Submitted by Seth Whitehead, Executive Director Illinois Petroleum Resources Board

Nearly four billion barrels of oil have been produced in Illinois since commercial production began way back in 1905. Pump jacks are as common - albeit spread out - in southeastern Illinois as skyscrapers are to Chicago. Still, millions of Illinoisans have no idea there are oil wells in the state. And many of those who are aware of Illinois’ storied oil production history may not know key facts about the present-day industry that distinguish it from the “Big Oil” stereotype that is so prevalent today.

Over the decades, Illinois has risen to the status of being the country’s third-largest oil producing state on two occasions (1907-1912 and 1940). The state’s production even outpaced Iran and Iraq’s combined production in 1940, and Illinois oil production literally helped fuel the Allied Forces defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II. For decades, publicly traded giants like ExxonMobil and Texaco dominated production in the Land of Lincoln. [Read more...]

Submitted by Rich Gurka

For some reason this situation has received scant attention in White County. What I am about to summarize has been very thoroughly vetted and reported on by the Wayne County Press (WCP) and journalist Len Wells.

In December 2024 Dr. Paul Bruinsma resigned as Dean of Instruction at Frontier Community College (FCC) in Fairfield. Dr. Bruinsma was hired at the March 2013 meeting of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) Board of Trustees. This was after the IECC conducted a thorough background check of Dr. Bruinsma via an outside firm. So For the last 10 years Dr. Bruinsma has been the top dog at FCC. The top guy, not a teacher, teacher’s aide or a janitor. [Read more...]

By Congressman Mike Bost

The 2024 election delivered a powerful message to the D.C. swamp: the voters were fed up with leaders who ignored their struggles. They handed President Trump and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress a mandate for change. From factory floors and family farms to Main Streets and mom-and-pop shops, working Americans rejected the status quo that had long ago left them behind. Even traditionally Democrat-leaning states like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California saw significant shifts toward President Trump, highlighting the growing disconnect between D.C. Democrats and the rest of the country. [Read more...]