A Normal Planning Commissioner has announced he’s running for a spot on the Normal Town Council after the longest serving council member announced he’s not seeking re-election.… MORE
Central Illinois congressional candidates show stark differences on policies
Candidates for the two congressional districts in central Illinois have stark political differences on some unresolved policies heading into the midterm elections.
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Property taxes seen flat to lower as District 87 proposes 2018 levy
District 87 administrators believe property taxes will be flat to a little bit lower even as they expect to collect more from landowners for the next school year.… MORE
Kitchen fire damages northwest Normal apartment
The American Red Cross came to the aid of a woman whose apartment in northwest Normal was damaged by fire Tuesday night.… MORE
Assistant City Manager Rasmussen steps down
The partnership between new Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason and his top assistant, who once sought Gleason’s job, has come to an end after just a few months.… MORE
State wants lower overtime hours for home caregivers
Groups watching out for the homebound say the Rauner administration is going about saving money the wrong way.… MORE
Council okays west side job training center, zoo upgrades
A century old building on Bloomington’s west side will be used as a job training site for women.… MORE
Bloomington council calls for ‘pension spiking’ crackdown
New Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason said an ordinance unanimously passed by the city council Monday night requires him to curb “pension spiking” for retiring city workers that costs taxpayers millions of dollars.… MORE
Campaign staffers suing Pritzker respond to ‘smear’ claims
A group of 10 campaign workers who sued Democratic candidate for Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker over racial discrimination accusations in the political operation spoke out Monday in response to claims that they’re only after the billionaire’s money.… MORE
Illinois Secretary of State warns about marijuana investment scams
Pot is a growing business in Illinois and other states.… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…