Illinois
There's already an ideal choice for new Illinois state flag
When Illinois formally launched the process of selecting a new state flag, soliciting design submissions from the public, it gave Illinoisans a rare opportunity to shape the visual and symbolic identity of their whole state. We can use that power to choose a flag that reconnects with our rich heritage and embrace a timeless design that embodies unity and history.
Rather than starting from scratch, the Illinois Flag Commission should look no further than Wallace Rice’s 1918 Centennial flag. Rice, best known for designing the iconic Chicago flag, created a masterpiece for Illinois’s centennial celebration that remains as aesthetically excellent and symbolically powerful today as it was a century ago. It deserves serious consideration as our next state flag.
The Centennial flag’s field consists of three horizontal bands of white, blue, and white. Emblazoned on the flag is a large white star, flanked on each side by 10 smaller blue stars. The 21 stars signify Illinois’s entry into the Union as the 21st state, with Illinois itself represented by the largest star. The other 20 stars, split evenly on either side, represent the 10 Northern and 10 Southern states at the time of Illinois’s admission. The result is a visually striking balance of simplicity and symmetry tailor-made for use across multiple formats.
The 1918 Illinois Centennial Flag.
The case for the Centennial flag is about more than aesthetics, however. When it became the newest state of an increasingly divided country, Illinois represented a symbolic bridge across the sectional divide, as well as a prayer for a more united future. A century later, the Centennial flag was unveiled as a visual encapsulation of that same dream. The arrangement of the stars, with Illinois as the central bridge between the Northern and Southern states, speaks to the state’s historic role as a unifier in a divided nation. In today’s polarized political environment, this symbolism carries new meaning. Adopting such a flag as our state’s symbol would send a message of unity and shared purpose — not just for Illinois, but for all Americans.
I humbly submit that the Centennial flag, with its elegant simplicity and unifying message, is the ideal candidate, and would ensure that Illinois is represented by a universally recognizable symbol that captures its unique place in the nation’s history.
John C. Engle, Logan Square
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Showcase all of Chicago in next marathon
On Sunday, the Chicago Marathon was held and in the next morning’s papers, I read nothing but kudos for our town for the great handling of such a world-renowned annual event.
But I do find myself pondering: Why is the route always the same, with very little variance? City leaders are always looking for ways to bring more attention and activities to the neighborhoods. Why not route the course through them — Beverly (actual hills — oh my gosh!), Englewood/Washington Park (past the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, up and down elegant Garfield Boulevard), through Logan Boulevard and environs northwest, etc.
What a magnificent travelogue for Chicago the televised marathon would present! I sincerely wish those in charge would look beyond the lakefront to all the beauty the city offers.
Dennis Allen, Wilmette
Blame cyclists, not drivers
Why are we having deaths and accidents with cars vs. cyclists and what can we do to help prevent some of them?
Here’s part of the problem: As we have all seen, most cyclists think they can do whatever they want when riding on the streets of Chicago.
Those of us who drive have seen very few cyclists stopping at stop signs and red lights. They ride between cars and don’t stop when crossing alleys. When something terrible happens, they look at the person driving the car.
When was the last time you saw a cyclist getting a ticket?
We have rules of the road. If cyclists were issued tickets for not obeying these rules, I’m sure we would have fewer deaths and accidents.
Dan Goodwin, Humbolt Park
Chicago Teachers Union should release audits
The Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates recently voted “no confidence” in Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, which triggered the resignation of the entire CPS board and the naming of new board members by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Now the stage is set to green-light CTU’s contract demands for higher salaries and staffing increases that will force Chicago’s taxpayers to take the resulting financial hit.
Yet the CTU has brazenly refused to share with its own members its financial audits from 2020 to 2024, and has been sued by some of these members to release these audits. CTU members are entitled to know how their dues are being spent and who is on the CTU’s payroll. I would go further and claim that taxpayers, who are the ultimate funding source for teacher salaries and the union dues deducted from them, also have a similar right to know what the CTU is doing with its money. Until CTU comes clean, its members and Chicago’s taxpayers alike should declare “no confidence” in CTU.
John H. Flannigan, Albany Park
Don’t depend on Social Security
I can fully understand the angst many individuals feel about inadequate Social Security cost of living increases.
However, Social Security has some problems which the public does not fully understand. The payroll tax is regressive and benefits are not intended to fully fund an individual’s retirement. The original purpose was to alleviate poverty.
My advice to young people: Do not depend on Social Security. View it as supplementary income. Buy a piece of property and build some equity instead of paying rent. Get a good job that has a defined benefit pension plan. Notice how Boeing union workers are insisting on a defined benefit pension plan that, unlike a 401(k), will pay benefits for the rest of your life. Later, invest in bonds, stocks and diversified portfolios, which have proved to be financially lucrative.
Such decisions will enhance your financial future with little dependence on Social Security.
Larry Vigon, Jefferson Park
SYCAMORE, Ill. – A Sycamore mother said she is still waiting for justice more than two years after her teenage son was stabbed to death.
The case is back in court this week, where a judge will consider a key request that could change how the case moves forward.
What we know:
A mother said her son’s life was cut short during a confrontation that turned deadly.
Heather Gerken said her 17-year-old son, Kaleb McCall, was stabbed during an incident in September 2023. She said Kaleb agreed to meet another teen for what he believed would be a fist fight while sticking up for a friend.
According to Gerken, the other teen, who was 15 at the time, pulled a knife and stabbed Kaleb in the chest. Kaleb later died from his injuries.
Gerken said a jury later found that teen guilty of second-degree murder after the defense argued he acted in self-defense.
Dig deeper:
The case is not over.
Gerken says the defendant’s attorneys are now trying to move the case out of adult court and into juvenile court. That decision could impact how the teen is ultimately sentenced.
What they’re saying:
Gerken said the legal process has been long and frustrating.
She said the case has stretched on for more than two and a half years and that ongoing court proceedings have made it difficult for her to grieve her son.
“He was everybody’s big brother,” Gerken said. “He had the biggest smile and the sweetest personality. He enjoyed fishing and being outside, and he was the best gift giver. He always got me flowers for every little holiday. Just a very thoughtful boy.”
Gerken also said the possibility of the case moving to juvenile court is especially upsetting, as she continues to push for what she believes is justice for her son.
“I don’t want anybody else’s child to die the way that my son died,” Gerken said. “Caleb is my whole world. I gave birth to him at 17 and he changed my life completely. He made me a better person. He taught me what real love truly is…And I just miss him so much more every day. And just knowing that he died the way he did. It makes me sick.”
What’s next:
The case returns to court Thursday morning.
A judge is expected to determine whether the case remains in adult court or is moved to juvenile court, a decision that could shape what happens next in the case.
The Source: The information in this article was reported by FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi.
Millions of asylum seekers have been impacted as caseloads have grown
A general crackdown on immigration courts the administration sees as liberal has led to the firing of dozens of immigration judges.
Recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to dip as the war in Iran endures and national gas prices float above $4.
One such poll conducted by CNN/SSRS illustrates widespread upset among Americans with regards to Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation. Here’s how Trump’s approval ratings look nationally and within Illinois, as of April 20.
Donald Trump approval rating: CNN
Only 31% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, compared to 39% in January 2026, according to the poll.
The decline in approval on the issue is even higher among Republicans, especially Republicans under 45 years old, according to CNN.
In the poll, President Donald Trump received his worst approval rating yet in either of his two terms on the economy.
CNN findings show about two-thirds of Americans say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 27% say they approve of Trump’s handling of inflation.
CNN also reported 63% of Americans say the prices at the pump have caused financial hardship in their household, including 15% calling it “severe.”
The poll, conducted March 26-30 among 1,201 U.S. adults, found 35% approve of Trump’s job performance overall. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
One poll respondent told CNN and the pollster about the most important issue facing the country: “Prices! Everything is so expensive. Makes it very difficult to do anything other than work and go home. Trips to the grocery store are ridiculous! Between gas and grocery prices, we are poor!”
Trump addressed the concerns about gas prices in his address to the nation on April 1, saying the Strait of Hormuz would reopen when the conflict was over and the prices would fall again.
Trump reaffirmed his promise about the strait on April 18, saying his administration had “very good conversations going on” with Iran after the country said the strait would not be reopened.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: Civiqs
Trump’s job approval rating in Illinois, as of April 18, according to data from online survey platform Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 32%.
- Disapprove — 65%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump national approval rating: Civiqs
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 13, according to data from Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 39%.
- Disapprove — 57%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: The Economist
Trump has a -36% net approval rating in Illinois as of April 20, according to data from The Economist.
Donald Trump national approval rating: The Economist
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 20, according to data from The Economist, is as follows:
- Approve — 38%.
- Disapprove — 56%.
- Don’t know — 7%.
Trump, Iran War approval rating: Pew Research Center
A Pew Research study conducted in mid-March found that about six-in-ten Americans (61%) approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict in Iran, with 39% approving.
A report released in early April found that the largest concern for most Americans as a result of the conflict is higher gas prices, with 69% saying they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the issue.
Other Trump approval rating polls as of April 20
Here is a look at some other polling aggregators to understand how CNN/SSRS’s poll compares to the average Trump approval numbers as of April 20:
RealClearPolitics Poll Average: 41.2% approve, 56.6% disapprove.
The New York Times: 40% approve, 56% disapprove.
Silver Bulletin: 39.7% approve, 56.4% disapprove.
Which president has the lowest approval rating ever?
Although Trump has dropped to a historic low in approval rating polls this term so far, he hit a 34% low in the first term and other recent presidents such as Joe Biden hit a 36% low, Barack Obama hit a 40% low, George W. Bush hit a 25% low and Bill Clinton hit a 37% low, according to the Gallup polls, whose recorded lowest rating was Harry Truman with 22%.
As for the highest presidential approval ratings, George W. Bush holds the highest approval rating ever recorded at 90%, while his father, George H. Bush holds the second highest at 89%.
Trump is the only president that has not reached a 50% or higher approval to date in the Gallup polls’ history.
CENTRALIA, Ill. – An investigation is underway after multiple people were shot Sunday in Centralia, Illinois, according to a report from WFCN News in southern Illinois.
FOX 2 has confirmed the Illinois State Police is investigating a shooting and taking over the investigation, but ISP could not confirm many further details as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
“The investigation is in its infancy and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,” ISP said in a statement to FOX 2.
According to WFCN News, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. near the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia. Multiple law enforcement agencies have since responded to scene and multiple victims are hospitalized, according to the report.
It’s unclear how many people may have been injured and what led up to the shooting.
Centralia, Illinois is about 70 miles, or just over an hour, east of St. Louis.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
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