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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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...

Kountry Klassics with Steve and Doris Szydel.

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.

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.

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.

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.