This year the nation begins its celebration of our 250th birthday, building up to the July 4, 2026, commemoration of the semi-quincentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

The celebration marks not only the gathering of 56 Founders at Independence Hall, but also the progression of American history, from a small experiment in self-government, to the large and powerful democratic republic that we are today.

Today, members of the Illinois House and Senate Republican caucuses joined together to call on Gov. Pritzker to veto Senate Bill 328, legislation that would serve only to enrich trial lawyers at the expense of jobs and economic growth. They also filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County court to enforce the Illinois Constitution’s Three Readings Rule, due to the blatant unconstitutional manner the Democratic Majority rammed the special interest proposal through the General Assembly after midnight on the last day of session.

When you head to Illinois lakes and waterways this summer you may encounter Craspedacusta sowerbii, also known as the peach blossom jellyfish. The peach blossom is the only known species of freshwater jellyfish, and it has been found in both Little Grassy and Devil’s Kitchen lakes in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. The tiny invertebrates have also been spotted in Ferne Clyffe and Kinkaid Lakes and at Mermet Springs in southern Illinois.

With summer gardens sprouting up around the state, many gardeners are turning to canning to preserve the freshness of their excess bounty. But, before home canners start preserving, University of Illinois Extension urges canners to get their pressure canning gauge checked to ensure it is functioning properly. The USDA also recommends testing dial gauges annually and replacing them if they are inaccurate, according to the USDA. 

Governor JB Pritzker appeared before the House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C. last week, where he was grilled by Congressional members over Illinois’ sanctuary state laws.

Over the course of the eight-hour hearing, Gov. Pritzker and the Democratic governors of fellow sanctuary states Minnesota and New York were questioned about their support for failed sanctuary state laws that prohibit local law enforcement agencies from working with federal authorities to detain and deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens.

Every third Sunday of June, we, as a nation, celebrate the fathers who care for us, teach us, and most of all, show us how to be better people by their example. However, underneath the grilling and the greeting cards lies a tale of resilience, love for family, and what it means to be truly American — how the celebration of Father’s Day came to be.

On Saturday, Americans will not only be saluting the Army’s 250th year with President Donald Trump at a parade in Washington, D.C. we will also be celebrating America’s symbol of freedom, the American flag. It should be a celebration of important symbols of American unity and strength – but some Democratic politicians are intent on marring the event with calls for protests – much like the ones that have turned violent in LA and other cities around the country.