Illinois elected officials have strong feelings about former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's early release from prison. He served eight years of his 14 year sentence because President Donald Trump commuted his sentence earlier this week. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara doesn't agree with the president's move. "I really think it was a horrible decision and sends a really bad signal, not just to politicians, but to all citizens across the state." McNamara elaborated. "Look back at what he did. He literally tried to do one of the worst things you can do in politics, which is to enrich himself while selling a public seat." Rockford's Democratic mayor said Blagojevich bypassed the trust of the citizens. McNamara emphasized that this is not a partisan issue. "Republican, Democrat, Green Party, Independent -- what he did is despicable and I think he should serve his full sentence." John Beck identifies as a moderate Republican and is the alderman for Rockford's 12th ward. He said the

As the Illinois primary election draws closer, college students are preparing to cast their votes. Some for the first time. As part of our series, "You're the Boss," we asked several NIU voters at campus voter registration events about their most important issues in the election, and what questions they would ask candidates and current officeholders directly if they had the chance. Here's what they had to say: Salvador Meza, electrical and computer engineering major, Chicago “Well, on a national level, there seems to be a lot of division within the country. It would be nice to have a candidate that can united on both sides, see both sides of the matter. That would be the primary thing. Definitely immigration. Right now immigration is a big thing for me at least. On the state level, definitely taxes. Taxes need to get a little bit sorted on what’s going on, but what’s new in Illinois, right?” “I’d definitely ask them what would be their plan for immigration for not only the DACA

Governor J.B. Pritzker was in Rockford on Friday with Mayor Tom McNamara, State Sen. Steve Stadelman, and State Rep. Maurice West. The Democrats came together to celebrate the progress of the $45 billion capital plan known as Rebuild Illinois. Money from the plan is being used to improve statewide infrastructure like roads, bridges, education and broadband internet services. The governor also said that part of the money will go toward a much anticipated train project. "We're dedicating $275 million to establish passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago." The governor was quick to credit State Sen. Stadelman with getting this project pushed forward. He said, "Senator Stadelman made this a priority. He mentioned it over and over and over again, and told me that the people of Rockford wanted it. And we're bringing it to you, Senator!" The senator, in turn, expressed appreciation for the governor. "He's no stranger to Rockford and I can't even count the number of times he's been

Despite coronavirus-related shutdowns across Illinois, primary campaigns remain in full swing. The Illinois Primary election takes place Tuesday. Campaigners for democratic presidential frontrunners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders say they’re still optimistic about turnout. Retired Senator John Kerry is a Biden campaign surrogate and praised Sunday night’s debate performance. “Joe really came out sounding like a president -- sounding like a guy who really had a plan for coronavirus as well as for other things. I think the key is just to stay steady and keep going straight ahead and not take anything for granted,” Kerry said. Ari Rabin-Havt is Deputy Campaign Manager for Bernie Sanders. He emphasized the importance of science and expertise, both in Sanders’ platform and on public health. “People and government officials should talk to public health experts in their state, speak to the CDC, and issue the guidance necessary for people to vote and not get sick," he said. Tulsi Gabbard will

Rockford alderman and community activist John Beck has died. The 57-year-old Republican represented the city’s 12 th ward since 2001. He worked for the Rockford Park District as its Arts, Events, and Recreation Project Manager for the past 13 years. Beck also was known as a champion of accessibility and defender of the Americans With Disabilities Act. He served for 22 years as Development Director for RAMP, a Rockford-based organization offering services and advocacy for people with disabilities. He was a founding member of the Rockford Chariots wheelchair basketball association. And according to a news release from the Rockford Park District, Beck conducted assessments throughout the district “to insure the inclusion of people with disabilities in parks and recreation.” Rockford Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine said the “park district family” is heartbroken. “We will miss his quality service and we will miss his smile,” he wrote. “One thing we will not miss is his spirit

GLASGOW-BORN TV star John Barrowman has hit out at a fake account pretending to be him.

Comic Relief and Children In Need are teaming up for the first time ever to hold a special fundraising night on BBC One.

Hollywood actor Tom Hardy will read out more 'Bedtime Stories' for children's channel CBeebies.

Glasgow certainly looked different before the coronavirus lockdown.

GLASGOW rocker Gerry Cinnamon has rescheduled his biggest city gig to date at the 50-000 capacity Hampden Park.

ITV bosses have confirmed when their popular daytime show Loose Women will return with new episodes.

Raw, heavy, and in your face, Germany's Primal Fear return with an album that kicks off 2016 with explosive force.

Primal Fear make a strong statement with Rulebreaker, showing yet again that their tried-and-true metallic formula works effortlessly.

Nevermind the freaky ghoulish creatures behind the curtains... the music inside will make you a proud Brainiac.

Brainstorm return with a solid effort that takes a step forward in the evolution of their sound while staying true to the Power Metal subgenre.

XI packs a real punch to the face and twice to the gut.

Metal Church come full circle back to where they should be and return with a fantastic new album that delivers the very best they can offer.

Sweden's very own modern-day Viking horde return with a truly epic masterpiece.

With Jomsviking, Amon Amarth deliver a pulverizing, yet highly enjoyable listening experience that will keep you coming back for more. A pure masterpiece for the masses.

Not their best, but not their worst either.

Lacuna Coil manage to deliver a decent listening experience, thanks mostly to Cristina Scabbia's beautiful vocals. However, overall Delirium takes a step back in comparison to the band's more successful efforts.

Metallica prove that they can still play Metal.

Hardwired... To Self-Destruct has that familiar Metallica flavour while venturing into some interesting new territory, but fails to deliver a hefty blow like the glory-day albums.

Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our coverage of the Coronavirus crisis free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this difficult time.

Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our online journalism free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this crisis.

While government lockdown measures remain in effect - people all across the country are now working from home - and educating children who would otherwise be at school.

Like everyone else, my hands have taking a true beating from hand sanitiser, hand wash and cleaning products throughout this pandemic.

IF your child uses English as an additional language, you might be worried about them not being at school just now and missing out on using and learning English.

IN this continuing history of Glasgow we have reached the time of the Reformation, and the city played an important role in the whole process of turning a Roman Catholic nation into a Protestant country.

AS A teenager in the 40s and 50s, Glasgow was the place to be if you loved a dance - the Locarno, the Barrowland, the Majestic and more were the stuff of legend.

IT IS a harrowing image: a naked, malnourished body of an inmate at Bergen-Belsen lies dead on the ground.

SINGER Marti Pellow has told fans he is proud of his Scottish roots and hometown Clydebank.

Five facts about...Bessie Johnston

BONFIRES so hot they cracked tenement windows. Jiving with the GIs in George Square. Singing and dancing with joy, knowing that finally, the war was over….

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland commissioned a series of portraits of WW2 veterans as part of the national celebration.

We take a look back into the archives and explore Glasgow's past.

THE country may be in lockdown, but a pair of Glasgow-based dance instructors at least managed to step out in style after their students struck gold at the WDC World Championships in Dublin before the coronavirus chaos enveloped the world.

SPRINGBURN funnyman Gary Faulds has delighted his fans by revealing he was able to order a KFC in Glasgow.

Kevin P. Gilday & The Glasgow Cross have announced their new album, 'Pure Concrete'.

COMEDIAN Kerry Bridges has shown his support for the national Clap for Carers event.

Tory impact on country

Use the bins

STRIKING the right balance between decision making and maintaining robust scrutiny and accountability is a constant conversation at the best of times, and is ever more important during a crisis. This played out strongly at the Scottish Parliament this week, and raises important questions for our own council too.

There are two types of grant available to ratepayers.

Follow along here for all the coronavirus developments in Glasgow, Scotland and further afield.

A family of four was caught flouting lockdown restrictions after attempting to travel to Motherwell for a mini-break.

A GLASWEGIAN who once reached the final of hit TV show Stars in their Eyes has been delighting lockdown audiences by putting on live tribute performances of two country music icons.

James Kelly has hit out at the news Glasgow University teaching staff will lose their jobs because of the coronavirus crisis

GLASGOW CLAN chief operating officer Gareth Chalmers has admitted that the team’s recent run of form has been hugely frustrating, and he admits that he has never seen a team as badly hit by from illness and injury as his side have been in recent weeks.

ASH GOLDIE has been inducted onto Glasgow Clan’s Warrior Wall of Fame.

IF someone had told Matt Haywood when he arrived in Glasgow as a fresh-faced 18-year-old who had just been recruited to the city’s new ice hockey team that he’d still be here a decade later, he’d have laughed them out of town.

Glasgow Clan Chief Operating Officer Gareth Chalmers has revealed the club have signed a defenceman, who should be ready to play in tomorrow's clash with Manchester Storm.

Glasgow Clan head coach Zack Fitzgerald believes the Challenge Cup format needs a revamp.

WITH just a dozen league games remaining, Glasgow Clan are running out of time to rediscover their form.

Josh Taylor has hit back at former trainer Shane McGuigan and insists he had been unhappy for a long time working under Cyclone Promotions.

SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT John Docherty cruised to another comfortable victory last night in Sheffield to improve his record to 8-0.