As Illinois transitions away from coal power, the focus on building battery storage capacity has intensified. While some view this as a necessary solution for energy reliability, it may actually reflect the unintended consequences of unfortunate policy decisions.

The central issue with relying on wind and solar energy is their intermittent nature. Unlike fossil fuel plants, which can operate continuously to meet demand, renewable sources are dependent on weather conditions. This creates gaps in energy supply that batteries are intended to fill—charging during peak production times and discharging when demand spikes.

As the holiday season ramps up to full swing, towns and cities across Illinois come alive with a shared sense of joy and celebration. Each with their own holiday traditions, communities are coming together to create moments that bring neighbors closer and make the season unforgettable.

 
Each year, the night after Thanksgiving, Woodstock, Illinois welcomes the Christmas season with the cherished Lighting of the Square event. During this event, tens of thousands of beautiful lights are turned on downtown, surrounding the central park. The event also hosts a variety of other activities, including an appearance by Santa himself!

 

National Christmas Card Day is celebrated on December 9th each year. It's a day to reflect on the tradition of sending and receiving holiday cards, and to spread joy and holiday cheer. It is a day you can set aside time to write and address your own holiday cards.

According to the Postal Museum in London, England, Christmas cards date back to the Victorian era. It was Queen Victoria who sent the first official Christmas card. However, it was the founding director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Henry Cole, who commissioned and sent the first commercial Christmas card in 1843.

Each year on December 9, countries around the globe come together to recognize International Anti-Corruption Day which calls for awareness about the impacts of corruption and the importance of standing against it. Since its establishment by the United Nations in 2003, the day marks the adoption of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the first and only legally binding international anti-corruption instrument designed to combat public and private corruption. As of 2024, 191 countries have ratified the UNCAC, a testament to the prevailing struggle against corruption and global recognition of the need to address it.

December 7 marks Pearl Harbor Day, a time to honor the lives lost during the surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941. This event, often referred to as "a date which will live in infamy," as President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it, not only changed the course of World War II but also shaped the history of the United States and the wider world.

MADIGAN TRIAL
Wiretaps show Madigan using political power for his personal benefit. One of the principal allegations against former Speaker Michael J. Madigan, based on his positions as head of the Illinois House of Representatives and the Democratic Party of Illinois, is that he explicitly used legislative and political clout to drum up business – especially business involving continuous lawyer-client relationships and fees – for the Chicago-based law firm that he also controlled and profited from.

The holiday season is a magical time in Illinois. While many love the seeing the outdoors blanketed in snow and the light displays in their neighborhoods and towns, holiday movies are also a beloved Christmas tradition. This year, Illinois is celebrating its rich connection to holiday movies in special ways, with events featuring iconic stars and towns stepping into the spotlight as festive film locations.

 

Cookies are a holiday staple for many Illinois families so as the festive season approaches, we’d like to celebrate National Cookie Day with a quick history of the holiday cookie.

The tradition of baking cookies for the holidays goes back to the Middle Ages when Christmas took the place of winter solstice festivities throughout Europe. It was also at this time that Europeans were introduced to the exotic spices of the Far East, including ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon.

On December 3, 1818, Illinois was admitted as the 21st state of the United States. That’s why on December 3rd of every year, we celebrate Illinois Statehood Day. To celebrate, let’s take a look back on the early history of Illinois and trace its journey to becoming a state.

 

The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Illiniwek, from whom the state derives its name. European exploration began in 1673 when French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet traversed the region, claiming it for France. The French established settlements such as Cahokia in 1699 and Kaskaskia in 1703, which became centers of trade and missionary work. 

 

Welcome to our "3 Things You Didn't Know About" series. Our aim is to help you get to know your legislators a little better.

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