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It’s time to opt in
Two very nice union representatives knocked on my door last week. Anticipating an unfavorable ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, they asked me, a “fair share” state employee, to join the union. I didn’t have to think twice. Sign me up, I told them. I’m with you..

A psychiatrist on separating children
Once marginalized, laws and government policies were enacted to deal with these “problems” and groups of public workers then enforced these policies. I am not talking about just concentration camp workers or Gestapo or SS soldiers.

A wall won’t fix immigration
As one complainant put it, “Few of their children in the country learn English ... The signs in our streets have inscriptions in both languages ... Unless the stream of the importation could be turned they will soon so outnumber us that all the advantages we have will not be able to preserve our language, and even our government will become precarious.

LETTERS
I worked with James Cornelius for 10 years and respected his intellect, people skills and work ethic. Unfortunately, he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. He speaks up when he sees a problem. The current agenda to run the ALPL using NARA presidential library guidelines eliminates options that James feels a library should provide.

A closer look at Kwame Raoul’s lead
Fight Back for a Better Tomorrow PAC and its money-raising Fight Back Fund spent $900,000 during the Democratic primary to oppose Rep. Scott Drury’s bid for attorney general. The groups also spent $685,000 to oppose former Gov. Pat Quinn’s AG run. Both expenditures were ultimately designed to help Sen.

Hundreds rally for immigrant families
Part of a coordinated nationwide effort and organized locally by nonprofit organization Action Illinois, the speakers at Springfield’s rally mainly commented on the recent family separation policy, ordered by U.S.

HUMMINGBIRD FESTIVALS
The Engle Farm in Roodhouse will be the site of two Hummingbird Festivals, scheduled for Thursday, July 12 and Sunday, Aug. 12. Despite this having been a disappointing year for area hummingbird enthusiasts, the ones attracted to the site’s feeders will certainly put on a show for festival visitors.

BICENTENNIAL COIN DESIGNER
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs recently announced Hayden Schumer of Chatham as the winner of the bicentennial coin contest. The design was one of fi ve fi nalists voted on by the public. The winning design will be minted in silver on one side of the coin and distributed to commemorate the Illinois bicentennial.

Grant marches from Springfield Thursday night
Every Thursday night during the summer, Books on the Square, 427 E. Washington St., presents “Illinois and the Civil War.” A host of authors, scholars and historians conduct seminars analyzing Illinoisans who shaped the outcome of the war. Additionally, Illinois places and events impacted by the conflict will also be highlighted.

Prizewinning Illinois photography
Several changes were made to 2018’s contest classes and categories. Instead of splitting adult photographers into “amateur” and “professional” classes, organizers opted instead to offer one “adult” class for photographers ages 18 and up and two classes for young photographers: “teens ages 13-17” and “youth ages 12 and under.

Eight reasons to shop local
While big box stores stock a broad inventory and purchase from their suppliers in bulk, local shops tend to purchase from local artisans more often and support the wares of other small businesses. This is why you are more likely to find items in local shops you won’t be able to find at major retailers.

Shopping local online
Online shopping is a tool that our culture has adopted in full force, and it is hard to argue with the convenience factor that online shopping provides. Even those of us who do our best to keep our dollars local need or want the convenience of ordering an item online every once in awhile.

The Midwest Supper Club Revival
I’ve had some pretty amazing dining experiences in my life, like the time I had a 14-course meal at Chicago’s top-rated Alinea. I don’t remember much about the first 13 courses, but I do remember the finale: a helium-filled balloon made of banana taffy.

Breezy Ant-Man and the Wasp is great fun
This mission would be more than enough for any film but Reed and company aren’t satisfied with one main plot – they tack on three subplots; some necessary, others not so much.

Jump into July
Thursdays are turning into a hotbed of music making “pert near smack dab” in the middle of the week, and this one is no exception. The Fireside Relics will burn up the Curve Inn as they honor Ed in his last gig before he becomes a former Relic. Full of cool covers and awesome originals, these folks bring their A-game with every show.

PUB CRAWL
Bo Brumble and The Deep Hollow, Midnight River Choir.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Cody Canada & the Departed
Cody Canada has been playing guitar and dreaming music since he was 8 years old, and he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon as he heads into a quarter century of professional playing. The former frontman for the popular Red Dirt rockin’ country band Cross Canadian Ragweed keeps on putting out music from the studio and the road.

HISTORY | Author Peggy Grande
On Tuesday, July 10, attend a book signing and presentation featuring author and former assistant of 10 years to Ronald Reagan, Peggy Grande. Peggy’s book, titled The President Will See You Now: My Stories and Lessons from Reagan’s Final Years,.

THE CALENDAR
Anybody’s Story: 200 Years of Illinoisans and Their Stuff.

THEATER & COMEDY | Artifacts come to life
Anybody’s Story: 200 Years of Illinoisans and Their Stuff.