Economic growth and jobs in Northwest Illinois are fueled by adequate and diverse transportation services. This requires state and local support to reinstate and adequately fund passenger rail service in Northwest Illinois.

Last week, Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that he is stepping down at the end of this term. That means he’s quitting Congress at a time when Donald Trump’s deportation force is separating more families than ever. Paul Ryan has stated a belief in immigration reform and the Dream Act. Just last year, he told a Dreamer, Angelica Villalobos, that people like her don’t need to worry about being deported. “I hope your future is here,” he said. Yet Speaker Ryan has never taken action on the Dream Act or other legislation that would help immigrants. He has been too cowed by Donald Trump and the white nationalist extremists in his own party. In fact, Ryan has allowed the Steve King wing of his caucus to hold numerous anti-immigrant votes. But Paul Ryan still has nine months left in his term. The Dream Act would pass in the House, if Ryan allowed it to come up for a vote. He has nothing to lose, and he could help change the lives of almost 800,000 young people who call America their home. Tell Paul Ryan: it’s not too late! Take action on the Dream Act now!

Time to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and work for that money. Preferably in a coal mine, as an undocumented farm worker, or be shipped off to fight a one-man war against North Korea.

It is totally jaw dropping that a private company can, with no credible evidence of "public good," march into the lives of everyday Americans and take our land by force. That's what happened to our family, to property we hoped to leave to our children as our legacy. Instead, it is about to seized by a private company and reduced to rubble. And this is happening all over the country, from Transmountain in the West to Standing Rock in the Dakotas to these pipeline in the south east. Don't think it can't happen to you. It can. And what happens in Virginia will either protect citizens or embolden private companies to do this again to more everyday Americans, usually people who are not white, are poor or they don't think will fight back. We have to stand together!

Earlier this year, the Trump administration approved KY Gov. Bevin's Medicaid waiver called KY HEALTH Plan. Beginning July 1, 2018, "able-bodied" adults who currently receive their healthcare through the Medicaid expansion will have to jump through hoops weekly to continue their care. 16 KYians have sued, claiming that the changes to Medicaid are illegal and unconstitutional. If they win their case, Bevin has promised to end Medicaid expansion all together. Human beings are not tools for revenge, Bevin! We are asking for KY legislation that protects Medicaid once and for all from changes that will purposely hurt the most vulnerable of our population. We want the KY HEALTH Plan reversed, and we want a ruling against Bevin's proposed executive order that will end Medicaid expansion if his plan is reversed.

Low income neighborhoods across the United States are suffering low food access as a byproduct of their zip code. Many citizens living in food deserts either endure health problems related to consistent consumption of processed foods, or take up Guerilla Gardening on abandoned lots at their own risk to feed themselves. Sign here now to offer an alternative food source such as a community garden as a great source of fresh food, and to provide a gateway that strengthens local neighborhoods. Communities with low-food access shouldn’t have to submit a Land Grant through a competitive application process in order to meet basic health requirements. Non-profit organizations shouldn’t have to seek out providing common amenities one would assume come with paying taxes in the United States. The national government is for the people, by the people. The USDA had the information in hand of what communities by population size and proximity to grocers were considered a food desert. This food desert locator was deleted from their website after they deemed it had lost its usefulness. So my question is: Why is government spending going towards pointing out low-food access communities without attempting to solve any problems? Sign now to change the lives of your local communities.

While I don’t know this for sure, I have to think the original intent of the congressional recess was for congressmen to go home and update their constituents; somehow that’s been lost. I live in Washington’s congressional district and each quarter or so both my senators come to town to hold a fund raiser. So I pay $100.00 to join the state and local party hack hopefuls and the lobbyists to hear MY elected officials discuss issues (always highlighting those of the lobbyists). This just isn’t right and again not the way it was designed.

This will be a much needed addition to our community.

I have not been personally affected as much as others, but I see the need, not just in Flint , but also other places where the State has neglected needed infrastructure. They are waiting for someone else to do something. It’s ironic that Michigan ‘s slogan is “Pure Michigan,” but pure water is not accessible everywhere.

This is a petition to bring Families back together again, Hear say should not be allowed to hold up in court, nor should just allegations alone. Parent's, Grandparent's, ect... Should not have to beg for visitation rights with their own family, That is Mental Anguish on the child and Abuse! Parent's need more free range on the upbringing of their children as religions vary in many degree's and area's. Parent's should be allowed to record their own children's precious memories even if it is a phone call, it's still a memory. Vision, and Mission statements all say keeping families together how is that when so many have been allegated and broken apart! Human Rights are being violated, Where is the Peace that is supposed to be the benefit of living as a American. We need to make sure that Due Process is done on every case not just certain ones. A Parent should not have to sign medication for their children if they can not even speak to them. Parent's need space back to be Parent's, after all these children are our future leaders and if they get brought up in corruption that will tell you where this country will be full of in 10 years when these 7 and 8 year olds start becoming independent, they will do as they were taught. Let's secure them a brighter future by bringing back family morals and religious belief's.

Condo owners in Newburyport are under attack. The city is considering charging or eliminating curbside trash pickups for some or all 2,000+ condos in Newburyport. We use the same streets, schools, libraries and other city services. We pay the same property taxes as others. Condo owners should not be treated differently from single-family or rental properties. If there is an increase in a new trash hauling contract, everyone should pay equally for that city service.

Floridians who have served their prison sentence and completed the terms of their probation should not be forever barred from participating in our democracy again. This is not a partisan issue, but a matter of right and wrong. It is time we allow those who have done everything the court required of them to vote and participate in our democracy.