After so much uncertainty and so many challenges, this should be a time of hope and optimism for students attending Illinois institutions of higher education – especially the independent, not-for-profit colleges and universities I represent in Springfield. For many, it is a time of looking to better days ahead. The Illinois…

By George Harris Google Home speakers are “smart,” to use the language of our times. They’re also stolen. That’s according to a recent ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission that found Google infringed on five patents from Sonos, a speaker company. The ruling prohibits Google from importing products that infringe on the patented technology —…

By Thomas L. Knapp Earlier this month, the Republican National Committee announced its withdrawal from the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has monopolized “major party” debates since 1988. The RNC, claiming bias on the CPD’s part in selecting moderators, pledged to “find newer, better debate platforms.” While the RNC’s reasons are self-serving, this may be…

By Ray Hanania There is no doubt that a bias exists in the mainstream news media when it comes to Chicago politics. For example, last week would have been Chicago Mayor Harold Washington’s 100th birthday had he not died of poor health and eating habits on Nov. 25, 1987. I covered Washington from the day…

By Paul R. Michel America can’t outcompete low-wage countries when it comes to manufacturing cheap, mass-produced widgets. But we can — and historically have — outcompeted every other nation when it comes to creating superior technology, from semiconductors and smartphone operating systems to advanced medicines.  Unfortunately, this advantage is disappearing. Competitor nations have greatly improved…

By Rich Miller The Illinois Senate adjourned its session April 9, just after 3 o’clock in the morning. The House adjourned about three hours later, as the sun was coming up. This wasn’t the first time the chambers worked into the wee smalls to finish their work, including a budget, and it probably won’t be…

By Ray Hanania Does Gov. JB Pritzker really think Illinois voters are stupid? Does he think we are just not smart enough or that we are indifferent to the harsh world around us? The past two years have been the most difficult taxpayers have faced economically. The pandemic changed our lives and delayed much, including…

By Rich Miller Last year’s state budget talks were dragged into the bitter fight between the Senate and the House and the governor’s office over a massive bill to regulate carbon-based power plants. As a result, the House hurriedly and angrily jammed an appropriations bill over to the Senate before it could be fully checked…