When you are late to the party.

Late to the party

 Hello and welcome to Sunshine Strategies Radio, your family-friendly source for news that matters here in Central Illinois and beyond. I’m your host, and today we’ve got a full basket of updates—local projects blooming, state decisions unfolding, and a few national headlines that deserve your attention.

So grab your lemonade, round up the kids, and let’s dive in.

First, there is a topic that I have been thinking about a lot the last few weeks, as we prepare for the No Kings events tomorrow.

Y’all, I’ve got a confession to make.

I hate when people are late to my events. Birthday parties, funerals, barbecues—nothing makes me madder than having to reheat a plate for Betsy. Again. Because she showed up five hours late with her thankfully store-bought dessert.

But here’s the thing: I’ll reheat that plate every single time. Because deep down, I know Betsy just doesn’t know better. Maybe I should just tell her… Sorry, Betsy.

And honestly? I’ve been late to the party myself. Sometimes literally, sometimes while throwing one on a bad date.

On our last episode, I shared Mr. Dyer’s story—one I didn’t even know until recently. Another party I was late to? Learning the history of Juneteenth.

Thankfully, since President Biden made it a federal holiday in 2021, more people now know what it means. Juneteenth isn’t just a day off. It’s a powerful symbol—for all Americans—of justice delayed but never denied. It’s a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, culture, and resistance born from unspeakable injustice.

But because so many white Americans have been late to this party, Juneteenth still isn’t as deeply ingrained in our national consciousness as, say, the Fourth of July.

So when I heard the next 50501 protest was scheduled for June 14th, I wasn’t shocked—but I was disappointed.

On the surface, June 14th makes sense: It’s Donald Trump’s birthday, Flag Day, the Army’s 250th anniversary—and, fun fact, National Strawberry Shortcake Day. But in the rush to plan a righteous protest, we forgot something crucial: Juneteenth weekend.

Springfield, Illinois—our potential protest site—is one of many cities celebrating that Saturday.

And in our justified outrage at authoritarianism, we screwed up.

We didn’t just schedule over an important day for the Black community—we implicitly asked folks to delay their celebration to stand with us.

That’s not solidarity. That’s entitlement dressed up as activism.

So here’s where I land: I can’t rewind the clock. I can’t tell Black leaders not to be hurt. I can’t cancel a protest that’s already set.

But I can ask for grace. And I can own the mistake.

Many of us see the rift this caused and are cringing, because it was avoidable. But here’s what 

I believe: We assume good intentions, and we learn.

That means admitting we should have coordinated better. It means showing up when it counts, for everyone in our community.

I was there for Sonya Massey. I was there for the unhoused in Springfield.

And I hope I’ll be welcome at the next Black Lives Matter event after June 14.  Regardless of the missteps and hurt feelings, I’ll be speaking at the Illinois State Capitol this Saturday.  Organize or not, I’ll be there to rally against Donald Trump, and to make sure we can all celebrate Juneteenth next year, and the years to come.

🏡 Local News – Central Illinois Check-In

🚜 Logan County Town Hall Coming Up: Mark your calendars: On July 13th, Sunshine Strategies is teaming up with The Back Forty and Missouri’s Will Westmoreland for a town hall on farm policy, rural life, and how federal decisions hit home. There’ll be food trucks, kids’ activities, and a community resource fair. It’s at the Logan County Fairgrounds from noon to 4. Bring your neighbors!

🏛️ Illinois State News – Summer Decisions

🏫 School Funding Shuffle: Governor Pritzker signed off on the new education funding formula this week, giving rural schools in our region a much-needed boost. Springfield District 186 is expecting nearly $5 million more than last year—money that could go toward mental health support, teacher retention, and updating old school buses.

Parents and teachers: school board meetings in your district will be reviewing new budgets in the coming weeks. Get involved—it matters!

🌳 Illinois State Parks Are Hiring Teens! Need a summer job for your teen? Illinois is hiring seasonal staff at state parks—including Lincoln Trail, Weldon Springs, and Kickapoo. Positions include trail maintenance, camp support, and visitor services. Great way to earn money and serve the community.

🇺🇸 National News – Explained Like We’re All in High School

🧱 "Big Beautiful Bill" Breakdown: Congress is still locked in debate over the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” a giant spending and tax package pushed by the House majority. The bill slashes funding for public housing, Medicaid expansion, and food aid, while increasing tax breaks for corporations. Critics—including some Republicans—are calling it “a giveaway with no guardrails.”

Why it matters for Illinois? Programs like LIHEAP and school lunch assistance could see major cuts, especially in rural areas.

🪖 Troops Deployed to Border Cities: In a controversial move, President Trump—yes, he’s still in the picture—has been urging governors to call up National Guard troops for immigration enforcement. In response, Illinois leaders have doubled down on due process and protections for migrants, reaffirming that Illinois is, in Governor Pritzker’s words, “a welcoming state grounded in law and humanity.”

🗓️ Community Calendar – What’s Coming Up

• June 14 – Flag Day 🇺🇸 Teach the kids about why the flag matters—and maybe make one together!

• June 16 – “No Kings” Protest & Juneteenth Unity Events Several communities across Central Illinois are holding joint events that uplift freedom and accountability. Join a peace march, a cookout, or a history talk near you.

• June 19 – Juneteenth Celebrations Across Illinois From Springfield to Peoria, events honoring emancipation and Black resilience are happening all week. Check with your local library or NAACP chapter for events.

 That’s all for this week’s edition of Sunshine Strategies Radio. Remember—being informed is the first step in shaping the kind of future we want for our kids, our neighbors, and ourselves.

If you liked today’s episode, share it with a friend, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Until next time, stay kind, stay curious, and stay involved.

📝 Sources You Can Trust:

• Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE.gov)

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources (dnr.illinois.gov)

• Springfield District 186 Budget Reports

• Congressional Budget Office Summary of H.R. 1185

• NPR Illinois and Capitol News Illinois

• Peoria Journal Star and Decatur Herald & Review

• Illinois.gov Press Releases