By Jim Nowlan
Outside Columnist

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Rauner stuck his foot in his mouth with an impolitic remark recently in the Quad-Cities that the Illinois minimum wage of $8.25 an hour should be cut back by a buck-an-hour.

Rauner’s three GOP primary opponents and Gov. Pat Quinn immediately piled on, calling him everything from “out of touch” to “cruel, heartless and wrong.” Read More

by Angela Hogan RN MSPH
Administrator, Mo. Co. Health Dept.

Now that we are two weeks into the New Year, how is your New Year’s Resolution working? Most people will consider at least one possible New Year’s Resolution, but the number of folks who actually attempt it falls off from there, and for good reason. Researchers estimate that among individuals who make a resolution, one-half will abandon the resolution before the end of January! Since most resolutions consist of one or more goals for self-improvement, we need to find better ways to stick to them. Read More

By Jim Nowlan
Outside Columnist

Mother always said it was darkest just before dawn. When it comes to the state of Illinois, I cannot yet see the sun or its penumbra from beneath the horizon, but there are signs that the future may brighten. We need to build on those portents.

Illinois has been in a funk. People I talk with lament our reputation for corruption and the state’s embarrassing fiscal situation. Most say we are headed in the wrong direction. Many say they would like to be someplace else.

Americans have a sour view of Illinois as well.

A survey a couple of years ago by Public Policy Polling found that only 19 percent of Americans had favorable views of Illinois, while 29 percent had unfavorable views; the rest had no view whatever of Illinois. Most states had more favorable than unfavorable mentions. Read More

For a while now, I have been getting my neighbor’s mail and just this morning, my neighbor called me and said he got my mail. I do not understand why this has become such an issue when the addresses are so clearly marked. When our last postmaster, Ed, was in charge, these things did not happen. I cannot put the blame solely on the postmaster, but there is surely something wrong. In the past three months, I have had to go to the utility company to find out what I owe. I got the notice to pay or shut off but not the bill itself. Am I the only one that has to deliver other’s mail while missing my own? I really hope not. When I get a bill, I pay it. Yes, I agree that I should pay better attention to what is due and when, but I have become accustomed to them being delivered and paying them when I get them. Please, Mr. Postman, deliver me my mail.

Christina Punches
Sullivan

by John Golden
NP Columnist

T’was just Christmas of last year when I found out that I was going to be a dad again. The jolly old man Santa, his plethora of handy little elves, and his eight flying, magic reindeer had delivered to me a major gift. This particular gift came as a big, joyful surprise. Because it was something that I did not necessarily ask for on my personal Christmas list, I was caught somewhat off guard. Yet, this miracle of a gift was absolutely wonderful.

To say that I was shocked last holiday season would be a spectacular, super-duper understatement. I was not sure at first if I could be completely happy with the “Honey, I am pregnant” news. And, to be perfectly honest, I was not happy in the beginning, for many reasons.  Read More