My wife and I were reminiscing about our grade school days. Being stuck inside during the pandemic doesn't lend itself to making new memories, so we draw on the old ones.

Does it really have to be the end of our plays? Social distancing is an issue. Plays are not easily put on. 

After Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan appeared in all but actual name in ComEd's deferred federal prosecution agreement, Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) was one of the first Democratic state Representatives to call on him to resign without the qualifying "if he did it" language. 

For the last month I have been riding around Albion in my wheelchair wearing my red "Trump hat!” I wear the hat to initiate a political discussion with members of both the Democrat and Republican parties. I have learned much from these discussions. In truth, I do not like President Trump. I …

I've been spending a lot of time alone due to the coronavirus pandemic. I haven't felt this isolated since my last high school dance party. 

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin is a former prosecutor, and that outlook on life has never really left him.

I get about 300 emails a week, not counting the ones that go directly into my spam folder. 

One of my grandkids had a birthday this week. With the ongoing pandemic, his party was a virtual event held live on Facebook. We watched as he opened way more presents than any kid needs.

It's well known that the Illinois House Republicans (along with pretty much all Illinois Republicans) are using House Speaker Michael Madigan's bad reputation to bludgeon their Democratic opponents.

For the last seven months, ever since COVID-19 first came here, I have watched as positive attitudes in and around Fairfield have slowly crumbled. Folks that would have driven across town to go to church, shop, or just say “Hi,” to a friend, are now terrified to leave their homes. We are bom…

Someone asked me recently what I’d be if I wasn’t what I am. My first thought was “inhuman.” But, he narrowed his query to occupations.

There's been much gnashing of teeth since the state announced that just 21 social equity applicants had qualified for regional lotteries that will award 75 cannabis dispensary store licenses. The 21 winning entities submitted well over 300 applications for those 75 licenses, which has forced…

I have heard through the grapevine that some people are considering dropping their Navigator subscriptions due to the lack of school and athletic news - because there isn't any school in this time of COVID-19.

One of the few bright spots of the pandemic is that we have rediscovered our kitchen. 

As a retired educator, I am very concerned about the financial well-being of pensions in Illinois. The state of Illinois has been using state pensions like a credit card, not just for years but for decades and then they dare to call this robbery a "payment holiday!” I am also very concerned …

When Gov. JB Pritzker announced the state COVID-19 "mitigation" plan for the Metro East on Aug. 16, he said it was done in conjunction "with local officials in the Metro East region and across the border in St. Louis."

It's hard to find good help these days. You'd think that with the level of unemployment today, people would be hungry for work. It seems a lot of people want to be paid but don't want to put in the effort necessary to be paid.

Citizens of Grayville:

Today’s Ramblin’ Man is written by my equally vocal daughter, Laura. She’s been a subject of this column on many occasions over the years, but since having children, she doesn’t make as many stories these days. You might know her better as Ben and Adam’s mom. After much pestering, she’s gone…

It is common for humans to act against their own interests. For example, all that indulging over the Thanksgiving-Christmas holidays can reverse 10 months of sticking to a healthy diet and result in a lot of extra days at the gym in January. Or one “just have to have” impulse purchase can bl…

Tuesday, Aug. 11 was probably the best day, professionally, that Governor JB Pritzker has had in quite a while.

We have a large, old, decorative tin that we keep sewing supplies in. I don't think anyone in our house knows how to sew, but if we ever learn, we're well prepared. 

I’ve been reviewing political slogans as I research my voting choices for state and national offices. I have categorized them by the following labels: Ambiguous slogans, outright lies, fear-mongering, race-baiting and amazingly truthful. 

Messaging is important. Messaging is especially important during a pandemic and time of social upheaval. Recently, I had a conversation with five teen boys about the coronavirus. One of my grandsons expressed doubt about the reality or at least the severity of the virus.

"I need to be able to look myself in the mirror every day," was how Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) explained to me recently why she decided to call for House Speaker Michael Madigan's resignation.

The calls were mostly brief and to the point, recipients said. House Speaker Michael Madigan just wanted to know where his members stood last week after two of his members demanded he step aside as House Speaker and Democratic Party of Illinois chairman.

I'm wondering if everything good has already been invented. These are some of the worst inventions I've ever heard of.

In November, we have a very important election for President, and others.

When I used to think of "Bloody Chicago,” I thought of the 1920’s and the mob during prohibition. The most famous Chicago mob shooting was the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre when seven people were killed. Now, when I think of "Bloody Chicago,” I think of every weekend and some weekdays in…

Every week, I sit down in my little writer's chair, light a cigar that I've carefully selected from my humidor and then, for the next hour to an hour and a half, stare at a blank computer screen. 

A couple of days after the July 17 disclosures in ComEd's deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's office, House Speaker Michael Madigan called individual House Democrats to try and reassure them that all would be well.

If you are happy with our country being so divided,

Here's some new math we've been doing at our house: 4 flat tires on 3 vehicles in 1 day equals 2 much.

Months after the nation's economy crashed and millions were (and continue to be) put out of work, a large group of Illinois House Democrats is still quite upset at the way Gov. JB Pritzker's administration is handling unemployment insurance claims.