UPDATED: State’s Attorney sees conflict, expects to ask for special prosecutor in Michael ethics complaint

Posted on October 1, 2018

The McLean County Ethics Commission has referred to the state’s attorney’s office a complaint accusing County Clerk Kathy Michael of using public resources for campaign activities and intentionally destroying evidence. However, McLean County State’s Don Knapp issued a statement late Monday afternoon indicating he’ll ask the chief judge to appoint the Appellate Prosecutor’s office as a special prosecutor to investigate Michael.… MORE

Posted on October 1, 2018

FAIRBURY– Robert Allen Sikorski, 71, Fairbury, died at 5:30 am Saturday, September 29, 2018 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with a prayer service at 4:30 pm and a I.O.O.F. service at 7:00pm.  Burial will be in Calverton…… MORE

Obituary: Beverly E. Dunahee

Posted on October 1, 2018

Beverly E. Dunahee (Photo: Duffy Pils Memorial Home)   Lexington –Beverly E. Dunahee, 84, of Lexington passed away at 10:30 pm Friday, September 28, 2018, at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at Lexington United Methodist Church, Lexington; with Pastor Garry Gromley officiating.  Burial…… 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…