Mary Miller secures Donald Trump endorsement over 15th district incumbent Rodney Davis

On Saturday, former President Donald Trump endorsed 15th congressional district representative Mary Miller in the upcoming Illinois Republican primary on June 28. Miller, who quickly earned notoriety nearly a year ago at a rally two days after she was sworn in uttering a quote from Adolf Hitler, will have to unseat GOP incumbent Rodney Davis.

Illinois’ new district lines moved Davis' Taylorville home out of the 13th congressional district and into the 15th. Miller's residence in Oakland home was drawn into the 12th district. Representatives are not required to live in the districts they represent.

On November 30, with the backing of 31 of the 35 Republican county chairmen and 14 Republican state lawmakers in IL-15, Rep. Davis announced his bid for reelection.

"My family and I are excited to announce that I am running for re-election to Congress," said Davis in a press release. "I’ve been proud to fight hard for and work on behalf of central Illinois families in this district for many years, both as a member of Congress and as a staffer to my good friend and mentor, former Congressman John Shimkus."

In the New Year's Day release Rep. Miller said she is "in a strong position to win re-election in the new 15th Congressional District, which gave President Trump 68 percent of the vote in 2020."

The former president, who is considering another campaign for the highest seat in the land, said, "Congresswoman Miller is doing a fantastic job representing the people of Illinois! Strong on Election Security, the Second Amendment, and our Military and Vets, Mary is a champion of our America First agenda. She fights hard against Joe Biden’s open borders, runaway inflation, and the radical indoctrination of our children. Mary has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Clearly, the thinkers in the Miller campaign camp deemed Davis' seat an easier mark than that of Rep. Mike Bost in IL-12 in her new home district. Both Davis and Bost are liked by constituents and well-funded.

Rep. Miller's outspoken rhetoric on America's Covid-19 vaccine strategy and voting no on awarding Congressional Gold Medals to Capitol Police officers who stopped the January 6 insurrection may handicap her election efforts. A member of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus, she was one of 21 Republicans to vote against the bill that passed with 406 votes.

In the New Year's Day release, Rep. said she is not a career politician and not afraid to take on the DC swamp.

"I'm proud to be the only member of Congress from Illinois who is fighting to impeach Joe Biden and the lawless Biden Cabinet for leaving our border exposed to an invasion of illegal immigration," said Miller, whose two-year term ends next January. "I am the only member from Illinois who has fought every effort by Joe Biden to use COVID vaccine mandates to fire Americans from their jobs and I opposed funding COVID vaccine databases that share information with the federal government."

Miller was one of 147 Republicans who voted to overturn results in the last election.

"With hard work, prayer, and faith in our country, conservatives will take back the House and Make America Great Again," she said.

House bill in the works to keep teens out of adult court



by Lily Bohlke
Public News Service


(SPRINGFIELD, IL) - A bill pending in the Illinois House of Representatives would bring misdemeanor cases against older teenagers to juvenile court rather than adult court.

House Bill 111 would allow emerging adults to be considered "delinquent minors" and adjudicated in the juvenile system up to their 19th birthday.

Lael Chester, director of the Emerging Adult Justice Project at the Columbia University Justice Lab, said 18 is an arbitrary age to start bringing teens into adult court.

Photo by Niu Niu/Unsplash
She pointed out young people go through a tremendous period of growth in their mid 20s, and argued not only can young people be particularly vulnerable in the adult court and prison system, but it affects the rest of their lives.

"When you are applying to college, when you have jobs, and they ask you if you've been convicted of a crime, you haven't been convicted, you've been adjudicated," Chester explained. "And it really provides young people with the opportunity to get their feet in the ground."

Chester emphasized Illinois is on the cutting edge, but it's not the first state to take this step. Starting July of last year, 18-year-olds in Vermont began entering the juvenile system for misdemeanors.

Chester noted focusing on emerging adults is one way advocates hope to reduce racial disparities in the justice system.

"Racial disparities are prevalent throughout the justice system at all ages," Chester contended. "But actually 18- and 19-year-olds have by far the highest racial disparities of any age group in the justice system."

Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, sponsored similar legislation in the Senate and said she plans to move forward with the House bill if and as soon as it passes.

She added there are many reasons young people commit misdemeanor offenses, and the juvenile system is better suited to find out how to help kids have successful and healthy futures.

"In the juvenile system, there are more opportunities for services," Fine remarked. "And sometimes these kids need services instead of severe punishment."

Recent research has shown when people are not arrested and prosecuted for nonviolent misdemeanors, they're less likely to offend again, especially if it's the first time they encounter the justice system.




Recent study suggests childhood trauma could haunt Illinois adults for life
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 75% of U.S. high school students said they have had at least one adverse childhood experience, or ACE.

Research has shown ACEs can alter a child's brain chemistry and produce a prolonged toxic stress response. Experiencing at least one ACE as a child is linked to having alcohol and substance use problems in adulthood, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.


Stress-free Thanksgiving tips for those short on time this holiday season

While gathering for Thanksgiving is intended to be a joyous occasion, everyone who has hosted the feast knows it can also come with a lot of stress, and expenses.

The good news is that whether you’re a Gen Z-er hosting your first Friendsgiving on a budget or you’re a busy family preparing for guests, there is a lot to be thankful for this year.


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Tipped wage system isn't working, removing taxes won't save it
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What will? Replacing the subminimum wages that tipped workers make with one fair wage nationwide.

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Is it depression, ADHD or bipolar disorder?
Lavender Zarraga, APRN, a behavioral health provider at OSF HealthCare, says it’s not uncommon for her patients to ask for a medication that isn’t the right fit.

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Still running out front: Unity collects sectional title, SJO qualifies for XC state


MATTOON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Sectional Cross Country Meet at Lake Land College in Mattoon saw area powerhouse Unity advance to the state meet for the fourth consecutive year, finishing in first place with a score of 79 points. This year’s event, held on Saturday, November 2, took place under cloudy skies and cool conditions, with crip temperatures in the upper-50s at race time.