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Putting the squeeze on bicentennial
For one thing, there’s no mascot, and convincing folks to take Gov. Bruce Rauner seriously as a cheerleader will be a tough sell, especially since he already has said that he’s not in charge of anything.

Janus case could backfire, helping unions
Most Supreme Court watchers are predicting that a majority of justices will side with the petitioner – Mark Janus, a child support specialist for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services – against labor in Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31.

A plutocratic coup
But we do do coups. In fact, the country itself was founded on an armed coup to replace the legal ruler, King George III, with a gang of revolutionary upstarts. One coup that most of us haven’t heard of is The Wall Street Putsch of 1933.

LETTERS
FLOODS AND FARMS Unless you enjoy watching your home flood and losing everything you own from water funneled by levees upstream, it is difficult to understand how levee subsidies benefit you.

When will the TV ads reappear?
Four years ago I mistakenly believed candidate Bruce Rauner would take a page from Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s 2014 re-election playbook and immediately bury Gov. Pat Quinn under a mountain of negative advertising. Instead, Rauner waited until July 11 to air his first general election TV ad.

State puts pressure on Schaller
“The scheme involves multiple consumers in need of financial assistance approaching Schaller to obtain a mortgage,” regulators wrote in the order suspending Schaller’s license for 180 days pending further investigation. “Schaller, rather than obtaining a mortgage, deceives consumers to transfer ownership interest in their property.

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT MONEY
Area students are getting a free education in how to manage their money, thanks to Taylorville Community Credit Union, which is bringing Banzai, a national online financial literacy program, to 12 schools in and around Taylorville, Edinburg, Hillsboro, Litchfield, Morrisonville, Nokomis, Pana and Raymond.

DOLLARS FOR ELKHART’S DOUGHBOY
The Village of Elkhart Veterans’ Park renovation project has been awarded a preservation grant for World War I monumentS in need of conservation, repair, stabilization or other restoration treatment.

Finally
It is easy to spend more time than planned browsing through what Lincoln wrote and what he read between his birth in 1809 and 1842, his final year as a state representative in the General Assembly.

NPR Illinois is on a roll
“NPR is one of the top news sources in the country today,” said Randy Eccles, general manager and publisher for NPR Illinois, the radio station housed at the University of Illinois Springfield and previously branded as WUIS. “It is rated highly and seen as very credible.

Mother’s Day brunch at home
Phyllo dough stands in for traditional piecrust as the base for a hearty, seasonal quiche. If you’re not familiar with phyllo dough, it’s a fun product to work with. Rolls of paper-thin dough come in a frozen package and can also be used to make strudels, turnovers, baklava, spanakopita and stacked desserts like a napoleon.

Tully takes a mixed look at motherhood
Marlo (Charlize Theron) isn’t overwhelmed by motherhood; she’s consumed by it. With a nine year-old girl, a five year-old boy with special needs and a newborn, whatever part of her individuality she’s been holding on to has been ground to dust.

May music arrives
Venues that start around 6 and host live music outside on Friday and Saturday nights include Weebles (on Peoria Road), Long Bridge Golf Course (located just past the airport on Route 29), The Curve Inn (on South Sixth), Crow’s Mill Pub (on Toronto...

PUB CRAWL
Kountry Klassics with Steve and Doris Szydel.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Live Wire
There’s a good chance you’ll recognize this band name, as this group has been around town for some 25 years now, with Denny Lucas (guitars, keys, vocals) being the beating heart and caring soul of the group.

THE CALENDAR
Celebration for local pups features prizes, gifts and more, courtesy of PetSafe. jaxbark.com. Jacksonville PetSafe Dog Park, 894 E. Vandalia, Jacksonville, 245-4178. Second Wacky Wheelers Parade.

FOOD | Food with friends
Do you enjoy reading cookbooks and sharing new recipes with others? If so, individuals age 14 and older are invited to join Taste Buds: The Cookbook Club, a new club which will meet quarterly at the Chatham Area Public Library.

MUSIC | Red Dirt meets Illinois soil
On Friday, May 4, Danenberger Family Vineyards kicks off its new “First Friday Concert Series” with Austin Meade, an Americana group based out of Texas Hill Country that blends bluesy guitars with thoughtful vocals, along with an opening act with local musician Jimmy Reimer.

FAIRS | Make a difference
On Saturday, May 5, connect with progressive community organizations during the Second Annual Community Involvement Fair, hosted by SpringfieldCall2Action at Laurel United Methodist Church.