Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act – legislation to enshrine marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples into federal law. The bill would also formally repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provide additional legal protections for marriage equality. Despite national support for marriage equality reaching record high levels, 157 House Republicans voted against the measure. “In our country, freedom is sacred. And that includes the freedom to marry the person you love,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “While the vast majority... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University will sponsor a virtual Ignite HR event through the Great River Human Resource Association at noon Wednesday, July 13. This virtual roundtable is open to the public. WIU Management and Marketing Professor Susan Stewart will discuss the “Sexual Harassment of Teenage Workers” and will focus on the psychological, physical and behavioral effects of sexual harassment on teenage victims, share legal issues and court cases and generate new ideas for organizational actions and future research. Stewart will answer questions based on her recently... Read More

Two Rock Island High School Basketball Head Coaches received the 2022 Charles and Annie Robinson Education Image Award from the Rock Island County NAACP at the annual Freedom Fund Banquet and Image Awards on June 25, 2022. Lady Rocks Basketball Head Coach Henry Hall will be starting his 5th season as the Head Girls Basketball Coach and had previously served 8 years as assistant coach. During his time coaching at Rock Island, the Lady Rocks have won 9 regional championships and are traditionally ranked in the top 15 in the State of Illinois. Rocks Basketball Head Coach Marc Polite completed his... Read More

Milan, Ill. – Negocios Now, a national award-winning publication focused on Hispanic business, has included Group O in its annual list of 50 Most Powerful Hispanic Businesses in its recent edition of “Who’s Who in Hispanic Business.” The list consists of top Hispanic-owned businesses making a clear difference in this country. Gregg Ontiveros was recognized for turning Group O from a $50M business in 1999 into the $900+M diversified services firm it is today thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit and can-do philosophy. Ontiveros leads with a hands-on approach, remaining very involved in all... Read More

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, helped advance out of Committee a comprehensive energy and water funding bill that would bring significant federal investments to communities in Northwest and Central Illinois. “Strong, modern and updated infrastructure is critical to our families and communities,” said Congresswoman Bustos, a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. “And for our family farmers, a vital part of our infrastructure is our locks and dams and supporting a reliable waterway system. I’m proud that the investments... Read More

Dear Friends and Allies, As we shared on May 11 (bit.ly/WIUMCCWomensRightsMay2022) when the leak emerged about the Supreme Court discussion to overturn Roe v. Wade, we re-shared this message on June 24 following the heartbreaking and short-sighted decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. For more than 36 years, the Western Illinois University Women’s Center has advocated for, and celebrated, women and the rights of women, and we will continue. The WIU Women’s Center, the WIU Multicultural Center, and others will not accept this decision quietly. We are beginning to plan... Read More

KWQC-TV6’s Theresa Bryant was recently inducted into the Iowa Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame! We congratulate Theresa on not just the honor but on her decades of awesome work as a fantastic broadcaster for the Quad-Cities! Here are some of the pictures from her ceremony:  Read More

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the longstanding Roe v. Wade precedent: “As a mother, a grandmother and a Catholic, I am gutted by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Make no mistake – this ruling will cost lives and livelihoods, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.  “The U.S. Supreme Court does not belong in our doctors’ offices, and this attack on personal freedom is a radical departure from what has been accepted as the ‘law of the land’ for half a century.  “In... Read More

From The Weeknd to the soundtrack to “Stranger Things,” synth pop is an integral part of the musical landscape of our times, and has been for decades. Aside from minor blips when it’s faded from style, the sound of synthesizers has been a constant companion for everything from avant garde pop to boy and girl band tracks and even as one of the elements of nu metal. However, the ubiquity of synth pop since its breakthrough explosion as part of the new British invasion of the ‘80s, not to mention its previous dancing along the edges in the ‘70s and ‘60s as part of various acts’ oeuvre,... Read More

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) voted to pass the Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion and Economic Justice Act – a comprehensive legislative package promoting racial and economic justice in employment, income, wealth, housing and access to credit. “A person’s race should never put the American Dream at further reach. But despite the progress we’ve made, our nation continues to face significant racial disparities in every part of our society,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “We must ensure that every American has access to opportunities to get ahead and stay ahead. That’s why... Read More